The long-term 2005 Ford GT has crossed 12,000 miles on the odometer. The last 1,000 miles rolled up slowly, as the weather in Southern California for most of January and February wasn't GT-friendly (seemed like the worst weather showed up Friday afternoons and cleared out Sunday nights for awhile there...).
But I've just finished updating the car's fuel log, and lifetime fuel mileage is holding steady at 16.51 mpg. I can't complain about that, as the last two tankfuls were burned at Willow Springs Raceway as part of "The GT School" I attended. This was a track day/instructional event dedicated to the Ford GT, though a Porsche Carrera GT did show up (the guy's Ford GT is modded and having overheating issues, but he'd paid his money, and it is called "The GT School").
Going fast around Willow Springs was certainly fun, but as I drove the car home I realized the most rewarding aspect of the school was driving to it (100 miles), going really fast around a racetrack, and driving home (another 100 miles). All with nothing more than a tire/wheel swap (we were using DOT Hoosier slicks that gave the car even more stick and more predictability at the limit). A car that does 200 miles in comfortable road travel while doing 120 mph through Willow's turn 8 (130 mph is possible, but not when I consider the insurance situation) is pretty unique.
Better still, at 12,240 miles the GT is showing few signs of wear. The paint chips on the nose are undeniable (though still not glaringly obvious), and the windshield has picked up another small rock chip (glad I didn't replace it after the last one). And except for the rear shock death last summer and some adjustments to the door shortly after purchase in August 2005, this car has been essentially trouble free.
Typical supercar mileage, capabilities and ownership experience? Technically I can't say, as my previous supercar experience is pretty limited. But I'm guessing not.
Karl Brauer, Edmunds.com Editor in Chief @ 12,230 miles
desmolicious says:
04:24 PM, 03/21/08
So how did the Porsche compare to the GTs?
Pretty amazing fuel economy considering stuff like the LT Jeep Liberty got worse..
And you're not kidding about that nice weather all week, rain from Friday night to Sunday thing! It was driving me nuts for a while. I was all fixin to go for a motorbike ride, but week after week the rain showed up on the weekend.
SubyTrojan says:
05:00 PM, 03/21/08
Rain = fun in the Scooby :o)
Thanks for sharing about your track day, Karl!
altimadude00 says:
05:26 PM, 03/21/08
Somehow I don't there will be as many comments about not taking the GT out into the rain as there was about not taking the 308 going out into the rain.
Why should there be a difference?
brn says:
05:34 PM, 03/21/08
Every time I see the Ford GT, I'm reminded as to how friggin good looking that car is.
rick8365 says:
06:57 PM, 03/21/08
Great "reflections" photo.
editor_karl says:
12:17 AM, 03/22/08
The Porsche was plenty quick, and sounded pretty amazing. Think F1 car.
We actually had two drag races on Willow's front straight between a stock Ford GT and the guy's stock Carrera GT. They split on outcome. The first time the Ford smoked its tires. The second time the Ford got a good launch. Both times it was pretty close. As with so many supercars these days, driver's skill (or lack thereof) can easily makeup whatever small differences exist in "official" zero-to-60 and 1/4-mile times.
hondacura4 says:
09:49 AM, 03/22/08
The Ford GT, the American exotic!
hondacura4 says:
01:36 PM, 03/23/08
How many Ford GTs were produced and will Ford ever consider making another successor?
editor_karl says:
04:22 PM, 03/23/08
4038. Probably not.
Ford has too many priorities ahead of building another low-volume exotic (like, say, not going under), so don't expect any more "toys" for awhile outside the specialty Mustangs they'll keep cranking out every year.
daytona_500 says:
06:32 PM, 03/23/08
I just watched some top gear, and the Ford GT had the honor of being the only American car that JC liked, sad considering there's plenty of good ones out there. The GTX1 model was too cool.
cah11705 says:
06:35 PM, 03/23/08
Daytona,
notice how they never ever said anything about the saleen s7
also know that jeremy clarkson kept complaining his was breaking down
and he eventually sold it and boought a lambo gallardo spyder
editor_karl says:
11:20 AM, 03/24/08
"notice how they never ever said anything about the saleen s7
also know that jeremy clarkson kept complaining his was breaking down
and he eventually sold it and boought a lambo gallardo spyder"
True...because the insurance-sponsored scam that is "immobilizer alarms on all cars" in Britain kept causing the GT to not run.
Personally I'm just as glad JC sold his Ford GT for a Gallardo Spyder. That car, and what it represents, is a much better fit for him...
daytona_500 says:
02:51 PM, 03/24/08
cah11705,
I had totally forgotten about the Saleen S7 actually, wonder why he didnt review it. It's probably a good thing, seeing as how JC would have called the styling juvenile, or made some other foolish remark about the car.
Top Gear can be funny, but to me they have zero credibility as far as reviewing cars.
editor_karl says:
03:33 PM, 03/24/08
+1