Impressions after a Week with My Canadian Grabber Blue 2011 GT
 

After ordering my 2011 back in February, the waiting game had begun. I had put in the sales aggreement with my dealer that if my 2011 wasn't in by May 15th, I had the right to cancel the contract. I had to sell my 2005 and in Canada, selling a Mustang in June is too late ... you wouldn't get a good price for it ! My dealer could'nt submit my order to Ford until early March since they hadn't any allocation left. In early April, my dealer gives me an ETA ... April 26th ! :fear:"Woa, that's in 3 weeks ! I got to sell my 2005 before !" I put my 2005 on the net and it was sold in 3 days ! I was relieved but as soon as contacted my dealer to tell him ... the ETA was now May 8th ! It then went from May 20th to May 16th and finally got it on May 13th !!! :hail:

BTW, I had X-Plan but I paid $2K more than I expected. Ford Canada had a $2K off promotion for March ... I thought I would get it since the order was sent to Ford in March but NO ... since it was put in the system in February, the promotion didn't apply ... Bastards !:shame: Any rep out there have a second opinion on this ? The dealer didn't want to compensate me and Ford Canada didn't want to budge !

Ok, enough with the story, I present to you my Smurf-Mobile;):


http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...1010-07-13.jpg
http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...1010-07-37.jpg
http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...1010-07-59.jpg

I'm not going to post too many pictures as it is stock and you have seen so many 2011 pictures already !

Impressions:

Wow ! the extra 112HP (I had a 2005 GT) is quite impressive. On the other hand, I thought it would have a little more low-end torque than that. The 6 speed gating is pretty short especially horizontally (between 1 and 3 and 5 or 2 and 4 and 6). The reverse takes a little used to. Does it need a short throw shifter ... probably but at first impressions it is pretty good ... then again I thought the 2005 didn't need one but after not beeing able to downshift from 3 to 2 on a track, my MGW short throw was well worth the investment !!

Braking power is really good (I do not have the Brembos ... another long story but essentially I initially placed my order without them and then changed the order just after the VIN was created, the Ford system took the change but the Ford plant refused to change it). Will the brakes fade on a track ? I have my first track event in 3 weeks ... I'll soon find out. BTW, I put racing pads and fluid when I track the car. On a side note, the calipers and pads on the 2011 are the same as the 2005-2010 GTs apart from bigger rotors (12.4" to 13.2"); the only difference is the caliper bracket that is bigger in order to position the caliper 0.4" further.

The exhaust is too quiet. It really feel and sound like an e92 M3. This thing needs some axlebacks. I will be putting my Corsas that were on my 2005 soon ... ya I know the flange is different on the 2011 but I'm sure there is a way on fitting them

Since I never drove a 2010 before ordering my 2011, I had only read about Sync and the upgraded interiors on 2010 Mustangs ... wow so much better than my 05 was ! Still not perfect but the materials are so much better (even the leather). I still think the seats could be better ... not enough contouring especially for the legs ... then again I'm used to having a one piece Sparco race seat in my Mustangs !
http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...IM000942-1.jpg

The suspension ... humm ... too soft; I guess I do not remember how my 2005 GT was when it was stock but the 2011, although probably much better (from what I read), has still too much roll and nose dive. I will keep the suspension stock until next summer or until some aftermarket comes out with some kits made especially for the 2011 GT.

This wasn't a journalist review (or car expert) but I'm really impressed with my 2011 (looks, quality and performance) and can't wait to try it on a track where the REAL comparison will be (at least for me) :metal:Bring on those E92 M3s !!!


BTW, I will post some vids of my track events this summer ... stay tuned !:devil:

i'd never heard of Calabogie before...looks like a sweet track for a drive...

In the boonies north of Ottawa ... very technical with a lot of blind apexes and a little hard on the brakes !

Congratulations on receiving your Mustang! Looks AWESOME! :nice:
(identical to what I have on order)

Great writeup. Please share your views on the brakes.

Congrats Martin !!
Looks pretty nice !

Thanks ... got yours ? Latest ETA ?

So, it looks like everyone including myself thinks the new GT's are too quiet.

I think because this car is supposed to be a sophisticated muscle car so the exhaust it toned down. Aftermarket will take care of everybody but a 50yr old might want the toned down stock over ear piercing, drone filled mufflers.

Congrats on your new car! :metal:

Thanks for the pics! :)

The car's interior is quiet in itself, which doesn't help it.

I found even on the 2010s... they were way quieter due to cabin noise being so quiet, compared to the 05-09.

At first I liked all the clangs/bangs that the 05 had.
Sounded like a V8 machine that you were commanding, but the 10+ is just such a nicer interior ride/feel.

I think even with the same set of mufflers, the sound inside the car will be quieter on the 2010+ than the 2009-

I have Borla stingers and catted x pipe on my 2010, it's fairly quiet inside, but outside it's a whole different story. The interior sound deadening is excellent.

Its always that way. Having a loud exhaust would turn off allot of potential customers. Older folks and most women like it quiet in the cabin. Ford knows the ones who like loud exhaust will go with aftermarket in my opinion.

Thanks for confirming my thought.
Mine is loud on the inside and drones.

Do you find you have drone in with them?

I was expecting more low end torque as well, just didn't want to be the first to say it...

I am hoping that it's just a tune away, i do get the feeling there is some throttle control going on with these cars and if there is i wouldn't doubt if there was some torque mgmt going on as well.

3.73's would pretty much fix that lack of low end torque feeling.

If that is my only option that i will just have to live with it or go with other mods to help with low end torque.

I already think the gears are too short.

Power Adder.

To the OP: i wouldn't worry about not getting the brembo's if you are really looking to track the car even the brembo pkg would probably fasde because they are fronts only.

I would just look into getting an aftermarket package