[Matts]

I know this topic has popped up in this past, but it seemed a little unnecessary to post on a two year old topic.

The reason why I am asking is that I am a full time college student as well as a full time bank employee.

My main concern right now is finishing up school and obtaining my finance degree as well as passing my Series 7 exam.

Being a Australian native I was introduced to America's economy and their "performance".

Seeing my fellow co-workers getting canned left and right, I feel that I'm next.

As many of you are aware I tried buying a 2007 Shelby GT and was docked with a 18% interest rate and a 2007 Shelby GT 500 with a 16% interest rate and I also made the decision to sell my Saleen.

I would LOVE to own a real/authentic Shelby now, but my job is kinda on the rocky side due to the economy.

Though I have found several 2005 Mustang GT convertibles for under $15,000 and I plan on making a Hertz clone. I have always dreamed about owning a '66 Hertz Mustang and when I saw the '06 I knew I had to have one.

So my question is to you guys what do you guys think of clones?

[Torch40]

super_snake67, on Feb 11 2009, 09:01 PM, said:

I know this topic has popped up in this past, but it seemed a little unnecessary to post on a two year old topic.

The reason why I am asking is that I am a full time college student as well as a full time bank employee.

My main concern right now is finishing up school and obtaining my finance degree as well as passing my Series 7 exam.

Being a Australian native I was introduced to America's economy and their "performance".

Seeing my fellow co-workers getting canned left and right, I feel that I'm next.

As many of you are aware I tried buying a 2007 Shelby GT and was docked with a 18% interest rate and a 2007 Shelby GT 500 with a 16% interest rate and I also made the decision to sell my Saleen.

I would LOVE to own a real/authentic Shelby now, but my job is kinda on the rocky side due to the economy.

Though I have found several 2005 Mustang GT convertibles for under $15,000 and I plan on making a Hertz clone. I have always dreamed about owning a '66 Hertz Mustang and when I saw the '06 I knew I had to have one.

So my question is to you guys what do you guys think of clones?

If you would love to own Shelby and dreamed about a 66 Hertz, spending money on a clone won't get you any closer to that goal.

However, you should do what you want to do. If you're happy with it that's all that matters

This post has been edited by AndyP: 11 February 2009 - 09:30 PM

[kahmann]

I can't stand clones. IMHO, they're cheesy, never look the same, and everyone knows it's a clone.
Building a Hertz clone out of an 05-09 would be great, if the GT-H didn't exist.
Building a GT350 clone out of any vintage except the 65-70 is ok in my book (not that my book matters to anyone but me).
But trying to replicate a Shelby (or any limited packaged auto, for that matter) exactly in the same vintage is hokey.
If you can't spot the dough for a real Shelby now, buy a Mustang and customize it the way YOU want it.
However, given the options that SAI is currently offering, it doesn't seem that unattainable.
You can find a used V6 for under $10K, then ship it off for the base Terlingua package for $9K. With less than $20K invested, you've got the most identifiable Shelby mark, a CSM#. From there, you can supercharge it and blow the doors off of any stock SGT out there. I'd think about it before committing any money to a clone. Good luck in whatever you decide.

Ken

This post has been edited by kahmann: 11 February 2009 - 11:55 PM

[ilmor]

I don't like clones. I think you should wait until your job is secure and buy the Shelby you want!!! You'll be happier in the end result, I think.

[falcongtho3]

I've always felt the same way about 'clones', whether it's Mulbys or kit Cobras, either they're the real thing or their not. Call it continuation, tribute or whatever, it's still not an original. If you get a 'regular' Mustang and snake it out, you'll always know deep in your heart that it isn't the real thing. That make set with you fine, but if you're a real enthusiast it probably won't. And there will be a day to come that what you want will present itself. To see that light and not be able to complete that quest because you have something less desirable hindering you would be the coldest slap in the face.

[ingram4868]

super_snake67, on Feb 11 2009, 09:01 PM, said:

I know this topic has popped up in this past, but it seemed a little unnecessary to post on a two year old topic.

The reason why I am asking is that I am a full time college student as well as a full time bank employee.

My main concern right now is finishing up school and obtaining my finance degree as well as passing my Series 7 exam.

Being a Australian native I was introduced to America's economy and their "performance".

Seeing my fellow co-workers getting canned left and right, I feel that I'm next.

As many of you are aware I tried buying a 2007 Shelby GT and was docked with a 18% interest rate and a 2007 Shelby GT 500 with a 16% interest rate and I also made the decision to sell my Saleen.

I would LOVE to own a real/authentic Shelby now, but my job is kinda on the rocky side due to the economy.

Though I have found several 2005 Mustang GT convertibles for under $15,000 and I plan on making a Hertz clone. I have always dreamed about owning a '66 Hertz Mustang and when I saw the '06 I knew I had to have one.

So my question is to you guys what do you guys think of clones?

Why should you care what we think about it. It's your car have fun with it.

[Torrence]

If you think your job is in danger, then wait...... That's a no brainer. No need in investing to clone or trying to buy a real Shelby and then can pay for which ever route you decide to take.

[JeffJ]

I'd go through this thread and see the pain that this guy went through:

http://www.teamshelb...showtopic=36957

His car is amazing, beautiful, and fast. However, he still has the yearn for a real Shelby. He probably has more money in this car than it would take to get a GT500 with equal performance. So I'd say do what you like, but you will probably feel the same as this guy in knowing you don't have a Shelby. Prices will probably continue to decline for a while. I'd wait and get a good deal on a real Shelby when you can. Thing about a clone is, you'll know and you'll always be asked about it. But that's just my opinion.

[Michael Morris]

You have to be careful. You will NEVER get the money out of it that you spend modding it.

Its your car do what you want and have fun


MM

[shelbymotorsports]

Michael Morris, on Feb 12 2009, 06:34 AM, said:

You have to be careful. You will NEVER get the money out of it that you spend modding it.

Which brings up the biggest problem with clones. Once a seller realizes he can get more for his clone by not disclosing its a clone the easier it is for them to make the decision to go that route.

I'm not saying the OP would do that when the time comes to sell his clone but how can he guarantee that the next owner would be so honest?

The good part is that the SAI registry should help educated buyers from purchasing a clone but what about the buyers who are just learning about Shelby's and don't know what to look for?

In my opinion clones hurt the value of the legit cars so I'm personally against them.

Steve

[stump_breaker]

Modding a mustang to suit one's personal taste is ok even if one's taste is lacking. It's your car, you make the payments do what you want.

Buying a clone for the purpose of fooling people is dishonorable and not looked well upon by anyone with any maturity about them. One might as well buy a blow-up doll and introduce it as their wife/husband.

This post has been edited by stump_breaker: 12 February 2009 - 07:18 AM

[MMcGuirk]

Wait for the real thing.

I have a highly modified Mustang GT with styling cues from a GT500. My car is not a clone, it is a hot rod. I built it to my taste and specifications. I learned an immence amount during the build process, as I did all the work myself (with the exception of the clutch). My car is cool, fast and handles like a slot car, but it is not a Shelby. Short of Carroll's autograph on my dash and Cleo's on my fuse box cover, it does not have the any snakes or Shelby branding anywhere on the car.

I have owned several 60's Shelbys and by comparison, the S197-based Shelbys are the nuts. They can be be driven anywhere, anytime.

Be patient and do your homework. New Shelby GTs are still available (now with 60 month 0% financing) and GT500s are plentiful, both new and used. Check Ebay, there is a seller in Texas with four 2007 GT500s with less than 1k miles, for under $37K (and they have competitive loan interest rates).

As you can probably tell from this post, I will be adding an S197 based Shelby soon.

[Matts]

stump_breaker, on Feb 12 2009, 09:17 AM, said:

Buying a clone for the purpose of fooling people is dishonorable and not looked well upon by anyone with any maturity about them.

I don't plan on putting the 'Shelby' name on it anywhere, I just want to make myself happy until I am finished with college and afford the real thing. I haven't started on the build yet I'm still looking for the perfect car. I'm still young so I am taking all the time in the world to look for the perfect car.

This post has been edited by super_snake67: 12 February 2009 - 07:39 AM

[rpretzel]

If you really want a Shelby, I suggest waiting until you've saved up enough for one. Personally, I would not be happy with a clone. I would always know it's not a Shelby. If you just want a mustang to tide you over until you can get a Shelby, go for it, but I don't think you'd really be happy with a clone.

In general, I feel people should do what they want, but clones do bother me a bit, especially people who try to pass them off as real. There's a guy around Denver that tries to pull that $h!t. I know you're not trying to do that, but do you really want to spend all your time answering the question, "Is that a real Shelby?"

[Matts]

rpretzel, on Feb 12 2009, 10:14 AM, said:

....but do you really want to spend all your time answering the question, "Is that a real Shelby?"

Yeah I didn't think about that...

Like I said I'm still young and if I come across any Shelby with the right price, I'm buying. I just seriously miss having a V8.

[markham51]

Mustangs are made to be customized.

Have fun with it and make it look like whatever you want.

IMHO, I dont think anyone should rebadge a Mustang to a Shelby or Cobra regardless of their intent.

[kahmann]

markham51, on Feb 12 2009, 08:43 AM, said:

Mustangs are made to be customized.

Have fun with it and make it look like whatever you want.

IMHO, I dont think anyone should rebadge a Mustang to a Shelby or Cobra regardless of their intent.

+1
That sums it up nicely.

[shelby001]

markham51, on Feb 12 2009, 11:43 AM, said:

Mustangs are made to be customized.

Have fun with it and make it look like whatever you want.

IMHO, I dont think anyone should rebadge a Mustang to a Shelby or Cobra regardless of their intent.

+100

[AFBLUE]

I'm just curious if those that hate clones because they aren't real; also hate breast implants.

This post has been edited by AFBLUE: 12 February 2009 - 02:20 PM

[rpretzel]

AFBLUE, on Feb 12 2009, 03:20 PM, said:

I'm just curious if those that hate clones because they aren't real; also hate breast implants.

Breast implants are fun to look at, but not so fun to play with. I guess the same could be said for Shelby clones.