because it appears to mean less and less of them are driven as we intended.
Quoted for posterity because this comes up all the time. If I recall correctly, in the beginning ramp up was supposed to quickly reach ~9 units a day, and for quite a while it was way down near 2/3/4. Took out a pretty big chunk right there.
I think the value thing is tired (and it's going to get a lot more tired and/or contentious), but it's inevitable. While some people don't drive as much to preserve value, some people also don't drive as much because they are worried about the inability to satisfactorily replace parts of the car or the car in its entirety should anything happen to it. I said for years that we were going to drive the piss out of the cars at the Rally for at least a couple years because in the not-too-distant future an expanding number of owners would be less willing to do so. I've been pleasantly surprised that we've had as many owners willing to still hit the road or the track as we have.
As someone with over 26,000 miles behind the wheel of a GT (after picking it up with 7 miles from Santa Monica Ford in August 2005) I can confirm they are far more fun to drive than to wax or stare at.
If my car was a flawless, bubble wrapped garage queen with 189 miles it would obviously be worth more money. Instead it's a scarred and scuffed road warrior that's been used as a daily driver, airport shuttle, track car, weekend pleasure toy, show car and road tripper. Drove it from LA to Denver and back in 2008 for my high school reunion, and yes, it was as awesome as you're imagining ("Oh, hi former cheerleader who didn't give me the time of day back in the day. Yeah, this is my ride...and my beautiful wife that gets to ride the ride").
Those memories are invaluable and irreplaceable. As most here know, the car is a freak of mechanical nature. It somehow manages to be the most beautiful, robust and rewarding car on the planet, even a decade after it was designed (and trust me, I've driven enough high-dollar cars to know from which I speak).
The value discussion is always mildly entertaining. But also purely academic for people who have seriously connected with the car. Unless you are in dire financial circumstances I can't grasp how anyone ever sells a GT. They are the once-in-a-lifetime ownership experience every true car guy dreams of.
But that's just me...
Karl and Scott are spot on....
Took my 41K mi. GT to a Masonic car show in Dallas today. Proceeds to the pediatric hospital. 140 mile round trip. Crowd loves these 10 yr old cars. Let some kids sit in it. Got a trophy. Great day overall.
Did anyone see the video on Ford Instagram today? Just wondering what is being unveiled the 17th & if there's a chance it's the new GT.
http://instagram.com/ford