2006 Saleen S281

Muscle Wars: 2006 Saleen S281 Gets Kicked Up a Notch to 435 Horses
Date Posted 10-06-2005

ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Saleen S281 4.6-liter, three-valve supercharged coupe with the V8 engine gets bumped to 435 horsepower for the 2006 model year, an increase of 35 hp over the 2005 model, the company said Wednesday.

The 2006 Saleen S281 3 Valve's 4.6-liter, single-overhead-cam V8 makes 330 hp, an increase of 5 horsepower over the previous model.

The Saleen 281 with the Racecraft suspension has a base price of $42,281. The S281 supercharged coupe is priced at $51,102 and the S281 supercharged convertible starts at $55,989, the specialty manufacturer said.

The company also has introduced its 2006 "cool tops" line, including the 2006 Saleen Speedster, which is equipped with a sport bar and a tonneau. It will be available by November. The 2006 S281 coupe can be equipped with the new Saleen "scenic roof," a moonroof that extends from the windshield to the back window. That will be in production by January, the company said.

What this means to you: Steve Saleen squeezes more power and performance from his S281s.

Excerpt from Edmunds.com

For the life of me, I am not understanding Saleen and Roush...they are more body kit and wheel companies now. They know they were outgunned in the past by SVT with the 03-04 Cobra for 30K and now the Shelby nameplate in late '06 producing between 450-500 hp for around 40-45K (without dealer markup). You'd think, with both of these companies being the Mustang "super tuners" that they would want to do better than SVT for the price. I could not justify spending 50K for an S-281 Saleen when a stock C-6 Corvette would kick its ass in every catagory for less cash, and I am a true Ford lover!!

I do like the side panels, though. The sort of half-scoop thing goin on, where it just shows definition on the back end and bottom of the scoop, but the top is smooth transition. That's pretty kool. Combined w/ the mini scoop at the bottom.
That is quite pricy though.. but it's still a sweet ride, IMO.

I will agree that the car looks good,although I am not exactly sold on the back panel yet. I just don't understand how Saleen can charge 15K over GT MSRP for 30hp,exhaust, a body kit, somewhat upgraded suspension (Racecraft isn't really a top line), brakes and wheels (maybe seats and floormats??) Considering a cold air kit, throttle body, removed HC trap in the intake tube(2005's only) and decent tune on these cars are netting substantial gains, to me the cost can not really be justified. JMO

Why did they black out the third brake light. Kinda takes away from the old Mustang Nostalgia when they take away those cues from the new body style. The glass panel roof sounds interesting, but not interesting enough to drop that much loot on it. I'd rather buy 2 GT's instead of 1 Saleen, but who has the money for that anyways

Its just like Abercrombie & Fitch or American Eagle... You are paying for the name and the bragging rights (penis extension).

I think the new saleen is hot, but would never own one for that outragous price. It is like Tom said you are paying for a name..

Jeremy

I saw one of these bad boys in, I want to say, Hampstead I think. Saw the back end of it tucked in between 2 buildings. It was a real dark blue color. Didn't get any kind of time to look at it closer as I just happened to notice it as I was driving by.

Saleen and Roush created names for themselves. At this point I guess it more of a status symbol to say you can shell out the cash to buy one of them. The Saleen's could justify charging crazy amounts of money for their cars because the kicked any stock mustang's ass. Now, like you say the off the show room floor cobra's pack more of a punch now then some of the super stangs.