[rockycruiser]

I would concur that the issue is DC's control/lack of control of dealers. When rumors of the Stage upgrades first surfaced, I sent DC an email asking for details/information. They wrote back and said that I should talk to my Dealer Service Mgr. I did this and got no response.

When the website appeared giving details/part #'s, I sent these to my dealer (Lithia Motors, Missoula, MT) and asked again for a price on the installation of a number of items (gauges, springs AND the upgrade). After the customary silence, I followed up and got the rather astounding response that they were not interested in doing ANY of the work; that they would not work on anything that was not factory installed--an astounding display of total disregard for customer service (which, IMHO, is directly correlated with quality of product). And Chrysler has said this is a 5-star dealership.

This is the same dealership which sold me the car and the 7 yr/70K mile extended warranty.

It is one thing to respond to the developing market for performance vehicles (chase the buck); it is another to do so at the expense of the customer ("you'll buy these things, so we'll make them, but that's as far as we commit").

I purchase vehicles fairly frequently. Except for a Jeep Cherokee 15 years ago, this is my first experience with DC. It will be my last. Those familiar with the research will also note that while the satisfied customer will likely tell 4 acquaintances of his/her experience, the disgruntled customer will likely tell 11-15 acquaintances.