You are correct, I feel the 94-98 cars were a huge blunder in Ford's part as far as performance goes.

 

Thats ok, I was poking at you more than anything. I dont really remember how sales went during those years, but I was disappointed when it happened. In fact I fell off the bandwagon for the next ten years and didnt even consider pruchasing a mustang. Probably missed out on a lot of good times because of it.
I did get into snowmobiles as it is a lot easier to do over a 100 mph without fear of getting pulled over.

 

Are you sure, according to the list from the EPA, only the GT500 is assessed the tax. It lists the GT500 as a combined 20.5 mpg. The Shelby GT can't be that much worse than the GT which doesn't come close to qualifying for the tax. Actually, the Shelby GT500 and the Ford GT are the only two cars under the Ford brand that have been taxed since 2005.

 

See, thats my point! It took you years to get back into the fold because Ford didn't address the high performance crowd! We need a decent mid level V8, I like the GT but want more. The GT500 is a little rich for my blood so I want something in between. I have a feeling if this 5.0 doesn't come out with the rumored 400hp a lot of guys who had been holding out for it will give up and buy Camaros and Challengers! I'm personally holding off for a while now. I think I'm going to keep an eye out for the used 07-09 GT500 market.

PS snowmobiles rock!

 

Well, Camaros... maybe. I think the Challenger is doomed.

 

Sorry wasnt trying to prove your point. When it happened, I financially wasnt able to look at any new cars, let alone an unpractical car like a pony car. I was driving 40,000 miles a year and that was just personal miles. Not to mention that where I live, there is snow on the ground for seven months. Now that I can have two different vehicles and all of my toys, I can justify it.

 

What kind of sleds you like 97GT03SVT?

 

Actually your right, I shouldn't have included the Challenger. I like it, but it isn't really the same type of car. I guess it's overall size gears it more to the cruiser car crowd. Don't get me wrong if I could afford one and it's gas money I'd love to have one as a family car. I recently got a ride in one and they are huge..... easily fit 5 people.

The Camaro is a direct threat to the Mustang. My main concerns are the future of the big three and the influence it will have on the Mustang/Camaro/Challenger saga. Chevy has already postponed the Camaro convertible.... Dodge has canceled all plans for a Challenger convertible. Does this mean that the 5.0 could be further postponed or perhaps even canceled? I suppose this is my rational for being so critical of the 315hp of the 10' GT. This may be in the Mustang longer than we thought

 

This late in the game no way... it'd be more of a waste to not use it.

Its a better engine by far than the 4.6 and that engine will be put to pasture in the next 5 years anyway.
What is also good, is the roadmap for the 5.0 variations take into consideration power and fuel economy + power adders.

 

SWEET!

 

Yep, pretty sure.

About 2300 Shelby GT coupes and convertibles will be built for 2008 (with most of those likely being convertibles). The cars go on sale in August through Shelby-authorized Ford dealers, priced at $9,500 more than the base Mustang GT for the coupe, $11,800 for the convertible (prices include $1,000 gas-guzzler tax).
http://www.cartype.com/pages/816/for...helby_gt__2008

The Shelby GT had 319 hp & 330 torque which goes to my original point of why the 2010 mustang may be "only" 315 hp.

 

The Gas Guzzler tax is a good point- I hadn't thought of that. I know the Shelby GT's got hit with the tax.

 

Wrong ! The Shelby GT, does indeed have a gas guzzler tax. I ought to know, being that it was included on the window sticker I saw at my local Ford dealership.

And if it has nothing to do with what type of fuel is required, then you explain as to why the Shelby GT requires a gas guzzler tax, but yet the 08-09 Bullitt does not !

 

I just think that the Shelby GT has poorer gas mileage than the regular GT. I think the gearing, and tune made it worse on gas. I don't recall the 03-04 Mach1s having a gas guzzler tax. Pretty much every performance V8 in a GM requires premium (Corvette, G8, CTS) none of these cars have a gas tax.

I don't know the specifics, but the Shelby GT and Bullitt both have different tunes and gas mileage.

 

If I remember correctly, the tune that was applied (remember this was a Ford Racing aftermarket part that was not necessarily "fully baked", as far Ford's development processes go) just barely flunked the certification test, hence the gas guzzler tax. When Ford issues the Bullitt, there was engineering work done to better optimize what had been done in the tune and the entire air box was reworked.

 

Exactly right, as the Shelby GT is tuned specifically for Premium unleaded fuel only. Where as the Bullitt, is tuned to run on either Regular or Premium unleaded fuel. Perhaps the reason for the Bullitt's better gas mileage, is due to running on Regular unleaded fuel with a less aggressive tune.

 

Tune + gearing + not enough optimization of the air/fuel ratio in the test range = gas guzzler tax

 

You definitely have a very good point indeed, Tony. Which also appears as the only logical reason behind flunking the certification test. Hence gas guzzler tax (Shelby GT)

 

Once again, it does indeed make perfect sense, however IIRC. Isn't the Bullitt also equipped with 3:73 gears

 

I am just going off the official list from the EPA of cars that are subject to the tax and the Shelby GT isn't listed.

Not sure an explanation is required, neither are taxed according to the EPA. Do you have an official source that states it is taxed, i.e. either the EPA or IRS? Here are links to the official lists for 2007 and 2008.

http://www.epa.gov/fueleconomy/guzzler/420b07017.pdf
http://www.epa.gov/fueleconomy/guzzler/420b07018.pdf

Answering your question on why the Shelby is taxed and the Bullitt isn't, the Bullitt get better gas mileage. Shelby 15/22, Bullitt 15/23. The Shelby GT has the lowest tax that can be assessed, so it appears they just fell into that range. There are plenty of cars that require premium fuel but aren't taxed.

Okay, rescinding my above comments, it appears that the Shelby GT is taxed, but for some unknown reason it is listed under Shelby as the manufacturer while the GT500 is listed under Ford.