I don't understand the Saleen Mustang prices

[Q]

If you goto Saleen.com and look to purchase a new Saleen S281 3V (base), it comes out to be around $44k.

Looking individually, the body kit alone only costs $1600. Take a new Mustang GT(08) and it costs approx. $28K.

So how much are they charging for the engine components alone? 44K - 28K = 16K?!! That's outrageous.

What am I missing here, or does it really cost that much?

 

[Dman877]

Tuned engines do typically cost quite a bit of money. They have to re-coupe the R&D cost with a low volume product = high price.

EDIT: Looking at their site, it looks like the 281 3V is a completely re-made mustang with a nice interior and better performance parts everywhere. That's where the 16k is going (brakes, exahust, body kit, interior, rims, suspension, etc).

 

[Q]

That's so much money. IF I had the money to afford one, I wouldn't bother buying one when for that price you can get a nice used 07 Vette. I love the body style of the S281 but I could never justify paying $15,000 just for the motor

 

[thedarkwolf]

At least half of it goes into the Saleen sticker on the front windshield.

 

[Pariah]

I take it you haven't ever tried to customize a performance vehicle. The Saleen Mustang is not just a body kit and some engine upgrades. The "base" tires they install cost over $1000, new 20" wheels, minimum $1500, HID headlights, few 100 more, upgraded brakes, probably at least $750, new exhaust system, another $1000+, upgraded interior, no idea how much, but not free. Then you have to factor in labor for installing everything, plus they need to recoup R&D, and I'm sure they like to make some money while they are at it, not to mention I believe you do get some sort of warranty.

Add it all up, and it's not difficult to understand why they charge what they do.

 

[thedarkwolf]

I was exaggerating a tad with my HALF statement but good chunk of that $16k is still paying for being able to say you own a real Saleen. Shelby GT 500 =$42,000 with a hell of a lot more mods then the Saleen, not that you can get one for that yet but thats the base price. I own two modified performance vehicles now and have had two more in the past.

 

[Pariah]

Not true, the Shelby GT 500 has fewer modifications. It produces more HP because it has a supercharger, but that's it. There is not much to the Shelby GT 500. It's still not really comparable anyway. With the Saleen, they start with an already built vehicle, so whatever they replace, they have the original sitting around afterwards. When Saleen puts new wheels on their car, you've already paid for the original wheels, now you have to pay the entire price for Saleen's. For the GT 500, you're only paying for the price difference between the GT wheels and the GT 500.

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: Pariah
I take it you haven't ever tried to customize a performance vehicle. The Saleen Mustang is not just a body kit and some engine upgrades. The "base" tires they install cost over $1000, new 20" wheels, minimum $1500, HID headlights, few 100 more, upgraded brakes, probably at least $750, new exhaust system, another $1000+, upgraded interior, no idea how much, but not free. Then you have to factor in labor for installing everything, plus they need to recoup R&D, and I'm sure they like to make some money while they are at it, not to mention I believe you do get some sort of warranty.

Add it all up, and it's not difficult to understand why they charge what they do.

Their price for a base model is only a couple k less then a new Corvette.

Chevy Corvette > Saleen Mustang

 

[Q]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975
Their price for a base model is only a couple k less then a new Corvette.

Chevy Corvette > Saleen Mustang

Plus, just buy a used Vette with low mileage and it's just about the same price, if not cheaper.

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: Quintox

Originally posted by: Marlin1975
Their price for a base model is only a couple k less then a new Corvette.

Chevy Corvette > Saleen Mustang

Plus, just buy a used Vette with low mileage and it's just about the same price, if not cheaper.

C5 Z06 + Roots + Slicks = low 10s.

 

[Q]

Originally posted by: Arkaign

Originally posted by: Quintox

Originally posted by: Marlin1975
Their price for a base model is only a couple k less then a new Corvette.

Chevy Corvette > Saleen Mustang

Plus, just buy a used Vette with low mileage and it's just about the same price, if not cheaper.

C5 Z06 + Roots + Slicks = low 10s.

Well yes I guess but I mean the C6 used.

 

[MiataNC]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Their price for a base model is only a couple k less then a new Corvette.

Chevy Corvette > Saleen Mustang

People that buy Saleen Mustangs are not interested in Corvettes.

Buying a tuner car is not about value in dollars. It's about value to the person buying it. It's a gut decision not a head one.

 

[alkemyst]

plus I believe Saleen is warrantying it.

 

[Pariah]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: Pariah
I take it you haven't ever tried to customize a performance vehicle. The Saleen Mustang is not just a body kit and some engine upgrades. The "base" tires they install cost over $1000, new 20" wheels, minimum $1500, HID headlights, few 100 more, upgraded brakes, probably at least $750, new exhaust system, another $1000+, upgraded interior, no idea how much, but not free. Then you have to factor in labor for installing everything, plus they need to recoup R&D, and I'm sure they like to make some money while they are at it, not to mention I believe you do get some sort of warranty.

Add it all up, and it's not difficult to understand why they charge what they do.

Their price for a base model is only a couple k less then a new Corvette.

Chevy Corvette > Saleen Mustang

The Saleen is unlikely to out perform a Corvette on the track, but it is most likely the more usable DD. I hate Mustangs, so I'm not trying to defend their value, but what Saleen is charging for their version is not out of line for what you are getting from a tuner shop.

As for a used Corvette, comparing new to used is an apples to oranges comparison.

 

[Q]

Originally posted by: Pariah
The Saleen is unlikely to out perform a Corvette on the track, but it is most likely the more usable DD. I hate Mustangs, so I'm not trying to defend their value, but what Saleen is charging for their version is not out of line for what you are getting from a tuner shop.

As for a used Corvette, comparing new to used is an apples to oranges comparison.

Yeah, from the reviews I've seen online, the C6's are supposed to be bad for street driving (suspension or something blows/it 'hurts' when you hit bumps)

I've come to like the GTO now that I've been looking at it

 

[exdeath]

Originally posted by: Dman877
Tuned engines do typically cost quite a bit of money. They have to re-coupe the R&D cost with a low volume product = high price.

EDIT: Looking at their site, it looks like the 281 3V is a completely re-made mustang with a nice interior and better performance parts everywhere. That's where the 16k is going (brakes, exahust, body kit, interior, rims, suspension, etc).

Not really.

Go to MMR or VT and get a fully built up 2000 HP capable race long block for 10k with billet internals, ported heads, the works. It doesn't cost 16k to change an intake and flash a Ecu to get 15 HP more out of an OEM engine.

Like the above poster said, half that cost is the Saleen sticker and certificate.

The Rousch/Saleen moniker has always been about the name and bling, not performance. Aside from a few niche models with big performance mods like the S351 or the S281E, the rest is merely flashy high priced domestic rice. It's similar to Gembella and Ruf for Porsche. 99% of their catalog content are wings, body kits, wheels, steering wheels, stickers, and color coordinated A/C vent bezels and seat covers.

Stick a 1 of 200 on anything and sign a big name on it and people will flock to it so they can be exclusive. (See ebay on PS3 launch day, GT500 supply being artificially horded by "investors" for resale with 20k markups, etc). Example: have you ever seen a PT cruiser that ISNT a "Limited Edition"? People will pay any amount of markup to be the "only one".

If you say its limited quantity it creates panic and causes a self fulfilling prophecy that drives demand up as people scramble to be exclusive. They want it only because they are afraid someone else might have one and they wont. That's why Saleens are expensive and why their cost difference doesn't reflect a performance difference.

Again, what was said earlier. Half the price is the sticker.

 

[exdeath]

Originally posted by: Quintox

Originally posted by: Pariah
The Saleen is unlikely to out perform a Corvette on the track, but it is most likely the more usable DD. I hate Mustangs, so I'm not trying to defend their value, but what Saleen is charging for their version is not out of line for what you are getting from a tuner shop.

As for a used Corvette, comparing new to used is an apples to oranges comparison.

Yeah, from the reviews I've seen online, the C6's are supposed to be bad for street driving (suspension or something blows/it 'hurts' when you hit bumps)

I've come to like the GTO now that I've been looking at it

The suspension of the Corvette doesn't 'blow', it's simply tuned for performance and not comfort. It's stiff and fast reacting and transmits every pebble in the asphalt into the car and the wheel as a result. Any performance oriented car will be like that.

 

[Arkaign]

EX : I work down the street from RUF Auto Centre USA. Trust me, these guys do almost nothing cosmetic, it's all motor/power/brakes/grip/lowering weight/etc.

The shit is damned expensive, but I guess it's worth it to people who can afford that kind of change.

RUF is one of most insanely cool little groups in automotive history. I look at them like Shelby, Calloway, etc.

 

[krunchykrome]

I saw a new Saleen on the road the other day. Looked good. I pulled up next to him and tried to show him up in my CRV

 

[Q]

Originally posted by: krunchykrome
I saw a new Saleen on the road the other day. Looked good. I pulled up next to him and tried to show him up in my CRV

Rev that Honda engine

 

[Pariah]

Go to MMR or VT and get a fully built up 2000 HP capable race long block for 10k with billet internals, ported heads, the works. It doesn't cost 16k to change an intake and flash a Ecu to get 15 HP more out of an OEM engine.

That's great. Is that street legal? Installed? Reliability? Warranty? Useability? What about the rest of the car besides the engine? It's not that difficult or expensive to build a hugely powerful adhere to no standards engine, but that doesn't mean the car is going to be any good, or even usable on the street.

It's stiff and fast reacting and transmits every pebble in the asphalt into the car and the wheel as a result. Any performance oriented car will be like that.

Not true. A car doesn't have to give a back breaking ride to be considered performance oriented. The base Corvette's suspension is not that stiff. The bigger problem with the car is the ride height which wouldn't even be able to make it up my driveway. Not exactly a great winter vehicle either. Owning a GTO myself, the ride quality is phenomenal, though the lack of stock drag radials, roll cage, parachute, and the measily 400HP it puts out probably doesn't qualify as a "performance oriented car" in your book.

 

[aleckz]

Originally posted by: Quintox

Originally posted by: krunchykrome
I saw a new Saleen on the road the other day. Looked good. I pulled up next to him and tried to show him up in my CRV

Rev that Honda engine

that k24 has huge powa.