Why the Mach1 is a rip off

[Glenn 70]

It's not missing any parts. They were never part of the export car for Australia, to begin with. Someone at Ford Australia messed up the spec of the brochure and photoshopped the images to show cars that never existed or were going to exist. Export cars have never had a Torsen diff.

Yes, it's annoying, but the Mach 1 still gets loads of features over a standard export GT, that will be worth it to those who want to take advantage of the coolers, subframes with better bushings, GT350 parts, GT500 rear end and diff cooler and the manual Tremec as well as the newly designed front end, new standard features in OZ like the B&O package, trim and Magneride (which people forget to include in their price comparisons with the GT). If those are not important to you, then the Mach 1 is not for you and you should buy a GT.

Even if they had all the parts that the US model has ,is it $23 ,000 dollars more for a car over a premium model GT , that has the Magna ride suspension . And yes ,I know ford stuffed up with the Australian buyers not telling them about the differences between the US version and the export model , and didnt tell the 1st owners until they bought the car and now it’s all out in the open . Offering 3 x$299 services and a track day . Yes the manual gear box is a different story . If buyers are happy with the mach 1 ,great., and for the others that cancel the order it’s up to them ,and that’s great too . I would love a new mach 1 ,but not at $97,000 . One thing they need to do is fix the rear suspension on an all the mustangs so they stop the axle hop ,and yes the mach 1 still does it .

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[Phil_AVF]

I would love a new mach 1 ,but not at $97,000 .

They are not the same cars, that's why there is a difference in price. Plus the Mach is limited numbers.
You'll have to wait for the second-hand market and hope you can get one cheaper. But given they are going to be even more limited than originally planned (much less production time thanks to the chip shortage), they will likely hold their value well and be harder to find, especially in the export markets.

 

[Charlemagne]

That's a weird difference in price between GT and Mach 1. When I spec our EU GT to match Mach 1 (both in Velocity Blue, manual, spoiler, heated and vented seats, Magneride, audio navi), the price for GT is 92500 AUD (with 21% VAT) and Mach 1 is 104000 AUD. The difference being 11500 AUD (14000 USD). That's a real no brainer for me. Are you sure you specced it properly?

I was checking your AU Build and Price and it's completely different than we have here and missing Mach 1 too, but GT in blue with spoiler and MagneRide and nothing else selected comes at 76k AUD, so not 65k AUD as you state...

 

[Glenn 70]

That's a weird difference in price between GT and Mach 1. When I spec our EU GT to match Mach 1 (both in Velocity Blue, manual, spoiler, heated and vented seats, Magneride, audio navi), the price for GT is 92500 AUD (with 21% VAT) and Mach 1 is 104000 AUD. The difference being 11500 AUD (14000 USD). That's a real no brainer for me. Are you sure you specced it properly?

I was checking your AU Build and Price and it's completely different than we have here and missing Mach 1 too, but GT in blue with spoiler and MagneRide and nothing else selected comes at 76k AUD, so not 65k AUD as you state...

Our Aussie GT comes in around $74k ,mach 1 around $97 in automatic . Sorry 23k not 32 k

 

[Phil_AVF]

Our Aussie GT comes in around $74k ,mach 1 around $97 in automatic . Sorry 23k not 32 k

OK, so I had a look at the UK configurator (as the Australian export cars are similar). I tried to spec a GT as close as possible to the Mach 1. Obviously, there are things missing like the coolers, Tremec gearbox etc. but I chose what I could to bring it in line with my Mach 1 spec.

So my Mach 1 manual base price is £55,185. I added Recaros (£1900), Optional wheels (£900) and paint (£850). The Mach 1 has the custom pack as standard (B&O, NAV, Extra Leather stitching), Plus Magneride is standard as is a rear spoiler. So the total price for my Mach 1 is £58835 on the road.

The GT starts at £44,255 manual base price. I added Paint (£850) Recaros (£1900) and the custom pack (£2465 - remember this standard on the Mach 1). Plus I added Magneride (£1650 - again this is standard on the Mach) and a rear spoiler as the Mach has one as standard (£350). So the price for comparison is £50,970 on the road.

The difference between my spec of Mach 1 and as close as possible to the same spec on a new GT, is £7865

So when you actually then look at what the Mach 1 has over and above the GT at this point, you have the Tremec, the engine with GT350 CAI and manifold, extra Coolers for oil, transmission and diff, new design to the bumpers to house these new coolers, GT500 diffuser, 4.5-inch active exhaust system, GT500 subframe and stiffer anti-roll bars and bushings... That's a lot of extras for a £7865 price hike on the GT.

Did you actually do any research of the numbers, or was it a guess? Let's see the breakdown of a new GT over a new Mach 1 in Australia as I'm curious if it actually is as much as you say it is.

 

[IPOGT]

They are not the same cars, that's why there is a difference in price. Plus the Mach is limited numbers.
You'll have to wait for the second-hand market and hope you can get one cheaper. But given they are going to be even more limited than originally planned (much less production time thanks to the chip shortage), they will likely hold their value well and be harder to find, especially in the export markets.

They are limited to how ever many people place orders for them. As long as people place orders for them they’ll keep making them. Look how many “Limited” GT350’s there are on EBay. If you like the parts combination the line chooses when they assemble a mustang with the Mach 1 menu that’s great. They’re a really nice package, but I wouldn’t get all excited over any perceived marketing induced added value or limited edition bs that may or may not happen, since most people who care about these cars will be dead by then.

 

[Charlemagne]

Even if 10000 get made within 2 years, it will be a limited edition, standing out in the Mustang crowd.

Would be funny if they did 1000 cars limited edition and put +$30k on it over GT PP1. Like BMW M2 Clubsport had over BMW M2 Competition last year. Imagine the bitching, lol. But it wouldn't make sense if it was worse equipped than GT350. It would make sense for some special GT350R or GT500 edition, but hard to improve on those, really. Plus Ford isn't trying to be an exclusive overpriced brand like BMW or Porsche. With this chip crisis, it will be more limited than it was supposed to be, I don't mind, as long as I'll have one

 

[Phil_AVF]

They are limited to how ever many people place orders for them. As long as people place orders for them they’ll keep making them. Look how many “Limited” GT350’s there are on EBay. If you like the parts combination the line chooses when they assemble a mustang with the Mach 1 menu that’s great. They’re a really nice package, but I wouldn’t get all excited over any perceived marketing induced added value or limited edition bs that may or may not happen, since most people who care about these cars will be dead by then.

I don't care what the future value will be, as this is a keeper for me. My comments are also directed to the export market, where numbers are limited with set amounts allocated to each region. In the US, you are probably correct that most orders will be fulfilled if people want one. But Ford is not getting back the 10 weeks already lost with MY21 builds, so they will be more limited than originally planned.

 

[tofo17]

Our Aussie GT comes in around $74k ,mach 1 around $97 in automatic . Sorry 23k not 32 k

Once again, my FJG was 92k drive away, many others paid similar money, so < 20k difference.

 

[Mikepol2]

I wonder if anyone would have made any of this fuss if Ford had made all the Mach 1 features available as options on the GT, with the same cost, but had not given it a different name. I bet this thread wouldn’t even exist in “why a loaded 2021 GT is a ripoff” form. A Mach 1 is a really great GT with more options, not something else. Ford has been saying that exact same thing since it was introduced. People want to bash it because THEY expect it to be more than “just a GT” since it has a different name and decals.

I ordered one because I loved my 2018 GT, and after test driving the M1 thought wow, this is an even better one! Not because of thinking wow, wonder how this would compare to a GT350? If I liked GT350’s more I’d have bought one a long time ago.

 

[sakman84]

I wonder if anyone would have made any of this fuss if Ford had made all the Mach 1 features available as options on the GT, with the same cost, but had not given it a different name. I bet this thread wouldn’t even exist in “why a loaded 2021 GT is a ripoff” form. A Mach 1 is a really great GT with more options, not something else. Ford has been saying that exact same thing since it was introduced. People want to bash it because THEY expect it to be more than “just a GT” since it has a different name and decals.

I ordered one because I loved my 2018 GT, and after test driving the M1 thought wow, this is an even better one! Not because of thinking wow, wonder how this would compare to a GT350? If I liked GT350’s more I’d have bought one a long time ago.

This is a real good point which has kinda dogged this car from the beginning. Anytime you are using a heritage name plate for a model you run into this. Inevitably, "Mach 1 Mustang" means different things to different people. This can lead to unrealistic expectations from the get go, it also can lead to the maker just screwing it up and producing something that doesn't pay proper homage to the past, something so radically different, that it really has no relation to the previous car other than the name. A great example is the "new" NSX. That is a perfect example of a botched heritage name plate. I think Toyota did a better job with the Supra, but for the purist it has way too much BMW DNA to be considered a "Supra". I think you get my point by now, its a tough act to pull off for manufactures. Overall I think Ford actually does a good job in this regard, S197 Boss 302s being a highlight.

This iteration of M1 was all about track focus, which S550s (including PP1 & PP2) have a mixed record with up until now. Too many times we see comparisons of the M1 while forgetting that it's intended purpose is track use, its increased cost is directly tied to this. If you are not tracking this car it simply doesn't offer the value a GT will, it was never intended to do so. Same with the Shelby GT350, if you don't track it, what is the point? it can hardly be enjoyed to near its full potential on public roads. Just when it gets real fun you are already well past go to jail speeds. M1 should be compared to GT PP cars or the Bulllitt, moving it up against the Shelby is not really fair as GT350 is really out of class (despite closeness in MSRP price).

About the PP cars, the prices on PP package is really outlandish now, gone are the days of the 2K PP options. Spec out a PP GT and include magneride and active exhaust the price will make your stomach grumble, because a lot of these options were priced better just a few MYs ago.

My Specd 2020 premium PP1 GT, magneride, luster nickel wheels, nav, active exhaust, PP1, came out to $48,625 MSRP. Realistic purchasing price. $45,000ish.

My specd M1 premium NON HP is $54,900 MSRP, qouted buying price is around $52.500ish.(lets see if they honor it, might be a little less)

Delta of around 7K is a reasonable comparison. What do I get for that in basic summary? TREMEC, Performance package that will last at the track, little bit more power, handling options & aero, M1 styling, M1 nameplate. Everyone has to do this comparison and come to their own conclusions based on their intended use and their wallet.

If you are not tracking, than get a non PP GT premium starts at 40K MSRP, and you can get them for well under that, say $37,000.

37K non PP premium GT
45K heavily optioned PP1
52.5K NON HP premium M1 with nav. (hopefully they honor my qoute, will know maybe in late July)

is it a ripoff, yes in the sense that all sports cars are, and once you add PP to any Mustang, it becomes a rip off. Boy I might get flamed for this post.

 

[Strokerswild]

"Missed opportunity" was the standout blurb for me from one of the recent M1 tests in regards to using the moniker on this car. Honestly, Boss 302 fits better.

Some of us really wanted that NA version of the Predator in the M1 for it to be the modern day equivalent of a 428CJ '69, and be a handler. Oh well.

 

[Atlas1]

Boy I might get flamed for this post.

I hope not because you’re spot on. The Mach 1 isn’t for every buyer. It’s exactly what Ford said it would be. That isn’t necessarily what some people wanted it to be and that’s unfortunate. But it’s priced where many of us expected it to come in at.
too many thought it was going to be a Shelby killer with a shaker hood and an msrp within $2k of a mustang gt. Where they got these ideas I don’t know but if you were paying attention to the reveal and the comments by Ford, the production car delivered as advertised. Except they forgot to put the black Mach emblems on mine

 

[Charlemagne]

If you are not tracking this car it simply doesn't offer the value a GT will, it was never intended to do so. Same with the Shelby GT350, if you don't track it, what is the point? it can hardly be enjoyed to near its full potential on public roads.

Personal satisfaction/ego plays a big part in this. You can ask how many BMW M3/M4s actually see the track? But those at least have big power difference compared to M340/M440i. GT PP1 with magneride already has high power, good breaking, good suspension. Mach 1 adds better transmission, tonnes of track endurance and heritage name. I bet it's a lot of fun on the street (or countryside roads) too, but track is where it shines. This aspect must not be neglected. Fun on the track is the next level fun I imagine this applies to GT350 or M4 even more so.

 

[WD Pro]

OK, so I had a look at the UK configurator (as the Australian export cars are similar). I tried to spec a GT as close as possible to the Mach 1. Obviously, there are things missing like the coolers, Tremec gearbox etc. but I chose what I could to bring it in line with my Mach 1 spec.

So my Mach 1 manual base price is £55,185. I added Recaros (£1900), Optional wheels (£900) and paint (£850). The Mach 1 has the custom pack as standard (B&O, NAV, Extra Leather stitching), Plus Magneride is standard as is a rear spoiler. So the total price for my Mach 1 is £58835 on the road.

The GT starts at £44,255 manual base price. I added Paint (£850) Recaros (£1900) and the custom pack (£2465 - remember this standard on the Mach 1). Plus I added Magneride (£1650 - again this is standard on the Mach) and a rear spoiler as the Mach has one as standard (£350). So the price for comparison is £50,970 on the road.

The difference between my spec of Mach 1 and as close as possible to the same spec on a new GT, is £7865

So when you actually then look at what the Mach 1 has over and above the GT at this point, you have the Tremec, the engine with GT350 CAI and manifold, extra Coolers for oil, transmission and diff, new design to the bumpers to house these new coolers, GT500 diffuser, 4.5-inch active exhaust system, GT500 subframe and stiffer anti-roll bars and bushings... That's a lot of extras for a £7865 price hike on the GT.

Did you actually do any research of the numbers, or was it a guess? Let's see the breakdown of a new GT over a new Mach 1 in Australia as I'm curious if it actually is as much as you say it is.

I will start this with stating I don’t want to get drawn into the Mach 1 wars … lol

Custom pack two gets you a healthy discount on Recaro’s (£500 from memory).

That would make the GT cheaper than you quoted but more importantly, why not the same discount on the M1 ?

Initally my dealer missed the discount, I had to politely remind them when I was checking the figures …

WD

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