As is a wonderful perk of my job (running the valet at a country club full of Big Three execs), I finally got to drive a new GT tonight.
First of all, anyone concerned about the shifter position, put your worries to rest right now. Not only do you not bang your fingers into the console, the position is PERFECT, no reaching whatsoever. The throws are not as short as you'd expect when you see the knob is set close to the opening in the console, but it's VERY slick to drive, I don't think many people will be complaining. Clutch I can't really say either way, I have a King Cobra in my '01 so anything feels too light to me. The car hauls, doesn't honestly feel as fast as my Cobra, but I'm sure smoothness detracts from the fact that it is pretty damn quick.
I remember when I got my Cobra it took a little while to get comfortable driving it and my confidence in pushing it and sliding around corners and whatnot came sort of slowly. You get in this car and you feel like you've owned it for years after a half a mile, VERY confidence-inspiring. Plenty of 300hp live axle fun, but also not frightening and dance-aroundish.
The build quality and fit and finish, as far as I can tell, is fantastic. Looks like Ford really spent some time getting everything right and bringing the fight to the rest of the quality cars in the world. The chassis feels light years ahead of my Cobra (as it should), even with the solid rear axle. Much like the LS it's borrowed from, nice and tight, very well poised in corners and quick manuveurs. I hate to throw out the default comparison, but as a big BMW fan, it's excitingly much closer to the feel of a 3 series.
The one I drove was loaded up, including the color changing dash. I was under the impression the ENTIRE dash and console, including radio and climate controls changed, but it's only the main instrument cluster. It is cool and makes you say "Wow, how'd they do THAT?". Not sure if I'd check it on the options list or not, but it's worth a look for sure. The red interior is pretty sweet, especially against the black exterior and aluminum accents inside, all around a visually impressive package.
Can't help but notice that even the biggest wheels still look too small to me on this car. Like any Mustang it needs to be dropped and have bigger shoes fitted. With that done this car will probably look mean as hell. The front is old school and killer, I wouldn't change a thing.
All in all, I've been a big fan of this car since I first saw pictures, and I like it even more than I imagined I would. More than anything, now that I'm relieved to know it completely lives up to the hype and hopes, I'm totally psyched to get my hands on the hotter versions... Cobras and Shelbys and whatever there is to come. This car is going to be THE car to have at 400+ hp and some performance upgrades, no question. So if you haven't had this pleasure yet, take it from me, it's worth the wait.
-Chris
First of all, anyone concerned about the shifter position, put your worries to rest right now. Not only do you not bang your fingers into the console, the position is PERFECT, no reaching whatsoever. The throws are not as short as you'd expect when you see the knob is set close to the opening in the console, but it's VERY slick to drive, I don't think many people will be complaining. Clutch I can't really say either way, I have a King Cobra in my '01 so anything feels too light to me. The car hauls, doesn't honestly feel as fast as my Cobra, but I'm sure smoothness detracts from the fact that it is pretty damn quick.
I remember when I got my Cobra it took a little while to get comfortable driving it and my confidence in pushing it and sliding around corners and whatnot came sort of slowly. You get in this car and you feel like you've owned it for years after a half a mile, VERY confidence-inspiring. Plenty of 300hp live axle fun, but also not frightening and dance-aroundish.
The build quality and fit and finish, as far as I can tell, is fantastic. Looks like Ford really spent some time getting everything right and bringing the fight to the rest of the quality cars in the world. The chassis feels light years ahead of my Cobra (as it should), even with the solid rear axle. Much like the LS it's borrowed from, nice and tight, very well poised in corners and quick manuveurs. I hate to throw out the default comparison, but as a big BMW fan, it's excitingly much closer to the feel of a 3 series.
The one I drove was loaded up, including the color changing dash. I was under the impression the ENTIRE dash and console, including radio and climate controls changed, but it's only the main instrument cluster. It is cool and makes you say "Wow, how'd they do THAT?". Not sure if I'd check it on the options list or not, but it's worth a look for sure. The red interior is pretty sweet, especially against the black exterior and aluminum accents inside, all around a visually impressive package.
Can't help but notice that even the biggest wheels still look too small to me on this car. Like any Mustang it needs to be dropped and have bigger shoes fitted. With that done this car will probably look mean as hell. The front is old school and killer, I wouldn't change a thing.
All in all, I've been a big fan of this car since I first saw pictures, and I like it even more than I imagined I would. More than anything, now that I'm relieved to know it completely lives up to the hype and hopes, I'm totally psyched to get my hands on the hotter versions... Cobras and Shelbys and whatever there is to come. This car is going to be THE car to have at 400+ hp and some performance upgrades, no question. So if you haven't had this pleasure yet, take it from me, it's worth the wait.
-Chris