Test Drove a GT500

[ffrcobra_65]

Was at a ford dealer looking for a used truck and salesman recognized me from years before when traded in my M3 for a F150. He walked with me a bit and I he asked me if I was still into fast cars as he thought I might like to check out the new GT500 in the PDI area, I said sure. There it was, blue and menacing! I asked for a test drive and of course he said probably no, I said ask the manager so he did and the manager came out with the dealer plate!!!!
Right off the bat, you can fell the power but also the front heavy feeling. I liked the interior and the stuffed engine bay but what I found as a turn off was the ugly back end. I kept looking at it after the drive to try to get used to it but it just scremas ugly to me. More on the power... It will surely eat a stock Camaro SS and you can feel the raw power due to the live axle I thought. But I didn't feel much wheel hop as I do with my supercharged Camaro. I couldn't tell if the GT500 would be faster but it felt like it. I think the Camaro handles
just a tad better, again probably due to the GT500's heavy front. It felt and looked brute muscle. I wasn't allowed to take it longer than their normal 3 mile test drive route. Told the manager it was an awesome car but price tagged at $54k was in the park of a 2008 ZO6 and that would be a better buy IMO but I would think about it. I went there for a truck and walked away wanting a GT500.
I got home, took my SS for a rip on pacific coast highway and any trace of interest I had for the GT500 was all forgotten.

[Leolee]

haha i lilke the ending but i have to agree with you on that rear end.. it just screams UGLY!!!!!

[Hopper]

Originally Posted by ffrcobra_65

Was at a ford dealer looking for a used truck and salesman recognized me from years before when traded in my M3 for a F150. He walked with me a bit and I he asked me if I was still into fast cars as he thought I might like to check out the new GT500 in the PDI area, I said sure. There it was, blue and menacing! I asked for a test drive and of course he said probably no, I said ask the manager so he did and the manager came out with the dealer plate!!!!
Right off the bat, you can fell the power but also the front heavy feeling. I liked the interior and the stuffed engine bay but what I found as a turn off was the ugly back end. I kept looking at it after the drive to try to get used to it but it just scremas ugly to me. More on the power... It will surely eat a stock Camaro SS and you can feel the raw power due to the live axle I thought. But I didn't feel much wheel hop as I do with my supercharged Camaro. I couldn't tell if the GT500 would be faster but it felt like it. I think the Camaro handles
just a tad better, again probably due to the GT500's heavy front. It felt and looked brute muscle. I wasn't allowed to take it longer than their normal 3 mile test drive route. Told the manager it was an awesome car but price tagged at $54k was in the park of a 2008 ZO6 and that would be a better buy IMO but I would think about it. I went there for a truck and walked away wanting a GT500.
I got home, took my SS for a rip on pacific coast highway and any trace of interest I had for the GT500 was all forgotten.

Yes...it will eat a stock SS. No disputing that...but I hear there's a pony killer coming that will make it cower from the track. At far less money than this dealer was asking for the GT500. Stay tuned...

Might I suggest a Hotchkiss rear chassis brace to eliminate your wheel hop?

[Darth_Emma]

When I was shopping for my car, I went to the Ford dealer to drive a Mustang (a GT Premium). I could not afford a GT 500. Anyway, I really liked the looks of the Camaro better, but thought I should be a smart shopper and at least drive the Mustang to compare. I was actually diasappointed with the Mustang's handling. It just leaned too much in the corners and I noticed it rattled a bit - made it feel cheap.

Then I found a 2SS Camaro to test drive. The dealer was very cool. Handed me the keys and my husband and I went for a drive (no dealer on board). I was driving, of course (I was looking at cars, not hubby. He was there for fun). Anyway, the Camaro had a LOT more power. Also, the Camaro just felt like it was better made. No rattles and it cornered MUCH better than the Mustang.

I was glad I drove both cars. It made it so I knew for sure the Camaro was the better car for me. The problem was it made me want the Camaro RIGHT NOW! But, I was strong and ordered the color (CGM) I really wanted and the options I wanted. I should have it in a couple of weeks.

Oh yeah, they had a Shelby in the Ford dealer's show room. They let me sit in it. But the would not let me test drive it. I told them I couldn't afford it anyway and didn't expect to get to drive the Shelby.

I think GM did a very wise thing by keeping the Camaros at a price point that lets most average folks afford it.

[nhra stocker]

Originally Posted by Hopper

Yes...it will eat a stock SS. No disputing that...but I hear there's a pony killer coming that will make it cower from the track. At far less money than this dealer was asking for the GT500. Stay tuned...

Might I suggest a Hotchkiss rear chassis brace to eliminate your wheel hop?

I dont think it will eat all stock SSs!

[Hopper]

Originally Posted by nhra stocker

I dont think it will eat all stock SSs!

Yes, there is certainly a driver element involved! But pound for pound, a stock 2010 Camaro SS and a stock GT500 (no mods to either) is not an even fight. Not by a long shot as various buff mags will attest. Not that I support Ford, I don't....just sayin'.

BTW...much love to your vintage SS Chevelle and COPO clone. I'm a bit envious!

[UCI CamaroFan]

Originally Posted by ffrcobra_65

Was at a ford dealer looking for a used truck and salesman recognized me from years before when traded in my M3 for a F150. He walked with me a bit and I he asked me if I was still into fast cars as he thought I might like to check out the new GT500 in the PDI area, I said sure. There it was, blue and menacing! I asked for a test drive and of course he said probably no, I said ask the manager so he did and the manager came out with the dealer plate!!!!
Right off the bat, you can fell the power but also the front heavy feeling. I liked the interior and the stuffed engine bay but what I found as a turn off was the ugly back end. I kept looking at it after the drive to try to get used to it but it just scremas ugly to me. More on the power... It will surely eat a stock Camaro SS and you can feel the raw power due to the live axle I thought. But I didn't feel much wheel hop as I do with my supercharged Camaro. I couldn't tell if the GT500 would be faster but it felt like it. I think the Camaro handles
just a tad better, again probably due to the GT500's heavy front. It felt and looked brute muscle. I wasn't allowed to take it longer than their normal 3 mile test drive route. Told the manager it was an awesome car but price tagged at $54k was in the park of a 2008 ZO6 and that would be a better buy IMO but I would think about it. I went there for a truck and walked away wanting a GT500.
I got home, took my SS for a rip on pacific coast highway and any trace of interest I had for the GT500 was all forgotten.

That's cool how they would let you test drive it.

What was the markup on the GT500? And what was the dealership?

My dad is interested in a GT500, and we went to Ken Grody Ford. The General Manager came to talk to us, and he immediately knocked down the markup for 10k to 5k, so I'm sure there is some more wiggle room. I understand there is some markup on these cars, because there were only like 2,500 produced and this dealer had to buy the car from another dealership in the Midwest.

[nhra stocker]

Originally Posted by Hopper

Yes, there is certainly a driver element involved! But pound for pound, a stock 2010 Camaro SS and a stock GT500 (no mods to either) is not an even fight. Not by a long shot as various buff mags will attest. Not that I support Ford, I don't....just sayin'.

BTW...much love to your vintage SS Chevelle and COPO clone. I'm a bit envious!

I agree with you , that it (should be faster). But Ford forgot one major ingredient on this car TIRES! It wont hook at all. Hopefully we see a car from GM that will be a little more evenly matched in the future.

[garagelogic]

Originally Posted by ffrcobra_65

Was at a ford dealer looking for a used truck and salesman recognized me from years before when traded in my M3 for a F150. He walked with me a bit and I he asked me if I was still into fast cars as he thought I might like to check out the new GT500 in the PDI area, I said sure. There it was, blue and menacing! I asked for a test drive and of course he said probably no, I said ask the manager so he did and the manager came out with the dealer plate!!!!
Right off the bat, you can fell the power but also the front heavy feeling.

How many miles on this GT500 you test drove? How much boost was it making? The reason I ask is because you said you only drove it 3 miles and the car won't even make boost without driving it 5 miles continuosly.

Originally Posted by UCI CamaroFan

That's cool how they would let you test drive it.

What was the markup on the GT500? And what was the dealership?

My dad is interested in a GT500, and we went to Ken Grody Ford. The General Manager came to talk to us, and he immediately knocked down the markup for 10k to 5k, so I'm sure there is some more wiggle room. I understand there is some markup on these cars, because there were only like 2,500 produced and this dealer had to buy the car from another dealership in the Midwest.

If you pay a markup, you are being had by the dealer. While production numbers for the 2010 will be lower than previous years, it will be more like 9K not 2500 units.

[Hopper]

Originally Posted by nhra stocker

I agree with you , that it (should be faster). But Ford forgot one major ingredient on this car TIRES! It wont hook at all. Hopefully we see a car from GM that will be a little more evenly matched in the future.

[a_Username]

Originally Posted by garagelogic

How many miles on this GT500 you test drove? How much boost was it making? The reason I ask is because you said you only drove it 3 miles and the car won't even make boost without driving it 5 miles continuosly.

If you pay a markup, you are being had by the dealer. While production numbers for the 2010 will be lower than previous years, it will be more like 9K not 2500 units.

You mean you have to drive the thing 5 miles for it to start making boost each time? Or do you mean it won't start making boost until it reaches 5 miles on the odometer? I really hope it's the latter lol.

[fazm]

it has to be driven once, 5 miles continuosly before it will make boost. if all it got were 3 mile drives, it wont be making boost

[a_Username]

Originally Posted by fazm

it has to be driven once, 5 miles continuosly before it will make boost. if all it got were 3 mile drives, it wont be making boost

Ok. I knew the first option sounded a little crazy for a performance car, but I thought you never know these days lol.

[garagelogic]

Originally Posted by a_Username

You mean you have to drive the thing 5 miles for it to start making boost each time? Or do you mean it won't start making boost until it reaches 5 miles on the odometer? I really hope it's the latter lol.

By default from the factory, the car will not make boost unless the car is driving 5 miles continuously or 50 startups, whichever comes first. If you do not drive it five miles continuously, then it will reset. Once it has been driven 5 mile, then the electronic limiter is lifted and it will be allowed to make full boost from then on.

If the OP drove the car less than five miles and the limiter had not been lifted already, it i very likely he did not get full boost during his test drive.