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Motor Trend - Shelby GT Long Term Verdict


ilmor

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Well, if not for some rather unfortunate Ford and SAI quality control issues, this would have been a great review of the Shelby GT by Motor Trend, especially considering the source! I have to laugh at some of the reader comments - like the one guy actually having the lack of brains to suggest that a Cobalt SS performs better...

 

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/oneyea...dict/index.html

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And I quote.....

 

"For just a little more, I can have a 2008 Hummer H2 with a six-speed, an all-aluminum 400-horse V-8, seating for seven, and a world-class 4x4 backcountry explorer."

 

 

:slapfight:

 

Jim

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As you said, the article was favorable and the comments weren't.

 

The sad truth is that quality control issues have hurt the value of our SGT's.

 

They were a bit overpriced to start with and the quality issues, in several areas, resulted in many new SGT's selling for $10,000, or so, under MSRP.

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And I quote.....

 

"For just a little more, I can have a 2008 Hummer H2 with a six-speed, an all-aluminum 400-horse V-8, seating for seven, and a world-class 4x4 backcountry explorer."

 

 

:slapfight:

 

Jim

 

Yeah, I saw that one too...and my immediate thought was - that's great, man, go for it if that's what you like. Have fun with all the weight to power!!

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???No comments on

Ours was bit more expensive than most Shelby GTs, as it was built up from a California Special-equipped Mustang, which added another $1895 worth of upgrades
?

 

Notice that the seats are two toned like the GT/CS. This is the only 2008 Shelby GT I've seen that wasn't Charcoal gray. This is one rare Shelby GT.

 

Has anyone else ever come across an 08 SGT with this GT/CS interior?

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???No comments on ?

 

Notice that the seats are two toned like the GT/CS. This is the only 2008 Shelby GT I've seen that wasn't Charcoal gray. This is one rare Shelby GT.

 

Has anyone else ever come across an 08 SGT with this type of interior?

 

No... My first thought was that is was a pre-production prototype (maybe where they just modified a GT California Special for pre-press release, etc.) however the close-up dash plaque reads like a regular SGT (08SGT0999). Hmmm... the interior really looks like a California Special. Maybe the photos presented in the artical are a mix of their actual test car as well as stock Ford press photos?

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I wouldn't worry about those comments. Half of those users are 16 year old punks that wouldn't know a great car if it hit them square in the face. If you notice they compare every mustang to the Z06 :rolleyes: . I wouldn't blame them for it though, since we killed off the Camaro. ^_^

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A few thoughts:

 

1 - First Shelby Mustang TOUCHED by Shelby in 35 years?

2 - Yes, they're exclusive and NO you can't just walk into any dealer and buy one. In another 8 months or so, these will all be gone.

3 - Yes, they're a tad underpowered. I think that these should at least be putting 350 at the wheels, but like one commenter put it, Ford makes em because people buy them! This is why Chevy always give a larger power plant.... They're Chevy's for gosh sakes! That goes for Dodge too.

4 - In about as little as 10 years when there will be a 50/50 split between the econo-corn-burning-diesel something or another that can hardly get up over 100MPH and an SGT flying by at 100+ they're gonna wish they had it THEN!

5 - Cobalts!?? Pfft! Can you say oh I dunno, Vegas? Cavaliers? Metros

 

You're right, most of these are punks who don't know anything anyway. Everyone asks me how fast it goes.... I just smile and say plenty. And that my friends is ALL anyone who doesn't get to drive one needs to know!

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I have a convertible and there is no discernible cowl shake even with the FRPP suspension upgrade. This car was praised by many independent reviewers for NOT having cowl shake AND for being one of the best new convertibles for rigidity. In fact, many said it was better than the BMW convertibles.

 

Typical Motor Trend hack job.

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A few thoughts:

 

1 - First Shelby Mustang TOUCHED by Shelby in 35 years?

 

I think that honor goes to the 2006 Shelby GT-H

 

A few thoughts:

 

3 - Yes, they're a tad underpowered. I think that these should at least be putting 350 at the wheels, but like one commenter put it, Ford makes em because people buy them! This is why Chevy always give a larger power plant.... They're Chevy's for gosh sakes! That goes for Dodge too.

You're right, most of these are punks who don't know anything anyway. Everyone asks me how fast it goes.... I just smile and say plenty. And that my friends is ALL anyone who doesn't get to drive one needs to know!

 

Maybe but the original GT-350 was only 306 hp

 

edit - thanks for posting, Ilmor. I enjoyed the article and the new photos.

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I have a convertible and there is no discernible cowl shake even with the FRPP suspension upgrade. This car was praised by many independent reviewers for NOT having cowl shake AND for being one of the best new convertibles for rigidity. In fact, many said it was better than the BMW convertibles.

 

Typical Motor Trend hack job.

 

Sometimes I think these writers just have certain canned comments they say whether or not they are factual or not, you know, like the cowl shake thing and the live axle thing...blah blah blah....sometimes I wonder if they have really been driving the cars.

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The thing I always get a chuckle about is the comment, "for that kinda money you could buy a GT500" or a Vette. First of all It ain't your money so why are you so concerned. No 2...............I bought this car for it's looks and because it was actually sent to Shelby in Vegas and modified there, and of course for that sound. If I wanted to race your 50,000 dollar Vette I would bring my 92 Dodge Stealth Twin Turbo that's only worth about 9000k these days and blow your doors off! No 3............Quality control issues! give me a break! they admitted in the article that it was very rare that they would have rear end problems and this was a fluke. As far as the few cosmetic problems we have, which I feel are so minor and most can be fixed on our own or not at all because it dosen't affect performance. Whew!............got that off my chest!!

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I think that the people who test out the cars at Motor Trend have fallen victim to the sport compact era. They are still used to small cars with big power. Right off the bat they mention the STI. Most of these guys only know sport compacts because that's what they grew on. You have to remember that the days of the Hondas and Acuras was so big that you rarly saw a muscle car but that is all changing again. I think that it is balancing out now that's why there are compacts with 480 hp ( nissan GTR), so that they can have the feel and power of a muscle car. But you will pay alot more for that sport compact. I personally love my Shelby and would not ever trade it for another car. I am a very proud Shelby owner. :dance:

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Sometimes I think these writers just have certain canned comments they say whether or not they are factual or not, you know, like the cowl shake thing and the live axle thing...blah blah blah....sometimes I wonder if they have really been driving the cars.

 

Of course, because one driver compared it to a Hummer, maybe they had been taking the Shelby GT on an off-road extravaganza. Maybe that loosened up the frame a little :hysterical:

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Why do we care what the MT guys say? It seems they have always had it in for us for some reason. Maybe their SUV or rice burner was beaten by one too many Shelbys. Do they not like all of the attention we get at stop lights and gas stations over their Acuras? When somebody asks if I saw what MT said about my SGT in a new issue, I just consider the source and assume it will be another dig on a truly fine car.

 

I used to shuttle new rental cars at our airport for 4 years part time. I got to drive just about everything from KIA Rios to Jags and limos. After a while every car had some unique feature I didn't like. You can always pick one apart and find something. We also had our share of Q/C issues from every manufacturer, both foreign and domestic. MT, give us and Ford a break.

 

I am proud to say I own what I consider a legendary American classic. At the end of each day, I can look under the cover in my garage and see a limited, numbered and signed car. Can they??

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Of course, because one driver compared it to a Hummer, maybe they had been taking the Shelby GT on an off-road extravaganza. Maybe that loosened up the frame a little :hysterical:

 

I think you're right! The cowl shake must have been from the off-roading!!! That would also explain the broken shock.

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I have a convertible and there is no discernible cowl shake even with the FRPP suspension upgrade. This car was praised by many independent reviewers for NOT having cowl shake AND for being one of the best new convertibles for rigidity. In fact, many said it was better than the BMW convertibles.

 

Typical Motor Trend hack job.

 

I disagree about the cowl shake I drove a regular GT vert pretty hard on the throttle over some bumpy turns and i did notice it...in fact it was really noticable. I got the coupe SGT over a C/S vert. It was 07. Maybe your strut bar cancels it out? :headscratch:

 

BTW the Hummer guy is lost everyone knows Scouts rule!

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