Bye bye Shelby

[J_Maher_AMG]

I would get the R before the GT500. GT500 might be light years faster than the R, but it'll never be as unique or special.

Love the cars you've listed so far, and I'd be looking at much the same honestly:

- 2018 GT350R
- 2011 Audi R8 V10 (manual)
- 2016 Porsche Boxster Spyder
- Porsche GT3 (997.2) prices may be crazy?
- Aston V8 Vantage (manual) (V12 if possible)

If you're also thinking Maserati, the new C63S might be a consideration as well for a larger, more luxury oriented car that still offers very respectable performance and has a badass attitude. But the Maserati has more appeal than a Mercedes C class for sure.

Jag F Type would be cool as well, but no manual kills it for me, and the supercharged 5.0 isn't entertaining enough to make me forget about that.

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[machsmith]

We don't know exactly what will be in the next gt500, COULD BE a very unique and special car. There is also talk of a Boss as well, a fella here has clamed to have heard the car and there is a larger cam big v8 sound coming from it. Not supercharged, and said it sounds larger than the last 5.8l, no whine at all...no turbos.
If the gt500 is just another supercharged car it just won't have the IT factor to buy IMO. It will be a fast booger tho.

 

[J_Maher_AMG]

We don't know exactly what will be in the next gt500, COULD BE a very unique and special car. There is also talk of a Boss as well, a fella here has clamed to have heard the car and there is a larger cam big v8 sound coming from it. Not supercharged, and said it sounds larger than the last 5.8l, no whine at all...no turbos.
If the gt500 is just another supercharged car it just won't have the IT factor to buy IMO. It will be a fast booger tho.

I think they could take the risk with the GT350 in regards to coming out with a car less powerful than the last Halo Mustang (13-14' GT500) purely due to the fact that hasn't been remade since the original, and the original was a track car.

The GT500 has always been a big hp, 1/4 mile cruiser. If they put for example, a 7.0L V8 in the new GT500, it might be fast, it might be cool, but they downgraded from the previous gen. I don't think they have a choice there, as the GT350/R didn't have any real competitors when it came out so they were free with their choices of the powertrain. The GT500 Has to compete with the ZL1 and the Hellcat. They already did the "special" car that is unique and unlike anything else, the next car has to compete and Beat the competition, and they can't do it NA. Interesting to see what comes though!

OP: After those few pictures above, if you're considering any auto cars, the Maserati has to be the one

 

[enzo101]

I think they could take the risk with the GT350 in regards to coming out with a car less powerful than the last Halo Mustang (13-14' GT500) purely due to the fact that hasn't been remade since the original, and the original was a track car.

The GT500 has always been a big hp, 1/4 mile cruiser. If they put for example, a 7.0L V8 in the new GT500, it might be fast, it might be cool, but they downgraded from the previous gen. I don't think they have a choice there, as the GT350/R didn't have any real competitors when it came out so they were free with their choices of the powertrain. The GT500 Has to compete with the ZL1 and the Hellcat. They already did the "special" car that is unique and unlike anything else, the next car has to compete and Beat the competition, and they can't do it NA. Interesting to see what comes though!

OP: After those few pictures above, if you're considering any auto cars, the Maserati has to be the one

I have been looking at other options. Funny enough I was looking at a Maserati GT yesterday. I will be going back Monday to have some stuff looked at on The Porsche. I'll be driving a Maserati GT and an AMG GTS as well. I drove a Boxster S yesterday and it was a great car, just didn't give me that special feeling. Great looking, great power, no soul. Wednesday I'm driving a R8 with the S ironic, mainly to see how comfy and livable it is. I drive one many years ago but have forgotten the feeling. Also going to drive a Viper and a V8 Vantage. The F-Type I've decided against but my final decision will be made after this new GT500 is released. A part of me really wants to step into something more comfortable but my heart has always been with the Mustang.

 

[machsmith]

I think they could take the risk with the GT350 in regards to coming out with a car less powerful than the last Halo Mustang (13-14' GT500) purely due to the fact that hasn't been remade since the original, and the original was a track car.

The GT500 has always been a big hp, 1/4 mile cruiser. If they put for example, a 7.0L V8 in the new GT500, it might be fast, it might be cool, but they downgraded from the previous gen. I don't think they have a choice there, as the GT350/R didn't have any real competitors when it came out so they were free with their choices of the powertrain. The GT500 Has to compete with the ZL1 and the Hellcat. They already did the "special" car that is unique and unlike anything else, the next car has to compete and Beat the competition, and they can't do it NA. Interesting to see what comes though!

OP: After those few pictures above, if you're considering any auto cars, the Maserati has to be the one

There is no doubt the GT500 will be the more brute, so MAYBE It will be focused on drag but last GT500 was a capable track car as well. If these rumors are true about a boss type car with a large displacement NA. That will be the track gauntlet. Who knows, maybe 650+ HP. The zl1 had a hard enough time beating a car 125 HP less. We'll see, could all be bologna but I recon a supercharged car at minimum with around 750 hp. Not my bag but I'm sure it'll go out if the door with ADM.
A insider said it is possible to see a 7L boss 429 for 19, so my chops are drueling for that. It would be a must have in my book. Ford is hush hush... and it really has me interested in their next move....could be historic, could be meh.

 

[5.0 435]

Grand sport 7 speed, data recorder / nav. $11600 off MSRP. That's put it @ $58600. Dry sump, mag ride, z06 suspension , all 3 coolers and 335 MPSS on rear. Track beast that doesn't overheat. Who needs to spend $75K ?

Corvettes may be common but its the only 2 seat sports car that USA has now. It's come a long way and is an icon ( 8 wins @ Le Mans ) for sure. Then comes the mustang. It's a lot of BANG for the buck and looks great in GS form.

 

[96cobra]

To say you'd take a GT350R without even seeing what Ford has done with the GT500 is silly.. if you take into consideration just how much they surprised the world with the GT350, I suspect they will do something amazing with the GT500. And I admire the GT350/GT350R immensely. ;)

Before the GT350 came out, I professed that I'd never own another mustang because they couldn't handle and didn't offer anything special!:ford:

 

[JT1]

Grand sport 7 speed, data recorder / nav. $11600 off MSRP. That's put it @ $58600. Dry sump, mag ride, z06 suspension , all 3 coolers and 335 MSSP on rear. Track beast that doesn't overheat. Who needs to spend $75K ?

Corvettes may be common but its the only 2 seat sports car that USA has now. It's come a long way and is an icon ( 8 wins @ Le Mans ) for sure. Then comes the mustang. It's a lot of BANG for the buck and looks great in GS form.

That's a pretty good deal. Only thing the GT350 is missing imho is video/data recorder.

 

[5.0 435]

That's a pretty good deal. Only thing the GT350 is missing imho is video/data recorder.

Yes and the dry sump and MPSS 335 on the rears but it doesn't have the DOHC V/8 with the 8250 red line however. From a package point of view the hood is to low to fit a DOHC in there. Low center of gravity is a real advantage in a sports car.

 

[02gtnh]

That's a pretty good deal. Only thing the GT350 is missing imho is video/data recorder.

Rev match I would bet most gt350 guys would like also.:cheers:

 

[Hack]

Grand sport 7 speed, data recorder / nav. $11600 off MSRP. That's put it @ $58600. Dry sump, mag ride, z06 suspension , all 3 coolers and 335 MPSS on rear. Track beast that doesn't overheat. Who needs to spend $75K ?

Corvettes may be common but its the only 2 seat sports car that USA has now. It's come a long way and is an icon ( 8 wins @ Le Mans ) for sure. Then comes the mustang. It's a lot of BANG for the buck and looks great in GS form.

The cars that won at LeMans do not compare at all to what GM sells on dealer lots.

And $11,600 under MSRP really pegs my BS-ometer. I can't believe they are really that bad to sell for that low of a price.

 

[Minn19]

The cars that won at LeMans do not compare at all to what GM sells on dealer lots.

And $11,600 under MSRP really pegs my BS-ometer. I can't believe they are really that bad to sell for that low of a price.

I'm not a GM fan at all, but price does not always equal how good or not good something is. I've never driven one, but I'll give GM credit and it sounds like it is a hell of a car and the real deal. I'm not saying I'd take one over my GT350, but if I didn't need rear seats, I would definitely take a serious look at one.

On the other side of it, I've driven Caymans and 911 Carrera S a few times. While they are extremely nice and very capable cars. I have a hard time with spending 130k on a Carrera S considering what you can get for half the price in GT350s and GS Vettes. Two sides of the coin. Hopefully some of that makes sense. I'm drinking on vacation while watching game 6 of the Cup. :cheers:

 

[Hack]

I'm not a GM fan at all, but price does not always equal how good or not good something is.

Price relative to MSRP does have some reflection on how much the buyers want something or how much demand there is for a car relative to the quantity produced. And in my mind demand for a car reflects how good it is.

I looked on my car buying service and they said ~$6,000 off MSRP could be had on a GS with the Z07 package, which is still a lot. Maybe it's possible to get roughly double that off, but you are going to have to have some special sauce. That's not the kind of deal anyone walking into a random dealership will be able to get.

Porsche is a good brand to mention in this conversation. They make great cars, but IMO the engine is somewhat lacking. Similar to the engine in the Corvette. It just doesn't do much for me. I can say I prefer a V8 to a flat six, but the V8 in the lower model 'vettes just isn't that good.

 

[J_Maher_AMG]

Price relative to MSRP does have some reflection on how much the buyers want something or how much demand there is for a car relative to the quantity produced. And in my mind demand for a car reflects how good it is.

I looked on my car buying service and they said ~$6,000 off MSRP could be had on a GS with the Z07 package, which is still a lot. Maybe it's possible to get roughly double that off, but you are going to have to have some special sauce. That's not the kind of deal anyone walking into a random dealership will be able to get.

Porsche is a good brand to mention in this conversation. They make great cars, but IMO the engine is somewhat lacking. Similar to the engine in the Corvette. It just doesn't do much for me. I can say I prefer a V8 to a flat six, but the V8 in the lower model 'vettes just isn't that good.

Big reason you see discounts on the Vette is because of the fact that so many are produced. They're in the mid-high 30 thousand range since the C7 (best selling gen yet), and essentially selling the same volume now as Porsche do with the 911.

The Vette is worth the MSRP price 100%, but they can afford to give deals on them and still make money simply due to the parts sharing that they give to other platforms in the brand.

The other difference is that I would reckon the vast majority of buyers EXPECT to get a discount when they walk into a dealership. I don't know how many people I've spoken to have talked about how they wouldn't give more than 1K off a Subaru or a Toyota for example but yet "Ford was willing to take X and GM offered Y" in the sum of thousands of more $$ saved, so they are accustomed to getting big discounts on American vehicles. Those same people look and see a dealer asking for X price OVER MSRP, and they immediately cross the vehicle off as an option.

Some people simply have the mentality that they have to get "deal" in order to be satisfied, and I would say that applies to the vast majority of the buying population. It is only the very small minority of us enthusiasts, primarily european auto enthusiasts really, who don't expect to get huge discounts and happily pay MSRP for a vehicle without being disgusted that we weren't offered discounts.

And considering the Vette's demographic consists primarily of older gentlemen, who come from a time when everything was bargain-able, simply having a car that will never be offered at less than MSRP simply wouldn't appeal to their "bargan/deal" type outlook.

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