Does the GT live up to its name?


DBS

Permanent Vacation
May 10, 2006
21
Hi folks. Living in the UK, I have been a Ford enthusiast all my life. It was amazing news when Ford decided to build the GT. However for someone who has never even seen one in the flesh, let alone ever own one I can only go on verdicts I read in the British motoring journals.

One of my main areas of intrigue is the interior of the car, what is it like? I have read that it is created be lear who made it from a plastic/fibreglass composite. This was done in order to acheive a fast turnaround.

However this is one of the areas that the car has been heavily crticised for. In fact interior plastics on Fords have always been heavily criticised in Europe by comparison to those used by German manufacturers e.g. VW. So what is the material quality like and also the quality of the fitment.

On closer inspection its seems that the dash does appear cheap. I have also noticed on many GT interior pictures that the fitment of plastic leading up to the edge of the magnesium tunnel is a poor fit, see image

http://www.fordgtsforsale.com/DSC03640.JPG

By comparison to the likes of its rivals such as Ferarri and Lamborghini it does seem a little mean of Ford to cut reduce the qualify of materials in this area, especially as the rivals dashboards are trimmed in leather. Do you not think that the dash would have looked better in covered in black alcantara? And why is it Ford make this same mistake over and over again when using chosing plastics for the interior.

I have noticed that the indicator stalks have been taken from the UK Mondeo, again do you not think this is a little mean, shouldn't Ford have finished them in aluminium?

Another criticsim is the amount of fake aluminium used in the interior - Plastic painted silver. What parts are aluminium other than the centre console, it is so hard to tell on the pics.

One of the main motornig programmes ni the UK is Top Gear. The presenter Jeremy Clarkson longed for one of these cars until Ford alllowed him to be one of the lucky 28 buyers. However since purchasing the car he has had numerous problems. Consequently the car has again recieved negative press especially as he returned it back to Ford, only to repurchase it. But once again the gremlins have struck and he is experiencing further problems. Have you people experienced such problems? If so are you dissappointed especially when the car has cost so much? Would you expect such problems considering the cost?

Do other exotic car makers have the same problems?

Do you also think that Ford rushed this car purely to launch it at the 100 year celebrations of the company?

As far as I am aware, the car was made as a halo product. A product that would make the public forget about the Firestone tyre incidents in the US? But has it? or has it tarnished the image further especially as the car was recalled 6 times on its release, again is this because the project was rushed?

I hope many of you are able to read my questions and provide unbiased opinions. I do not want to offend anyone, but just interested to see your views. Many thanks in advance..... :thumbsup
 

EasyEric

GT Owner
Mar 6, 2006
355
Florida and Georgia USA
See this thread on Clarkson and his problems with the Ford GT.
http://www.fordgtforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1531

For the record my GT has been trouble free and immensely satisfying to drive. I'll let Neil (Neilda) and LeMansz comment on the qulaity of the GT versus its exotic peers. They've owned many marques.

Eric
 

fjpikul

GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Le Mans 2010 Supporter
Jan 4, 2006
11,498
Belleville, IL
Mine is fine. Please remember the entire dashboard is covered in black leather. As far as the fitment in your attached picture, none of the owners on this forum, to the best of my knowledge, have ever demonstrated such a problem or had such a complaint. Also very important to remember, this is a modern retro car, meant to commemorate a winner and celebrate a centenial for the company. It is NOT a luxury touring car. For its limited production, it has no where near the problems or gremlins as say, a Jaguar. While I love my XK8, it has had its share of problems. Please don't try to be too critical. Drive one and you'll understand why we, the owners, all have smiles on our faces!
 

barondw

GT Owner
Sep 8, 2005
1,109
How you can tell if something is a poor fit or looks cheap from the picture you posted is beyond normal eye-sight ranges.

Fit and finish, while not matching world class, certainly is equal to that found in other exotics. Remember due to the low volume these cars are hand built .

Dave
 

SteveA

GT Owner/B.O.D
Mark IV Lifetime
Dec 13, 2005
3,694
Sandpoint Id
Gentelmen, just a hunch but this smells a bit like a someone fishing from one of the other boards boards having a little fun.

There isn't a thing wrong with these cars inside or out. Like someone already posted, it's a retro car so Ford had some limits built into the design before they even started. This happends to be why I love this car (the shape).
Take 50 different car buffs and each will fine something they don't like about every car made. Remember the one guy that posted he didn't like the GT because it didn't appeal to Asians.
:smash
 

sandiegored

GT Owner
Apr 2, 2006
32
DBS
The GT is nothing short of being a world class car. I agree that some of the interior finishes are not as nice as the newer German and Italian exotics and could have been upgraded. For example, the window switches are right out of a Ford SUV and they could have put better quality in to the interior door finish, etc. But the fact remains, the GT performs as well as if not better than all of these other exotics. It is a little early to conclude, but I believe it will also be more reliable and less expensive to own. If Ford decided to "upgrade" some of the interior finishes, they could have charged another $50K for the car. This is no halo project, this car is the real deal and more exciting to drive than any "stock" car I have ever driven. This includes almost every Ferrari (never driven the Enzo), Lambo and Porsche.
 

ROCMAN

Big Dawg!
Mark IV Lifetime
Mar 9, 2006
1,625
USA
I have had several Fords in my life and this car is nothing like the typical Ford.
I dont have any fitment issues at all. In my eyes, the car is near perfect.
I have had a lot of high end cars, and this car by far is the most exciting.
I have had more issues with my Lexus than this car. There was a recall to replace the tranny and fuel pump within the first year of ownership. :ack
In the ring of true car enthusiasts, Jeremy Clarkson is a joke. The only reason I ever watch the program is for the cars, not his commentary or opinions.
He is so full of American car hatred, it is ironic that he bought one of the most american cars you can get. :confused He then complains about aftermarket devices and little crap and really gives the car a bad name among the general public. Let's get real, what man returns a car because the alarm is too sensitive? You just adjust it, and BAM, fixed.
There are so many people that want the car to fail, they are quick to point out any problems, no matter how little they are.
 

KJRGT

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
May 4, 2006
2,840
SoCal
DBS,
I read your thread with interest. It appears to me that many of your points are subjective. Not sure I understand the term "do you find it mean"...Yes, Ford could have decided to use different materials in the interior. But they did not. And that did not keep me from purchasing a legitimate supercar that runs circles around most all the exotics for a far lesser price tag, all the while driving in town like a Toyota if you wish it to. Not to mention it is an American retro car of one of the most famous and capable race cars of all time, from the 60's no less. And for us Yanks, we don't have much in terms of historical, world wide race cars that can be adapted to the street, as you do in Europe. In my book, this in definately number one.
 

canuck

GT Owner
Mar 4, 2006
280
Absolutely!!!!!
 

Kirby Vieira

GT Owner/B.o.D
Mark IV Lifetime
Sep 22, 2005
1,768
Atlanta
Something would be wrong if there were not a few lemons among the 4,000 Ford GT's being manufactured, but I don't know of, nor have I heard of, a GT owner whose expectations were not either met or exceeded through the ownership process. Many owners have purchased a second GT, and I haven't heard of anyone who sold his car because of any dissatisfaction with anything to do with the car. This may be the best car ever made in terms of everything it is. There is considerable of envy and jealousy by many non-owners simply because they are not owners of the Ford GT.
 

Neilda

GT Owner
Oct 19, 2005
3,559
London, UK
DBS, if you're in the UK you should get along to a specialist dealer and go and have a look at one - and then you'll be in a far better position to pontificate.

I have many Ford products - Jaguars, Range Rovers, the GT and several Astons, so a different type of Ford enthusiast to you perhaps - the GT does not have a cheap interior in comparision to these other 'Fords'. In comparison to a Mondeo or Escort (is that what you drive?) the GT is obviously rather different.

However, welcome to the Forum and thanks for posting a gloriously misinformed and poorly researched first post. :lol
 

Gierkink

GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Oct 5, 2005
672
Wellington, FL
DBS,

I have one of the twenty-eight GTs Ford sold in the UK and it’s bullet-proof. I haven’t had a single issue with the car (other than my incorrect use of the trickle charger). My daily driver is a 911 (997 C2S) and it’s my fifth Porsche and fourth 911. I love Porsches but my GT makes it seem like a toy in comparison. When I need to go somewhere I take the 911 but when I want to put a smile on my face (and on the faces of countless people I pass) and enjoy a great drive I take the cover of the GT and go for a spin. I’ve never driven anything even close to this car.

Rob
 

DBS

Permanent Vacation
May 10, 2006
21
Gierkink said:
DBS,

I have one of the twenty-eight GTs Ford sold in the UK and it’s bullet-proof. I haven’t had a single issue with the car (other than my incorrect use of the trickle charger). My daily driver is a 911 (997 C2S) and it’s my fifth Porsche and fourth 911. I love Porsches but my GT makes it seem like a toy in comparison. When I need to go somewhere I take the 911 but when I want to put a smile on my face (and on the faces of countless people I pass) and enjoy a great drive I take the cover of the GT and go for a spin. I’ve never driven anything even close to this car.

Rob

Rob, many thanks for your honest view, and also thank you for reading my post in the spirit that it was intended. As I said in my post I never even seen one let alone will ever own one, so unfortunately I only have pictures to base my judgement, which others seem to have missed the point there.

Rob, will you be showing the GT at any Ford/car club owner days in the year?

Thank you to all the others that have contributed.....
 

DBS

Permanent Vacation
May 10, 2006
21
Neilda said:
DBS, if you're in the UK you should get along to a specialist dealer and go and have a look at one - and then you'll be in a far better position to pontificate.

I have many Ford products - Jaguars, Range Rovers, the GT and several Astons, so a different type of Ford enthusiast to you perhaps - the GT does not have a cheap interior in comparision to these other 'Fords'. In comparison to a Mondeo or Escort (is that what you drive?) the GT is obviously rather different.

However, welcome to the Forum and thanks for posting a gloriously misinformed and poorly researched first post. :lol
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Unfortunately the GT is a little out of my price range, the research information I have has only been gained from UK motoring journals, and no I don't drive a Mondeo, but do own an Escort and Sierra RS500. Many thanks :bored
 

Neilda

GT Owner
Oct 19, 2005
3,559
London, UK
'Research' and 'UK motoring journals' are not often found in the same sentance.

I suggest you actually sit in or drive one of these cars before sharing your researched view. :biggrin
 

DBS

Permanent Vacation
May 10, 2006
21
Neilda said:
'Research' and 'UK motoring journals' are not often found in the same sentance.

I suggest you actually sit in or drive one of these cars before sharing your researched view. :biggrin

If I get the opportunity I certainly will. But initially I was asking your views based upon the impressions given to those who are not owners. My impressions (not personal views) were only gained from the narratives read, irrespective of how good or bad they are. Subsequently rephrasing this information as questions.
:thumbsup
 

DeaconBlues

GT Owner
Feb 7, 2006
92
New Mexico
Neilda said:
DBS, if you're in the UK you should get along to a specialist dealer and go and have a look at one - and then you'll be in a far better position to pontificate.

I have many Ford products - Jaguars, Range Rovers, the GT and several Astons, so a different type of Ford enthusiast to you perhaps - the GT does not have a cheap interior in comparision to these other 'Fords'. In comparison to a Mondeo or Escort (is that what you drive?) the GT is obviously rather different.

However, welcome to the Forum and thanks for posting a gloriously misinformed and poorly researched first post. :lol

Neil:
Your posts always possess knowledge, grace, and artful use of language. It is refreshing, especially after lurking on other forums. Thanks for your contributions.
 

sharp33

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Apr 19, 2006
346
Rochester, NY
Would You Buy Another?

Is the fit and finish the best I've ever seen? No. Do I think the car is worth the money? Absolutely! In fact I'm inclined to agree with Jay Leno who stated in one of the Autoweek interviews that the GT was "the bargain of the century." I think if you want to know if the owners really love their cars or not, ask them if they'd buy another. I would in a heart beat. Quite a few of the forum members own more than one GT and someday I hope to join that elite level of the club. :thumbsup
 

fjpikul

GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Le Mans 2010 Supporter
Jan 4, 2006
11,498
Belleville, IL
Bravissimo Neilda!
 

davisp

GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Feb 18, 2006
321
New Jersey
The GT is not perfect however it is worth every penny. On a scale of 1 to 10 it is a 15! When you understand that it is a Ford that was built in less than 18 months -- it will exceed your expectations ! PD :thumbsup