I think we're comparing apples to oranges here.
2008 SRT8 Challengers are a limited production run - 6,400 units. We know that right up front. Part of that is to maintain exclusivity, and part is because of the limited time they'll have to produce those cars before normal retooling occurs for the next model year.
The 2009 Challengers are not supposed to be limited production. The first few months will allow the Brampton plant to optimize production and expand the line to include two more trim levels. They MAY even expand to three shifts for the Challenger if production doesn't meet demand.

I have a friend (in Jacksonville, FL) who ordered an '05 GT. This was before they indicated intent to make the GT500. I also have a friend who works (or worked - not sure if he's still there) at Shenandoah Ford in Front Royal, Virginia. Anyway, Ford was NOT accepting orders on '05 GT's from employees for discount UNLESS customer orders were met first. Ford had problems with heads warping on the GT V8 engine, then with low-speed chatter (at steering wheel lock) in the front end. Both of these issues slowed production significantly. Long story short - My friend in Florida GOT his Mustang almost 5 months after ordering it, and my friend (who was an employee, mind you) had to wait for his until the '06 model year.

As was suggested by cncpt2prod!, I think you got shafted by your dealer because of a combination of his greed and low production numbers caused by manufacturing/engineering issues at Ford.
I don't see this happening with Dodge. Cerberus is all about efficiency since they're an investment firm, not a quasi-beaurocracy like Ford. However, each dealership has to be judged on it's own merits. Look at the prices on the '08 SRT8 Challengers. Some are selling at MSRP - others, as much as $30K over.
You just need to do the leg work to get the right deal at the right place.