of course the dealers are going to gouge the customers for this. It is really sad but greed rules and the customer comes second. Dealers need to think of customers as being for the long term and no someone to make a quick buck off of

Dealers just feed off the idiots who pay the premium. They are in business to make money, so IMHO you can’t fault them for selling cars for what the market will bear. Smart folks wait until the hype dies.

Some dealers wanted big premiums for the Ford GT…the Viper carried a premium for a while…if you don’t want to pay what dealer A wants, just go to dealer B. It’s your money, no one is forcing you to buy anything.

Remember when the Miata launched back in the day? People paid a huge premium to be the first to own one.

People need to wake up and remember that these are mass-produced autos. Ford is building a LOT of them. There are plenty to go around.

Being the first on your block to own anything is only cool until all of your neighbors have the same thing in their garages one week later.

It is just a Ford. How cool can you really expect to be?

When is the last time there was a 500HP Mustang from the factory Post #3. Yeah, I’d say that is cool.

#3, you are a retard. Are you here just to start a fight? I bet you drive around in a crappy car. Ii have a FORD Mustang GT Torch Red, and it is VERY cool, thank you very much.

Resurrecting the Hertz

The resurrected Hertz’ will feature Ford’s Racing Performance Group’s Power Pack which added 25 horsepower and 10 pound-feet of torque to the 300-horse Mustang GT 4.6-liter V8. The package includes a five-speed automatic transmission, Ford Racing’s 9…

The GT500 is VERY cool. Heck, I’d be happy with a GT350, a 5.4L 4 cam without the supercharger.

I’ll take a camaro, challenger b4 this 1. good luck trying to sell all these. buyers market guys as petrol is outta this world.

Ford: Driving American Innovation..with a live rear axle?

Pretty innovative stuff, that.

Everyone is sold already post #7.

Since when does having a live rear axle mean the car is junk or ancient?

Hey #11
Did say it was junk?

There was a picture of the GT500 on stage with text up behind it talking about “innovation”. Is there even one thing innovative about this car? Of course not; particularly not when using a live axle. A little surprised they didn’t complete the package and use leaf-springs.

It’s not innovative. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.

Amazing how any time there’s a positive article about a Mustang all the fanboys for other cars (usually discontinued cars that failed miserably in the marketplace against the Mustang time and time again) show up to rain on the Mustang’s parade. Take Snapperhead on post 8, he says he’ll take a Challenger or Camaro “b4 (sic) this” instead. Well, good for you. The Camaro is still just a show car that’s nowhere near production levels (not like it matters because just like the last time around the Mustang will outsell the Camaro in huge numbers by simply being a better overall car). The Challenger? Please, the latest rumors are that it will be huge, higher priced and a limited edition model. Chrysler has screwed up yet again by planning to build something that in no way will challenge (pun intended) the Mustang.

Car dealers are the spawn of Satan, everyone knows this and should expect them to do this. It is Fords fault for not taking care of this earlyer (although 9500 I don’t think is going to be enough.) The reason it is ford fault is becasue they are going to feel the wrath when there is a customer backlash. Also these markups are pricing this car out of its target range. It is not ment to compete with the corvet, the mustang is a “bang for your buck” car. Look around and what other car can you get for that.

Its a live axle because that is what most mustang owners want and it keeps the cost down. Take a look around a see how many 2001-2004 cobras have had their IRS swaped out for a live axle (SVT was actualy smart enough to keep all the mounts in there so the GT axle will just bolt in)

I think only Mustang owners are the only people who find new Mustangs cool. Most people don’t even notice them. There are so many better cars out there.

Ford throws whatever they can at the market to survive, i.e.: Fusion, Focus, Mustang. Beaters in every sense of the word. GM has hit the mark time and again with the Corvette. And no, they don’t have to turn to an old Texan racer for use of his last name and help them out. One look at the stock prices of the big three should show you what is really going on. Even with all of GM’s troubles lately the stock price is still three times that of Ford’s. They claim to have the beast selling truck every year. Are they sure? Right now Daimler-Chrysler has the market cornered on V-8 rear wheel drive cars. They look great and are great cars. Good luck Ford; you will need a lot of it. Cheers!

“Ford throws whatever they can at the market to survive, i.e.: Fusion, Focus, Mustang. Beaters in every sense of the word. GM has hit the mark time and again with the Corvette.”

Just so you know the Focus is the number one car selling in Britain, the Fusion received amazing reviews and is in no sense of the word a beater, and of course the Mustang has survived every decade where the Challenger, Camaro, GTO etc could not. The Mustang has 500 hp for under 40k, that’s innovative. Put 2k more into the car and you have 638HP to the rear wheels. For 42k nothing is remotely close to that. The Corvette is doing well for one reason. The bumped up the class. They’re calling it a super car, no longer is it a nice muscle car. The only way they could rise the performance is by rising the price. Oh and balsa wood as a core in the floor helps as well… just when you crash in it and die, don’t go blaming us, blame GM.

This is in regards to the intellectual giant’s (#15 Jake) comments. Sure…I’ll bet there are many better vehicles out there, and I’m sure you’re driving one. Get your facts straight pal…Mustang attracts 34% conquest business since its inception. Sure, I’d call that “only Mustang owners.” Further, it has been the biggest hit of any new product launche in the past 20 years – and sales continue to be high. Yes, even better than the japanese vehicle you probably drive.

And how could I forget about #16 interesting comments? Mustang, Fusion, Focus all “beaters.” Everyone has their own opinion, however, check your sales stats buddy. Also try this website…

http://www.detroitnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060503/AUTO03/605030329&SearchID=73244131459867

Mr Jake,

Mustang is an American icon, there is no arguing that. I can’t think of a car that symbolizes American vehicles more. The comment you made applies much better to Audis, now there is a bland car that just fades into the background and nobody notices. That is because many cars like Audis have no soul, they are just glorified econo-boxes with nice interiors. The car needs to inspire you, and let’s just say, a A4 won’t end up on any of those cheesy inspirational posters that high school counselors put up.

That just proves that there are way more idiots out there like you that bought one instead of a real car. After all, its a Falcon. Or was the Mustang really a Pinto for a time. Hmmm. How cool is that? Wannabee’s!

Adam, you can’t really be serious. The Mustang would not know what to do with 638 hp. Its chassis cant handle it, so why bother? Just more wasted money. And as far as the Mustang surviving every decade; lets see. I remember when my drivers education vehicle (Dodge Aspen with the mighty slant six) would leave the wimpy Mustang/Pinto in the dust. Now, that was not a REAL Mustang was it? So therefore it really did not survive all decades. In name perhaps.

Uhhh, #22 you are very uniformed, there are tons of 600+ HP mustangs from all generations out there cruising the streets. A 2003-2004 cobra is capable of that kind of power with MINOR bolt ons. You can buy turn key crate engines with WARRIENTIES that make that much power these days. Wake up, 600 hp isn’t what it used to be.

And what is honestly wrong with the falcon or mustang II chassis that sub frame connectors and a cage can’t fix?

That is the beautiful thing about the mustang, even a blind person can drag his car through the local speed shop, picking up whatever sticks, and they can get ridiculous amounts of performance for a fraction of the cost of any supercar.

when did PROFIT become a FOUR letter word……..If the MARKET will bear it than that is what it is. Some of you who a short sided forget what that sticker on the window is MSRP …….MANUFACTURERS SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE!

#7, Who could honestly believe that the GT 500 is not going to sell? Good lord, get in touch with reality. It seems like the challenger and camaro are slated to have petrol engines also. #8, So far as innovation goes, my 03 Cobra has about 550 RWHP, and “innovative” independent rear suspension. It also has “innovative” wheel hop, like many high horsepower IRS cars. Independent rear suspension is absolutely not a requirement for innovation, or the GT500. This car will be putting 700 RWHP right through that live rear axle not long after launch. #15, I am pretty sure, based on the mountains of literature on this point, that GM is going through some gut wrenching times of its own, in case you haven’t heard. The corvette is a great car, but to claim that GM is setting the business standard is ludicrous.

J, check your facts. The GT500 uses the Ford GT’s 5.4 V8. You can do the same to the Ford GT as you could with this mustang. There’s nothing wrong with the chasis for this to happen. If you were putting that into say a Honda Fit then yah, you’ll rip the car apart.

All the car needs to do is survive in name. The late 70’s, 80’s and 90’s weren’t nice to any car, all of the “muscle cars” were relying on name. But not all survived to be remodelled.

Look at the Camaro concept now and check the original sketches for the ‘05 Mustang made years ago. See familiarities? Yeah I thought so. GM cannot even come up with something to compete on its own. Chrysler’s too scared to lose money so they don’t take risks and come out with bland cars or low production “collector” items. The Mustang’s the only true muscle car left to this day.

Uhhh, #23 Thanks for the compliment on my uniform. I appreciate that. As for 600+ HP; I never said they did not HAVE 600 HP, I just said its a waste since the chassis cant take advantage of it. Yes, you can make incredible amounts of power, but why? To stick it in a car that can only handle perhaps 300? And, you are right, it would take a blind person to appreciate the Mustang. I am truly awakened. Thanks again!!

#26, the only familiarity I see is the Mustang owners getting mighty testy when the pretty pony is picked on. Sorry, I’ll stop before you start crying. I promise not to sneak up and yell ZO6!!! Try try try………..

Yelling Z06 behind a Mustang fan doesn’t do much when they’re not even in the same class. Z06 costs 30K more than a Mustang. You can do a HELL of a lot with 30K. What’s with you Chevy guys and comparing every car to the Z06 Corvette!? That’s like going behind someone who owns an old Camaro (old because they’re discontinued, just to remind you) and shouting “FORD GT”. It makes NO sense.

Oh and the chasis of the GT500 was redesigned to accomodate a 5.4 V8 with that much horsepower. For crying out loud go read up on the cars before you say anything about them.

Oh Adam please, no sense in popping a vessel. When I read about Mustangs it puts me to sleep. That must be why I am so uninformed. I apologize. I will try again. Ahem, “The chassis of the GT500″…zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Why buy a car that needs 30K more to make it what you want? Ludicrous indeed. Or should I say Ludikris? No matter, when the doors fall off your GT500 after losing to a Subaru WRX; don’t cry to us; those Chevy guys you speak of. Cheers!!

If you are so knowledgeable about the mustang chassis, what is wrong with them?

You don’t know, you are just making stuff up, because their isn’t anything wrong with them that a few cheap aftermarket can’t fix

A mustang has never been the cheapest, or the fastest, or best handling car on the market, but what it has always been is the best bang for your buck. What other car can you pick up for almost free, build up with a combination of readily available junkyard and aftermarket parts to way way past super car performance levels in any form of driving (road racing, drag, auto cross, etc)?

Well, if you won’t take my word for it; perhaps this mans opinion might shed more light for you:

13 May 2006
By Robert Farago

I’ve never run a multi-billion dollar multi-national car company. But I’ve driven hundreds of cars, and every car I drive tells me everything I need to know about the company that builds it. Literally. What do I need to know about GM’s product development process that I can’t glean from the Solstice’s fiddly roof? What can Daimler-Chrysler’s flackmeisters tell me about the company’s strategy that I can’t appreciate by hammering an SRT-8? What does BMW have to say that their X3 doesn’t? And how can I be expected to take Ford’s “Bold Moves� campaign seriously after driving a Ford 500?

Someone forgot to tell Billy Ford that everything– sales, service, marketing, the money in his pocket– starts with product. First you build cars, trucks and SUV’s that do one thing better than anyone else, THEN you market them according to their unique selling point. If you want to sell ultimate driving, start by making damn sure all your vehicles ride and handle better than anything else in their segment (Boxster-beater my eye). If you’re selling safety, begin by building cars that get five stars in all crash categories (S40 four-star rollover rating my toches). If you’re starting an American revolution, it’s probably best to sell cars built in America. And if you want to be known as bold…

In one TV ad, a mother and daughter jump into a swimming hole. After affirming their generational courage, they motor off in a Ford Escape– a vehicle so generic I wouldn’t be surprised to find one for sale at Costco. The Ford 500, Explorer, Fusion, Freestar, Freestyle, Focus, Crown Victoria, Sport Trac, F150 and even the spiffy new(ish) Mustang GT are about as far from bold as you can get without hiding behind a rock. (The Ford GT was Starbuck’s bold blend bold, but they killed it.) You could argue that that Ford’s current management team inherited this less-than-audacious product portfolio, and that the Bold Moves campaign is more of a promise than a come-on. But you don’t have to be a Times Square pimp to know you don’t talk the talk before you walk the walk.

In fact, Ford’s Bold Move message borders on self-parody: be bold and buy a vehicle from a car company struggling for survival. Anyway, we’ve been here before. Back in November, I suggested that Ford’s customers want an innovative vehicle (the automaker’s last marketing mantra) about as much as they want an innovative toaster. What bright spark at FoMoCo suddenly decided that the company’s core clientele have moved on, from a non-existent desire for technological gee-whizzery to an equally fantastic desire for personal attention? Hey, I’m all for car companies taking risks. But I’m the kind of guy who lusts after a ’71 Buick Riviera “boat tail;” a machine whose bold design did nothing whatsoever to revive Buick’s fortunes.

I understand the genesis of Ford’s BM. It started with new Ford boss Mark Fields’ “Red, White and Boldâ€? shtick. Somewhere between the focus meetings and the Kool-Aid filled water cooler, the campaign’s patriotic thrust got ditched for the “There’s only way we’re gonna get out of this mess: take some chances.â€? Which is fair enough. Ford’s survival does indeed depend on losing their “play it safe and fail upwards” mentality. They need to take a chainsaw to their stifling bureaucracy and moribund product line. But they’re a mainstream motor manufacturer, not friggin’ Ferrari. Their customers are deeply, fundamentally, inherently, genetically conservative people whose prime motivation is to avoid risk, not make bold (i.e. risky) moves.

You want bold moves? Kill Jaguar. Kill Mercury. Sell Volvo. Sell Mazda. Sell Land Rover. Cut half the remaining models and plow money into the ones that survive. Re-invigorate your rear-wheel drive, box-frame car with new sheetmetal, a bad-ass motor and a killer cabin. Build a world-beating Lincoln luxury sedan. Make the Ford Focus the world’s best small car. Get the Explorer’s mileage into the mid-20’s. Develop a more powerful engine than the Hemi and stick it into everything– including a new minivan. Set SVT loose on the entire model line-up. OWN quality interiors. Don’t badge engineer ANYTHING.

Lose the glass fishbowl; redesign Ford showrooms to look like a modern retail outlet. Trim the dealer network and sell cars on the web. Undercut everyone’s price with every vehicle. Interact with every single customer on a regular basis via internet. Institute no-haggle pricing. Make financing cheaper. Drop 80% of your print budget and dominate the web. Do it all, and do it all at once– regardless of cost. Then sell value for money. Ford: the best car money can buy.

I’d like to think that these ideas are on the table at Ford. I like to think that Billy Ford has the juice and the courage to reinvent his family business. And then I drive a Ford 500 and despair.

You know what is really funny? Robert Farago is talking about the Ford 500 the sedan, not the GT-500 the mustang and you had no idea.

On the contrary; I was fully aware of what he was talking about. The Mustang GT is mentioned in the article: “The Ford 500, Explorer, Fusion, Freestar, Freestyle, Focus, Crown Victoria, Sport Trac, F150 and even the spiffy new(ish) Mustang GT are about as far from bold as you can get without hiding behind a rock.” Read closer, you just might learn something. Cheers!

How about you read closer and learn something? Tony Brown mentioned that the guy never mentioned the Shelby GT500. Which he did not. And I think you may have found one of the few articles that include the new Mustang as not “bold”, there are articles about this new Mustang being the fastest selling car since it came out. Its average lifespan on the floor was 15 minutes. So if that’s not selling I don’t know what is. I’d also like to point out through the whole article he never gave evidence as to why he thought something was not bold. It was all his opinions, no proof behind them. Obviously he doesn’t know that much if he’s saying to kill of Jag when they just came out with the new XK that even Jeremy Clarkson likes. Mazda’s been profitable. No haggle pricing? So you pay for what they say? That makes no sense, you get thousands of dollars off with haggling. Develop a more powerful engine than a hemi and put it in everything including a minivan? That’s the DUMBEST idea I have ever heard of? I’m pretty sure my mother doesn’t want a 500 hp 5.4 V8 in her next car, so sorry. How is a company to do anything if they’re released on an entire line up of over 20 vehicles? And reinvigorate the rear wheel drive with new interior? What do you think the Shelby’s about? Oh and the Ford Focus is the world’s best selling small car. Obviously he’s never been to Europe (which I am living right now). The Ford GT was said to be limited edition before they even produced it so of course they “killed it”. They’ve already have plans for the next generation supercar. Don’t do badge engineering when GM is not just bringing over opel and new saabs but simply swaping the badges to their current line up. I can’t even be bothered to address the entirety of this moronic dribble you call an article. Not only is this guy stupid, he’s oxymoronic, and most importantly has NOTHING to do with the SHELBY GT500.

Oh and thank you for sticking your foot up your mouth by not even addressing how wrong you were about the WRX times.

You have no case. Give up already.

Adam darling, your face is red. Take a pill. Everything will be OK. Since you are so adamant about the wonderful Shelby; will you be buying one? Didn’t think so. Is it because of the price of gasoline? (sorry, Petrol.)Is it because you can’t afford it? Rediculous dealer mark-ups perhaps? Exactly. Which brings us full circle on this “discussion”. I invite anyone to go purchase the Shelby at MSRP. Good luck. Cheers mate!

What happens on every major car? Price mark-ups… exactly. I’d invite anyone to try and get MSRP on any major car when it’s first released. It won’t happen. And yes, when it’s at MSRP, I will be getting one in fact. I know you were going on odds there with another chance but hey, sorry I couldn’t disappoint.

You did not disappoint at all. Knowing that the car will never get down to MSRP gives you the perfect alibi. You will never own one.

How does that make any sense? Even the Ford GT went down to MSRP. How about this? I will own this car. Simple as that. I am confident enough that it will be sold for 40k to me but I’ll say it even if it isn’t.

OK…………So what am I to understand from all of that?

Well there wasn’t that much there J but basically that you saying it will never be sold for 40k really isn’t true. Also, that I will be owning this car, whether or not it is eventually 40k because that much power and torque for AROUND 40k is unheard of.

This car (2007 Shelby Gt-500)is a limited production vehicle, unlike the Mustang Gt (300HP). The Mustang Gt was even announced as a production vehicle. It is Ford’s bread and butter. The Shelby will only be produced for a couple of years with limited production. Also, if you are a collector it is always best to get the first year of production. BTW they may not even call the 2008 a Shelby…food for thought. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

So Ford will dismantle SVT…good for them. They are in junk bond status are a bunch of crooks and their dealers are sleasebags. So you go guys and dig in deeper while I watch in total bliss!

Ford = Enron!

Hey idiots, are you so whimpy that all you can do is discourage gouging or is this something you really want. Last I heard Auto manufacturers were in total control of their dealer’s actions in the way of incentives etc. Stop the B.S. I suggest that Clay take a trip to Japan and sign up for a few classes.

ford sucks chevy rules long live the camaro