Cat's pricing isn't all that extreme, even my 247 was still cheaper than a T180 and more than a T140, another example is the Hitachi ZX75-2 my Dad bought was $10,000 cheaper than the Cat 308DCR, but the ZX75-3 was more money, and it was priced almost the same as the Cat. Why? The dealer wanted to get rid of it to make room for the new stuff, so I suggest asking the dealers next time you price out anything next to a Cat.
I have noticed that pricing can vary significantly based on dealer promotions and availability. It is always good to shop around and consider alternatives.
Is it just me, or do these new models come with a premium price due to advanced features that many might not even need?