They Accepted my Offer, Pick Up Sat Morning


Roger Vincent

Roger Vincent

GT Owner
May 31, 2006
275
Bowling Green, KY
Many thanks to all of you for answering questions about these wonderful GT's over the last few weeks. Because of you and your information, I was able to buy the GT that I wanted, and at a fair price. I will drive it home tomorrow after breakfast with my extended "gear head family" who will go with me for the drive home! There are about 15 - 20 folks in the local Bowing Green Euro-car club, so there should be an E-Type, several AH-3000's, some 911's, and maybe a Ferrari and a Lambo who will "escort" my wife and me to the dealership. It will be a blast, and sleeping tonight will be difficult. Once again, thanks, particularly to Dr. Eshrink! I shared some of your advice with my wife and after many long discussions, we (I said WE), pulled the trigger today! (BTW, it's a red 2005, white stripes, all the optional things,,,you all know the model I am sure. It's build number 1490.)

Roger Vincent, 1490, Bowling Green, KY

BTW, how do I change my profile...went to edit but didn't see anything about ownership. Thanks once more.
 
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Hvae fun! The car is a blast!
 
Roger. Good going. You're going to love your car. You also got the right year and the right color and the right options! By the way, I have a red '05 with all of the options as well. That did not influence my post in any way, shape, or form. Isn't Bowling Green the home of some other kind of car that I just can't put my finger on???

Cobraman :thumbsup
 
Thanks, I sure intend to do just that!
 
Roger, Well done.

Your probably in BED as I post, I'm in wet and windy UK at the moment, hope the weather is better for your big day this Staturday, I'll be thinking about you as you drive your beast home.

Glad you got your wife going with you as it takes a bit getting use to the visability and dont worry if you need two hands to put the car into reverse, we all do.


Again you chose the right car, 05 Red and white stripes, mind you thats exactly like mine too.

Happy driving

Patrick
 
Roger:

Patrick mentions an important aspect for the new owner...the reverse "lock out." Unless you regularly work out with a PecDeck, the access to reverse appears initially to be unyielding. You should/will, many times think that you are in reverse when, in reality, you are still in first.

I suppose the best rule-of-thumb is "I know I left Reverse somewhere around here, this has got to be it...nuts, it's in first...it cannot be over this far to the left..."

But it is.

Happy motoring...and pop the clamshell when you get home to let that motor cool...oh, and do not worry about not seeing anything behind you...it is best to let things remain in the past.

- doc
 
Home at last, pondering the decision

Well after the celebration, jubilation, and exhortation, I find myself home alone and pondering the consequences of my decision. Eshrink I think you guys call it cognitive dissonance, buyer's remorse. I know it's a phase, but rationality is trumped by emotion at this moment. After everyone pats you on the back, and says, "Great car, now drive it!" I have had the opportunity to attempt the bonding between me and this curvatious beast. Again, it's the phase, my fatique, and so on, but I begin to see the defects in workmanship, wondering why the damn front lid won't close completely, and why wasn't it adjusted at the factory. You know, picky little nit picking crap items, which don't amount to a hill of beans. Still, I guess I am looking for "cognitive consonnance" Doc. I know you went through ten kinds of hell with your diffuser issue, but you seem to be back in love again. So, I think I will just reflect on the excitement of the day, knowing that the hood stuff will be adjusted, and that I will adjust to the constant fear that somone is going to run into me on the road. Anyway, a unique day for sure, all the friends were there (see posted pictures on this site), but now, I am going to bed in about 15 minutes.

Roger, 1490
 
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Roger:

It is a car. It is not life...just a car. Family is life. Career is life. Country is life. Not a car. A car is just a car. An object for which you paid too little, too much or just enough. You have to enjoy it for what it is, not make more of it than what it is.

Yes, we went through a lot with our car. Do I love it? No. I do like it. I do not love it. I cannot love a car. I can only enjoy a car.

Is it well made. Well, not particularly, but it is unique. It is great to own. It is fun to drive.

Does it feel the same as seeing your children? Does it feel the same as accomplishing something professionally? I hope not.

It is a car. It is not life. It is just an object. Try to enjoy it for what it is. It does not change you life. It does not replace things that are missing in life. It is a nice add-on to life.

If it does nothing, then you liquidate. No problem. Do not make more of it than what it is.

Life is brief. Fill it with accomplishment, purpose, achievement...or a car. It really does not matter.

Never make more of an object than what it is.

- doc
 
Thanks Eshrink, your comments are much appreciated

Thanks Doc. Sally and I discussed the car this morning after reading your post, and I drove the GT this morning with that perspective in mind. And you are right, when viewed as a car, I enjoyed it a hell of a lot more. But, you know, I have always looked at most of the 150 cars I have owned as something greater; they were functional art. The E-types, 911's, the Healey 3000's, and the mid year Vettes (one Ferrari 308) satisfied my "love" for art and speed. Do they represent something else? A perceived inadequacy in some area perhaps? Maybe, haven't done enough introspection to be sure (and maybe I don't really want to).

But there is one thing I have always made certain: I would never purchase "functional art" that would endanger my ability to provide financially for my family. I suppose this fact and the cost of the FGT have made me nervous from the start. I can afford it, but it's not a walk in the park.

It's just that it's outside the "norm" for my peer group. So, you are correct. It's about perspective. It is about life. It's a car. But for me, it's just a little more than that. It's about appreciation of art, and continuing the passion I have had for these type cars all my life. I hope it does not create missing elements, but becomes an additive element. But if not, as you say, liquidate.

Once again, thank you for your perspective, and as before, invoice me! (Moderately of course). Last night, I was tired, worried, and began to have some second thoughts. Today, in the sunshine, and after having driven the car, things look different to me. I am OK with it, and part of that is due to your comments. I appreciate that, thanks.

Roger Vincent, FGT 1490
 
Roger, remeber life is for living and your a long time dead.

Millions of people would love to own a GT and as long as you can afford it without breaking your back and putting yourself in financial difficulty, you've made the right decison.

Like you, I've had the same emotions over my purchase, but I've work hard, always put my family first and purchased my GT with my familys blessing.

It is a lot of money for a car, but we are all boys with toys, and its great to deviate from the straight and narrow now and again to remember your alive.

Remember the great saying its better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all, well the same goes for the GT.

It's a great car, and you ac always liquidate, but boy will you enjoy the ride, and you will never grow tired of people saying "I love your car Mr"
 
Roger (and prmoldoaks):

The problem comes in the process of justification, and there is none for an expensive automobile...or in Roger and my case, guitars.

Perhaps the healthiest of people are those who see the absurdity in human behavior but ultimately accept that they too are human and, thereby, just as absurd.

The scarey people are those who overvalue anything outside family, career and country.

- doc
 
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What was the wonderful song from Jamaca? DON'T WORRY, BE HAPPY?
Enjoy the car, it is great!! Make sure your defusers are attached. :biggrin :wink :biggrin
 
One year later

This time last year I had just purchased the FGT. On the day I bought it, I took it to a car show before I went home. A kid at the show wanted his picture taken with the car; I did. Today, I took it to the same car show, and the same kid was there with his mother. He is now 15, and again, had his picture taken (he is much taller!).

I am happy to report I still enjoy this car. It's been great, all 3,900 miles. Only an oil leak here and there, but it is one fine machine. No complaints. Almost time for new rear tires!

I am not afflicted with false modesty; I do wonder at times why I should deserve such a machine. I am nevertheless, overwhelmed to have owned such a car and I look forward to a positive report next year!

How has your ownership been with your Ford GT for the past year? Still in love, or in a love hate relationship? Ready to sell it and move on, or keep it forever?
 
Still in love, keep it forever, lucky to have one.

5,000 miles, 10 months of ownership from when she was a baby.

Still on the high from the Rally II fun...
 
eshrink said:
The scarey people are those who overvalue anything outside family, career and country.

- doc
Click to expand...

I think you meant to say family, car, and country. :wink
 
Roger Vincent said:
How has your ownership been with your Ford GT for the past year? Still in love, or in a love hate relationship? Ready to sell it and move on, or keep it forever?
Click to expand...

Turned 8000 miles the other day, and that's with me trying my best not to drive it too much.

I went to this big party another local GT owner throws for the dream cruise last night and there were dozens of cars on his property. Sitting in with all kinds of hot rods and classic cars, I just sat there staring at the rear 3/4 view of my GT in the driveway. They simply do not make anything that looks like this anymore. I will absolutely never sell this car.
 
DBK said:
Turned 8000 miles the other day, and that's with me trying my best not to drive it too much.

I went to this big party another local GT owner throws for the dream cruise last night and there were dozens of cars on his property. Sitting in with all kinds of hot rods and classic cars, I just sat there staring at the rear 3/4 view of my GT in the driveway. They simply do not make anything that looks like this anymore. I will absolutely never sell this car.
Click to expand...

Kinda did the same but at the cruise.
It got tot the point I parked it in the back row so I could watch it but the crowds just flocked around it so much I could not see it from 10' away.

Cool to drive cool to look at.
 
Congratulations, enjoy your new ride!
 
Dave I have owned many neat cars but never one that when I pull up at a cruise and got out everyone and I mean everyone rush to my GT to take a picture of it. Last night I couldn't get out of my car for the people. I love my girl baby and will never get rid of it. Tomy Hamon PS And most of these people have seen it before some before the race decals.
 
Happy Birthday GT

Roger Vincent said:
This time last year I had just purchased the FGT. On the day I bought it, I took it to a car show before I went home. A kid at the show wanted his picture taken with the car; I did. Today, I took it to the same car show, and the same kid was there with his mother. He is now 15, and again, had his picture taken (he is much taller!).
Click to expand...
Roger,

the Song Goes something like this:

Happy Birthday to me,
Happy Birthday to me
Happy Birthday Ford Gee Tee

Hopefully you will continue your GT tradition with the same "kid" next year. And every year following. The two of you have something special going on.

I think that is so cool.:cool

Next year the "kid" will be 16 and will be morphing into a young man. How great would it be to arrange to take him for a "Sweet 16" birthday ride in your Red GT. That would be truly a birthday present he'd never forget!

Nor would you.

Last year, Mark Scarff, owner of the dealership where I purchased my GT, was "in-charge" of donation coordination for the Annual Kent. Washington Rotary auction. I donated 30 minutes of passenger seat time in my GT on the track at Pacific Raceways.The ride was purchased by a father as a very special birthday gift to his son.The son is a Ford technician at the one of Mark's dealerships.

My donation of the GT ride is the gift that keeps on giving. Later I was told that his comments about the ride were something like this:
" That crazy f**ker was going about 152 and got into the anti-locks big time going into turn 2. Gawd that was fun, the GT is faster than an airplane".

Around the shop I'm now called Crazy Jeff. That's the edited version.

I did the Rotary donation again this year. A wife "secretly" bought the GT ride for her husband. A few days later they decided to give the ride to their #3 son for his 16th birthday. Andrew turned 16 last week and got his drivers' license the next day.

I'll be picking him up at his house at 11:00 a.m. next Tuesday and taking him to the race track at Pacific Raceways for the "ride of his young life". Bowen Scarff Ford is sending a number of catered box lunches as a special Happy Birthday gift to Andrew and a "few" friends and family that will be at the track to share in his GT B'day.

The best part of this is that I get to bring an outsider into our GT world and I get more track time in the Gray Ghost.

A true win-win situation.
 
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