...due to the weak economy. Gonna stop production for one week, then cut back output once production resumes.

Probably a wise move given today's other bleak news.

 

My local Chevy dealer has 5 on the lot. 3 regs and 2 Z06. I think 3 of them are 08's. Again just anectdotal, but none the less they usually only ever have 1.

Also, this does not look good for the GT500. I know they are different cars for somewhat different buyers, but they need to make enough of them for me to get mine eventually.

 

Well, get this: the stoooopid folks at a Ford dealership close to me have a 2009 GT500 in the showroom, and they're asking $70K CDN ($65,414 US) for it. I guess they didn't get the memo.

I'll wait for the '10 or '11, thank you very much.

 

I'm hoping to get one also. Like you said in another post, one that I can keep for a lifetime I hope. But I will wait for the refinement of the 2010 or 2011 and I'm thinking vert in Grabber Blue with balck top and interior.

 

It think it's the one to buy. My guess is that if there's a Shelby in 2014 (IF)...it won't be sporting 500 HP anymore. I think the next GT500 may represent the final pinnacle of the true American muscle car before things change forever.

That Grabber Blue vert will be one sweet combo. You goin' for stripes, or just the Grabber Blue?

 

That is a very tough choice. I love the black on the Blue, but with black top and black rocker stripes I'll go without the Shelby stripes. I can see it already. It might just be the first car I've ever ordered. I still want to keep the '07 though.

 

Yeah, I'm reluctant to part with my '07, too...though not sure I can financially justify both.

With gas prices fluctuating wildly, and round two of the credit crunch in play, two muscle cars is a tough nut.

 

It is. It really is.

What kills me is losing depreciation on the '07 and throwing away all the mod money I put into the car. I'll probably get rid of it. I am seriously rethinking the SC now though. No sense essentially throwing that money away.

 

BTW Hollywood,

Not to bring up water under the bridge, but it's good to have you back man. And I won't bring it up again.


Gary

 

Yeah, politics is a good topic to avoid in "polite company," though I believe that spirited debate helps people make informed choices.

I took umbrage with the fact that one of the mods around here (who shall remain nameless) had the temerity to engage in chest-thumping and "do as I say, not as I do" tactics, just because I disagreed with the popular viewpoint and apparently slighted his ego by calling him out on it. "Talking-back" (aka defending one's position) is not a violation of ANY of the criteria listed on this board, FYI.

But, that's all past and I don't want to speak of it again.

Thanks for the welcoming sentiment, though.

 

So what color and model GT500 are you looking for in '10 or '11?

 

IF (and that's a big 'if') I chase down a '10 or '11 GT500, I'll probably go for either one of the more neutral colors (like Alloy) or one of the reds. Always liked the Torch Red with white LeMans stripes, but it does scream "look at me" a bit more than I'd like.

That said, if they did a Candy Apple Red with the white LeMans stripes, I might just have my cheque book open before I knew what was happening.

The bigger question is: coupe or vert. Verts are sexy as hell, but not that practical where I live (where we get alot of rain seven months of the year), and not as performance-oriented.

 

I really think you guys are being overly optimistic. With the economy in the US and the world energy markets where they are today, the ever more stringent emissions and mileage standards, the big three car manufactures bleeding millions of dollars every day, I simply do not expect to see a gasoline powered 500 horsepower GT500 for the 2010 or 2011 model year...

 

Well don't be to pessimistic here. There will still be the premium models on the market with big horsepower for people with big bucks in their pockets.

I guess, the average joe will encounter financial problems in the future. Even more than today.

It starts already today: big horsepower -> big pockets full of money -> cars for rich people...

It is a slow trend, but becoming more and more reality...

 

Interesting, but makes sense. If they cannot sell them... why manufacturing them without a break.

 

It's been leaked out to the media already that in point of fact the 2010 GT500 will get a bit of a horsepower bump. A power-reduced GT500 is no GT500 at all, and Ford is already committed to its production, as we've seen from the spy photos. Were they to plan on canceling it, we'd be hearing about it right now.

But I do think that this next run (2010 to 2014) will mark the end of the GT500 (it's even possible Ford might cut production short to only a couple of more years if the economy keeps sinking, or fails to recover in a timely fashion). For the reasons you stated, these cars won't live long.

One thing that I think WILL take a hit in 2010: ADMs. If dealers try to impose them from the outset (and they probably will), in the current economic climate, they may find very, very few buyers left out there.

 

All personal styling preferences aside, the 2010 GT500 will be superior to the previous generations. Especially since they are actually targeting Z06 performance this time around...

 

Where did you hear that? That's a pretty tough nut, given that the current GT500 doesn't even equal the base C6 Vette.

 

Don't exactly remember where or I'd link you, but it was from a poster on this forum who's provided reliable insider info through his contacts. I think it's gnat-sum. Not sure though...

 

Sounds impossible to me, based upon what we know.

The C6 Vette is a true sports car with a more refined chassis, better aerodynamics and IRS. I can't see the GT500 coming anywhere near close to competing with the Z06 Vette, certainly not without adding IRS and significant chassis & aerodynamic work. And that would bump the price dramatically.

Perhaps what they are striving for is to equal the 0-60 times of the base C6 Vette (4.3 seconds); that's within reason.