Was at the Ford Dealer today and he happened to have both a Spanking new Shelby and a Boss 302 sitting side by side! The GT 500 was already sold out of state and awaiting shipping. The Boss was available. So let's hear what eveyone thinks the differences are in terms of street drivin' fun. I've got other vehicles for track days so let's assume tracking is NOT the major factor. I've been struck by the threads by owners saying their '13 GT 500 is as much fun to drive as their FGT. And are the wait times for these SVT's coming way down? The dealer also said Boss is now only orderable as '14!! If this is true, anyone know if there are any changes?
Boss 302 vs GT 500
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Indy GT
Yea, I got one...too
Why? This was the singular purpose of the Boss development. You know, "Race car with a license plate" and all.
The Boss IS taylored as a track car. I am not sure the same can be said about the GT500.
Not to say the Shelby is not fun on the track (ask Tugboat and Mark at NOLA) just two different target markets.....
The Boss was discontinued after 2013. You cannot order the Boss or the Boss LS any longer. Just a two year production run, same as the FGT.
Mike Anderson
Ford Dealer
Mike Anderson
Ford Dealer
Sinovac
GT Owner
GT500 all the way. Can you say "torque"?
The current GT500 is a two year only production run as well. Last of the muscle Mustangs.
Thugboat
GT Owner
Redeemed,
Well here goes. And yes Indy the GT500 driven by Mark was a car highlite in my life.
I have the 2013 GT500 and have about 5K miles on it. I am on the second set of rear tires and just ordered front brake pads after a hard weekend at Circuit of the Americas. At least 500+ are track miles. Indy helped my good friend Tony with the exact same question at NOLA. Boss or GT500???? He purchased the Boss yesterday. #736. The GT500 is an awesome car. But more aimed at the High Horsepower/Torque market as opposed to the track market. As you said you have other track cars then this maybe what you are looking for. If I was making this purchase again and knowing I am tracking so much I would buy the Boss. At COTA I could definately notice the weight difference as mentioned in most writeups. The front end dives drastically under hard braking. I am not a race car driver as some on this forum just a weekend warrior. The front/rear weight bias seems noticeable.
Now, off track it is one of the most fun cars I have owned. The torque will make leaving a red light without spinning the tires almost impossible. Take it on the highway at 70 mph and get 20 mpg. And watch the face of some unsuspecting vette driver if he doesn't notice the 4 exhaust outlets and messes with the wrong Mustang.
It is a hard car to put in any slot.
Btw- It is definately faster than my stock Ford GT and easier to drive on the track. The trac control is hard to get used to but will save your arse from off track adventures. I hope to run it without the traction Control next time out. I can't drift it like Mark did at NOLA but that should save me a second set of rear tires.
Answer: I would buy the GT500 for everyday car and Boss if you plan to track it at all. Buy both, this makes my head hurt. haha
Larry
Well here goes. And yes Indy the GT500 driven by Mark was a car highlite in my life.
I have the 2013 GT500 and have about 5K miles on it. I am on the second set of rear tires and just ordered front brake pads after a hard weekend at Circuit of the Americas. At least 500+ are track miles. Indy helped my good friend Tony with the exact same question at NOLA. Boss or GT500???? He purchased the Boss yesterday. #736. The GT500 is an awesome car. But more aimed at the High Horsepower/Torque market as opposed to the track market. As you said you have other track cars then this maybe what you are looking for. If I was making this purchase again and knowing I am tracking so much I would buy the Boss. At COTA I could definately notice the weight difference as mentioned in most writeups. The front end dives drastically under hard braking. I am not a race car driver as some on this forum just a weekend warrior. The front/rear weight bias seems noticeable.
Now, off track it is one of the most fun cars I have owned. The torque will make leaving a red light without spinning the tires almost impossible. Take it on the highway at 70 mph and get 20 mpg. And watch the face of some unsuspecting vette driver if he doesn't notice the 4 exhaust outlets and messes with the wrong Mustang.
It is a hard car to put in any slot.
Btw- It is definately faster than my stock Ford GT and easier to drive on the track. The trac control is hard to get used to but will save your arse from off track adventures. I hope to run it without the traction Control next time out. I can't drift it like Mark did at NOLA but that should save me a second set of rear tires.
Answer: I would buy the GT500 for everyday car and Boss if you plan to track it at all. Buy both, this makes my head hurt. haha
Larry
Attachments
Indy GT
Yea, I got one...too
Thanks Thugboat for posting your first hand impressions of the GT500. It is a great, great Mustang. And to see you and Mark having so much fun on the track at NOLA was priceless. Very glad to hear Tony bought himself a Ford toy!
I have owned and tracked both vehicles. An earlier GT500 before the amazing new 5.8L engine. But the 5.4 is no slouch in torque either. The GT500 was great fun to drive on the street as is my current Boss.
But I really like track events and driving the twisties is a great challenge. Mark and Ron are my hero's as they make it look sooo easy, but it really takes much practice and discipline. The lighter front end weight, a lighter high revving normally aspirated engine without possible heat soak issues was an immediately recognized benefit which I saw.
Again, I think the two products are aimed at different markets. And both WIN!!
I have owned and tracked both vehicles. An earlier GT500 before the amazing new 5.8L engine. But the 5.4 is no slouch in torque either. The GT500 was great fun to drive on the street as is my current Boss.
But I really like track events and driving the twisties is a great challenge. Mark and Ron are my hero's as they make it look sooo easy, but it really takes much practice and discipline. The lighter front end weight, a lighter high revving normally aspirated engine without possible heat soak issues was an immediately recognized benefit which I saw.
Again, I think the two products are aimed at different markets. And both WIN!!
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Thugboat
GT Owner
Yea! What he said.
Thanks Indy! Hopefully we will be allowed at next years rally with the Non-Gt products.
Have fun tracking. Please come to Texas next year if they allow us on COTA again.
Larry "Thugboat"
Thanks Indy! Hopefully we will be allowed at next years rally with the Non-Gt products.
Have fun tracking. Please come to Texas next year if they allow us on COTA again.
Larry "Thugboat"
Bert ,
Here is what the Boss will do against some P cars!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsGcYtYVeSE
Here is what the Boss will do against some P cars!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsGcYtYVeSE
Thugboat
GT Owner
SSRob
Yep it is the same. I found that out just before Mark McGown showed me how to drift a 2013 Shelby around NOLA while talking to me like we were on a sunday drive on a straight highway. It is really wierd when you go into a left hand hairpin while drifting and the driver is looking over your shoulder and the car is 90 degrees to the track and tires are boiling. Also on the back esses when he kicks the back end out at around 100 mph and still talking to you about how much he loves your new Shelby. I joke but honestly it was one of the rides of my life. A professional driver is so at home he makes you comfortable. It was pretty funny to see corner workers with their phones videoing and clapping.
Larry
Yep it is the same. I found that out just before Mark McGown showed me how to drift a 2013 Shelby around NOLA while talking to me like we were on a sunday drive on a straight highway. It is really wierd when you go into a left hand hairpin while drifting and the driver is looking over your shoulder and the car is 90 degrees to the track and tires are boiling. Also on the back esses when he kicks the back end out at around 100 mph and still talking to you about how much he loves your new Shelby. I joke but honestly it was one of the rides of my life. A professional driver is so at home he makes you comfortable. It was pretty funny to see corner workers with their phones videoing and clapping.
Larry
Thugboat
GT Owner
Rob,
Here is the conversation with Mark,
Mark - Would you like me to show you what the new Shelby can do?
Me - Sure, but please do not scare me!
Mark - OK, I will only go about 60 percent.
HAHA
At 60 percent he was still faster than me at 100 percent.
Larry
Here is the conversation with Mark,
Mark - Would you like me to show you what the new Shelby can do?
Me - Sure, but please do not scare me!
Mark - OK, I will only go about 60 percent.
HAHA
At 60 percent he was still faster than me at 100 percent.
Larry
Indy GT
Yea, I got one...too
Larry, thanks for sharing with the Forum members what transpired over in our little corner of the NOLA pits when you "allowed" Mark to show you 60% in your new Shelby. I realize it was a bit costly for you and your tires but to have a Ford Tier IV driver show you the ropes (well some of them) of your new performance Mustang is somethig to jump at no matter what the cost, IMO.
I had a similar experience with Gene Martindale driving the Nardo CP car at Las Vegas before it was auctioned off later in our rally. We were in a full drift around the first big sweeper out of the pits with Gene driving the GT with one hand, pointing to track reference points with the other and talking me through what he was doing as if it were a Sunday drive to the store. And then he casually says, "Oh your car will do the same thing as this one, I just have more seat time and know the car's limits". What an understatement!
I know Mark occasionally frequents our Forum now that he actually owns a GT. He would certainly be an informed source as to comparing the Boss and GT500 Mustangs.
I had a similar experience with Gene Martindale driving the Nardo CP car at Las Vegas before it was auctioned off later in our rally. We were in a full drift around the first big sweeper out of the pits with Gene driving the GT with one hand, pointing to track reference points with the other and talking me through what he was doing as if it were a Sunday drive to the store. And then he casually says, "Oh your car will do the same thing as this one, I just have more seat time and know the car's limits". What an understatement!
I know Mark occasionally frequents our Forum now that he actually owns a GT. He would certainly be an informed source as to comparing the Boss and GT500 Mustangs.
Thugboat
GT Owner
Guys,
Here is another fun video of us at COTA. Top left corner is me in GT500 also Dave in McClaren and Tony in Daves GT.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTR_XHUd83Q&feature=youtu.be
Larry
Here is another fun video of us at COTA. Top left corner is me in GT500 also Dave in McClaren and Tony in Daves GT.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTR_XHUd83Q&feature=youtu.be
Larry