Why buy GT500 over Saleen PJ?????????

Houston94vert · Mar 13, 2007

Pig said:
Well I finally broke down and got a Shelby today. The dealer i got it from also had a Parnelli and a bunch of other stangs (Steeda, Roush, other Saleens). The Parnelli is definitely an awesome ride. They also had a Saleen with the glass-back roof, which was pretty nifty, but not for me (that thing gets HOT). I guess the main reason I went with the Shelby over the Parnelli was for the convertible. Ever since the spy photos came out I've been saying "they better make a vert." Throw the convertible factor out and...I dunno...its a tough call at the current prices. The Saleen will definitely be a more unique vehicle, now and in the future, which is a big draw for me. I hate it when people say, "oh, its just another Mustang." Don't get me wrong, the Shelby is unique in its own right, but with 20-30,000 being built you are bound to see one on a regular basis if you live in a populated area. I would think the chances of seeing two Parnellis on the road at the same time are going to be slim to none (unless you're at a car show).

That being said, I didn't buy my Shelby for a collector car. I bought it because once upon a time I had this plan to build a mean Mustang (S197 body, super/turbocharged 5.4 4v, 6-speed, solid axle). Only Ford beat me to it, and threw a warranty on it. Lets face it, when you build a custom car, hot rod, etc you are always going to have something go wrong with it. Personally, I don't care one bit that it has Shelby's name on it (we all know SVT built the car). Yes, I have the utmost respect for Carroll Shelby, and its cool having his name on the car, but his name is the sole reason for the inflated ADMs, and as I stated, I didn't buy it for a collector. Hell, I put 300 miles on it driving home today, and I'll probably put on another 300 tomorrow. Ford built a sweet car and I intend on driving the hell out of it.

Yes, I paid too much. I could have waited till August or September for an 08 for close to sticker, but I wanted it now to enjoy this Spring & Summer. Also, the amount of pressure and abuse my family has taken from me ranting about gross ADMs and crooked dealers over the last few months had finally taken its toll. I couldn't put them or myself through any more torture, and since I don't plan on selling it, the ADM I paid is really irrelevant (except for the immediate "OUCH! Aren't you going to use lube?" factor). I had the means to pay for it, so I did. I'll let my kids fight over it when I head off to the big corral in the sky.

That being said....first impressions! Being used to my 96, the new body is definitely a lot more solid, but the suspension will probably be one of my first upgrades. It floats a lot around corners. It may be because its a vert, i dunno, but I gotta tighten it up. The "off-road" stance leaves much to be desired as well. I only drove highway miles today, but I kicked it a few times and boy does it get the adrenalin pumping. Not to worry, I am taking it easy until I get used to it. Its going to be nice not having to fill a bottle though (for now anyways ).

Anyways, thanks for reading my 2 cents. I've been lurking for a long time and finally had something to say. I'm exhausted...must rest...I have a lot of driving to do tomorrow.

Oh by the way, does anyone know how I can find out what build number my Shelby is? My dealer didn't know. Is it posted on the window sticker anywhere?

Pig

That is awesome, congrats!!

Back to the topic.

I would purcahse the GT500. larger motor, more valves, supercharged, six speed, done.

DarkShadowCobra · Apr 3, 2007

I went with the GT500 over the PJ for 2 reasons:

A) I prefer the 281 Saleens over the PJs asthetically
B) my 03 showed me how much fun can be had with a factory blown motor

When I was first considering getting rid of the 03, I was looking at the 281SCs when they first came out in 05, I thought they looked awesome, but HP wise it would be a downgrade from the Cobra. The Extreme would be the only one I would consider from that standpoint, but $80k for a Mustang seemed a little nuts to me.

I went the Shelby route since it's basically the 'next' Cobra. The motor is sweet, and has tons of potential. I can't wait to start modding mine a little more. Sure the hastle with the dealers and ADMs made me give up on it once or fifty times, but it was well worth the wait.

The PJs are definately sweet, I saw one on display at the Saleen store in Irvine. For some reason, it just didn't get my blood boiling like the Shelby does. Personal preference I guess.

YaoNYC · Apr 3, 2007

you have to buy what gets your BLOOD PUMPIN and HEART RACING!!

either car, u can not go wrong!

chuckdoc · Apr 8, 2007

Much respect to the recent GT500 owners on the board.

chuck

LV51FER · Apr 18, 2007

SVT98Snake said:
Just because the PJ has 400 n/a ponies makes no difference. For less tham 2K, you can make that GT500 run circles around the PJ.

I think you mean in a straight line. The GT500 will always rotate about it's engine.

RICKS · Apr 19, 2007

LV51FER said:
I think you mean in a straight line. The GT500 will always rotate about it's engine.

So true... It's not that I'm not a fellow horse-power junkie, but it does get a bit silly when everything comes down to the drag-race. If you're really so obsessed with straight-line bragging rights in a Ford, build a tubbed crate-engined n2o'd Pinto.. It'd wax the Shelby every time, for 1/5th the money, leaving a ton of cash left over for buying bottles of Courvoisier and romancing the ladies...

Racer X · Apr 20, 2007

IMO the only thing against the PJ is that Ford is going to build its own Boss that will have more power and be much cheaper....

LV51FER · Apr 20, 2007

I think the PJ is drop-dead gorgeous and the limited numbers just makes it a very desirable car in terms of exclusivity. The collectability issue is total crap as far as I'm concerned because I buy a car to drive it and for the handling which is where the PJ wins again. It's been said before but so many GT500's have been bought to preserve that I doubt they'll ever be collectable. Also, in the past, the Mustangs went from high power street machines to fat lardy strangled beasts which made the earlier stuff (which had never been bought to be collected) more desirable. The fact many had been crashed and the fact that 60's car rust like billy-o meant few survived.

Now look at a modern GT500. Thousands built, thousands preserved and modern cars last forever. Future models from Ford will eclipse the GT500 ten times over unless they suddenly declare all high powered cars illegal.

So buy your cars for the pleasure they'll give you, not as an investment. If I could have a PJ at list, I'd be at the head of the queue (especially at $2 to the £). The choice between the two will ultimately depend on what deal you can get since both command a premium and what you want from the car.

Then again, in terms of exclusivity, I'd probably buy a stock S/C Saleen.

Thank god we don't all like the same thing though or we'd all be driving the same cars. Wait......

RICKS · Apr 20, 2007

Your collectible theory has a few good points, but is not watertight... Exceptions to the rule exist, but usually at lower production numbers, such as Saleen does... The Saleens WILL be collectible, regardless of how much faster the horsepower wars go, due to the same mystiques and desirable aspects that have low-mile 1987 GNX's bringing 6-figure prices today, and that have '93 and '95 R-Model Cobras and 94-99 S351 Saleens quickly climbing the value-ladder of late.

It's a complex web of things that makes a car STICK as a halo-collectible, for the long-haul. Do these new GT500's have it?? Not to a huge extent, certainly never to the extent that the original 1965-1970 series is. I think that those who are ready to pay $20K+ premiums on the new KR are also smoking weed, as there's just not that much going on with those beyond a power kit, a gear, questionable wheels, and a ton of hype..

Just look at what's happened with the poor old Corvette ZR-1... Used to be "King of the Hill"... you needed a brain-surgeon's salary to buy one new, and nothing else at the time aproached its horsepower.... until the Viper....and the fact that the LT1 had enough torque to stick within a few 10th's of it, and then the LS1, and the LS6, and LS2, and now the LS7..... All of a sudden, clean used ZR-1's can be bought for the base-price of a Mustang GT.. It's like a fallen hero...

Anyhow, I wish that everyone WOULD think about collectibility AS THEY DRIVE, just to the point that you respect the car and don't just destroy it as is what happened to so many 60's and 70's muscle cars. Nobody was thinking, nobody was caring, and now so few are left you've gotta win the lottery to buy one. Wouldn't it be better if everyone would just take care of their stuff, keep one eye on the future, so that there's more fun classic iron around 30 years from now that's affordable as well??

Why buy GT500 over Saleen PJ?????????

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