Which one would YOU buy?

[Thundersteel]

I'm debating buying one of these, but I haven't decided yet--I need some opinions.

Choice #1: 2022 GT convertible, auto, <15k miles, 2 previous owners.
Pros: Excellent shape, built after Aug '22 so it has the updated CFM drum
Cons: Not sure if I'd like the 10-speed auto (the interwebs say they aren't as robust as the 6-speed autos)

Choice #2: 2008 Shelby GT500 convertible, ~22k miles, original owner.
Pros: All original, no fancy tech
Cons: Possible uncomfortable seats (I had a 2008 GT, and I didn't care for the seats; not much support)

The current asking price for the '22 GT is about $3k more than the GT500. Also, since the GT500 is 18 years old, I'm concerned about convertible top replacement in the near future.

Opinions?

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[LCK22GT]

ME? I'd buy the 22 GT although some concerns about why 2 owners in 4 years.
WHY? Concerns about age related component failures on the 2008, modern S550 styling, almost the same horespower anyway, IRS.

 

[Tmpst]

How would you use either? Is this a come out only when it’s sunny and maybe go to a show or club meet occasionally… put $$ in to track it/ play around… or potentially daily and see all kinds of weather?

 

[HKusp]

How would you use either? Is this a come out only when it’s sunny and maybe go to a show or club meet occasionally… put $$ in to track it/ play around… or potentially daily and see all kinds of weather?

This is the BIG question. Having owned a 2009 GT500 and and '18 GT now, I can give you some pro's and cons of both the S197 and the S550 platforms, but intended use can shape some of the discussion.

 

[Thundersteel]

It would be a hobby car; not a daily driver.

 

[Swtbabybilly]

Shelby gets my vote for sure! prices of those are going crazy since the dork horse came out if you can grab it for a good price do it. Im also not a fan of automatic fun cars i get 10speeds will smoke me all day but its just my preference, save the automatic transmission for the daily drivers. Best of luck

 

[HKusp]

It would be a hobby car; not a daily driver.

So the GT500 has the "Shelby factor" which in and of itself is nice. The supercharged 5.4 is a beast, especially down low. The torque is truck-like. The little 2.1 liter Eaton supercharger is decent, but the stock heat exchanger is woefully inadequate. It will only allow you to do one decent pull in any kind of warm temperatures above 70-75 degrees before the supercharger gets heat soaked and the pcm will pull a lot of timing and the car will be down 100+ hp. It's a decently easy and not too expensive fix upgrading the heat exchanger, though. The tech and handling of the S197 isn't as good as an S550, but it's better than the New Edge and SN95 cars. You still get that raw, connected to the car, feeling from the S197 Shelby's. The 5.4 doesn't rev anywhere near as high as a Gen3 Coyote (or ANY Coyote for that matter). Redline on the 5.4 is around 6600 in stock form, where a Gen 3 Coyote is 7500 from the factory. Right where the 5.4 is running out of gas, the Coyote is just getting started and really starting to shine.

Now the S550 is a bit more comfortable and refined, the tech is much much better, the handling is better, it will do everything as good as the S197 GT500 except that low end torque. It (torque) is extremely lacking, in stock form, right off the line in comparison to the 5.4 supercharged car. I had a lot of suspension upgrades in my GT500 and my '18 S550 is NOT a PP car (but has lowering springs) and still would handle as well or better than my GT500, but more comfortable while doing it. You can remedy the lack of low end torque in a couple of ways with the Coyote. You can get an E85 tune which will pick up low end torque significantly, or you COULD add one of a few positive displacement type superchargers. The tune will be less than $1000 with the tuner and associated software. A supercharger will get you up past $10k when all is said and done when you factor in upgraded fueling, clutch, plugs, injectors, tuning, software, labor, etc. The GT will never be a Shelby but it can be a better performing car, but just depends on which seems more appealing. I didn't even get into the twin turbo options for the Coyote platform. If you want to talk about truck-like torque, turbos are a whole 'nother animal, but I haven't had a turbo Mustang (yet), so I'll let someone else chime in on that front. I hope this helps clarify your choice, but it may have muddied the waters for you, I am not sure.

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