Shelby Purchase Advice from My GT Brothers


AtomicGT

GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Le Mans 2010 Supporter
Apr 12, 2006
3,033
Los Angeles
Gentlemen,

I have a dilema. Purchase a new 2013 Shelby GT500 from Ford, have Shelby American in Las Vegas construct a 2013 Shelby GT350, or convert my 2010 GT500 into a Super Snake. Any input, comments, advice would be appreciated. Thinking of moving fast on this by July.

Option 1:

Buy a Shelby GT500 from Ford ordered directly:

Have that urge to purchase a new Mustang this coming Fall. I have a 2010 Sterling Silver/Grey stripped GT500 in pristine condition, 5000+ miles, never exposed to water, never raced, beaten, burned out, all service by dealer, extended warranty, etc. Seems crazy to sell it and buy another Mustang. If I had the garage space, I would keep it. It is a joy to drive and handling is incredible. The new sophistication of the 2013 Shelby GT500 from Ford is simply an amazing automobile.....

02-2013-ford-shelby-gt500-opt.jpg


Specs:

662 horsepower, 600+ pound-feet of torque. Over 200 miles per hour. 5.8-liter, aluminum-block V8, complete with a larger, more efficient supercharger. New cross-drilled block and heads, updated camshaft profiles, a carbon fiber driveshaft and upgraded clutch, transmission and axle. The cooling system has also been upgraded, and the new six-speed manual transmission now has a final drive ratio of 3.31-to-1 – optimized to handle the massive amounts of torque put down by the new engine. Further enhancements can be had in the GT500 Performance Pack, which incorporates SVT-designed Blistein electronic adjustable dampers with 'normal' and 'sport' modes and a Torsen limited-slip differential. What's more, the Track Package adds an external engine oil cooler, rear differential cooler and transmission cooler. Like the current GT500, 19-inch wheels are standard up front (20-inch rollers are found out back) and a Brembo braking system keeps everything in check when its time to control all that force.


Option 2:

Buy a Shelby GT350 from Shelby American directly:
2013 Shelby GT350

2012-shelby-gt350-mustang-3_600x0w.jpg
IMG_3884-1.jpg


Specs: Not available yet on model 2013

2012 Shelby GT350 5.0L V8 delivering 430 HP normally aspirated, 525 HP supercharged, or 624 HP supercharged version, with the addition of a Whipple supercharger and Borla exhaust system. Keeping the powerful engine under control will be an upgraded suspension system designed by Shelby to give the Mustang reduced body roll and more variability to create custom track setups. Custom ERADISPEED rear rotors in conjunction with Bear 6-piston brakes take care of the car at the corners and bring it to a stop effectively.

2012 Specs:
Base Price $68,990
Engine 5.0-liter supercharged V-8
Horsepower 525 hp
Torque not available
Transmission 6-speed manual
0–60 mph 4.6 seconds (estimated)
Top Speed 155 mph (limited) (estimated)
Weight 3,900 lb (estimated)
Length 188 inches (estimated)
Tires 245/45ZR-19s (estimated)

2013 Shelby GT350 specs not available.

Option 3:

Convert existing 2010 Shelby GGT500 into Super Snake. Costs = approximately $35K

shelby-gt500-supersnake.jpg


Any and all advice much appreciated. This is also an attractive option, less cash out, nice low production Super Snake.
 
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"Specs:

662 horsepower, 600+ pound-feet of torque. Over 200 miles per hour. 5.8-liter, aluminum-block V8, complete with a larger, more efficient supercharger. New cross-drilled block and heads, updated camshaft profiles, a carbon fiber driveshaft and upgraded clutch, transmission and axle. The cooling system has also been upgraded, and the new six-speed manual transmission now has a final drive ratio of 3.31-to-1 – optimized to handle the massive amounts of torque put down by the new engine. Further enhancements can be had in the GT500 Performance Pack, which incorporates SVT-designed Blistein electronic adjustable dampers with 'normal' and 'sport' modes and a Torsen limited-slip differential. What's more, the Track Package adds an external engine oil cooler, rear differential cooler and transmission cooler. Like the current GT500, 19-inch wheels are standard up front (20-inch rollers are found out back) and a Brembo braking system keeps everything in check when its time to control all that force."


You've answered your own question right there IMO, Doc.
 
Impossible question. Ask what the 20yr Euro bond rate will be next year. That will be easier.
 
To me the choice is easy, get the 2013 Gt 500 and do some simple bolt ons and have a monster. However I am not a fan of the GT 350, looks to Camaroish to me. The Super Snakes are cool, but a lot goes into that just to mach the performance of a 13 GT500
 
Eric you need a bigger garage, and a revamped driveway.
 
retained value won't be with the 2013 GT500, they will make a lot of them.
 
^^ Yep, what are we looking for here? If fun factor, '13 GT500. If never drive it and just a garage queen, GT350. If you want something to have fun and still retain most it's value - Super Snake (keep in mind you will lose $15K of the $30k you pay right off the top).
 
^^ Yep, what are we looking for here? If fun factor, '13 GT500. If never drive it and just a garage queen, GT350. If you want something to have fun and still retain most it's value - Super Snake (keep in mind you will lose $15K of the $30k you pay right off the top).

So what you are saying is, if EP was the buyer, a GT350 would be the only choice.
 
I say but the new one and dont worry about how many are made, just enjoy it when you are at the stop light next to any exotic and you smoke the doors off of them... That enjoyment should be enough to hanlde the deprecaition value....
 
I'd go with the 2013 and never look back. I'm not a huge fan of the GT350, I don't care for the plastic cladding the car has on it. Great performance though. I am considering the 2013 myself after the dealer hysteria calms down a bit. I have a 2011 Race Red SVT suspension with 2300 miles on it that I would have to take a beating on. Picked it up at $500 over invoice, so that helps a little.
 
It's expensive to do things twice.

Atomic,

The best and least expensive option would be to sell your current GT500 and buy the 2013 GT500. The problem with the Super Snake and GT350 is the waste and expense of buying a lot of car parts, build labor, and manufacturer overhead twice. Starting with an existing car and then taking a ton of parts off of it (wheels, suspension, tires, supercharger & other engine parts, exhaust, etc.) and buying different parts to replace them is a very inefficient way to produce an automobile. The GT350, if compared to the '13 GT500 is an inferior car by any measure of performance and handeling but it costs over $30,000 more. The GT350 is built in low #s because it's not a good deal and therefore a tough sell.

The '13 GT500 also benefits from millions of dollars in OEM testing of its aerodynamics, reliability, and performance. Shelby American just doesn't have the resources to match that. Cheers.

Chip
 
^^ Yep, what are we looking for here? If fun factor, '13 GT500. If never drive it and just a garage queen, GT350. If you want something to have fun and still retain most it's value - Super Snake (keep in mind you will lose $15K of the $30k you pay right off the top).

Good advice. Grazie Mille
 
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Chip

Good advice. Always. Value your opinions highly.

Solid every time !
 
Anyone interested in a Sterling Silver/Grey stripped 2010 GT500, black interior, 5000 miles, perfect condition, never raced, never beaten, exposure to water twice, waterless carwash, extended warranty, rear axle painted to prevent rust ???? :thumbsup:banana
 
I agree with Chip, would you rather have a car that is designed and engineered by a company that knows how, think Ford GT, or a company that has a very small group of engineering people with limited design experience. Upgrading production vehicles or replicating 50 year old designs does not require much engineering depth.