This is EXACTLY CORRECT ... PERFECTLY PUT ...

This is what I thought Ford would consider as a mid-level Mustang between the base GT and the Shelby GT 500. I really can't see it any other way.

I really don't think the 2008 BULLITT is a mid-level package at all. If you think it is being too critical to say it is more than a cosmetic enhancement then I'd like to suggest you also view it from this angle(s) before you lay your money down:

Not in my life would I pay $2,500.00 for simple HID lights upgrades, a gear ratio that should be available as a pencil-in option for all GT cars (and so easy to install yourself), a CAI, and some factory chip that goes between 87 and 93 octane (that should be on all vehicles, Mustangs or otherwise anyway), and a NAV system that although may be useful on occasions is also a potential problem waiting to happen.

If the new octane-sensing system is first offered on the 2008 BULLITT, will the future BULLITT owners be paying all the "incidental experimental costs" for that to later be implemented on all vehicles?

WHATEVER HAPPENED TO SIMPLY READING A MAP ???

So what, they provided a plastic contraption to enhance (via "cooler air" ... ???) the performance of a CAI. You're only going to get so much from a CAI anyway regardless of whoever sells that particular part. For that matter, they could've offered a more retro-correct heat-extraction hood (with the turn signals) like they originally had back in 67-68 that would probably have provided just as much cold air movement.

As for the suspension, what's the incentive? Ford pays all this R & D money to develop a special "new" suspension for a limited production car when they already had the Shelby GT suspension parts already on the shelf and if sold from the factory would've only provided more profit to offset the R & D costs spent to develop those special suspension parts anyway. Ford's bean counters must've taken a LONG VACATION.

Performance enhancements ... NONE. Ford didn't even tool a better intake manifold like they did for 2001 BULLITT. You don't even get that on the 2008, yet they say they can justify 31K (+) price tag ... ???

Special interior, not at all. Again, you got that NAV system that I could care less about and is never going to be as valuable as a discounted Lo-Jack system (which unfortunately is more needed these days). They used a special dash applique that EVERYBODY who buys the BULLITT now has to live with whether they like it or not, and again another expense folks have to suffer with this SE package option instead of using an already-adequate brushed aluminum optional dash in the premium package that is already available in the base GT.

Those Shelby seats; another off-the-shelf part that is not even retro-correct, yet was offered as vertical pleats in the 2001 because it was similar to the upholstery pattern offered in 67-68. They didn't even give the 2008 that again.

I don't get it; this is beautiful a retro-body, an SE package based on the movie featuring the 68 Mustang GT, and they offered as much if not more retro-styling (or SE spirit) in the 2001 that was NOT a retro-body at all. Seems Ford has got this TOTALLY BACKWARDS ... WHAT ARE THEY DOING ???

In considering all the expenses to tool the few 2008 BULLITT-unique parts that are not borrwowed from another car and/or taken off a parts shelf they say they can't even provide a pencil-in 5.4 engine and/or trans options (also from what all is available "off-the-shelf) that would better land the SE BULLITT in the middle between a GT 500 and a base GT, I DON'T FREAKIN' BELIEVE THEM ... PLEASE DON'T PLAY ALL THE BUYERS AS BEING THAT GULLABLE AND STUPID ~ !!!

Sorry, but I must agree with the posts that refer to the 2008 BULLITT as a "cosmetic pacakge" and I must agree with the NA GT500 5.4 as being the more correct power package for any SE Mustang you pay royalties to put the famous name of "BULLITT" on.

For those of you that are impressed by the 2008 BULLITT, I don't mean to ridicule you and/or seem rude or chastize you future rides, but this is honestly the way I see it.

 

they did have the 5.4 in the bullitt. the iron block n/a 5.4 made a nose heavy car unbearable in the corners. for what i know ford did not have a choice to go with an al block 5.4.

should a bullitt mustang be a stoplight hero(5.4 that pushes hard in the corners) or a balanced machine(retuned 4.6 with gears) that is outlapping the shelby gt?

a dyno number pop up on the internet today. 288 and 308 at the wheels. if this is typical running 93(i assuming this part) the 08 will be closer to 330hp and 340lbs torque at the crank! a very nice machine for 31k!

 

the 31k price tag is the same as the mustang gt.http://www.edmunds.com/new/2008/ford....html?action=2
and is .3 faster 0-60! but wait it only turn 13.7 @ 103. thats the same time the 335i coupe turned for another magazine! the beemer is a low 13 sec car in the right hands. also the bullitt is faster than the brand new g37, as well as cornering better than the infiniti. the cost of the g37? 5k more than the bullitt! yes the bullitt cost/performance ratio is dead on! what did you guys want a bullitt that cost less than the mustang gt?

last thing! the car drives a hell of a lot better than the shelby gt! the bullitt actually has suspension travel. better performance and 8k dollars less? nice job ford!

 

Sorry Brother ... I by no means am calling you wrong on this one but I won't believe Ford even tried a 5.4 in the BULLITT until I see SOLID PROOF, which is something they probably won't disclose to the public.

Additonally ... I WILL JUDGE WHAT IS UNBEARABLE IN THE CORNERS ... NOT FORD OR ANYONE ELSE.

If Ford couldn't put the aluminum-block 5.4 in the BULLITT then they weren't trying hard enough.

They got those motors on the shelf already. Besides, if the iron-block 5.4 works in the GT 500 then it would work in the 2008 BULLITT and be lighter without the SC. Additionally it has already been discussed that the 2007 has an enhanced chasis anyway that should be able to handle a lighter NA iron-block 5.4 anyway, therefore that argument is invalid.

"Balanced machine" is a matter of opinion ... period. I'll tell Ya what ... Allow me to drive the Shelby GT against the 2008 BULLITT and we'll see who outlaps who. I'll take that firmer suspension ANY DAY.

I think your HP figures of 308 at the rear wheels are overestimated for 93 octane, and you can retune any vehicle with gears and a computer. Not all cars are going to dyno the same.

 

The 5.4L aluminum block in the Bullitt would be the best of all worlds...except cost. In all fairness, the car would have to priced considerably higher than what it will ultimately be.

Of course, you can always make the argument that there are easily 7700 people out there who would happily pay that extra expense for a Bullitt with REAL power.

I'd be very curious to know what Ford paid to Warner Bros. for the licensing rights on this car.

 

I'm really not sure I get your point here. I don't necessarily disagree that many of the parts on the Bullitt should have been on the standard fare GT, but the reality is that they aren't. If the Bullitt is a rip off for asking more for these parts than it logically follows that the GT is a rip off for not containing them. (also, if I'm not mistaken the Bullitt doesn't actually have NAV standard, or HID's for that matter..aren't both options?) I personally think both are a good deal.

As for the suspension. I would like a car with bit more excitement here than the standard GT, but if Ford had simply included the FRPP suspension setup out of the Shelby GT as you suggest I wouldn't even be considering the car. A tweaked suspension isn't just a tweaked suspension and the Shelby's is waaay to rough to interest me. I like the idea of something that strikes a balance between comfort and sport and, if reports ar correct, the Bullitt nails it. That interests me.

Also, the lack of vertical pleats in the seats surprises me, as does the inclusion of seats which are actually better than the standard GT fare for that matter, but I am far from disappointed here and frankly this is an area where the car pleasantly surprised me. It doesn't matter to me if the seats look like the ones in the 2001 or in a 1968 for that matter, and it doesn't matter to me if they are off the shelf parts, but it does matter to me if they are better. And in this instance they are, and I like that.

I'm not interested in this car for how faithfully it replicates the 1968's interior design or for how it stacks up the 2001 mod to mod. I'm interest in how much the car stands to improve the driving experience relative to a standard GT and in that area it succeeds admirably. You brought up the issue that the car isn't a proper mid-level offering and I agree, but then I never expected it to be so I just can't get disappointed over this. Also worth noting is that it isn't priced like a mid level offering either.

For me it's this simple. If I am looking at a GT Premium and a GT with the Bullitt package I am faced with the issue of wether the added goodies the Bullitt brings to the table are worth $2500. And since I like the improved seats and steering wheel (frankly the seats are huge for me since I am not a fan of the standard fare GT parts here), the improved exhaust, the deeper rear gears, the improved power brought on by the tune, etc., and the suspension and chassis upgrades (well, I expect that I will like that last one) I find the car to be a decent deal since I couldn't possibly manage the same for a similar amount of money.

I don't care about collector value. I don't care about authenticity relative to the 01 or the 1968. And it doesn't bother me that this isn't the mid level SE so many have been looking for. I just care that the changes make the GT a better car for a reasonable sum, and for the most part they do. The green paint is just a bonus.

 

the dash is awesome

 

The 2008 Bullitt, may be a bargain at 31k MSRP..However by the time our greedy Ford stealerships, add their ADM markups..

You'll more than likely be looking at around 37-39k

So the question is.. for just a CAI, 373 gears, and calibration to allow both regular or premium fuel..Will the 2008 Bullitt, truly be a bargain ?

Well as far as I'm concerned..It sure in the hell won't at 37-39k

 

I don't think this will prove to be the case for long. George pointed out earlier, and correctly IMHO, that ADM's are going to be more difficult to make stick on the newer SE's now that GT500 prices are coming down to reality. A Bullitt would be a tough car to move for 37-39k once a GT500 can be had for about 5k more than that

 

its 288hp and 308tq at the wheels. which puts the bullitt roughly 330 hp crank on 93 oct as i am 99% sure this is what the dyno was on.

if you want a car that overweight and out of balanced buy the gt500 its that simple. i would drive the car before you post stupid comments about the performance comparison to a stock mustang gt. looks have at it, the bullitt is not for everyone.
what type of road racing experience do you have? i assuming you have a little knowledge to back up your statements. and that you know it take a lot more than short stiff springs with no travel to around corners.

i will say it again that the bullitt will compete with the shebly gt, 335i, and g37 both at the strip and on track for thousands!

 

if you want to give ford 100k for the bullitt they will take it!


the point i am trying to make is the adms dont last if you dont pay them. gt500 are now available for msrp. i just spoke to a dealer yesterday and he said they would be glad to take x-plan for the bullitt! yes a little under 29 for a no option bullitt!

 

Obviously, we will all see what happens with ADMs, but I've seen at least two or three dealers posting on various sites offering their allocation for MSRP, which is in the $32k - $34k range, not $37k - $39k. That puts the Bullitt right between the GT or GT/CS and Shelby GT in the price range and, arguably, right between in terms of what you get, too.

 

No offense Michael, however GT500's are still 15k above MSRP around here, along with Shelby GT's, being marked at 8k above..

And according to my stealership..He claims that as long as demand remains strong..The ADM markups, will remain the same..


As for the Bullitt ! I'm also quite certain..they'll be marking it up, pretty close to the Shelby GT..

Therefore, I'll believe it..when I see it. lol

 

And if you read my post correctly ! I clearly stated, the price would be within the 37-39k range, after the stealerships add their ADM markups..NOT before..


I also clearly stated, that MSRP was a bargain at 31k..and NOT at 37-39k

 

i dont understand this statement, right between in terms of what you get too.

the bullitt has everything the shelby gt offers in terms of performance for 8k less! oh your right it does not come with the hurst shifter. that alone is worth the 8k bucks!


and in terms of price, why only search the local market? if one can save the adm or more by looking in nebraska during the winter why would you not do that? in this day of internet searches, faxing paperwork, and wiring funds its very easy to purchase a car out of state. and it happens all the time now as well!

 

Exactly it. What 1 Bullitt is describing is best suited to a Boss or Mach.
That is what some people seem to have believed the Bullitt would be, despite the evidence that it would not.
Where is it written that every SE must be a fire breather?
The $2500 argument about options is moot. The MSRP of the Premium GT with Bullitt package is under 32K. The other items talked about at an additional $2500 are irrelevant because they are options and not standard features of the Bullitt package.

I'm not so sure that a 5.4 (aluminum or not) and 6 speed could or would be added for only $5 to 6K

But if the Bullitt were all these additional 'performance' things some dreamed for, where would that put a Boss or Mach in the pecking order, assuming such a car would fall between this super Bullitt and the GT500?

At any rate, the reality is the '08 Bullitt is here, and it will not be changing.

 

We are on the same page with that.

 

That might be Ford's thought process as well. If tradition and history are factors in Ford's decision on which models deserve top performance then it is logical the Boss and/or Mach 1 would have priority with the Bullitt always being lower in the food chain.

The '01 Bullitt had a performance asterisk label on it and in keeping with its own history and tradition, so will the '08.

 

I'm one of those dealers who mentioned that we've already ordered our first 08 Bullitt for a customer at MSRP (which was $31,695 with the optional equipment he selected). The general manager already told me that any Bullitt order will be MSRP. We just don't perceive that an ADM would be warranted, so it's MSRP.

As far as slotting between a GT or GT/CS and a Shelby GT? Heck, we have loaded GT coupes and GT/CS coupes here on our lot today with higher MSRP's, so I think the Bullitt is an absolute bargain!

Heck, my 07 GT had an MSRP over $30K, and I've put a couple grand into mods and it isn't going to keep up with a stock Bullitt in the twisties (but maybe a straight line).

We sold 3 of our 4 '07 Shelby GT's at MSRP earlier this year. The last two were $39K. Is a Shelby GT worth $7K to $8K more than a Bullitt? Depends! I actually think the Bullitt will outperform the Shelby marginally, but I really like the looks of the Shelby GT (especially in white or the GT-H) more than the Bullitt. Of course, I like the simplicity of the Bullitt's looks (look at my plain looking GT and you'll see why). The Shelby GT is a nice package, but was too rich for my blood based on what you get. You're paying mostly for the name, so looks like Carroll Shelby has negotiated a more lucrative royalty than Warner Brothers, Chad McQueen, etc.

I think most dealers will find that there just isn't enough demand to get ADM's on Bullitts. We sold all 8 of our 2001 Bullitts for MSRP, and will sell all of our 2008 Bullitts for MSRP. We don't have a waiting list of any kind for Bullitts, so the demand just isn't there. Shelby GT500's, though, were a very different story. We had averaged about 60-90 on that list for most of the 2005-2006 calendar years, with hundreds of people contacting us (mostly local folks or our own previous customers who had bought previous SVT products from us). With demand so strong for so few GT500's, we got big ADM's for those car (although a lot less than most dealers were getting). Again, we just don't have people lining up for Bullitts as the audience for this car is very different than the GT500's, so no ADM's.

 

i am positive that both will recieve a royalty per unit basis but i believe its a lot less than most percieve, specially for the shelby. since shelby is a 2nd party builder it cost a lot more money to build the car. that is why many 2nd party builders cars cost so much, ex shelby, roush, saleen, and now griggs.
why in the world would a roush cost more than a gt500? a few body part and blower add in some profit about 10k right? so why does the 28k mustang gt cost 50k with thier package? you have to pay double shipping, double labor, double r and d, etc etc.

i told someone from shelby a little under a year ago that i thought 38k for a base mustang gt without leather was way high and that i would wait for the bullitt built from ford. they replied that they believed ford could not create the same product for less than they were selling the shelby gt. even without the 1k gas tax its fairly obvious that ford has done just that! and for 7k less than the shelby gt!

i dont blame shelby its just every time you split the build the cost will rise dramatically!