You realize that you really can't speak for other dealers? They're all different. They're owned and managed by very different people. My family has owned dealerships and I know many people in the car business. Some owners are very shrewd businessmen (all that I know are men). Others are dumbasses that like cars so they bought a dealership. There is no way your minimal exposure to your dealer is remotely applicable to this guy.

The dealer I bought my Challenger from used to be owned by my family. I know them well and I have a standing offer to test drive a Hellcat. I've referred a couple well-to-do friends to them that wanted to drive one. They let good customers test drive Hellcats, Vipers, etc and they at least keep one of each around for that purpose.

This kids story changed later on and he admitted he was with his dad and just got to drive a short distance. Whether that's true or not we'll never know but to say that "nobody gets to drive a Hellcat" is bullshit. Your dealership is apparently run by ninny muggins. It's fine if you don't have to give test drives to sell Hellcats but there's a lot more to car sales than selling high demand cars. That's the easiest thing you can possibly do. It's good publicity to at least let your good customers test drive a car, even if they have no interest in buying one. I'm not saying every dim-bulb that walks in gets to drive one, but letting quality customers drive cars is how you establish long-term relationships. If nothing else, you'll sell more RT's/SRT's because many people will come in to check out the Hellcat and realize they have no use for 700hp. They will have a blast driving such a rare car and realize that the Challenger is a damn nice vehicle regardless and they can probably get by with a measly 375 or 485hp. It gets people on the lot and THAT is more valuable than making a $5k markup on a single car.