4 Years of Ownership

[Lorne34]

Monday January 8th marks 4 years of ownership of my Shelby GT350. It's been a great ride both literally and figuratively. I have not owned a wide range of sports cars, so my experience may be skewed a bit, but I have found this to be a most satisfying car in all aspects of ownership. I would love to have the $ and space to experience a Porsche, Ferrari, Chevrolet Corvette, Dodge Challenger, BMW M series, etc. but I have to say that the feedback from the car community, not just Ford owners, has been very positive and affirming.
Is this car perfect? No, but pretty darn close to perfect for me. The looks are off the charts, never get tired of staring, walking past it, watching my wife pull out of the driveway with it, or looking back after parking it. Interior wise the space, comfort and visibility make it a very livable car for any type of driving. Some say it is a "large" car, especially the hood, but I don't get that sense. My 2016GT with the big hood cowl of the original s550 design did feel a bit large, but this car just seems to shrink around me. I don't get a sense of it being overly massive.
Handling is incredible both on and off the track, plenty of grip and steering response is very good. Maybe I don't push the car to the limit at the track, but it's never felt out of control or at its limit of handling. The brakes are superb and inspire a lot of confidence. The sound is... well.... it's the sound. Hard to describe. The uniqueness of the FPC build created something that may never be duplicated again. Every time I get into the car I have a feeling of nervous excitement and anticipation, almost like I was test driving it for the first time. Pushing the start button and hearing that engine roar to life.... wow... is it spring yet?
It's been a joy to drive in all situations.... errands around town, cruising down a country road with no particular place to go, long road trips down south to Tennessee and Kentucky, or on the track at Road America.

I don't plan on selling this car, but I have learned to say "God willing" in all circumstances as we don't know what life has planned for us.
Right now I am just very grateful to be in a position to own and drive this car.
I also want to thank the Mustang 6g community for your friendship and encouragement during all my seasons of ownership, all the questions, advice, etc.

Remember..
"These cars are meant to be driven", so enjoy the hell out of all of it - not just the look of it when it is all clean" - Carroll Shelby.
.

Sponsored

 

[dpAtlanta]

I would love to have the $ and space to experience a Porsche

I have a better handling Porsche................... I still prefer the GT350.
The Cayman is mid-engine and handling is incredible... but the sound of the VooDoo with handling being incredible for such a large car makes me like the Shelby over the Cayman.

Great write-up Lorne!

 

[IPOGT]

Monday January 8th marks 4 years of ownership of my Shelby GT350. It's been a great ride both literally and figuratively. I have not owned a wide range of sports cars, so my experience may be skewed a bit, but I have found this to be a most satisfying car in all aspects of ownership. I would love to have the $ and space to experience a Porsche, Ferrari, Chevrolet Corvette, Dodge Challenger, BMW M series, etc. but I have to say that the feedback from the car community, not just Ford owners, has been very positive and affirming.
Is this car perfect? No, but pretty darn close to perfect for me. The looks are off the charts, never get tired of staring, walking past it, watching my wife pull out of the driveway with it, or looking back after parking it. Interior wise the space, comfort and visibility make it a very livable car for any type of driving. Some say it is a "large" car, especially the hood, but I don't get that sense. My 2016GT with the big hood cowl of the original s550 design did feel a bit large, but this car just seems to shrink around me. I don't get a sense of it being overly massive.
Handling is incredible both on and off the track, plenty of grip and steering response is very good. Maybe I don't push the car to the limit at the track, but it's never felt out of control or at its limit of handling. The brakes are superb and inspire a lot of confidence. The sound is... well.... it's the sound. Hard to describe. The uniqueness of the FPC build created something that may never be duplicated again. Every time I get into the car I have a feeling of nervous excitement and anticipation, almost like I was test driving it for the first time. Pushing the start button and hearing that engine roar to life.... wow... is it spring yet?
It's been a joy to drive in all situations.... errands around town, cruising down a country road with no particular place to go, long road trips down south to Tennessee and Kentucky, or on the track at Road America.

I don't plan on selling this car, but I have learned to say "God willing" in all circumstances as we don't know what life has planned for us.
Right now I am just very grateful to be in a position to own and drive this car.
I also want to thank the Mustang 6g community for your friendship and encouragement during all my seasons of ownership, all the questions, advice, etc.

Remember..
"These cars are meant to be driven", so enjoy the hell out of all of it - not just the look of it when it is all clean" - Carroll Shelby.
.

I share the same sentiment with my Mach 1. Beautiful car! Enjoy it for many years to come in good health. Nice to see someone else enjoying and appreciating their car as much. Wouldn’t it be great to try them all.

 

[Nfs1000f]

Well darn it, I forgot to celebrate my car’s sixth anniversary. Guess I’ll have to wait until it’s 7th.

For the meantime, here is the picture I took on the day I bought it. December 22, 2017

 

[stanglife]

I sold my 16R, eventually desired another one and bought a 20R.... Now I have the itch again, but not because anything is wrong.... What is it about some of us that wants to sell what could be the perfect car, just to "try" something else? Dang.

 

[MAGS1]

I sold my 16R, eventually desired another one and bought a 20R.... Now I have the itch again, but not because anything is wrong.... What is it about some of us that wants to sell what could be the perfect car, just to "try" something else? Dang.

It’s a disease really. I haven’t done it as frequently lately but I’m usually at dealerships fairly often just test driving stuff to see what’s out there. Both new and used, see if anything suits my fancy. There’s usually trade offs involved, some tolerable some not. The grass is sometimes greener, but not always…

 

[Lorne34]

I have a better handling Porsche................... I still prefer the GT350.
The Cayman is mid-engine and handling is incredible... but the sound of the VooDoo with handling being incredible for such a large car makes me like the Shelby over the Cayman.

Great write-up Lorne!

Thanks appreciate your comments. I really love all of these different cars and what they can do. As I mentioned I am so grateful to have the ability to own one that is within my reach.

 

[Lorne34]

I share the same sentiment with my Mach 1. Beautiful car! Enjoy it for many years to come in good health. Nice to see someone else enjoying and appreciating their car as much. Wouldn’t it be great to try them all.

thanks I appreciate it. I am also a fan of the Mach 1 as well. I've seen several at my track events and heard nothing but good things. Yes, it would be great to try them all!

 

[Lorne34]

I sold my 16R, eventually desired another one and bought a 20R.... Now I have the itch again, but not because anything is wrong.... What is it about some of us that wants to sell what could be the perfect car, just to "try" something else? Dang.

It's definitely a struggle between what we "know/have" and "do not know/desire"
There is the financial element to consider in terms of each person's resources and what they can and cannot do. For myself, I had enough funds to lose money on both my 2016GT and 2017 GT Vert before I settled on the GT350. That was about as far as I was willing to go with my hobby. Others can and do buy, use, sell or trade for something new. Depending upon the market the financial outcome can vary.
I don't regret my first two decisions because it helped me define what it was I was looking for (given no previous background with sports cars). In the end I found something that checks all the boxes without having to "settle" for something less than what I wanted.
That is sometimes very difficult to find. I also was not "let down" by the conclusion of my search.

I'll never forget the quote by Mr Spock in the 1960's star trek episode "amok time"

After a time, you may find that having is not so pleasing a thing after all as wanting. It is not logical, but it is often true.

 

[Kobi Addiction]

Well darn it, I forgot to celebrate my car’s sixth anniversary. Guess I’ll have to wait until it’s 7th.

For the meantime, here is the picture I took on the day I bought it. December 22, 2017

Beautiful Shelby.

What’s the story with the NSX?

 

[xcm77]

Former 911 (992CS convertible) owner. There's no way in hell you can say no to that V8 sound. Was the 911 a way better car with better lap times and all that jazz? absolutely! Was it fun and gave you an eargasm every time you touched the gas pedal? Absolutely not
3y of ownership, 60.000km on the odometer, zero issues so far (knock on wood):

 

[SL8888]

Former 911 (992CS convertible) owner. There's no way in hell you can say no to the way the V8 sounds. Was the 911 a way better car with better lap times and all that jazz? absolutely! Was it fun and gave you an eargasm every time you touched the gas pedal? Absolutely not
3y of ownership, 60.000km on the odometer, zero issues so far (knock on wood):

Claudiu, Love your garage man ! Beautiful view too !

 

[SL8888]

Well darn it, I forgot to celebrate my car’s sixth anniversary. Guess I’ll have to wait until it’s 7th.

For the meantime, here is the picture I took on the day I bought it. December 22, 2017

Yes Neal, I Missed my cars 4th anniversary also. December 30th, 2019.

 

[ClayDee]

July of this year will be 6 years

. Got to drive her out of the showroom with employees and customers standing around taking pictures. Still love her as much as the day I bought her.

 

[SL8888]

July of this year will be 6 years

. Got to drive her out of the showroom with employees and customers standing around taking pictures. Still love her as much as the day I bought her.

Looks Great, and looks like that tile floor is the standard flooring method for showrooms at the Ford dealerships...

Sponsored