Possibly going to be purchasing a 2007 Mustang Shelby GT.
Anybody have one and I would like to get your take on the car's ride and value. Also, any things to look for to make sure it is authentic besides the Shelby plates. Car has only 174 miles on it and as far as I know has never been owned and is a dealer left over, how does that affect the warranty, is it still 3yr/36000 mi?
Any other comments about the car that you think I need to know would be appreciated. Thanks  

I own a Shelby GT – actually a Shelby GT/SC (super charger).  The car is absolutely awesome.  Although the stock SGT only has 19 more HP than the Mustang GT, because of the rear gears and the lowered suspension, the car is much faster and has a much better/tighter ride.  The ride is stiffer than a Mustang GT and even a Shelby GT500 because of the improvements that Shelby made in Las Vegas.

You should be able to get that car for somewhere in the $34k =/- range, depending on where you are in the country.  Watch eBay to get a more current idea.  

Make sure the dash plate and the plate on the radiator support match.  Make sure there are “Powered by Ford” badges on the front fenders, there are side panels on the rear fenders and the front and rear fascias are the same as a Mustang GT California Special, among the other standard items supplied by Shelby.

I think your car should definitely still be warrantied.  Call other dealers to be sure.

Feel free to read my blog to learn more about these cars www.adamsshelbygt.com.  My email is there as well.  Feel free to email me your phone number and I will be glad to discuss the cars at length.  

Also, join the Shelby GT forum on teamshelby.com.   Currently things are a little slow there now (I think it’s because of the difficult economy) but things will pick up soon.  But there is lots of information to read to learn about these cars in the mean time.

If you want more power, you can have Shelby or one of the authorized mod shops (Tasca Ford in RI or Quantum Performance in Texas) install a super charger to take you over 500 HP.  Then you can also add improved brakes, wheels and much more.

I am also very good friends with the person who is running the Shelby registry.  Email me the Shelby badge number and Ford VIN and I can see if they have any information on the car yet.

Bottom line – definitely buy the car if it is a great deal.  You will be very impressed.  

Adam,
Thanks for replying. Do you use your car as a daily driver? What kind of gas do you use, and does it require premium without the Super Charger? I've seen some pictures where the Front Fascia is painted completely without that black plastic chin but I haven't seen it on all of them, is there a reason for that? The dash plate and the radiator support plate are the indicators it is for real and I'm assuming they probably can't be duplicated.
The 2007 I'm looking at is white w/ silver stripes, what are your thoughts on changing the color of the stripes, do you think it alters its authenticity, even though its just cosmetic?
I'll be checking out your blog shortly and I'll see if I can get the plate and VIN # off of the sales ad. Looking forward to hearing from you and Thanks again.
coached4417  

Happy to help.
I don't use it as a daily driver but I do already have over 10k miles.  I try to enjoy the car as much as possible.  I will let my son Adam Jr. worry about the miles LOL. I have a lot of miles because I try to enter it in as many race events as I can.  This past January I took it to Carroll Shelby's birthday party.  There is a story on the front page of this Mustang Monthly website about my car and that party.  (Thank you Jerry Heasley and Donald Farr.)  I ran the Bull Run from LA to Vegas doing over 150 with plenty to go and raced at the Las Vegas speedway (roadcourse and track).  It was a blast and that's why it has all the stickers.  Later I raced at Thunderbolt Raceway in NJ and several times at New England Dragway.  I ws going to go to Terlingua but went to Dearborn instead.
Once Shelby put the Whipple SC (I was the first), they put a little sticker on the gas cap door saying 91 Octane or higher so I always run 92+.
I heard of only one fascia bottom painted black but I don't think it left Shelby that way.
I am sure some person some day will try to dupe those badges but I hope it never happens or if it does, they go to jail for a while.
The beauty of these cars is that you can do pretty much what ever you want with them to make them fit your personality.  However, since all the SGT's have silver stripes, I do think a change like that would change the value.  But again, feel free to make it your own if that's what you want.  Keep one little thought in mind.  Many of us wanted to make changes to the car from the beginning.  When I started in Jan 2007, I was communicating with Amy Boylan, Shelby Pres, asking to change many items such as the fascia, wheels and other.  Later I finally started liking all the designs her team made for the car.  Then after a few more months I went with all the mods I have now (all done before delivery).  My point is that you will change your mind many times so go buy the car and enjoy it for a while before you make changes.  Meanwhile do some research, look at other cars to get some ideas and then make the changes.
Looking forward from hearing from you via email and here as to what you decide.
Adam  

Hi, With the 2008 models Ford actually increased the warranty period. With your '07 you would have the balance of the 3/36,000 warranty witch really is way to short. I have an '06 that runs out of warranty in May of next year. I purchased an extended warranty beacuse I really love the car. It was $1200 and covers pretty much everything. You can purchase the extended warranties up until the day the 3/36 expires. After that your on your own. You will love the Shelby!! Just the looks from people make it all worth it. Hope that helps some.  

Sentinel, so even if I purchase the car from a dealer as new the warranty still starts from the model year? I figured that would only be if I bought from a private seller. Can I purchase an extended warranty if I get it from a private seller. What are your thoughts about the Shelby GT as a daily driver? Thanks, coached4417  

Adam, I just found a 1/64 die cast version of the car at the local Toys r' US and the more I look at it, it does start to really grow on you w/ what they have done to it. I agree with you in that I if I get it I will drive it for a while and then personalize it. Do you think the car could be used as a daily driver? I only have a daily commute of 20 min on local rodes and I really can't afford a third car. I just get caught between wanting the Shelby and then driving it everyday in both good and bad weather, parking it in parking lots and all that goes w/ your daily driver. So w/ out the Super Charger I can use 87 octane or you think it should be 92 or better?
How often and how expensive is it to go racing? Just 1/4 mile stuff or around an oval? Will begin budget negotiaions w/ the wife in the next couple of weeks to see if buying the Shelby really fits in the budget, say a prayer for me, its going to be close.
coached4417  

Hi,
       Your warranty period will start from the day you buy it. For the 5 year warranty period. If you are buying as new from a dealer. You can purchase a extended warranty for a private sale up until the time that the factory warranty expires. They do not sell extented warranties for cars that have gone out of warranty. With the '07 you will be fine either way unless it is out of warranty because of mileage. I actually looked at a Shelby earlier this year. For what they cost compared to a GT I could not justify it in my head. Also the blue one the dealer had in the show room had rust on the chrome ring where the hood pins came up through it. The ones for the hood tie downs. I thought that was a bit much.  I hope that helps. I have to tell you. I love my '06 GT enough to buy the extended warranty. I like how it looks sitting next to my '67 as well. I will probably die owning both of these cars.  

Sentinel,
All the shelbys I have been looking at on-line have had less than 5,000 miles and look like they could be had for $28,000, which is around what I could get an 09' GT equipped the way I want it. Again I would use it as my daily driver and all that comes w/ that, but to have a Shelby, especially equipped the way the SGT is equipped I think I would rather have the Shelby. Thanks for your advice on the warranty stuff, and I love the 67'.  

Hi, If you are talking a used Shelby VS. a new '09 GT I can see the price comparison. The new Shelby's I looked at was in the high 30,s low 40,s. My GT, $28,000.  Every $1000 makes about $22 on your payment. The math gets pretty ugly for the monthly dollar figure owed to the bank. I wish you the best of luck and just enjoy the ride, no matter what you buy.  

There are many people using the SGT as a daily driver, including one I personally know of here in New England (CT to be exact).  I am pretty sure he uses snow tires for the winter.  

Things to keep in mind (although I am sure that you already thought of them):

1) Even old Shelby's that were daily drivers continue to get respect and maintain value.  Sure, buying a new Shelby off the lot and putting it in a garage for the next 50 years may get you 50-100% more value, but what good is that if you never drive and enjoy the car.  Let those that can afford it store them.  I have over 10k miles on my car.  I don't drive it as a daily driver but I do drive it when I can, including to work often.  And, I was working in Cambridge, MA for a while this summer before the company moved.  I drove it through all the miserable stop and go traffic getting into Boston and over to Cambridge.  Then I parked it in a garage at the Cambridge Side Galleria (a mall).  I covered it each day and never had an issue.  Sure it was a risk, but it was fun driving it when ever I could.  I used to have an enclosed trailer but sold it after trading my truck in for a hybrid.  Now I drive the Shelby to all events including Thunderbolt Raceway in south NJ and Dearborn MI this summer.
2) You only live once.  If you don’t get your dream car you will always regret it when ever you drive by any cool car.  Sure the economy isn’t great, but getting in the Shelby seems to make all your troubles go away.  Then all the people coming up to you asking about the car at the gas stations and other, makes it more fun.   You’ll think you’re just going to get some gas, but it will often take 30 minutes longer because of all the people asking about the car.  You’ll also get lots of people taking pics of the car with their cell phones while on the highway.  You can’t get that with a normal car.  
3) Joining clubs, attending car shows, racing and all the other fun make for an amazing life experience; especially if you can share the experience with your father, son, daughter, wife, friends and/or new friends.

I am not sure about what gas to use without a supercharger.  For some reason I think someone might have discussed it on the teamshelby forum last year but I don’t recall the details.  Do a quick search there.

Racing at the dragway is only $20 per night.  The Thunderbolt Raceway trip, Dearborn trip, Bull Run, and racing at the Las Vegas speedway (drag and road course) were all Shelby events (SAAC and TeamShelby) so they can add up.

So, I don’t want to be talking you into something that you might not be ready for financially.  If you can do it, it will be one of the best things you can do in your life.  If you need to wait, then wait.  If you can, buy a little $3000 beater for the bad winter days.  

Good luck with your decision.