Shelby Mustang Coastal Drive
Discussion
Just got back from Hols to the West Coast, and hired the GT-H for a day, fantastic experience.The startup engine roar is fantastic, and touching the throttle lightly at low speeds, it barks back, a really addictive noise which kept inviting you to accelerate.
Followed Craig's (MustangBaz) advice and took the coastal road which had some good curves and empty roads. Slammed the throttle at the first open straight and OMG!! The noise just made your spine tingle, a real roar, with very quick gear changes. The interior seemed a bit cheap and plastic, but I guess this isn't a very expensive car in relative terms to the Europeans, and the engine made up for it.
One thing I was surprised at was the handling. On the way back we took the 84 through a forest of Redwoods, a road that was empty for miles and was full of very tight turns and switchbacks. It handled these corners very well with little body roll. The car got attention everywhere, both men and women, young and old. Craig you're gonna have a blast next month, interested what you think as a Mustang owner
Followed Craig's (MustangBaz) advice and took the coastal road which had some good curves and empty roads. Slammed the throttle at the first open straight and OMG!! The noise just made your spine tingle, a real roar, with very quick gear changes. The interior seemed a bit cheap and plastic, but I guess this isn't a very expensive car in relative terms to the Europeans, and the engine made up for it.
One thing I was surprised at was the handling. On the way back we took the 84 through a forest of Redwoods, a road that was empty for miles and was full of very tight turns and switchbacks. It handled these corners very well with little body roll. The car got attention everywhere, both men and women, young and old. Craig you're gonna have a blast next month, interested what you think as a Mustang owner
Great photos, looks like you had a lot of fun.
We've had two great holidays in California, hiring a previous generation Mustang convertible each time. Hertz would only rent out the V6 version, which has a nice burble at idle, but is pretty coarse and breathless as it revs. The auto box was also sluggish, attempting to get into the highest gear as soon as possible.
Still, it made a great comfy cruiser. Highway 1 is a stunning road with the most beautiful scenary. Amazing that the 'Stang is almost considered a compact car over there, the roads are so wide and traffic free (off the Freeway). I loved the fact you could always find a convenient parking space in most towns, parking nose-in to the kerb at an angle (as per your photo with the Cop car).
Most Americans seem to appreciated a nice car too, unlike the jealous/tree-hugging car haters we have here. America celebrates it's love afair with the car, pity we're the minority over here.
Oh, to be back there again.
We've had two great holidays in California, hiring a previous generation Mustang convertible each time. Hertz would only rent out the V6 version, which has a nice burble at idle, but is pretty coarse and breathless as it revs. The auto box was also sluggish, attempting to get into the highest gear as soon as possible.
Still, it made a great comfy cruiser. Highway 1 is a stunning road with the most beautiful scenary. Amazing that the 'Stang is almost considered a compact car over there, the roads are so wide and traffic free (off the Freeway). I loved the fact you could always find a convenient parking space in most towns, parking nose-in to the kerb at an angle (as per your photo with the Cop car).
Most Americans seem to appreciated a nice car too, unlike the jealous/tree-hugging car haters we have here. America celebrates it's love afair with the car, pity we're the minority over here.
Oh, to be back there again.
Dil - cracking set of photos and really, really pleased you had such a good experience and saw so much of the lovely coastline - magnificent place. Esp like photo the one next to the police car . Have heard the handling is way better than the stock V8, so should be a lot of fun to try out - roll on September!
. Have heard the handling is way better than the stock V8, so should be a lot of fun to try out - roll on September! Thanks guys, yes it was a lot of fun and would thoroughly recommend it if anyone gets the chance.
Saw a couple of people being pulled over by the cops on Highway 1, but fortunately my only encounter was in the picture
There were 5 Shelby's including mine at SF airport when I returned it, and they seemed to have a few current model standard cars. If I got the chance again would definitely hire a 'stang of some sort, I'm now a fan!
Saw a couple of people being pulled over by the cops on Highway 1, but fortunately my only encounter was in the picture
There were 5 Shelby's including mine at SF airport when I returned it, and they seemed to have a few current model standard cars. If I got the chance again would definitely hire a 'stang of some sort, I'm now a fan!
I seem to remember the hire for two weeks for a previous generation v6 ragtop was around £500. Not bad.
I'm sure there'd be a premium for these babies though.
Only two things I don't like. The bonnet pins (yeah, I know the orginal had them too, just don't like 'em) and the badge stuck on the dash.....even if it does have the 'ol chicken farmer's name on it. The Shelby badge on the trunk should suffice.
I'm sure there'd be a premium for these babies though.
Only two things I don't like. The bonnet pins (yeah, I know the orginal had them too, just don't like 'em) and the badge stuck on the dash.....even if it does have the 'ol chicken farmer's name on it. The Shelby badge on the trunk should suffice.
LuS1fer said:
How much was it and do they offer a manual?
I am paying $183 for 2 days hire next month (not incl insurance) - so likely app $250 for the 2 days all told. Mileage of 100 miles over the 2 days is included, 29c per mile thereafter. Not cheap at all given the mileage planned, but a limited chance to drive this beast so what the hell.....
Not aware a manual is offered on any of the fleet of 500.
Glad I'm not the only one that noticed that! 
The Shelby badge on the back of the Hertz car is much nicer, as are the exhausts. I'd have hoped the GT500 would sound awesome, but by all accounts it's a bit quiet. Certainly could do with a nice aftermarket system.
That's a fantastic colour combo for the GT500 though, Mmmmmmmm black 'n silver
The Shelby badge on the back of the Hertz car is much nicer, as are the exhausts. I'd have hoped the GT500 would sound awesome, but by all accounts it's a bit quiet. Certainly could do with a nice aftermarket system.
That's a fantastic colour combo for the GT500 though, Mmmmmmmm black 'n silver
Mustang Baz said:
LuS1fer said:
How much was it and do they offer a manual?
I am paying $183 for 2 days hire next month (not incl insurance) - so likely app $250 for the 2 days all told. Mileage of 100 miles over the 2 days is included, 29c per mile thereafter. Not cheap at all given the mileage planned, but a limited chance to drive this beast so what the hell.....
Not aware a manual is offered on any of the fleet of 500.
You get stung for a few extras too. When I first looked up on the internet months before it was $99 per day, by they time I booked (a month before) it was $129. Then you need insurance (I got basic at about $35), tax and an "admin charge". that comes to about $180, then 39c per per mile. Lucky the echange rate is good...
I got a 10* discount by booking through my hotel but it came to about $220 for 24 hours (with 200 miles, first 75 are free)
Only comes in auto (to safeguard the car), and traction control overide has been "defeated", and you have to show that you have return flights out of the state.
I have a 4 page article on it from Motor Trends which I can post if anyone's interested
mikef said:
I'd like to see that Article if you have it - I've booked a GT-H from SFO for the week after next. Trying to decide whether to head down the Coastal to Big Sur or blat up to Tahoe or Yosemite.
Mike - having just got back from hiring one of the Shelbys for 2 days, I would recommend the Highway 1 route to Big Sur (or alternatively - north of SF to Pt Reyes and beyond which is what I did). The Tahoe route is great, but as Dil mentions, the handling on this Mustang - waaayyy better than the stock model - deserves to be put through its paces on roads other than freeways the majority of the time.
I really, really enjoyed the car and was very surprised. It is by far and away the best US car I have driven (lived there for 6 yrs so reasonably experienced), and although some elements still perpetuate the downside of US cars (cheap interior, slightly reticent auto), the pros are so major that I would recommend this to anyone heading stateside in the next couple of months. Handling was excellent - firm, but responsive - and the soundtrack was superb. There is a real sense of occasion in driving the car, although not sure the 5 people who pulled over (all looking worried!) to let me pass would agree. The car looks a complete beast from the front
. Have a look at this link for further info - www.stangnet.com/Ford-Mustang/Hertz-Shelby-GT-H-Mustang-41206.html. You will not regret it a bit. One final reco though- do a really detailed check before renting as some of these cars have been badly treated and you will need to ensure you do not get caught for anything on the exterior OR the interior.
Some pics:
Edited by Mustang Baz on Monday 18th September 23:15
Edited by Mustang Baz on Friday 29th September 00:51
Baz - the photo's aren't showing up I'm afraid. I'll aim to post some of my own in a couple of weeks.
Looking at your profile, we may have passed pretty close in San Fran if you were working at EA out there. I was senior director with the gigantic software company at the end of the Parkway for four years. Also had a '99 Mustang convertible, but not for very long - after driving it hard in the rain a few times and deciding that was likely to be a life-shortening experience, I traded in for a Lightning pickup truck.
My boss out there had a 67 Shelby which sounded like nothing on earth. Used to drive around the company garages just to scare the bejeesus out of unsuspecting far eastern programmers. I can't wait to hear the GT-H.
Mike
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