Roush and GT500 Owners / Drivers Chime In!
01-31-2009, 12:39 AM
#11
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: SC
Posts: 425
My first problem right off the bat with the Roush cars is that they have no book value listed in any of the major pricing bibles, namely NADA. To me, that is ridiculous. I also am not crazy about the 18" wheels and weird (imo) frontends on them.
Even at that..I'd pick a Roush over an 09 Shelby. BUT...thats an 09.
If we are talking about the 2010.....the 2010 Shelby just kicks ***..looks, and I'm sure performance and handling wise from what I've read. I am strongly considering dumping my Saleen and picking up one of these when the time is right. I love the colors and the aggressive stance, and Shelby hit it right with the new body style.
Quality wise, I don't think ANY of the "specialty" Mustang builders hold a candle to what Shelby puts together, whether its an 09, or the new 2010. Also, as Polk said..you aren't going to beat the 5.4 forged motor-it is simply a beast when you start tuning and tweaking it.
I would doubt you'll have to spend much money, if any at all to get the '10 Shelby to handle as well as the Roush..so to me it makes it a no brainer if you can wait till the 2010s come out..
Even at that..I'd pick a Roush over an 09 Shelby. BUT...thats an 09.
If we are talking about the 2010.....the 2010 Shelby just kicks ***..looks, and I'm sure performance and handling wise from what I've read. I am strongly considering dumping my Saleen and picking up one of these when the time is right. I love the colors and the aggressive stance, and Shelby hit it right with the new body style.
Quality wise, I don't think ANY of the "specialty" Mustang builders hold a candle to what Shelby puts together, whether its an 09, or the new 2010. Also, as Polk said..you aren't going to beat the 5.4 forged motor-it is simply a beast when you start tuning and tweaking it.
I would doubt you'll have to spend much money, if any at all to get the '10 Shelby to handle as well as the Roush..so to me it makes it a no brainer if you can wait till the 2010s come out..
01-31-2009, 02:14 PM
#12
4th Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Los Angeles, California
Posts: 1,277
Well, I had a chance to drive a Roush 427R at the dealership this AM (they absolutely refused to let me test drive one of the ten or so GT500s on the lot - oh well), and I was pretty impressed. Very tight feel, loved the shifter (it looks too tall in the pics, but it was just right), and the car pulled pretty well (though I did not get it in the higher RPMs). Downside to the car I tested was the alignment was off (or the steering wheel was crooked!! lol), and it did not have the Roush big brakes. Overall, I was impressed though.
02-02-2009, 12:28 PM
#14
4th Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Los Angeles, California
Posts: 1,277
02-04-2009, 01:15 AM
#17
3rd Gear Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Manhattan Beach, CA
Posts: 695
The Shelby GT500 is amazing for what it is, a mass-produced, fully-warrantied car with lots of horsepower out of a big (and heavy engine). It has unlimited hp potential, but at a big price. It is very, very nose heavy. That means nothing in a straight line 1/4 mile, but it's a serious issue when you're trying to plow through turns. It will probably hold together better than most Roushes or Saleens (both for engine and body/trim issues) simply because Ford put the time and $$$ into putting together a reliable car that they can sell in large numbers (27,000+ over the first 3 years alone).
But here's my take. Having a Saleen that puts out close to 500hp (at the crank), I think I have pretty much all the horsepower that's practical for street use. For the Roush or the Saleen, you'd likely want a custom tune that gives you better throttle tip-in/response so that you launch off the line faster. You'd probably also prefer 3.73 gears (my guess is the Roush comes with 3.55, although I think the stock 2008 and 2009 Mustangs are now down to 3.31 stock for epa/mpg reasons).
With 500-550hp, and 3.73 or 3.90 gears, you can easily melt your rear tires without much effort. In fact, you may find that it's hard NOT to melt your rear tires without much effort. So what's the point of having 600hp, let alone 700hp or more that you could get with a Shelby? Not much unless you're putting on racing slicks and doing 1/4 miles on a track.
That being said, I'm still considering picking up a 2010 Shelby GT500 (in addition to, not in place of, my Saleen) just because it's such a cheap way to get 500hp and a 6-speed stick. And I like the new sheet metal.
Just my $.02.
But here's my take. Having a Saleen that puts out close to 500hp (at the crank), I think I have pretty much all the horsepower that's practical for street use. For the Roush or the Saleen, you'd likely want a custom tune that gives you better throttle tip-in/response so that you launch off the line faster. You'd probably also prefer 3.73 gears (my guess is the Roush comes with 3.55, although I think the stock 2008 and 2009 Mustangs are now down to 3.31 stock for epa/mpg reasons).
With 500-550hp, and 3.73 or 3.90 gears, you can easily melt your rear tires without much effort. In fact, you may find that it's hard NOT to melt your rear tires without much effort. So what's the point of having 600hp, let alone 700hp or more that you could get with a Shelby? Not much unless you're putting on racing slicks and doing 1/4 miles on a track.
That being said, I'm still considering picking up a 2010 Shelby GT500 (in addition to, not in place of, my Saleen) just because it's such a cheap way to get 500hp and a 6-speed stick. And I like the new sheet metal.
Just my $.02.
02-04-2009, 09:28 AM
#18
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: SC
Posts: 425
The Shelby GT500 is amazing for what it is, a mass-produced, fully-warrantied car with lots of horsepower out of a big (and heavy engine). It has unlimited hp potential, but at a big price. It is very, very nose heavy. That means nothing in a straight line 1/4 mile, but it's a serious issue when you're trying to plow through turns. It will probably hold together better than most Roushes or Saleens (both for engine and body/trim issues) simply because Ford put the time and $$$ into putting together a reliable car that they can sell in large numbers (27,000+ over the first 3 years alone).
But here's my take. Having a Saleen that puts out close to 500hp (at the crank), I think I have pretty much all the horsepower that's practical for street use. For the Roush or the Saleen, you'd likely want a custom tune that gives you better throttle tip-in/response so that you launch off the line faster. You'd probably also prefer 3.73 gears (my guess is the Roush comes with 3.55, although I think the stock 2008 and 2009 Mustangs are now down to 3.31 stock for epa/mpg reasons).
With 500-550hp, and 3.73 or 3.90 gears, you can easily melt your rear tires without much effort. In fact, you may find that it's hard NOT to melt your rear tires without much effort. So what's the point of having 600hp, let alone 700hp or more that you could get with a Shelby? Not much unless you're putting on racing slicks and doing 1/4 miles on a track.
That being said, I'm still considering picking up a 2010 Shelby GT500 (in addition to, not in place of, my Saleen) just because it's such a cheap way to get 500hp and a 6-speed stick. And I like the new sheet metal.
Just my $.02.
But here's my take. Having a Saleen that puts out close to 500hp (at the crank), I think I have pretty much all the horsepower that's practical for street use. For the Roush or the Saleen, you'd likely want a custom tune that gives you better throttle tip-in/response so that you launch off the line faster. You'd probably also prefer 3.73 gears (my guess is the Roush comes with 3.55, although I think the stock 2008 and 2009 Mustangs are now down to 3.31 stock for epa/mpg reasons).
With 500-550hp, and 3.73 or 3.90 gears, you can easily melt your rear tires without much effort. In fact, you may find that it's hard NOT to melt your rear tires without much effort. So what's the point of having 600hp, let alone 700hp or more that you could get with a Shelby? Not much unless you're putting on racing slicks and doing 1/4 miles on a track.
That being said, I'm still considering picking up a 2010 Shelby GT500 (in addition to, not in place of, my Saleen) just because it's such a cheap way to get 500hp and a 6-speed stick. And I like the new sheet metal.
Just my $.02.
And, the 2010 Shelby does address the nose heavy issue with re-rated springs and a bigger roll bar I believe.
Last edited by unclemilti; 02-04-2009 at 09:31 AM.
02-04-2009, 11:17 AM
#19
1st Gear Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: CA
Posts: 124
Chris.
02-05-2009, 10:11 AM
#20
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Wyoming
Posts: 22
I agree for the most part. But, I will only throw in my 2 cents that you can NEVER have enough HP, or HP potential. Afterall, why buy these cars if you can't brag a little?
And, the 2010 Shelby does address the nose heavy issue with re-rated springs and a bigger roll bar I believe.
And, the 2010 Shelby does address the nose heavy issue with re-rated springs and a bigger roll bar I believe.
Great car and it looks awesome