I got some seat time in our Ford GT today. Drove it back from the test track near Bakersfield back to the office in Santa Monica. Apart from moving a Ford GT around in a large parking lot for photos a few years back, I'd never really driven one. We all know the GT accelerates like an F-14 with the afterburners kicked in and will hit 200mph, so what's it like to drive in the real world? Amazingly drama-free. No finicky clutch action, no abrupt throttle response. Just a perfectly behaved supercar. It's a smooth operator, from the perfectly weighted and calibrated steering that's quick without being twitchy to the gear shifter that moves as if it's lined with teflon and machined to aerospace tolerances.
I was also impressed with the GT's cool demeanor. With temps in the mid-90s, the A/C running and some elevations on the 5 that would put Lance Armstrong to the test, the gauge never rose above 200 degrees, and most of the time hovered around 180 or so. (Sorry for the photo quality -- they're cell phone pics)...
Although I didn't get to sample any twisty roads, it was fun driving the GT thanks to its easy going demeanor and umm, willing performance. Well, it was fun until I got within 15 miles of L.A. on the 405 where, big surprise, it was stop and go even though it was 11:20 am. Basically, if you're trying to drive anywhere near L.A. and its Sunday through Saturday between midnight and 11:59 pm, you're bumming.
John DiPietro, Automotive Editor @ 9,866 miles.
SubyTrojan says:
02:20 PM, 07/25/07
It sounds like you had a good time, JDP! Was your drive what you were talking to Karl about when I passed you two in the elevator lobby? How did you like the 2008 WRX?
Thanks for also reminding me my favorite aircraft of all-time (thanks to Top Gun), the Grumman F-14 Tomcat, was decommissioned last year. :(
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F-14_Tomcat
tcolberg85 says:
02:59 AM, 07/26/07
As a former resident of Westwood, I can attest that the Sepulveda Pass and Wilshire area are seriously not fun time. Though I will say that the traffic drops to halfway decent levels between midnight and 5:00am.
johnnyturbo says:
04:07 PM, 07/26/07
Suby:
Yes, that's what Karl and I were rapping about. As far as the '08 WRX, I have to agree with Josh that it's lost some of its hard-edged character in order to appeal to a wider demographic. Still a fun car, but the MazdaSpeed 3 would be my pick in that segment. I guess Subaru figures the more serious enthusiasts can always go with the (admittedly more expensive) STi version.
The F-14 is certainly cool, though I also like the F-16 cuz it's more maneuverable and has a better thrust to weight ratio. Like I'll ever be able to fly either one, haha!
SubyTrojan says:
05:24 PM, 07/26/07
The F-14(B/D models in particular) had a much higher top end than the F-16 thanks to its two General Electric F110-GE-400 turbofan engines (Mach 2.34+ versus the F-16's Mach 2). I'm not 100% sure if the F-16 has a a better thrust-to-weight ratio. You're right! From Wikipedia information, I calculated a 0.91 lbf/lb ratio for the Tomcat and 1.09lbf/lb ratio (engine thrust/loaded weight) for the Falcon.
I've never been a fan of the F-16. I don't have a good reason why. The facts that my dad served in the U.S. Navy plus Top Gun is my favorite movie of all-time may be the main reasons why I like the F-14 so much. As a kid, my dad used to take me to the Miramar Air Show regularly. Once the Navy moved the Tomcats to NAS Oceana in Virginia, I lost interest in going to Miramar.
Enough OT, glad you got some seat time in the GT! :o)
kurtamaxxxguy says:
10:42 PM, 07/26/07
Sounds like a fine car to have for cross country traveling, though the Autobahn sounds like a more suitable road for it (are there a lot of GT's on the Autobahn ? ).
About the only Los Angeles freeway that isn't jammed - yet - is the 210 starting around Fairplex/Pomona and going east towards the 215.
The 405 has been a parking lot for several years now. So, most of the time, is the I-5 between Santa Clarita and downtown LA.
And this is before the other 10-15 million people, due here in 15 years or so, move in.
johnnyturbo says:
01:44 AM, 07/27/07
Suby,
Wow, you know your fighter jets! I like both aircraft (the articulating wings on the F-14 are cool) but will sacrifice the F-14's higher top end for the F-16's more agile handling. Maybe I'm getting old, but Mach 2 would be enough for me!
I'm with you on Top Gun. Corny but one of my faves too, awesome flying scenes and some great lines:
"If you were directly above (the MIG) then how did you see him?"
"...I was inverted, mam."
Kurt:
Our GT hasn't been on the Autobahn, but I like the idea. If I owned a car like this, I'd take it to Willow Springs once or twice a month to keep it and myself properly exercised ;)
SubyTrojan says:
09:41 AM, 07/27/07
Not verbatim but my best attempt:
Charlie: And what were you doing?
Maverick: Foreign relations, ma'am.
Charlie: What?
Goose: You know. Giving him the bird. :accidentally gives the single digit salute:
Basically, if you're trying to drive anywhere near L.A. and it's Sunday through Saturday between midnight and 11:59 pm, you're bumming.
That was very funny and sad, JDP. We can't win. :(
estreka says:
03:41 AM, 08/ 4/07
In the Air Force, we call the F-16 the "Lawndart"