For discussion ARE WE HAPPY?

[JETSOLVER]

So now that VIN's are being awarded, and disregarding for the moment the ADM issue, is this the car we want? Since the first noise about the concept we have seen and heard a lot about the GT500. A lot of suggestions around the promises of H.T.T.(who has been conspicuous by his absence), a lot of angst around the hood, a lot of confusion around Mr. Shelby and his relationship to us, a lot of hurt around SVT,the car 440lbs heavier than the base car, oh and that whole nasty $75/brrl oil thing. So what do you folks think? I'm gonna bump around and track down some early press stuff for comparison. early edmonds early Ford news

[svtbird91]

So now that VIN's are being awarded, and disregarding for the moment the ADM issue, is this the car we want? Since the first noise about the concept we have seen and heard a lot about the GT500. A lot of suggestions around the promises of H.T.T.(who has been conspicuous by his absence), a lot of angst around the hood, a lot of confusion around Mr. Shelby and his relationship to us, a lot of hurt around SVT,the car 440lbs heavier than the base car, oh and that whole nasty $75/brrl oil thing. So what do you folks think? I'm gonna bump around and track down some early press stuff for comparison. early edmonds early Ford news

 

 

Those are two very good questions. Time to reflect.

1st : Are we happy?

One thing that has reared it's ugly head is how many of the dealers have reacted to their opportunity to take advantage of their position of being the only way for us to aquire one of these cars. Some were up front from the beginning and stated their position on ADM's, while others made promises and took deposits they later went back on thus showing their true colors and lack of respect for their customers.

Either way I believe all of this has def had a negative effect on many of Fords most loyal customers.Time will tell as to what affect all this will have on both the dealers and Ford.

 

2nd : As far as the changes made to the car itself

The "Hood" changes were made for very important performance reasons. IE; extract air for both cooling and aerodynamic considerations. I can accept this change because it is for the greater good.

 

The weight issue was somewhat of a suprise. But without some costly design changes I don't think they could have lowered it 400lbs without affecting both the time of production and base price.

Maybe in time there will be ways of lightening this car thru the aftermarket.

Could it be better? Yes, there's always room for improvement and I'm sure many who own one will probably be making some "upgrades" but that too has also been an integral part of being a Mustang enthuiast and what drives the aftermarket.

 

The fact that so many of us still can't wait to get this car says volumes about how we feel about it ,in spite of all the dificultys we've faced to get our orders in.

 

Over all I think this is still going to be the most awsome Mustang ever built and it will live up to the expectations that the concept version gave us when we 1st saw it in Feb 05 in NY.

5.4 Supercharged 6 speed Shelby inspired GT500. I for one can't wait to get this car ,thats why I read these boards daily ,I don't want to miss out on anything associated with this car.

[oldimp]

I believe this is the car I have been waiting for all my life. I personally like the hood change and the smaller Shelby lettering on the rear. I don't like the dealer mark-ups, but I understand why they would want to mark them up! My dealer added $5k on mine, but before that, they were going to auction them off! I didn't think I would have a chance to get one in an auction. I had been checking all over the internet and $5k was a lot lower than most offerings. And, unless the MSRP is a lot higher than I think it will be, the car will still be within my price range.

 

My order is in, I have been given the VIN and I spend much of my free time reading all of your posts to pick up any tidbit of information about the car that I don't already have! This forum and two others! I have to say that this is the best one by far (my opinion). There are nice people here.

 

The weight doesn't concern me, the horsepower is plenty (but more is appreciated!) and I don't really care what it will out run or what will out run it. This car is going to be the answer to a dream that I thought could never come true!

 

If I can just get this car into this yard, I believe that I'll be able to sleep soundly once again!

[Fastbackman]

Through all the changes, I still love the car and hope my deal works out!

[gt5001]

I'm still on the fence. I'm fairly sure my connection with my dealer (50+years of selling Fords to my family) would result in a GT500 for me. Maybe, however, not until 2008. My biggest hang up is having so much money tied up on a NEW car that I know I wouldn't drive very much. So, if I have an garage queen, would I be better off to have an old muscle car that has already appreciated in value? At 59, I don't really have time to see if it appreciates like the 65 GT350, which has always been my dream car.

The GT500 is a great car. But, maybe not the best car for me. I'll just wait & see where my emotions take me...

[Alloy Dave]

I still think the car will be great...but here are some specific observations:

 

Things I think would make it much better:

1) The mirrors should be body-colored on a high-line car like this, looks cheap with black plastic

2) The weight is too high. Horsepower is high enough to carry it, but the handling will suffer. In addition, have to wonder if the gas guzzler tax could have been avoided.

3) Too much badging in too many different places. It's got SVT logos, Shelby lettering, and pictures of Cobras....way too much. SVT on wheel centers, cobra stitching in seats, cobra logos on steering wheel hub, faux gas cap, front grille, GT500 stripes, SVT on gauges, etc. I like the badging....but they should tone it down and commonize to a single logo of some type...probably "GT500".

4) There should be an option for charcoal/blue leather interior to go with the white/blue exterior that will likely be the most popular color. I would have ordered white/blue, but wanted a two-tone interior...so I switched to Tungsten/satin with charcoal/crimson.

5) The wheels/tires should be same size so they can be rotated. I know they had to make the rears bigger to get the power down...could they not have made the fronts larger too? Perhaps they ran into interference problems with front fenders or suspension...so I'm not too upset about this one.

6) I'm ok with no spare tire, but PLEASE tell us the real reason instead of the marketing garbage that says they did it "to make the car perform better due to reduced weight". I wish someone would just tell the truth once in awhile on such things.

7) User selectable exhaust note would have been excellent...they have the technology.

8) They should have partnered with one of the high-performance driving schools and included a 25% discount on a driving course with the vehicle purchase.

9) I'm a bit surprised about the limitations of mixing stripe colors with body colors. Why can't I get the Tungsten with black stripes?

10) 6.5 quarts of synthetic...ouch. I do my own oil changes, but that's gonna be $60 worth of PARTS for an oil change.

11) Would like a slightly higher "hump" in the hood....I love the bulging hoods and think they were a bit conservative with this one.

12) A bit more "flash" in the engine would be nice...the valve covers are a bit drab IMHO. Maybe a polished or satin supercharger rather than the cast look? I know it adds money.....but heck, take off the Shelby letters on the trunk lid and give me the polished valve covers instead.

13) Sure hope the hood has a hydraulic prop rod rather than the "stick from the backyard" that many of today's cars have.

 

 

Things I really think I'll like:

1) The leather seat inserts are "tucked"....so air can flow around your body. This is a major factor, as too many "flat" leather seats make you sweat like crazy.

2) Wheel locks and security system are standard...excellent on a car that people definitely will want to steal.

3) Trunk is big enough for golf clubs....nice.

4) Six speed only....wonderful. No slushboxes in hi-perf cars. I like to row my own.

5) Offering unique "GT500 only" colors was a great idea....too bad I didn't like any of them.

6) Solid rear axle. Independent rear is overrated. The Ford rear-end is strong and easily customized in terms of gear ratios and spring changes.

7) They put lots of money in the engine rather than technology, and I love that. No navigation systems, no selectable shock valving, no paddle shifters, etc. Yes, there is some technology in terms of anti-lock brakes, traction control, etc....but it's tailored to performance, as it should be.

8) Big brakes

9) Power, and plenty of it.

 

As I said, I think it will be an awesome vehicle....but things can always be improved on. Ford, if you're watching....feel free to contact me for more "consumer input".

 

Terry

[owenkelley]

I beilieve I will be incredibly happy with this car. I was considering an '03 Cobra, which is a great car, but when I heard there was a "retro" body style change coming I decided to hold off. I was hoping maybe the HP would be bumped up over the 400 mark. Then I heard Shelby was joining up with Ford again & that there may be another Shelby Mustang. In the back of my mind I was hoping for a "Shelby Cobra" as an option on the Cobra line, but was afraid it would be too expensive. Then when they announced that it would be called GT500 and be the an '07 I was hooked, and the HP ended up being considerably more than I ever imagined they'd come out with. Yes, I can see myself being very happy with this car, but I too wish we had some other color choices.

[Guest markham51]

My first "seat of the pants" test will tell the story. I have a number of great performers and all it takes is a few seconds behind the wheel to know whether or not it will put a smile on my face. If this thing doesn't run like hell, I'll be majorly disappointed!

[DVS2XS]

I am very excited about this car with its modern performance, amenities, and retro styling/name connection. The weight is about the same as the '70 Torino GT 429 SCJ, and is a bit surprising, but the added comforts and safety features have to add up somewhere. And the weight of blower/intercooled is to be expected.

 

The SVT/Cobra/Shelby markings are a bit overdone.

 

The stripes being stickers and not paint is a bit of a let down.

 

The larger (than Lightning) blower is a nice addition, as is the HP/TQ available.

 

The suspension looks to be well thought out, and I am very happy with the choice of a live rear axel in place of IRS which would be useless with the torque.

 

I am surprised that the new Shelby 10-spoke wheels are not an option - more dealers should offer it if Ford won't.

 

The ride height is a bit high...but that is easily remidied.

 

I applaude Ford for bringing this vehicle to market at this time.

 

If Ford is not going to control ADM in one form or another, what is the benefit of targeting this price range?

 

The aftermarket is already lining up parts for those wanting to modify this great car for even greater performance - even FPP is heavily into the act.

[JETSOLVER]

 

8) They should have partnered with one of the high-performance driving schools and included a 25% discount on a driving course with the vehicle purchase.

 

7) They put lots of money in the engine rather than technology, and I love that. No navigation systems, no selectable shock valving, no paddle shifters, etc. Yes, there is some technology in terms of anti-lock brakes, traction control, etc....but it's tailored to performance, as it should be.

 

Terry

 

Good stuff. Not sure what you have owned in the past but the original SVT program included a membership to the SVTownersAssociation wherebye they did offer track days and professional driving instruction. TBD if they will continue. As to the mechanical, absolutly; the best comparison I have is a Cadillac CTS-V I drove VERY hard last fall. Great car(Best non-Vette GM has EVER done) but very digital, sort of video gamish. The COBRA's have all been very analog, very involving. More raw, but still suprising in the level they got that old FOX chassis to. I know that the new S-197 is a much better starting point and have pretty high expectations. If this is to be the "old" SVT's swansong, the car has a high bar to jump.