GTJOHN

Dan, yes we just polished and buffed 20 Mustang - Marauder wheels on the 19th of this month.

bpmurr, why should I pay $28k for a Mustang GT and have to spend an additional $5k or more to make it faster? You can buy a 05 GTO with 400hp for $33k. Ford needs to offer a Mustang with similar H.P. and price.

Merlot, I am not going to jump ship, but I really don't want to have to wait till 2008 for a SE stang.

bigred0383

That's just how the automotive industry works. I am just going on what I have seen Ford do in the past, and their actions in the present certainly doesn't tell me they plan to do something drastically different in the future.

Dan

They were polished everywhere but the center of the spokes where they were painted right? Just checking to make sure that the fanblades we've seen pics of are what we're getting.

Kind of amazing that you guys only made 5 sets ??

Unbridled

I saw the commercial for the San Diego Special also. I think it's just a cheap way to unload all of the excess v6's or at least sell more of them. Slap a couple of inexpensive exterior mods on it, number it, and all of a sudden it's "special." No need to do this with the V8 as they're selling like hotcakes.

matic

Ah, but 2008 should just about coincide with the release of the Bullit remake in theaters, so there's a marketing tie-in to consider that should be huge.

GTJOHN

Dan, we are not polishing the "fanblade" wheel. We are polishing the wheel that is on the Mercury Marauder - which is an option on the 2006 Mustang GT.
Don't be thrown off by the small number of wheels we just polished, it takes time for everybody to ramp-up again. Those wheels we polished last week are most likely test wheels.

bigred0383, when the 2005 Mustang was introduced, Ford Mo. stated that we wouldn't have to wait long for SE's. I read that statement in Newspapers & magazines.
A Ford Rep. told me 2007 or 2008. 2007 is fine, but there hasn't been any rumors or spy photo's floating around, so I am a little worried that I am going to have to wait even longer.
I hope we hear some news soon or at least by the 2006 Detroit Auto Show.
I know it sounds like I am whining, and I am-lol, I am just getting sick of waiting around. If Ford came out and said "2007" or "2008" or even "2009", I would at least know what my options were. I hate being left in the dark. Especially we it involves me spending between $28k-$40k!!!

Brad, what are your sources telling you, about a "true" SE?

bpmurr

Well my answer to that is buy a GTO, oh that's right nobody wants them. The current Mustang GT has a great power/price ratio. With 5k into a Mustang GT you'd be pushing more then 400HP at the crank.

GTJOHN

bpmurr, I am not jumping ship-lol I wouldn't buy the GTO if it were $23k. The point I keep stressing is that there is a major performance gap between a Mustang GT and a Shelby.
I love the Mustang GT, and I am not putting it down at ALL! I know Ford is going to make an SE, I just think it should of been for 2006.

There are a ton of people who want a special Mustang, and I am one of them! I plan to keep my next Stang for a very long time. I would rather stay away from modding my GT or forking down a ton of cash for a Shelby.

bpmurr

GTJOHN,

I'd love for there to be an SE edition. I just don't think it needs to be so soon. Coming a year after the Shelby sounds about right to me. The way they are spacing it out works well. Around that time interest in the GT should have cooled off opening up the market for a 350-400HP Mach1.

GTJOHN

Just my luck, I'll buy a Mustang GT or Shelby, and a year later - that stinking SE will come out! Or I will buy a Mustang GT, and a year later - a 350hp 5.4L will be available.

To wait or not to wait? That is the question!
One thing for sure, waiting stinks!

mooby

Some of you guys crack me up. First, it doesn't make much sense for Ford to release a SE so soon after unleashing the new Mustang. The 05 GTs are still extremely hot and it doesn't look like the buzz will die down much when the 06s come out.

As far as performance gap, get over it. Is there really a need for Ford to satisfy a relatively small percentage of people who desire more power and are willing to pay for it? Not at this moment. The GTs are still an excellent deal when you think about it and for those that crave the extra power, there are cost-effective aftermarket options they can pursue.

Next summer Ford will release the new Shelby Cobra and only the lucky few (i.e., rich car collectors like Jay Leno) will actually get their hands on them because those cars will not go to everyday customers no matter what # they are on the list so why bother getting your hopes up. Then the year after that, in 2007, it makes sense for Ford to release a true SE for the everyday consumer for model year 08. The Mustang will already been 3 to 4 years old at that time and will benefit from the extra publicity of whatever SE they decide.

So, wait, don't wait. All I know is I fell in love with the 2005 Mustang GT the moment I saw the concept and ordered one as soon as I could on Oct. 1, 2004 and got it 6 weeks later and have been in bliss ever since. I would not have waited a moment longer regardless of what they put out and in 2 or 3 years if I decide to upgrade to another GT or some SE then I know I will have enjoyed the best Mustang GT Ford had put out to date for a couple of years.

matic

You won't have to be a rich collector to get a Shelby, and they won't only run it for one year. If you want one and can afford one, you'll be able to get one.