I wish they put the 3.5L TT in the 'Stang. That motor is extremely held back from stretching its legs due to weak automatic transmissions it is normally attached to.

Speedy:)

Test drove a new M3 for about 40 minutes last weekend. It was part of the M Tour driving experience. I played around with the M button a little and had a blast. The car was configured with the dual clutch (I'd probably buy the 6 speed manual) but was still fun to drive.

Paul, AFAIK the brembo package isn't really called a track pack. Unlike the 2010 Track pac which include upgraded dampers and Sways the 2011 already has them. Brembo package just adds the brakes, bigger wheels and quicker steering I think. But you can get an even better set up by going to the Ford Racing site and ordering even further upgraded dampers, sways, springs and underhood bracing for about and additional 1400 bucks.

Personally, I'd go with the Strano parts. check out this video of a 5.0 during an autocross. He has it dialed in pretty nice. He says that with about $1,700 you can
have a car that will pull over 1g and have a better ride then the factory setup, which when pushed tends to buck from front to back. the ford racing setup still doesnt solve.

Strano Performance Parts - Video Features


Im really tempted by the 5.0. I really think it would be a blast to set one up and surprise folks at track days with it. With 400 Hp on tap, all your cash could go right to suspension. Still torn on the looks though. Went to test drive one on Saturday and all they had were automatics, so I didn't even bother. Could have driver a 4.6 though. They had plenty of those....

The 5.o is lighter up front than the 4.6, but 400+ horsepower is easily obtained on a 4.6 with one of several aftermarket blowers. Sam Strano is considered "the man" suspension wise. Perhaps I bought too soon, but I really do like the understated looks of my Bullitt. Since I no longer track or auto-X, think I'll just drive a stocker. It is a well balanced ride stock. Ford surprised me.

But in your case? Wait until you see one you might want...Brembos, 3:73 with limited slip, 6 speed. Of course, the new 5.0. :D

Add the Sam Strano goodies, and show up with it for an R GRuppe run...I strongly suspect you'd surprise the hell out of some "hotshoes". ;)

(edit) Of course, keep you eye out for well set up 944s. ;)

Edit # 2...know what you mean about the looks. I do NOT like the new body style, especially that portion many other car guys will be looking at...the rear end.

Unless the key somehow drops 300 lbs, welds in a roll cage, swaps out the dampers and springs, and throws R-compounds on.... I would not call it a 'race-ready' key.


More like 'marketing-gimmick' key.

Original thread was about the yet to be released "laguna seca" model. Better drive one before slamming it...;)

I've driven the new GT's, love them, but that doesn't mean they wouldn't be better with: 300 lees lbs, a cage, bigger bars, and r-compounds.

Then again there is nothing that isn't better with 300 less lbs, a cage, bigger bars, and r-compounds.

The mustang is like the 911 in that there are about a million different 'special' versions- all just made slightly different enough to get some schlep to buy one.

Agreed...but the "laguna seca" has no back seat...bigger bars, adjustable shocks, lowering coils, etc. Still street legal...but awfully close to "ready to race". I'd guess half WILL be raced, the other half destined for garage queen status.

that won't be too tough, it will be the one out in front of you ;)

lmao...:d

I have a confession. My two favorite car models are 911s (hot rodded) and M3s. I really was impressed with the new M3 and dearly love everything about a tricked out 911.

Last week I had a chance to drive a 2011 Mustang V6. I could not believe how far that car had come from the mid 80s and early 90s when my dad and mom were buying Mustang GTs.

THe structure was solid, the ride firm, controlled, but comfortable. The steering was perfect, the brakes linear. It was screaming for a V8 and six speed. I was so smitten with it that I began researching them on the net. Hard to believe that I am thinking about a Boss 302 (or tweaked GT) in a couple of years!

Troy

Another convert...one test drive of an '09 GT and I was impressed...with how far the car had come from earlier days.

Yeah, I know. Some here have trouble believing that I'm serious when I say my Bullitt Mustang is more pleasure to drive than the 911S was...but it's true!

I saw a Boss 302 last weekend here in LA, it was very cool looking with orange and black side accents.

The owners were trying to park it up in front of a Ralphs grocery store. They even had 3 people out directing traffic away from it as it was negotiating a very packed parking lot. They even had small cones they put out around all 4 corners in an attempt to keep people from approaching it. They were treating it like a friggin museum piece :rolleyes:

Anyway, nice looking car, and it sounded great (as they bliped the throttle like a 2 stroke m/c as they left the parking lot) :p

There was another Mustang with them, I think it was a 5.0, slammed with a roll cage, BBS wheels and R888s. That looked track ready!

Nice cars, fanatical owners just like Vette and Porsche guys. I don't mind them, to each his own! We're very similar in our freakish affection for our P-cars, but when they roll into a parking lot with traffic marshals and parking cones it goes a bit overboard IMO

YMMV

Maybe you spotted some Ford folks...Boss 302's not available to the general public until next spring. And then only in limited numbers given to certain dealers...right now they are pretty much display items in the hands of Ford employees. Here's a pic of one on display at the Texas state fair...a friends daughter in front of it.



http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1289933421.jpg

Yep that was it, the LA auto show starts the 19th, maybe that why they were being so careful?!

I think it had different color/style wheels. I should have snapped a pic with my cell...

But that was definitely the car in your photo..

Probably the same car...very few prototypes out there, and all in Ford employee hands. Woe would come to the one who damaged one of the display cars. Thus the cones, etc.