GT500 vs Saleen vs Roush?

[nomis]

Was wondering whether anyone had actually compared the various 'hot' Mustangs and what the verdict was?

At the moment the GT500 is silly money in the UK (but this will fade in time as is always the case with 'rare' (read mass production) limited edition US cars), where as both Roush and Saleens can be had for 'fair' money. This would seem to rule the GT500 out in terms of value for money but perhaps I'm jumping to conclusions here.

Any educated views on the options and where the money is best spent - from not driving them, I would guess the performance is quite similar? (would this be correct?).

[nomis]

Steve

Did you import the Saleen yourself or did you buy it from a UK dealer? If so, who in the UK sells them?

TIA

Simon

[nomis]

steve.c said:

I did it all myself, went over to Florida in Feb of '06 test drove both (non and supercharged models) a good 30mins test drive in the non supercharged model aswel to get a good feel for the car and approx 10-15miles in the supercharged model (it was a sale car not a demo) dealership were fantastic,arranged for the car to be taken to jacksonville port,all the shipping was real easy to arrange by myself along with all the required paperwork, it was 100% less daunting that i imagined! and i saved a tidy sum over buying through an importer, have you looked on autotrader? there are a few used and new '05 saleens on there both supercharged and non

I did notice a few on Autotrader but not an Extreme

I assume you bought direct from a Saleen dealer? Also, did you ship using roll-on-roll-off or did you use a seperate container? Do you recall the cost of the shipping?

[nomis]

Thank you for all the informed responses

Any verdict on the Roush cars? I understand the concerns on the GT500 and the upside of the Saleen but what about the Roush offerings? Are they not trying to sell the Roush cars with the angle that the set up for the UK roads?

[nomis]

steve.c said:

p.s where are you based? if not too far i can bring mine for you to have a look over,im nr Bath

Hi Steve,

I'm near J4 of the M3.

Really appreciate all the info from everyone.

LU51fer, I haven't heard of Steeda but when I lived in North America, the DECH Mustangs were making good progress but I believe DECH has gone out of business?

I would like something semi-unique but reliability and engineering support would also be important.

I have spoken with the Roush guys about another car and they were very helpful and seemed like a decent bunch; however, the Saleen has always had a lure based on the understated nature of their bodykit (although I really don't like the detail on the interior headrests... looks like a leftover from an S&M session )

I'll do a little bit of digging around next week and see who has what for sale and what cars are actually on the ground.

Best regards to everyone and thanks for your help up to this point!

Simon

[nomis]

PS - does it make me a heathen to lust after the modern Eleanor?

[nomis]

LuS1fer said:

Sadly, this has been done to death and back again and now ranks alongside the General Lee and Knight Rider for a cliche but whatever turns you on. Here's the Steeda link for you to drool over:
www.steeda.com/new_vehicles/

True it is rather pop-culture cliche; however, the Steeda Mustangs also look a little 'Fast n' Furious'. You mentioned a 281 Extreme in a previous post, has anyone brought one to the UK?

[nomis]

nomis said:

LuS1fer said:

Sadly, this has been done to death and back again and now ranks alongside the General Lee and Knight Rider for a cliche but whatever turns you on. Here's the Steeda link for you to drool over:
www.steeda.com/new_vehicles/

True it is rather pop-culture cliche; however, the Steeda Mustangs also look a little 'Fast n' Furious' so equally not for me. As a side note, you mentioned a 281 Extreme in a previous post, has anyone brought one to the UK?

[nomis]

swerni said:

I work at Sun, just down the Road. If you want to come and have a look at what you can do to a stock Stang then let me know.

Steve

Hi Steve, thank you for that offer. If you have some spare time I wouldn't mind taking you up on that.

Or, if you guys are getting together in the near future (for a Mustang pub lunch, etc), I'm happy to tag along if don't mind? I could bring another V8 for you to take a look at - an no, it won't get sawdust on your cars, or give them wood worm

[nomis]

LuS1fer said:

Yes. Try www.mocgb.net/forums/index.php. There are a number of Saleens about and I'm sure one of them is an Extreme. It may even be on this forum...it's easy to get confused. There are a lot of new Mustang owners about and more and more seem to be supercharged and modified. I'd look it up myself but I'm working....honest!

Thanks LuS1fer, you've been a massive help and I appreciate it

[nomis]

steve.c said:

there was a small gathering in Mychett last Saturday of Mustangs,shame you didnt come along to that

Doh! Now where did I put the keys to my DeLorean?

When is the next one?

[nomis]

As it stands, I like the styling of the Saleen (and the twin screw SC) but am not keen on the fact you cannot get factory support on Saleens. As a side note, I contacted them directly and they are trying to set up a UK network and hope to have it up any running in the next few months (so perhaps my initial concern will be redundant).

I like the fact Roush can be reached in the UK and there is technical support and a warranty; however, the styling of them is a little too 'MaxPower' for my taste (all just mho).

The GT500 is silly money but if it was at Saleen money, I may be tempted just because it's a factory Shelby and I could make the car handle by installing some aftermarket suspension.

So really, at the moment I do not have a solution, which is okay as it will take me a few months to sort out my garage space... so perhaps petrol-karma is telling me to wait

[nomis]

swerni said:

I am in camberly on Thursday if you want to pop over and see my MAX POWER Stang

Hi Steve, I just got your message as I've been up in London at an exhibition since Wednesday! Thanks for the offer, definately take you up on it in the future!