Interesting thread. I too own a Ford GT, and the truth is, I never really was too aware of the original Ford GT40, so I kinda grew up on the looks of the current Ford GT. So for me, I much prefer the looks of the Ford GT over the Ford GT 40, I guess it's just what a guy has as his reference point, among other things of course, that influences his perception about what looks good, and what does not.
I agree with Cobra #3170, this is an outstanding performance car in nearly all respects. At 160, not that I have ever been that speed you understand, I am told it feels like 90. If you plan to get one, now would be the time as I understand 4038 were built, about 300 totaled so far, and about 200 or so went to Canada and a handful to Europe. Mine is a 2005 model with 3,060 miles on it after ten months of ownership since new. I have had to replace a leaking power steering pump under warranty, and tighten a loose radiator hose, and that's about it. As for
oil change, it goes something like this: If you have a power screwdriver the two under body panels are down in about ten minutes, drop the
oil (two locations), change the filter (canister style) on the top side, add
oil, prime the engine with oil by holding the pedal to the floor and cranking for about ten seconds, start the engine, and then put the panels back in place.
Although it has an aluminum body, chassis, and engine it still weighs in at 3400 pounds or so. I have USAA insurance and pay 1200 bucks per year. As for purchase price, well, let's say I paid a fair new car price, but resale for me will not be an option. It will be handed to my children to fight over when I die. A lot of the guys hate the looks of the sub-woofer, I am not too fond of it, but I do like the sound, and I do intend to keep it 100 percent stock. So if you have a chance, take a look at the interior and find one that suits you. They can still be bought for a fair price for now, which is to say around MSRP. I think the car with all options was about 158K for the 2005 model, then had a price increase in mid 2005 and went to 166 which carried into the 2006 model year. The Heritage paint scheme is more, but I don't know how much more that option was. ENTDOC, do you know?
Anyway, I don't regret ownership in anyway, and the only car I have ever owned that rivaled the attention it brings is my SPF Cobra and a Ferrari 308 GTSi I owned in the mid 1980's. The most provocative statements made were as follows: Ferrari - "I would do just about anything for a ride in a Ferrari - made by a lovely looking female lab technician I used to work with, but I just asked that she buy my lunch. SPF - "I love the way it vibrates my seat when we are at idle," and last, the Ford GT. A twenty five something young lady came up to me in a crowd of people and said, "Do you know what I'd do with that car if it were mine?" I said, "No, what?" She said, "I'd make love slowly to it all night long." I just looked at her and stared, and said, "How about just a simple good night kiss?" and opened the car door so she could sit in it. She did, and I got the kiss.
Bottom line, if you can, buy one. I predict you are going to like it.
Roger
FGT 1490, SPF 2080