# Like the New Mustang? You're Going to Love the new GT500... **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 27, 2005, 9:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/like-the-new-mustang-youre-going-to-love-the-new-gt500/296450 "2005-03-27T09:58:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2005, 9:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/like-the-new-mustang-youre-going-to-love-the-new-gt500/296450/1 "2005-03-27T09:58:22Z")
Have a look at this: [Ford Shelby GT500](http://www.svt.ford.com/vehicleGT500.asp). Available in 2006. 450+ HP, great handling. This may be the best ‘muscle car’ ever made. It’s also going to be $40,000. Sigh. ---
**Author:** ![ccwaterback](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@ccwaterback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ccwaterback)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2005, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/like-the-new-mustang-youre-going-to-love-the-new-gt500/296450/2 "2005-03-27T12:02:33Z")
Wicked. ---
**Author:** ![NillyWilly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/3da27b/32.png) [@NillyWilly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NillyWilly)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2005, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/like-the-new-mustang-youre-going-to-love-the-new-gt500/296450/3 "2005-03-27T12:08:09Z")
Ford and Daimler/Chrysler have done a marvelous job of designing new cars with retro appeal. A trend I really like! ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2005, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/like-the-new-mustang-youre-going-to-love-the-new-gt500/296450/4 "2005-03-27T12:58:12Z")
Love it, love it, love it. My dad has a '68 GT500, this really echoes the lines and feel of that car. I want one. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2005, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/like-the-new-mustang-youre-going-to-love-the-new-gt500/296450/5 "2005-03-27T13:38:05Z")
It’s nice. Can you get it without the skunk stripes? My current favourites are: the [RS4](http://www.vwvortex.com/artman/publish/audi_news/article_1225.shtml?page=1) or the new [Z06](http://www.chevrolet.com/corvettez06/). :eek: Both a little more expensive, but performance, class and style by the mile. Of course, I’m _SO_ taking the GT500 out for a test drive. At that price point, it’s certain to be the highest performance/$ ratio. How is Ford build quality and reliability for these performance models? ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2005, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/like-the-new-mustang-youre-going-to-love-the-new-gt500/296450/6 "2005-03-27T17:00:10Z")
Word on the new Mustang is that its initial quality is very high. Close seams on panels, tight tolerances all over. It’s really a world-beating car. Motorweek just made it car of the year. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2005, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/like-the-new-mustang-youre-going-to-love-the-new-gt500/296450/7 "2005-03-27T17:08:06Z")
So what do you have to do on that link to find a picture of the damn thing? I don’t see any new Mustang or Cobra anywhere on that site. 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2005, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/like-the-new-mustang-youre-going-to-love-the-new-gt500/296450/8 "2005-03-27T17:09:15Z")
Oh, and the engine that they’re putting in this thing isn’t a stroked Mustang engine. They’ve dropped the very high tech 5.4L V-8 from the $150,000 Ford GT into it. 32 valves, supercharged. It’s also getting a 6-speed tremec manual transmission. That’s basically a supercar drivetrain in a $40,000 car. This thing might eat C6 Corvettes and give the BMW M3 a run for its money (although I hear the new M3 will have 500HP - the horsepower wars are ON). ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2005, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/like-the-new-mustang-youre-going-to-love-the-new-gt500/296450/9 "2005-03-27T17:12:06Z")
> [@gatopescado](#): > > So what do you have to do on that link to find a picture of the damn thing? I don’t see any new Mustang or Cobra anywhere on that site. 😕 You don’t? I just clicked it and went straight to the GT500 site. Anyway, here’s another page to look at: [GT500 reborn as modern thoroughbred](http://www.tuningnews.net/news/050324a/ford-shelby-cobra-gt500.php) ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2005, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/like-the-new-mustang-youre-going-to-love-the-new-gt500/296450/10 "2005-03-27T17:35:44Z")
Looks like it’s going to have some great performance. Shame about the blocky, overweight look. The side view just screams “dull,” especially with that horrid little ducktail spoiler. Yecch. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2005, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/like-the-new-mustang-youre-going-to-love-the-new-gt500/296450/11 "2005-03-27T17:52:58Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > My current favourites are: the [RS4](http://www.vwvortex.com/artman/publish/audi_news/article_1225.shtml?page=1) I don’t care much for Audi’s new corporate big-ass grill look. It’s crossed over to [Volkswagen](http://www.wheels24.co.za/Images/Photos/20040127075509Jetta_2004_1.jpg), too. On the VWs, the chrome seems out of place. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2005, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/like-the-new-mustang-youre-going-to-love-the-new-gt500/296450/12 "2005-03-27T17:55:07Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > Looks like it’s going to have some great performance. > > Shame about the blocky, overweight look. The side view just screams “dull,” especially with that horrid little ducktail spoiler. Yecch. To each his own, I guess. I _love_ the look. I’m getting tired of all the swoopy curves on other new cars. This thing just looks flat-out aggressive. Kicks the ass of BMW’s new styling, IMO. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2005, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/like-the-new-mustang-youre-going-to-love-the-new-gt500/296450/13 "2005-03-27T21:04:21Z")
> [@Mr. Blue Sky](#): > > I don’t care much for Audi’s new corporate big-ass grill look. I kind of agree. It’s an acquired taste. But with 420bhp and almost as much torque from a very refined V8- 32valve powerplant matched to a 6 speed with all wheel drive. :eek: We’re talking street ralley! 🆒 A sports car for every day and every season. Plus the fit, finish and styling is very teutonic… if you like that kind of thing. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2005, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/like-the-new-mustang-youre-going-to-love-the-new-gt500/296450/14 "2005-03-27T21:09:04Z")
> [@Sam Stone](#): > > Kicks the ass of BMW’s new styling, IMO. Yeah, I was disappointed by the new 5 styling. Bloated and uninspired. Bleh! ☹ The 7 seems to carry it off a little better but that’s perhaps due to the longer dimensions. But the driving experience is still fantastic. They do make a great handling car. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2005, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/like-the-new-mustang-youre-going-to-love-the-new-gt500/296450/15 "2005-03-27T21:22:29Z")
> [@Sam Stone](#): > > Kicks the ass of BMW’s new styling, IMO. Yeah, but you’re not exactly setting the bar very high. The mess that they’ve made of the back end of the new 5 and 7 series is a travesty. While BMW styling has never been radically innovative, at least it was always clean and balanced. The only excuse i can think of for the current models is that the company got a great deal on 200 tons of steel and fiberglass moldings, and had to find somewhere to put them. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2005, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/like-the-new-mustang-youre-going-to-love-the-new-gt500/296450/16 "2005-03-27T21:37:00Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > The mess that they’ve made of the back end of the new 5 and 7 series is a travesty. While BMW styling has never been radically innovative, at least it was always clean and balanced. It’s almost as bad as [this](http://www.ifrance.com/trombinoscar/cadseptante/cd840104.jpg) monstrosity from Cadillac in the 80s. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2005, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/like-the-new-mustang-youre-going-to-love-the-new-gt500/296450/17 "2005-03-27T21:45:50Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > The only excuse i can think of for the current models is that the company got a great deal on 200 tons of steel and fiberglass moldings, and had to find somewhere to put them. I think one of the host of the English car enthusiast show “5th gear” described the new 5/7 design as, “The result of equiping baboons with welding equipment”. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2005, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/like-the-new-mustang-youre-going-to-love-the-new-gt500/296450/18 "2005-03-27T21:46:47Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > Yeah, but you’re not exactly setting the bar very high. > > The mess that they’ve made of the back end of the new 5 and 7 series is a travesty. While BMW styling has never been radically innovative, at least it was always clean and balanced. > > The only excuse i can think of for the current models is that the company got a great deal on 200 tons of steel and fiberglass moldings, and had to find somewhere to put them. Not only that, but BMW’s iDrive is a usability disaster. What in hell were they thinking? When I’m driving, I don’t want to be using a freaking computer interface to change radio stations. Rotate the knob, press a button, rotate some more… And don’t forget to keep those eyes on the road, kids! I wouldn’t buy a BMW with iDrive in it. And Audi and a few other manufacturers seem to have not learned the lesson and are adding their own goofball computer interfaces to their electronics. Stupid. ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2005, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/like-the-new-mustang-youre-going-to-love-the-new-gt500/296450/19 "2005-03-27T21:57:00Z")
> [@gatopescado](#): > > So what do you have to do on that link to find a picture of the damn thing? I don’t see any new Mustang or Cobra anywhere on that site. 😕 Let me guess, you’re using Firefox, right? I had to open it with IE to see it, my Firefox couldn’t display it. ---
**Author:** ![Cardinal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardinal/32/4000_2.png) [@Cardinal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardinal)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2005, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/like-the-new-mustang-youre-going-to-love-the-new-gt500/296450/20 "2005-03-28T03:24:20Z")
> [@Revtim](#): > > Let me guess, you’re using Firefox, right? I had to open it with IE to see it, my Firefox couldn’t display it. I fired up IE, but still got nothing on the bottom of the page, only a giant grey area. Ideas? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/like-the-new-mustang-youre-going-to-love-the-new-gt500/296450.md?page=2)