I have put close to 400 miles on my new GT500 and weather has slowed down the opportunity to drive her more. And sincerely each time I drive her I learn more and feel it’s still a little early to come to closure on the overall satisfaction and or not so much satisfaction. And for those that personally know me they have heard comments like my new Honda Civic Type R is more fun than the GT500
. And then I drive the GT500 another day and I question that statement I made thinking maybe it’s too early hmmm
. There is one thing for sure this car is truly and I mean truly a Track car out of the Box. She is raspy and obnoxious on her attitude with the DCT 7 speed which is just a really different auto than I have ever driven. It’s not an automatic but it is and it’s not an manual but it is. The transmission feels like your letting out the Clutch when you are in first gear coming of the brake. The car slowly engages the transmission and then you start moving and or backing up. The car rolls back a little when you let off the brake and start moving just weird. You feel like she is slipping in gear and when you have her in Sport mode she is clunky down shifting and noisy. When accelerating hard she sticks in 2nd gear and will red line which I’m not wanting to do yet but I hit the 6500 RPM. And just so you know the manual states after 100 miles you can run her hard but not at extended periods of time.
The exhaust is loud and not the good old Mopar rumble but the Mustang traditional raspy exhaust and either you love it or hate it.
The Supercharger whine and or noise is not even noticeable to the point if you didn’t know cars and didn’t open the hood you would not know she had one. And keep in mind I have severe hearing loss and wear excellent hearing aids and I hear the Hellcat Supercharger whine all day. The rear end noise is prevalent and feel due to the huge tires and suspension set up since it’s pretty taught this radiates back into the interior. The exhaust noise inside the car is more noticeable then the Hellcats as well being she’s a smaller car. The turning radius is huge meaning it’s a challenge in tight areas and parking her. I have to back up to get her into a parking spot in shopping centers. Those huge front tires and rear tires are felt going down the road as well and this truly radiates the Race Car feel. And the suspension and raspy exhaust really
make you feel you’re driving a track car to the track and your goof racing today. The power is all there as soon as you get into her and she busts loose very easily. The neck snapping like the Hellcats is the same and smile on your face. The back roads are her true calling since she just eats the curves and the power is instantly right there. If you take the traction control off and your not an experienced road racer you will be off the road in a blink of an eye since she just busts loose at high speeds over 60-70. She’s a gas hog and I am amazed how she is at 14mpg and my Hellcats are 18-19 same style driving. The fun factor is more in the sport mode and back roads. The DCT down shifts are noticeable in sport giving her the raspy exhaust notes and when you accelerate she burps after she hits a gear. In slow and or braking the DCT imo is noisy and clunky when down shifts into 3rd 2nd to 1st. It will be interesting to see if other GT500 owners will confess to this which I think most wont. Summing up my 400 miles of highway, traffic and back roads she’s a fun kick in the pants car but so much a race car feel and attitude I need more time to grasp what my final feelings are. And don’t start sharing this with the Mustang club since they will say I am a TROLL
And for all that know me I have options and have an open mind to try all types of brands and will tell you the way it is.
Oh and here’s my Honda lol