My experience with Bullitt #1911
2/27/08, 06:09 PM
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My experience with Bullitt #1911
My girlfriend and I finally arrive at the dealership around 5:10 pm and I’m so filled with anticipation that I could explode… but I kept it cool. Or, at least I thought I was keeping it cool, but Liz told me that she could definitely tell that I was dying to see the culmination of my 3.25 month wait; my 2008 Mustang Bullitt. We hop out of the little Chevy Cobalt at Inskeep Ford in Greenfield, IN. It was cloudy and cold, but the roads were dry, which meant a nice trip home in the Bullitt. So, my anticipation grew stronger, but for the life of me I could not see where they put it. It wasn’t near the front of the store underneath the pickup overhang and I could tell it wasn’t in the showroom. Where was it? We ventured inside and the general manager noticed me right away and called my salesguy to the floor.
<o
> </o>
Mr. Pike came out and I could tell that he was as excited as I was. Just after a quick handshake, he asked, “So, have you seen it yet?” Wondering where the heck it was at, I replied “No, but I’m dying to see it.” He lead me out the back door to their OTHER bay (they have two bays, hence why I couldn’t find it). As soon as I stepped out that door and laid eyes on it for the first time… I was like…. “that’s all it is?”…. HAHA. I’m lying. I was left speechless. There was just something about it. I instantly knew that only God could make me part with this car. It just screamed “Korey.” No bling, no gaudiness, nothing. The clean lines, dark green paint, wheels and satin metals on it just got me. All I could say was “Wow, I don’t even know what to say” (real deep, eh?). Mr. Pike was telling me all about its arrival and just how impressed he was with the car.
<o> </o>
I opened the door and sat inside. The interior is fantastic and extremely comfortable. Those GT500 seats really just kind of cradle you and hold you to where you need to be. I then grabbed the shifter and found it to be ICE COLD! But, it shifts like a dream compared to earlier stock shifters. With the slightest push, it goes directly where you want it to go with no slop at all. Ford’s efforts here have paid off. I also instantly noticed how cool the dash looked. The dash appliqué is not bright by any means and looks like it fits in with the satin trim around the gauges, a/c vents, and shifter. Those little touches, including the GT500 pedals really just bring the interior together. But, the number one best thing is the steering wheel from the GT500. It looks high quality and feels soooo good. I think the thickness of it just feels like you’re in control of the vehicle. NOTHING feels cheap in this interior.
Once I gave the car a good once around, we went inside and did the official paperwork. I paid for it and said “Time to test drive it!” Mr. Pike asked if he could come with us just because he had yet to experience the feel of it at full throttle. I told him “Sure!” and we hopped in. With a quick turn of the key, it fired right up! The exhaust… how do I describe the sound of that exhaust… it sounds mean as heck! A quiet rumble at idle, but with a goose of the throttle, it’s loud! We let it warm up a sec and then took off on a quick test drive out in the country. The first thing I noticed was the lack of NVH (noise vibration harshness). There are no rattles, squeaks, etc. This Bullitt feels solid as a rock. The window tinting really adds a lot to the Bullitt. It just kind of makes you feel like you’re in a private and cozy driving space of your own.
<o> </o>
After the engine warmed up, it was time to really open it up. We got on a straight away and I dumped the clutch… the rearend squatted down and away it went. You can just feel how smooth and even the torque curve is throughout the whole RPM range. There is not a dull spot in the powerband, unlike in the regular GT. The trip to 5,000 rpms was smooth as silk, but you could feel the slight drop in the 2,200-2,400 rpm area that the designer talked about. But, it was so quick, it didn’t take away from the experience. Oh man, the exhaust sounds so good under full throttle. I couldn’t drop the windows because the tint needed a few days to fully adhere before I could move the windows. But, from inside the car, the engine and exhaust together make this symphony of sounds that is hard to describe. At cruising speeds, the cabin is quiet and the exhaust has a perfect volume and tone to it.
<o> </o>
I then came out of the country roads and whipped it onto US40 heading back to the dealer. The suspension is a perfect mix of handling without jarring you around. This mustang absorbs bumps so much better than my old 2007 GT. As I said, you can definitely tell that Ford took more time in eliminating NVH with this car. There is not ONE rattle, squeak, etc. in any driving condition. It feels like you’re driving a car so much more expensive than the Bullitt. Even over mid-corner bumps, the Bullitt stays planted with very minimal body roll. The balance is amazing and as I whipped it onto US40, I never once felt like the car was getting away from me or needed “manhandled.”
I let Mr. Pike out at the dealer with everyone just staring at the car and I took a few minutes to talk to some Bullitt fans and thanked Mr. Pike for the great buying experience. Inskeep Ford was just as anxious to see the car as I was and it showed. I waved bye and followed Liz out of the dealer and as a goodbye present, I goosed the throttle hard and left at WOT.
I was able to further test the car on the highway and in the city as I traveled back to Anderson. The Bullitt does not disappoint at all. You could see a million pictures of it and still be at awe when you really see it in person. Ford really did hit the nail on the head. It is an all-around performer with substantial improvements over the standard GT. This is car with plenty of power on hand that can also handle and stop very well. There seems to be improved stopping power with the new pads, but I still may upgrade the calipers later. Other than that, I honestly do not know one thing I’d change on this car. I was considering modifying it slightly, but it doesn’t need it. The weakpoints on earlier GTs were fixed with the Bullitt and I’d be content holding onto it until the day I die. I finally have a car that leaves me feeling satisfied with my driving experience. I think it’s a car that Dad would be proud to drive. If you’re on the fence about buying a Bullitt, just test drive it. You’ll know what I mean when you come out of a turn hard and slam the throttle…
<o
> </o>Mr. Pike came out and I could tell that he was as excited as I was. Just after a quick handshake, he asked, “So, have you seen it yet?” Wondering where the heck it was at, I replied “No, but I’m dying to see it.” He lead me out the back door to their OTHER bay (they have two bays, hence why I couldn’t find it). As soon as I stepped out that door and laid eyes on it for the first time… I was like…. “that’s all it is?”…. HAHA. I’m lying. I was left speechless. There was just something about it. I instantly knew that only God could make me part with this car. It just screamed “Korey.” No bling, no gaudiness, nothing. The clean lines, dark green paint, wheels and satin metals on it just got me. All I could say was “Wow, I don’t even know what to say” (real deep, eh?). Mr. Pike was telling me all about its arrival and just how impressed he was with the car.
<o
> </o>I opened the door and sat inside. The interior is fantastic and extremely comfortable. Those GT500 seats really just kind of cradle you and hold you to where you need to be. I then grabbed the shifter and found it to be ICE COLD! But, it shifts like a dream compared to earlier stock shifters. With the slightest push, it goes directly where you want it to go with no slop at all. Ford’s efforts here have paid off. I also instantly noticed how cool the dash looked. The dash appliqué is not bright by any means and looks like it fits in with the satin trim around the gauges, a/c vents, and shifter. Those little touches, including the GT500 pedals really just bring the interior together. But, the number one best thing is the steering wheel from the GT500. It looks high quality and feels soooo good. I think the thickness of it just feels like you’re in control of the vehicle. NOTHING feels cheap in this interior.
Once I gave the car a good once around, we went inside and did the official paperwork. I paid for it and said “Time to test drive it!” Mr. Pike asked if he could come with us just because he had yet to experience the feel of it at full throttle. I told him “Sure!” and we hopped in. With a quick turn of the key, it fired right up! The exhaust… how do I describe the sound of that exhaust… it sounds mean as heck! A quiet rumble at idle, but with a goose of the throttle, it’s loud! We let it warm up a sec and then took off on a quick test drive out in the country. The first thing I noticed was the lack of NVH (noise vibration harshness). There are no rattles, squeaks, etc. This Bullitt feels solid as a rock. The window tinting really adds a lot to the Bullitt. It just kind of makes you feel like you’re in a private and cozy driving space of your own.
<o
> </o>After the engine warmed up, it was time to really open it up. We got on a straight away and I dumped the clutch… the rearend squatted down and away it went. You can just feel how smooth and even the torque curve is throughout the whole RPM range. There is not a dull spot in the powerband, unlike in the regular GT. The trip to 5,000 rpms was smooth as silk, but you could feel the slight drop in the 2,200-2,400 rpm area that the designer talked about. But, it was so quick, it didn’t take away from the experience. Oh man, the exhaust sounds so good under full throttle. I couldn’t drop the windows because the tint needed a few days to fully adhere before I could move the windows. But, from inside the car, the engine and exhaust together make this symphony of sounds that is hard to describe. At cruising speeds, the cabin is quiet and the exhaust has a perfect volume and tone to it.
<o
> </o>I then came out of the country roads and whipped it onto US40 heading back to the dealer. The suspension is a perfect mix of handling without jarring you around. This mustang absorbs bumps so much better than my old 2007 GT. As I said, you can definitely tell that Ford took more time in eliminating NVH with this car. There is not ONE rattle, squeak, etc. in any driving condition. It feels like you’re driving a car so much more expensive than the Bullitt. Even over mid-corner bumps, the Bullitt stays planted with very minimal body roll. The balance is amazing and as I whipped it onto US40, I never once felt like the car was getting away from me or needed “manhandled.”
I let Mr. Pike out at the dealer with everyone just staring at the car and I took a few minutes to talk to some Bullitt fans and thanked Mr. Pike for the great buying experience. Inskeep Ford was just as anxious to see the car as I was and it showed. I waved bye and followed Liz out of the dealer and as a goodbye present, I goosed the throttle hard and left at WOT.
I was able to further test the car on the highway and in the city as I traveled back to Anderson. The Bullitt does not disappoint at all. You could see a million pictures of it and still be at awe when you really see it in person. Ford really did hit the nail on the head. It is an all-around performer with substantial improvements over the standard GT. This is car with plenty of power on hand that can also handle and stop very well. There seems to be improved stopping power with the new pads, but I still may upgrade the calipers later. Other than that, I honestly do not know one thing I’d change on this car. I was considering modifying it slightly, but it doesn’t need it. The weakpoints on earlier GTs were fixed with the Bullitt and I’d be content holding onto it until the day I die. I finally have a car that leaves me feeling satisfied with my driving experience. I think it’s a car that Dad would be proud to drive. If you’re on the fence about buying a Bullitt, just test drive it. You’ll know what I mean when you come out of a turn hard and slam the throttle…
2/27/08, 06:18 PM
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Congrats! If they made your story a commercial they would really have something. Thanks for sharing. It's refreshing to see that a factory product can be both affordable and exciting. Your article is something you hear about a Ferrari, but not usually a Ford. Rock on.
2/27/08, 08:44 PM
#7
Legacy TMS Member
Nice story - congrats! Your observations are spot on regarding NVH, suspension tuning, shifter feel, exhaust sound, and seating and steering wheel ergonomics. Enjoy!
2/28/08, 08:47 AM
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Korey...great writeup! Have you written/reviewed for any publications? Your prose actually puts the reader right next to you in the passenger seat. Hey, what did Mr. Pike have to say during and after the "test drive?" 
2/28/08, 09:24 AM
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Thanks, guys/girls. Nope, I just wrote what I experienced. It's not perfect by any means, but I wanted to get it out there for other possible mustang/bullitt owners. My salesguy, Mr. Pike, is the SVT/shelby salesguy for the dealership and he absolutely loved how clean it was and just the "hidden power" we called it. He took it to get gas, so he did drive it, but I trust him. He loves cars about as much as I do. He was very impressed with the bullitt compared to its price tag. Shelby gt or better performance without the price tag. I didn't think you could be treated so well by a dealer to tell you the truth.
Nope, I just wrote what I experienced. It's not perfect by any means, but I wanted to get it out there for other possible mustang/bullitt owners. My salesguy, Mr. Pike, is the SVT/shelby salesguy for the dealership and he absolutely loved how clean it was and just the "hidden power" we called it. He took it to get gas, so he did drive it, but I trust him. He loves cars about as much as I do. He was very impressed with the bullitt compared to its price tag. Shelby gt or better performance without the price tag. I didn't think you could be treated so well by a dealer to tell you the truth.
2/28/08, 03:10 PM
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Great writeup. I also worked with the Mustang/Shelby/SVT specialist. It makes the deal much more enjoyable when the salesman is a car guy too. One day I was coming home from a car show and I stopped in with my humble six cylinder 79 coupe for him to take a look see. He looked it all over and insisted on taking a spin "just to see how a 30 year old Mustang drives compared to the new ones."
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