Thanks....
No real exotics. Several Mustangs, ncluding two Shelby Mustangs, all in the 80s. Then 4 Corvettes. Now drive a modified Porsche 996 Turbo that I've had 7 years and looking for a change.
Maintenance & Repair/Replacement Costs?
- Thread starter Shark01
- Start date
Thanks....
No real exotics. Several Mustangs, ncluding two Shelby Mustangs, all in the 80s. Then 4 Corvettes. Now drive a modified Porsche 996 Turbo that I've had 7 years and looking for a change.
Yes, it really is. I don't make alot of money, have family obligations like most. Took 7 1/2 years of overtime, bonuses, stock trades, 2nd jobs, 3rd jobs to put away a substancial down payment ($100k+). So everything counts, purchase price, financing, depreciation, maintenance. I can only afford one weekender, and I keep cars for a long time.
In this case, I ask the question because I didn't see any previous discussion and I'm sure I'm not the first to be curious about the ownership experience.
Fair statement. Truthfully, some days I just want to set the money on fire and forget about it.
There's been alot of budget creep since I started looking in May. I started thinking f430 and early Gallardo, until I drove them...Meh. Wasn't much better than the $25k Porsche Turbo I have now. When I called a couple of GT specialists, it was $165k for a good GT. Now of course its $185k. So eventually found 3 cars I like, all over $170k. Now trying to figure out if Iwat to spend that kind of money, and on what.
Wwabbit
GT Owner
Like Rocketman says 'LISTEN' ; If you can afford to spend it, the FGT is the way forward. How much is your Porsche TT worth now vs the purchase price (unless you won it in a card game)? Resale value for a Gallardo falls faster than a piano pushed out second story window. And that's a trait shared by almost all the super cars. All are great cars, but.... Reason is, their mfgrs continue to pump out new, prettier models. If money is a bit squeaky but you just have to own something, brother you just rounded third and are about to slide home safe. A FGT, cared for and kept reasonably true to its roots will hold more of its value by far than any bratwurst or pasta burner going. You've got 7 years of history as a guide. Go to any car show, C&C, track, Ruth Chris valet lot or whore house and see which car they look at when a FGT is hanging around. Everybody loves them and for good reason. Re-read the last 20 some posts, eventually you'll get it. The real trouble starts when you try to pick a color for your second GT. We look forward to seeing you at Rally VIII. Enjoy.
I'll add this; I was at a track event recently where the Audi R8 Le Mans car was being tested with Audi factory staff (Germany). The head of the Audi R8 factory development team for the entire R8 program made a point to come to our garage to see the only GT there. He loved the car but had never seen one in person, he stayed an hour or so and was all about it. Everybody loves the GT. Everybody else just wishes they could build a car that means as much as the Ford GT.
I'll add this; I was at a track event recently where the Audi R8 Le Mans car was being tested with Audi factory staff (Germany). The head of the Audi R8 factory development team for the entire R8 program made a point to come to our garage to see the only GT there. He loved the car but had never seen one in person, he stayed an hour or so and was all about it. Everybody loves the GT. Everybody else just wishes they could build a car that means as much as the Ford GT.
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Some experience with the 'other' exotic maintenance costs. Have two 12 cyl F cars (512TR and 512 Berlinetta Boxer 'i'). The routine stuff isn't too awful, but parts from the Fcar dealer can be horrendous, so some knowledge of crossover is very helpful. For instance, AC compressor from Ferrari is 1200, for identical one for BMW its 550. Fuel accumulator from Ferrari is 195, for identical one fitting a Volvo 850 its 75. Things like that.
The big fear factor for Fcars prior to the 360 series was the 5 year 'engine out' belt service. Pretty comprehensive, but the one last summer on my BBi was $13k. That should do me for a while. They found a hairline crack in a distributor cap - $450 for the cap - but were able to seal it. So you deal with that kind of stuff. Though I should be good with that car for some time. I don't want to dis the Fcars, because I'm clearly a fan, just giving a hint of the difference in maintenance since that was the OPs question.
I too live away from a Fcar dealer/service center, so loading it up for the trip is a bit of a hassle. The Ford GT just drives in the bay, half the dealership comes out to greet me... I mean IT... and they happily do what's needed. Had one service (short term owner) and couldn't have been more pleasantly surprised at the light service bill.
My car has 32k miles, and the history shows mostly 'normal' stuff except for a transmission oil leak and other niggly things. Pretty minimal though. In an Fcar, would've been far heavier on maintenance, that's for sure.
The big fear factor for Fcars prior to the 360 series was the 5 year 'engine out' belt service. Pretty comprehensive, but the one last summer on my BBi was $13k. That should do me for a while. They found a hairline crack in a distributor cap - $450 for the cap - but were able to seal it. So you deal with that kind of stuff. Though I should be good with that car for some time. I don't want to dis the Fcars, because I'm clearly a fan, just giving a hint of the difference in maintenance since that was the OPs question.
I too live away from a Fcar dealer/service center, so loading it up for the trip is a bit of a hassle. The Ford GT just drives in the bay, half the dealership comes out to greet me... I mean IT... and they happily do what's needed. Had one service (short term owner) and couldn't have been more pleasantly surprised at the light service bill.
My car has 32k miles, and the history shows mostly 'normal' stuff except for a transmission oil leak and other niggly things. Pretty minimal though. In an Fcar, would've been far heavier on maintenance, that's for sure.
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2112
Blue/white 06'
GTdrummer
GT Owner
A GT is a true supercar in all respects except maintainence . I have a 458 that I doubt I will keep out of warranty
I have 2 GTs out of warranty and am very anal about maintenance . When I bought the first one I bought my long time Viper tech a shop manual. He does everything on the GTs and says that but for the belly pans it could not be easier or less time consuming.
I have 2 GTs out of warranty and am very anal about maintenance . When I bought the first one I bought my long time Viper tech a shop manual. He does everything on the GTs and says that but for the belly pans it could not be easier or less time consuming.
Wwabbit
GT Owner
SteveA
GT Owner/B.O.D
I tend to enjoy crawling under the car to remove the belly pans, as I don't have a lift. I just put it up on stands and crawl under - makes me feel at one with the car and gets me close to its heart. Oil changes are easy - cost about $90-$100 for the oil (10 qts) and a little laundry to wash my overalls and towels/rags. Another $5-$10 for the filter. I inspect everything and clean every surface I can get to - just "taking care of my baby!" She's a joy to work on and quite simple - the major items (i.e. windshield replacement), I leave to Shadowman, Cool-Tech or the GT Guy. 66k miles and most expenses have probably been replacement rear tires - on my 6th set...
Still have it, and not exactly a letdown!
Enjoyed it this weekend. Thanks.Great to hear, 66k miles, that's a bunch of belly pan removal! You're an inspiration to us and those who may be 'overly preservation minded' about putting miles on the cars.
FBA
GT Owner
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You can do that on the Mac???
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@ the OP...the GT's maintenance costs about what you'd expect from an American made car + a bit. Not really more than maint costs on a Viper or a Z...
The other thing is that they're pretty much bulletproof and adding another 50-70% more power is relatively cheap as well, and will not cause your motor to go "poof"...
If you're talking about a comparison in GT maint costs vs ANY Italian exotic, it's not even in the same league. It's a fraction of those costs.
When you talk about what the GT does, pretty much NONE of the cars you're looking at come close...and is why many here who have a GT and an F car will tell you that if they had to choose one or the other, almost everyone would ditch the F car.
Someone chime in here if I'm wrong...
If you buy one, and later on decide to bring 'er up to 700-800 + RWHP, you'll be amazed at how cheap it is and what happens once you put your foot in it with that type of power, no shit! The low end grunt in these things is unlike an F car. That's true in even in stock trim.
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BlackICE
GT Owner
How is that possible. With the exception of never driving the car and keeping in covered in a garage, can't be done. Only EP fits that description.
BlackICE
GT Owner
But that counts as washing, right? So only 1 wet wash the rest dry.
I wonder how many times EP washed his car. Since it is always raining in WA, he just pushed it outside for a few minutes and then pushed it back inside without ever starting the engine to using a hose.