2008 Shelby GT500 Mustang Test Drive

The Best of Modern Day Shelby Muscle

In 1967 Carroll Shelby introduced the first GT500 Mustang. Forty years later, in 2007, the modern version of this tire-smoking street ride returned to Ford’s lineup. Touting a 5.4L engine capable of producing 500 hp, the modern day GT500 is a reminder of everything good in a Shelby Mustang. Best of all it’s a complete thrill ride the moment you step on the gas. $41,930 base; $47,955 as tested, EPA fuel economy 14 MPG city, 20 MPG highway.

Upon entering the ride, I immediately noticed this was no ordinary Mustang. There’s the leather-wrapped steering wheel and the one-of-a-kind shifter knob. Most noticeable was the clutch which was extremely firm. Your left leg is sure to get a work out if you drive this car on a regular basis. In fact, the first time I let the clutch out, I was in for a surprise. It popped back firmly, sending me, and the car, flying out onto Olive Avenue in a plume of white smoke and burning rubber. The deliver driver’s jaw dropped to the ground as he watched me speed away down the street in his company’s $47,000 Mustang. “Don’t worry”, I shouted though the smoke, “I’ve got insurance!”

As I blew past my office I remembered my goal was to move the car into the parking garage; not take the car out for a cruise. I engaged the Brembo brakes, rounded the corner in a flash, and pulled the ride into the garage where it would sit, safe and sound, until my ride home. Walking away from the car I thought, “What a beast.” I also thought, “What a clutch!”

In a previous article I said I wasn’t impressed with the GT500 style seats. Well, I take that back. After sitting in them for countless hours, I believe the GT500’s seats are a definite improvement over standard Mustang seats. In fact a passenger of mine said, “The seats seem to offer more support than your standard Mustang.” The seats feature red leather inserts, complete with the famous cobra stitched onto the front seat backs. You’ll also find a cobra logo in the middle of the leather-wrapped steering wheel. Oh, and then there’s the boost gauge which replaces the standard voltmeter gauge in the instrument panel.

My 2008 test car also came equipped with ambient interior lighting ($295), a new feature in 2008. It was also equipped with the optional GT500 premium trim package which includes a wrapped and stitched instrument panel brow and center console with upgraded door armrests, electrochromic rear view mirror, and aluminum pedal covers. It’s too bad you have to pay an additional $595 for the option. You would think this would be standard equipment. Other options included a DVD based navigation system ($1,995), HID Headlamps ($525) and SIRIUS Satellite radio which cost $195.

During the week that I had the GT500, numerous folks asked me for a ride. Although no roads exist in Los Angeles where you can legally open her up, I did spend some time demonstrating a few of the car’s characteristics. For instance, I showed folks how well the car could handle in hard cornering. The GT500 rides on a specially tuned SVT suspension. In fact, it’s the same suspension Ford used on the Ford Racing FR500C Mustang which won the 2005 Grand-Am Cup championship. This equates to precise cornering in turns. My only complaint is how squirrely the rear end got when I hit a pot hole or bump in the road. Talk about the rear end coming to life. The experience gave new meaning to the term live-rear axle. It also meant I drove with both hands on the wheel at all times.

I was also able to demonstrate how quick the car is to accelerate. The GT500’s neck-snapping acceleration meant most cars stayed in my rear view mirror most of the time.

Hands down, the best part of driving the car is the looks people give you. Young and old, all types admired the torch red car at stop lights. One guy told me he recognized the car from the movie “I Am Legend.” Another said it reminded him of an original GT500 he once owned. In all, most folks were impressed.

Although my tester goes for around $47,955 MSRP, an actual GT500 from a dealer will cost you more. Why? Well, because of a thing known as supply and demand. The dealerships know they can get top dollar for the cars, and they do. That said, the GT500 is produced in fewer quantities than the standard Mustang, but it’s not as limited in production as a Bullitt Mustang or the “King of the Road” Shelby. In fact, Ford will not say how many GT500 Mustangs they plan to build. Still, in spite of these unknown variables, the car is highly sought after.

As for quality and performance, my final word is the GT500 is a top-notch sports car. Although it would be hard pressed to beat a Ferrari, the car ranks up there with the Corvette Z06, Dodge Viper SRT10, and the Dodge Challenger SRT. While some may use it as a daily driver, the GT500 is definitely a collector’s Mustang. The car is fun to drive and it’s a looker. Not only that, but it backs up its good looks with performance under the hood and precision engineering throughout.