S281E

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Pro Mod said:
I don't understand why anyone would buy an S281-E over a Cobra/GT500?

Well you can wait a VERY long time for a GT500 (well they're all sold out here at least. They've even stopped putting people on the waiting list its gotten so long) or shell out the extra green and buy a Saleen (not worth the money to me).
 
Tmack said:
The "E" will out perform the GT500. It has an aluminum block that weighs less and produces 550+hp, plus it will probably handle a lot better too.

Even though the GT500 has a 5.4L and the fact the S281 is a :nonono: ...Saleen...
 
Tmack said:
The "E" will out perform the GT500. It has an aluminum block that weighs less and produces 550+hp, plus it will probably handle a lot better too.

If the wait time was the issue, I'd rather have my own built up before I paid $30k more for the S281E over the GT500. They're both gonna have 6-speed & 3-link suspension. Saleen's cookie-cutter springs will probably be a little stiffer than the GT500's and they'll probably continue to use Bilstein shocks, but the difference will most likely be very marginal over SVT's tune on the GT500 suspension. The S281E is still a 3V 4.6 that is built to near-full potential for the street, while the 475 :cough: "rating" of the GT500 is only scratching the surface of the 4V 5.4

Different strokes for different folks, so I'm not trying to argue. But I will never pay 30k for the banner across the front windshield. Don't get me wrong, I am a Saleen fan... but from back in the day when they offered something BETTER/DIFFERENT than Ford offered to justify the price hike. The SA-10 & the S351 were what a real Saleen is to me.
 
Pro Mod said:
Different strokes for different folks, so I'm not trying to argue. But I will never pay 30k for the banner across the front windshield. Don't get me wrong, I am a Saleen fan... but from back in the day when they offered something BETTER/DIFFERENT than Ford offered to justify the price hike. The SA-10 & the S351 were what a real Saleen is to me.

I'm assuming that most of us are in the same boat, in that we don't have the type of expendable income to spend $75k on a weekend car. I know I don't. But that doesn't negate the benefits that Saleen has:
1) Name recognition
2) Resale value
3) Collectability (especially on "E" models)
4) A warranty
5) A complete package that you can "get in and go."
6) More performance than most people dare use on the street.

Sure the S281E has a hefty price tag, but to some people the above mentioned qualities merit that type of coin. Remember the s281E actually outperforms the old S351 with better manners and handling to boot. That is not to desparage the S351s. Don't get me wrong, I almost bought one before I was married, and I truly believe that in 20 years they will be the big dog on the Barret-Jackson auction block. But, if you objectively look at the cars the "E"s are much more user friendly.
With the Shelby (and the '03-04 Cobra) , I think Ford finally decided to take back the market segment that Roush and Saleen had been monopolizing for so long. Obviously, I haven't driven a Shelby, but I think it is going to leave a lot of people disappointed by its handling. Of course if you're a drag racer that won't bother you. That is a different argument.
 
Pro Mod said:
The S281E is still a 3V 4.6 that is built to near-full potential for the street, while the 475 :cough: "rating" of the GT500 is only scratching the surface of the 4V 5.4
That's true, but you are talking about a Saleen S281 E and a Shelby GT500. You would have to be out of your mind to modify them. As stated by Wsmatau you probably will see these cars down the road on the Barret-Jackson auction block, especially the S281 E.

If you have the means and are looking for the best performing mustang overall, hands down it is the Saleen S281 E.
 
Wsmatau said:
1) Name recognition
2) Resale value
3) Collectability (especially on "E" models)
4) A warranty
5) A complete package that you can "get in and go."
6) More performance than most people dare use on the street.

You get the exact same thing with a Shelby. Oh and by the way, the entire stock we've sold down here had a $20k markup. The amazing thing is that they sold. So a $60k Shelby Gt500 would probably be just as collectable as $75k Saleen S281E
 
Pliskin said:
You get the exact same thing with a Shelby. Oh and by the way, the entire stock we've sold down here had a $20k markup.
The amazing thing is that they sold.
I think you can disregard the markups for having the first one on the block because it is true of both cars. Some people have more money than patients.

Pliskin said:
So a $60k Shelby Gt500 would probably be just as collectable as $75k Saleen S281E
:notnice: Not nearly. Check how many "E"s have been built over the last 5 years and compare that to the 10k Shelbys they are going to build next year. An S281E is a rare car.
 
Wsmatau said:
I think you can disregard the markups for having the first one on the block because it is true of both cars. Some people have more money than patients.


:notnice: Not nearly. Check how many "E"s have been built over the last 5 years and compare that to the 10k Shelbys they are going to build next year. An S281E is a rare car.

Supply and demand. I know four people down here at the dealer that have either ordered one or plan on getting one. I'm sure they'll churn more out. Even so, they say they're making less Shelby's than they did the 04 Cobra's. So unless they changed their minds....

But what it all comes down to...I would take the Shelby over the Saleen any day. We get Saleens in all the time down here in the service dept. FAR more than the Cobras we get in. You can throw a fancy body kit and 600hp into a ****ty car and say its RARE but its still a ****ty car. A ****ty car with lots of double sided sticky tape on it.
 
Pliskin said:
Supply and demand. I know four people down here at the dealer that have either ordered one or plan on getting one. I'm sure they'll churn more out. Even so, they say they're making less Shelby's than they did the 04 Cobra's. So unless they changed their minds....

But what it all comes down to...I would take the Shelby over the Saleen any day. We get Saleens in all the time down here in the service dept. FAR more than the Cobras we get in. You can throw a fancy body kit and 600hp into a ****ty car and say its RARE but its still a ****ty car. A ****ty car with lots of double sided sticky tape on it.

I'm not judging the cars one way or another. I was just comparing collectability. A 426 Hemi Charger ran like dookie on the street, but it's worth about 10X as much as a 440 Charger for collectability purposes.
 
Pliskin said:
Supply and demand. I know four people down here at the dealer that have either ordered one or plan on getting one. I'm sure they'll churn more out. Even so, they say they're making less Shelby's than they did the 04 Cobra's. So unless they changed their minds....
"Power in the Hands of a Few" In 2002 Saleen only made 34 coupes and 20 verts in the "E" Model and even fewer over the next two years. Ford will defiantly produce more than a few hundred Shelby's. But, to each his own. If you don't like or want to own a Saleen that is defiantly your opinion and I respect that. But with the facts laid out, the Saleen S281 E will outperform and be a rarer stang than the Shelby.
 
Tmack said:
"Power in the Hands of a Few" In 2002 Saleen only made 34 coupes and 20 verts in the "E" Model and even fewer over the next two years. Ford will defiantly produce more than a few hundred Shelby's. But, to each his own. If you don't like or want to own a Saleen that is defiantly your opinion and I respect that. But with the facts laid out, the Saleen S281 E will outperform and be a rarer stang than the Shelby.

Yeah could be true. Yeah just my opinion really....Would only buy the middle of the Saleens. The S281SC is the only saleen I'd buy and for that money I'd rather have a Shelby anyway. Ah well. Extreme..ha

EXTREME CHEDDAR
 
Wsmatau said:
Remember the s281E actually outperforms the old S351 with better manners and handling to boot. That is not to desparage the S351s. Don't get me wrong, I almost bought one before I was married, and I truly believe that in 20 years they will be the big dog on the Barret-Jackson auction block. But, if you objectively look at the cars the "E"s are much more user friendly.

Oh yeah i definitely do not doubt the performance of the "E". The SA-10 & the S-351's aren't the best performing Saleens now, but they had what makes a tuner car actually valuable to me... something that is truly different than you can get from the factory. The SA-10 was an aluminum-headed supercharged 5.0 with a big intake and rear disc brakes with improved front brakes. Ford's 93 Cobra had the brakes, but really nothing else that the SA-10 offered. However, the 93 Cobra has proven to be VERY desireable too :hail2:
And other than the 95 Cobra R, Ford offered nothing REMOTELY similar to the S351. The blown aluminum headed 351 was just way out of Ford's production abilities back then. It was truly different than anything Ford offered.

Wsmatau said:
With the Shelby (and the '03-04 Cobra) , I think Ford finally decided to take back the market segment that Roush and Saleen had been monopolizing for so long. Obviously, I haven't driven a Shelby, but I think it is going to leave a lot of people disappointed by its handling. Of course if you're a drag racer that won't bother you. That is a different argument.

I mostly agree with you here. The Terminator was the worst thing that could have happened for Saleen/Roush etc. Ford just offers so much from the factory now, that Saleen doesn't really offer anything DIFFERENT. Ford is offering the superchargers, the 6-speed trannies, the big brakes, and the big hp #'s now. Even without driving a Shelby, I have to say the doubters of the handling will be suprised. The 3-link has proven to be MORE than capable. Heck, look at what the FR500C Grand Am Cup cars did...

I guess I look at the mechanicals of the cars moreso than the collectability. But I just don't see the future collectability with all these tuner Mustangs; I see a factory Ford car having more or as much collectability. What's gonna be so collectable about a modified Mustang with a body kit & windshield banner?... there's tens of thousands of those out there.

I really hope I don't come off as a Saleen-hater, because I'm not. I have lots of friends with Saleens and have been pretty active in Saleen-related activities. I just wish for the $$$, they could come up with something DIFFERENT than what Ford offers like they USED to... instead of $30k more for 50 more hp, more 2-sided tape, and a windshield banner.
 
Pro Mod said:
I guess I look at the mechanicals of the cars moreso than the collectability. But I just don't see the future collectability with all these tuner Mustangs; I see a factory Ford car having more or as much collectability. What's gonna be so collectable about a modified Mustang with a body kit & windshield banner?... there's tens of thousands of those out there.

I think we all agree that we can build a similar (if not better) performing car for the same or less money than Saleen/Roush, et al are asking. Ford Cobra/Shelby has made a much more affordable performer.
But collectability is a direct reflection of availability, which is usually reflective of the price of the car. Which means an "E" is too expensive for most people so less are built.
I liken it to the old 67 Shelby. They are pretty rare nowadays. The "Super Snake" (427 powered Shelby) is one of a kind. Why? Because, back in '67 you could buy a 427 Cobra for less money, that out performed the Mustang in every way. Which one is worth more now?
I keep telling people that are looking at the '07 Shelby as some sort of collectible...."what do you think of the 96-98 Cobras?" They all respond with varying degrees of "nice car but nothing special." Well, Ford is going to sell just as many Shelby's as they did Cobras in those years. The Shelby is a GREAT performer, it's just not going to be a rare car.