Pro's/Con's for the `05 GT?

[cray1801]

For those who have not driven the `05 GT 5 sp yet, here some pro's and con's from my test drive last week. I know everyone here would like more power but I think this is a place good start.

Con's
1. Steering wheel is too close to the dash, with long legs and the seat adjusted my knees are too close to the dash.
2. Tire/rim combination needs to be wider.
3. Door speaker protrusion looks gaudy.
4. High door sill, sit in a hole feeling. ~Corrected with power drivers seat, feel sorry for passenger.
5. Shifter still a little too far away with long leg seat position.
6. No forged pistons
7. 3V vs 4V heads.
8. When you tilt the front seats forward to get in the rear, the seat does not slide forward.
9. Wheel design choices
10. Shaker 1000 too expensive
11. Strips do not go down all the way down (right?)
12. Exhaust a little too quiet.
13. Gas tank somewhat small for milage.
14. Under hood look.
15. Having a hard time deciding on exterior color.

Pro's
1. Overall exterior design is nice.
2. Fine solid feeling handling, even on rough roads.
3. V-good shifter/clutch action...smooth!
4. Price!
5. Ugrade instrument panel, looks cool.
6. Back seat room is surprisingly comfortable and roomy.
7. V-good exhaust (stainless, pipe size).
8. Recommended octane is only 87.
9. Window down feature with remote.
10. Leather seats confortable and nice looking.
11. Decent turning radius to get into my side entry garage.
12. Automatic window movement when opening/closing doors.
13. Aluminum block and heads, battery location (good F/R weight ratio).
14. Aluminum trim (handles, around vents, shifter).
15. Heat/AC round vents (big, multi-directional).

 

[Darkhorse845]

Overall I think it's a awesome ride The 05 GT I seen was in black
and it looked sharp I must say! Black stangs rule!

 

[cray1801]

Well I just got back for the Ford dealership (again). Did some additional research comparing the Shaker 500 and the Shaker 1000 systems. I was disappointed in the "boomyness" of the 1000.

Question, are the speakers the same for both the 500 and 1000 systems, meaning the 1000 adds the subs? I listened to the 1000 and turned off the rear subs and it sounded better. I don't think there's a way to control the gain for the rear subs, is there?

I'm thinking the 500 is the way to go.

Here's a Ford GT they had, test drives unavailable , unless you have more than $300,000

 

[cray1801]

Trying again

 

[2005TorchRedGT]

Question, are the speakers the same for both the 500 and 1000 systems, meaning the 1000 adds the subs?

From what I understand, the 9 speakers included with the Shaker 1000 system are supposed to be completely different from the stock speakers in the 500 system. Ford calls them 'audiophile' speakers, but (after a 'net search), I couldn't find any specifics whatsoever on the speakers aside from the fact that they're manufactured by Visteon (sp?). I had ordered mine with the 1000 system because, after hearing a 500, I wasn't impressed in the least with the sound quality or the power output. There wasn't a Shaker 1000 available on the lot, so I listened to a Mach 1000. After hearing that system, there was no question which one to order.

One thing of interest that I found was the weight difference between the 500 and the 1000. According to the the PDF file on this site http://media.ford.com/pdf/2005Mustangspecs.pdf (page 36 or 37), the 500 adds 14.9 lbs to the vehicle. On the other hand, the 1000 weighs a whopping 73 lbs! A good thing to know if you're trying to keep down the pounds on an already overweight Mustang.

 

[Darkhorse845]

Trying again

Look's great!

 

[cray1801]

From what I understand, the 9 speakers included with the Shaker 1000 system are supposed to be completely different from the stock speakers in the 500 system. Ford calls them 'audiophile' speakers, but (after a 'net search), I couldn't find any specifics whatsoever on the speakers aside from the fact that they're manufactured by Visteon (sp?). I had ordered mine with the 1000 system because, after hearing a 500, I wasn't impressed in the least with the sound quality or the power output.

I saw the "audiophile speaker" discription for the Shaker 1000, but still not sure if they are not audiophile speakers in the Shaker 500. Thanks for the .pdf information

I need to check out the Shaker 500 more closely I guess.

 

[Brian S]

For those who have not driven the `05 GT 5 sp yet, here some pro's and con's from my test drive last week. I know everyone here would like more power but I think this is a place good start.

Here is my take.

Con's
1. Steering wheel is too close to the dash, with long legs and the seat adjusted my knees are too close to the dash.
-subjective, it fits perfect for me. I'm 5'11".

2. Tire/rim combination needs to be wider.
-agreed, but it seems to perform fine with the 235's

3. Door speaker protrusion looks gaudy.
-agreed, probably necessary to make room for the magnets but they are BIG and look like they belong on a Scion.

4. High door sill, sit in a hole feeling. ~Corrected with power drivers seat, feel sorry for passenger.
-fits me fine.

5. Shifter still a little too far away with long leg seat position.
-Just right for me, maybe not for you but soooo much better than before.

6. No forged pistons.
-And PM rods! Probably will hold up OK to non nitrous and non S/C.

7. 3V vs 4V heads.
-Flow seems about the same, Perhaps VVT is helping?

8. When you tilt the front seats forward to get in the rear, the seat does not slide forward.
-Did not notice this.

9. Wheel design choices
-agreed, I'm glad I like the bullit style because those bright spoke wheels have to go!

10. Shaker 1000 too expensive
-No doubt! $1200 upgrade for two more subs and "audiophile" speakers? Not a good deal in my book!

11. Strips do not go down all the way down (right?)
-dealer installed and yes, they are uggggly.

12. Exhaust a little too quiet.
-I disagree, any louder and it would be annoying on trips.

13. Gas tank somewhat small for milage.
-IF the car really got 27mpg it would be fine.

14. Under hood look.
-Agreed, could be cleaner.

15. Having a hard time deciding on exterior color.
-sounds like a personal problem!


Pro's
1. Overall exterior design is nice.
-understatement of the year.

2. Fine solid feeling handling, even on rough roads.
-better than a Bimmer!

3. V-good shifter/clutch action...smooth!
-sooo much better than '04

4. Price!
-in reality yes it is priced very fairly, but 25k is nothing to sneeze at.

5. Ugrade instrument panel, looks cool.
-Agreed.

6. Back seat room is surprisingly comfortable and roomy.
-try sitting behind the drivers seat with the seat all the way back! NOT happening.

7. V-good exhaust (stainless, pipe size).
-True! Finally a great factory exhaust! the only thing the aftermarket can offer is mufflers and headers.

8. Recommended octane is only 87.
-Time will tell if the market would prefer a meaner tune and 91 octane requirement. Wish Ford could calibrate the computer to allow a timing bump in conjunction with the knock sensors to allow better performance with 91 octane while still allowing you to get by with 87 as a non preferred.

9. Window down feature with remote.
-Is this included only on the active anti theft package?

10. Leather seats confortable and nice looking.
Agreed.

11. Decent turning radius to get into my side entry garage.
-seems only average?

12. Automatic window movement when opening/closing doors.
-I hope the car really needs this feature, because it seems like a problem waiting to happen.

13. Aluminum block and heads, battery location (good F/R weight ratio).
-definatly a +.

14. Aluminum trim (handles, around vents, shifter).
-IUP is very snazzy. Plain interior only so-so though.

15. Heat/AC round vents (big, multi-directional).
-lifted from F150 but I agree they look right at home. The climate control seems pretty powerful too.

 

[2005TorchRedGT]

I saw the "audiophile speaker" discription for the Shaker 1000, but still not sure if they are not audiophile speakers in the Shaker 500.

Just picked up my '05 GT this evening and finally got to hear a Shaker 1000 system. Sounds excellent, but (as others pointed out) a little bassy for most music aside from the hip hop genre. Luckily, the trunk sub can be turned off when desired via the radio controls.

The speakers on the rear deck are the only ones that I could see clearly without disassembling anything, and the part number on the magnet is 'XW7F-18808-BB', specs are 4-ohm/25W and 'made in china'. Really didn't look like anything special. Could anyone with a base sytem and a Shaker 500 please check the numbers on their rear deck speakers? I'm curious to know if Ford is blowing smoke with their 'audiophile speaker' claim.

 

[cray1801]

The speakers on the rear deck are the only ones that I could see clearly without disassembling anything, and the part number on the magnet is 'XW7F-18808-BB', specs are 4-ohm/25W and 'made in china'. Really didn't look like anything special. Could anyone with a base sytem and a Shaker 500 please check the numbers on their rear deck speakers? I'm curious to know if Ford is blowing smoke with their 'audiophile speaker' claim.

Thanks for the details TorchRed , anyone to confirm part number for rears on the Shaker 500 system?

 

[Darkhorse845]

Yes,Thanks for the info Torchred

 

[KenB]

8. Recommended octane is only 87.
-Time will tell if the market would prefer a meaner tune and 91 octane requirement. Wish Ford could calibrate the computer to allow a timing bump in conjunction with the knock sensors to allow better performance with 91 octane while still allowing you to get by with 87 as a non preferred.

A tune on an 05 GT is a MUST. Not only will it greatly benefit in power by some tweaking, but it will also correct some shortcomings of the ECT (drive by wire).

We have seen great results with our tunes for the 05.

 

[woode]

Truly love the car for reasons that everyone already knows, but I miss some small things:

- Stereo controls on steering wheel (why stretch the cruise controls to both sides of the steering wheel?)
- A way to open the trunk without the key or remote.
- An adjustable cup holder
- A more useful dead pedal
- Access to an Aux input on the stereo
- Complete power seats (back angle is manual & passenger completely manual)
- More powerful low beams
- An "oh sh**" handle (or whatever the handle above the passenger window is usually called)
- Better climate control - although I like the round vents
- An "all in one" key, which incorporates the remote functions into the key. Having a separate remote is cumbersome and difficult to fit into a key case.
- A spring-loaded hood. Seems kinda chincy to have to prop the hood open manually.
- A better implementation of controls on the door panels. The window controls are in a cheap plastic module that sits on the armrest & is attached to the door with a cheap fastener. The one on the passenger side was the first thing to fall off. Oh, and the arm rest could be higher to provide a more useful place to rest one's arm.

One thing that I don't understand... why so many people in the forums and various reviews complain about the spoiler. Maybe my tastes are rooted in the past, but I think it looks good. I was actually perplexed when I saw "remove spoiler" as one of the options for the GT.

Ed Wood
05 Torch Red GT

 

[cray1801]

Just picked up my '05 GT this evening and finally got to hear a Shaker 1000 system. Sounds excellent, but (as others pointed out) a little bassy for most music aside from the hip hop genre. Luckily, the trunk sub can be turned off when desired via the radio controls.

The speakers on the rear deck are the only ones that I could see clearly without disassembling anything, and the part number on the magnet is 'XW7F-18808-BB', specs are 4-ohm/25W and 'made in china'. Really didn't look like anything special. Could anyone with a base sytem and a Shaker 500 please check the numbers on their rear deck speakers? I'm curious to know if Ford is blowing smoke with their 'audiophile speaker' claim.

O.K. the long awaited number for the Shaker 500 rear speakers...XW7F-18808-BB the same as the Shaker 1000? Ford blowing smoke with their "audiophile speakers" statement for the Shaker 1000 description. This implies the amplification to these speakers are the same . Looks like the Shaker 500 for me.

 

[2005TorchRedGT]

O.K. the long awaited number for the Shaker 500 rear speakers...XW7F-18808-BB the same as the Shaker 1000? Ford blowing smoke with their "audiophile speakers" statement for the Shaker 1000 description. This implies the amplification to these speakers are the same . Looks like the Shaker 500 for me.

Thanks for confirming that Yep, a trunk sub and 2 amps aren't worth $1200