After nearly 15 years in the making, I finally own a Ford GT

(Cross-posted on other automotive forums I frequent)

So it’s been a long time coming, almost 15 years, but I am happy to report that I’m an owner. Here’s an earlier post that describes part of the journey. https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/posts/146955225/

I started off targeting black, preferably black no stripe, but ended up with a white blue stripe. It’s a 2005 with sub-4000 miles, all original, one owner. It arrives in 9 hours, 6am Sunday morning. I’ll post some pictures below. In the meantime, here’s my car: https://www.bjmotors.biz/2005-ford-gt-c-13521.htm

So I have several people to thank.

First, I want thank the dealer I bought the car from, Bernie Katz at BJ Motors. Bernie was exceptional. Terrific communication. Knowledgeable on the product and marketplace. Accommodating, patient, and eager to please. In short, the perfect seller. I liked him so much, that I am about to talk myself into sweet 2017 Viper ACR that he has... Check him out. He carries a nice selection of unique cars. I can see myself buying several more cars from him in the future.

Bernie Katz
BJ Motors
804-399-0477
bfkatz@bjmotors_DOT_biz
www.bjmotors.biz

Second, I want to thank the Houston, TX area technician who performed the PPI for me. Mark Darraugh, at Sphere Motorsports was tremendous. He took on the car with very little notice. He called me several times to give me updates. After he completed the assessment, he prepared a comprehensive electronic report complete with pictures and recommendations. Ultimately, he made me comfortable enough to wire money on the car sight unseen. He’s from outside of London and at one point, in his distinct British accent, he said “...that is a fookin’ clean car...”. If anyone ever needs a PPI for any exotic car around Houston (he recently did a Porsche CGT), Mark’s your guy.

Mark Darraugh
Sphere Motorsports
832-277-7062
mark@spheremotorsports_DOT_com
www.spheremotorsports.com

Third, my personal transporter, Rashad Whitehead. I first learned about Rashad through my Ferrari dealer, Ferrari of Atlanta. He does most of their clients. He’s transported my previous F12, and my current 812, many times. He’s super competent, trustworthy, dependable, and fast. I contacted him Tues. He picked up the car Sat at 9:00am. He’ll have the car to me Sun at 6:00am. That’s bad ass. Obviously, when you buy a car like this, you want it yesterday. That’s where Rashad excels. He’s the only guy I trust with my babies.

Rashad Whitehead
R&J Elite Transport
919-607-5463
rcwhitehead@gmail_DOT_com
IG @r.j_elitetransport

Fourth, former member @Shark01 was instrumental in helping me move forward with my decision. Recently, he purchased a GT and shared his experience on a couple forums including this one. I reached out through PM with a couple questions. He was very generous in taking considerable time to help answer my questions. Later, in a fortuitous twist, he was able to confirm the condition/quality of the car I purchased because he had already spent time evaluating it for potential purchase. What’s more, he recommended that Mark perform the PPI, as Mark has recently completed his PPI (and he services his Lamborghini Diablo with Mark). His reassurances about Bernie, Bernie’s car, and Mark were the linchpin to my purchase. Super good guy, Shark01 is a car enthusiast who’s willing to do a solid for a guy he doesn’t know, all the way across the country.

Lastly, I want to highlight a positive experience I had with a dealer who’s car I didn’t buy. Chris Desneux, at Desneux Motorsports is an all-around great car guy. He had several fine offerings, and had I not struck the deal I did, I would have happily chosen one of his cars. Timely communications, deep knowledge of the marketplace, and unmistakable passion for Ford GT, Chris is a superior option for those looking for a GT. I am real close to buying a Demon he has. Great guy, you can’t go wrong with Chris.

Chris Desneux
Desneux Motorsports
816-365-6010
chris@desneuxmotorsports_DOT_com
www.desneuxmotorsports.com

 

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I have an 06 with the same color combo.......it appears that more folks are looking for them recently...I wonder if Ford vs Ferrari had anything to with the recent interest in this car.

 

I know it did for me. It served to remind me of the deep racing heritage. I saw it twice in the theater.

 

Quick update. The car arrived just as the sun was coming up. I wasted no time getting a quick 30 mile rip through the early morning countryside. Knowing the combination of 29 degree weather and 15 year old Goodyears don’t mix, I never went more than 1/3 throttle. There will be plenty of time to safely explore limitations, this morning was simply a “get to know you” exercise. We’ll advance the relationship further as time goes on. Here are my first thoughts:

1). The car itself was exactly as described...flawless. For all practical purposes, it looks showroom fresh. Even the drivers side seat bolster doesn’t give up its age. I truly cannot believe that it’s 15 years old. The casual observer who doesn’t know cars, would certainly assume it was purchased new yestereday.

2). It drives exactly how it did in my dreams. It tracks perfect. Feels raw and “race car-ish”, but effortlessly gobbles up bumps in the road at the same time. The engine has phenomenal grunt and sounds heavenly (although I might be doing some exhaust work to extract just a little “more” out of it). Of course, I love the old school bolt action tranny. I also love the analog nature, complete without driving nannies. Talk about end of an era. Perhaps most surprisingly, absolutely no squeaks or rattles. I can’t even believe it. My brand new 812 had peculiar noises from the very first drive. So did my Performante. I was able to get the latter to quiet down, and I’ll work on the former during its first service in May.

3). It’s a super tight fit. That probably understates the matter. Much tighter than I remembered from sitting in one while in Miami for the Super Bowl. I‘m going to need to investigate seat lowering. At 6’6” 255lbs, I am at the bleeding edge of the outer limits in terms of fitting in the car. Comfort is not even on the table. I wrenched my neck while leaning over to avoid being guillotined when shutting the door.

4). Driving the car feels oddly less conspicuous than either the Lamborghini or the Ferrari. Maybe it’s just me, but even though the car is priced similarly, it has a everyman quality to it.

In the next couple weeks, I’ll come back and provide more thorough driving impressions. One thing is for certain, I am rusty with a hand shaker, and never mind heel and toe....

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Congrats! Wonderful car

 

I have 26,000 miles on mine. You will love it. You will get tired of people telling you it is not a Ford.

Joe

 

Congrats! Would have loved a 2017 ACR Extreme but the prices are too high relative to what's out there now.

 

Congratulations ! Is this the old "Viper Exchange" ? They changed the name ?

MDS

 

Mike, I think they run both names? I also think they are somehow connected to Tomball Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram, which is in the Ben Keating family of car dealerships which include Toyota, Benz, BMW, etc.

http://www.viperexchange.com/about-viper-exchange-in-tx

 

The Dealer Edition is amazing!

 

Quick update. I clocked 117.1 miles on my first day of ownership and then 35 more miles tonight. I’m totally smitten. It’s the perfect complement to my other cars and I couldn’t be happier. My front tires arrived today, the rears will arrive tomorrow, and all 4 will be installed on Wed. Sadly, the car goes in for PPF, etc on Wed too and will be there for 7-10 days. That’s going to really suck.

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Great looking car. The white and blue is a great combination.

 

Amazing car. My all time favorite. Congrats, and happy to see you’re already enjoying it

 

Don't be too aggressive, it can be a handful. Don't drive it under 60 degrees, if it has the Goodyears.

Joe

 

Please don’t tell me that you crashed it already

 

Extremely sad update. The dealer that I purchased my GT from, and provided the glowing review in the earlier post, passed away earlier this week. I found out from his wife yesterday. I was following up on the title and a couple punch list items and she informed me by text using his phone. Even though I did not meet him in person, we connected immediately. Great guy. A bona fide enthusiastic. I was fully intending to buy more cars from him in the ensuing years to come. Indeed, I was about to make an offer on a Viper ACR he has. I just feel so bad for his wife and all his loved ones. I pray they find peace, comfort, and healing. He was only 59, which is just a kid for God’s sake. Nothing is promised, live every day to the absolute fullest.


https://www.instagram.com/p/B9m860uj5VG/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

 

^^

That's awful and so young !

MDS

 

Geez, that's awful. Prayers to his family.

 

Congratulations on the purchase, sorry to hear about the dealer..

Do you know the significance of the headlights, what they represent?

 

Bernie was a great guy, knew him 12 years, and bought several vehicles from him. Congrats on your car and glad you had a good experience with him!

Viper Exchange and BJ Motors were both run by Bernie, separate companies.

 

I’m sorry, but I do not. Do you know?

 

Yeah. Good dude for sure. I’m still shook up over it. I was mid-cycle on hammering out a deal on one of his Vipers when he passed. I could have seen doing plenty of business with him over the next 5-10 years. Very upsetting.

 

Image Unavailable, Please Login Ford unveiled the car at their 100th anniversary Show in Dearborn in 2003.

If you look at the headlights, they spell out 100.

 

And if you look at the passenger side, you will see you are a certified double-knot spy...