Should I/Shouldn't I ? GT 500

[English Paul]

New poster, lived in US for 8 years, been a Mustang fanatic since watching McQueen /Bullet, so I am an old f- - - t. As foreigner regard Mustang as iconic American institution, could not afford a decent model when in UK, bought a GT here in 06, love it, drive even on cold Missouri days with window down no radio just to hear that exhaust bellow - pathetic I know, still thrilled each time I turn the ignition over !, I have owned Euro quality Lancia's, Alfa's, Lotus, nothing touches my Stang.
To my point fallen head over heels for a GT 500 Cobra @ local dealer , can just about afford, BUT, I am mechanically inept,& have no idea how to upgrade GT and just want to jump the power gap buy owning my dream Cobra & future legend. I hear that the exhaust growl is weak & does not even touch the stock kit on GT and super charge whine is intrusive, could not bear to lose that wonderfuly tuned rumble, read every thing I can find on line, but can find few real consumer reports. In brief am I making a mistake, I know it's subjective but should I go for it ?, desperate for a yes however nieve of me, but want considered opinion.

[1234]

I think they sound pretty good. The GT500. I would go for it, but only if you really want to.

[05RedDevil]

If you can handle it, why not? Will they let you test drive it?

[Herbstang]

Go for it !!!!!!! Mods I'd do exhaust /pullie and tune

[lowflyn]

Put exhaust on the GT500 and you'll never look back. I love the charger whine, it's addicting, not instrusive.

[1234]

Quote: Originally Posted by lowflyn Put exhaust on the GT500 and you'll never look back. I love the charger whine, it's addicting, not instrusive.

Agreed

[English Paul]

Guy @ the dealership said "No Test Drives" I said "What!!!!", he said, "well you already own a GT so you know what Mustangs drive like", I said " Yes bit I don't bloody well know what a GT500 Cobra drives like" , he said basically tough, I suggested that he might like to take the premium he wanted along with the two cobra's in inventory & slowly work them up the aperture he possesses where the sun does not shine !. I suppose now I need to find a new dealer.

[Herbstang]

Bloody Hell !!!! Time to bash the tart

[1234]

English Paul you looking for new or used?

[SpectorV]

If I were you I would come to the realization that the GT500 is a mass produced vehicle that is not limited in production. And as with any mustang (just a bit slower than most) it will lose value. With that said the GT500 that started out way to high in price (thanks to dealers and idiots that would pay to much) they are just not coming back to reality land.

With that said gt500s that are slightly used or like brand new (some tool got to make money on and now is losing it hard core and has to sell) can be had for good prices. I personally would pick up a used one if I got one.

as far as modding goes, you have to learn so jump right in. Ask on here before you buy things so we can tell you that its a good idea/bad idea/ issues to be aware of if you do etc etc.

[SpectorV]

Quote: Originally Posted by English Paul Guy @ the dealership said "No Test Drives" I said "What!!!!", he said, "well you already own a GT so you know what Mustangs drive like", I said " Yes bit I don't bloody well know what a GT500 Cobra drives like" , he said basically tough, I suggested that he might like to take the premium he wanted along with the two cobra's in inventory & slowly work them up the aperture he possesses where the sun does not shine !. I suppose now I need to find a new dealer.

+1 if a salesman treats you like shit as this one did move on after you talk to the guy in charge and let him/her know that you are intent on buying one and you will go elsewhere thanks to the rudeness of the salesman.

When I picked up my cobra the guy just handed me the keys and said go drive it, basically making a sale for him

you are buying he car so you are in charge, demand respect from whom ever you are getting it from.

[larry a gray]

Just bought 08 GT500 ragtop. Traded a 07 GT. Shelby sounds a lot better. As for the
supercharger whine, you'll love what it's doing. At 120mph in fourth, and speedo
climbing fast, and being pushed back in the seat, and only showing 4,000 RPM, the
puffer is worth the whine. As for trial run, dealer was more than happy to go for
ride (with me driving). Was marked up $10,000, got $8,000 taken off. I to am an
old f--k, and drove many "muscle cars in 60's". Owned 67 GTX, 67 Firebird 400.
67 Chevelle 396 SS, and 68 442, and none of them would touch this rocket.
Only one that would have been a good match, was a friends 66 Plymouth 426
the HP2 version. But he would have had to run slicks to get it in 1/4. If you can
swing it, I reccomend. If you think 08's are marked up, 09's with only 45,000
stangs being made, will probably be worse.

[larry a gray]

One more thing about dealers, my dealer has got all the paperwork for me, from the
day they ordered, until they got it. They also got dealer rep to find out for me,
how many are same color as mine. Black, with red stripes. All lit., said 08 ragtops
would not have stripes. Mine does. He is getting all this info for me at no extra
cost. Find a better dealer. If you want to travel, my dealer has 08 coupe, vapor
with black, and they will let you drive it, and deal.

[SpectorV]

if you dont want to pay the price you can pick up an 03/04 cobra, only a bit slower stock for stock and about half the price.

[05RedDevil]

I hate assclown dealers who don't take you seriously or think their cars are too precious.

[English Paul]

Want to thank all those v.helpful responses, certainly helped with my decision, WELL I 've done it !!!!!!!!!!, picking up an Oxford white with vista blue Le Mans stripes tomorrow , think I did a great deal, found local dealer who as policy refuses to mark up from MSRP, vehicle has premium GT500 package, shaker 1000, Sirius satellite,ambient lighting, HD headlights, 41 miles on clock (Driven in from other dealer). Did trade on my 06 GT ( Only 9,800 on clock) got $19,500, so all in all delighted & childishly excited. yes he very happily let me test drive. Ok, now I'm going to be a pain again question, I looked @ three other 500's and noticed on the vehicle I'm taking that the steering wheel somewhat like my GT has aluminum spokes but with leather hand grip with the GT500 red stiching, the others I viewed had solid black cushioned spokes with the red stiching,+ the many others viewed online also had the solid black cushioned spokes odd any idea why this would be ?, actually like the aluminum look wonder whether this is the latest iteration, just strange ,any comment ?. Yes SpectorV, your comments are spot on & will take exactly that action with pleasure Thanks again all,will be coming back with MOD questions. By the way my dealer is Roush specialist WOW never seen such an array of Mustang exotica I was shocked.

[05RedDevil]

Awesome, man. Do enjoy it to the fullest

[SpectorV]

sounds good, msrp is finally here for the gt500. I am not sure other than the gt500 has an interior upgrade package~ that might have something to do with it ~ does yours have the leather dash upgrade?

[larry a gray]

Quote: Originally Posted by English Paul Want to thank all those v.helpful responses, certainly helped with my decision, WELL I 've done it !!!!!!!!!!, picking up an Oxford white with vista blue Le Mans stripes tomorrow , think I did a great deal, found local dealer who as policy refuses to mark up from MSRP, vehicle has premium GT500 package, shaker 1000, Sirius satellite,ambient lighting, HD headlights, 41 miles on clock (Driven in from other dealer). Did trade on my 06 GT ( Only 9,800 on clock) got $19,500, so all in all delighted & childishly excited. yes he very happily let me test drive. Ok, now I'm going to be a pain again question, I looked @ three other 500's and noticed on the vehicle I'm taking that the steering wheel somewhat like my GT has aluminum spokes but with leather hand grip with the GT500 red stiching, the others I viewed had solid black cushioned spokes with the red stiching,+ the many others viewed online also had the solid black cushioned spokes odd any idea why this would be ?, actually like the aluminum look wonder whether this is the latest iteration, just strange ,any comment ?. Yes SpectorV, your comments are spot on & will take exactly that action with pleasure Thanks again all,will be coming back with MOD questions. By the way my dealer is Roush specialist WOW never seen such an array of Mustang exotica I was shocked.

[larry a gray]

English
My 08 GT500 ragtop, has top spokes, black padding, red stitches. Bottom spoke
is black metal on top, and cushioned underneath, black leather dash. Window
sticker said had interior upgrade, so maybe thats the difference. Hope you like
car, love mine.

[1234]

Nice, blad to hear you got one at MSRP. Have fun with it.

[at7311]

Congratz! Lets see some pictures of your car.

[English Paul]

Yes I got the premium interior upgrade, leather padded dash, increased padding on armrest, compass, etc etc. So the mystery remains with the wheel, the dealer is supposed to be coming back to me & promises has contacted Ford, he suggests might be date of build that dictated wheel type !!!!, it does have red stiching that is peculiar to Shelby Cobra & I repeat I do like it BUT I want original equipment & I just want to know the facts. I even did a carfax on vehicle before purchase since my dealer bought in from A.N other local dealer who was out in the sticks with limited audience for this type of car had 10 miles on clock - no problem on carfax.

Now to the exhaust issue, want my Cobra to sound angrier as did my GT, dealer initially said don't change could invalidate warantee, now saying can but best to just change muffler to get sound I desire, I can't afford to spend a lot any ideas or recommendations out there please ?.

[1234]

Weld in mufflers, any exhaust shop will do it.

[English Paul]

Thanks 1234, sorry to sound thick, but what exactly do I ask for, would this change appearance of tips, should I get validation from Ford first, what kind of dough are we talking about ?.

Apologies for all thye questions , appreciate advise.

[1234]

You would ask for a weld in muffler like a flowmaster, mangaflow, or borla. It would not change the appearance of the tips. It might be a good idea to get validation from ford. But that shouldnt void your warranty ive never heard of that happening. You could be looking at anywhere from $250 to $400 depending on where you go. What part of St. Louis are you from? I might be able to recomend a few places for ya i as well live in St. louis.

[lowflyn]

I wouldn't weld in. On those cars you basically get an axle-back exhaust (muffler and tip) and that's it. I'd look into borla, bassani, magnaflow (kinda quiet). You'll be looking in the neighborhood of 600-800 bucks because it's a gt500. Everything costs more with the name.

[1234]

You are correct that is the best way to go. But he said "i can't afford to spend alot" so the alternative would be weld ins. They are not a terrible idea most exhaust shops will keep the flanges on so he could swap the exhaust for an axle back system at a later date.

[OsirisGuy]

As for the void of warranty, I'll post this: Magnuson-Moss Act. Basically states a manufacturer cannot void a warranty with legitimate work unless they can prove that the cause for the void is due to the modification.

[English Paul]

I'm placed West in St Louis County just a few miles off 40, near the valley, don't mind where I go in St Louis general area.

[1234]

Place called Matts Muffler, up north off of 270 and New Halls Ferry 314-867-9559 he did mine. Gave me a hell of a price

[SpectorV]

Regardless of what will and wont void your warranty or if the law is on your side remember this....

if a dealership wants to be a hardass and void your warranty it is a VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY long road to fight it and win... so basically if you mod... be prepared to pay the price and lose the warranty. If you go with a mod friendly dealer (go around and talk with them see if they have a clue or are dumbasses) then you should be fine.

[English Paul]

1234, thanks again for your help, am going to take my time over this, just getting accustomed to supercharger noise which to a point drownd's out the exhaust note, the exhaust growl/ burble sounds ok @ idle but know it could sound a lot hornier when accelerating. I will certainly call your man.

Spector V, yes of course you are right, will shop around, will ask questions of both muffler shop & Ford dealer, & will witness process so that I learn for myself WHEN I get to it.

In case anybody is interested it pisses me that the side mirrors are not painted found the following site where I can get painted inserts, I imagine you are all aware of this but just in case 2005+ Mustang Painted Mirror Covers - Performance White at AmericanMuscle.com - Free Shipping!

[SpectorV]

^^ my friend has inserts, looks good on his car.

[English Paul]

OK, I'm here again, went to Ford dealer yesterday on other matter ( Bad paint job on gas filler cover on new Gt500 !!!), and got to talking with service manager about mufflers, he has flowmaster 4" on his much rectified 07 GT C/S sounded cool, certainly would keep me happy, he priced some for me while I was there $297 + $120 to fit, sounded reasonable to me, they were axle back bolt on's, NOT stainless steel but plated in some manner to give S/S appearance, he said would be compatable with GT500, wopuld not nullify warantee. Of course expecting to get the same cheaper elsewhere still felt more comfortable working with Ford dealer where I purchased vehicle, cannot remember which model mufflers were. OK, does this make sense to you experts out there ?, should I / would I get better sound/ quality/something ? form Borla's which I fancy or Ford Racing, does plated steel mean I would regret it further down the road. I know it's a personal issue , but once on don't expect to change & want to do it right is the old maxim "The more you pay the better the quality" really true in this matter ?