Bought a used GT500 & Need Advice
Team Mustang Source
Joined: January 30, 2004
Posts: 2,478
Likes: 1
From: Indiana
Considering you can get a brand new Shelby for not much more, or a used and well taken care of Shelby for the same price, i'm going to say it's a bad deal. Also the fact that there wasn't full disclosure makes it automatically bad news, so not sure where the "but he's a good guy" comes into play here. Get your money back, give him back his jacked up car. Too many deals out there nowadays to put up with this krap.
We don't know how this is going to work out. If he makes good on the car, he is still a good guy. If he doesn't, he isn't. You might want to give this a chance to work itself out before you convict the guy. For that matter, none of us (aside from ppony) know what he disclosed or not. Sounds like ppony was mesmerized by the prospect of getting a GT500 and didn't really care what he said or how the car ran.
ppony, good luck. I hope this all works out for you and you end up with the car of your dreams.
Bullitt Member
Joined: October 12, 2004
Posts: 298
Likes: 0
Here's the latest.
The Service Manager has requested that the Ford Field Rep come to take a look at it to decide what will be covered under warranty. He said that it appears to hime that someone had done some work on the differential and according to Ford records, it wasn't a Ford dealer. Considering that is has a performance driveshaft with protective shield and lots of rubber residue in the rear wheel wells, he feels the car has seen a lot of drag racing. Clutch and trans were previously replaced under warranty.
Seller states that to his knowledge, no one has ever done any work on the differential, and his drag racing at the strip was done a year or more ago before the trans was replaced. He did tell me today that if the repairs are not covered under warranty, we'll work something out. Whereas the service manager has estimated that the clutch could run $5k and the diff ~$2k, we could get the repairs done elsewhere for a lot less. To that end, I'll be looking for advice on clutch parts (Centerforce, etc.) and diff parts. I work near Paul's High Performance and may give him a call for repairs not covered under warranty.
As far as this deal is concerned, I haven't come across any Shelby GT500's going for $35k or less (low miles or not), and new ones are still listed for well over $42k. I plan on driving this Shelby (once it's fixed), not keeping it as a garage queen or museum piece. To that end, I didn't want to buy a Shelby I may be afraid to drive for fear of it losing it's value. This deal is not as good as I had thought, but if everything is repaired to my satisfaction, it's still an ok deal.
The Service Manager has requested that the Ford Field Rep come to take a look at it to decide what will be covered under warranty. He said that it appears to hime that someone had done some work on the differential and according to Ford records, it wasn't a Ford dealer. Considering that is has a performance driveshaft with protective shield and lots of rubber residue in the rear wheel wells, he feels the car has seen a lot of drag racing. Clutch and trans were previously replaced under warranty.
Seller states that to his knowledge, no one has ever done any work on the differential, and his drag racing at the strip was done a year or more ago before the trans was replaced. He did tell me today that if the repairs are not covered under warranty, we'll work something out. Whereas the service manager has estimated that the clutch could run $5k and the diff ~$2k, we could get the repairs done elsewhere for a lot less. To that end, I'll be looking for advice on clutch parts (Centerforce, etc.) and diff parts. I work near Paul's High Performance and may give him a call for repairs not covered under warranty.
As far as this deal is concerned, I haven't come across any Shelby GT500's going for $35k or less (low miles or not), and new ones are still listed for well over $42k. I plan on driving this Shelby (once it's fixed), not keeping it as a garage queen or museum piece. To that end, I didn't want to buy a Shelby I may be afraid to drive for fear of it losing it's value. This deal is not as good as I had thought, but if everything is repaired to my satisfaction, it's still an ok deal.
http://www.teamshelby.com/forums/ind...9&#entry548459
Selling Nitrous
http://www.teamshelby.com/forums/ind...0&#entry570610
Long Tube headers
http://www.teamshelby.com/forums/ind...1&#entry570611
Thread Starter
V6 Member
Joined: January 22, 2006
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: Lansing, MI
Crazyhorse - You're right in that if the seller comes through with paying for repairs not covered by warranty, then he's basically an ok guy even though he tried to pull one over on me.
I wouldn't say that I didn't listen or didn't care about the problems with the car or how it was treated, but I would say my judgement was somewhat clouded by my dream of owning a Shelby.
Rarecat - Thanks for the info and the links. If the Shelbys didn't come with 3.73's, then I assume they had 3.55's from the factory and he did lie to me. If he covers the costs of repairs, I'll forgive his lie. Looks like I'd better take whatever he tells me with a grain of salt.
I just contacted the guys at Paul's High Performance. If the repairs are not covered under warranty, I'm going to take it to them. I have every confidence that the work they do will be right and the price will be reasonable.
The saga continues and I will keep you informed.
I wouldn't say that I didn't listen or didn't care about the problems with the car or how it was treated, but I would say my judgement was somewhat clouded by my dream of owning a Shelby.
Rarecat - Thanks for the info and the links. If the Shelbys didn't come with 3.73's, then I assume they had 3.55's from the factory and he did lie to me. If he covers the costs of repairs, I'll forgive his lie. Looks like I'd better take whatever he tells me with a grain of salt.
I just contacted the guys at Paul's High Performance. If the repairs are not covered under warranty, I'm going to take it to them. I have every confidence that the work they do will be right and the price will be reasonable.
The saga continues and I will keep you informed.
Bullitt Member
Joined: February 3, 2005
Posts: 377
Likes: 1
From: Plainfield, IL
Bullitt Member
Joined: October 12, 2004
Posts: 298
Likes: 0
Crazyhorse - You're right in that if the seller comes through with paying for repairs not covered by warranty, then he's basically an ok guy even though he tried to pull one over on me.
I wouldn't say that I didn't listen or didn't care about the problems with the car or how it was treated, but I would say my judgement was somewhat clouded by my dream of owning a Shelby.
Rarecat - Thanks for the info and the links. If the Shelbys didn't come with 3.73's, then I assume they had 3.55's from the factory and he did lie to me. If he covers the costs of repairs, I'll forgive his lie. Looks like I'd better take whatever he tells me with a grain of salt.
I just contacted the guys at Paul's High Performance. If the repairs are not covered under warranty, I'm going to take it to them. I have every confidence that the work they do will be right and the price will be reasonable.
The saga continues and I will keep you informed.
I wouldn't say that I didn't listen or didn't care about the problems with the car or how it was treated, but I would say my judgement was somewhat clouded by my dream of owning a Shelby.
Rarecat - Thanks for the info and the links. If the Shelbys didn't come with 3.73's, then I assume they had 3.55's from the factory and he did lie to me. If he covers the costs of repairs, I'll forgive his lie. Looks like I'd better take whatever he tells me with a grain of salt.
I just contacted the guys at Paul's High Performance. If the repairs are not covered under warranty, I'm going to take it to them. I have every confidence that the work they do will be right and the price will be reasonable.
The saga continues and I will keep you informed.
The GT-500 comes with 3.31 gears stock, so they have been changed...
Thread Starter
V6 Member
Joined: January 22, 2006
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: Lansing, MI
Update - The service manager called this afternoon and told me that the Ford Factory Zone Rep had looked at the car and he'd also check with the Ford Factory Hotline - bottom line they feel that car has been too modified and raced/abused too much to warranty the clutch &/or differential. He said that the clutch could cost as much as $5,800 if it needs a flywheel and the differential could be $1,500 - $2k depending on what it needs.
Paul's High Performance can do the clutch for less using OEM parts and they told me that no aftermarket clutch is as good as the 2-disc Ford OEM clutch. A Centerforce clutch on one of these Shelbys would be a downgrade. They also said that the bracing used on the differentials on the GT500 tends to transmit more noise into the body, therefore the diff noise I heard may be normal. Hard to say until they check it out.
I've emailed and voice-mailed the seller to bring him up to date and the potential additional costs to him. I hope an pray for a equitable out come in all of this.
Paul's High Performance can do the clutch for less using OEM parts and they told me that no aftermarket clutch is as good as the 2-disc Ford OEM clutch. A Centerforce clutch on one of these Shelbys would be a downgrade. They also said that the bracing used on the differentials on the GT500 tends to transmit more noise into the body, therefore the diff noise I heard may be normal. Hard to say until they check it out.
I've emailed and voice-mailed the seller to bring him up to date and the potential additional costs to him. I hope an pray for a equitable out come in all of this.
Mach 1 Member
Joined: October 14, 2006
Posts: 716
Likes: 0
From: Tucson, Arizona
I have no input on the issues here but I can bring forth some history on Dgussin (Dave).
SVTPerformance was my Ford website of choice years ago when I owned my '03 Cobra. When the GT500 forum was opened back in 2006, he used to post on it as one of the first owners. In fact, he's one of only a handful of early '07 owners that purchased his car at MSRP, making an agreement with a southern California dealership in the early stages of "putting a down payment to hold an allotment". When the dealership informed all potential buyers on this list that they would be marking up the cars over $10k (I think it was closer to $20k), Dave and two or three others got together and threatened a lawsuit. The dealership backed down and sold only these units for MSRP.
I recall seeing numerous street racing videos in the months thereafter. He then moved to Chicago and took the car with him. He's now moving back to LA and for reasons unknown to me, he had to sell his car prior to the move.
Ya might want to search SVTPerformance for his username, "Dgussin1". It might pull up a lot more early history.
SVTPerformance was my Ford website of choice years ago when I owned my '03 Cobra. When the GT500 forum was opened back in 2006, he used to post on it as one of the first owners. In fact, he's one of only a handful of early '07 owners that purchased his car at MSRP, making an agreement with a southern California dealership in the early stages of "putting a down payment to hold an allotment". When the dealership informed all potential buyers on this list that they would be marking up the cars over $10k (I think it was closer to $20k), Dave and two or three others got together and threatened a lawsuit. The dealership backed down and sold only these units for MSRP.
I recall seeing numerous street racing videos in the months thereafter. He then moved to Chicago and took the car with him. He's now moving back to LA and for reasons unknown to me, he had to sell his car prior to the move.
Ya might want to search SVTPerformance for his username, "Dgussin1". It might pull up a lot more early history.
Last edited by Willie; Nov 20, 2008 at 04:14 PM.
AKA 1 BULLITT------------ Legacy TMS Member
Joined: January 29, 2004
Posts: 7,738
Likes: 361
From: U S A
p-pony: As you have noticed, there are quite a few members here who are aware of the car's history. If the car was misreprented to you and/or vital information was withheld from you for the purpose of completing the transaction, it borders on fraud unless you purchased on "as is" condition and signed a waiver. It might be wise at this time to be realistic about the entire matter and consider the advice of an attorney who can provide legal remedies in case the seller negates on providing a satisfactory and fair solution.
p-pony: As you have noticed, there are quite a few members here who are aware of the car's history. If the car was misreprented to you and/or vital information was withheld from you for the purpose of completing the transaction, it borders on fraud unless you purchased on "as is" condition and signed a waiver. It might be wise at this time to be realistic about the entire matter and consider the advice of an attorney who can provide legal remedies in case the seller negates on providing a satisfactory and fair solution.
Team Mustang Source
Joined: August 12, 2005
Posts: 2,126
Likes: 1
From: CT
No carfax could give this! I wouldn't know what to think. But congrats anyway it is an awsome looking car.
http://www.pilence.com/watch/55e9WV4...ll-modded.html
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q...Search&aq=f&oq=
http://www.pilence.com/watch/55e9WV4...ll-modded.html
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q...Search&aq=f&oq=
I don't do trannies
or rear-ends anymore!
or rear-ends anymore!
Joined: September 23, 2008
Posts: 995
Likes: 0
From: Memphis
Any up dates PP? I'm going to be honest even though it's been ragged on, I think it's pretty cool so many people know the car. And if it's reasonable enough to take care of the problems you'll have a blast with it. Like you said, i'm going to drive it, stuffs going to happen anyways!
Hope everything is working out for the best!
Hope everything is working out for the best!
Team Mustang Source
Joined: September 27, 2004
Posts: 964
Likes: 6
Gotta weigh the pros and cons against how much you paid in addition to how much it's gonna cost to fix(should he refuse to pay for the damages he tried to cover up, lied, didn't disclose, etc... ) and what's the bottom line. You may be better off going with some other GT500, seeing as how this car has been used and abused, and mind you it's now noted thoroughly with that Ford Factory Zone Rep who will surely pass along the info to Ford so that any future warranty issues might not be covered either!
When something is too good to be true, it usually is. Sorry bro, get your money back!
When something is too good to be true, it usually is. Sorry bro, get your money back!
Thread Starter
V6 Member
Joined: January 22, 2006
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: Lansing, MI
Thanks for all the input, advice and sympathy. I'm waiting to hear from David on where to take the car next. He feels he can get another dealer in Michigan to do the warranty the repairs, I have my doubts. As far as pursuing this legally, I would have a strong case to do so. But logistically it may be difficult to resolve being that he's in LA and I'm in Michigan. I'm giving him every opportunity to make good on this deal and I hope and pray that he has the integrety to come through.
In hindsight, I wish I would have walked away from the deal, or had come prepared to hold back $10k or more until the car is made right. But hey, that's hindsight and I hope that the rest of you learn a lesson from what may turn out to be my mistake. I know I won't make it again.
In talking with Paul's High Performance and I am confident that they can and will fix this car up right for me (if warranty falls through), and do it at a reasonable price. PHP has done right by me in my previous deals/mods, and they are ready to do the same with this.
I'll let you all know how this turns out.
Thanks again
In hindsight, I wish I would have walked away from the deal, or had come prepared to hold back $10k or more until the car is made right. But hey, that's hindsight and I hope that the rest of you learn a lesson from what may turn out to be my mistake. I know I won't make it again.
In talking with Paul's High Performance and I am confident that they can and will fix this car up right for me (if warranty falls through), and do it at a reasonable price. PHP has done right by me in my previous deals/mods, and they are ready to do the same with this.
I'll let you all know how this turns out.
Thanks again
