Ford GT40 vs Ferrari Again

412fly - only the pent-up demand is going for over sticker. they're talking about producing WAY too many for the US market (none to canada, only 101 to euro-land). they'll either stop production early or these things will be selling at discounts with financing incentives. less than TEN have sold on ebay thus far. most of the auctions get zero interest. and the average price over is already declining in that data set. it ain't gonna fly.

but i don't care how they market it. they actually flat out do not believe that ferrari customers are their market. they believe there are 3000 or more guys who lived through the 50s and 60s muscle cars who are sitting on $150K (or more) and have been waiting all these years to buy a "supercar" and have never pulled the trigger thus far 'cuz they weren't willing to buy a non-american car. that's their marketing plan as best i can tell.

doody.

 

Ford's focus should be competing against the Corvette not Ferrari, it's a shame they let it run uncontested all these years. Get the GT40 price down and make a serious charge at Chevy!

 

in the interest of full disclosure as to who you're sparring with, venusone, napolis owns an original GT and knows a ridiculous amount about them. he may be wrong, but i for one don't bet against him in matters like this

doody.

 

Lee is a friend of mine. I know him quite well. That car is a replica. His car is perhaps the most accurate replica existant. I also think it's fair to call it a contiunation car but it's not original and Lee has never claimed that it is nor would he as he's an extremely honest person.

 

Doody not so sure about that???

I've bought Ferraris ,lambos and GT-40's(orig) and I'll buy one of these as soon as I can buy at MSRP!!!

 

i agree with you wayne. that's Ford's marketing perspective, not mine.

but i still think they're trying to cram WAY too many cars into the US market - perportedly on the order of two hundred per month from june 2004 through december 2005. by comparison ferrari sells half that (or less), for all their models combined, into the US per month.

doody.

 

Here speaks a man who knows all about extremely accurate replicas.

 

Another thing there are some "working or self-made" guys with money in this country who WOULDN'T buy a Ferrari (snob factor),but think it is ok to buy this "AMERICAN" exotic.

 

Ouch... Just when you think Ford are getting their act together. What's this 400 cars per month. And so few to the foreign market. I am certain they have market tested it and the car has not appealed to the Euro buyers. I am not sure it will be worth it at $150K/car. If I were in the market I would've waited just 10 or 12 months and buy a clean one in the used market. What sort of a marketing is that? If it is exotic as they want everyone to believe it is it must also be exclusive, at least that's how I understand it.

It is always about how you launch the product and creat "the want" factor. The Ameircan loyals who grew up with Mopar Hemis, Chevy 427 aluminium heads/fuel injection, and 428 Cobras and Shelbys don't care how the GT40 compares to the 360. They want to know how it compares to the other muscle cars.

Cheers,

 

Fran kress?

 

I am impressed with the GT's performance but I do not find it to be a great looking car. Living in southeastern Michigan I have seen a few on the road(all w/ manufacturer plates of course) and all were being driven conservatively. When you see one from a distance the first thought that comes to my mind is whose kit car is that? A silver one with black stripes was behind me on my way to work a few weeks back. As the GT got closer to me it looked a lot better though but I would rather have a 360.

I am not a fan of car companies coming out with a new model (the new GT, 2005 Mustang, Thunderbird and I am sure I am leaving out a lot of others) and basically using the same design elements as the originals. I know that some will argue that car companies do it because it will be easy to sell, market and get people who grew up in the 60's excited about driving again. I think it is a total sell out. I think the designers are admitting that they have no original ideas and they go the retro route because they know it will be excepted by the masses. Ferrari's are about performance but they are also about style. With increasing competiton due to the current HP war, Ferrari is going to have to stay ahead of everyone else in terms of style. I believe style is what differentiates Ferrari from everyone else.

 

Couldnt agree more.Way too many cars will be available.And it is an american muscle car,thats what it is.And priced at 150k to boot.The comparison is not to the world class cars,F+L,but to Vipers ,vettes.The comparison against the viper has been made,and a SMALL edge goes to the GT.But very small,at twice the price.So dodge counters in 05 with 600hp in the viper(you can bank on that),and chevy counters with the 500hp z06,at 60k.In Fords own plan,this car is a short production run,3 years maybe.Then they come out with another old race car,shelby cobra.I dont buy it,and think production has to be reduced to make it worth close to the money they are trying to get,or lose money on it,which unlike dodge with the Viper,ford is not prepared to do,as a loss leader.Yeah,it looks cool,if you like retro race cars.I do,but either want the pedigree or performance that will be far ahead of the rest of the world.This car offers neither.To me,this is a solid 100k car,not 150k plus.It has the same motor that will find its way into the 05 ford lightning for cryin' out loud.Just like dodge when they put the 500hp v-10 in the truck,you lose a little exclusitivity.Not a good thing.JMHO

 

It really depends what you're looking for. If want something that will lap Leguna 7 seconds faster than a 360 this is for you. If you don't care about that kind of thing it's not.

 

To each his own. But I'm one of those "over the hill" farts who remembers when Ford won Le Mans. It was a very special time. As soon as I can find one at sticker, this is a done deal.

Dr "That ain't no kit car. That's a Ford GT-40" Tax

 

There's a HUGE demand for this car over in Europe. There's over 2,000+ potential buyers lined up. This article mentions a 20 to 1 ratio of interested buyers and the number of GT's headed to Europe. Euro demand seems to be very high.

article.
http://www.rsportscars.com/eng/articles/fordgt_europe.asp

Anyways, what's everyone's opinion on the rumored GT replacement...the Ford/Shelby Cobra? The concept had a front engine, rear transaxle setup with a 604hp 6.4L v10. It was said to weigh 3,000lbs which is a good bit lighter than the GT. It is also said to use a good bit of GT hardware (brake, steering, chassis, suspension, etc...). Rumors also point at a price south of 100g's (hope that part is true). It doesn't look as good as the GT, but the cheaper price, lesser weight, and 6.4L v10 does seem attractive.