How much of a price difference are you looking at? 2-3K? Sure take the 2012. 8K? That is a different situation. If you are concerned about lap times the 2012 will turn faster laps and handle better because it has 100 lbs less hanging over the front end. I have a 2010 that is never going to be modified or taken to a track. And believe it or not, I wanted an iron block rather than an aluminum one with plasma sprayed cylinders. The 2010 engine, if left stock and given high quality oil, honestly should last as long as you want to keep it around. The 2011-2012 may also, but I'm not too comfortable with that spraying of the liner. If anything happens to one of the cylinders, you better hope you can stick iron sleeves in it because nobody has a machine that turns a steel wire into 35,000 degree plasma to spray in it. Time may prove me wrong, but I'm not sold on the notion yet. I don't care if airplane turbines use it we are not talking about airplanes. I could counter with what is the block on a Peterbuilt made of? How many miles can it go before a rebuilt? Maybe 1-2 million and it has an iron block. Why don't they use light weight plasma sprayed aluminum blocks? I know that is a diesel, but it is still an internal combustion engine. You won't be sorry if you can swing the extra cost and get the 2012. The issue is how much more does it cost, and how much more are you willing to pay? A 2012 Camaro ZL-1 is far "better" on a track than my Shelby, but for my purposes it isn't worth it to pay an extra $16,000. If you could get one for oh say, $52,000 (a 2012), and that was $6,000 more than the 2012 Shelby, would you do it? It will turn a faster lap. So it really depends on what you want to do with the car, and if it is turn laps, forget the 2010 and look at other options including a Boss and a ZL-1. See where the 2012 Shelby fits in with price and make your decision. You'll probably be happy with any of them.

 

My guess is Cornholio already made a decision and moved on since this is a two year old thread. Just ribbin' ya, guy, but the other threads you responded to are also quite old. Welcome to the site though! Old threads are great info and kudos for doing a search to find the info you were looking for!