Hmm, strange. Im 17 actually but in no means am i the typical teenage driver (**** stereotyoes) i road race about 6-12 times a year when i get the time and money for the road trips to the tracks. I went to the sames crowndealer in my city in my 02 gt and they let me take a fresh gt500 out for a spin. Hell, ive even been to the chevy dealer and test drove a grand sport for a while. But then again i spend some time at the dealers around town talking about the cars so most of the employees and even managers know me on a first name basis so that always helps(:

 

You have answered your own question.

If a dealer allows everyone who thinks, looks, are curious, or just want a free TD, the GT500 is then used and likely abused. To pay $20K above a GT its likely buyer will have a tendency to be a bit selective and not buy one already seduced.

 

Make your deal, put your money on the table. Then ask for a test drive with the option if you don't like the car you can cancel the deal. You will love it and the sale will be complete.

 

If I had the cash and really wanted to own a GT500 ... I wouldn't need to test drive one. It's an S197 ... just FASTER! ... I'd order one .. pick it up at the dealer and test drive it on the way home.

 

You're exactly the buyer you're looking for, except for the not having the cash thing.

 

a mustang is like underwear..

a normal get is like tighty whities and the gt500 is like a thong. Would you buy the demo underwear from walmart or the bon?

 

Don't feel so bad. I'm 31 and the first Caddy dealer I went to looking at a CTS-V Coupe wouldn't let me test drive one either and I rolled up in my freshly cleaned GT500. They had 7 of them on the lot! Needless to say I went elsewhere.

 

I'm 23 and I don't have much of a desire to drive a GT500. The 2010 4.6 would have been plenty of car for me and my usage. The 2011 5.0 would be overkill. The 5.4 SC would probably make me sh*t my pants...I've never even tried to drive a GT500 at a dealer, and we have a good family friend who has been at our local dealer for 40 years. He would let me drive anything I wanted to. I respect the car though, whereas most guys would jump at any chance to drive a GT500, whether they were going to buy or not, and just dump the clutch to do a fatty burnout.

 

I remember that.... I work with the guy who was in the lane next to him when this happened.

 

What was the story? Did this happen at the dragstrip? I'm guessing from the different set of wheels and tires on back...

 

Jesus. I'm 64, for God's sake, and I have owned several really high performance cars (including a supercharged 2003 svt Cobra), and I went down to my very local dealership and got test drives in a VERY low mileage (about 1,900 !) Shelby, and the sales guy was stabbing at imaginary pedals on the passenger side. I never got remotely close to redline. I wanted to evaluate the Tremec, because its clunkiness is why I sold my Cobra. Three or four miles with a nervous salesman taught me nothing. He got out and said "Well, that 2011 Mustang V6 is all I would ever need, with an automatic transmission"

On the other hand, I think people who are saying that they march into a Ferrari showroom and get a test ride in something that costs more than most of our homes are either A) Lying or B) Flashing some sort of indication that they "belong."

I am buying a new car, probably a 2011 Shelby coupe, the first week in May (refinancing my house at this moment). I would not buy one with 30 miles on it (I would rather buy a certified pre-owned with 1,000 miles). I have done my research. I have faith in the car, and in Ford. My only question is how the hell does that newest Tremec feel, and I won't know for sure until I buy the car. So what am I going to do? Buy a Camero? I'd rather drive a Camry. (Well, crap, I guess that's a gross exaggeration.)

 

Yeah, it was on the track. I have seen the video. I think he blew an oil line or something. He cut right in front of my friend and almost took him out at the same time.

 

Well it does have its issues...you can search and find them. The car is awesome but the transmission can really make you mad at times. I'm not sure how other gt500 owners feel about me saying it. I almost think we (owners) should all group together and not recommend them to give Ford incentive to work it out - so they can sell more cars. The car is still very fun to drive though.

 

It's all about the economy, dealers were dropping left and right months ago. Did anyone look around on their last visit to a dealership? There is nobody there. I know the 2011 Shelby's had a limited run of 5500 so not every dealer gets one and most only get one or two, which is probably why they don't want you to test drive.

 

Well, I solved my problem. After a few months of futility, I realized that I wasn't going to get a test drive at a Ford dealership. So I looked on cars.com for a 2010 or 2011 Shelby near where I live that was a trade-in at another dealer. I found a 2010 Shelby with 3900 miles at a Chevy dealer. Called them up and asked to schedule a test drive. No problem. First, the car already had 3900 miles on it, so what's another 10? Second, it's a Chevy dealership. They don't give a s*** about Shelby's, they just want to sell more Corvettes. So I showed up, we hopped in the car and hit the highway. That is a sweet ride. I was impressed by how clean the shifter is (very short throws!) but also by how heavy the car feels. I didn't feel like 540 hp was too much, but it was a nice sunny day on a new highway. I could see it going sideways if you gun it in the rain. Anyway, great car and as soon as I can sell my 05 Stang, I'll be getting a Shelby. BTW, I have been tracking Shelby prices on eBaymotors and cars.com for 6 months now, and I don't see why anyone would get a new Shelby for $55k, when you can get a used one i.e. 2000 - 3000 miles for $43k. I get that some people want a brand new car that isn't trashed, but if it is a good car, it should hold up to being driven hard for 3000 miles, otherwise why would you buy it? Plus, why are you assuming it has been trashed just because it has a few miles on it? I don't trash my cars when they are new. I pamper them. Sometimes different financial realities arise and people have to sell cars to get cheaper ones (or more expensive ones). The reality of these cars, as much as we all love them, is that their asking price drops dramatically after purchase. Reminds me of the Shelby GT's that were for sale in 07 and 08. Great looking cars, but basically a GT with a cold air intake and some body mods and Shelby's signature and the SHELBY letters on the trunk. Ford dealer near my house was asking $60k. Look for them now on eBay. You can get them for low 20's. All I'm saying is, best value for the money: 1 year old Shelby, 2000 miles, $44k. That's an awesome price for 540 hp and virtually a brand new car.

 

I always thought I'd buy used...but there was something about having the latest and greatest...I guess I thought the aluminum motor was worth the extra money and I ended up with a new one. I did have to go to a few dealers and was laughed at when I told them I wouldn't pay msrp...I finally found a good deal and I am happy with it. I try to enjoy it as much as I can while it is still state of the art....you know! Nothing wrong with the 10 though, I am positive I would have enjoyed it too...I seem kinda infatuated with driving it sideways. I also dont think the 11 I have feels heavy or lacks power...I've never driven a 10 though. Interesting to hear.

 

I realize there is only 100lbs or so difference in the 2, but to me the '11 PP "feels" much lighter than the '10, and worlds different than the '07-'09. That weight off the front is a lot of it, but the suspension tuning I think makes it "feel" like a car 3-4 hundred pounds lighter than it is.

 

I bought my 2011 new with electronics package for 47000. The 2011 pulled buyers away from 2010 because of all the improvements they made. I don't know what options are on that 2010 but if you minus the electronic package on my 2011 it's about 45000 NEW

 

"We don't allow test drives"

"If I told you I'd probably buy it if I could get a test drive ..."

(tosses me the keys to my 2012 which had 14.5 miles on it)

Funny when I got on it in 1st and the traction control kicked it while it simultaneously hit a small pothole with water in it. I lol'd at the reaction of the salesman to the smash bang wheelhop thing that happened. No matter, I own it now

 

It depends on the dealer but 99% of them won't recognize you if you're young. I have been to dealers to test-drive several vehicles(all while making a serious decision about the vehicle) sometimes I drove when I was 16-17...if you present yourself correctly and show you're 100% serious about it some of them will let you and some won't. Last week I test-drove a 2011 5.0 only after 30 minutes of convincing the guy I was serious. I know it's not a 500 but if you tell them you're going somewhere else(which works well for me since the dealerships are about 3 miles apart) they'll let you drive