Need help, 2010 Mustang Shelby GT500 or 2012 GT California

Need help, 2010 Mustang Shelby GT500 or 2012 GT California

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rick355s

Original Poster:

100 posts

212 months

Friday 8th February 2013
quotequote all
Need some help...
Test drove a manual 2012 GT California Specification the other day and whilst I enjoyed the drive I felt that the car lacked some performance. I am therefore toying on buying a slightly older 2010 GT500 Shelby, circa £35K-£38K mark, thus giving more power/handling and also road presence. However, I'm left some what confused after speaking to a few dealers; some are saying that the newer 5.0-litre engine in the 2012 cars is a far better unit than the older 4.6-litre engines and therefore not that far different in performance to the 5.4-litre 2010 Shelby with the "strapped on supercharger". I've also been told that the GT is a rarer car and thus probably a better option?

The Mustang will NOT be used frequently as I have an M3 E92 as a daily drive and an Audi R8 V8 parked in the garage as a weekend car. The mustang will be "slightly" pimped-out to suit the business that I am in, so the wheels on the California have no extra value to me.

Thus, my question is, what would be the better option for me? Your help and guidance would be mostly appreciated.

This is the California I drove:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/f...

Possible Shelby?
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/f...
(although have seem some slightly cheaper on another used car website).


Edited by rick355s on Friday 8th February 20:17

Roo

11,503 posts

214 months

Saturday 9th February 2013
quotequote all
A GT with the five liter engine is streets ahead of the old 4.6 and would be a better buy than a GT500 with the older 5.4 cast iron block.

The 5.4 ali block in the later GT500 does away with the disadvantage of the weight of the previous car.

As for a GT being rarer than a GT500 with a "strapped on supercharger" I can only assume it's the guy trying to sell the GT/CS that has said that.

Why not buy the 2012 GT/CS and get someone like Mike Lacey at Modurstang to fit a supercharger to it. Cheaper than buying the GT500.

rick355s

Original Poster:

100 posts

212 months

Saturday 9th February 2013
quotequote all
Roo said:
A GT with the five liter engine is streets ahead of the old 4.6 and would be a better buy than a GT500 with the older 5.4 cast iron block.

The 5.4 ali block in the later GT500 does away with the disadvantage of the weight of the previous car.

As for a GT being rarer than a GT500 with a "strapped on supercharger" I can only assume it's the guy trying to sell the GT/CS that has said that.

Why not buy the 2012 GT/CS and get someone like Mike Lacey at Modurstang to fit a supercharger to it. Cheaper than buying the GT500.
Thanks Roo.
How much does it cost for an aftermarket supercharger and would this then give similar power delivery as the 2010 Mustang?
I'm assuming that brakes would need to be upgraded as well?

gt500nick

960 posts

145 months

Saturday 9th February 2013
quotequote all
entering the after market side of mustangs oh yes plenty of goodies and options to pick and choose from. the dealer stating that a gt is rarer than a gt 500 is talking utter bull, he might have a point about a California special but I don't know the numbers of all mustangs in the uk, only what I see around. I had a 11' GT 500 it was great fun even took it around Donington and hungaro ring for a jolly.

when you up the power it's worth thinking about brakes, cooling, suspension, exhaust, tyres, tunes....where to stop is the hard question, probably depends on budget for parts as you have to import the things as well. oh and if you ad a blower you may need a new hood to make it fit on the engine.

if I were you I would get the car you think fits your business most, as you already have an Audi R8 and BMW M3 to play with

rick355s

Original Poster:

100 posts

212 months

Saturday 9th February 2013
quotequote all
gt500nick said:
entering the after market side of mustangs oh yes plenty of goodies and options to pick and choose from. the dealer stating that a gt is rarer than a gt 500 is talking utter bull, he might have a point about a California special but I don't know the numbers of all mustangs in the uk, only what I see around. I had a 11' GT 500 it was great fun even took it around Donington and hungaro ring for a jolly.

when you up the power it's worth thinking about brakes, cooling, suspension, exhaust, tyres, tunes....where to stop is the hard question, probably depends on budget for parts as you have to import the things as well. oh and if you ad a blower you may need a new hood to make it fit on the engine.

if I were you I would get the car you think fits your business most, as you already have an Audi R8 and BMW M3 to play with
Thanks Nick. Was there much difference (if any) with your '11 GT500 over the '10 GT500? Any problems/issues that I should be aware of when looking for a Shelby? Was servicing straight-forward? Never had an American muscle car before so just want to make sure I do not get fleeced!

Roo

11,503 posts

214 months

Saturday 9th February 2013
quotequote all
You can buy a fairly basic novitech supercharger for a couple of grand and install it yourself.

A fully fitted twinscrew rootes charger with tune and everything else you need could be up to ten grand.

Brakes would need better pads and fluid, but not a lot else.

gt500nick

960 posts

145 months

Sunday 10th February 2013
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This is a list of changes 10-11

  • Aluminum block
  • Electric steering
  • Blue power coat valve covers
  • Improved exhaust manifolds
  • Larger exhaust diameter
  • H pipe vs 2010 X pipe
  • Finned aluminum diff cover
  • Improved brake cooling
  • 40% larger inter cooler
  • HID's standard
  • Flip up/ down rear headrests
  • Improved under body aero dynamics
  • Orange antifreeze
  • Bigger faster more complex computer
  • Improved suspension, fixed the 2010's wheel hop.
  • 10 horsepower more but seems to make more like 20whp
  • Different cam part numbers, some say its the Ford GT cams due to the 2011's making peak whp at redline