Where to buy SVT Shelby GT 500 without 20k markup?

"Michael Johnson, PE" wrote in news:z4WdnfkXktznmZfZnZ2dnUVZ snipped-for-privacy@giganews.com:

What are they going for now? The price of a house? ;)

Bet me that Ford doesn't make 14,000 in two years. I think we'll be lucky to see 5,000 a year if that.

To a point, I think you're right, Michael. But I also think that Ford will realize that they can't go above that $50k line, and to jack up the price they'll cut production. They might just be able to make more money by selling fewer cars.

Last I heard it is now a little over sticker or about $160k. Still a bargain though when you consider it can kick the butt of a $400k Ferrari. :)

Even 5,000/year is quite a few. My guess is they will have to sell several thousand a year just to recoup their investment.

I also think they know their price limit is in the $45k-$50k range. I'm sure they have probed the market to find the sweet spot. Over $50k and there are just too many other cars that become competitors. Under $50k and they have a free reign in that segment and nothing can touch that car for the value. I have no doubt Ford dealers will rape the first few Mustang/Shelby maniacs that hit the showrooms and I really don't blame them for doing it. Hell, I would do it if I owned a dealership. ;)

Here are a few cars I will consider if Ford thinks I will spend more than $50k on a Mustang:

.... and my personal favorite as runner-up

Plus there are many, many kit cars offered nowadays that are really quite good and can perform right up with the best from the major auto makers. Heck, maybe in a year, or so, a slightly used Ford GT might be possible. :)

I see one or two around here during the summer but haven't seen one SSR. IMO, the SSR is a decent bargain. Especially with the newer 400 hp engine.

Don't forget about the Z06. It is an absolute beast.

I remember people were paying $40K when the first PT Cuisers came out. Bet they feel like chumps. I paid just under the sticker for my 98 cobra. It still runs good. I am interested in the GT500, but when I think it thru I don't really want one that badly.

1. I don't like the stripes. If I opt out of the stripes (if that's possible) the car won't look genuine.
2. I can't imagine why I would need a 450+ HP car.
3. That's a lot of money for a Mustang. I would tend to look closer at the Corvettes if the price is gonna be near the base price of a Corvette.
4. I actually would like to have an automatic trans. I have been driving sticks forever and a automatic sounds kinda nice. I live in the heart of Pinellas County FL and so 99% of my driving is in heavy traffic with 45MPH speed limits.

Most of the first production was _reserved_ for special people like Jay Leno and the host of Top Gear. So take a limited production and squeeze it further.

That is true of cars that cost as much as real estate, but as the price drops to that of a corvette or less it becomes less and less true.

It depends on how many people understand that and if they make that many.

I wasn't using it as a basis of comparison.

That's my point as well.

With some luck. But playing the games just turns me off entirely. My guess is dealers will still act like the GT500 is special if they are built to demand. If demand is less 7,000 a year then we are set, if it's greater well then forget about it.

Dealers make the above MSRP part, not ford... the stealerships are as big of a problem as Ford itself, maybe more.

Not a Mustang GT, a Ford GT,

I am with you on this. I really hope Ford has an option for an automatic. Something tells me they won't due to the after market tuning potential and high torque output of the engine. I doubt they have a tranny in their arsenal that can take the abuse.

I'm with you on this. Black, no stripes for me. I don't really care about it looking "genuine".

I can't imagine _not_ needing 450+ HP. :)

If a 2-seater will suffice, why even look at the Mustang? The Corvettes are very nice for the money.

Yep, look at the 'Vette. I doubt you'll see an auto from Ford, behind that motor.

-- John C. '03 Cobra Convt.

I wanted a GT500, but refuse to pay over sticker. Why is it that Ford seems to have no retail price control over dealers? Rhetorical question BTW. Plus some of the aura of the new Stang is beginning to age with me a little bit. The more I think about it the more I maybe want something other than Mustang. At least not a 3,900 pound Mustang with a big iron V8 and supercharger. If they wanted the retro connection to the original GT500 they got it. My hope is that they will build a Mach 1, or Boss 302 etc with a non force fed aluminum engine that will propel the car nicely. Maybe a little north of 400 HP. If Lexus can build a 4.6 N/A engine with

380 HP, why can't Ford? OK. So I think I answered my own question there. Or heck, back to supercharging, why can Cadillac build a 4.4L Northstar with 470 HP. Also, what is this 300+ HP blown V6 Shelby is working with Ford on. What car will that go in? Put it in something light and that could be fun.

"Michael Johnson, PE" wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@giganews.com:

snipped-for-privacy@yahoo.com

Indeed. Funny, I've seen more SSRs than GTOs. But this area isn't really typical of what you'd see in any other given area, except maybe LA or something. Lots of exotics, customs, and whathaveyou are usually running around down here. Not a day goes by where I don't see some kind of older, cherry hot rod or muscle car also.

"Michael Johnson, PE" wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@giganews.com:

Quite true. But the GT still says 'Ford', while 'Ferrari' says a few things more... ;)

I'm sure they've got their break-even line drawn on some board somehwhere in corporate. And soon after they cross that line they can play all kinds of games with production numbers and price.

Even under $50k, Ford has to be careful. As you've pointed out, there are people who won't pay that much simply because it's "still a Mustang". I think there might be a line lower than $50k that people won't cross because of that.

Agreed. If people will pay it, then why not?

I don't care for the SC simply because it's got that 'chick car' stigma. It's not a "Real Man's" car. ;)

Literally the bargain of the century so far.

LOL! In yer dreams. But dream on, my friend.. ;)

snipped-for-privacy@yahoo.com (Brent P) wrote in news:Y4-dnde2NLgA-pfZnZ2dnUVZ snipped-for-privacy@comcast.com:

Sure, but they _do_ talk to each other..

"Michael Johnson, PE" wrote in news:aO2dnQmaaduK55fZnZ2dnUVZ snipped-for-privacy@giganews.com:

Currently having two vehicles with automatics, I certainly agree. However, I don't agree with # 2 at all. There's never too much power.

The base Ford GT has a MSRP of $153,345 (which includes D&D & Gas Guzzler Tax). With the max. of $26,600 in options, a fully-loaded Ford GT will have a sticker price of $179,945. Either way, that is a fraction of the going price for a new house around here; the rather-typical new house across the street from me sold for ~$660K last summer.

"still a Mustang" means a lot. Ford isn't going to address all the compromises that were made to bring that base V6 to market at low price in the GT500. Once a given price line is crossed one can get a much more refined car with all sorts of attention to detail that couldn't be done for a base mustang V6 price point. In the GT500 the buyer is going to be living with quite a few of those. In the 35-45K range, the GT500 is pretty fairly priced. We are paying for a mustang and a more or less super car, ford GT engine with some other nicities added to the car.

Cross 50K and those base V6 compromises become glaring. Now the other cars have 50K+ car fit and finish and goodies that the GT500 doesn't. Might as well buy a Porsche or a vette if dealer premium pushes it over the 50K mark.

snipped-for-privacy@yahoo.com (Brent P) wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@comcast.com:

Even with the GT500 at $45k, I'd probably opt for the C6 for the few extra thou. After all, $45k is a lot for a Mustang...

Bob Willard wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@comcast.com:

There are plenty of places you can buy a house for the price of a Ford GT. Might be a starter 2/1 or 2/2, but they're available. $660k for a 'typical' house is getting up there.