Ford GT

Yes, I searched and read all the threads.

And that reading has led me to want and ask some specific questions.

I have a buddy who just got one and loves it and a board member who had one and loved it.
I have only sat in one and did not have the time to try and get fully comfortable, if that is possible. There are no cars within 3 hours so I thought I would ask for feedback here as there must be some owners on board or others who have seat time.
First, are the doors really as much of a nuisance as some have suggested?
Can a 6'3" guy find and comfortable driving position w/o the "claustrophobic head slightly touching the roof feeling"?

I love the exterior styling and the sound but the interior is problematic at best but could be put up with and maybe be accepted if the performance is all that its cracked up to be.
Any owners who could comment on long term interior issues?

Any other feedback appreciated.

 

Got one very informative pm from an owner but there must be more than one owner or friend with driving experience on board here, eh??

 

John,

Send a PM to Lee.

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/member.php?u=42659

Let him know I referred you to him. He's a great guy and has had his GT over a year now. He drives his cars a lot, so should have some good insight. He also has owned both 360 and 430 so can give a comparison.

Simon

 

Hey John...how you been?
The doors are a nuisance...that's all. I am 6 feet, and don't touch the inside roof...and the owner of the local Ford dealership drives one, and he is 6.5.

The performance is all is cracked up to be...and more. Stock or modded (which is cheap and easy)...it is the top of the heap. No worry about ANY mods on the stock block...see my signature. Sound is beyond belief...those modular motors have a BARK. Let me know of any other specific questions.

A.J.

 

Simon, will do, thanks for the heads up.

Hey AJ, Yes, thats right I remember now you got one--- yellow right?
I can see the door thing being a real hassle but workable but I have never seen a trunk and understand there is 1c.f. of storage. Is that true? and if so, how do you go overnight or weekend driving?

 

Yes..Yellow/black. Storage is the worst of all time. Absolutely no room in the front storage...particularly mine with a skinny Nitrous tank!! If you are going solo..plenty of room in the passenger seat and floor for anything you need.
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

i'm 6'1" 215 and i was "comfortable". my head was pretty much touching the roof. Didn't matter, one of my favorites next to the 430. i normally drive a 328 so i'm good at slouching. your not gonna know until you drive one. Also like the cool speedo. here is a pic i took.
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

I guess you needed to get to the gas station quickly!

 

I had one, but recently sold it on ebay, see http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150050567126

I've had several 911's, M3's, etc., but it was my first "supercar," and I just didn't like the total impracticality of it (I don't think I would like a 360 or 430 any better). Too low, too wide, too much attention.

That said, I REALLY hated the doors. And the total lack of storage space. The doors make it very impractical for daily driving. The lack of storage space makes it impractical for even short trips. And the soft suspension makes is impractical for a track car. (I'm sure you could fix that, but then it would be even worse on the street).

I'm 6', and had enough room, but I'm sure I wouldn't fit with a helmet, unless I moved the seat way forward, and then tilted the seatback way back.

It's an amazing car, and I'm glad Ford made it, but it wasn't for me.

 

go to www.fordgtforum.com for great information

 

Great suggestion. You will see that 99.999% of Ford GT owners love it, love it love it! (And many of them have, or previously have had, multiple Ferraris, Lamborghini's, etc.)

 

Maybe they are the ones that are more inclined to post...of the two guys I know that bought the car, both felt the negatives (%#@$$& doors, no storage, some quality control gripes) outweighed the postives (lots of motor, easily modded, great looks), and they sold the car within a year or so.

Gary

 

Have any of you lowered your GT's? I love the car, but the stance isn't aggressive enough for me. The way the GTX sits is perfect, and it seems to handle better according to Clarkson.

What is the deal with the doors specifically, I assume it has to do with the top of them being part of the roof?

I myself would consider buying one of these and am curiuos to hear the feedback.

 

Couple of things with the doors...you have to be very careful where you park or you can't get out of the car. And they tend to whack you on the head getting in and out...owners say there are those who have already brained themselves, and those who will.

Gary

 

Since the new Ford GT is an adaptation of the old, Ford felt the doors that worked well at Le Mans would be a necessary part of the design. Rememeber, it was a show car that was okayed for production following rave reviews.

A simple fix would be a scissor-door conversion. That would maintain the style while increasing usability.

 

I have a 2005 #2061 that I have put just over 1400 miles on. I am coming out of a Ferrari and have this car for sale to go back into another F car. The Ford is fantastic, tons of power, handles very well and has a very substantive feel. The biggest difference I noticed is that on my F car I always felt like I needed to be very ginger in running the car or I would break something. In the GT that is not the case. It is a very solid and well built car that feels as though it couild take an asswhippin and ask for more. I have never driven the car very hard because I have had my 5 year old with me but it is most impressive even under the limited use that I give it. I am 6'3 265 and I fit just fine, in fact better than most F cars. I can say this without a doubt, you will not be dissappointed with a GT. The mods are cheap too!!!

As a side note, this car is for sale or trade back into an F car up or down. If interested just drop me an e-mail lhartley(at)cfl.rr.com

Brett

 

On the 60's GT40, the doors actually helped access, since the car had high side sills (containing the fuel tanks, a really unsafe idea), and since the car was only designed to "park" on the grid at Le Mans, where you can open the door all the way.

On the new car, the goofy doors were totally for style, and make it only harder to get in and out of the car.

The company that offers the GTX1 roadster conversion http://gtx1.com/ (which also fixes the doors) also offers a scissors door conversion see http://www.gtbdoor.com/

 

Frankly, I don't know why anyone would feel that way, Ferrari quality and durability since the late '90s is equal to anyone out there. You're just cheating yourself if you drive the car like you're afraid something will break (I'm assuming you own - or owned - a later car, I don't have any personal experience with older Ferraris).

Gary

 

Those GTB doors look extremely well designed. The cast roller guide channels are a really clever idea.

 

How do you get in the car when there is a car next to you? Do you crawl in like jeremy clarkston does? tell us you way of doin it.

 

Here are a couple of pics I took of one.

More here... http://public.fotki.com/TexasMike/automotive-1/automotive/ford_gt/ford_gt/
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

That looks like less space than most sportbikes have under the tail.

 

lol. That is a fact!! But a Nitrous bottle will fit.