Drive a brembo 5.0 while you're at it!

 

One of, if not the best handling Porsche is actually the Cayman or Cayman S. The best Porsche value hands down.

I think Overboost said it best about the GT500 being a hammer instead of a scalpel. You can't go wrong throwing a ton of good things in a certain direction. But the best of intentions paved the way to ... well we all know the rest. I think if you are looking for Muscle, the GT500 will certianly show you Muscle. So would the Challenger SRT8. Try a Viper ACR if you can.

The Corvette does come with an OK interior "leather" package. Ride, never good. Handling, very good. The GS is only milliseconds from the Z06 so don't sweat it until they start selling the ZR1 pack on the Z06, then it will be more lethal than it already is. The Z06 doesn't quite have the grace the other Vette's have. Too much umph and not enough plant.

If you are throwing in all these ideas for higher end cars, then go full on and try Godzilla at your local Nissan dealer. Like Stangfoeva said, give the Brembo Pkg GT a try and save the money. Invest or buy some interior decorations. A home theater even. I don't know. For the time you are not in your ride.

Not sure of your time line but there are a lot of vehicle due on the horizon so test drive away until your heart's content.

 

It's a little hard for me to imagine someone cross-shopping a GT500 and a Lotus. They are just entirely different machines. Now if you can afford both...

 

Alright, here we go and it is quite surprising to me the out come of all these test drive. First I went and test drove the Lotus Elise. In the price range. Car is built for the track, interior is sparse and you see right away what this car is made for. Handling was good, pretty harsh ride, suspension was very stiff. Good feedback to the driver but felt as it needed more HP, the car felt light, not sure but I think it weighs in at around 3000lbs. There is no way IMO, this car could be a daily driver, not that I'm looking for that, but this car is a ruff around the edges type of car. Check the Lotus off the list.


Next was the GT500. In the price range, a little under to boot First off the car sounded incredible, by far the best sounding car. Feedback was good to the driver, but you could feel the weight, i think this car weighs in at around 3850lbs. Throwing it from side to side was a chore and it never felt 100% planted like the Lotus did or the corvette did. Maybe it was the weight over the front-end that made it feel a little unstable. Power was very good and the gearing seemed to have a nice sweet spot in second and third. The rear end wanted to break loose very easily with all that torque. I'm pretty sure this car has a solid axle and wonder if that would be the same with a independent rear suspension. Braking was good. Was somewhat disappointed with the interior, better than the vette but expected a little more for the money. All in all a nice car. On the list.

Lastly, the Porsche. I took some time and talked with the Dealership owner a little because I really didn't have a lot of info on the car. He gave me a brief history of the car and showed me some stuff on the car. I told him what I was doing and if we could drive the same loop with the Porsche. He was really cool and off we went.

Car was in the price range. Car had surprising power for a 3.4L NA motor. The car weigh in at around 2900lbs, but didn't feel that light, like the Lotus did. The car had around 2500 miles so he was fine with ringing it out. The first thing I noticed was how planted the car felt, excellent driver feedback and the car felt 100% neutral. Throwing it from side to side was addicting and the car just begged to be driven harder. Braking was excellent and the ride wasn't like the Lotus as far as harsh and stiff. The car had the PDK, 7 speed auto with paddles and although I would want a manual, this tranny was so quick with it's shifts. It was the only auto I drove out of all the cars. The owner stated that the PDK would shave 3 10th of a second off a 0-60 time and I absolutely believe that. I totally understand why this car was named the best handling car in the test, period.

So where does that leave me? Well just to be nice the the dealer owner of the Porsche, I ask him if he could locate a car, not sure if that is even possible but the guy was cool and I felt I owed him that. In my mind I have two list going, the first is the list I would place each car I drove as far as all around driving experience. The second is the top three choices and will look at seriously buying.

First List:

1. Porsche - No question incredible car
2. Corvette GS- Great car, did everything well, little more $ than the GT500
3. GT500 - Great car, Just felt a little heavy
4. BMW M3 - Great GT car, handling was vague
5. Lotus - Great for the track, that's it
6. RX-8 - Good car, just wasn't into it
7. NIssan GT-R - No test, out of price range
8. Corvette Z06 - No test, out of price range, tested GS

Second list:

1. Porsche - if available ????
2. GT500
3. Corvette


I must admit the GT500 was a really good car, the power and the sound really took me by surprise. I wished it felt and handled a little lighter, but overall a very competitive car in a tuff field of cars. The Porsche I knew the least about, and have always thought it was an old man's car for the rich but let me tell you, that car is legit and I have a new respect for Porsche. The vette also surprised me, even though it wasn't the Z06, for the money a good bang for the buck. Now I just need to make a deal, both the GS and the GT500 dealers wanted a mark up.

born550

 

You're about a thousand pounds off. A Lotus Elise weighs +/- 2000 lbs depending on options, not 3000 lbs, in other words, almost half what a GT500 weighs.

 

This.

 

And a V6.

 

Thanks for all the suggestions. I am finding it hard to find any Ford dealer in my area that has a 2011 GT, GT500 in stock that doesn't want to mark it up 5-7K. I find that ridiculous, especially in this economy. Their attitude is, these cars are in such demand we will get it, thanks for stopping by... So I live in CA and that appears to be the business plan for most dealers.

born550

 

If you live in So Cal I can get you $200 over invoice on a GT

 

Where in CA are you? I used to believe the same thing about the ADM but held out and worked several dealers. I paid below MSRP on my 2011 PP GT500. Actually had a second dealer offer 2k below MSRP as well that was in So-Cal but I passed on that car and picked a newer one.

Time is on your side and the 2K under deal came to me because I waited on a car they sat on for 3 months. I passed and they sold it 2 days later. Go figure. They all may talk a good game but if you find what you want in more than one location and you're willing to perhaps travel- you're golden.

 

I'm in northern CA, Fairfield area. It's not like I'm asking for invoice, just looking for MSRP. The dealer's both Ford and Chery have the same attitude. I've gone as far as Sacramento, same situation. I'm going to try one more time, then I'm done. I got the name and contact info for the regional sales manager, just sent him an email describing my problem and how I want a car, but not willing to pay one penny over MSRP, let alone the 5K ADM. Well will see.

born550

 

There are deals out there. I paid $1K over invoice, considering the holdback and the dealer fee I assume the dealer made somewhere around $2,500 which is enough. The difference between MSRP and invoice is a bit over $4,500 so there is plenty of room to play with.

 

If you're serious, I've got a MSRP or better opp for you down in the bay area. PM me your colors and I'll see if it works. I'm not connected to the dealer at all but I know what I paid (or will be in a couple weeks) and god knows I'd never go MSRP or ADM. That's why it took me 3 mos to do a deal. I'm satisfied with the deal I got under MSRP and they have cars.

 

Thanks Wingrider but I have decided to go with a different car. I know it's not fair to judge Ford on it's dealers and what price they sell their cars at, but then again, I find it ironic that the story is same at every dealer I've visited and talked with. I hope Ford reads this, you lost a sale and I'm sure, I'm not the only one. If your not in touch with how your dealers are treating your customers, you should be. If you are aware of this, shame on you! As a company, you are only as good as your dealers and in my book, the ones I dealt with weren't very good.

Thanks to all, a good forum, enjoyed the short stay.

born550

 

And you lost on a great car, the best all around Mustang in IMO. That does not mean you are not making a good choice, perhaps it's just as good or even better. In the end what counts is quenching one's thirst.

The one intangible you seem lacking is passion for the GT500 so you probably made the right choice and will be a lot easier dealing with its imperfections all cars, including the GT500, have or eventually develop on one way or another.

Regardless, best wishes of luck and fun with your new toy.

 

Thanks, I also believe it is the best Mustang to date. To bad a deal couldn't be made.

born550

 

Deal probably could have been made, but it sounds like your decision was made before that.

Good luck with the new car.

 

Yes, around the time of the first post. Whether the emphasis was on criticism, apprehension, or its shortcomings, the GT500 was clearly not to par to the mystique and prestige perception of some European cars. This topic is about self indulgence, justification, and gratification for a car other than the GT500.

 

Well , what’s important is that you get a car that you are happy with, obviously for you that is a Mustang. If you feel I had other motives regarding the GT500, that’s your opinion. I went into this with an open mind and let the cars speak for themselves. Even if the GT500 finished first in my reviews and crushed every other car, I would still be in the same boat, dealing with dealers that want to take advantage of the fact that there are people out there that are willing to pay over MSRP, if no one would pay it, they wouldn’t continue that sales tactic. Just like they said to me time and time again, if you don’t buy it, someone else will. They are pretty confident in that fact and I’m sure their right, unfortunately, paying over MSRP is not something I’m willing to do for any car, not just Ford.

I’m not a diehard Ford guy and maybe that’s why it’s hard for you to understand my logic. I’m good with your loyalty to a brand and a model, personally I find that boring and want to experience different cars, but respect the fact, not everyone shares that opinion. I’ve yet to find a car I would buy the next model year/s of, so until I do, I will just continue to look at all cars.


Born550

 

The whole ADM thing is just far too easy to get around as there's an assload of Ford dealers. If you go to Edmunds.com you can find specific GT500 inventory within several hundred miles of your zip code. I think I'm opting out until the 2012 MY but when the time comes I'll have no reservations in finding a car several states away (if need be) flying out there and driving it back home. I've done it before and it's a great way to get familiar with your new car and spending a couple days off out in part of the country you may have never experienced.