New 2012 GT first impressions

[Aggies88]

Hello All

I'm a new member who purchased a 2012 GT last week and wanted to share some first impressions. I opted for the premium package with the 6 speed man. Brembo, comfort, and security package. I liked how the stock exhaust sounded, but I had the dealer install the Roush axle backs prior to picking up the car. I have to say, for anyone trying to make a decision on an aftermarket exhaust, I am 100% in love with the Roush product. It absolutely makes the car sound amazing. It makes all the right sounds. Downshifting has quickly become my favorite hobby. It makes an intoxicating burble and crackle, including a real nice rumble at idle.
Overall, I love the car. I debated between the Challenger SRT8 and the GT. After a few months and countless hours of research, it became very clear that the Mustang was the way to go, and so far, I couldn't be more happy. It rides great, is very comfortable, has absolute incredible power, and is just fun to drive.
I fully believe some of the 3rd party dyno tests that claim 435hp is much more likely the actual numbers compared to Ford's claim of 412. Power is everywhere and seemless. So far I am very happy with the 6 speed. I know there have been some concerns but as of now, shifting is smooth and quick.
I am lucky enough to still have my truck as my daily driver which gives me the opportunity to really take care of my new GT and not expose it to nasty weather.
I sure hope you all are enjoying your GTs as much as I am and hopefully will for a long time.

 

[beviking]

Thanks Aggies88! Not sure about others but I like to get alot of different opinions and seeing others impressions just might be the info someone else needs to make up their mind. Fwiw, there are some decent videos/sound comparisons on youtube for different exhausts and Steeda's site has some really good ones too! Since we all have different tastes, can you pin down the sound difference a little more beteween stock and the roush exhaust? Deeper tones? You said crackle but to me, some of the exhausts make too much "popping" sounds which may be what you're calling crackle...like a brick of firecrackers going off.
Congrats on the new Stang!

 

[Aggies88]

Beviking

I never drove my GT with the stock exhaust. When it came to the dealer I started it and reved the engine a few times. I had the Roush installed before I signed off and picked up. I can't give much of an impression on stock, but stock did not sound bad at all. It seemed to be quiet at idle, and a nice, fairly deep tone under revs.
As far as the Roush exhaust, it is VERY loud and anyone within a half mile will hear you, however, very loud was exactly what I was looking for. This is not my daily driver; more of a nice weather toy where I don't need to worry about passengers; however, cruising in 6th gear on the highway is much quieter, but the exhaust can be heard at all times. I have a dodge truck with Flowmasters which I considered to be fairly aggressive. Compared to Roush the Flows are mellow.
At start up, the Roush is very loud and aggressive. It idles down to a deep rumble. When accelerating between just off idle to about 4000 rpm it is loud, deep, and aggressive. Think 60's era muscle car. 4000 rpm to redline is much more aggressive. It is hard to describe but think something like a a big block with just headers. To give context, I was recently at a family member's house. Upon driving away they texted me and said they could still hear me way after I was out of sight. In terms of the "pop", upon downshift there is a fantastic rumble resulting from the backpressure. I don't know that I would call it a pop, though.

My best suggestion is to check out a few youtube clips. I am not a big fan of youtube but there are so many aftermarket exhaust options that being able to search for exactly what you are looking for really helped me. Just keep in mind that whatever you hear on youtube will be much louder and aggressive in person, which was my immediate reaction to hearing it. Another option: If any Ford dealers in your area has any Roush GTs on their lot, they run the same exhaust that Roush offers for their aftermarket exhaust. I was able to do this which finalized my decision.

It is certainly not for everyone, but when looking for something deep, loud, and aggressive, I have found this set up to be perfect for me.

Sorry so long, hope this helped.

 

[Ateup]

You keep downshifting as a hobby and you won't have as many nice things to say about your tranny.

 

[medtech]

I have the Roush Axle-Back on my 6sp manual '12 GT also and love it. I agree with most of the above. The exhaust sounds great. It sounds loud and very racy when accelerating or winding down. Every one at work thinks it sounds great. They say its loud, but to (me) the driver it doesn't sound obnoxoius, just muscular. I think it sounds somewhat simular to the sound of the General Lee on the Dukes of Hazzard ( which BTW was reputedbly supposed to be from the soundtrack of a Mustang fastback used in a 60's Steve McQeen movie; Bullet, I think). It sure sounds better than a ' 77 Trans Am I had 20 years ago with glasspacks on it. I don't think the sound is quite as deep as the old muscle cars. It sounds higher pitched to my 38 y.o. ears. It sure gets the attention of a cop when turning around before a traffic stop late a night after work. They chased me down and pulled me over. The cop shined light on my face and let me go after I explained I thought it was wreck up ahead and didn't want to get stuck in a traffic jam.

 

[madpacket]

Love my Roush exhaust too! I think it makes the car sound faster than it actually is heh

 

[DavidPR]

Cool! I also have a 12 premium GT with Roush exhaust. Note that the tone changes a little bit after the exhaust breaks in. It becomes less raspy (good), but dronier at certain RPM's (bad).