RE: Vauxhall Monaro VXR 500 v Ford Shelby GT500
Discussion
4WD said:
If I didn't have to look at it I guess the monaro makes more sense. However the stang has a thousand times more personality and style. I don't think any kid grew up wishing he had a vauxhall.
I agree but it depends if someone is a badge snob or not. The thought of spanking cars worth twice the price is very appealing.
I lived in the States for a while and had a mate with a black 67 Camaro. It was a much better looking car than the Mustang of that era and as a result I've never really hankered for any 'Stang. As a result I'd easily take the Vauxhall over the Ford. As has been said previously though, if the new Camaro came over here, then that would be a completely different story.
The number plate on the Camaro was "Nasty 67". Very cool.
The number plate on the Camaro was "Nasty 67". Very cool.
stig said:
scoobiewrx said:
I bet the Shelby is brilliant in a straight line but come the twisties i don't think i'd have much confidence.
Coming from a WRX I'm not surprised
You see, I don't look for ultimate outright grip, I look for predictable handling so you can exploit it at sane speeds. That's the appeal of the 'stang to me just like it is with a Seven, which will allow tail-out-tomfoolery well within the legal limit. Try doing that in a Scoob (and don't even go there in an Ultima
) The 'Stang feels well planted and reassuring. The suspension isn't the latest word in high-tech, but you really need to try it before writing it off (not literally of course
) Edited to add: Other than the front grill, I prefer the GT over the GT500 too
Edited by stig on Tuesday 31st October 14:55
I don't dissagree with what you say asbout the Mustang and although my standard WRX handles OK for what it is i do get bad understeer sometimes so it's not as much fun. The STi however has the DCCD and you can shift most of the drive to the rear so that should be pretty satisfying for the oversteer junkies. However the Mustang is a different kettle of fish and although it looks visually the more striking of the two i have to say the Monaro is a lot of car for the money and therefore bigtime VFM. I saw it on Fifth Gear last night and it looked awesome to drive. I reckon the Monaro would take the Mustang on the TopGear test track.
I've got to agree with scoobiewrx. The Monaro would probably take the GT500 on the Top Gear test track. Although I reckon it would be a pretty close. The GT500's chassis isn't as sharp as they could have made it. We know this due to the likes of Saleen and Roush producing their own very tighly screwed down versions of the Mustang. This is to be expected really. Ford have tried to make the car to appeal to all tastes, even the driver who just wants to pose in a car with a smooth ride.
Let's not forget, that Vauxhall have handed the Monaro to a specialist to fettle the car to what the VXR500 is now.
If Ford handed the Mustang over to Shelby for real (rather than sticking his name on the back), the GT500 could have well come out a much, much more formidable machine. I'm sure then, the Top Gear test track time wouldn't be so clearly cut. It's early days yet for the GT500. It's only a matter of time, before Shelby release their proper "Shelby" interpretation of the GT500 I am sure. Watch this space!
And another thing... We all know that the standard Mustang GT has less power than the VXR version of the Monaro. But from what I have seen (in reviews, magazines, etc), the Mustang GT covers the 0 to 60 mph dash in a similar time, and sometimes faster than the VXR. Mainly because the VXR is a heavier car than the Mustang GT. But I do believe the VXR has better gearing at the top end of the box. Whereas the Mustang's 5 speeder is really just a 4 speed with an overdriven 5th.
Let's not forget, that Vauxhall have handed the Monaro to a specialist to fettle the car to what the VXR500 is now.
If Ford handed the Mustang over to Shelby for real (rather than sticking his name on the back), the GT500 could have well come out a much, much more formidable machine. I'm sure then, the Top Gear test track time wouldn't be so clearly cut. It's early days yet for the GT500. It's only a matter of time, before Shelby release their proper "Shelby" interpretation of the GT500 I am sure. Watch this space!
And another thing... We all know that the standard Mustang GT has less power than the VXR version of the Monaro. But from what I have seen (in reviews, magazines, etc), the Mustang GT covers the 0 to 60 mph dash in a similar time, and sometimes faster than the VXR. Mainly because the VXR is a heavier car than the Mustang GT. But I do believe the VXR has better gearing at the top end of the box. Whereas the Mustang's 5 speeder is really just a 4 speed with an overdriven 5th.
4WD said:
When I was driving my ppp I saw a black '69 camaro coming the other way. I would have traded places in a heart beat. Thoughts like cornering prowess went right out the window.
For something like that i might agree with you and don't they just look how they sound. We do however live the UK and don't have those lovely wide and very long straight roads as they do in the USA so twisties are order of the day and our weather is crap so they are wet more often than not. A car that handles well in all sorts of weather is more important to me right now and in any case I'm more of a G junkie and therefore i go for handling every time.
The Mustang GT is supposed to be limited to 150mph.
But I have heard top speeds of 143 mph, 147 mph, 149 mph, 150 mph. So it's anybody's guess!
Plato reckoned the GT500 would have a 180 mph top speed if not for the limiter on 5th gear. But I reckon that's optimistic too. Let's face it... the Mustang is hardly aerodynamic is it!!!
I think the GT500 is supposed to be limited to 160 mph!? or maybe 155? Something like that.
It's nice knowing that a car is capable of such a high top speed, but in reality. Where can you use such speeds on our roads?
Most of the time, the performance of my car is used anywhere between stop and 100 mph. For me the fun comes from blasting out of junctions, traversing roundabouts and then gunning the throttle towards the exit letting the tyres slide about. It's called "Fun" at sane speeds!!!!
Also, My GT makes a fantastic noise on it's Borla exhausts. It's not too far removed from a 60's muscle car sound. Awesome!
But I have heard top speeds of 143 mph, 147 mph, 149 mph, 150 mph. So it's anybody's guess!
Plato reckoned the GT500 would have a 180 mph top speed if not for the limiter on 5th gear. But I reckon that's optimistic too. Let's face it... the Mustang is hardly aerodynamic is it!!!
I think the GT500 is supposed to be limited to 160 mph!? or maybe 155? Something like that.
It's nice knowing that a car is capable of such a high top speed, but in reality. Where can you use such speeds on our roads?
Most of the time, the performance of my car is used anywhere between stop and 100 mph. For me the fun comes from blasting out of junctions, traversing roundabouts and then gunning the throttle towards the exit letting the tyres slide about. It's called "Fun" at sane speeds!!!!
Also, My GT makes a fantastic noise on it's Borla exhausts. It's not too far removed from a 60's muscle car sound. Awesome!
V8 EOL said:
Why anyone would buy an M3 is beyond me. I suppose some will simply be put off by the Griffin on the front. Why else would someone tick all the boxes end up with a £40k plus 3 series?
Different strokes for different folks I guess.
I'm sure there would be plenty of M3 pilots willing to question why anyone would want to spend £40k to end up with a forced induction lump of cast iron. Each to his own.
V8 EOL said:
WRT the Monaro, it is probably worth emphasising you can buy yourself a 04 or 05 'ordanary' VXR, then for not many more pennies turn it in to a VXR500. 04's can be had for 20k ish, 5k for the upgrades and you have one hell of a car. Why anyone would buy an M3 is beyond me. I suppose some will simply be put off by the Griffin on the front. Why else would someone tick all the boxes end up with a £40k plus 3 series?
suppose it depends how refined a car you want,the monaro ain't refined .there are fun though.....4WD said:
You can have a Rouch stang with 600bhp and a full warranty. Bye bye vauxhall 
I would expect that Wortec & Greens of Rainham could easily fettle the car to 600 BHP if required. I have an HSV saloon with 570 brake & will be taking that to near 700 brake in the near future & only expect to see Mustang's in my RV mirror! LOL
Edited by V8HSV on Tuesday 31st October 17:10
What i want to know is how do you make bricks like the mustang or even my scooby more areodynamic so that those top speeds are achievable, without changing the look drastically. To get anywhere over 165 you need either plenty of horses or not so many horses and more slippery design. Any takers?
zektor said:
I'd have the Shelby GT500. The word is the engine can be "chipped" to produce a whole lot more power without having to strengthen the internals.
And... Spend a bit of extra money getting the suspension sorted/lowered with bigger wheels and suddenly the car is a much more muscular looking beast.
My Mustang GT makes the GT500 look like it's on stilts with puny wheels. Mine's lowered/uprated with 20" rims. And in my opinion, has more character and more muscular looks over the Monaro...
And... Spend a bit of extra money getting the suspension sorted/lowered with bigger wheels and suddenly the car is a much more muscular looking beast.
My Mustang GT makes the GT500 look like it's on stilts with puny wheels. Mine's lowered/uprated with 20" rims. And in my opinion, has more character and more muscular looks over the Monaro...
OH.......MY.......GOD
Zektor, your car is awsome
So as not to completely hijack this thread, please lets start one over on the Mustang forum. I want to see more pictures of your car for a start, preferably without the Picasso or the Escort as a background
Oh, and some sound clips too. Back to topic. Shelby v VXR500? I'd take either. Having had the pleasure of a ride in Mose's VXR with the full exhaust upgrade, I know what a stunning car the Monaro is. The Mustang, on the other hand, is a legend in it's own lifetime.
Edited by Twin Turbo on Tuesday 31st October 17:28
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