It's done put 70 miles on it today

[f4udriver]

Finally it is done and I was able to pick up my daughter from grade school on her 14th birthday. I drove the GT for 70 miles and it does create quite a stir from drivers and pedestrians. Not quite as much as the Mosler but it does attract a lot of attention.

Bumped my head at least 10 times on the door so far but the early verdict is in. A great car that my wife, son and daughter all don't want me to even consider selling. Next week after a short hunting trip my son will get to try it out on his drivers permit.

This might be the first time a 15 year old has driven a GT on a permit. He started on a 6 speed Corvette so I think he will do just fine.

Thoughts so far

Left turns are tough the mirror is in the way so I try to memorize the street before I lose sight of it or I lean forward and to the right to see the turn.

It is much more difficult to judge all of the distances, sides, front bumper, rear bumper, and the location of the front corners then any other car I have ever owned, including Countach, Testarossa, Mosler MT900S.

Unusually quite for such a car.

Just starting to explore handling but so far I like it.

Questions

Where do you guys put anything. There is no place to put anything, even the Mosler has a drink holder and a tray for stuff. When I picked up my daughter she had a soft sided cooler for treats for the class and it barely fit in the front trunk area. She had to hold her book bag and my coat on her lap.

Tires are 6 years old and seem really firm and I am a little worried they might not grip like they should. Should they be replaced?

Unfortunately the GT will go into storage for the Illinois winter very soon so I don't have a lot of time to drive it until then.

 

[Sinovac]

This might be the first time a 15 year old has driven a GT on a permit.

Nope. My son has driven mine on his permit for the last year, but don't tell your son that. It will be something he won't forget. I would replace the stock Goodyears if you plan on driving it much. Be careful with them in the cold.

 

[jaxgt]

Space is an issue. I would get rid of the stock old Goodyears and put Bridgestones on. Way better.
Enjoy !

 

[2112]

Space is an issue. I would get rid of the stock old Goodyears and put Bridgestones on. Way better.
Enjoy !

+2

 

[Art138]

"Where do you put things" Cockpit Utility Tray check out this thread....http://www.fordgtforum.com/forums/s...t-is......Ford-GT-Cockpit-Utility-Tray!-41.95

 

[HHGT]

There is a netting in front of the seats. Cell Phone, wallet etc. And yes, ditch the tires.

And for crying out loud, move that scooter next to your fender, its an accident waiting to happen!

Welcome!!

 

[GT38]

...it does create quite a stir from drivers and pedestrians.

...and that won't change!

Left turns are tough the mirror is in the way so I try to memorize the street before I lose sight of it or I lean forward and to the right to see the turn.

It is much more difficult to judge all of the distances, sides, front bumper, rear bumper, and the location of the front corners then any other car I have ever owned, including Countach, Testarossa, Mosler MT900S.

You'll eventually develop a feel for everything, but you'll always need to be extra-careful about other cars in your blind spots. That's where everyone likes drive while they're taking photos of your car. And they will inadvertently swerve into you while taking the photo/video.

Where do you guys put anything. There is no place to put anything, even the Mosler has a drink holder and a tray for stuff. When I picked up my daughter she had a soft sided cooler for treats for the class and it barely fit in the front trunk area. She had to hold her book bag and my coat on her lap.

You just have to learn to pack creatively and squirrel things away behind the seats and under your legs (I like to use thin fabric drawstring backpacks). It may seem hard to believe, but you can actually get quite a bit packed this way and it makes a good trip car. Ditto Art138 on the cockpit utility tray - it's money well spent.

Tires are 6 years old and seem really firm and I am a little worried they might not grip like they should. Should they be replaced?

Many GT's have come to grief with cold tires and/or cold roads - you need warm tires and warm roads, especially with the Goodyears. Don't think you can even get new Goodyears right now (unless they are old stock). Lots of good tire threads with better tire options.

 

[MTV8]

Don't think you can even get new Goodyears right now (unless they are old stock). Lots of good tire threads with better tire options.

New stock are still available although the supply already seems to be running low. Regardless, go with the Bridgestones.

 

[GT38]

New stock are still available although the supply already seems to be running low. Regardless, go with the Bridgestones.

Make sure you know what the date codes are, though.

 

[f4udriver]

Thanks for the advice I plan on getting one of those trays and I never noticed the netting until it was mentioned here. Just got back from the garage and found the pockets and of course banged my head again.

I will definitely move the kids scooter, good Eyes. I just had the garage floor repainted so we are in the process of putting everything back in the garage in the right spot.

Has anyone tried the Nitto NT 05 tires, not sure they make them in the GT sizes but I have been told they really hook up. The NT 01's on my Trans Am don't even spin one turn under full throttle. I run Hoosier auto cross tires on the Mosler and they do a good job but if it rains I need to park the car or get a roll back to get home.

 

[Empty Pockets]

It is much more difficult to judge all of the distances, sides, front bumper, rear bumper, and the location of the front corners then any other car I have ever owned, including Countach, Testarossa, Mosler MT900S.

Then you've probably already deduced that you need to leave more space than it APPEARS you'll need between the wheels and the curb when you pull up to one! :lol Luckily, I did that the 1st time I pulled up to a curb, 'cause I was shocked when I got out and saw how much closer the wheels were than I thought they'd be!

Also remember that you have a couple feet of front overhang to deal with. The chin spoiler will bottom out when you traverse a dip in the pavement loooong before the tires reach the bottom of the dip. Approaching any 'at risk' change in road grade at the biggest angle you can will minimize that (like a pavement-to-driveway 'up bubble' for instance).

And also remember the chin spoiler and the rear diffuser will contact things like 'bump stops' in a parking garage (or whatever the tires are going to hit) before the tires actually make contact. :cheers

 

[shelbyelite]

Car looks great, but your side stripes are too big. Much bigger than OEM...., was this done intentionally?

Enjoy the car and be careful.

 

[HHGT]

Car looks great, but your side stripes are too big. Much bigger than OEM...., was this done intentionally?

Enjoy the car and be careful.

Good eye!

 

[Empty Pockets]

I will definitely move the kids scooter, good Eyes.

May I suggest you move the bike 'rack' too? That's an even bigger disaster just waiting to happen, IMO! One slip taking a bike down from there and...:willy


Paranoid Pockets

 

[MNJason]

Get rid of the OEM Goodyears (for some Bridgestones) and get an exhaust. Problems solved.

 

[f4udriver]

I will have to check the stripes

My buddy who has the exact same car rents to the top graphic guy in town, in the same building he keeps his GT. So he had them copy his car for my decals.

I am taking my car over to his shop Sunday and I will check this out. Thanks for the heads up on that.

The GT will be leaving the dangers of this garage and it will spend the rest of the winter in my hanger under a car cover. So at least fewer dangers for the winter. It will be much safer under a wing then near all the bikes and scooters my kids use every day. So far they haven't touched a car but unfortunately I have twice.

 

[twobjshelbys]

This might be the first time a 15 year old has driven a GT on a permit. He started on a 6 speed Corvette so I think he will do just fine.

You are going to make someone's day. When he does the driving test, at least here, it's some unlucky state patrolman that got driving test duty that day. You need to take a camera so he can see his grin when he gets in it.

 

[FLY GT40]

So what kind of plane are you parking under its wing for the winterbow

I will have to check the stripes

My buddy who has the exact same car rents to the top graphic guy in town, in the same building he keeps his GT. So he had them copy his car for my decals.

I am taking my car over to his shop Sunday and I will check this out. Thanks for the heads up on that.

The GT will be leaving the dangers of this garage and it will spend the rest of the winter in my hanger under a car cover. So at least fewer dangers for the winter. It will be much safer under a wing then near all the bikes and scooters my kids use every day. So far they haven't touched a car but unfortunately I have twice.

 

[33Bravo]

Hi there!

Bill from Minneapolis (Bloomington) here. Bought some aircraft parts from you earlier this year - you delivered them to my house.

I too recently took delivery of a Red (fastest) FGT. Agree with all - tires are a handful until they and the road warms up. Especially if you add any additional HP..

Welcome!

 

[f4udriver]

Adding pictures in a couple hours of three GT's and the Mustang

Found out the stripe guy made a mistake. I am going to give him the works on this issue and naturally I will suggest that he lies to his wife when he measures anything.

Bill did you keep the 308? And are the fins mounted.