I am currently a 06 GTO owner (great car), my other car is a Backdraft Shelby Cobra (302 stroked to 347). A few years back I had a supercharged Mustang (95 GT). I am thinking of trading in the GTO for an 11 GT as it appears to be an amazing car. I am a bit concerned about the engine being a totally new design and a tranny built in China - all introduced in the same year. Should I let the issues settle out and buy one in a year (12) - or am I missing something?

 

Just depends on your "gotta have it now" factor. It'll be cheaper the longer you wait and presumably more reliable. I tend to think there won't be major issues with this engine and tranny though....

 

Howd! I had an 06 GTO as well, for a while. I thought it was a good car as well, but I prefer the feel of the current generation of Mustang over the somewhat heavy GTO platform.

I wouldn't worry too much about quality concerns for the 2011s. You can guarantee that Ford has done thousands of hours of durability testing on the components put together, and more will be done when production vehicles begin to roll off the assembly line. Sure there may be some TSBs, etc, but that is normal for every car, even the 05 Mustang and 2010 Camaro. I'll be getting a 2011 for sure!

 

I'd wait 1 model year. It took Ford 3.5 model years to make a reliable spark plug design on the S197. I put zero faith in Ford's " testing " and quality " control ". A customer recently received his GT500 without the Shelby lettering on the back of the car. If no one noticed THAT imagine what else they didn't notice. I personally am on my 3rd right rear axle. 1st two were out .020 which is TWICE the max. It took Ford 2 years to make a clutch work reliably in the GT500.

 

I wouldn't let first or so model years stop me. Nothings perfect.

If there is a potential problem, as a consumer you could get any number of problems throughout the model run regardless of year. First, middle...last.... (for example as a part is changed over mid model run)

Get it, drive it, enjoy it.

 

This.

 

Man of few words. But exactly what he said. You live once right !

 

When you're a company as large as Ford and source your components from a multitude of suppliers, who procure their components and materials from sub-suppliers, the potential for quality issues is always there (it's a very large-scale hierarchy). The push towards leaner and leaner manufacturing doesn't help, either. Undoubtedly, Ford is working vigorously to ensure their new engines and drivetrains will work as intended upon their respective releases, but there is always that potential for problems. As a general rule of thumb -- and advice I am heeding myself -- it would probably be wise to wait until at least MY 2011 Job 2, or MY 2012.

It's no excuse, but Ford isn't the only company that faces quality issues. Virtually every company has their problems; one can only hope that [insert auto company] can learn from their mistakes and implement measures to ensure those problems don't persists.

 

If you want it get it ! I bought an 05 and had no major concerns. All minor issues were taken care of without delay. MY 2010 has had two oil changes and not a single problem.I believe the first year of a new model is a good deal because you get a lot of options that will cost you more in the next model year. PRICES GO UP AND SELDOM GO DOWN WHEN BUYING NEW!

 

In addition to increasing car prices, I estimate we only have about 10 years left of affordable gasoline (maybe less if China goes gasoline crazy). Unless we are lucky enough that the industry moves ahead expediently with alternate fuel sources, leaving less demand for gas and keeping it at a reasonable price for the gear heads who just can't give up explosion-based propulsion. At any rate, might be a good idea to own a bike as backup for the years ahead.

 

I think karrnutt makes a good point. In 96", I bought a laser red Cobra brand new. The very next year, my brother bought a 97' in which he paid roughly a $1000 more. We parked the cars side by side, and the 97' had less content than the 96' even though it supposed to be the same othe rthan a model year change. My car had these little extras like a light under the hood, extra sound deadening, where his came without these and cost more.