Orders have officially opened for the new Dodge Charger R/T and Scat Pack Six Pack. As a result, many enthusiasts are rushing to get their deposits in. However, I am here to tell you to stop immediately. Placing an order right now is likely a financial error. While the excitement for the new twin-turbo I6 engine is real, the buying strategy needs to be smarter. Therefore, I want to explain exactly why you should keep your wallet closed for the moment.
I have remained neutral regarding the new Six Pack models. I have shared data on tuners, pricing, and performance without bias. Consequently, some viewers claim I hate Dodge, while others say I have flip-flopped. In reality, my goal is to be consumer-centric. I want to advocate for you, the buyer. Currently, the smartest move for a consumer is to avoid being the first person in line. If you order now, you lose all leverage.
The Financial Trap of Factory Orders
When you place a custom order, you are walking into a trap set by the dealership. For instance, they will happily take your deposit and let you spec the car. However, when that vehicle arrives, they expect you to pay full MSRP. There is almost no room for negotiation on a car built specifically for you. As a result, you are guaranteeing the dealer maximum profit.
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Conversely, the dynamics change completely when buying from lot inventory. Imagine walking onto a dealer lot in a few months. Suddenly, you see 27 Chargers lined up in a row. At that point, the dealer is paying interest on that standing inventory. Therefore, they are motivated to move metal. You can look at a car priced at $51,500 and offer $47,000. In this scenario, you have the power. You can walk away, and they know it.
Historically, nobody paid MSRP before the chaos of 2020. We always negotiated. Sadly, the market conditioned us to accept sticker price as a “good deal.” However, the market is shifting back. We need to return to negotiating off the invoice price, not the MSRP. If you order today, you are voluntarily giving up that opportunity. Thus, you should wait until dealers are flooded with stock.
Lessons from the Mustang and EV Market
We can look at Ford for a clear example of how this plays out. Recently, gas-powered Mustangs have vastly outsold their EV counterparts. The tax credits for EVs vanished, and demand plummeted. As a result, dealers sat on unsold inventory. What happened next? They started to discount. They realized they could not hold onto huge markups on Dark Horses or Mach-Es.
Similarly, the Dodge Daytona EV has faced challenges. Early adopters paid full price. However, just months later, nobody is paying MSRP for those cars unless they are uninformed. The market softened quickly. Therefore, if the new Charger Six Pack follows any normal market trend, prices will drop after the initial hype fades. Do not be the pioneer with the arrow in your back. Let others pay the premium while you wait for the deal.
The Truth About the Six Pack Engine
Despite the pricing strategy, the car itself has merit. The new Six Pack features a twin-turbo I6 engine. For non-muscle car purists, this is actually a great option. It offers all-wheel drive and significantly more horsepower than the old 5.7L Hemi. Specifically, it boasts 45 more horsepower and considerably more torque. Consequently, it is a faster, more capable grand touring vehicle.
Many people complain that it is not a V8. However, hundreds of thousands of people bought V6 SXTs and GTs in the past. There is clearly a market for a non-V8 Charger. This new iteration is simply a much faster version of those volume sellers. In addition, for those worried about the lack of V8 sound, the performance might make up for it. It is quick, it looks cool, and you can refuel it in 30 seconds. Therefore, it will sell, and it will hit a sweet spot in the market.
Regarding price complaints, inflation is the real culprit. Everything is more expensive, from eggs to interest rates. A $10,000 price hike over the previous generation R/T is effectively just inflation adjustment. You are getting more performance and technology for that money. However, even if inflation justifies the MSRP, do not pay it. You can still get it cheaper if you are patient.
Dealer Add-Ons and Negotiation Tactics
Another reason to buy off the lot is the battle over add-ons. When you order a car, you pay MSRP, and it arrives clean. However, when you buy off the lot, dealers often slap on paint protection, nitrogen, or window tint. They use these add-ons to inflate the price. But this actually gives you leverage. You can agree to pay MSRP only if they include all the add-ons for free.
For example, a dealer might have $3,000 worth of accessories on a car. In reality, that is only $500 worth of actual cost to them. Therefore, you can negotiate hard. Tell them you simply won’t pay for the extras. Often, they will waive the cost just to move the unit. This is a better outcome than ordering a car and paying full price with zero extras. Ultimately, buying inventory gives you multiple angles of attack for negotiation.
The Strategy for Interested Buyers
So, what should you do if you want a Charger Six Pack? Do not place a deposit. Instead, call your local dealers. Tell them you are very interested in the new Six Pack. Next, encourage them to order stock for their lot. Let the dealer take the financial risk. Let them use their floor plan money to bring the cars in.
We saw this happen recently with Ram trucks. Reports showed 10,000 orders for Hemi trucks. Many assumed these were customer orders. In reality, many were dealers stocking up before production ended. Dealers need inventory to sell. Once that inventory arrives and sits for a few weeks, the prices will become flexible. That is when you strike. You show up with your financing pre-approved and get the car on your terms.
The Future of the V8
Finally, there is a silver lining for the V8 die-hards. If the Six Pack sells well, it stabilizes the brand. However, Dodge knows they have a massive void at the top of their lineup. They have the entry-level EVs and now the mid-range Six Pack. But they are missing the halo car. They are missing the Hellcat replacement.
I believe they simply *must* bring back a V8 or a high-performance variant eventually. They need something obnoxious to satisfy the core enthusiasts. The current lineup has a gap. Therefore, by waiting and watching how the Six Pack performs, we might actually encourage the return of the Hemi. In the meantime, the Six Pack is a solid car, but only at the right price. Be smart, use your brain, and never pay MSRP if you can avoid it.
