The $20K V8 thread

[05Crazy]

Another thing is, if the current GT lists at, what, $24K or so? How can a brand new, totally redesigned from the ground up GT be over $4K less?

because the car is being built at the flatrock plant now, and the flatrock plant is the second most efficient automotive assembly plant in the world.

[05Crazy]

 

[sleeper89]

FWIW, ford also offered the GTS model in 94/95 (i believe it was both years). v8 gt motor in the v6 shell.

-steve

 

[Steeda90GT]

http://autoshow.msn.com/as/autoshow2004/article.aspx?***=Ford&src=autoshow2004

Try that link. I can actually see Ford doing a $20,000 V8. Figure the GT hardtop will sticker for what, $25,000 - $26,000? Now, my 89 LX V8 stickered for $10,000 back in it's day and actually has every option the GT of that year had (except for the nicer seats, GT wheels, fog lights, and nicer appearance package). Some GT hardtops were sold for as much as $16,000 that year. That's a 6K difference, or 60% more green than the LX if you want to look at it in that perspective.

Maybe we will see the return of the LX (or whatever Ford will call it's stripped down model V8) Which will be a V6 body with no wing, base model style wheels, V6 style seats, and a few less interior options. Heck that multi colored dash probably costs just as much as a 4.6L V8 engine!!!

I dunno, some food for thought I guess!

 

[Rootus]

It's worth noting that the mags have listed the estimated MSRP of the GT at $26,900... and remember where they got their information from. The NAIAS info (including the web site) is all based on what was spoken during the announcement.

I'd love to have a GT for $20k, but I think we should try to stay realistic -- no bitching when the actual prices are published.

Dave

 

[Mach172]

They said the GT would start under $20K? Really? I find it hard to believe but if true that would be cool. Some of the most desireable Mopars from the sixties are some of the lowest option cars (no trim, taxi cab interior, no power anything, steel wheels) with the biggest engines--Hemi Road Runners, Max Wedge Savoys, etc. I like sleepers. Probably the only changes I'd make would be wheels and maybe suspension.

That is so true, I knew a guy who had a '64 Savoy two door sedan, with the 426 Hemi in it, he surprised the hell out of everybody who saw it, that thing was like a rocket, looked like it would have been his dad's car or something!

 

[66Satellite]

I still think it's a goof but maybe the GT is the new LX. Notice the 05 GT doesn't really have that much in the way of scoops and whatnot anyway. This would leave plenty of room for "special" models above it. The 87-93 5.0 LX cars are some of my favorite Mustangs--almost bought an 88 vert last year. Guy down the street from me has a sweet looking LX Notch. Very nice clean looking cars. With the big wheels/tires and upgraded/more supportive front seats you're goot to go. BTW, what does a crate 4.6 V8 go for? How much more does it cost than the 3.8 V6 crate (assuming that any of these engines are available as crates--I have no idea.).

 

[yellow5.0cobra]

He meant a basic V6 Mustang starting under $20k, not the V8 itself.

They are trying to show that BOTH cars are MUSCLE cars, and MUSCLE can be had for under $20k, and not exclusively the V8 is the muscle car. Somehow the V6 is also.

 

[JimF65]

Why couldn't Ford do what they did in the original Mustang? The "basic" Mustang was available with 4 engine choices: 170/200 ci I-6, 260then289 2v, 289 4v, or 289 HiPo V-8s. The GT was available with any of these except the I-6. But you did NOT have to go to a GT to get the V-8... any of the V-8s, even the HiPo, was available in all models. So a V-8 in the basic model is nothing new, and could meet the pricing level, IF they did as the original and designed the basic car for the V-8 mechanically.

More choice for the consumer can't be a bad thing.

 

[Dasgooch]

The speculation about a $20k V-8 is not coming from Bill Ford. It came from J. Mays introduction speech. Knowing what he has said in the past and his overall passion for this car I don't think he would be getting this seemingly important detail confused. I think it is entirely possible we could see another LX 5.0 style package for $19,995. They have said numerous times that they want to have diversity throughout the Mustang lineup and I think this would be a good way to do it. Another interesting thing is that currently Mustang production levels are around 130,000 units annually. I have seen quite a few quotes saying that they expect the first year of the 2005 to be around 180,000 units. With the increase in cars they could very well sell some more base V-8's (non GT's) and still make their bread and butter on the V-6's and not have to cut into GT sales.

Here is the clip that everyone is talking about:
http://www.warnerrobert.com/videos/mustang.htm

 

[01laserred]

My 2 cents, also just speculation.
The 04 Premium GT MSRP is 24,555 and the Deluxe is 23,385 (from Edmunds)
Ford charges 1200 for leather seats and a better stereo.
The 05 is supposed to be priced inline with the current Mustang.
How much less could Ford charge (if they indeed wanted to sell an "LX" V8) if
they sold the car without AC, tilt wheel, cruise control, traction control, stereo,
ABS, power mirrors, power locks, and power windows?
I believe all those options priced individually would amount to around 3K, so it
could be done...

 

[66Satellite]

One thing I'd really like to see offered on the base GT is a decent leatherette-type vinyl interior--the typical cloth in American and Japanese cars is pretty nasty IMO and I don't really see the point of leather in non-luxury cars.

 

[Rootus]

What options other than the powertrain are different between the V6 & GT? Ford has already said that many things -- A/C, power windows/locks, ABS, etc, would be standard on all Mustangs. So excluding the powertrain, and the foglights & wing, what is it?

Dave

 

[pairofnines]

The speculation about a $20k V-8 is not coming from Bill Ford. It came from J. Mays introduction speech. Knowing what he has said in the past and his overall passion for this car I don't think he would be getting this seemingly important detail confused. I think it is entirely possible we could see another LX 5.0 style package for $19,995. They have said numerous times that they want to have diversity throughout the Mustang lineup and I think this would be a good way to do it. Another interesting thing is that currently Mustang production levels are around 130,000 units annually. I have seen quite a few quotes saying that they expect the first year of the 2005 to be around 180,000 units. With the increase in cars they could very well sell some more base V-8's (non GT's) and still make their bread and butter on the V-6's and not have to cut into GT sales.

Here is the clip that everyone is talking about:
http://www.warnerrobert.com/videos/mustang.htm

You are right, my mistake, it is J. Mays. And in that movie he says, "...200 or 300 horsepower both starting under 20 grand..." about 50 seconds into that movie Dasgooch posted. He said it without trying to correct himself or stuttering, and I think he would know what he is talking about. By no means am I trying to throw fuel on the fire ,but it is said very confidently by Mays, so I dunno. But it would make sense bring back the basic no frills car with V8 power, just like in the 60's, and the LX in the Fox Bodies.

 

[SVTdriver]

Off topic slightly. But does Ford have roll up window for any mustangs anymore? I have looked at it as a thought for my 97. But don't know if it's available.

 

[BigBlockStang]

What options other than the powertrain are different between the V6 & GT? Ford has already said that many things -- A/C, power windows/locks, ABS, etc, would be standard on all Mustangs. So excluding the powertrain, and the foglights & wing, what is it?

Dave

The suspension (no huge difference in price really), Brakes (larger with the V8), transmission (T5 to Tremec), Rear axle (7.5 inch to 8.8) and wheels and tires.
I really can't see a 3V V8 stang for under $20,000 I would be extremely happy to see a little rise over the current GT. You are getting a better suspension, longer wheelbase, better brakes, 3 valve heads, Variable valve timing, and to top it all off an aluminum engine block to boot. These things cost money.
At most we can hope for for a cheaper LX model would be the 2v iron block V8 (which will still be produced for the truck) . It would just have a better intake manifold then the current model. maybe with the V6 brakes.
We'll just have to wait and see what happens. Either way I'm very happy with the Mustang there going to produce. And I can't wait to see it in person.

 

[pairofnines]

Off topic slightly. But does Ford have roll up window for any mustangs anymore? I have looked at it as a thought for my 97. But don't know if it's available.

I dunno about the Mustang, but I know my old 97 F-150 came with a manual roll up windows, it was bare bone stock, just to have as a farm truck, and the dirt would mess with the electronics. Maybe you could get one out of a truck and fab something up?

 

[skywarp]

Lets go off the deep end and speculate. Lets say they sell the 05 body style and continue to sell the current car both with the 3V 4.6. The newer style would cost more. Or the other end, say just have the 05 body style but offer the current 2V 4.6, and the 3v 4.6 in it. This would let people have the new style with the new motor or the tried and true current plant. This might make for the price difference. As posted many times before it was just a mistake. But theres no reason not too have fun with it. :

 

[Ron Jeremy]

I personally have the ins with many executives at Ford Corporate in Detroit. These executives all know and spoke to Mr. Mays. This is what Mr. Mays said about the 2005 V8 Mustang:

The 2005 Ford Mustang V8 will come in 2 versions. The first will be a basic no frills model (It will not be called the GT) just like the Mustangs from the 60's and early 70's. It will still have the high output 300HP V8, but it will not have the GT package on it. This means that it will be a "SLEEPER" Mustang. Ford built many of these sleeper Mustangs all throughout the 60's and early 70's. They are coming back with these types of V8 Mustangs again starting in 2005 with the Mustang V8 model. And they will cost less than $20,000.

On the other hand, the regular 2005 GT will have the musclecar package on it as standard equipment. That's why it will cost more than $20,000.

So now that I told you this BIG SECRET we can end this thread and lock it up.

 

[Rootus]

 

[Ron Jeremy]

You will not be laughing when the two different V8 versions of the 2005 Mustang come out. Will ya?