Ford tried a basic car with the GTS in 1995 and it didn’t work then. It cost ford more than it made up. It didn’t sell well as ford noticed most GT owners opted for most options.
It costs too much to offer different trim levels. Also putting V8 power in a car with smaller brakes and different handling may sound good to a drag racer it doesn’t sound so hot to fords legal department. They need to produce cars that will safely handle the power so Joe moron doesn’t kill himself.
When official pricing is released we will see. Ford would be touting the lower price already had they lowered it. It’s a bunch of speculation from people who wish it to be true. All the wishing in the world will not make it happen though.
Another quote from a different magazine
hot rod
"The Mustang is also about delivering a high level of performance value to the greatest number of customers at an affordable, attainable price, a notion underscored by the fact that '05 Mustang buyers will be able to option the new car from an under-$20,000 base V-6 with sporty looks and sprightly performance up to a near-$30,000 GT "
Mustang Chief Engineer Hau Thai-Tang
"We are keeping the price as close to the current car levels as possible"
So far I’ve posted 4 different articles 2 from ford 2 for independent sources saying that the car will be close to the current pricing. The 6 cyl coming in at under 20,000 and the v8 in the mid 20's.
If you can find articles or sources saying the new Stang will be >20,000 with a v8 please post them. Otherwise they are just rumors. Muscle Mustang Fast Fords, Motor Trend, Car and Driver, Automobile, and fords Chief Engineer all put the V8 pricing close to the current models. That means mid 20’s .
Read again what ford says
“What’s more, all this unrivaled driving excitement will continue to come at an attainable price. The base V-6 model will remain the best performance car for under $20,000, while the Mustang GT will be the most affordable 300-horsepower car made today.
“
Now if the V6 is the best performance for under $20,000 that means that no V8 car will be under $20,000 right or it would be the best value under $20,000.
The above statement is taken directly from ford web site and can be found here
http://media.ford.com/newsroom/feature_display.cfm?release=16775