While most of the Ford GT is holding up well after 9,000 miles there are a couple areas showing signs of wear. Probably the most egregious is the scuff place just inside each of the doors. You'd expect an interior component in this location (and with the name "scuff plate") to get...well, scuffed. But while the scuffs themselves are not unexpected the highly polished, mirror-like insert that says "Ford" is really highlighting them.
The "Ford" lettering has several scratches going right through it, and adjacent to the letting is a cluster of scratches that may have happened during the audio system upgrade I performed (I was laying accross this plate while working under the dash on multiple occasions). Regardless of the cause, the effect is one that likely can't be fixed without further removing the "Ford" lettering. Other GT owners have dealt with this issue in one of two ways.
First, assuming the dealer didn't already pull it before they took delivery, some owners simply leave on the blue-tinted protective plastic that covers these plate inserts when the cars are shipped from the factory. I did that on the passenger side plate for several months, but then I heard from a GT tech that if you leave the plastic on too long it will eventually adhere to the metal and become quite difficult to remove. So now the plastic is gone.
The second option is to buy replacement inserts from the factory and figure that, at some point, you'll replace them. Some owners (like me) think these cars should be driven as regular cars for at least as long as they are under warranty. It's ironic when you think that many exotic/special interest cars are treated with kit gloves when they have a full factory warranty. What a waste. Anyway, if you drive a GT for several years and enjoy it, but eventually decide to "retire" it for special interest use, it would be a good idea to have a spare set of plates around for the cruise/show circuit. I've checked pricing on these plates and they are about $50 a piece. Not cheap, but a small investment for GT owners wanting that "new car" sparkle years from now.
Karl Brauer, Editor in Chief, Edmunds.com @ 9,143 miles
hondacura4 says:
01:42 PM, 07/15/07
This is probably the only Ford that I actually like...well along with those older naturally aspirated 4.6 DOHC 32V Cobra Mustangs. The exhaust not alone gives me goosebumps.