GT500 as a daily driver?

[Vettkilr]

Searched through the forums - nothing jumped out. Sorry if it's already been asked, but curious:

Anyone using their GT500 as a daily driver? I'm contemplating a purchase (new), but it may see upwards of 100m a day on occasion. Assuming my wallet can handle the gas and tire money, do you think it silly to consider one of these cars as a daily driver? I'm not a garage queen kinda guy, so when I buy a car, it's to drive it first and foremost. I commuted for years in a hair-trigger clutched turbo car, so you can say that I've built a pretty high tolerance in traffic situations, lol.

Appreciate any thoughts.

[niceguy]

I'm using mine as a DD, but I just got mine.... so don't have alot of input.

[CSG]

If you can afford to take the depreciation hit then go for it. I have been contemplating getting one myself and using it mostly DD. I have a garage queen already and it is not that much fun, I want to be in a "fun" car all the time.

[10secgoal]

Why not ? It's jut a car

[Vettkilr]

Haven't driven one yet - so guess I was asking more about it's traffic mannerisms than anything else. Stiff clutch, gear ratio issues while stuck in traffic, attracting the attention of the local police, etc.

Think I'm gonna go for it here in about a month unless I hear about people's clutch leg falling off, etc. Based on my current driving, I'll put 30k or so on her each year - but I'm ok with that...

[10secgoal]

My 08 is juuust a touch stiff. But not bad. the 2010 are supposed to be much easier.

[SaleenFeen.]

My dad has 40k on his 2010 gt500 bassani catback and a pulley upgrade. He loves it

[notchthis]

if you plan to keep it and not resell/trade it in later, the mileage isnt an issue. sure would be a sweet car to dd!

[94CobraPace]

No problems here DD the Shelby. Aftermarket clutch is easy on the leg. Took it on a trip and got 24 MPG over 500 miles (even after getting there and city driving).

[yellowstang1]

I just purchased a 2010. Iam DD mine. The clutch is easy. You will enjoy driving this car every day. Just do it, You will be glad you did.

[TURBOX2]

A couple thoughts.... My '07 has what I consider to be a vey stiff clutch, I put it in neutral all the time when stopped to avoid having to hold it down. 2010 and up are supposed to be much lighter and probably not an issue. Other than that its a very comfortable car, easy to drive, gas mileage sucks if you use the throttle at all....

As far as buying new, if you plan to rack up a lot of miles you will lose a lot of value, I'd look for like a year old for a much better value. Or, an interesting option, my local Ford dealer has been sitting on a new 2010 forever and finally decided to blow it out. MSRP is $51,270, they had it at around 49 for a long time, just dropped it to $42,991 a week or so ago. Its Grabber blue with white stripes, I've been drooling over it since it first hit the lot but couldn't justify paying 40's...

2010 Ford Mustang at Rochester Ford N Rochester - Rochester Ford

If you come get it you owe me a ride for the hookup....

[blackbob]

That is a pretty good deal,I don't see why you couldn't talk them down to the 30's.

[Cobra_Kid]

Vettkilr,

1st - if you use the 92 5.0 car in your sig as a DD then I don't think you'll have an issue with a GT500. Your 92 must be a sick car!
2nd - I have a coworker that DD's his 2012 SVT Performance Pkg GT500 (coupe) to work and drives over 60 miles a day on his. He loves it! Gets around 18 combined MPG.
3rd - Let us know what you think of it as a DD when you buy it.

Thanks

[Chitownstangguy]

I say go for it. I drive my 2012 everyday rain or shine in NC. It's been great and I'm getting about 13 mpg. My biggest complaint is that heat soak robs alot of power on hot summer days while in traffic. A dual fan HE is in the plan for me next spring. Again, go for it. Stock is so docile to drive compared to a fox with a blower its unreal. No clutch pedal effort. Only complaint I have is the dreaded 1-2 grind at high rpms.

[littleredfox]

If you buy an older one the clutch is a little heavy but ok. I put the up-dated clutch in an 08 today and the clutch was so light I didn't think it would hold,but it did. Go for it, you will have a blast. PS I did the clutch under the power train warranty.

Don C

[clean93]

id love to DD a gt500. I just dont see myself DD one in the winter here

[1oldfox]

Go for it. This is my daily driver-No really- I have a blast in this car I just took it to the Summit Racing store in Ohio and I'm planing a trip to Tampa
later this fall. I drive this where ever I go. And I go about 16,000 mi a year.
This winter will be then first with the Blower I might pull it and run a single
four barrel carb until spring. I have been driving this car year around for many years and I don't regret it at all. yes it get some nicks and small dents now and then but,,,I'm enjoying it
In the winter I run skinny tires and wheels with studs and I have a set of chains that I need sometime to get up the mountain.
I live in the appellation mountains and our winters can be brutal.
nice cars may look great sitting in the garage
But they feel fantastic going down the road.
I built mine to drive.--chains on and all

[TURBOX2]

16,000 a year at what, 10 mpg? Yikes....

[1oldfox]

Originally Posted by TURBOX2

16,000 a year at what, 10 mpg? Yikes....

I just got back from a trip to Ohio and my best was 21.4 that's running
70-80ish with the air on. I'm sure I could do better @ 60 or so but that's
no fun....I run and drive this car.
Drove it for 2hrs in the pouring rain.--ran fine
a mostly stock 5.0 and until you punch it the blower just goes along for the ride.
Nice stereo (CD) ,8 way power lumbar seat, air conditioning and all the usual stuff so why not?

[clean93]

^a true old school type mustang owner. thats whats up

[Bob Knudsen]

I drove my 88 LX as a daily driver for 12 years. The GT500 is a much more civilized car and, from a driving experience, would make a fine daily driver. The only reasons I do not use mine as a DD are non-driving issues, such as wanting to keep the car in "show" condition, etc. Even with some mods and 650 hp on tap it is a smooth driver.

[CHRGDPNYBOY]

Okay I don't have a GT500 as a DD but if I could afford to own one, I wouldn't want a car that nice as a DD. I have a hard enough time having to DD my 2010 GT Premium and it's nothing special at all. Some even view it as the step child no one wants. Anyway, just having to drive a regular dime a dozen GT has made me contemplate more than once about letting her go for something more practical that won't have me worrying if I get caught in the rain or some damn rock finds its way into my bumper or hood. I never had to worry about this with my blown 93 5Liter as it was my garage car and I had a SVTF as my DD. The 93 had long been paid off so I could afford back then to do it. Not now but my bike serves as my replacement garage queen. Anyway, I'm sure it would be a blast to drive a GT500 daily but I just couldn't bring myself to doing it to such a nice car. If that doesn't bother you then I say go for it.

[CHRGDPNYBOY]

Originally Posted by TURBOX2

Or, an interesting option, my local Ford dealer has been sitting on a new 2010 forever and finally decided to blow it out. MSRP is $51,270, they had it at around 49 for a long time, just dropped it to $42,991 a week or so ago. Its Grabber blue with white stripes, I've been drooling over it since it first hit the lot but couldn't justify paying 40's...

2010 Ford Mustang at Rochester Ford N Rochester - Rochester Ford

Wow! My favorite color combo for the GT500 and the S197 body style that I love. I don't care at all if its a little less of a refined 500 because of the iron block vs. the 2011/12's aluminum ones. At that price I'd jump on that car. Heck, there are new 5Liter's commanding that price.

On another note, I was at a Carmax the other day just browsing and after chatting with one of the salesmen who liked my car and was trying to get me to sell it to them, mentioned that he just appraised a 2012 GT500 with 400 miles that cost the owner 57k, and they offered him 44k for it. WTF! It had 400 miles on it and theY wanted to rape him on the offer they gave him. I know that there's depreciation but that's just sick. I felt bad for the guy and bet he took that 7 day offer and wiped his butt with it.

[crs2879]

I am NOT defending Carmax but GT500 values are on the lower side right now. I was actually looking for a Boss 302 and began stumbling on GT500 cars at good prices. Even saw a brand new '11 in Race Red, SVT Perf., Electronics pkg and stripe delete for $48.7K on a $55.3K MSRP. Dealer said he had 2 GT500s and did not want to get "stuck with one". Was talking with him about a trade deal and someone grabbed it off ebay with BIN before I could finalize a deal. There are several on Cars.com in the $45-$46K range with low miles so $44K on trade seems a legit offer.

[StuckInNYForever]

I was close to buying a GT500, but settled on the '11 GT. I put 20,000 miles per year in lots of traffic, but more importantly, I need to drive in the snow in NY winters. I am looking to trade up to a 2013 GT500 instead of dropping over $10k into my GT.

How different will the GT500 be in winters compared to the GT? The GT did pretty well in the snow, with all things considered. Will I need snow tires for winter? Am I nuts?!

[Juiced408W]

My buddy dd his. You buy to drive it and if you care about mpg then buy a honda.

[DOHC MARK VIII]

My 2011 Shelby GT-500 is a daily driver. Had it for little over a year and just turned 16,000 miles. It's fantastic. The clutch is lighter than my previous DD which was a 2003 Mach 1. Even with 550 factory stock hp it is an easier car to drive daily than the Mach. The EPA mileage sticker stated 15 to 23 mpg. I normally get about 17 in my daily commute. I've gotten as high as 25.4 on the highway running 62 to 65 mph. Even at 80+ I get 21 or 22 mpg.

The electronics and computers make it a joy to drive. As long as you ease into the throttle it's as easy as driving your grandmothers 1963 Ford Falcon with three on the tree.

I've owned and daily driven Mustangs since 1970 and it's my best one yet.

[StuckInNYForever]

Originally Posted by DOHC MARK VIII

My 2011 Shelby GT-500 is a daily driver. Had it for little over a year and just turned 16,000 miles. It's fantastic. The clutch is lighter than my previous DD which was a 2003 Mach 1. Even with 550 factory stock hp it is an easier car to drive daily than the Mach. The EPA mileage sticker stated 15 to 23 mpg. I normally get about 17 in my daily commute. I've gotten as high as 25.4 on the highway running 62 to 65 mph. Even at 80+ I get 21 or 22 mpg.

The electronics and computers make it a joy to drive. As long as you ease into the throttle it's as easy as driving your grandmothers 1963 Ford Falcon with three on the tree.

I've owned and daily driven Mustangs since 1970 and it's my best one yet.

Has it seen snow? MPG is in line with what I would expect - hopefully that includes spirited driving though!

[DOHC MARK VIII]

Originally Posted by StuckInNYForever

Has it seen snow? MPG is in line with what I would expect - hopefully that includes spirited driving though!

I live and travel mostly in the Southeast. I usually only see snow on the TV when the cable is out (LOL). However the summer performance tires these cars come with are terrible in sub 40 degree weather, at least until they heat up some what. You also need to be cautious in wet weather. I recently replaced the original tires at 16,000 mile with a better all-weather performance tire and they handle the inclement weather much better. Not everybody drives their Shelby GT-500 everyday in good and bad weather so it may not be that big a deal but it was for me.

"Spirited" driving will net me closer to 15 mpg daily. You can't use all 550 hp everyday and get my gas mileage. Believe me, I spend as much time in 5th and 6th gearsas I can to get my mileage, but I do have fun getting there.