New member determined to get an 07!

Greetings from Minneapolis. My story is brief, unlike how much I've learned about Shelby's in the past 6 weeks!

I confess to nursing a broken heart after selling my 67 GTO in a fit of insanity a few years back, remaining on the prowl for another fun car since. Having mechanical ability that pretty much stops at duct tape, I've been considering a newer rather than older car this time.

Don't hate me for this, but I've never been a Ford guy; however, that all changed in July when my 16 yr old & I rented an 07 GT-H in Denver for our week in the mountains. I've not been this smitten with a car since my first ride in a GTO when I was 15 yrs old (a long time ago). By the end of the week's rental my son & I declared, "We've got to get us one of these!"

I couldn't have been more wrong in thinking buying one, or even finding out about buying one, wouldn't be problematic ... ha!

That started my efforts to learn more about how to buy a GT-H and within a day I'm convinced I learned more than any Hertz franchise knew and most Ford dealers. I've now worked my way up the Hertz feeding chain and been in touch with everyone selling a GT-H on E-bay and numerous dealers across the country.

While I'd still consider an 06, I think I may hold out for an 07 convertible, but I've never in my life sought to buy a car under these circumstances. In Jan the 06's were going for 60K+ and now are in the mid 30's. I'm psyched but imagine the convert's will go the same route ... but it's a crazy system.

I'm guessing that if I want to wait for a reasonable price, if there ever is one, that I'll have to wait until about this time next year. Dealers I've been talking with suggest the 06's have "bottomed out" price-wise now, but of course they'd say that - they want me to buy now.

I'd appreciate any input, insight or knowledge anyone can share about the 07's. Last I heard from Hertz was they'd be releasing them for auction to dealers in January.

GREAT FORUM, sorry to be so long winded in my first post!

Scott/Minneapolis

 

Thx Mike, and I should have includ GT-H convertitlbe in my subject line!

Thanks for the reply, Mike - now I don't feel QUITE so bad for the length of the post.

By the way, I've talked to 2 dealers who said they'd sell me an 08 Shelby GT convert at MSRP. I'm tempted, very tempted.

But the GT-H is such a cooooool car!

Thx again for the welcome sir!

Scott/Minneapolis

 

Re: Greetings from new member & Shelby enthusiast newbie bound & determined to get an

Portland Mike,

I agree the 06's will be gone then; I meant that I may wait for the 07 convertible GT-H that should go on sale in Jan, so maybe, just maybe, they will be at a "reasonable" price by this time next year. But like I said, I'm new to this GT-H stuff (aren't we all?), which is why I wonder if I'd be better off buying an 06 now or even an 08 GT convertible. Decisions, decisions.

Scott/Mpls

 

condition of rentals

Thx for replies everyone; I continue to learn!

Good point on condition of rentals, Troy.

Quick story: When we rented the 07 convertible in Color I was astonished at the detail they went over it with; a 2-page single spaced checklist only the mgr could complete - same thing upon return except they also put it up on a hoist to check it further.

I babied it to the point it was almost too anxiety provoking to have (taking up 2 pkg spaces all the time, etc). And with that lowered front end it's almost impossible NOT to scrape it, so I drove 50 mi to a Ford dealer to get some touch-up paint for the very minor scuff I saw.

I guess I forget not everyone treats it as well. I even read a thread elsewhere about how to remove the traction control clip so people can't light 'em up.

Hmmmm, now you've got me thinking again. Maybe new would be better.

Scott/Mpls.

 

2007 GT prices

Agree on 07 GT's! There is one locally in Twin Cities (blk & silver) for under MSRP. The 08 convert is more limited so some think it will fetch over MSRP, although 2 dealers have said they'd sell at MSRP.

 

Now you have me rethinking this GT-H thing ...

Vern, that's compelling evidence; and frankly, irritates me. Maybe I was the sucker for driving the one I had so carefully. Not that we didn't enjoy it on the mountain turns & freeways ... but beat it? Not.

Maybe a new vista blue 08 convertible would be the better "gurantee" of a fresh, tight car taken care of the way I want it to be.

Oh, and some of the other posts were right on: GT-H's are only automatic, and 08 GT's will only be in vista blue.

My learning curve continues - thanks everyone!

Scott/Mpls

 

tales of rentals

Yes, I saw the cable seal to make sure engines aren't swapped! Man, I have enough troubled just getting my rental papers together and back to the airport in time, much less swapping engines, disabling traction control and taking videos of myself beating the ever loving crap out of someone else's property to post on utube! lol

It was rather funny, I had a mgr who signed us out and went through the check list. Very nice woman, but obviously didn't have a clue as to what she was looking for. Like the "engine seal (the cable)," but that even caugt me by surprise and I had to look until I saw it and figured tht must be it. But things like "Shelby engine compartment i.d. plate" through her for a loop, so I pretty much checked myself out. However, the guy on the return knew his stuff ... and here I was worried about some scuffs on the lowered front end!

Scott/Mpls