Yes, the rumors are true...

[garagelogic]

...I have divested myself of my 10-second 2007 GT500 and picked up a 2010 version of the same car on Monday morning.

I had held off on creating a thread in the hopes that I could get the car detailed and take some quality pictures to go along with the narrative, but, since the weather is not going to cooperate, I will just go ahead and post up the crappy pics I took Monday evening.

The car is a red/silver stripe car and from an options standpoint, the only difference between it and the ’07 is that the new car does not have navigation.

What I can tell you from the 125 miles I’ve put on the car since buying it, is that the 2010 version of the Shelby is better in every way than the previous ’07-’09 examples. It seem like the folks at Ford/SVT really listened to the feedback they received regarding shortcomings of the previous model and tried their best to fix them while keeping the price point almost the same. I can say they did a great job at that, as I actually paid less for the 2010 (under $49K out the door) than I did for the 2007 at the time of its purchase. (Of course, not having the navigation system saved me about $2,195 on the MSRP).

The 2010 is significantly improved. In addition to a revised exterior styling, of which I am a fan (yes, even the rear end!), the suspension tweaks and the addition of an adjustable stability control not only gives the car a much improved ride quality, it has greatly enhanced its handling prowess. There is also much less cabin noise, a better shifter, lower gear (’07-‘09’s came stock with 3.23’s;2010’s with 3.55’s), taller overdrive gears and a voice-activated multi-media system. It is just a better car than the one it replaces in all aspects.
From a performance standpoint, it’s hard for me to tell a lot about the car, seat-of-the-pants. Yes, the new car has 540 horsepower (up from 500 hp on the ‘07), but when you’ve been driving around in a car with ~650rwhp on tap at any time for over a year, 540 crank horsepower seems pedestrian by comparison. Still, I think the car is capable of mid-to-low 12’s on the stock 19” Goodyear’s and I believe, with nothing more than some sticky tires and cool weather, it might be capable of dipping into the 11-second zone.

[prostock69]

This is a beautiful car. I like how Ford redesigned the front end. Very sharp, IMO. Congrats!!

[tjbusa]

Congrats, even crappy pics look good.

[Speedy1975]

Wow, I like that. Congrats on the purchase!

We still need to meet up sometime. You should come out to the Murfreesboro Cruise-In some Friday night. It's at Avenues Mall. If the weather's good, I'm there with the Challenger (probably the only one so I'm easy to find). I usually park with the Vettes.

[yotaman96]

Congrats. Awesome car.

[Blownhotrodder]

Why didnt you get the hid headlamps?

[garagelogic]

Originally Posted by Speedy1975

Wow, I like that. Congrats on the purchase!

We still need to meet up sometime. You should come out to the Murfreesboro Cruise-In some Friday night. It's at Avenues Mall. If the weather's good, I'm there with the Challenger (probably the only one so I'm easy to find). I usually park with the Vettes.

Thanks. I've been there almost every Friday this year and, yes I've seen your car, but the three times I've come over to introduce myself, you've not been around it or I somehow missed you.

If the weather holds out, I plan to be there this Friday in the 2010. I'd like to get the windows tinted soon, but I'm not sure who I trust to do the job now that Parker's is out of business.

[garagelogic]

Originally Posted by Blownhotrodder

Why didnt you get the hid headlamps?

Didn't want HID's, nor Shaker 1000 nor navigation on the GT500 this time around. HID's on the 2010's change the lights configuration around to where it looks like its cross-eyed. I wanted to have the lightest version of the car I could get in stock form.

[truth411]

Sweet car I aggree with your review, except for the rear-end lol. just joking.

[CatiaJockey]

Congrats! Nice car, I hope it exceeds your expectations!

[Speedy1975]

Originally Posted by garagelogic

Thanks. I've been there almost every Friday this year and, yes I've seen your car, but the three times I've come over to introduce myself, you've not been around it or I somehow missed you.

If the weather holds out, I plan to be there this Friday in the 2010. I'd like to get the windows tinted soon, but I'm not sure who I trust to do the job now that Parker's is out of business.

Haha, yeah I like to socialize with everybody so I wander around a lot.

I'll shoot you my cell and you can give me a buzz next time and we'll meet up. I'd love to check out your new ride.

Sent you a PM on a tint shop suggestion.

[Blownhotrodder]

How noticeable is the ambient lighting on the new stangs?

[garagelogic]

Originally Posted by Blownhotrodder

How noticeable is the ambient lighting on the new stangs?

It's adjustable. You can dial it down to dim or make it bright if you want to. Even on the brightest setting, it's not overpowering.

You can also select the color you want the ambient lighting to be, versus being stuck with what the factory gives you.

I might pull out the camera tonight and see if I can get some good pics of the ambient lighting and put them up.

Originally Posted by CatiaJockey

Congrats! Nice car, I hope it exceeds your expectations!

It already has.

[MrIcky]

Originally Posted by garagelogic

...Yes, the new car has 540 horsepower (up from 500 hp on the ‘07), but when you’ve been driving around in a car with ~650rwhp on tap at any time for over a year, 540 crank horsepower seems pedestrian by comparison.

lol I'm jealous, we need a smiley for 'rubbing your nose in it'. Congrats- it's really sharp. I looked at one today in the dealership when I dropped off my crappy company car for service.../sigh.