Speculation

[Bullitt2065]

Actually, Ford isn't putting out numbers because it prefers for the media and independent testers to do that.

That's true. Ford never releases performance numbers on its cars. The last thing you want is to release numbers you got that the media is then unable to match.

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[Rated R]

The flatplane 5.2 is a unique and visceral experience. Having drove a few laps around Laguna it really did seal the deal for me. If it had been a regular cross plane car I wouldn't be as excited about it. If it proves to be a reliable engine the 5.2 will go down as one of the very best engines Ford has ever made. Jamal was right when he said that the GT350 is orders of magnitude better than the B302 from a performance perspective.

 

[eric n]

Well if it's, "NOT CLOSE to what people were hoping for" I would likely dump it. However I don't know if I get what you're asking. You say it's all there including GREAT HANDLING. To me great handing is a large part of PERFORMANCE.

When you say performance isn't close, do you mean 1/4 mile isn't close. If so how much NOT CLOSE? 12.3 with amazing handling, sound and feel....I'm in. 12.8 likely dump it.

 

[likeaboss]

That's true. Ford never releases performance numbers on its cars. The last thing you want is to release numbers you got that the media is then unable to match.

That's not true. Ford released performance numbers for the new Focus RS and has in the past for the Boss and GT500. It seems not sharing performance numbers is strictly for the Mustang in the US. Even the Ford team in Europe release performance numbers for the Euro spec Mustang.

 

[nastang87xx]

Last time I checked you bought limited production cars like this with your heart and soul, not with your noodle and your wallet.

Anyone can buy horsepower and performance with money but it's passion that buys heritage and character.

 

[krt22]

Step away from the 1/4 mile times and think road course times. What if this car is no faster, or what if its slower than a Z/28?

Then please refer to the first half of my statement. 99% of the population won't be able to hit most of the glory times posted by pro-drivers, so even if the Z/28 was a smidge faster (when piloted by a pro), the avg track day hero is still going to be WELL off that pace. And if they dump it and buy a Z28 just because its a bit faster when piloted by a pro, well my statement stands they are a poseur keyboard racer.

And in many cases, an average driver will lap a track faster in a easier to drive car with a smooth broad power band versus one that is highly strung out or has a torque monster of a motor like the LS7. Driving cars like those at their limits is anything but easy for all by highly experienced drivers. Even probst has mentioned several times how challenging the C6 Z06 was to drive at 10/10

This is also completely ignoring the visceral experience of flogging a FPC V8 that revs to 8250RPM, cant find that in any other car sans a f-car or its cousin, and even then they aren't quite as vicious sounding as this voodoo

 

[IGJoe2192]

I would keep it. To me this car has more about it than the performance.

 

[_M_]

^ This. Ford has absolutely made claims about their cars performance in the past.

BUT, I'm not concerned with what Ford has to say. I'm not really concerned about anything with this car, but this pot stirring is interesting.

3 out of 4 will keep the car regardless if it meets expectations.

When I say expectations of performance, I mean YOU the individual. Everyone on this board has a threshold of what they want this car to be and what they are hoping for in terms of performance. I have my expectations, but they may be different than [MENTION=7035]eric n[/MENTION] or [MENTION=9604]Randy M[/MENTION] or [MENTION=18007]mattlqx[/MENTION] or anyone else. And I will say if the car doesn't meet those expectations, then of course I will be disappointed.

Quite honestly, one of my measurements is how this car will stack up against a Z/28. If it doesn't do well against a Z/28, then I will be absolutely be disappointed. If it doesn't match up with a 911GT3, I wont lose any sleep over it. etc etc

Anyway, this thread is going well. Some good comments, some loyalist comments, and some in-between. Keep it going.

It will really be interesting once we actually get some real data about this car.

 

[ckit73]

Let's say performance data gets released prior to delivery of your car and it's not close to what people were hoping for...everything else checks out, that great sound, great handling, etc, but the actual performance numbers just don't play out compared to the competition.

Do you keep it, or pass? Curious as to what is the consensus here.

Discuss

I plan on buying and keeping it. I'm a first time Ford buyer. I wanted to buy a '66 GT350 back in the day, but never did for various reasons.

:ford:

 

[nastang87xx]

Then please refer to the first half of my statement. 99% of the population won't be able to hit most of the glory times posted by pro-drivers, so even if the Z/28 was a smidge faster (when piloted by a pro), the avg track day hero is still going to be WELL off that pace. And if they dump it and buy a Z28 just because its a bit faster when piloted by a pro, well my statement stands they are a poseur keyboard racer.

And in many cases, an average driver will lap a track faster in a easier to drive car with a smooth broad power band versus one that is highly strung out or has a torque monster of a motor like the LS7. Driving cars like those at their limits is anything but easy for all by highly experienced drivers. Even probst has mentioned several times how challenging the C6 Z06 was to drive at 10/10

This is also completely ignoring the visceral experience of flogging a FPC V8 that revs to 8250RPM, cant find that in any other car sans a f-car or its cousin, and even then they aren't quite as vicious sounding as this voodoo

And to piggy back on this ^^^

Name a single average driver who even has the balls to try to find the limits of those Trofeo R tires on the Z/28. Yes there are some but it takes experience and seat time. Trusting a car at full bore is a lot harder than it sounds. When the car starts to wiggle or wobble a bit or you feel a little chatter or bump that shimmies the car it's a startling feeling. You'll find the limit of how hard you can pucker up your butthole before you can find the limit of those tires.

Just because a piece of hardware has more potential doesn't mean its confidence inspiring or at least for the average Joe. Most often than none, it isn't.

 

[_M_]

I don't think the pro driver versus average joe argument is all that valid. Same driver, regardless of skill, same track, same bat channel yadda yadda, that's what's I'm saying.

We do have a get a baseline from somewhere. That somewhere will be from journalists and pro drivers.

 

[krt22]

I don't think the pro driver versus average joe argument is all that valid. Same driver, regardless of skill, same track, same bat channel yadda yadda, that's what's I'm saying.

We do have a get a baseline from somewhere. That somewhere will be from journalists and pro drivers.

But all the "times" you are referring to are not some average track day enthusiast, they will all be published times from magazines with pro drivers at the helm. Very rarely do the car mags pull up to an HPDE, set up transponders, and have 1 guy form each run group go out for back to back laps in 2 near super cars on loan from an OEM


But the pro driver vs average joe argument is 100% valid, because that is reality, 99% of us arent pros or even local hot shoes. Probst may be able to edge out a GTR at laguna with a C6 Z06, but 99/100 other drivers likely will be faster in the GTR because driving cars like that at the limit is not for the faint of heart. And of course their ultimate times will still be far off those of the really fast guys. Who cares if you are 2 seconds faster in car A vs B, when a pro is still 10 seconds faster than you in either. You aren't racing for money or even plastic trophy's. So if you really dump a car over some published time delta, when you yourself cannot get anywhere close to that time, you are just a keyboard racer/poseur (not that there is anything wrong with that. Its your money, do with it as you wish)

 

[Rated R]

Just because a piece of hardware has more potential doesn't mean its confidence inspiring or at least for the average Joe. Most often than none, it isn't.

Which may be why the Viper isn't more popular than it is. It doesn't inspire confidence but is at the same time supremely capable over most other cars.

 

[krt22]

Which may be why the Viper isn't more popular than it is. It doesn't inspire confidence but is at the same time supremely capable over most other cars.

Have you watched the top gear episode James May tries to drive an F1 car and can barely get it out of the pits? :lol:

 

[_M_]

[MENTION=16067]krt22[/MENTION] I hear you loud and clear but I want to know a baseline of what the car is capable of and the car is going to perform best in the hands of a pro. I don't care about the average Joe, I want to know what is the best this car can perform with a capable driver behind the wheel.

I agree with everything else you have said. To me those are more valid points regarding the 350.

This is going to be a great car no doubt, but until any of us actually have them all we can do is speculate.

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