Z06 vs GT500KR Edmunds

[565]

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/Comparos/articleId=131034


No surprise really.

Interesting tidbit thrown in about the GT-R at the end.  Edmunds mentioned their own long term GT-R in preformance testing, so there is probably another upcoming comparo involving the Z06 and GT-R.

[SVT666]

I'm posting this before I even read it.

Mismatch.  Cars that don't compete and are in totally different classes.  Why even compare them?

Now I'm going to go read it.

[SVT666]

Read it.  I still stand by what I said.  Stupid comparo.

Having said that, it sounds like testers are starting to fall out of love with the Z06.  When it first came out, it was the greatest car ever made, now everyone is saying how bad the handling is. 

[Soup DeVille]

Read it.  I still stand by what I said.  Stupid comparo.

Having said that, it sounds like testers are starting to fall out of love with the Z06.  When it first came out, it was the greatest car ever made, now everyone is saying how bad the handling is. 

Reviewers often bargain for an early review- The magazines want good sales from getting the first drive in a hot new car, and the manufacturers want good press; and any of these magazines know that if they repay the early access to the car granted them by the automaker with anything but a breathlessly glowing review, they can kiss any chance of ever being shown that sort of consideration again goodbye.

After the car is actually in showrooms and available to the general public, the reviewers have more of a chance to say what they really think.

[Rich]

Every review I've read from day 1 has mentioned the squirrely rear end

[SVT666]

Every review I've read from day 1 has mentioned the squirrely rear end

Yes, but every time I read a comparo with a Z06 in it, the reviews are getting more and more critical all the time of the handling.  This one is down right damning.

[565]

Yes, but every time I read a comparo with a Z06 in it, the reviews are getting more and more critical all the time of the handling.  This one is down right damning.

The field has moved on.  When the Z06 first came out, it was one of the fastest cars available around the track.  So they somewhat overlooked the vague rear end.

In these short few years, quite a few cars have been just as amazing or more amazing around the track, R8, Viper ACR, 911 GT3/GT2, and of course the GT-R

The Edmunds crew has a GT-R in it's stable now, so I guess it's inevitable they are making some comparisons in confidence, and basically few cars can match the GT-R's handling confidence.  They couldn't resist mentioning it at the end.

[Raza]

Yes, but every time I read a comparo with a Z06 in it, the reviews are getting more and more critical all the time of the handling.  This one is down right damning.

It's still the most fun car in GT5.  And I'm faster in it than I am in my 430. 

Still it's customary.  Every car is wonderful when it comes out, then is terrible when it's replaced or a higher performance model comes out (i.e., the ZR-1) and then in fifteen years it's wonderful again (provided it's a BMW).

[SVT666]

It's still the most fun car in GT5.  And I'm faster in it than I am in my 430. 

Still it's customary.  Every car is wonderful when it comes out, then is terrible when it's replaced or a higher performance model comes out (i.e., the ZR-1) and then in fifteen years it's wonderful again (provided it's a BMW).

That's not entirely true.  I haven't read a positive review about the Mustang...ever.    

The initial reviews praised Ford for what they did with a live axle rearend, but I don't remember any review ever stating it's handling was top notch or anything.

[Raza]

That's not entirely true.  I haven't read a positive review about the Mustang...ever.    

The initial reviews praised Ford for what they did with a live axle rearend, but I don't remember any review ever stating it's handling was top notch or anything.

Right, but when the new Mustang came out, the magazines were all over it, creaming about how cool it was (Gotta Have It factor was through the roof!) and how well it handled for having a live axle.  When, if ever, an IRS Mustang comes out, they'll all shit on the current car, then in ten years talk about it as being the last real Mustang.

[Cookie Monster]

Damn, the Ford is such a ripoff!

Why would anyone take that over a Viper ACR?

[SVT666]

Damn, the Ford is such a ripoff!

Why would anyone take that over a Viper ACR?

It's a different kind of car and can be lived with daily.  It's definitely a ripoff, but everything with Shelby's name on it is.

[Raza]

It's a different kind of car and can be lived with daily.  It's definitely a ripoff, but everything with Shelby's name on it is.

I don't know about that.  If the GT500 sold at sticker, it would be a very good deal.

[Soup DeVille]

It's a different kind of car and can be lived with daily.  It's definitely a ripoff, but everything with Shelby's name on it is.

Omni GLHS.

[565]

I don't know about that.  If the GT500 sold at sticker, it would be a very good deal.

I bet Ford saw how much the GT500's were being marked up and thought, hey why are we letting the dealers rip off those suckers when we can rip them off directly instead?

[SVT666]

I don't know about that.  If the GT500 sold at sticker, it would be a very good deal.

Okay, yes you are right.  But I'm thinking of the exorbitant markups dealers are putting on them.  Personally, for the same price as the GT500KR and I still wanted a Mustang, I would rather buy the Shelby Super Snake.  Same price, but has 725 hp.

[Raza]

I bet Ford saw how much the GT500's were being marked up and thought, hey why are we letting the dealers rip off those suckers when we can rip them off directly instead?

I saw a GT500 for sale, and I checked the "Market Adjustment"; $25,000.  I literally laughed out loud, like a maniac, and walked out.  I didn't want to do business with those people

[sportyaccordy]

Why not just put a supercharger on a regular GT & save urself the $$$ and ###'s

[Raza]

Warranty, exclusivity, et al.

[SVT666]

Warranty, exclusivity, et al.

Ford Racing sells a supercharger kit that takes the GT to 485 hp and leaves the warranty intact. 

[SVT666]

Why not just put a supercharger on a regular GT & save urself the $$$ and ###'s

Mustang GT = $28,000
Supercharger Kit and Installation = $8000
Suspension and Installation = $4000
Brake Kit and Installation = $4000
Wheel and Tire Combo = $2500
New shifter and clutch and Installation = $1100
Exhaust system and installation = $2500
Dyno Tune = $500

Total = $46,600

Your warranty is all but gone, resale value is in the toilet, and you just spent more then the MSRP of a GT500.

[Nethead]

Right, but when the new Mustang came out, the magazines were all over it, creaming about how cool it was (Gotta Have It factor was through the roof!) and how well it handled for having a live axle.  When, if ever, an IRS Mustang comes out, they'll all shit on the current car, then in ten years talk about it as being the last real Mustang.

Raza:  RazDude has become the leading sage of the World Wide Web with this posting.   My hat is off to the Raz!   That is such the essence of just exactly how it will be!  GGGRRREEEAAATTT work, RazDude!

[Soup DeVille]

Mustang GT = $28,000
Supercharger Kit and Installation = $8000
Suspension and Installation = $4000
Brake Kit and Installation = $4000
Wheel and Tire Combo = $2500
New shifter and clutch and Installation = $1100
Exhaust system and installation = $2500
Dyno Tune = $500

Total = $46,600

Your warranty is all but gone, resale value is in the toilet, and you just spent more then the MSRP of a GT500.

$2500 for an exhaust?
Any supercharger kit costing $8000 better have a tune already for it.
You can get any number of high quality suspension upgrades for way less than $4000.

But anyways, even if you did outspend the MSRP of a 500KR, whoc cares; you're not going to find one at MSRP anyways, and in the end, you'll have a much more personal and unique vehicle.

Not saying that its the only option, or that it is a better one for everybody, but it is an option.

[SVT666]

$2500 for an exhaust?

Headers, mid-pipe, and catback including installation.  Yes.

Any supercharger kit costing $8000 better have a tune already for it.

That is supercharger and installation.  Most shops charge as much for the installation and setup as the kit costs.  $8000 might be a bit high, but it won't be below $6000.

You can get any number of high quality suspension upgrades for way less than $4000.

Shocks, struts, springs, roll bars, strut tower brace, etc plus installation.  Yes.

But anyways, even if you did outspend the MSRP of a 500KR, whoc cares; you're not going to find one at MSRP anyways, and in the end, you'll have a much more personal and unique vehicle.

Not saying that its the only option, or that it is a better one for everybody, but it is an option.

It is an option, and it's an option I would probably go for myself, but he asked why would someone buy a GT500 when they could just supercharge a GT and save money.  That was my answer.  It's more then just a supercharger.

[GoCougs]

$2500 for an exhaust?

Sounds way excessive to me, too, considering most exhaust systems today are bolt on.

[omicron]

What an awful article. I don't necessarily agree that the two cars are not competitors, but in general it reads like a specification sheet with joining words, and a deliberate avoidance of sentences longer than five words of no more than five letters each.

I would now like to disappear in search of '68 GT500KRs and chrome-bumper C3 Corvettes.

[SVT666]

Sounds way excessive to me, too, considering most exhaust systems today are bolt on.

Did you read what I posted?  That is headers, mid-pipe, and catback including installation.  Header installation on a Mustang requires pulling the engine.  The reason I included installation is because 95% of owners don't do their own work.

[sandertheshark]

Read it.  I still stand by what I said.  Stupid comparo.

Having said that, it sounds like testers are starting to fall out of love with the Z06.  When it first came out, it was the greatest car ever made, now everyone is saying how bad the handling is. 

Its called cognitive dissonance.  A common affliction among journalists.

[GoCougs]

Did you read what I posted?  That is headers, mid-pipe, and catback including installation.  Header installation on a Mustang requires pulling the engine.  The reason I included installation is because 95% of owners don't do their own work.

Requires pulling the engine? I don't think so.

[MX793]

Ford Racing sells a supercharger kit that takes the GT to 485 hp and leaves the warranty intact. 

You should read the Ford Racing warranty statements.  The warranty on Ford Racing supercharger does NOT leave your vehicle warranty intact.  Your existing manufacturer's warranty is replaced by a 1 year, 12K mile warranty starting from the date of installation (provided the parts are installed by a Ford dealer within the first 3 years, 36K miles).  So if you rush to install these parts on your car within the first year of ownership, you've just cut your warranty short (by quite a bit since I believe Ford's powertrain warranty is now 5 years).