[Redc7]

Did Ralph Gilles Call the Corvette a "Disposable Device"? | Corvetteforum

Just one question Mr. Gillies how many Vipers have you sold?

Let me answer that:

Nobody has ever accused the all-new 2013 SRT Viper of being slow, but even with the rebounding economy the high-performance coupe seems to be suffering from slow sales out of the gate. According to Automotive News, the Viper has sold 426 units since it went on sale in February with an additional 565 unsold units sitting around in dealer inventory, which shows that SRT was a little too optimistic in its initial sales expectations for the Viper.

The company was originally hoping to sell around 2,000 Vipers each year, but in light of this inventory excess, SRT is said to be scaling back production of the Viper and reassigning workers (the report says no workers are being laid off) from its Conner Avenue Assembly plant to other plants near Detroit. Sales figures excluded, this is definitely not the start the company was looking for on its revived sports coupe – especially after losing head-to-head track battles with the Chevy Corvette (both the C6 ZR1 and C7 Stingray) in comparison tests.

 

[killascrimp]

ya really like Mr. Gilles kind of sucks that viper sales are so slow, They have a new 6.2L if they could drop that in the viper and give it a different name and price it in the high 60s to mid 70s they would prob sell the hell out of them, I personally like v8s more than v10s. If you were him you would probably have a thing against vettes too. I jumped ship from team SRT to a new z51. MT just ranked him #14 in the POWER LIST (auto CEO's)ect. but don't worry Tadge got #48 I personally love my vette I just like his style, he is like a young Ed Welburn.

 

[mjw930]

ya really like Mr. Gilles kind of sucks that viper sales are so slow, They have a new 6.2L if they could drop that in the viper and give it a different name and price it in the high 60s to mid 70s they would prob sell the hell out of them, I personally like v8s more than v10s. If you were him you would probably have a thing against vettes too. I jumped ship from team SRT to a new z51. MT just ranked him #14 in the POWER LIST (auto CEO's)ect. but don't worry Tadge got #48 I personally love my vette I just like his style, he is like a young Ed Welburn.

Some flaws in that argument. Simply changing from the V10 to a V8 doesn't drop the cost to produce $30000. There are 2 things amiss with SRT, their cost to produce is far too high for any car associated with a Chrysler brand and they base their pricing on comparisons to what they consider competition vs. what it actually cost to produce the vehicles. Case in point, the new Jeep SRT. With not much more than a couple thousands dollars in additional parts over a fully loaded Overland they price the SRT well over $10000 more. Their excuse, it's 95% of the performance of a Cayenne TT or a BMW X5M, it should cost more.

If Chevy used the same pricing model the C7 base would be $75,000+.


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[killascrimp]

Some flaws in that argument. Simply changing from the V10 to a V8 doesn't drop the cost to produce $30000. There are 2 things amiss with SRT, their cost to produce is far too high for any car associated with a Chrysler brand and they base their pricing on comparisons to what they consider competition vs. what it actually cost to produce the vehicles. Case in point, the new Jeep SRT. With not much more than a couple thousands dollars in additional parts over a fully loaded Overland they price the SRT well over $10000 more. Their excuse, it's 95% of the performance of a Cayenne TT or a BMW X5M, it should cost more.

If Chevy used the same pricing model the C7 base would be $75,000+.

You make a great point, That is their problem, Its simple math. They went all in on the viper and it is overpriced. American's love the vette and when the price range is 130K they want exotics from Europe.

 

[mjw930]

Some flaws in that argument. Simply changing from the V10 to a V8 doesn't drop the cost to produce $30000. There are 2 things amiss with SRT, their cost to produce is far too high for any car associated with a Chrysler brand and they base their pricing on comparisons to what they consider competition vs. what it actually cost to produce the vehicles. Case in point, the new Jeep SRT. With not much more than a couple thousands dollars in additional parts over a fully loaded Overland they price the SRT well over $10000 more. Their excuse, it's 95% of the performance of a Cayenne TT or a BMW X5M, it should cost more.

If Chevy used the same pricing model the C7 base would be $75,000+.

You make a great point, That is their problem, Its simple math. They went all in on the viper and it is overpriced. American's love the vette and when the price range is 130K they want exotics from Europe.

EXACTLY. If I'm parting with 130 large the car is going to have a Porsche, BMW or AMG logo on it.

 

[rdslon01]

If I were going to part with 130 k for a car, it would be a C7 + a Cadillac CTS, or a C7 + a Jeep Grand Cherokee. And if I were going to part with even more $$$, it would be C7 + Tesla S.

 

[chopperpilot24]

If I were going to part with 130 k for a car, it would be a C7 + a Cadillac CTS, or a C7 + a Jeep Grand Cherokee. And if I were going to part with even more $$$, it would be C7 + Tesla S.

Agree with you. I looked at an SRT earlier this year and opted for the C7 for me and the JGC Overland /w Hemi for wife. She refuses to drive a stick, so I have the C7 all to myself.


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[rdslon01]

Agree with you. I looked at an SRT earlier this year and opted for the C7 for me and the JGC Overland /w Hemi for wife. She refuses to drive a stick, so I have the C7 all to myself.


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We really think alike. I also think the Overland is the sweet spot for the JGC.

 

[elegant]

If I were going to part with $130K for a car, it sure would not be for one whose front looks like an oversized clown shoe.

Instead get two StingRays for that amount.

 

[rdslon01]

If I were going to part with $130K for a car, it sure would not be for one whose front looks like an oversized clown shoe.

Instead get two StingRays for that amount.

I had to read that twice to understand what you meant. Then I got it: the Viper does look like that! I laughed out loud! I had never heard that one before.

 

[mjw930]

We really think alike. I also think the Overland is the sweet spot for the JGC.

I agree 100%. I had one of the first Overland's in 2011 and it was an extremely capable and comfortable vehicle. The addition of the 8 speed ZF for 2014 ironed out most of the drivetrain rough edges and IMHO it goes toe to toe with the best midsize SUV's on the planet at a much lower cost. The Durango derivative with the 3rd row seat is a great vehicle too. Every bit as good as ANY European or Asian SUV for a lot less money.

I traded my Overland for an SRT and although the SRT was a blast to drive it honestly wasn't $20K better. I sold it late last year and replaced it with a new Silverado. My main reason for having an SUV was towing and the Silverado at $31K OTD (you gotta love supplier pricing and rebates), half the price of the SRT, pulls my 5000+ lb 20' trailer like a dream and I have a 6' bed to haul crap back from Lowes on the weekends