http://www.autoweek.com/cat_content.mv?port_code=autoweek&cat_code=carnews&loc_code=index&content_code=06646593 The Ford/Ferrari wars are beginning again.
Not much of a war . Other than sound quality, the Ford GT will slaughter any currect road Ferrari other than the Enzo, and for the difference in price that Enzo ain't that much better.
pay $140K and then have to take it into the same crap service department and deal with the same morons where they service focus and explorers? right.... Ernesto
Actuallly I found the factory dealership quite a nice experience with my F150. I don't imagine every dealership will have the ability or qualifications to service the GT. Anyone know if Ford is setting up specific centers for service or specific qualifications to service the GT? THAT would be the difference and the correct way to go. JD
I'm sure the F40/F50/Enzo owners are saying the same thing about the Ferrari dealerships. I was going to post something similiar to Jeff's post, there will likely be a certification for techs and a list of authorized dealerships. The advantage in the Ford GT's case is, with the number of dealerships out there, many techs are already familiar with this powertrain and its not even out yet. Its better than trying to get your Ferrari serviced in Nowheresville if you have a breakdown. Sunny
At $140k and 1700 copies a year, they will sell every one. If the dealers do not get carried away and start asking $60 over list.
Not true Frank. Ford dealers can qualify by being a member of the President's Club, having high sales, and they can be chosen by lottery.
As hot as this thing is going to sell, and given what its going to do for Fords image worldwide.... I would bet the production run will be lots more than just 3500 in 2 years. They may only build 2500 in the first 2 years, but look for this thing to become a more permanent model with slightly higher production annually. Ford would be stupid not to sell more.... and if they were that stupid they would not have produced it to begin with. Terry
Give me a Ford or Chevy service department ANY day! Every time I take my Suburban to the shop, I'm told when I can expect it back and they're usually right on. They're efficient and communicative. I've used up every Jag dealer in town, tired of their games and unreturned phone calls. My LIMITED experience w/ Ferrari has been positive, but the most common complaint I hear is a lack of urgency on completing the work. Ask people when they're getting their cars back, they say "I don't know".
I ordered a GT40 from my Ford dealer 3-4 months ago after seeing the first article. He had to negotiate with another dealer because he didn't have the volume. But he called a few days later and said that he had found a slot somehow. Oddly, the doors are inset like the Enzo but don't lift up...only outward meaning that you can't park next to anything or you will smash your head. Perhaps an aftermarket mod will show up soon. Also the styling is from Mars. Waffle seats cushions that will leave welts on your thighs and a strange assortment of gauges and placement. But you are right they will sell every last one of them. More in late Spring as shipments begin.
The availability looks to be a joke, at least for a while. I called three local Ford shops, and the best I got was "Maybe 2005." Looks like most of them are getting one car for 2004, and of course the owner is taking it. None of them are even taking deposits or lists. Gary
The roof cutouts on GT40's kinda bothers me too. You pretty much need to open the door fully to get out. You have to park it curbside or in the end spot at parking lots (your passenger would have to get out on your side). Won't be a bother on the track though. Love to add one a few years from now.
Anyone will be able to service this car. We've taken the motor out of mine in 45 minutes. The doors like the ones in the original make it much easier to get into at LeMans. (In those days you had to run accross the track and hop in) In the rain they do tend to drop water on the seat when you open them but that was welcomed at LeMans as the wet seats kept you cool. The new one, unlike an F50 at least doesn't leak. They are going to build enough to meet demand and there is already a second version in the works that will be faster.
Thats because they are charging by the hour. Im sure their logic is, If you can afford to own a Ferrari, then you can afford to pay the bill we throw at you.
I'm not at all sure those are final numbers. If the C&D test figures are to be believed, they will be quite a bit higher, probably 575 - 600hp. Gary
Thanks but thats what was announced when the car was introduced. But there is no way that a GT with 500 hp and 500lbs can do 0-60 in 3.3 s with all that weight ....Its heavier than a CGT and would have 112 hp less....
And it will probably be worth $70K in 2 or 3 years. I know it's not an apples to apples comparison but when the new T-Birds came out 2 years ago with a list of $40K, you had to pay $60K to get one. You can now buy one brand new for $30K.....