This last quote mirrors my thinking regarding the main difference between the Boss and GT0500, the overall balanced 'ultimate Mustang' to the brute force over the top SVT Shelby.

If I were to consider a Shelby, it would be w/o the SVT PP, as I really don't want or need the GY G2's, despite their superior grip. I guess to a finer point, it would be interesting to test drive the base model to the PP optioned one with the tighter suspension and rubber. Would the firmness in the suspension wear on you if you did 99.9% of your driving on public roads? I had both a G35x and G37S Infiniti sedans, and the stiffer suspension on the sport model was noticeable, but not unbearable. Upon reflection, for long term ownership (5+ years as opposed to say just 2 years) the base model would satisfy me better over the long haul, as it's already pretty darn good. Dialing it up to the next level just because you can isn't always necessarily a good thing. Since the Shelby is already hitting my budget ceiling, I would skip the PP, and just get the EP for the nav. Truth be told if I hit the lottery, I would get a loaded convertible with every option but the PP...

One other minor annoyance was the larger rear tires in the PP option. This automatically eliminates the possibility of rotating tires for even wear. I haven't researched the base model to know if the tires are uni-directional tread pattern specific to each wheel so that you aren't supposed to rotate them front to back even if they are the same size, but that's a minor point. You don't spend 47-50k on a car w/o realizing your maintenance & operating costs will run you a bit more than a Honda Civic.

After picking up a Grand Marquis for my daily driver/winter car, I can now appreciate driving my wife's GT more when I have the occasion to get behind the wheel. The Boss doesn't have the nicer stereo or Nav that you can get with the Shelby, which may be a deal breaker for some. Since my wife's GT has all the goodies, and even the glass roof, I really don't see that as a problem for me when it comes down to choosing between the Boss & the Shelby. So now it comes down to the subtler points of feel, subjective passion for styling, and all the other intangibles.

So far this thread has provided lots of good feedback, looking forward to more in the future.

 

The Boss 302 engine and the GT500 engine are so very different. The GT500 has a powerfull supercharged street engine. The Boss 302 has a race engine for the street with sodium filled exhaust valves and forged con rods. To be truly satisfied, you need to own both because they are so different.

 

If I had the money, I would get both, but as of today it's one or the other, not both. Guy in town has a Kona Blue Shelby / White non PP, so perhaps the Boss would be better for exclusivity...?

 

I never buy for exclusivity sake. I try to buy a Mustang that is the ultimate performance Mustang. If 100000 were produced, that would be fine with me. I could than find others to more easily compare notes of performance with.