OK.......2011 Shelby GT500 Onwers......First impressions???

[Icebourg]

We are starting to see 2011 Shelby GT500 owners here posting. Please post some first impressions of the car. Thanks!!!!!

[1shetan]

Eta on ours was june 1st, but we received a call and it is here today.......quadruple black vert, no extra options........did not get a chance to drive it since it was being prepped.

 

Engine/supercharger/valve colors of silver and blue are beautiful. The exhaust openings fill the rear valence better and the sound is different powerful but smooth not rumbly (hard to describe).

The shelby/Roush tech started it and smoothly reved the engine and said ("this feels like a totally different car than last year").

The 19" wheels fill the openings better but the ride still looks a bit raised.

 

So first impressions without driving it are, we are glad we turned down the 2010 we drove early this year, when the changes were first announced, and we look forward to driving it friday, for more impressions oh yeah........

[Tom@ARH]

So far I love it I have about 400mi. on it. I have a 2003 C5 ZO6 also with a vortech YSI on it making a 700 hp. I have'nt even looked at it since I got the Shelby. First dyno tommorow for a baseline then headers on fri. So I'll more to say in a couple days.

[rhlgt500]

So far I love it I have about 400mi. on it. I have a 2003 C5 ZO6 also with a vortech YSI on it making a 700 hp. I have'nt even looked at it since I got the Shelby. First dyno tommorow for a baseline then headers on fri. So I'll more to say in a couple days.

 

[cgoeschel]

Our first Black/Red Stripe SVT Pkg showed up today. PDI tech said it scared him a little...lol...I drove it a little and it hauls a*s! Dealer Principle is buying the car. The only thing that takes some getting used to is the highly boosted EPAS in parking lot situations. Its so over assisted at slow parking lot speeds you'd swear you were driving a Town Car and not a Shelby. The car looks bad to the bone! Cant wait for my Race Red next week.

[rhlgt500]

Picked up a 2011 Kona Blue Coupe last week Tuesday morning off the showroom floor. SVT Performance Package, Electronics Package and Tape Stripe delete are the only options.

 

Bit of background since I'm new on the forum as of today. My last two cars were 996 - 911's, prior to that I had an E36 M3. All stock. I have owned a couple of heavily modified trucks. My '94 Land Rover Defender made it into most of the major 4x4 magazines, with one multipage spread, and I turned down a couple others. This is the first Mustang or Ford car I have owned. (I did own a "Sportsmobile" Ford E350 7.3L diesel van with 4x4 and camper conversions that I used as a tow vehicle for the Defender.)

 

I don't consider myself anything but an average driver, so don't take the following review too seriously, I'm just reporting what I think so far and without any hard data, my views are by definition, very subjective.

 

The 2011 GT500 is an awesome car.

 

I have just over 600 miles on the GT500 now and am still breaking it in. Handles much better than I had even hoped for. I had rented a couple of GT-H's over the last couple years on business trips and so expected the slightly less lowered and heaver GT500 to have more understear. (Since this is a Shelby board and someone probably has suspension height memorized while I haven't looked up the specs., I'll qualify the last statement by saying that my memory of the GT-H was that it was lower and it seemed easier to scrape the spoiler on, than the GT500.) The GT500 seems amazingly well balanced. It has much better tires than the GT-H and they probably help alot. No bad handling surprises even on narrow, twisting mountain roads with crazy corners. Maybe not quite as tossable as the GT-H or Porches, but still a blast to drive on tight, curvy back roads. The GT-H did come with bonus tossability as it was a rental and I've been trying to go easy on my GT500 while it breaks in.

 

The engine is incredible. Subjective, but like the SVT manual says, the engine seems to like 93 octane more than the 91 generally available in California, so, I've been dropping 3-4 gallons of 100 octane race gas in at fill ups.

 

The rear probably could use more tire. I haven't had any wheel hop issues, though no high RPM, dropped clutch, starts yet. I have managed to break the rear end loose a couple times leaving traffic lights even though I wasn't trying to accelerate hard. (Maybe I just need to get used to 550 HP).

 

Steering feel is great at speed, not quite Porsche like, but close enough that I don't feel like I'm missing anything. Only time the electric assist has been annoying is braking hard from a high speed sweeping corner into a very tight low speed one and having the steering effort go from heavy to non-existent in an instant. It would better if the electronics not dial down the effort so much if G's are being or have recently been pulled.

 

Brakes are good, maybe not world class like the engine though.

 

Shifter feel is the only place I feel GT500 isn't at all in the same league as the BMW, Porsches I've owned, or even the Honda Civic Si I had out of college. Sad to say it feels like a short throw version of my Defenders gear box, which pissed me off so much I eventually dropped in an auto. Clutch is good with just the right amount of effort and the shifting is getting better as the box gets broken in. But 6th still feels like it is locked out on my box and the 2-3, 3-4 up and down shifts are annoyingly stubborn and easy to miss. The effort is probably a reasonable tradeoff given the torgue that has to handled, but if Ford is looking for future improvements: more rear tire and work on the shift effort/feel.

 

Ride/handling is great when taking it easy around town or on the highway. I have only have noticed the stiffer SVT suspension on real broken up washboard sections of highway and over parking lot speed bumps if I'm not paying attention and take them at more than a angled crawl...

 

Stripe delete makes the car kinda of stealth. Around town people seem to assume it is a normal Mustang until they hear the incredible exhaust. Then I get a double take look, usually accompanied by the mouthing of "Shelby" as their jaws drop. The GT-H with stripes got much more attention. (For the record, BMW's and Porsches get no attention in my town, they are all over the place. The GT-H pulled as much or more attention than my Defender ever did.)

 

The GT500 seems incredibly well built. Absolutely no issues so far, nothing loose, not a rattle or miss-aligned body panel, seems perfect. Other than the shifting, all the controls have a world class feel. Interior looks and feels like a much more expensive car . The navigation/stereo/climate display is particularly impressive. In addition to trying out the GT-H I had rented the Hertz Corvette a couple times. A Vett's interior, IMHO, is a simply awful place to spend time. I might have more seriously considered a Vette if GM would have spent a couple of my tax dollars upgrading the interior from its current Chevette level.

 

Bottom line is I am very happy with the purchase, would do it again without thought if given the opportunity, and am looking forward to years of Shelby GT500 ownership.

[SVT NAJA]

rhlgt500,

 

Great first impressions report! Welcome to Team Shelby and congratulations on your new 2011 GT500. Thanks for sharing.

 

Jim

 

PS: Have you posted pictures yet and are you in Nor-Cal or So-Cal?

[TX STIG]

Picked up a 2011 Kona Blue Coupe last week Tuesday morning off the showroom floor. SVT Performance Package, Electronics Package and Tape Stripe delete are the only options...

 

Good review! I'm starting to see a common pattern on the EPAS not being well received, but everything else is nothing but raves.

[Michael Morris]

Just drove our 2011 around the block.

 

Didnt drive it in a parking lot so I cant say much about the power steering.

 

Did get on it alittle and it seems to be QUICK!!! Going from one exit to the next went by VERY FAST!!!

 

Ours has the Glass Roof and I really like it.

 

 

MM

[bpmurr]

So far I love it I have about 400mi. on it. I have a 2003 C5 ZO6 also with a vortech YSI on it making a 700 hp. I have'nt even looked at it since I got the Shelby. First dyno tommorow for a baseline then headers on fri. So I'll more to say in a couple days.

 

 

I'm looking forward to the dyno results before and after the headers.

[rhlgt500]

rhlgt500,

 

Great first impressions report! Welcome to Team Shelby and congratulations on your new 2011 GT500. Thanks for sharing.

 

Jim

 

PS: Have you posted pictures yet and are you in Nor-Cal or So-Cal?

 

Nor-Cal/Bay Area- Will try and get some pictures up over the weekend.

[AlloyDropTop]

Good review! I'm starting to see a common pattern on the EPAS not being well received, but everything else is nothing but raves.

 

 

I have said it before, Electric Power Steering is done for better gas mileage only, and any marketing that says differently is purely marketing. I hate it in my '09 TSX. My '04 TSX had hydraulic and it was 100% better.

[Dubstang]

Nor-Cal/Bay Area- Will try and get some pictures up over the weekend.

 

 

Welcome to Team Shelby. Did you buy it off the floor from Walnut Creek Ford? If so, I hate to say it but I have actually sat in your car. I went there two weeks ago in my GT500 with the possibility of a trade in mind. However, I decided not to because I actually love the SVT stripes and want them if and when I go for a 2011.

 

If you are in the East Bay, there are a couple other GT500 owners right around the corner. Let's do a meet and greet one of the next coming weekends....if possible.

 

Congrats on the purchase!

 

Jim

[rhlgt500]

Welcome to Team Shelby. Did you buy it off the floor from Walnut Creek Ford? If so, I hate to say it but I have actually sat in your car. I went there two weeks ago in my GT500 with the possibility of a trade in mind. However, I decided not to because I actually love the SVT stripes and want them if and when I go for a 2011.

 

If you are in the East Bay, there are a couple other GT500 owners right around the corner. Let's do a meet and greet one of the next coming weekends....if possible.

 

Congrats on the purchase!

 

Jim

 

\

Thanks! - I'm actually in Los Gatos, it was a Frontier Ford purchase. Still close enough for a meet. I'm all in with any excuse to drive the new GT500 a few extra miles.

[tpenziner]

Drove an 2011 SVT coupe today, other than looking at the stripes that I didn’t like that much in person next to my 2010 Vert fat stripes, I have to say I'm very happy I didn’t wait for the 11''. Honestly “this is my opinion”, I didn’t notice any difference from my stock 2010 to the 11’ SVT performance or visual changes “other than stripes, shift knob and blue engine”. If anything I noticed the suspension may have been a little stiffer around turns and bumps, but not worth the additional $10k price difference from what I paid for my 10’ to an 11’. All Shelby’s are incredible machines and worth the cost to anyone in the market for one of these beautiful cars...

 

Congrats to all you 11' owners, I'm sure you're glad the wait is over! For those still waiting, it's worth the wait!

[2011GT500BRISVTPack]

The car handles great in lots at slow speed and and fast also through accel. I also had an 07 500 and this is a much different ride. Its smooth and a lot quieter in the cabin with the windows up. I have just over 500 miles with the SVT pack I think it blows the 07 away as far as ride is concerned. I also love the 3.73's

[TX STIG]

The car handles great in lots at slow speed and and fast also through accel. I also had an 07 500 and this is a much different ride. Its smooth and a lot quieter in the cabin with the windows up. I have just over 500 miles with the SVT pack I think it blows the 07 away as far as ride is concerned. I also love the 3.73's

 

Is the tire height the same on the SVT as the non SVT? If the 20's are taller then you probabaly have an affective ratio equal to the non SVT.

[hitman007]

Traded my 2010 for a 2011 with SVT. Love it but got smoked by a new 2011 BMW M3. I know the BMW has an automatic transmission which surly shifts much better than I do...

[TX STIG]

Traded my 2010 for a 2011 with SVT. Love it but got smoked by a new 2011 BMW M3. I know the BMW has an automatic transmission which surly shifts much better than I do...

 

 

thanks for making us the laf'n stock on the M3 forum. Lol

[rhlgt500]

thanks for making us the laf'n stock on the M3 forum. Lol

 

Pretty sure M3's come with launch control. So if the driver used it, not only did he not have to shift, his throttle became just an on/off switch. The M3 omputer was doing all the throttle feathering to maintain traction. He did have to steer:)

[Ezareth]

thanks for making us the laf'n stock on the M3 forum. Lol

 

 

That just means there will be that many more suckers about to get stomped by those of us who do shift well ( =

[TX STIG]

Pretty sure M3's come with launch control. So if the driver used it, not only did he not have to shift, his throttle became just an on/off switch. The M3 omputer was doing all the throttle feathering to maintain traction. He did have to steer:)

 

 

All I read was...

 

blah blah blah

 

The Shelby

 

blah blah blah blah

 

still got

 

blah blah

 

beat.

 

blah

 

[BigDan]

Now you see why some of us want an auto option.

[SVT NAJA]

Welcome to Team Shelby. Did you buy it off the floor from Walnut Creek Ford? If so, I hate to say it but I have actually sat in your car. I went there two weeks ago in my GT500 with the possibility of a trade in mind. However, I decided not to because I actually love the SVT stripes and want them if and when I go for a 2011.

 

If you are in the East Bay, there are a couple other GT500 owners right around the corner. Let's do a meet and greet one of the next coming weekends....if possible.

 

Congrats on the purchase!

 

Jim

 

 

 

\

Thanks! - I'm actually in Los Gatos, it was a Frontier Ford purchase. Still close enough for a meet. I'm all in with any excuse to drive the new GT500 a few extra miles.

 

 

We have a mixed vehicle run to Monterey tentatively scheduled for Saturday June 12th (see link below). Consider joining us! We'll start at Sun Valley, probably stop briefly at Stoneridge for some Tri-Valley members and then on to San Jose via I-880/Hwy-17. We could pull over in the South Bay at a location that works for you.

 

http://www.teamshelb...next-mixed-run/

 

Jim

[2011SVT]

All I read was...

 

blah blah blah

 

The Shelby

 

blah blah blah blah

 

still got

 

blah blah

 

beat.

 

blah

 

 

 

BMW: The Ultimate Driving Machine*

 

* und to keep it zat vay, der computer vill now do ze driving. Haf a nice day!

[rhlgt500]

We have a mixed vehicle run to Monterey tentatively scheduled for Saturday June 12th (see link below). Consider joining us! We'll start at Sun Valley, probably stop briefly at Stoneridge for some Tri-Valley members and then on to San Jose via I-880/Hwy-17. We could pull over in the South Bay at a location that works for you.

 

http://www.teamshelb...next-mixed-run/

 

Jim

 

Sounds good! Small chance I'll get caught up in some work stuff. Should know by the middle of next week or so. I'll do any updates in the original run thread.

 

Thanks for the invite!

[hitman007]

thanks for making us the laf'n stock on the M3 forum. Lol

 

 

LOL! Sorry to let the forum down but I admit I suck at shifting in a race. Wish we had an auto option on the GT500.

[TX STIG]

LOL! Sorry to let the forum down but I admit I suck at shifting in a race. Wish we had an auto option on the GT500.

 

 

 

It's this shifting business (and running out of 1st grear REALLY QUICK) that makes me hesitant to go against many other cars from a stand-still. I tend to prefer the 3rd and 4th gear rolls.

[Dubstang]

Sounds good! Small chance I'll get caught up in some work stuff. Should know by the middle of next week or so. I'll do any updates in the original run thread.

 

Thanks for the invite!

 

I may try to make it as well. Schedule is pretty slammed right now, but would love to do another cruise with these guys.

 

Jim

[Dubstang]

\

Thanks! - I'm actually in Los Gatos, it was a Frontier Ford purchase. Still close enough for a meet. I'm all in with any excuse to drive the new GT500 a few extra miles.

 

Got it. Keep checking the Team Shelby Regional Group Pacific Region Forum for updates on cruises. There are at least three that are posted there for this Summer.

 

Jim