My New GT Arrives Tomorrow Night. Questions?


ViperJoe

ViperJoe

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Aug 17, 2006
1,305
Washington Crossing, PA
My dream of owning one of these fabulous cars will become reality tomorrow. OMG, I can't wait (or sleep for that matter).

What are some of the things I should consider doing to the car right away? I ordered floor mats, haven't heard a stock GT running but suspect exhaust mods will be needed, the obnoxious looking Mac sub-woofer must go (I read up on this extensively), and I probably will want to add a few ponies via external mods.

What are some tips that you can offer (besides drive the car which I absolutely intend to do)? What things should I check to avoid a potential problem? I never even sat behind the wheel of a GT.
 
Couple of instant things...

Ensure that you're in first gear when you pull away!! The first time you use the gear box you think you're in first when in fact you're in 3rd. Not good in any engine - particularly a new powerful one. First gear has a bit of resistance to move the stick to your left- reverse has a HUGE resistance (two hands are needed on many).

....and don't floor it! Drive it gently, break it in over 700 miles or so and have some respect for that power. There's a monster behind your right ear! :biggrin
 
Watch your head on the door! I know you have read about this, but you are still likely to forget. Remind your passenger as well. Everyone seems to get whacked at least once. One hard hit and you will always remember...

Good advice on the third gear start from Neilda. Yep, I did that one too on my first drive.

What color did you buy?
 
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Florida Chris said:
What color did you buy?
Click to expand...
Silver / Black Stripes. Color perfectly matches the Viper (ACR) I sold last year. It's a new 05 that's been sitting in a showroom in Buffalo for the past year.
 
I wonder if it might be worth having those half-shaft bolts and washers changed for hardened steel? Only if it's a really competent service department though....
 
I don't think any HP upgrades are advisable until after you've put some time and miles into it. There is a lot of stock power, get some experience with it before you add more.

Many upgrade to the Borla muffler and there are a few others available as well.

I still have a bump on my head from the door :biggrin
 
When the engine/gearbox isn't fully warmed up, gentle double-clutching will let you slip easily into 2d gear without any forcing at all.
 
All good advice tips.
You mention your new purchase is an 05 which had been sitting on the show room floor for a while. Several purchasers in this scenerio have had battery problems due to charge depletion over time due to non use. As a reaearch of postings will indicate the GT battery does not kindly take a fast (high amp) recharge (as most dealerships have).
There is a current posting of acid damage in the battery area of one owner who currently has this problem. Another months ago had the dealer do work to correct this type of problem and mechanic "test drove" the charging system and wrecked the car during the joy ride. Just be careful with the recharge if it becomes necessary.
I echo previous comments. The car has ABUNDANT power in stock form. Get use to it before going to mods...
 
These tips are right on! I've had my Tungston for just over a week now.

After the driver backed it off the transporter, I took off, and thought, "Gosh, this clutch doesn't engage very easily!" I was in third gear!!!!

In the first few days, I hit my head three times on the door, slow learner I guess, but now I'm used to it, and it's no problem.

One thing I didn't see mentioned is the rear visiblity which I'm sure you're aleady aware of. Get the mirrors adjusted perfectly, and after about a hundred miles, the visibility is no problem. You get used to it, but be especially careful in lane changes to the right.

After driving my new GT for the first 20 miles, thought to myself, "This is a really nice car, but....". Now after 200 miles, now my thoughts are, "Wow, this is an awesome car".

It takes just a little time getting use to.

Good luck and enjoy!
 
Good tip from Indy there - I'd forgotten about battery thing, it needs a gentle trickle....

I would also recommend a memory improvement course. In the UK at oblique junctions you can see NOTHING. So you have to remember the sequence of cars and their speeds: 'red Golf, blue Jaguar, silver 911, slow bus, black Range Rover and GO GO GO! :biggrin
 
Something that is rarely mentioned is that while the car does make a good amount of power, if you are used to high powered cars, the GT will feel a little slow until she is properly broken in. If you feel like it does not have enough power, wait until about 700-800 miles. She will feel like a completely different animal, at least for me. :wink
 
Great tips from all....

Congrats on getting your baby home tomarrow :cheers


Im anxiously waiting to get my beast home....

It should be arriving the end of this week...
 
Congrats ACRJOE :cheers Try to remember to leave as much room as possible (especially in your garage) for entry and exit. I believe it was Vince (White Petunia) who coined the phrase "GT crawl". That's what you will be doing if you can't swing the door the 90 degrees it's capable of. Other then that every previous post is all right on and good advice. Also when you take delivery check all of the underbody items (splitter,diffuser etc.) for damage. Good luck and welcome aboard...Dan
P.S. Bill is right, visibility sucks especially on the right rear quarter! Check 3 or 4 times before making lane changes and even speed up or slow down to confirm know one is there!!!
 
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