txcobra Posted October 22, 2012 Report Share Posted October 22, 2012 I don't usually post the same thread in both forums, but not everyone visits the "other site" and things have been a little slow in this section, so.... Like a kid on Christmas morning, I got the call and made my way to the dealership as quickly as I could. The first thing I noticed was the paint. I had really been back and forth on this...Grabber blue to race red, maybe Deep Impact Blue, back to race red....finally, lets try Red Candy. Even dirty from transport, the three stage paint looked deep and incredible. The matte black stripes were perfect....very glad I was able to get them this way before they go to gloss black next year. I ordered this car with every available option except the cover (I've had the exact same cover with other Shelby's and was not impressed), so I will share a few thoughts on each option in the order they appear on the sticker. I know the big question for each option is "Is it worth it?" I think this depends on each person based on what you want from the car and what you can / want to spend, so I will just keep to my impressions for each. Performance Pkg (821A): the adjustable suspension and steering are very cool and there is a noticeable difference between the settings. I like being able to dial up the appropriate combo based on the particular driving situation. The torsion diff will certainly be a plus for any track events or heavy cornering and the wheels...while I don't know how much they contribute to the $3495 price tag, I don't think they are worth a big premium. I do like them reasonably well. Red Candy paint: as mentioned before, I am very pleased with this choice....well worth the $395 adder Track Pkg: I know this has been widely debated, so I will just say this: even if I never track the car (and you never know), living in a hot climate like Texas and knowing how much heat these cars can generate, I have to think this is a great investment in longevity for this car. Keeping all the fluids cooler just for the spirited driving in the hot Texas summers gives me some piece of mind. And if I do decide to go to the track, I am set up. Electronics Pkg: this is one of those creature comforts that just makes me happy. I doubt I will use the Nav much but sometimes for those hill country "cruises" it comes in handy. I like the touch screen and the dual climate controls because my wife and I have a very different opinion of ideal temperature. Glass Roof: I am so glad I got this. I really debated this one, even left it off the order initially then officially changed my order to add it. The wide open experience that this provides makes it feel like a completely different car inside than my 2012. I absolutely love it. Recaros: these are must haves in my opinion. Unless there is a fit issue, they are so much more comfortable. I did have these on my 2012 and the alcantara that was added for 2013 made them hold me in place even better. Getting in and out requires a tiny bit more effort, but it is well worth it once you are tucked in. Even though they aren't power adjustable, height adjustment is the most important thing I want out of power seats anyway. A couple of pulls of the handle on the side of the seat and you can position yourself at the perfect height. Heated option would be nice, but again, I'm in Texas so I can live without it. Shaker pro: I have said before, there was never any question that I could spend the same $1295 and get a better aftermarket sound system, but there is something comforting about it being a factory option and not having to rip apart my new car for wiring and such. I don't need a big boomy bass system, but I do appreciate a full range sound with tight mids and sharp highs. That said, I was disappointed in the performance of the system. I have shaker 1000 in my 08 KR and it sounds much better. I can barely hear the sub in the trunk and if I turn up the bass on the system, the door speakers start to sound muddy before I hear the sub. If there were some way to adjust the gains on the sub and crossover some lower frequencies out of the door subs, it would be better but even then, it's not the clear sound overall I was hoping for. I have to think it sounds somewhat better than not having it, but I doubt it is worth $1295....so this is probably the first thing I would nix if I were trying to shave cost. I'd like to hear a non shaker pro car to compare. Power: In terms of this, I have to say I've been trying to be good and respect the break in process. I've not really punched it hard and I don't think I've revved it over 4k. That said, having driven 3.73 cars for so long (my KR, my 2012 and even my 2007 GT500 vert had them), it feels like its not quite as strong from a dead stop. Again, this is probably more to do with me taking it easy, but we shall see. Once i am rolling, It is amazing how quick it can approach 100 and how smooth and effortless it feels getting there. I haven't taken it quite all the way to 100 or over, but I've been close and it is smooth. I can't wait to do a little more driving. A few other points: the missing grill, initially a concern but it is really growing on me. Not sure if bugs / rocks are going to be a problem eventually but so far they aren't. I think it looks so mean this way. I love the tail lights, and I was one of the guys who hated the changes in 2010...still really don't like the '10-'12, but love these. The exhaust is surprisingly good for stock, sounds so good that it will make it hard to justify spending $500-$800 to change it. The glossy back panel between the tail lights...ugh, how long before that is all scratched and swirled up? It seems like it will be super sensitive to that, but my son's 2011 GT/CS has a matte black sticker there that looks great. I may order that or something like it to cover the glossy panel if it does start to look bad. The shifter feels pretty good too, not as good as the one in my KR, but not bad at all. I will probably upgrade to an MGW, but I don't feel like I need to order one immediately. For those about to or who have recently taken delivery: Please don't forget to check your master cylinder for the overfilled condition...Mine was leaking but I think I caught it before it did any paint damage. All in all, I really love this car. I don't think I would change a thing if I were going to place my order again tomorrow. This makes the 22nd mustang I've owned (the 10th Shelby or Cobra) and it has to be the best all around by a long shot. Sorry I don't have any more pics snapped yet, but here is the one I snapped when I first saw it at the dealership. Also sorry this is so long, but hopefully it helps a little. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doctorjay Posted October 22, 2012 Report Share Posted October 22, 2012 Were you driving one of your other cars at Mustang Fest last month? Thanks for the write up. I am a little melancholy getting the last few weeks in my 08, talked to SVT today and my 13 is set for production tomorrow! Living in Texas, i too was hoping for the track pack - but having a Vert was more impotant to me and it is unfortunately not an option on them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mustangcollector Posted October 22, 2012 Report Share Posted October 22, 2012 Thanks for posting. Your car is exactly what I would buy if I could get a '13, color options and all...but as much as I want to I can't justify TWO GT500s and I don't want to give up my '08KR for a new one. You would know better than I, having a KR and multiple other Shelbys, but the power in your '13 HAS to be there and I'm fully confident that you just haven't fully felt it because you are "respecting" the break-in period!...After 500-1000 miles I think everything else will be "respecting" your speed and power demon. Have fun with it...and have fun turning heads because it IS a beautiful car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verlyn12 Posted October 22, 2012 Report Share Posted October 22, 2012 Absolutely beautiful color! If we didn't get smacked so hard on trading the 12 would do so in a heartbeat but not worth the big $$ loss. Enjoy and watch the heads turning to look! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
txcobra Posted October 22, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 22, 2012 Were you driving one of your other cars at Mustang Fest last month? Thanks for the write up. I am a little melancholy getting the last few weeks in my 08, talked to SVT today and my 13 is set for production tomorrow! Living in Texas, i too was hoping for the track pack - but having a Vert was more important to me and it is unfortunately not an option on them. No, I had good intentions of going, but didn't make it unfortunately...I heard it was a blast. I completely understand your point on the '08...I have been heavily debating whether to sell the KR and I just haven't been able to pull the trigger. I really do not want to keep 3 toys, I just simply don't have the time to enjoy and maintain all of them. I miss having a vert too, sold my '07 a while back. I used the glass roof as a sort of compromise to get that "open" feeling. Congrats on the progress, won't be long now!! Thanks for posting. Your car is exactly what I would buy if I could get a '13, color options and all...but as much as I want to I can't justify TWO GT500s and I don't want to give up my '08KR for a new one. You would know better than I, having a KR and multiple other Shelbys, but the power in your '13 HAS to be there and I'm fully confident that you just haven't fully felt it because you are "respecting" the break-in period!...After 500-1000 miles I think everything else will be "respecting" your speed and power demon. Have fun with it...and have fun turning heads because it IS a beautiful car. Thanks very much Mustangcollector. As I said above, the KR is such a cool car! I am having a hard time justifying both, so I am struggling with what to do. I know I will regret selling the KR if I do, but the '13 is just so awesome in terms of performance and features. I plan to do some slightly more spirited driving over the next few days and will report back, but I have a feeling you are right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
txcobra Posted October 22, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 22, 2012 Absolutely beautiful color! If we didn't get smacked so hard on trading the 12 would do so in a heartbeat but not worth the big $$ loss. Enjoy and watch the heads turning to look! Thank you! I am so pleased with the way the color combo turned out...I like it more than I even thought I would. I understand your point on the '12...I was fortunate that I made the decision very early to sell mine when the market was still solid on them, so my "hit" was minimal. I couldn't enjoy this as much either if I knew I had to make a foolish financial decision (more foolish than buying a new car already is) in order to do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verlyn12 Posted October 22, 2012 Report Share Posted October 22, 2012 Thank you! I am so pleased with the way the color combo turned out...I like it more than I even thought I would. I understand your point on the '12...I was fortunate that I made the decision very early to sell mine when the market was still solid on them, so my "hit" was minimal. I couldn't enjoy this as much either if I knew I had to make a foolish financial decision (more foolish than buying a new car already is) in order to do it. I really like the matte stripes. I have thought of putting them on our black but have only seen pictures and thought they looked really nice but want to see it in person first. What clolor is the interior? Black or red? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
txcobra Posted October 22, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 22, 2012 As I mentioned, supposedly Matte stripes are not available next year, only glossy. If you decided to add them to your car and wanted to use genuine Ford materials, they are sold piece by piece and will end up costing you $1500-$1700....so it would probably be best to go to a high quality vinyl shop. I think matte black stripes on a black car looks awesome! Gives it that "ghost stripe" look. Is yours a stripe delete car? My interior is black...unfortunately the accents in the seats and such have to be the same color as the stripes, without exception. So I really wanted black stripes, but it meant giving up some color on the inside. It's ok with me though, the different materials (leather, alcantara and the grays and silvers on the dash and console) do seem to give it enough variety. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
san6279 Posted October 22, 2012 Report Share Posted October 22, 2012 OP, not trying to jack the thread, but for someone who paid invoice for the '12 would the hit still be very substantial? Probably best to sell to a private party, but then again if I trade it in I only pay tax on the delta. Any thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
txcobra Posted October 23, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 23, 2012 Well, that was my situation...paid invoice, which was $52801 and sold it for $49,000. Not that $3,800 isn't a lot of money to lose, but considering I owned it for just about 7 months, I thought it was tolerable. Tax is a big factor, I will make up some numbers just for example...in Texas, tax on a new car is 6.25% but as you said, only on the difference in trade vs new car price, so tax savings on $45,000 is about $2800. If you could sell for $45k outright or trade for $42k, it is about a wash. However, the ideal situation is to find a buyer, then try to do a pass through (aka in and out). Make the buyer a good deal, say $43500 and then take him/her to the dealership with you. That way you still save ~$2700 in taxes, the buyer gets a good deal and everyone wins. Dealers will sometimes want to charge a small fee for this, but you can usually negotiate your way out of it. Much will also depend on how much they are selling you the new car for, don't pay over MSRP. At MSRP the dealer is making a healthy profit and will likely do the pass through for you at no charge. Not sure which state you are in, but I believe tax in California is 7.25%, so the impact is even bigger....Just my thoughts, hope this helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twobjshelbys Posted October 23, 2012 Report Share Posted October 23, 2012 Well, that was my situation...paid invoice, which was $52801 and sold it for $49,000. Not that $3,800 isn't a lot of money to lose, but considering I owned it for just about 7 months, I thought it was tolerable. Tax is a big factor, I will make up some numbers just for example...in Texas, tax on a new car is 6.25% but as you said, only on the difference in trade vs new car price, so tax savings on $45,000 is about $2800. If you could sell for $45k outright or trade for $42k, it is about a wash. However, the ideal situation is to find a buyer, then try to do a pass through (aka in and out). Make the buyer a good deal, say $43500 and then take him/her to the dealership with you. That way you still save ~$2700 in taxes, the buyer gets a good deal and everyone wins. Dealers will sometimes want to charge a small fee for this, but you can usually negotiate your way out of it. Much will also depend on how much they are selling you the new car for, don't pay over MSRP. At MSRP the dealer is making a healthy profit and will likely do the pass through for you at no charge. Not sure which state you are in, but I believe tax in California is 7.25%, so the impact is even bigger....Just my thoughts, hope this helps. That's what I was going to mention. Do the calculation on a trade in and in most places it reduces your taxable purchase price, so you have to make up that difference in a private sale. Very often hard to do. I got lucky on my Cobra / Ford GT transaction - the timing just worked out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
san6279 Posted October 23, 2012 Report Share Posted October 23, 2012 txcobra, thanks for the info. I am in WA state and bought mine 4 months ago. Was not familiar with the pass through concept. Will look into that further. Sounds like a little more work than just a straight trade obviously as I would have to find someone willing to buy the car AND wait for my car to be built and delivered. No pain, no gain. The dealer I spoke with today is the same place I bought the '12. I asked if he was willing to do MSRP on the '13 and he said yes...or very close...we shall see. Again, appreciate your thoughts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
san6279 Posted October 23, 2012 Report Share Posted October 23, 2012 Oh, and if I could get it down to a $4k hit I would do it in a heartbeat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madlock Posted October 23, 2012 Report Share Posted October 23, 2012 Must be 9182. Only 22 like it. Congratulations! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
txcobra Posted October 23, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 23, 2012 How did you know that? That's impressive!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madlock Posted October 23, 2012 Report Share Posted October 23, 2012 Just a good guesser. From my mom's side of the family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ICOOLUM Posted October 23, 2012 Report Share Posted October 23, 2012 Thanks so much for the write up. I also am awaiting my new addition. I just live between you and San Antonio so we will for sure see each other at some Mustang events. I also debated about most of the options you spoke of. I wish I had passed on the Shaker Pro. I know better than to think any car manufacturer could come up with a true clean sounding system, but like you I didnt relish the local stereo shop tearing my car up.great to hear about the glass roof. I thought strongly about a convertable but went with the roof instead. Now I just have to wait it out another 6-8 weeks for my Christmas present.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
txcobra Posted October 23, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 23, 2012 Congrats! We definitely will have to meet up. I was probably too harsh on the shaker pro....yes, I was disappointed, but I would probably still order it again because I want the best sounding system that I can get without aftermarket surgery. It's the last few weeks that are the killer, but what a great Christmas gift! What color did you go with? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verlyn12 Posted October 23, 2012 Report Share Posted October 23, 2012 As I mentioned, supposedly Matte stripes are not available next year, only glossy. If you decided to add them to your car and wanted to use genuine Ford materials, they are sold piece by piece and will end up costing you $1500-$1700....so it would probably be best to go to a high quality vinyl shop. I think matte black stripes on a black car looks awesome! Gives it that "ghost stripe" look. Is yours a stripe delete car? My interior is black...unfortunately the accents in the seats and such have to be the same color as the stripes, without exception. So I really wanted black stripes, but it meant giving up some color on the inside. It's ok with me though, the different materials (leather, alcantara and the grays and silvers on the dash and console) do seem to give it enough variety. Didn't realize the stripes cost that much-was considering having them painted. Yes, stripe delete. I'm sure the black interior is just beautiful! With the stripe delete the seats do not have a stripe which is kind of what we wanted. Our interior is black as well with a few extra chrome accents. I am anxious to see the black car with the matte stripes! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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