New to ShelbyForums I'm not sure I'm doing this right: I don't usually converse on the internet. I've owned a '67 GT-350 and four other Mustangs including a "96 Cobra and I loved them all. I loved the Shelbys and I've always wanted to own another. I wanted to buy a new GT-500 but partially due to the change in the Ford marketing stategy for SVT products that won't be possible. I have a friend who is a brilliant mechanical engineer working at Ford and I sent him this message which states my frustration. I have written the Ford Board of Directors on this subject but was passed off to a person in customer service who did not understand what I was talking about. Enough babble; Here is the message: Matt: I wanted to buy a new Shelby GT-500 but that oriental guy (Name???) and Ford have decided to forsake the former SVT dealers and sell them through all the dealers. The resulting free for all means that only the rich will be able to afford them. I've talked to many dealers and they plan to keep them for themselves or auction them to the highest bidder, even on E Bay. The mark up over sticker is between $20,000 and $40,000. $90,000 for a Mustang: the car for the ordinary person? The end of the dream for me! American car manufacturers never learn that you don't win in the long run by disregarding those who have been loyal customers. They'll say they can't control what the dealers do but they can! I will not buy another Ford! Do you still work for these stiffs? Hope you're doing great, Matt. Keep me in your address book.
Re: New to ShelbyForums I feel your pain. I've seen so many posts on various boards that are just like yours. Ford has really alienated a large portion of their loyal customer base. In Ford's defense, I am of the opinion that Ford opened up the GT500 to all dealers to help more people get one. More delaers who can sell them means more competition and, in theory, lower cost to the consumer. In my personal experience, I started looking for a GT500 at the large SVT dealers in the Denver area. Every one of them wanted at least $10K over MSRP. I bit the bullet and placed a deposit down for the #3 spot on a list, only to find out later the dealership went back on their word and dissolved their "list" in favor of a first-come-first-served auction-type scenario. I got my deposit back and decided to look elsewhere. It took some shopping, but I was finally able to find one. I got the #1 allocation at a tiny little (non-SVT) dealer located in a small town up in the Colorado rockies. Even better...I'm only going to pay $2,000 over MSRP (to cover their certification fees). In my case, opening this car up to all dealers was the best thing that could have happened.
