El Kabong

Eh, the video editor screwed the pooch with the graphics. I'm content knowing that the Zeta was still capable of knocking off the S550 in one or two other MT vids. My details aren't perfect, but my underlying thesis is. Ford needs to try harder with this car.

The first real model year for a Shelby Mustang is selling at list. That's already a reality check for some dealers, and likely some Ford fans. But it was pretty much a given when you saw what you were getting for the money, which is: a high redline. Well, ok. But if you're buying one with all the go-fast goodies like the one C/D just tested, you're more than likely going to be staring down the wrong end of a 15-grand price differential, and probably a set of Camaro taillights. Look. I've seen stuff like this play out a million times in the car-mag racket, and I'm pretty confident I can now discern between fluff and real kudos. When Car and Driver decides to put the Shelby against a Corvette and then gush about how it "feels?" That's because they know that it they put it against the Camaro they'd be honor-bound to anoint the Camaro the winner. And the 1LE is just the exclamation point.

At an as-tested price of 57 grand or so with the optional go-fast goodies (per that C/D comparo)... yup. It DEFINITELY has price issues.

So... two more links. Two more third-party sources that support my belief that the Shelby GT350 has pricing and performance issues versus the 1LE. I anxiously await the faux-rage that will inevitably follow.

More like they're trying to figure out how to use forced economics of scale to cut that yawning price gap down. But alas. If you search the acceleration times of the SS and GT350 you will find that only at the quarter-mile does the Shelby pull out any advantage on the Camaro. Then we have this video, where the presenter concludes that the only real advantage the Shelby may have is on the track. Maybe: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0sNUs-xRRjk But mostly at this point I'll just stick with Al O's claims, because he's been stealing Dearborn's thunder with Camaros now for years. It's funny. Reading cosworth's posts I get this déjà vu about this nutbar who used to hound me for what I thought the Alpha Camaro SS would weigh. Finally to shut him up I pulled out a weight that came within a case of bottled water of being correct. I'm pretty sure that's how this little tiff will end as well.

So anyways, here's some pretty compelling evidence that Ford is cluing in that they need to try and make the Shelby GT350 more competitive versus the 1LE. Either that or they realized that "limited-slip diff" and "flat-crank engine" probably should never have been mutually exclusive terms. http://blog.caranddriver.com/ford-changes-2017-mustang-shelby-gt350s-standard-optional-equipment/

"I just bought a Mustang for 57 grand that's no quicker around a course than a 42 grand Camaro!"#fanboism #badlifechoices Well, at this point, prove it. Let's see the comparison that shows the GT350 being "no quicker" than a 1LE. You're doing an awful lot of talking for something that hasn't even been driven yet. Remember that thing you said "If all you can do to counter my article is call me a fanboy then I've already won." Go on... Well, we already know the stock SS will get to 60 quicker than a GT350. So ya, there's that

So anyways, this 1LE is really shaping up to put the Shelby on the trailer.

Maybe. But the Ford logo also suspiciously resembles a blue pill.

Eh, whatever. All I know is that excellence of execution continues to roll. And it doesn't care about snake badges.

Uh... Precisely?! (At least for the single folk amongst us) Better that than overspending for an underachiever.

You'll forgive me if I don't take your accusations of being over zealous too serious. 1LE, man. All the goodness of a Shelby. 20% less expense.

...and I can guarantee when the time comes he will also gush over the Camaro, as well as mention the value for the price. Because The 1LE is just that good.

It's no big deal. The facts bear out the advantage GM has in the segment. That's all I need. The rest is just sound and fury.

You lost me when you said the current Camaro was on the bland side. If it was so bland then why do you freak on it so bad for looking like a Transformer? Sorry. GM has the means, they have the motivation, and they do not appear to be letting up. I get that it's almost unfair to the competition, but that's not my concern.

Nonsense. I root for winners. And right now GM is winning. Do you ever remember me saying a kind word about the last Malibu? No. Have you been around long enough to remember me making Monte Carlo jokes even as I helped make them? GM is putting in the effort. There is no more "wait'll next year" or "back in the day..." They are winning TODAY. And today is all that matters.

How is citing third-party articles and price reports thre same as being an Internet stalker who drops F-bombs on forum admin's he doesn't like? Seriously

You're missing the point. You're going to bat for the Mustang as bad as he goes to bat for Das Boots. And neither argument holds water. Ccap himself has said that despite the Shelby name a local dealer just sold one for list. People aren't just lining up to say "take my money" anymore. They want steak, not sizzle. It matters not a jot if you can reach the limits of either on the street-you're paying for the POTENTIAL to be able to do something. And you're paying more for the same ability if you buy the Ford. And the Ford just can't match the bang for the buck that Chevy offers. There. Is. No. Escaping. That.

Like I said earlier: I don't care what you think about my posts. All I do is post the articles, throw out the quotes, and list the numbers. In this case the facts are pretty self-evident. You can yell, you can scream, you can cry and you can dream. But right now it looks for all the world like GM is about to introduce a Camaro that will match a Shelby Mustang's track prowess while packing a FIVE FIGURE PRICE ADVANTAGE. #goodnightdearborn

"I just bought a Mustang for 57 grand that's no quicker around a course than a 42 grand Camaro!" #fanboism #badlifechoices

Stop trying to make my words fit your narrative. You're the one who's gone back fifteen years to try and explain away the 1LE's price advantage for similar performance. I'm the one focused on the here and now, because it's the here and now that counts. You can't hang your hopes on a memory. I've been quite clear about my belief that One Ford's lack of emphasis on RWD product is THE reason why they now have to charge extra dollars for similar performance or simply wave the white flag. This isn't just a matter of a product tweak here or ignoring an article there. It is a product strategy that is now institutionalized in Dearborn's mindset, and cannot be easily fixed. And the result is, and will continue to be, non-competitive product going forward. It is telling that Leno drives the Shelby in isolation. Something tells me that folks less wealthy than Leno will be much more critical of the car when it is taken out of the bubble and asked to stand and deliver in the real world. Serious question: if we go after smk for BMW's perceived overpricing and underachieving and nobody bats an eye, who are you or anyone else to call me out for doing the same thing, in another segment, to Ford?

Watching someone brag about doing something stupid is amusing and soul-destroying in equal measure.

The other thing about Mopar is that (in theory, for now) they have the Giulia platform coming down the pipe.

I think it's become an accepted fact at this point that the Camaro is the better car of the two. GM brought its A-game to the segment and has both the means and motivation to improve the car as it sees fit.

Dood. You do whatever you want. I really, REALLY don't care. I just posted the article where Al Oppenheiser stated that he believes the 1LE will match the GT350. And while I don't recall whether price was included in the article I posted, you can poke around out there and find other sources who are tossing around a starting price of as low as forty grand. If all you can do to counter my article is call me a fanboy then I've already won.