2010 Shelby GT500

[Evan]

That's only half of the story though on the track. The steering on an M3 is much more precise. The understeer on the mustangs is absolutely atrocious. I always loved my dad's mustang until.....I drove a AMG benz a BeaveRun during a trackday I attend with my gramps. The brakes on the Euro cars are better, steering is better, and most of the time, the HP/Weight ratio, is better. Hell, that Benz was better than gramps' ZR1. That was one hell of a feat to pull off.

Your dad's Mustang must have been on older one? By 2001 (with the high end Mustangs) they had fixed the understeer problem that had plagued Mustangs for years.

How are the brakes better? The braking system on Cobras is downright sick.

I think the modern high-end Stangs handle better than you think they do. And many of them have a pretty damn good power-to-weight ratio.

But to each his own...

 

[Mac]

Jason, just got to ask what year is your dad's Mustang? I'm sure mine corners better that Evans, just got to meet him and see what he thinks. They have been running the new body/style Mustangs in one of the Grand Am series and been winning, even with that "Crappy" suspension. You're right in saying they are not the best or fastest in the world but I have to live in my world and buy what I can afford (right now it's hard to afford the one I have)
Dave

 

[Jason]

Your dad's Mustang must have been on older one? By 2001 (with the high end Mustangs) they had fixed the understeer problem that had plagued Mustangs for years.

How are the brakes better? The braking system on Cobras is downright sick.

I think the modern high-end Stangs handle better than you think they do. And many of them have a pretty damn good power-to-weight ratio.

But to each his own...

They fixed it? Long video, but a good watch.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8098450185420129625

Start at the 18 minute mark. You will see that the only one that can even come close to performing properly, is the Roush. No one can take that away, the Roush is a great machine.

 

[Jason]

Jason, just got to ask what year is your dad's Mustang? I'm sure mine corners better that Evans, just got to meet him and see what he thinks. They have been running the new body/style Mustangs in one of the Grand Am series and been winning, even with that "Crappy" suspension. You're right in saying they are not the best or fastest in the world but I have to live in my world and buy what I can afford (right now it's hard to afford the one I have)
Dave

My dad's was a 1995 Cobra.

I have to ask. How many here have driven a European sports sedan that was built after the 1990's? These things are truly amazing machines and they are not out of reach price wise. You can buy them used, 2-4 years old, for about what you would pay for a new well-equipped Mustang and that used car wouldn't depreciate as rapidly.

PS Your sig says Roush 427R? That is more than many of the euro cars that I am referring to. That has to be damn near Nissan GTR territory.

 

[Evan]

My dad's was a 1995 Cobra.

Ahhh, that explains the understeer. In 1999 the Cobra suspension was completely redesigned, partially to combat the understeer issue, which Ford was aware of.

Post-1990 Euro sports cars I have driven:

1990s (don't know exact year) M3
Audi Coupe AWD with I5
Audi 1.8T AWD

They were fun cars to drive, and handled great. But when I fire my Cobra up and hear the roar of that 320 HP V8 that redlines at 7000 RPM, those Euro cars seem about as appealing to me as a Honda Civic.

EDIT: I gotta say, that recent M3 V8 looks pretty sweet though.

 

[Jason]

Ahhh, that explains the understeer. In 1999 the Cobra suspension was completely redesigned, partially to combat the understeer issue, which Ford was aware of.

Post-1990 Euro sports cars I have driven:

1990s (don't know exact year) M3
Audi Coupe AWD with I5
Audi 1.8T AWD

They were fun cars to drive, and handled great. But when I fire my Cobra up and hear the roar of that 320 HP V8 that redlines at 7000 RPM, those Euro cars seem about as appealing to me as a Honda Civic.

EDIT: I gotta say, that recent M3 V8 looks pretty sweet though.

Hell, the old M3 I6 was phenomenal too.

 

[greasemonkey01]

as well engineered as european cars are, you can't beat pure american muscle...

 

[Jason]

You obviously didn't watch the video. The "american muscle" got beat repeatedly, often by cars that were giving up a full liter of displacement. I love the growl of an American V-8, but I am not one for an image. If I buy fast, I want to go fast. Looking and sounding fast isn't good enough.

MMMMMmmmm. American Muscle.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-O5huaBA4uo

 

[greasemonkey01]

Sorry to upset you but that is my opinion, I have no interest in foreign cars let alone cars period, I'm sure they handle great and have lots of power but they're ugly. Mustangs are about the only cars I do like.

 

[Jason]

This list explains my thoughts on how the big 3 are missing the boat on building good performance cars. Look at where the Ford GT is compared to the Nissan GTR, which costs half of what the GT does.
http://www.thering.co.uk/Nurburgring_Lap_Times.htm

 

[Jason]

Sorry to upset you but that is my opinion, I have no interest in foreign cars let alone cars period, I'm sure they handle great and have lots of power but they're ugly. Mustangs are about the only cars I do like.

I respect an opinion of course. It is when people try to justify it with made up facts. Just say it's an opinion, we are all cool with that.

 

[marlow3000]

go drive your euro garbage with your top 4 buttons undone listening to techno and ill keep rocking out in my mustang

 

[rangerbum]

I love the shelby mustangs. I drive a modified GT-H(rent-a-Racer)at work from time to time. It's not much more than a Mustang GT. It has bigger brakes, is lower, has a strut tie bar, Ford Racing cold air, and shelby exhaust. The mustang GT is stock with 300 Hp, the GT-H comes stock with 325. The GT-H there were 500 made in '66, and in 2006 they produced 500 more. My boss got one.

His has been profesionally tuned, has a fully dis-engagable traction control system, Custom Exhaust, Drag pack(from ford racing), and god only knows what else.

He says it's running about 415Hp, naturally aspirated. I will agree with that because Ive driven it and experienced the beast.

He hasnt modified the brakes, and they are incredible. As far as handling goes, the brakes are the most impressive part.

 

[rangerbum]

go drive your euro garbage with your top 4 buttons undone listening to techno and ill keep rocking out in my mustang

+1, mabe even +2.

 

[Mac]

You obviously didn't watch the video. The "american muscle" got beat repeatedly, often by cars that were giving up a full liter of displacement. I love the growl of an American V-8, but I am not one for an image. If I buy fast, I want to go fast. Looking and sounding fast isn't good enough.

MMMMMmmmm. American Muscle.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-O5huaBA4uo

Your points are well taken. What Evan didn't mention is that the Mustang was totally redesigned front to back for the '05' season to address other handling issues, front and rear. I could have spent another 25K and gotten a Vette, gone like stink on the road. Stayed practical with the Roush (somewhat), hard to beat a car with the handling and power of 427 hp Roush that can carry a big cooler and a couple of riders, cramped as they might be. All depends on your wants and needs (and pocket book). I think the nearest dealer for a BMW or Porsch is 100 miles away and you know the prices are crazy for parts. There will always be a faster, better car that what we have.
Dave - Summer DD