Are You a Ford Guy?

[ctandc72]

I don't own a GT350 - but I was just having this conversation with a friend of mine the other night. He was shocked I owned a Mustang. I was always a GM guy. But in all honesty I was car guy - so I owned more than a few of the other marques, but I have to admit most of them were bought to fix / resell. When my last daily driver got t-boned by an idiot driver and was subsequently totaled by insurance, I was faced with looking for a new DD. It had to be manual (my choice - I've daily driven a manual for around 30 years) have enough power to be fun to drive, hopefully supported enough by the aftermarket community so I could modify it as I saw fit (wrenching is my therapy - that's why I don't work on cars for a living anymore - it became work then). I showed up at a dealer to drive a BRZ / FRS (a tick too small for my at 6'3 230lbs and not enough HP) and there was a S197 GT 6 speed there. I drove it. I honestly wasn't impressed. The next day a friend of mine called when he heard about my wreck. Told me I needed to drive a new Mustang. I told him I just did - he told me I had to drive a S550. He even found a local dealer that had a used 6 speed EB in stock near my office. I drove it. Loved the way it drove and handled. Did some research and figured out the 3.7 was getting the axe for '18 and ended up with a new '17 3.7 6 speed car for @ $6K less OTD than used GT's were going for at the time. It was honestly the first Ford I'd owned that I didn't plan on selling. Then a few months later, the GF and I were in the market for a truck. She wanted something that could carry passengers - since she now drives Mustang convertible (after riding in mine on a long road trip, she traded her Lexus convertible in so fast it made my head spin) we were looking at used Full size extended and crew cab trucks. My son drives a '11 Silverado that I bought, and we couldn't find a used GM right for us. Randomly found a '12 F150 FX4 with the 5.0 Coyote and only 40K miles for a REALLY good price (we could trade it in right now and make money - it was an estate sale truck) so I went from owning ZERO Ford to owning THREE in the space of about 6 months. Life is funny like that I guess LOL.

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[ATB042]

New here. At the end of the day I think we all migrate, at least somewhat, toward one make. I consider myself a Ford guy. As a 48 yer old who restored a Sunbeam Tiger with my father when I was a teen, it's in me. But that won't stop me from comparing a ZL1 1LE and a GT350R for purchase.

 

[LFG_Cory]

My first vehicle was a 1976 Ford F-100 pickup with a triple tree. Then mostly because of money and what I could afford I've owned 2 VW Beetles, a 1990 Nissan hard body Pickup (1st new vehicle) 1992 Toyota pickup, 1994 Nissan Sentra, 2003 Toyota Tundra (2nd new vehicle) 1993 Ford Mustang 5.0 LX, 2008 Toyota Tundra, 2004 Toyota 4Runner, 2018 GT350.

Now looking at my choices in vehicles would lead most of you to think I'm not a Ford guy at all. However, ever since High School I've wanted a Mustang. Due to life circumstances I was never in a position to either afford a Mustang or it just wasn't practical. Now I'm sitting pretty good, with the 2004 4runner, 2015 Harley Road Glide and the GT350.

Asking someone if they are a Domestic or Foreign car type of guy is like asking if you prefer Blonds, Redheads, Brunettes, ect ect and my answer is....I'll take what I can get. Or what I can afford.

 

[95CobraR]

I am sure a Ford guy as I attended Cobra R events 18 years ago.

I towed all of them with a Ford F-350 truck:

I raced a 1965 Mustang in vintage for 17 years:

I think I may be be the oldest guy here?

 

[PP0001]

I’m 48. I’ve owned nothing but fords my whole life. I’ve owner over 30 vehicles from 1940s ford trucks to my 2018 GT350R and everything in between. I even own a 1946 ford tractor lol.
I will never own anything but a ford car or truck. It’s just to bad ford doesn’t reward loyal customers. I don’t like the fact that a non ford owner can go buy a new ford vehicle and get a discount / rebate. Oh well.

I'm 20 years older than you and since the late 60's I have owned everything from 1965 K code Mustangs to 1974 Mach 1's to '83 Mustang GT's to '87 LX Mustangs to new generation GT500's, Boss 302's and GT350/R's and raced many of them therefore I have owned a lot of Ford vehicles as well.

To suggest that Ford doesn't reward loyal customers is certainly hard to comprehend based on my ~50 years of experience with the Blue Oval brand therefore I have to wonder who you have been dealing with over the years?

Why you would have a problem with a non Ford owner who then decides to give the Blue Oval brand a try and then gets a good deal on a new Ford vehicle is also very interesting.

Lastly, as far as '71 Mustangs being a boat have you ever driven or been around a Boss 351?

The Boss 351 engine is no question one of the best engines that Ford have ever produced period and going back into history maybe check out the 25 fastest Muscle Cars of all time and you will find that the only small block engine in the top 25 car list is a Boss 351.

With respect to the launch of the Mustang II's back in 1974 it was the right car for the time and suggest that you look at the production numbers for these cars and you will see that Ford had it right and that the general public agreed with Ford's decision to build the first and only Mustang ever to not come with a V8 engine.

 

[Dominator961]

I'm 20 years older than you and since the late 60's I have owned everything from 1965 K code Mustangs to 1974 Mach 1's to '83 Mustang GT's to '87 LX Mustangs to new generation GT500's, Boss 302's and GT350/R's and raced many of them therefore I have owned a lot of Ford vehicles as well.

To suggest that Ford doesn't reward loyal customers is certainly hard to comprehend based on my ~50 years of experience with the Blue Oval brand therefore I have to wonder who you have been dealing with over the years?

Why you would have a problem with a non Ford owner who then decides to give the Blue Oval brand a try and then gets a good deal on a new Ford vehicle is also very interesting.

Lastly, as far as '71 Mustangs being a boat have you ever driven or been around a Boss 351?

The Boss 351 engine is no question one of the best engines that Ford have ever produced period and going back into history maybe check out the 25 fastest Muscle Cars of all time and you will find that the only small block engine in the top 25 car list is a Boss 351.

With respect to the launch of the Mustang II's back in 1974 it was the right car for the time and suggest that you look at the production numbers for these cars and you will see that Ford had it right and that the general public agreed with Ford's decision to build the first and only Mustang ever to not come with a V8 engine.

My point is, I’ve been a ford only buyer / owner all my life. I bought just a few that were used. A 1947 Ford cab over, a 1956 F-100, a 1977 F100 and a 1977 bronco and a 1963-1/2 galaxie R code 427 that I regret getting rid of. All others were brand new, from Mustang GTs, LX, SVO, Shelby’s, Lightning’s, F150s, Econolines, Transits and transit connects, fusions, escorts, focus, etc etc.

Sure I get x plan and rebates but, when a new potential buyer comes along and gets a “new ford” rebate because he or she is new to fords or owns another brand in the same household and gets additional rebates, I find that kinda insulting.
I don’t mean that in a way where I voice my dislike or throw a fit, but I believe loyal customers should get something.

I’m sorry that my taste of 71-78 mustangs isn’t the same as yours. I love V8s but not everything I’ve owned had a v8. I’m also a fan of 4 and 6 cylinders. I loved the 2.3 in the SVO. One of my newer F150s has a 2.7 ecoboost the other a 5.0.
I also loved the 4.9L six and the Y-block engines and the flat heads. I had them all.

Do I dislike the Boss 351? Nope.
Do I disrespect it? Nope.
I’m just more into 1964-1/2 through 1970s mustangs.
Fox body’s and newer mustangs.
My favorite are falcons, fairlanes, galaxies, F100’s, and 1930’s-60s trucks.

 

[95CobraR]

I'm 20 years older than you and since the late 60's I have owned everything from 1965 K code Mustangs to 1974 Mach 1's to '83 Mustang GT's to '87 LX Mustangs to new generation GT500's, Boss 302's and GT350/R's and raced many of them therefore I have owned a lot of Ford vehicles as well.

I agree 100%. Ford and the dealers have treated me very well over many years of spending money.

I am with Einstein:
“The more I learn, the more I realize how much I don't know.”

― Albert Einstein

I raced a 1965 Mustang in vintage racing for 17 years. I got on the podium at Watkins Glen in a Rolex Championship (tall guy in red on right):

I also raced a Mustang in IMSA (no podiums).

This was my last drag racing win in a 1989 Mustang LX 5.0 (I moved to road racing-tall guy in red):

I am not done since I have more racing funds now that I kicked the kids out of the house.

 

[svttim]

My point is, I’ve been a ford only buyer / owner all my life. I bought just a few that were used. A 1947 Ford cab over, a 1956 F-100, a 1977 F100 and a 1977 bronco and a 1963-1/2 galaxie R code 427 that I regret getting rid of. All others were brand new, from Mustang GTs, LX, SVO, Shelby’s, Lightning’s, F150s, Econolines, Transits and transit connects, fusions, escorts, focus, etc etc.

Sure I get x plan and rebates but, when a new potential buyer comes along and gets a “new ford” rebate because he or she is new to fords or owns another brand in the same household and gets additional rebates, I find that kinda insulting.
I don’t mean that in a way where I voice my dislike or throw a fit, but I believe loyal customers should get something.

I’m sorry that my taste of 71-78 mustangs isn’t the same as yours. I love V8s but not everything I’ve owned had a v8. I’m also a fan of 4 and 6 cylinders. I loved the 2.3 in the SVO. One of my newer F150s has a 2.7 ecoboost the other a 5.0.
I also loved the 4.9L six and the Y-block engines and the flat heads. I had them all.

Do I dislike the Boss 351? Nope.
Do I disrespect it? Nope.
I’m just more into 1964-1/2 through 1970s mustangs.
Fox body’s and newer mustangs.
My favorite are falcons, fairlanes, galaxies, F100’s, and 1930’s-60s trucks.

We are all entitled to opinion and taste. I have owned 2 71 Mach 1 Cobra Jet cars and wish I had one in the garage now. The Boss 351 is certainly one of the best engines ever put in a Mustang but, I still prefer a 69/70. The IIs were the right car for the time. Not my cup of tea but, saved the brand from the break in production. The foxes are not a ton better but they are light and quick and fit well into a certain crowd. The SVO was a little dog (ask the chief engineer for the car but then again, it handled like none before it. All have endearing qualities if you as me. As far as being treated well, I have zero complaints about Ford has treated me. This is from a Dealer standpoint and corporate. When the 350 came out, they really reached out to the Brand B driver. It worked but, I have been told they have some regrets not sticking to the base like yourself

 

[PhillyShelby]

I was a Ford guy till my first GT350 shit the bed, then my 2nd one had basically the same crap quality as the 1st one. They're fun but I doubt many at all will be around in a decade as Ford just didn't produce these cars with reliability, quality and finish in mind. My 911 is a vastly better car in just about every way. I still have my Raptor, however I may trade it in when the TRX is available as it'll be hard to pass up a supercharged V8. If I ever buy a Ford again it'll be a truck as they do trucks well. Otherwise they pretty much make rental cars.

I have a feeling you're much more suited for those cushy pdk paddle shifters anyway. Did the 911 come with a compartment for your tampons?

 

[PhillyShelby]

Mine is a manual.

And that was a poor attempt to insult. Similar to the 5.2 FPC development. A poor attempt in creating a reliable engine.

The number 1 ranked resale value sports car of 2018/19. Looks like you gave up to early. Hope you bought that 911 used or you're looking at a big financial hit when you sell.

 

[Tomster]

Wow, that ignore button really works. Now he is invisible. Does he have anything intelligent to say, or is it the same old crap?

 

[PhillyShelby]

Fake news. Have you taken a look? I sold before the word was out too much about all of the engines crapping out and burning oil. It's what the car is known for now. First nail in the coffin was when Ford Performance stopped racing the 5.2 FPC. If the company doesn't have faith in the engine, well...

 

[nodonut]

Yep.

Thats QUITE a stable!!

 

[Idaho2018GTPremium]

No, I'm most definitely not a "Ford" guy. My '18 Mustang GT is my first Ford--ever. I was born and raised a die hard Camaro/Trans Am/Corvette guy well into my 30s. My first car I bought used in 1995 was an '87 Camaro Z28. In 2001 I bought a 1995 Pontiac Trans Am from my best friend that I modified fairly extensively and added 100 rwhp to that LT1. My Dad had a '65 Nova that he turned into a hot rod and I spent my child hood hearing about that car. When I was a teenager he had a fully restored '69 sky blue 350 horse/350ci Corvette 4 speed that was beautiful inside and out (and fast for the time). He currently has a 5th Camaro SS. I have spent hundreds and hundreds of hours under GM car hoods - changed engines, modified engines extensively; not just my cars but buddies' cars, since they were Chevy guys, too. I didn't consider the Mustang until the '18 A10 came out. It looked and performed so darn good that I actually bought one and love it. I did think the S550 looked good from the start, but never considered buying one until the '18. In fact, last year when in the market for a new car, my first instinct was of course Camaro SS. But I didn't love the way they looked - they looked good enough - but it didn't rock me like the '18 GT PP1 did when I first saw one. My '18 GT PP1 is the best looking Pony car ever, IMO (aside from the S550 GT350/R and '20 GT500). 460+ hp isn't bad either. I love the DOHC high revving engine (after being a chevy pushrod fan my entire life).

Regarding the rest of Ford - they sell a lot of trucks and the current Explorer is decent looking. The Focus RS is cool, but the rest of their lineup does absolutely nothing for me. I can say the same exact thing about Chevy, except for the Corvette and Camaro, I don't like the rest of the Chevy lineup, save for the trucks that are decent looking, although the new '19 Silverado has an awkward front end, like the new Camaro. I do really like the '19 Camaro tail lights, however (but not better than my GT tail lights).

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