Just recently Ford enlightened the automotive industry with news of the MSRP price for the new 2020 Ford GT500. According to sources, the sticker price will be just under the $74k range starting at $73,999 for the base model. But add the extra the costs of goodies such as the carbon fiber wheels, upgraded suspension, technology package and more, and soon the price skyrockets nearly $18,000. But wait — there’s more.
During the initial launch of the 2020 GT500, Ford Motor Company hosted a special publicized auction for the first 001 VIN number production model during the Scottsdale Barret Jackson auction week. By the time the gavel hammer swung its last stroke, the bidding price was at 1.1 million dollars. Though this auction doubled as a fundraiser for JDRF, the leading global organization that funds type 1 diabetes research, one can say this caused the bidding price to be over inflated. So now it’s time for the dealerships to have their swing.
This scenario takes me back to the summer of 2015. I was a bright-eyed enthusiastic internet shopper, dreaming of the moment when I could finally order the new Ford Mustang GT350. Of course I knew of the inflated prices, but I had a connection, a personal family member of Ford Motor Company and with a great tie to my local dealership. On the day I walked in to order my new GT350, I was confronted with a 15K dealer mark up. Regardless of family connection, regardless of leverage, it wasn’t going to disappear.
The gouging was stuck across the entire nation like an old piece of duct tape. Dealerships were only allocated 2 to 3 models and most were sold before they hit the floor. Many dealerships marked up the GT350 models from 13k – 25k over the stock MSRP. During those times the new model was something long awaited for, and it hosted a new engine, high-revving, 5.2 liter flat-plane crankshaft, Voodoo. But the GT500 is an entirely new animal.
Packed with a redesigned supercharged, 760hp 5.2 liter V8, and a 1.1 million dollar sale on its resume — we can expect this car will be no where near its MSRP. Unless Ford Motor Company puts an end to the inflation, my hats off to those who will be able to cut though dealership tyranny and for those who can’t, you have my sympathy. Otherwise you can wait nearly five years like I have, because the GT350 models are finally selling at a base MSRP — and even lower.
