Ford GT

[era cobra]

Great videos. Have fun with the GT.

[Cobra #3170]

Originally Posted by legenmetals

How fast were you through 7,8,9?

7- not sure, too busy to look, 8- about 135, 9 chicken boy about 95 dipped a wheel there once and it scared me so bad looking at the pit wall coming up fast that I never tried to do it right again. There are no good reference points either so I think it is the most difficult turn on the track. The car was radar gunned going into 1 at 174 despite my slow exit from 9, shows how hard it accelerates above 100 mph.

[twobjshelbys]

Originally Posted by Cobra #3170

7- not sure, too busy to look, 8- about 135, 9 chicken boy about 95 dipped a wheel there once and it scared me so bad looking at the pit wall coming up fast that I never tried to do it right again. There are no good reference points either so I think it is the most difficult turn on the track. The car was radar gunned going into 1 at 174 despite my slow exit from 9, shows how hard it accelerates above 100 mph.

Did you ever watch the DVD that came with some of the cars? I think it was Rick Titus narrating it. He got to the drivetrain (engine/trans) and in discussion the transmission said something like "6th gear is a working gear, you will accelerate in 6th just like any other. Oh, and if you do be sure to call me since it will be the only call you get from jail". I had mine to 160 and wasn't ready to go to 5th yet (according to the chart 4th is 170+ at the red line). 5th redline is 212-ish.

[legenmetals]

135 is fast, I noticed you were carrying a lot of speed in 8 catching the two cars in front of you. Your Gt looked like it activated rocket boosters when it passed the Havoline car. Good job driving.

[Cobra #3170]

Originally Posted by legenmetals

135 is fast, I noticed you were carrying a lot of speed in 8 catching the two cars in front of you. Your Gt looked like it activated rocket boosters when it passed the Havoline car. Good job driving.

Thank You,

I wasn,t quite sure how long it would take the Havoline car to clear so I waited, we were running out of straight so I jumped on it and went 3 abreast.

[grybrd123]

In 2012 I bought a red/white 4 option GT produced in mid 2005. It had 13,000 miles on it when I bought it (3rd owner) and it now has more than 24,000. I absolutely love it, and can't imagine selling it. Here are some suggestions regarding not only car selection, but common issues. Unless you want a garage queen, I suggest you buy a "high mileage" car like mine - it will cost significantly less and will "depreciate" less (actually, it will just not appreciate as rapidly as low mileage cars). Make sure you get a PPI by an expert; reportedly, many GTs have had accidents and been repaired without insurance claims = no accident record. You can really drive it, and it will be just as reliable as a lower mileage car. The low mileage cars have deteriorated from lack of use and need recommissioning before they can be driven (plus, they lose value if they're driven), and I understand that they tend to leak more than cars that are driven. Join the Ford GT Forum (it's free), there's a huge amount of info available from people who really know.
GTs have two common problems: 1) the original half axle bolts fail, so make sure the they have been replaced properly (a factory recall). 2) The instruments tend to go south, and their OEM replacements are very expensive (can you say $1800 each for the tach and speedo?). Speedhut makes a complete dash panel with all the instruments for much less than the cost of a speedo, and they are reliable. Plan to buy and install one. I would also buy and install a couple of upgrades: Get a GT Guy clam latch release, it will allow you to open both clam latches at the same time even if you don't have the arm length of a gorilla. Buy and install a Cooltech transaxle cooler, the mounting nutserts are already on the engine bay struts.
Yes, the unique parts are expensive and getting more expensive. As of last January, tail lights are now almost $2200 each. However, the cost of running a GT is low - oil filters, air cleaners, etc are quite reasonable. And, a number of the parts are common to other Ford vehicles, so (as an example) if you buy an X for a GT it may cost $$, but if it fits an F150 it will be only $. Car price really depends entirely on mileage, color, and how many/which of the four (Canadian cars only had three) options it has. The number of each color and stripe combination produced is known, and you can find it on the FordGTForum web site. Red is most common (and the fastest color ;-)) ), followed (I recall) by white etc.
Finally, in my experience and that of everyone else I know with a GT, they are extremely reliable. There are cars now with more than 100,000 miles, and lots more with 30-80,000. No "Ferrari-type" issues. If you want a drop dead beautiful car that's reliable, comfortable to drive even 4-500 miles at a time (important to most wives, I think), handles well, goes like stink, and might even appreciate in value while you use it, buy a GT. You'll love it.

[Armrer]

I bought an '06 red/white stripe (fastest color : ) 4 option car new, still have it, and love it. All of the preceding info is good, talk to Shelby if your serious on a car- he's a wealth of facts about the cars and usually has good inventory. Ford GT Forums for owner input.

However, there is one thing that has been missed so far. Air bags. Takata air bags.

I, and lot of other owners have restricted the driving on them until Ford has replacement bags, sometime on 2017. I don't like driving a car with a loaded shotgun pointed at my face. You can't disengage the driver bag. The older the bag gets, the more volatile it is.

If you get a car in the next year, make sure you get the airbag status from existing owner or dealer.

The up side is get to drive my 289 Slab more

[DWRAT]

Ron,
There were 2 GT's at cars & coffee today.
A super nice guy with the red GT really let me check it out up close.
Now I'm in love and started looking on the net.
Here's the best deal I have found. Ford Ford GT 2dr CPE | eBay
Needless to say, I will not be buying one any time soon, unless I hit the Lotto.

[Bernica]

I got to drive one in 2007. Really liked the car. Owner didn't like it and wanted $165k for it to just be rid of it. Well, I couldn't swing that and I'm sure he won't let it go for that now.

[4pipes]

I checked one out 6-7 years ago and felt the limited visibility and storage space would make it a garage queen For me. Don't remember the pricing.

[twobjshelbys]

Originally Posted by DWRAT

Ron,
There were 2 GT's at cars & coffee today.
A super nice guy with the red GT really let me check it out up close.
Now I'm in love and started looking on the net.
Here's the best deal I have found. Ford Ford GT 2dr CPE | eBay
Needless to say, I will not be buying one any time soon, unless I hit the Lotto.

Looking at the price I suspected right away... It's a wrecked car, it doesn't say salvage but does say wreck...

[grybrd123]

Here's the best deal I have found. Ford Ford GT 2dr CPE | eBay
Needless to say, I will not be buying one any time soon, unless I hit the Lotto.[/quote]

This is not such a good deal for a car with an accident history. I would not pay more than $180 for it, if that - and I would want a VERY complete PPI by a genuine expert (check frame, alignment, etc etc) before I even considered buying it. Furthermore, the dealer has no history for it - they don't know what happened. Finally, it will be hard to sell later. Unless I was desperate or wanted a car to drive the snot out of, I wouldn't touch it.

[DWRAT]

Originally Posted by twobjshelbys

Looking at the price I suspected right away... It's a wrecked car, it doesn't say salvage but does say wreck...

I should have said "here's the lowest price I found", even at that price I don't bother reading the fine print.
I still can't afford it.