First drive in a new 5.0

[PaxtonShelby]

I went to the local Ford dealer today to have a new key made for our 2001 Explorer. Turned out that the only "tech" guy there was working on a rush job, so I have to go back next weekend to get a new key burned.

Heck - while I'm here, let's take a look at a new GT...

First I asked some questions about the Sync system that comes with the Shaker 500 stereo. Wow - sounds pretty neat! The system can store up to 12 different phones - and when you enter the car with your phone on you, the car automatically recognizes the phone and all calls come through the stereo. Sweet! It also downloads the entire contact list in your phone, so you can say the name of the person you want to call and it happens automatically. You see...my newest car is our 2001 Explorer - so I am completely tech illiterate when it comes to this stuff. So the salesman finishes the demo of the Sync system and then asks if I've driven a new GT yet...

What a fantastic idea! Let's go!

I have only had one ride in an S197 before, and didn't even get to drive it. Still, the 300hp 4.6 was a good-running motor in my eyes, and the platform as a whole seemed light-years ahead of the fox body models. This GT Premium was a red 6-spd manual with black leather, 3.73 rear gears and the regular ( non-Brembo ) brakes and a few other goodies.

It was immediatlely obvious how solid these new GT's are. No rattles or squeaks. The clutch is really light and smooth. The transmission and shifter are smooth without being notchy or sloppy. And the motor is fantastic. It revs effortlessly all the way up to the rev limiter and pulls nice and strong each gear. The stock exhaust is a little on the quiet side, but still sounds nice under part or full throttle. The stock brakes really do a nice job, but if you want the 19 inch wheels and tires ( $995 ), then you might as well go for the Brembo brake upgrade which, for a total of $1695, gets you the 19 inch wheel and tires and the upgraded 14" Brembo front brakes ( which I think are the same as on the new GT500's??? ).

I liked the 3.73 gears, but honestly, I don't think they're necessary. I might opt for the 3.55's.

Time to start saving for one of these... I need to make it happen by next spring or fall at the latest... Damn...that's a long time to wait. But it will be worth it!

[Ares]

They are nice cars. Closest I have come to driving a new mustang is a friend at work. She has a '10 V6. I found it to have nice power but I hated every second of the manual trans. I stalled that thing out like 10 times as clutch barely comes off floor and was fully engaged.

[PaxtonShelby]

The clutch on the GT caught close to the floor, but still engaged nice and smooth. I hadn't planned on going for a test drive, and had my big clunky work boots on and could hardly feel the clutch pedal, but it still was a nice ride.

My lunch for tomorrow is already packed. Time to start saving up the cash!!

[RedCandyCoyote]

They are nice cars. Closest I have come to driving a new mustang is a friend at work. She has a '10 V6. I found it to have nice power

wow thank you finally someone who doesnt put downt he 4.0 v6 engines!!

[Ares]

wow thank you finally someone who doesnt put downt he 4.0 v6 engines!!

I don't get me wrong it's no V8 but I would be happy with it as a daily driver.

[mineralrob]

The clutch on the GT caught close to the floor, but still engaged nice and smooth. I hadn't planned on going for a test drive, and had my big clunky work boots on and could hardly feel the clutch pedal, but it still was a nice ride.

My lunch for tomorrow is already packed. Time to start saving up the cash!!

haha about the lunch! Good luck with the saving process. They are nice rides for sure!!!

[03 OW SVT]

I priced one out yest. and with all the options I want it was over $40g's. Ouch!

The dealer had a black 2011 Caly Special, for just over $38,000 but I don't want another black car.

[PaxtonShelby]

I priced one out yest. and with all the options I want it was over $40g's. Ouch!

The dealer had a black 2011 Caly Special, for just over $38,000 but I don't want another black car.

So what options pushed the price up that high for you? Convertible? Glass Roof? If you went with the electronics package ( $2k or so ) from what the dealer told me it isn't really necessary. The shaker 500 stereo comes with the navigation and sync setup, just without the video screen.

[Martin0660]

Well, my shot at a new one came and went ... I had the ticket that Youngwood VFD sells, and it went off tonight with no joy :(

[03 OW SVT]

So what options pushed the price up that high for you? Convertible? Glass Roof? If you went with the electronics package ( $2k or so ) from what the dealer told me it isn't really necessary. The shaker 500 stereo comes with the navigation and sync setup, just without the video screen.

I actually ordered a(see sig) from Shultz on Oct 19th, It came to just under $38,000. The options i got were the, 3:73's, HID's, Security Package, and Comfort Package. I didn't want the Glass roof, or a Vert. or the Nav. or the Shaker 1,000.

When i priced out a GT. in my original post above it had the Brembo's the upgraded interior, (with the stripe in the seats) and some upgraded exterior appearance items, along with the 3:73's, HID's, Comfort Package, and Security Package. It brought the price to over 40g's.

I decided i could live without the Brembo's. You can't get them on the Cali Special anyway. The regular brakes on the car are almost just as good.

[PaxtonShelby]

I actually ordered a(see sig) from Shultz on Oct 19th, It came to just under $38,000. The options i got were the, 3:73's, HID's, Security Package, and Comfort Package. I didn't want the Glass roof, or a Vert. or the Nav. or the Shaker 1,000.

When i priced out a GT. in my original post above it had the Brembo's the upgraded interior, (with the stripe in the seats) and some upgraded exterior appearance items, along with the 3:73's, HID's, Comfort Package, and Security Package. It brought the price to over 40g's.

I decided i could live without the Brembo's. You can't get them on the Cali Special anyway. The regular brakes on the car are almost just as good.

Congrats on the order! You must be pretty excited. How are you going to resist the urge to drive it all winter? I'd have a tough time bringing it home and parking it until May.

On modularfords.com I came across a website that allows you to see just how low a dealer will go on new car prices.
The website is zag.com

It tells you how low a dealer will go based on the options you want. Here is what I came up with when I punched in your info on the car you ordered - you said your price was just under $38k. Zag.com comes up with $34,114 as your price. That includes $1000 of incentives that are supposedly available right now. Maybe you can get them to sweeten the deal? $3486 is a lot to leave on the table. Or maybe you could tweak the order and go for those Brembos.

Good luck, and congrats again on pulling the trigger! I hope I can do the same thing next year sometime...

[03 OW SVT]

Congrats on the order! You must be pretty excited. How are you going to resist the urge to drive it all winter? I'd have a tough time bringing it home and parking it until May.

On modularfords.com I came across a website that allows you to see just how low a dealer will go on new car prices.
The website is zag.com

It tells you how low a dealer will go based on the options you want. Here is what I came up with when I punched in your info on the car you ordered - you said your price was just under $38k. Zag.com comes up with $34,114 as your price. That includes $1000 of incentives that are supposedly available right now. Maybe you can get them to sweeten the deal? $3486 is a lot to leave on the table. Or maybe you could tweak the order and go for those Brembos.

Good luck, and congrats again on pulling the trigger! I hope I can do the same thing next year sometime...

Thanks man! Yeah it will be tough to not drive it until at least April. I will probably have to bring it home in an enclosed trailer.

I'm not paying that amount. That was the amount it retailed at. I was able to get the X plan plus a rebate.

[phillysrt4]

So what options pushed the price up that high for you?

he moved to canada ;) LOL

seriously check out ford.ca and see how bad we get raped up here even though the dollars have been at or close to parity for almost 3 years now

[PaxtonShelby]

Thanks man! Yeah it will be tough to not drive it until at least April. I will probably have to bring it home in an enclosed trailer.

I'm not paying that amount. That was the amount it retailed at. I was able to get the X plan plus a rebate.

If you don't mind me asking, where did the X plan put you out the door? You can PM me or just tell me to mind my own business if you want!!

These roads are pretty gritty thru a lot of April - maybe you can get out the leaf blower and clean the cinders off of your street when you need a fix!!