Answer on a few questions I had from Andy/Pierre at Ford

[Centurion07]

An e-mail hardly takes up much time does it - maybe 10 minutes? I'm not going to get into a petty argument as you clearly have a chip on your shoulder. As I said, don't read my e-mails if they upset you.

I can't know not to read something unless I know what it's about or I read it can I?

Anyways, regarding the GT350, I reckon it's for two reasons:

1. Why go to the hassle of engineering a RHD version when there's such demand for them in the US that they're selling for $20k over list?

2. They want to keep it for the US market only so their HALO halo product isn't watered down.

The story about them not selling enough RHD is probably some of the reason though: the reason the Mustang is selling so well over here is in no small part because of the price. The GT350 would add another £20k putting it firmly into territory it won't do well in because the quality isn't there when compared to the German stuff.

Sponsored

 

[marks]

I can't know not to read something unless I know what it's about or I read it can I?

Anyways, regarding the GT350, I reckon it's for two reasons:

1. Why go to the hassle of engineering a RHD version when there's such demand for them in the US that they're selling for $20k over list?

2. They want to keep it for the US market only so their HALO halo product isn't watered down.

The story about them not selling enough RHD is probably some of the reason though: the reason the Mustang is selling so well over here is in no small part because of the price. The GT350 would add another £20k putting it firmly into territory it won't do well in because the quality isn't there when compared to the German stuff.

After reading my first email that should have indicated to you it's probably best not to read anymore of my posts in case it upsets you further?!

Anyways, good to hear your more constructive points on my orginal post.

 

[SteveS]

Same goes for EU-unique badges, I guess.

What are these EU-unique badges?

 

[slowhand99]

I actually prefer the EU lights and badges ......

surely Ford could come up with a global business case for just one performance car - even if they were all LHD!

1. so do a lot of Americans as it happens; and they couldn't have perf pack on a convertible, which we can from day 1 (although we have to screw a couple of bits back on). It's not all one way.

2. You can buy a LHD 350 now from any one of the guys who will bring in a car and IVA it for you, or bring one over yourself (and no bitchin about Euro/RHD spec then ). I would even imagine that there may be one or 2 Ford dealers who'd bring one in for you (Think Ford brought their own S550 over so they'd have something to show customers).

I wish Ford had left a bit more alone, but, they couldn't have got homologation/type approval in all the different RHD markets for the US spec, and, there is a big advantage for us being one of 10's of 000's of RHD cars to the same spec when it comes to parts availability. It's one thing Ford are good at (most parts available the next morning) and having suffered from running a minority production RHD Chevy Blazer for 8 years and the problems of getting small run spares I'm OK with it.

 

[marks]

What are these EU-unique badges?

Im guessing it is that the US cars have the GT logo, for example, in black writing at the rear of the car. Where the Euro cars have a kind of circular badge that protrudes. I personally prefer the US version.

 

[SteveS]

Im guessing it is that the US cars have the GT logo, for example, in black writing at the rear of the car. Where the Euro cars have a kind of circular badge that protrudes. I personally prefer the US version.

Oh yeah, the "faux" gas cap

Yep, I'm with you on preferring the US rear GT.

 

[slowhand99]

Oh yeah, the "faux" gas cap

Yep, I'm with you on preferring the US rear GT.

Easily changed though.

 

[SteveS]

Easily changed though.

Yes, had the blank deck lid panel in my cart at CJ but due to the lack of clarity over shipping i took it out for this shipment.

Ideally I want a blacked out "GT" and the ones at New Take Off are chrome, plus New Take Off didn't reply to my request for a shipping quote.

 

[slowhand99]

Yes, had the blank deck lid panel in my cart at CJ but due to the lack of clarity over shipping i took it out for this shipment.

Ideally I want a blacked out "GT" and the ones at New Take Off are chrome, plus New Take Off didn't reply to my request for a shipping quote.

I got mine from CJ. American muscle do a GT one which you could plasticote but it's big money, and also a really cool carbon fibre one
http://www.americanmuscle.com/cf-decklid-panel-1516.html

 

[snake bite]

Yeah I prefer the gt trunk lid panel and will be getting rid of the other as soon as possible.

 

[Stark]

I got mine from CJ. American muscle do a GT one which you could plasticote but it's big money, and also a really cool carbon fibre one
http://www.americanmuscle.com/cf-decklid-panel-1516.html

This has given me an idea......I am not a fan of the faux gas cap badge either but you can't take them off and replace them with other badges iirc because of the hole spacing. So now I could take the badge off and get the whole deck lid wrapped in carbon fibre, which will cover the holes and if needed I can take that wrap off and put the badge back on

 

[McDoodle]

2. You can buy a LHD 350 now from any one of the guys who will bring in a car and IVA it for you, or bring one over yourself (and no bitchin about Euro/RHD spec then ). I would even imagine that there may be one or 2 Ford dealers who'd bring one in for you (Think Ford brought their own S550 over so they'd have something to show customers).

Yes, theoretically you can order a LHD car now. But I think I'll wait for the moment for 2 reasons;

1. I'll wait for all the excitement to die down in the US first. Finding a dealer with a car to sell you seems to be difficult enough at the moment, finding one who is willing to sell the car at MRSP seems to be nigh on impossible - and I'm not paying $5 to 10k over list price for it. I reckon it'll be another 12 months before things have calmed down enough to avoid paying a premium.

2. If (fingers crossed) Ford do bring the car to the UK even in LHD then potentially there are some advantages over importing one yourself (warranty/potentially could be a bit cheaper maybe/less hassle etc). But yes, good point - might be worth checking around the UK dealers to see if they can get one for me.

So I'll sit tight at the moment, monitor the situation and enjoy my GT. Typical though really - it's the old bus stop routine. Not interested in American cars my whole life, then two come along at once! .... except the one I want to catch says 'Not in Use (for UK residents)'!

 

[slowhand99]

Yes, theoretically you can order a LHD car now. But I think I'll wait for the moment for 2 reasons;

1. I'll wait for all the excitement to die down in the US first. Finding a dealer with a car to sell you seems to be difficult enough at the moment, finding one who is willing to sell the car at MRSP seems to be nigh on impossible - and I'm not paying $5 to 10k over list price for it. I reckon it'll be another 12 months before things have calmed down enough to avoid paying a premium.

2. If (fingers crossed) Ford do bring the car to the UK even in LHD then potentially there are some advantages over importing one yourself (warranty/potentially could be a bit cheaper maybe/less hassle etc). But yes, good point - might be worth checking around the UK dealers to see if they can get one for me.

So I'll sit tight at the moment, monitor the situation and enjoy my GT. Typical though really - it's the old bus stop routine. Not interested in American cars my whole life, then two come along at once! .... except the one I want to catch says 'Not in Use (for UK residents)'!

Good points. If you want to test the water, speak to Wayne at Europa SVT https://www.europasvt.com/
He brought in a new Mustang for my business partner a few years ago and the process was seamless and smooth and just like going through a dealer except that he communicated (;)) every step of the way.

Sponsored