Awsure, here are my thoughts.

I certainly believe that history tends to repeat itself. I was around when the oil embargo of the 70's (supposed oil shortage.....here we are 30 years later and we still have oil LOL!), car safety and skyrocketing insurance was nailing all muscle car fans.

I posted this way back about a year ago, so I am repeating myself but I think the Challenger will be around at the most 4 years because of this time the rising cost of gasoline.

Unless Dodge can do some incredibly marketing that will give Mustang fans and potential Mustang owners a long term alternative to pony cars in the Challenger.
Of course, the Camaro will also muddy the water and give Muscle car owners another alternative.

There is also the rumor about maybe Dodge will make the Challenger the Viper replacement in terms of the marketing car for the future. I am actually surprised that
the Viper has lived this long. If the Viper were to go, can you imagine what engine they could put in the Challenger since they would not have to limit its HP rating.

All that being said, I hope I am wrong and history will not repeat itself and we will have a long term Muscle car war in the Mustang, Challenger, and Camaro with the
Challenger being King in performance.

I am not being a pessimist but a realist.

I recently posted an article and picture of the "Smart car"........gosh that thing is ugly. Then I saw it on a episode of ER this week where one of the doctor was driving it. I wonder how much money they paid for that advertisement. That thing is so small it looks like a death trap, oh but you save money on gas.

While I have complained in the past about the new Challenger weighting a couple of tons (I would love to see 3800 lbs. but I think we may see 4300 lbs when it is made out of metal), at least you have a chance to survive a major collision. The "Smart Car" would be a death trap.

 

well you can also look at declining sales of the mustang following the 05 model the hype dies down like i said the challenger will sell well for about 3 years after that sales of the car will fall

 

T bird was hot for first year 2002, and dealers helped nail the coffin with add on price gouging, and inability to service the car. Sales declined some for 03 and by then writing was on the wall that sales would be far below expected numbers, cost to company was too high, not enough halo effect. One ongoing comment in the retro Thunderbird community is "those that really wanted one bought one right away, those are the ones that mattter." Current buyers of used retro birds, for the most part, lack the passion for the marque, enjoy it as a whim or toy, bought it at half retail price. And press mention and "media presence" is gone altogether.

Challenger runs same risk as speciality car, which is not necesarily bad.
Steve

 

I know of many, many people I have talked to in the years that I have owned my 71 Challenger that have said how much they regreted ever getting rid of their cars. I wonder if these folks will be in line to buy our pony car offerings from the big three. If not new then most likely, used as they make their rounds. I feel that those who buy will keep these alot longer and that will influence others as they see them hitting the street. But the big trump card working against the pony cars will be GAS prices. I am afraid they will economically affect how alot of people will buy and keep cars. But I also believe in the American spirit and how we find a way to accomplice our goals. We find a way to get our needs met and our wants too. There is nothing like getting in a Challenger and hit the streets with the world on your shoulders. A few romps on the go pedal and some southern rock... my worries are gone for a while And I'll work them out as I cruise down the street with a big thumbs up from the cars I pass on my Blvd. journey. So to all those who will take the journey each day in the persuit of happiness and the american way. This pony car is for you Mr. muscle car driver