2013 Mustang GT500 MEGA THREAD

[eolson]

Well, I guess I'll have to see some more comparisons, since the slalom time was less than 1 mph difference in this drivers pass, and the lateral G's of various magazines testing varies more than the difference between .98 and 1.03 for times of all cars in different publications, I'm glad to see both cars so close it will come down to the driver of a particular publication, unless the results fall toward the ZL1 each time. Then that will be conclusive for me, because the averages will speak the truth. Erik

[Sweet Zness]

I am thoroughly confused. I remember when the Godzilla was being introduced and producing fantastic ring times and track times, after comparisons to Z06 a lot of the mags threw around phrases like. "Easier to push to its limits" "Average person will be able to get most out of car" "Not as rewarding but easy to get good times" "An easy to drive track monster"

I remember so many people here laughed at the Godzilla's claim to superiority over the Vette because: Who cared about tracks, or who want an easy to drive sports car, or even so what.

Now fast forward to today and suddenly the ZL1 has the exact same "excuses" being pushed out for losing to the GT500. Its a track car. Easier to drive to its limits. Who cares about 1/4 times.

What has happened to muscle car fans. By the very definition of muscle cars isn't the 1/4 time supposed to be very important. Otherwise if you want a track beast shouldn't you be looking at a souped up Miata?

Now that another mag has produced a mid 12 second pass in the ZL1. Is it safe to assume that this is what the ZL1 is...a mid 12 second car. What is that 7 - 10 testers in the mid 12's including Hennessey, Lingenfelter, etc etc. And 1 GM claim of 11.9. All we have seen is traps from 109-116.

So if you are going to claim that the ZL1 is superior to the GT500 due to its relative ease to drive hard, shouldn't you be the same person willing to claim the GT R is superior to the Z06? I'm not claiming it is, but it would seem very hypocritical of you to state otherwise?

[eolson]

I think the difference is that it seems the ZL1 owners think it is important for the cat to be easy and comfortable because they want everything all in that one car as a daily driver.

The only reason I'd buy the GT500, or have my current MUstang Gt, is to be the other car that I loved pounding hard and had fun in, then I'd drive my every day vehicle to carry stuff around, and pretend to be a boring agreeable citizen. Erik

[8cd03gro]

Originally Posted by Sweet Zness

I am thoroughly confused. I remember when the Godzilla was being introduced and producing fantastic ring times and track times, after comparisons to Z06 a lot of the mags threw around phrases like. "Easier to push to its limits" "Average person will be able to get most out of car" "Not as rewarding but easy to get good times" "An easy to drive track monster"

I remember so many people here laughed at the Godzilla's claim to superiority over the Vette because: Who cared about tracks, or who want an easy to drive sports car, or even so what.

Now fast forward to today and suddenly the ZL1 has the exact same "excuses" being pushed out for losing to the GT500. Its a track car. Easier to drive to its limits. Who cares about 1/4 times.

What has happened to muscle car fans. By the very definition of muscle cars isn't the 1/4 time supposed to be very important. Otherwise if you want a track beast shouldn't you be looking at a souped up Miata?

Now that another mag has produced a mid 12 second pass in the ZL1. Is it safe to assume that this is what the ZL1 is...a mid 12 second car. What is that 7 - 10 testers in the mid 12's including Hennessey, Lingenfelter, etc etc. And 1 GM claim of 11.9. All we have seen is traps from 109-116.

So if you are going to claim that the ZL1 is superior to the GT500 due to its relative ease to drive hard, shouldn't you be the same person willing to claim the GT R is superior to the Z06? I'm not claiming it is, but it would seem very hypocritical of you to state otherwise?

I have thought the same thing, but it's hard for me to be even the least bit critical without coming off as a troll. It's amazing how heavily focused on handling a group of Camaro enthusiasts has become. That's not a bad thing in the least, just surprising. It seems to be a scapegoat for some, to ignore the earlier dithering of faster 0-60 claims by Al O, and "the shelby won't put the power down," but on the other hand I'm glad to see muscle car fans enthusiastic about handling and it's very possible some will move to camp Camaro from other brands because of what the zl1 offers that the rest of the pony cars never have. I think the zl1 will make a fantastic entry car for those looking to start road racing and it seems to be an overall incredible car for daily driving. I do however have to say that the gt500 is much more of a muscle car while the zl1 has taken a somewhat more euro-like approach. Keep in mind that I drive a Japanese car at the moment, so that's not really a negative toward the zl1. It seems Ford and Chevy are offering the best of both worlds and that's great for enthusiasts. On the one hand you have the brute force monstrous beast that is the gt500 and on the other you have the refined, controlled sports car that is the zl1. I think more than anything it's going to come down to which you prefer.

[Blue Menace]

^^ Good points. It does seem that the lines between muscle car and "euro/sport" car are getting blurrier.

[GEN-IV]

They really are close enough that it comes down to personal preference. I'm waiting for my 2013 GT500 to arrive. I decided to order it over the ZL1 for many reasons, including too much ADM for the ZL1, higher HP for the GT500 and the smartass responses from FBodfather about the 1500 mile break in; customers don't like being treated like little kids. We are keeping the 2010 SS, great car too!

[shank0668]

Originally Posted by GEN-IV

They really are close enough that it comes down to personal preference. I'm waiting for my 2013 GT500 to arrive. I decided to order it over the ZL1 for many reasons, including too much ADM for the ZL1, higher HP for the GT500 and the smartass responses from FBodfather about the 1500 mile break in; customers don't like being treated like little kids. We are keeping the 2010 SS, great car too!

Smartass responses from Fbodfather?

[cbass]

Now fast forward to today and suddenly the ZL1 has the exact same "excuses" being pushed out for losing to the GT500. Its a track car. Easier to drive to its limits. Who cares about 1/4 times.

What has happened to muscle car fans. By the very definition of muscle cars isn't the 1/4 time supposed to be very important. Otherwise if you want a track beast shouldn't you be looking at a souped up Miata?

No Kidding. The ZL1 is a 4100+ lb "track car"? You would think you could pick a better car as a track car. Something that doesn't seat four and isn't that heavy?

I enjoy a good handling machine, but I prefer a raw power 1/4 mile machine that's simple and cheap to maintain. That's the whole point of a muscle car.

I respect a GTR, but personally I would never buy one just due the cost of maintenance.

Same with the ZL1. I cringe to think how much replacement magnetic shocks will end up costing.

And I'm sorry to be blunt and I know someone will get offended, but I am not a Ford Fan boy before anyone calls me one. I am waiting for the 1LE camaro. If GM ever releases the damn pricing on that car!

[shank0668]

Originally Posted by cbass

No Kidding. The ZL1 is a 4100+ lb "track car"? You would think you could pick a better car as a track car. Something that doesn't seat four and isn't that heavy?

I enjoy a good handling machine, but I prefer a raw power 1/4 mile machine that's simple and cheap to maintain. That's the whole point of a muscle car.

I respect a GTR, but personally I would never buy one just due the cost of maintenance.

Same with the ZL1. I cringe to think how much replacement magnetic shocks will end up costing.

And I'm sorry to be blunt and I know someone will get offended, but I am not a Ford Fan boy before anyone calls me one. I am waiting for the 1LE camaro. If GM ever releases the damn pricing on that car!

If I were picking a 1/4 mile car, it certainly wouldn't be the ZL1 or the GT500. You wouldn't want 4 seats and all the weight in the straight line either....

[8cd03gro]

Let's be honest, the zl1 isn't the best track car and the gt500 isn't the best 1/4 mile car. Thinking differently is just foolish. These cars are simply way too heavy. However, they both do some things (different for each) incredibly well for the price point and manage to do very well at everything else. Two perfectly executed machines for slightly different desires.

[cbass]

Originally Posted by shank0668

If I were picking a 1/4 mile car, it certainly wouldn't be the ZL1 or the GT500. You wouldn't want 4 seats and all the weight in the straight line either....

Point taken.

[shank0668]

Originally Posted by cbass

Point taken.

I am not hating on the GT500 though.

[VADER SS L99]

Originally Posted by shank0668

If I were picking a 1/4 mile car, it certainly wouldn't be the ZL1 or the GT500. You wouldn't want 4 seats and all the weight in the straight line either....

Out of all the brand new cars for the price what would you want? I honestly can't think of one that does as well for the money. Plus they both can be made to run really well modded. I honestly can't think of a brand new car that does better. Both cars have run 9's with not that much done or that much money spent. Between the price of a new SS or GT plus everything you would have to do to it to run 9's would be over what a GT500 or ZL1 cost with mods to run 9's. Excluding nitrous, gutting, or stuff that makes it non streetable. If you can think of a new car that can do it for less than i'm all ears.

[97SS]

Originally Posted by VADER SS L99

Out of all the brand new cars for the price what would you want? I honestly can't think of one that does as well for the money. Plus they both can be made to run really well modded. I honestly can't think of a brand new car that does better. Both cars have run 9's with not that much done or that much money spent. Between the price of a new SS or GT plus everything you would have to do to it to run 9's would be over what a GT500 or ZL1 cost with mods to run 9's. Excluding nitrous, gutting, or stuff that makes it non streetable. If you can think of a new car that can do it for less than i'm all ears.

The ZL1 costs are in the 17-18k range, to go 9's, on top of your 56k. If you're on a budget for performance, go buy a stock GSXR and run 10's for just over 10 grand ( thats including a helmet ). Outside of that. There is no "right" car. This is a never ending subject.