Observations from a new '05 owner

2005TorchRedGT · Nov 24, 2004

I've had my new GT for 24 hours so far and can honestly comment that I don't really have a problem with the steering wheel being in close proximity to the dash (as others seem to have), though I'm sure this is dependant upon the drivers' stature.

The problems I do have:

My elbow has hit the front edge of the armrest pad so many times during shifting that I'm contemplating ripping the pad off or leaving it in the up position!

Don't even think about putting a large-sized McDonalds drink or similar in the cupholder unless you plan to be parked awhile; shifting is difficult to impossible with a coke in place.

Shaker 1000 (though it sounds excellent) rattles the hell out of the trunk, even at a lower bass setting. One surprise though: the system seems to sound BETTER when playing mp3s as opposed to an actual retail CD. A subjective opinion, I admit...

It would be nice if the traction control could be set to stay 'off' when the car is restarted instead of defaulting to 'on' every time.

Aside from the minor gripes above, I'm very happy with the car overall so far.

Btw, could anyone with a Shaker 500 and a base system please check the part number on their rear deck speakers and post here? Mine says 'XW7F-18808-BB'. I'm just curious if there is an actual difference in the speakers, or is Ford's 'audiophile speaker' claim actually true. Thanks.

Darkhorse845 · Nov 24, 2004

Overall you have a nice ride and a Shaker 1000 what more could
you ask for!

cpalmore · Nov 24, 2004

I cant believe anyone has anything negative to say

How could anyone find anything negative about this car? i have had mine since friday night and it is everything that i anticipated. the build up to this car wasnt just hype like with others. when i am not driving it, i sit on my front porch with my buddies drink beer and admire it. havent named her yet but soon enough. i have no complaints with the car itself, i just have to buy a barricade to keep kids more than ten from it.

98V6 · Nov 24, 2004

I don't own one yet but I am planning on getting one soon. I know its hard to say anything about this car but the little things you can say are the improvments ford can make on the next model year 06 07 and beyond. I think hitting your elbow on the arm rest while shifting is a real grip a small one but none the less real. I know if I was at the track in the final round I would be mad if I missed shifted because I hit my elbow on the arm rest.

I don't eat or drink in my cars at least not when they are new, so the soda thing I really can't say much except I heard the Ford GT does not have a cup holder.

As for the traction control it has always been that way. MM&FF had an artical about a box that would fix that. What it did was leave it the way it was, if you left it off it would stay off. I think the fact that the default is on is a safety star Ford gets on some chart that some goverment (or private for that matter) organization runs and it means almost nothing to most of us.

REDFIRE 05 GT · Nov 24, 2004

I thought the same about the armrest pad, After a few hunderd miles It doesn't bother me anymore, it is just getting used to a new car. As foor the McDonalds cup, you couldn't put on in the old stangs either...no problem here. What kind of rattling are you hearing out of the sub? nothing on my car rattles. The Traction Control is the same with all Mustangs.

askiles · Nov 24, 2004

About the cupholder...you know that there is a false floor in the back one, so that you can put really tall drinks in there. I do not usually have drinks in the car, but one morning I ran to McD's and got a large drink, took out that false floor, and it fit nicely, where it wasn't too much in my way of shifting. Also, I don't have the same problem with my Shaker 1000 rattling everything. Maybe you need to tighten some things up back there. I know, and I hate this, when people have big huge "boom" systems, they usually don't put a license plate frame on, and it rattles the hell out of the license plate, and sounds stupid. Also, I love the armrest. I have never hit it. To each his own. One of the only things that I did not like was the stupid hydrocarbon trap in the intake. If you take it out, you will see how restrictive it is. Just blow through it. It doesn't set off any type of sensor, so it just gives you a little bit of gain. Later.

-Andy

2005TorchRedGT · Nov 24, 2004

REDFIRE 05 GT said:
I thought the same about the armrest pad, After a few hunderd miles It doesn't bother me anymore, it is just getting used to a new car. As foor the McDonalds cup, you couldn't put on in the old stangs either...no problem here. What kind of rattling are you hearing out of the sub? nothing on my car rattles. The Traction Control is the same with all Mustangs.

In hindsight, perhaps I was too harsh with the armrest comment. I spent a good part of the day today driving the car and you are correct; I just need to get accustomed to a new driving environment.

Regarding the other comments (re: cupholder), my opinions are based upon the fact that I've not had a GT newer than a '93 up to this point. I fell out of the Mustang scene for awhile and wasn't aware that the problem also existed in the 94-04 years, nor was I aware that traction control already existed before the '05s. My mistake...

It's difficult to explain the rattle around the trunk area, but I will take the advice of the poster above and try to 'tighten things up' before further jumping to conclusions.

2005TorchRedGT · Nov 24, 2004

askiles said:
About the cupholder...you know that there is a false floor in the back one, so that you can put really tall drinks in there. -Andy

Didn't know that, thanks alot!

askiles said:
One of the only things that I did not like was the stupid hydrocarbon trap in the intake. If you take it out, you will see how restrictive it is. Just blow through it. It doesn't set off any type of sensor, so it just gives you a little bit of gain.-Andy

I was looking at that last night and wondered what its' function was. Does it simply come out as a whole or does it need to be knocked out (like the internals of a catalytic converter)? Thanks for the tip!

askiles · Nov 24, 2004

It does just simply pull out. All you need to do it is, a screwdriver to get the clamps off of the intake tubing, and a pair of needle nose pliers. Simply work the pliers in around the edges of it, and pull a little bit at a time as you go around it several times. It only took me five minutes to do the whole thing. I was also told, if you take off the air box bellow, the rubber thing that goes to the right into the fender, you can also increase airflow, so I did it. I just felt the need to. It does open the hole up on the side of the box quite a bit.

-Andy

2005TorchRedGT · Nov 24, 2004

98V6 said:
MM&FF had an artical about a box that would fix that. What it did was leave it the way it was, if you left it off it would stay off.

Are you referring to this device?:

http://www.partshopper.com/fordmustang/Items/PEP-TRACT-ADAPT.html

If so, much appreciate the heads-up!

2005TorchRedGT · Nov 24, 2004

askiles said:
It does just simply pull out. All you need to do it is, a screwdriver to get the clamps off of the intake tubing, and a pair of needle nose pliers. Simply work the pliers in around the edges of it, and pull a little bit at a time as you go around it several times. It only took me five minutes to do the whole thing. I was also told, if you take off the air box bellow, the rubber thing that goes to the right into the fender, you can also increase airflow, so I did it. I just felt the need to. It does open the hole up on the side of the box quite a bit.

-Andy

Cool, thanks alot for the detailed removal description . I'll try it tonight..

REDFIRE 05 GT · Nov 24, 2004

I took mine out the first time I saw it.

merlinsteele · Nov 24, 2004

Man, you guys are really cool, with the tips and the updates from the new owners. I'm saving them to a data file I'm compiling for when I 'finally' get one of my own. Thanks again, people!

askiles · Nov 24, 2004

It's my pleasure to answer any questions. Feel free to ask any that you have. That's what forums are for. Later.

-Andy

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