SylvanSRT
Enthusiast
150 is a 60k mark up sticker is 139k
Here is an insightful perspective from a Ford fan-
"What a lot of people don't take into account is the width of the powerband, and the power curve in general. And the comparison of the Ford GT w/these other two cars is a typical example of what I'm talking about. The Ford has a twin screw type S/Cer which yields a very broad RPM range of power. So the Ford GT engine is going to make more HP at both the midrange RPM and the low RPM levels. You can't just pay attention to peak HP numbers. That only tells a small part of the story. There's a guy on the marauder board who's car is making 76 more PEAK HP at the wheels than my Marauder is, however, our ET's are only one tenth of a second apart since he has a centrifugal S/Cer, and I have a roots S/cer. So my car is making more low end power than his, and atleast as much (if not more) midrange power. And it isn't peak HP that gets your car down the track. So that's just one of the reasons why I much rather have the Ford GT than those other two cars. It would be more fun to drive since it offers more useable power on the street." Hmmm, broad torque band, lots of torque down low, sounds like the right stuff!
God willing, I'm gonna get me one of those GTs. Looks far more attractive than a Gen3 Viper, in my opinion. I would have stayed loyal to Vipers, until the Gen3 body style crushed my desire to own another one. SRT owners, please don't take offense, I wouldn't say the SRT is ugly, it has its own edgy style and stands on its own, but it just doesn't capture my imagination and excite me like the GTS did when I first saw it. And since the Gen3 coupe will likely look similar to the SRT10+Comp Coupe, I've got a hunch I won't be thrilled. Of course, PVO/SRT will at some time come out with more power for the coupe, and it will maybe do better than the GTs performance, so it will be harder for me to choose between a GT and a Gen3 coupe. Assuming the performance is equal, (and it may not be), I'd take the GT based on its looks.
God willing, I'm gonna get me one of those GTs. Looks far more attractive than a Gen3 Viper, in my opinion. I would have stayed loyal to Vipers, until the Gen3 body style crushed my desire to own another one. SRT owners, please don't take offense, I wouldn't say the SRT is ugly, it has its own edgy style and stands on its own, but it just doesn't capture my imagination and excite me like the GTS did when I first saw it. And since the Gen3 coupe will likely look similar to the SRT10+Comp Coupe, I've got a hunch I won't be thrilled. Of course, PVO/SRT will at some time come out with more power for the coupe, and it will maybe do better than the GTs performance, so it will be harder for me to choose between a GT and a Gen3 coupe. Assuming the performance is equal, (and it may not be), I'd take the GT based on its looks.
Vic: I pretty much agree with everything you said. I hope the Ford GT gives DC a basis for what the next viper coupe should perform like and, especially, look like.
That Ford fan doesn't understand HP at all. I bet his friend with the Maruader that makes 76 more peak HP is only going about a tenth quicker but his MPH at the end of the 1/4 mile is much higher. Also you can't compare a HEAVY automatic car like the Marauder (which will require more torque to get rolling) to a much lighter manual transmission car.
When you calculate the HP of the 3 cars on the test of the Ford GT assuming a 200 pound driver the Enzo's HP number comes out to be 647 HP (right on with it's 651 HP rating from Ferrari), the Carrera GT works out to 641 HP (36 HP higher than Porsches rating) and the Ford GT comes out to 646 HP (96 higher than ford claims).
There is NO way a 3468 pound car with 550 HP at the crank will do 131.5 MPH in the 1/4 mile, ask any drag racers. I bet when they dyno test a Ford GT that runs #'s like that it will make 540+ RWHP 100% stock.
OK, lets do the economics:
New SRT10 = $79k street price or less.
New GT = $139k list plus current dealer mark-up of 100k minimum = $239k. If you want to wait a few years, who knows maybe you can get one with miles for $175k. So let's just call the GT a $200k car.
So if you buy a new SRT10 for $79k and have $141k left over you can buy:
Twin Turbo, wheels, suspension for $50k and have a much faster car.
Ram SRT10 for $43k
Hemi Magnum SRT8 Station Wagon for $40k
and for the $8k left over take the whole family to Maui for a week.
I've heard the mustang and vette guys rattle off the same thing but to justify why their cars are better than vipers. Give respect where respect is due.
TAKE A LOOK
VIPER WINS
VD..
The problem with that chart is that the Viper's numbers were from Ford's Arizona Proving Ground, which Motor Trend has noted is stickier than their usual test site (which is where the GT figures in that article come from). MT alludes to this again, in comparing the WRX STi's preliminary acceleration to the Evo's (the Evo's was done during the same test with the SRT-10, at Ford's APG). To limit variables in surface conditions, we should compare the SRT-10's figures with the GT's figures on the same surface: at APG. The Ford GT has been clocked at 0-150 in ~17 seconds twice already (C&D and Britain's Autocar). The SRT-10 can't live with this (it's about 5.4 seconds slower).I agree with ViperD, I think the following article is going to be more realistic of actual numbers.
TAKE A LOOK
VIPER WINS
VD..
The problem with that chart is that the Viper's numbers were from Ford's Arizona Proving Ground, which Motor Trend has noted is stickier than their usual test site (which is where the GT figures in that article come from).
In the latest Motor Trend the GT ran the 1/4 in 11.2 at 131mph! It ran right with the 400,000 Porshe GT I am impressed. The SRT ran I think 11.8 at 123 so the GT is faster. I think the GT is underrated at 550hp. I still love all Vipers but I respect what Ford has done.
Incredible....Tied with the 440k CGT and 4mph off the 600k-1 million dollar Enzo..Lets not forget faster then the SLR..all for around 150k....Its thee performance bargain in the hyperexotic realm....I agree its seriously underrated at 550hp...Its probably making that to the wheels...131 is moving...
I just got my copy of MT and am very impressed with the FORD GT.
But MT has this figure-eight track test they do its in short a race that takes everything into account and here are the numbers.
TIME AVG G
PORSCHE GT 23.8 SEC @ .86 G
ENZO 24.5 SEC @ .82 G
FORD GT 25.2 SEC @ .77 G
SRT-10 23.9 SEC @ .86 G
Let the numbers tell the story but to me the SRT-10 is the KING
Thank god I own one.
I was considering the Ford GT but recently purchased a Viper ('05 VCA Edition). Why? A few reasons:
* The Ford GT will be a "first generation car", Ford has not manufactured a car like the GT in a very long time and I do not believe has the ability to "pull it off". After all, look at the production, it has been promised for about a year now and is still not happening. As a comparison, in the computer biz, we always skip "first generation" products as they have too many headaches to be worth the trouble.
* I am in touch with several dealers who "now" have a VIN, but no delivery date, and they cannot get their respective area reps to give them more details. The dealers says "car could be here tomorrow or next year, I just don't know!". I have heard from dealers that production is on "material delay"..yeah, right, more like "still trying to engineer things delay".
* The '05 Viper is the result of 12+ years of "trial and error" and refinement - Remember, the Viper was first discussed in February 1988 and the first 6 Viper's for customer shipment sent from the factory May 20, 1992. This period of time roughly overlapped with Dodge's ownership of Lamborghini (another marque I can speak of highly). Even "first generation" Lamborghini Diablos were to be avoided, it took them about 3 to 4 years to get things right, and that was with Dodge/Chrylser's money.
* Ford Dealer's want between a $100,000 and $125,000 premium on the car, in the end that might be worth it if Ford only ends up making a few hundred GTs before cancelling production...
All in all, I believe the Viper to be the superior choice, and not just for "raw performance" numbers.
There are other benefits too...it is very likely you will never have the fellowship amongst owners as you have with the Viper - the extended Viper family is an excellent benefit. The Viper has a trunk...the GT has none...and it's called a "GT", how can that be? I have to put my overnight duffle bag in the passenger's floorboard? Even my Lambo has a trunk with room for a few racing helmets!
Go Viper!
JT