Has the DOH Charger price spike already ended?

[bull]

It seems the furor over all things General Lee has pretty much flamed out already. Am I wrong or does it seem like it was a flash in the pan?

[JimShine]

Yup, looks like prices are dropping for most. Low end conversions and project cars seem to be holding firm. I wouldn't count on sub $15K cars to drop much.

[CB]

looks like the GLs are sold out

[Rocky]

And I thought that I had a short attention span.

[41husk]

I think the movie was made for people with a short attention span Yes, I payed hard earned money to go see it

[Khyron]

And I thought that I had a short attention span.

what?

[Duke_of_Canada]

I think it was pretty much expected that you'd see a spike, then a casual decrease in pricing.  I took advantage of the price and had my car reappraised for insurance during the spike.  At least this way if I happen to have an unfortunate incident with the car, I can at least get a bigger check out of it.

[Dale The Bold]

I think it wasn't so much the movie that drove up desire for the cars, but the anticipation of the desire.  Everyone thought they could cash in on the movie and started buying up Chargers in the weeks before the movie hit theaters.

Had the movie been better (more true to the series, and with a better cast), the demand for these cars would still be huge.  Most of hte public found the movie rather forrgettable.

[41husk]

 

[DC_1]

I think it wasn't so much the movie that drove up desire for the cars, but the anticipation of the desire. Everyone thought they could cash in on the movie and started buying up Chargers in the weeks before the movie hit theaters.

Had the movie been better (more true to the series, and with a better cast), the demand for these cars would still be huge. Most of hte public found the movie rather forrgettable.

I agree

I know it may not be a fair comparison but the movie "Gone in 60 Seconds" was a great car enthusiast movie that I think triggered a sustainable rise in classic car prices. I personally like those kinda movies that keep you on the edge of your seat in anticipation. And both the action scenes and plot actually kept your attention. The Duke movie was a huge disappointment and I did not hear many who went to see it recommend it. I don't think it really made people want to run out and buy a Charger.

I think the upper income guy who has done well in his career and always wanted a muscle car is the type the drives the price up. They buy because it is a status thing. I am sure that type didn't go to see the movie and even if they did I am sure he can't see himself pulling into his corporate parking spot with a orange car with a flag on the roof! Whereas I see alot of business owners around me buy status symbols whether it be a '63 Vette, 66 Stang or 70 Cuda. In most case they buy the already restored or in great original condition cars and as those prices go up it drags the fixer upper priced cars along with it.

Anyway just my thoughts and one possible angle on the subject. I will shut up now!

[JimShine]

I think the movie did more good for the old show than the GL market. Regularly kids that see my car tell me they now watch the TV show on CMT and my local Wal Mart is always restocking the DVD's. Perhaps the movie created a gateway for people to check out the show, then maybe in time they will want a Charger. In my opinion, I hope the bottom drops clean out as I am happy with my cars no matter what the dollar value placed on them is.

[Ghoste]

And the moral of the story is what?  Know your market?  Maybe the same mistake DCX is making with the nameplate?  One group wants to sell cars to the BMW crowd and the other wanted to get the summer hit with the F&F crowd?
Just musing here.

[JimShine]

I believe many GL and Charger owners were hoping the movie was going to jack prices up even higher and permanently. For one group this would allow them to get more money for their cars, for another group it would make their car a bigger status symbol than it was before. The moral is you can't predict the future, so don't bother trying.

[Old Moparz]

I think there are more things factoring into a price drop than a movie wearing off. Summer is over, the work force changes since schools & colleges are back in session, gas prices have shot up, & a disastrous hurricane takes peoples minds off "toys" for instance. People may also be waiting to see what happens in the next few months with the economy & local elections coming up. It could also be the inevitable cycle of the collector car market.   

Might be a great time to buy soon.   

[JimShine]

While those are sure factors into whats going on, I also think people cashing in on their 'investments' flooded the market. Around the opening of the movie small block and non-numbers matching clones were going for quite a bit of money, big block numbers matching were going for stupid money. The prices started falling off before the hurricane hit. There were too many hitting eBay at one time. Once the auctions reduce, many people will likely have passed through the phase of wanting one, or they would have bought something else instead.

[Silver R/T]

what did you expect? it wouldnt've been forever thing

[MoparYoungGun]

I think it wasn't so much the movie that drove up desire for the cars, but the anticipation of the desire.   Everyone thought they could cash in on the movie and started buying up Chargers in the weeks before the movie hit theaters.

Had the movie been better (more true to the series, and with a better cast), the demand for these cars would still be huge.   Most of hte public found the movie rather forrgettable.

as well.

[BigBlockSam]

yes  i agree that the price's have come down but alot of kids where introduced to the charger because of this movie. i took my 69 to the muffler shop. there where tw0 guys about 20 yrs old hanging there. the one kid said to me , thats like the dukes charger rite. i said yea. he said , nice thats the first one i've ever seen in real life. thats gotta be good for the future charger market. Rene

[Ghoste]

I have hope for the young kids, they're a good bunch coming up.  If we price the cars out of reach though, they won't be long getting back into their Civics.

[bull]

I think the movie did more good for the old show than the GL market. Regularly kids that see my car tell me they now watch the TV show on CMT and my local Wal Mart is always restocking the DVD's. Perhaps the movie created a gateway for people to check out the show, then maybe in time they will want a Charger. In my opinion, I hope the bottom drops clean out as I am happy with my cars no matter what the dollar value placed on them is.

I hope the bottom doesn't fall out completely or no one will bother making repop stuff.

Also I wonder how many people out there now regret paying $20k for a hlpag special?

[Charger Aficionado]

  I dis-agree.   I think the day of the 30-40k Gen Lee is still around for a little while...  Look at these:

Gen Lee ended the 1st of this month: 
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Dodge-Charger-1969-Dodge-Charger-The-General-Lee_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ6199QQitemZ4572925794QQrdZ1

Look what movie did for this car (ended yesterday):
F8 Green Charger painted an non-original color (T7/white/white):
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Dodge-Charger-1969-Dodge-Charger-R-T-440_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ6199QQitemZ4573800384QQrdZ1

[bull]

But then there are examples like this one with 0 bids after being listed for 3 days: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Dodge-Charger-1968-69-Dodge-Charger-General-Lee_W0QQitemZ4575237505QQcategoryZ6199QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[LivedodgeItaly]

Nothing better than this for me (concerning the prices situation) I'll pay less when I'mbuyng my still to come Charger...69 or 68 small block...
                                                              Andrea

[6pkrunner]

Well you had to know it could only last as long as the movie was popular. Once it died, the GL tie in went with it. Like most fads if you hit when its aflame, you're too late. Getting in before the gun and selling to those that are in when its hot is the best. Now where's that crystal ball........

[Ghoste]

I think Leno's comments on Charger prices rising 64% overnight because of the movie did more to raise prices than the movie ever would have even if it had been more popular.

[41husk]

I am actually considering buying a GL project, the price does not seem out of line.

[694spdRT]

The person asking $32,500 for the '68 383 2bbl in the Monster Mopar car corral was still hoping.   

[Charger Aficionado]

But then there are examples like this one with 0 bids after being listed for 3 days: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Dodge-Charger-1968-69-Dodge-Charger-General-Lee_W0QQitemZ4575237505QQcategoryZ6199QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Bull, I TOTALLY believe that you THWART your own auction by starting it out high.  What happens (in Marketing Terms), is called the "bandwagon effect".  When someone sees 33 bids he thinks someone out there "Knows better than him".  It just builds credibility in the auction to have tons of bids...  Plus him having pix of the car with no quarters doesn't help.  OUCH. 

Now folks this is a nice car, but when have you EVER seen a 318 car go over 6-8k???: 
http://cgi.ebay.com/1969-Dodge-Charger-same-as-General-Lee-Dukes-of-Hazard_W0QQitemZ4574355806QQcategoryZ6199QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[bull]

But then there are examples like this one with 0 bids after being listed for 3 days: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Dodge-Charger-1968-69-Dodge-Charger-General-Lee_W0QQitemZ4575237505QQcategoryZ6199QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Bull, I TOTALLY believe that you THWART your own auction by starting it out high.   What happens (in Marketing Terms), is called the "bandwagon effect".   When someone sees 33 bids he thinks someone out there "Knows better than him".   It just builds credibility in the auction to have tons of bids...   Plus him having pix of the car with no quarters doesn't help.   OUCH.  

Sure. There's no question that this guy screwed himself with his approach. But in that sense it does prove that it's not all about the cars -- even the GL.

[Ghoste]

Can the number of bids be taken as relevant information on any auction on e-bay?   Everybody seems to think you should only bid in the last minute of the auction anymore.