But whatever happened to the cheap V8 mustang Ford was going to launch? (5.0 LX type car)

There was talk of this last year to have a stripped down, basic amenities Stang with a V8 priced under the GT. Like around 23k or 24k? Anyway, It was a few thousand less than the cheaper GT base price.

All I hear now is Boss, Shelby, Mach 1……niche V8 cars that will surely come in with low production and higher than GT price tag.

Those of you that follow the daily soap opera now know where I stand when it comes to this segment in the new-age pony cars…..but what is everyone’s take on this?

First of all, if this Mustang model is coming…. I’ll just shutup and we can go talk about something else

But if not, anyone want to enlighten me why Ford isn’t jumping on this segment that a lot of you say is so huge?

I mean it’s not like it would take Ford a huge investment to bring this model out.

Step 1: Take no optioned/ stripped down base car
Step 2: Add V8/drivetrain, V8 suspension and exhaust
Step 3: Sell

Could it be that the V8 hardware is just too expensive to sell this cheap?

Do you think that maybe this may pull sales from the GT?
(It’s priced right at 26k with no options)

Or is this segment just not big enough?

Anyway, relate this to the 5th gen, I’ll be back after I put on my flame suit.

 

Couldn't a person just order a V8 without options?
Seems cheap and easy enough.....

 

Yeah, that would cost $25,860.

But I remember there being some talk of a V8 Mustang coming in closer to $23,000 with V6 model type content.

But given your logic, why cant us Camaro guys just order an SS in a few years with no options for about $27,000?

Is it even possible for GM or Ford to bring out a V8 pony car with no options base priced in the low $20s?

I realized the cost of V8 engines between different cubic inches sizes isn’t all that much, but what about looking at this from the other direction.

You take a base car and add a V8, you still need to add the exhaust, drivetain and suspension to handle the extra power.

Again this may be an insignificant cost.....What kinds of market up exactly are we talking about with the V8 model above this one? Charlie has been talking about how it could be possible to bring a non-Camaro RWD V8 car for Solstice type prices.

But I'm now starting to think that if this segment is really there why hasn’t Ford capitalized on it?

They need every sale they can get right now.

 

My guess would be Ford is selling every $26k+ Mustang GT they can build right now, why build a less profitable model.

 

Exactly, Why build when they are selling the v8. Also the V6 is like 80% of all mustang sales, but i believe that is because they could not build the GT quick enough.

To me there should be 3 different versions
1. V6
2. V8 a little over 350HP
3. V8 500HP to compete with the Shelby GT500

 

Those of us advocating for a "cheap" V8 Camaro aren't talking about a stripped down no frills car, we're just talking about an "entry level" V8 that is priced similar to the GT.

Stripper cars do not sell. Everybody knows that. If it costs $4K more to buy the cheapest V8 Camaro than the cheapest V8 Mustang, then Camaro is screwed. There is not even a parallel universe in which a V6, regardless of HP, is seen by the consumer as a viable choice against a V8 Mustang of similar price.

There's so much misinformation going on out there about "our" position on a "base v8" or "mid level v8" it is getting ridiculous.

 

Because Ford could barely keep up with demand of the "fullpriced" GT. Why offer a less profitable version.

 

This get's thrown out there a lot. But consider the 4th gen. For a 2000 like mine, the differences would essentially be the dual cat Y pipe, 2.75 inch pipe instead of 2.5, different bellhousing on the automatic, and different front springs. That is it for the components you have listed. Brakes are identical, rear axle is identical (especially if the V6 had LSD), rear springs are already identical, shocks are the same underdamping Decarbons, and the automatic is largely the same unit. Not sure waht the limit of the 5 speed was in the 4th gen (it is pretty low but I don't have exact numebrs), so I don't know if a version of it could be used with the V8 or not.

If the SS is $1000 more than the GT, sounds like it is an entry level V8 that is priced with Mustang GT

 

If that ends up being the case then I'll eat a crow pie.

But I just don't see an SS offered for anything under $30K. Even with inflation on the GT's prices that will put it $3K more than the Mustang in '09. That's not acceptable.

 

I think the SS will cost more than a GT. But not alot more. And you'll get much more car.

 

Stefan my friend, this has become the age of "stickers" and "badges". Look at Chrysler, slap a "HEMI" label on any product and it sells. Perhaps that's why they increased the size of the "HEMI" badge because people were not noticing them enough in the showrooms.

The 4th gen SS Camaro is a prime example of this as well. (I'm sorry gang, you can flame all you want, but the primary difference between the 4th gen Z28 and SS is just stickers and badges. )

There are those that like stripper no frills cars with big performance, just as there are those that like spoiler deletes, removing badges and uneccessary stripes and stickers, etc. However the fact is stripper cars just aren't profittable enough to make money.

Ask yourself this question, if a manufacturer can convince you to buy the "full" version and you'd then go about removing stripes, wings and badges on your own, customizing your car to your exact tastes, why on earth would they want to sell you a stripper car for less money?

 

Ok, I've said it 5 times now, and this will be the last time.

The Mustang GT will be in the $28-30k range in 2009. I don't mean the no options, build and price it online, price. I mean the price if you were to actually walk onto a Ford dealership lot and buy a car.

Don't believe me? Follow this link, type in your local zip code and see what your local dealers have on the lot:
http://www60.forddirect.fordvehicles...ng&statetoken=

Well I did. And my local dealer has 23 (yes 23) Mustang GT's on their lot. What is the price range? $25,860-$30,050 is the range of mine. 11 of these GT's were under the price of $28k, and the other 12 were over $28k. Now let's figure 2% increases year over year from MY2006 to MY2009. That leads to that $28,000 magic number turning into $29,700.

Will you be able to buy a SS for under $30k? Probably not. But the chances of buying a Mustang GT with the equipment that 50% of the customer base wants for under $30k is doubtful as well. Will the SS be competitive on a cost vs. value basis with GT? Absolutely.


Can we move on now

 

If our resident Martian would chime in he could shut me and the others up post haste. As it stands now you're just fighting speculation with speculation. He's been eerily quiet on this issue though.

 

Well, I think he values his job more than your opinion.

Regarding your fighting speculation with speculation comment, did you do what I asked? How many GT's in your area are in the $28-30K range currently?

 

Today is our dead day and I'm ahead on my studying, so I think I may play around revising my '09 model/options thread I made a while back.

I think it would be a good extension to the discussions we have been having this week.