F150 Duke Posted May 22, 2010 Report Share Posted May 22, 2010 Hello All, I am looking at purchasing a 2011 GT500 or getting a 2011 GT and turning it into a GT350 at SA. Today I went to my local dealer and test drove a 2010 Mustang GT premium manual transmission. Overall it was nice but what I'll refer to as the "clutch action", (forgive me if I misspeak) seemed really heavy. I've driven manual transmissions in a Lexus and BMW before and this just seemed like a lot of pedal effort to depress the clutch. Also, the release of the clutch seemed very touchy when starting into first. My question: Is the 2010 or 2011 GT500 clutch very similar to that in the 2010 GT with regards to effort or feel? It's my understanding they are completely different units, but wanted to see if anyone here has driven both and can speak to the clutch feel difference. I was just caught by surprise at the effort to depress the clutch. Now I'm not trying to sound like a wimp but it was much different then what I was expecting and have been exposed to in the past. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisSD Posted May 22, 2010 Report Share Posted May 22, 2010 2010 GT500 clutch is soft and smooth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kahmann Posted May 22, 2010 Report Share Posted May 22, 2010 It's not a Lexus and it's not a BMW. My advice is go with a GT auto and ship to SA. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F150 Duke Posted May 22, 2010 Author Report Share Posted May 22, 2010 It's not a Lexus and it's not a BMW. My advice is go with a GT auto and ship to SA. Good luck. I really didn't expect the clutch to be identical to the Lexus or BMW seeing as the regular GT manual is much cheaper. However, I was wondering if there is someone on here that has driven both and could say "they're identical in feel" or the GT500 clutch feels a lot different. There is another dealer that has a 2010 GT500 in grabber blue with white stripes and all the options near me that is really tempting me. However, I'm very intrigued by the "new" updates to 2011 that I don't really need. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tob Posted May 22, 2010 Report Share Posted May 22, 2010 For the money you'll burn on any post-title conversion you could have a much better car for far less. You could purchase and install a much better transmission and clutch (GT500 Tremec six speed and 2011 clutch), any suspension kit of your choice, a serious aftermarket wheel/tire combination, along with multiple engine upgrades. With the sacks of money left over you could purchase hordes of Ford stock (it is down now and not a bad time to buy) or install a car lift or hot tub at home. If you simply have to have some "look at my car!" stripes and stickers, you could always purchase some die cut units cut to your spec from a plethora of vendors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ezareth Posted May 22, 2010 Report Share Posted May 22, 2010 Hello All, I am looking at purchasing a 2011 GT500 or getting a 2011 GT and turning it into a GT350 at SA. Today I went to my local dealer and test drove a 2010 Mustang GT premium manual transmission. Overall it was nice but what I'll refer to as the "clutch action", (forgive me if I misspeak) seemed really heavy. I've driven manual transmissions in a Lexus and BMW before and this just seemed like a lot of pedal effort to depress the clutch. Also, the release of the clutch seemed very touchy when starting into first. My question: Is the 2010 or 2011 GT500 clutch very similar to that in the 2010 GT with regards to effort or feel? It's my understanding they are completely different units, but wanted to see if anyone here has driven both and can speak to the clutch feel difference. I was just caught by surprise at the effort to depress the clutch. Now I'm not trying to sound like a wimp but it was much different then what I was expecting and have been exposed to in the past. Mustang GT clutches have typically been difficult to press, moreso than anything else I've driven. I know this year they've added a new transmission and clutch to the GT so it could be different. You really wont know till you've test driven a new one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GOTVENOMGT500 Posted May 22, 2010 Report Share Posted May 22, 2010 Hard clutch in a 05+ that is hydrolic? Come drive my 97 Cobra with cable clutch it's a work out everytime. The closer to the floor you push the pedal the harder the pedal same thing as you let the clutch out and it reaches the top of the travel. All the 05+ Mustangs I've driven were very soft with VERY minimal effort. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F150 Duke Posted May 22, 2010 Author Report Share Posted May 22, 2010 Mustang GT clutches have typically been difficult to press, moreso than anything else I've driven. I know this year they've added a new transmission and clutch to the GT so it could be different. You really wont know till you've test driven a new one. Yeah I think I'll just have to wait and look for a 2011 GT500 Grabber blue with white stripes that is loaded with the exeception of the SVT pkg and then test drive to get a better feel. I thought the 2010 GT would do that but I was wrong. I think not having driven a manual in 5 years probably played into it as well. The dealer not too far from here has a 2010 that is spec'd out exactly how I want and in the color I want, but it would be a 2010 without... - painted axle - new bell housing cover - new suspension tuning - new engine and exhaust - new sound proofing Nobody would ever really see the difference unless I raised the hood, I'd never feel or use the difference....but I'd know and as anal I am about wanting the latest and greatest at times, a small part of me would feel like I "settled" somehow. But I'd probably save $6,500 (2010 at invoice vs 2011 at MSRP). I wonder if that's worth it. Hard clutch in a 05+ that is hydrolic? Come drive my 97 Cobra with cable clutch it's a work out everytime. The closer to the floor you push the pedal the harder the pedal same thing as you let the clutch out and it reaches the top of the travel. All the 05+ Mustangs I've driven were very soft with VERY minimal effort. I have no doubt you're right. I think it's because it's been quite a while since I've driven a manual. I was also putting the clutch to the floor because I didn't know the "catch point". Pair that with the small ACL tear (which I did last week to my left knee removing 800 sq ft of sod in the back yard) and I definitely wasn't setting myself up for success or a happy test drive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ponyboy96 Posted May 23, 2010 Report Share Posted May 23, 2010 Yeah I think I'll just have to wait and look for a 2011 GT500 Grabber blue with white stripes that is loaded with the exeception of the SVT pkg and then test drive to get a better feel. I thought the 2010 GT would do that but I was wrong. I think not having driven a manual in 5 years probably played into it as well. The dealer not too far from here has a 2010 that is spec'd out exactly how I want and in the color I want, but it would be a 2010 without... - painted axle - new bell housing cover - new suspension tuning - new engine and exhaust - new sound proofing Nobody would ever really see the difference unless I raised the hood, I'd never feel or use the difference....but I'd know and as anal I am about wanting the latest and greatest at times, a small part of me would feel like I "settled" somehow. But I'd probably save $6,500 (2010 at invoice vs 2011 at MSRP). I wonder if that's worth it. I was thinking the same thing at first. After doing a bit of research, I decided to go ahead and pick-up a left over 2010. The aluminum block with the spray bore made me concerned that it may not hold up to extra boost and mods. It's still yet to be tested and proven. I'm eventually planning on modding the car so, I wanted it as strong as possible. The other things are just yeah ok to me. On the price, I've called every dealer in the US that still has a 2010 and I can tell you that most do not want to deal on these things. The remaining 2010's are being snatched up at a rapid pace. I lost out on 2 of them that I was looking at because I was waiting and trying to make up my mind. I purchased mine for $500 over invoice and that was a steal considering most dealers were still asking MSRP, slightly under, or even over. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F150 Duke Posted May 23, 2010 Author Report Share Posted May 23, 2010 I was thinking the same thing at first. After doing a bit of research, I decided to go ahead and pick-up a left over 2010. The aluminum block with the spray bore made me concerned that it may not hold up to extra boost and mods. It's still yet to be tested and proven. I'm eventually planning on modding the car so, I wanted it as strong as possible. The other things are just yeah ok to me. On the price, I've called every dealer in the US that still has a 2010 and I can tell you that most do not want to deal on these things. The remaining 2010's are being snatched up at a rapid pace. I lost out on 2 of them that I was looking at because I was waiting and trying to make up my mind. I purchased mine for $500 over invoice and that was a steal considering most dealers were still asking MSRP, slightly under, or even over. Yeah they have it priced at $1,000 under MSRP but I'm sure I could talk them down to at least $500 over invoice. Otherwise I'd just wait for the 2011. I won't be modding the engine at all. 550HP is more than enough for me. Only mods will be fully powered seats with heat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ripcurrent Posted May 23, 2010 Report Share Posted May 23, 2010 2010 G500 clutch is surprisingly easy, I have had valets comment on it before. Not as easy as my civic, but still not too bad even if you hit bad traffic. 2009 and earlier GT500 clutch is more difficult, based on the ones I have sat in. 2011 GT500 clutch, same unit as the 2010 GT500 2010 or 2011 GT clutch, don't know Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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