Hadn't seen these posted yet, enjoy!

http://jalopnik.com/5548812/2011-she...00-first-drive

http://automobile.automotive.com/137...500/index.html

 

Pics from the Jalopnik article....

 

Another nice review: http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/27/2...0-first-drive/

 

was just about to post that one!

 

http://www.autoweek.com/article/2010...IEWS/100529816

 

Just more confirmation that the SVT package is the only big difference between the 10 and 11. The weight in reduction itself isn't helping much.

 

The new steering seems to be a big difference too, is that part of the SVT package or is it standard? For me I think the coolest thing about the 2011 is that they finally got around the gas guzzlers tax! even the 03-04 Cobras had that!

It is kinda funny how the 2007-09 GT500 pretty much had no change besides optional equipment. Makes you wonder what they will be doing for 2012...

 

The electric steering is standard. However, there has been a couple posts on different forums by 2011 GT500 owners that say the electric steering gives weird feedback in certain situations.

 

Just to keep these in one place -

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...t500-road_test

"Thanks to the new engine, the electric power steering, and the lighter wheels, the car we drove tipped our scales at 3751 pounds, 146 less than the last GT500 we tested." - must be the stripe delete, lol.

"this is the first GT500 that truly handles well. It turns in crisply and is satisfyingly neutral unless you take a 90-degree bend with the stability system turned off or the road is wet, in which case, the back end slides in a controllable manner that will impress your more juvenile friends. On dry roads, in third gear and beyond, the back end stays planted. Surprisingly, despite the antediluvian rear axle, it rides quite comfortably and isn’t upset by midcorner bumps."

 

wonder how much of an improvement those new tires are over the old Goodyears the GT500 had.

 

Went to see one today at the dealership yesterday, these 2011 wheels are just awasome IMO. I'd like to get them for my GT.

 

What's up bro, went to Chartrand's yesterday to check out that red 2011 Shelby parked right along side that 2010 Grabber blue. I much prefer the red one. And those 2011 wheels just rock.

 

probably a good deal of improvement, especially in dry grip.

 

Nice reviews.

My biggest caveat about the GT500 now is the price and I've always thought it was overpriced, especially compared to the relative pricing of earlier SVT efforts over the civilian Mustang offerings. While it is certainly a bit faster than the 5.0, most of that only really shows up at triple digit speeds. Otherwise, the handling and braking are essentially the same yet you'll be forking over an extra $15+K for ol' Shelby's name all over it.

A better car than the 5.0? Yes. $15K better? No.

 

I have to agree with you on that one. Though I don't think Shelby's name adds as much as some suggest it no longer has a huge performance gap over the GT. I have a feeling that Ford is going to make even more improvements to the GT500 in order to justify the price gap. Back in 2007 when the first GT500 came out I felt that the price premium was justified in the fact that the car was a much better performer in basically ever way over the GT. I don't know what SVT will do I think adding more power at this point is useless 550HP is much more than anyone will need in a street car.

Then again the GT's option list has grown quite a bit considering a loaded GT is very close to a base GT500 that comes with pretty much everything you need.

 

umm, in 07 the GT500 had 200 HP on the GT, now it's "only" 140, lol. The GT500 has also reduced the weight gap with the GT and WAY up'd the ante in regard to handling with the PP. The 500 is becoming a world class car and is priced way under anything in it's performance league.

 

Of course a loaded car will always be way more expensive... options is where manufacturers and dealers makes money.

For myself... I better want a top performer car without all bells and wistles than a loaded car that cost is inflated because of options.

So, for similar money, I would definitely go for performance/handling over options.
Anyhow, I still believe that a GT 5.0 is the best bang for the bucks out there today!!

My 2 cents...

 

I agree that the 2011 GT500 is better than the 07-09 GT500. But the new GT and base model have made bigger strides than the GT500 has. I agree now the GT500 has the handling pack but the GT also has improved it's handling a great deal and finally has a decent braking set up.

It does still have one competitor in it's price range for now and that is the Corvette until a new Z28 or SRT8 arrives,