I agree with a lot of what you've said. The problem is most of these "hot customers" won't be doing Dodge any favors in the way of "free advertising" by driving them around. A lot of the owners of the "numbered limited edition - 2008 SRT8" will drive their Challengers only once in a while - when the weather is perfect, when the snobby neighbor is outside polishing his vintage vette, when he/she's going to the class reunion....BUT most of the time, the car will be garaged in anticipation of seeing the Barrett Jackson auction floor in 35-45 years. If they can afford the car over MSRP, they can afford to tuck it away as an investment.
I DO agree that Ford keeps interest in the Mustang with "special editions" - if you ask me, too many, too often. And I think you're right about the prices falling when production gets ramped up in the late summer of '08.

Marketing is "sales psychology", and Dodge is doing a pretty good job of it.....
leaked/spy photos of a concept appear,
the concept officially appears,
the company decides/announces at Daytona for the 400 their decision to bring it to production,
they taunt us with leaked assembly line pics,
they camoflage it with bras and stick it on the streets,
the concept continues to tour the auto show circuit,
the company website starts what is essentially a forum for admirers,
the mules are spotted more often and in more locations,
pre-production pics appear from a convention,
tidbits such as production numbers and standard equipment are leaked,
pricing information (and rhumored first year production number) is released,
pre-production pics are released,
pre-production orders are being accepted,
dealer brochures appear,
initial production number rhumors are denied,
second model year options are leaked, .......
They've been stringing us along for two years now, the whole thing has been carefully orchestrated - and it's worked! We're still here, we're still waiting - haven't bought one of the myriad of Mustang offerings available in the interim - holding our cash for the Challenger.

With the promise of 425 naturally aspirated horses under the hood of the SRT8, we're drooling just thinking about what more we can do with our Challengers to completely STOMP the Mustangs (needing a supercharger to get similar HP numbers) and Camaros (still not sure WHAT they're going to put under the hood - I think they WANT top billing in the HP wars, but seem to be sacrificing sales for bragging rights by bringing the Camaro out last of the Pony Cars). This further sets up sales of aftermarket parts for MOPAR (if it's still operational) or possibly companies that subcontract for Chrysler LLC (ie; Magna) to help bolster their sales and keep everyone happy / profitable.

The difference between Rare and Valuable is how desirable an item is. (Common sense is rare. ) Having the only Barry Manilow "Going Through Puberty" album [:'(]- although rare - wouldn't necessarily make it valuable....somebody would have to want it. The more interest in the album, the m