I am a Ford fan through and through, but I also call 'em as I see 'em. Over the last month I have seen several gt500's go down the 1/4 mile, and recently saw one being autox'd. If I was Ford i'd be g'danmd embarassed. Several people I have talked to about their recent gt500 purchases are upset. Most all say they expected more car. (I hardly feel sorry for the poor bastards that paid 10k+ over sticker for an early one) Most I see at the track can barely break into the 12's (if that). Lets go back to the 04 cobra vs. 06 gt500 comparison for a sec. For about half as much $, Ford was able to produce a car that performed at a very similar level to the gt500. The only corner Ford cut on the terminator was going with a roots Eaton and not a screw. Several corners have been cut in the gt500, and it still is very pricey for what you get. To me, the terminator was a MUCH BETTER value. Yeah, maybe if you put a gt 500 in a time capsule and open it in 30 years, it might be a good value. In the gt500, Ford produced a marginally performing car for a pretty big price tag. A C6 vette is about the same price as a gt500, and the vette beats it in every category. (BTW, IMO, the C6 vette is possibly the best performance value in the world) Was Ford even attempting to compete with GM? I doubt it; I don't think they cared about anything more thhan making a few bucks. If they did care about this car's performance, they would have done a screw blower and an aluminum block. But those got scrapped because of cost, which backs up my logic. I don't see much aftermarket following with the gt5000 compared to the terminator. Who wants a 4000 lb project drag car (or autox, for that matter). I think that this car will fizzle away pretty fast. My point is that the terminator will live on at the strip and the autox, but the gt500 will not. And that hurts Ford. The gt500 was created for 1 reason and 1 reason only; to make $, exploiting the Shelby name. That's the bottom line.
It's not so much Im bashing the new Shelby, I'm bashing Ford for releasing it.
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Aren't these cars $40,000? That's $15,000 less than the 'Vette.
The c6 vette bases at around 44k; pretty close to the GT500's base. It's not like the gt500's price wasn't already high-ish. Ford should have just done the aluminum block and screw blower, raised the car's price, and they would have had more satisfied customers. I just don't like Ford 'hedging' on a 'Shelby' product.
Even though she is a bit porky, there ain't nothing wrong with the GT500. Besides, Evan Smith ran one to a 12.23@118, so don't go blaming the car for other people not being able to drive. You could say the same thing about the Terminator when it first came out; considerably heavier than the GT or Mach and most people were having trouble running low 13s with it. Besides, that motor in it has plenty of potential. When an eventual KB set-up comes out, probably making 650rwhp with supporting mods, then you'll be glad the car weights five gazillion pounds, at least you'll get traction. Besides, there is always weight reduction...
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Pearlescent Teal 1995 Z28 M6 K&N CAI, Flowmaster Cat-back Exhaust American Racing Torque Thrust IIs Richmond 4.10s
I think it would be one hell of a daily driver, just like how most people use a corvette. from what I hear, it's got a sh*tload of power right off idle. it's more versatile than any corvette, extra seats and a decent trunk (I assume the trunk space is the same as a v6 or gt). so basically, it seems like I'd buy a vette if I wanted a 2 seat coupe, or a gt500 if I wanted more space.
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Pitchforks and torches are the answers to all of our nation's problems. KOBE4MVP
It's not so much Im bashing the new Shelby, I'm bashing Ford for releasing it.
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Aren't these cars $40,000? That's $15,000 less than the 'Vette.
The c6 vette bases at around 44k; pretty close to the GT500's base. It's not like the gt500's price wasn't already high-ish. Ford should have just done the aluminum block and screw blower, raised the car's price, and they would have had more satisfied customers. I just don't like Ford 'hedging' on a 'Shelby' product.
What does an equipped C6 go for? It's way more than $44,000. $44k must be for a no option vehicle that is a mythilogical creature in the real word. The new C6's held in inventory are over $50k.
If I could get a GT500 for $40k (or thereabouts), I'd have one in my garage. No questions asked. First mod would be a dyno tune. Next would be some DR's. That should be around $1,000. If it then couldn't run into the 12's I'd be shocked.
I think it's shocking that anyone is surprised by Ford wanting to make some money. Seriously, the company is in the ****ter, which bothers me because I have always been an avid Ford fan, be it trucks or cars (Mustang specifically).
However, I think the GT500 (primarily because of it's Shelby designation) is the "Rich Mans" Mustang, if there ever was such a thing. Obviously it is not meant for the average blue collar worker making 30-60K a year at their job. However, it is these average blue collar people who would take a car and play with it, not just sit it in a garage and admire it while it's value continues to climb. No offense to anyone who had the money to buy one, but MOST of them will be preserved.
The base GT in my opinion, is still the 'best buy' despite the numerous threads convincing people otherwise. 26K or so for a straight line performer with the basic comforts for a nice daily driver. Then, use that 20K+ that you saved to do with as you like. If you want to go straight, then go straight. If you happen to like turns, make it a turner.
As much as I like the GT500, and would not hesitate if I found an unbelievable deal on one sometime, I don't think it is meant to be a strip monster. Many people will disagree with me, and sure, I could be wrong in some of my thoughts, but based on many things I have read and seen, that is where I stand.
GT500=Collector / Bulavard Cruiser GT= Dime a Dozen / Street-Strip Car
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Hopefully running by the weekend. Gonna run her good too!
As much as I don't like the GT500 I would still own one for the right price. I think there biggest mistake was allowing the dealers to mark it by so much.
As much as I don't like the GT500 I would still own one for the right price. I think there biggest mistake was allowing the dealers to mark it by so much.
It would have been nice if they could have/would have controlled that. One of the big selling points that it was going to be a $40,000 500 hp car, when in reality you can't buy one for sticker.
I think ford got it right with the new GT500. Overall it's the best package they have ever put together for the money. You can't hold them responsible for the dealer's marking up the selling price. As long as people are willing to pay 10,000 and up from the suggested retail price that's what the cart's will be selling for. A few year's from now when they start showing up in the auto trader mags and such they will become more affordable, just like the terminator's. I also believe that as more people get used to rowing the gear's in their new ride's you will see a lot more of them deep into the twelve's. Especially once they slp on some drag radial's. Don't write off the Shelby just yet.
There was a vid of one running in the 11's with a tune and some DR's. I have no doubt that the car can do it. Just because there are people out there that can't, doesn't mean the car won't.
As much as I don't like the GT500 I would still own one for the right price. I think there biggest mistake was allowing the dealers to mark it by so much.
It would have been nice if they could have/would have controlled that. One of the big selling points that it was going to be a $40,000 500 hp car, when in reality you can't buy one for sticker.
Greed makes you do stupid things. Desperation makes you do even more stupid things. Unfortunately Ford is both. Just look at the state they are in. Production has been slowed, they have no sedans really worth buying. Their entire product line is medicore and sub-par with the only acception being the Mustang and their full size trucks. Problem with the trucks is people aren't buying them because gas has gotten so expensive. If you look at Ford entirely the GT500 should really not surprise you.
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Steeda Intake, MagnaFlow CatBack Exhaust, X-Pipe/No Cats, Diablo PCM, 2.8" Pulley, Lots Of Kenny Brown Suspension & Chassis Goodies
"I'm slow because I'm a short bus riding window licker."
As much as I don't like the GT500 I would still own one for the right price. I think there biggest mistake was allowing the dealers to mark it by so much.
It would have been nice if they could have/would have controlled that. One of the big selling points that it was going to be a $40,000 500 hp car, when in reality you can't buy one for sticker.
Greed makes you do stupid things. Desperation makes you do even more stupid things. Unfortunately Ford GM and Chrysler are both. Just look at the state they are in. Production has been slowed, they have no sedans really worth buying. Their entire product line is medicore and sub-par with the only acception being the Mustang and their full size trucks. Problem with the trucks is people aren't buying them because gas has gotten so expensive. If you look at Ford GM or Chrysler entirely the GT500, Last Impala SS or Charger should really not surprise you.
As much as I don't like the GT500 I would still own one for the right price. I think there biggest mistake was allowing the dealers to mark it by so much.
It would have been nice if they could have/would have controlled that. One of the big selling points that it was going to be a $40,000 500 hp car, when in reality you can't buy one for sticker.
Greed makes you do stupid things. Desperation makes you do even more stupid things. Unfortunately Ford GM and Chrysler are both. Just look at the state they are in. Production has been slowed, they have no sedans really worth buying. Their entire product line is medicore and sub-par with the only acception being the Mustang and their full size trucks. Problem with the trucks is people aren't buying them because gas has gotten so expensive. If you look at Ford GM or Chrysler entirely the GT500, Last Impala SS or Charger should really not surprise you.
Fixed for accuracy :)
LOL! Actually I'm not certain how well the Challenger is going to do seeing as I just read that the base price, V6 model, is going to be around $22,000. I had a feeling they were going to price it over the Mustang.
Oh and I liked the last rear drive Impala SS. My mom had one. Was a pretty nice car for its size.
< Message edited by breyton -- 9/7/2006 4:31:22 PM >
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Steeda Intake, MagnaFlow CatBack Exhaust, X-Pipe/No Cats, Diablo PCM, 2.8" Pulley, Lots Of Kenny Brown Suspension & Chassis Goodies
"I'm slow because I'm a short bus riding window licker."
wasn't the 4door 'muscle' car that's been out a few years from chyrsler the charger? As for the Impalla, I'm talkin about the FWD one. And I think I meant the new Chevy Impala that is FWD
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GT500 -ford's big mistake? - 
I had a feeling they were going to price it over the Mustang. 