Ok, so it's been a little over 2 weeks since I signed the papers and took this sexy beast back to my place. I saw that ON D BIT suggested a comparison between my previous car, the 2011 Grand Sport Corvette, and the new Shelby. Now, I'll clearly not drone on and on about the comparison because in some ways it's not a true apples to apples examination. However, I will try to hit some of the major highlights as well as things that have struck me since making the switch. I'll list the general specs of each ride so you can have an idea of where I'm coming from (sorry I can't post pictures of the two just for comparison....)
2011 Grand Sport Corvette with the 2LT package (includes power seats, bluetooth, stereo upgrades, etc)
Black on black with a 6 speed manual trans
Options include:
- 19" chrome grand sport wheels
- Rear spoiler
- Sport tuned exhaust (the factory option one)
- Transparent roof package
2013 Mustang Shelby GT500
Sterling gray with black stripes
Options include:
- SVT Performance Pack
- SVT Track Pack
- Electronics package
- Shaker pro audio upgrade
- Glass roof
Ok, I'll try to organize this so it's not quite a stream of consciousness or anything. I'll compare the two cars in terms of raw performance, comfort/luxury/convenience, and attention. Clearly there are other ways to compare, but this is what just came to mind when I started writing this.
Raw Performance
Clearly the performance factors will be tipping towards the mustang....it just has to with the raw numbers it puts out from that massive engine. The mustang truly is as close to scary fast as it gets without dropping $100k+. The corvette never ever let me down with acceleration or anything but the mustang is just that much more powerful. In some ways, it is like comparing a reel lawn mower and a john deer riding tractor. Sure they both cut grass and will meet your needs but the tractor is going to certainly stand head and shoulders above. So far it has been pretty difficult to be within posted speed limits. I have done it but it has been hard. How could it not be as with each exhaust and engine note, you become more and more intoxicated with trying to get to the next gear. That being said, the factory recommendations of varying engine speed to assist in the break in period has been easy to do because I'm constantly noticing that I'm going just a little too fast so I need to slow down...only to lose myself in the symphony under the hood moments later and be going too fast again. The corvette has a close ratio shifter on it but when I got in the mustang for the first time, I was really surprised at how much closer they could really be (which I'm sure some of you have opted for an after market short throw shifter still and it's even closer). I really loved how the corvette had you positioned in the drivers seat and how comfortable it was to shift and consequently drive between shifting (more to come on that in the next section) but the mustang has become almost just as comfortable.
In terms of a straight line, few things are going to beat the mustang and there has been innumerable articles which state and prove this. When handling around corners, it's a little harder to discern a favorite for me. The corvette is much lighter and has that really nice wide base to it so moving in sharp turns is easily accomplished. The mustang is still being broken in by me so it's being babied for sure. That being said, I can't really say how it will corner at the same speeds as I did with the vette but from what I can see so far, it's closer than I'd have expected. The car is very responsive to steering and will always let you drive it how you want without having technology interfere too much.
Comfort/Luxury/Convenience
I'm 29 so I won't complain too much about getting in and out of a car just yet...but...there were plenty of times at the end of a long day where I just didn't want to get up out of a car that was 4 inches off the ground. I really really wanted the recaro seats but it was just not in the cards for this car. The corvette seats were comfortable for about 20 minutes and then I found myself just needing to adjust. It's not like they weren't comfortable seats but the standard mustang seats are noticeably nicer in that respect. I preferred the corvette's driving position as it felt a little more sleek while at times I kinda feel like I'm sitting on top of the mustang rather than in it. The corvette's interior is 10% geared towards the driver while the mustang I feel is a little more inviting for the passenger. It's not a huge deal or difference but I think it's there. I notice this with the electronics package where I feel comfortable using it while driving and someone sitting next to me has equal access to it.
It's a stupid thing but I really loved that key fob and push button start. I wasn't not going to get the mustang because there is a key but it was really awesome to just leave keys in my pocket at all times. I also loved that the door handles on the vette were shaved so that body lines were completely smooth. Again, just a silly thing. That can also be a bad thing. For example, I wasn't in love with the GT-R's door handles even though they are a clean look when not being used. But that's neither here nor there. The electronics features are really nice and the nav is really nice. Although, as a complaint, I don't like that I can't edit or do certain things while the car is moving. I get the safety feature of it but there's no shut off switch if the car detects someone in the other seats. But, overall, it's a great display and I'm glad it's on there.
The mustang is by far easier to see out of. The vette has more blind spots than I cared to count. There are still blind spots on the mustang just like any car but they are much easier to check out. I will say that I loved loved loved the removable top on the corvette (especially because I had the one you could see through when it was on). I felt like it gave me the best of all worlds when comparing a coupe to a roadster. It was super easy to take on/off and it always made the Friday drive after work that much more relaxing. I do really love the glass roof and after having a 2011 Mustang GT when that first came out, I wouldn't get the car without the glass roof for sure. It would be amazing if you could retract it or something like a sunroof but if you were to add some feature like that, I suspect you would greatly lose the amount of glass you currently have and thus it basically just becomes a sunroof rather than something closer to a panoramic glass roof. The back seats are nice to have although I can't say that I've asked anyone to sit back there as of yet... The trunk space in the vette was reasonable although if you took the roof off, you lost nearly all functional trunk space. I like the space in the mustang so far (even though I've only put an umbrella and ice scraper in there so far) although I almost wish the car didn't have the upgraded shaker audio system because you lose a good chunk of space.
Attention
The corvette is really one of those iconic sports cars out there and no matter where I went or what I was doing, I always had someone checking it out or asking me about it. I honestly didn't buy the car because of that but it was something I had to deal with (I didn't mind it per se...I just wasn't looking for the attention). I've only had the mustang out a very few short times in public so far and every single time I've had at least 10 people walk up and ask what car it was. It's been interesting because for people who don't know cars too much, they seem to recognize that it's just not a standard mustang (perhaps it's the over abundance of snakes all over the car...as my sister likes to critique...). For people who know cars, they immediately recognize that it is a really rare car and ask me one of three questions right away: How fast is that beast? What's the fastest you've driven it? Holy sh*t that car sounds like it will do 150 mph...what did it cost you, $40k? I would say that the questions and attention were always there with the corvette but based on my limited sample size, the mustang is a straight up and down attention getter.
On a side note for the attention, I just put 35% Llumar tints on the car and it looks amazing for sure. I've only had it out in public once since the tints and everyone at work came and found me to say that the car looks even more amazing than before.
It wasn't a great comparison but I did want to write it up. Overall, I still have a little buyer's remorse and guilt for the indulgence but the car is awesome and I'm happy with it. I do miss the vette and wish I could have kept both but clearly that would be well over $100k in cars sitting in my driveway...and thus impossible. I suspect that few people are in the position I was last month trying to decide if they should trade in the corvette for a new mustang but if you are, I would say take a flyer on it and you'll be really happy with it. I know I am.
2011 Grand Sport Corvette with the 2LT package (includes power seats, bluetooth, stereo upgrades, etc)
Black on black with a 6 speed manual trans
Options include:
- 19" chrome grand sport wheels
- Rear spoiler
- Sport tuned exhaust (the factory option one)
- Transparent roof package
2013 Mustang Shelby GT500
Sterling gray with black stripes
Options include:
- SVT Performance Pack
- SVT Track Pack
- Electronics package
- Shaker pro audio upgrade
- Glass roof
Ok, I'll try to organize this so it's not quite a stream of consciousness or anything. I'll compare the two cars in terms of raw performance, comfort/luxury/convenience, and attention. Clearly there are other ways to compare, but this is what just came to mind when I started writing this.
Raw Performance
Clearly the performance factors will be tipping towards the mustang....it just has to with the raw numbers it puts out from that massive engine. The mustang truly is as close to scary fast as it gets without dropping $100k+. The corvette never ever let me down with acceleration or anything but the mustang is just that much more powerful. In some ways, it is like comparing a reel lawn mower and a john deer riding tractor. Sure they both cut grass and will meet your needs but the tractor is going to certainly stand head and shoulders above. So far it has been pretty difficult to be within posted speed limits. I have done it but it has been hard. How could it not be as with each exhaust and engine note, you become more and more intoxicated with trying to get to the next gear. That being said, the factory recommendations of varying engine speed to assist in the break in period has been easy to do because I'm constantly noticing that I'm going just a little too fast so I need to slow down...only to lose myself in the symphony under the hood moments later and be going too fast again. The corvette has a close ratio shifter on it but when I got in the mustang for the first time, I was really surprised at how much closer they could really be (which I'm sure some of you have opted for an after market short throw shifter still and it's even closer). I really loved how the corvette had you positioned in the drivers seat and how comfortable it was to shift and consequently drive between shifting (more to come on that in the next section) but the mustang has become almost just as comfortable.
In terms of a straight line, few things are going to beat the mustang and there has been innumerable articles which state and prove this. When handling around corners, it's a little harder to discern a favorite for me. The corvette is much lighter and has that really nice wide base to it so moving in sharp turns is easily accomplished. The mustang is still being broken in by me so it's being babied for sure. That being said, I can't really say how it will corner at the same speeds as I did with the vette but from what I can see so far, it's closer than I'd have expected. The car is very responsive to steering and will always let you drive it how you want without having technology interfere too much.
Comfort/Luxury/Convenience
I'm 29 so I won't complain too much about getting in and out of a car just yet...but...there were plenty of times at the end of a long day where I just didn't want to get up out of a car that was 4 inches off the ground. I really really wanted the recaro seats but it was just not in the cards for this car. The corvette seats were comfortable for about 20 minutes and then I found myself just needing to adjust. It's not like they weren't comfortable seats but the standard mustang seats are noticeably nicer in that respect. I preferred the corvette's driving position as it felt a little more sleek while at times I kinda feel like I'm sitting on top of the mustang rather than in it. The corvette's interior is 10% geared towards the driver while the mustang I feel is a little more inviting for the passenger. It's not a huge deal or difference but I think it's there. I notice this with the electronics package where I feel comfortable using it while driving and someone sitting next to me has equal access to it.
It's a stupid thing but I really loved that key fob and push button start. I wasn't not going to get the mustang because there is a key but it was really awesome to just leave keys in my pocket at all times. I also loved that the door handles on the vette were shaved so that body lines were completely smooth. Again, just a silly thing. That can also be a bad thing. For example, I wasn't in love with the GT-R's door handles even though they are a clean look when not being used. But that's neither here nor there. The electronics features are really nice and the nav is really nice. Although, as a complaint, I don't like that I can't edit or do certain things while the car is moving. I get the safety feature of it but there's no shut off switch if the car detects someone in the other seats. But, overall, it's a great display and I'm glad it's on there.
The mustang is by far easier to see out of. The vette has more blind spots than I cared to count. There are still blind spots on the mustang just like any car but they are much easier to check out. I will say that I loved loved loved the removable top on the corvette (especially because I had the one you could see through when it was on). I felt like it gave me the best of all worlds when comparing a coupe to a roadster. It was super easy to take on/off and it always made the Friday drive after work that much more relaxing. I do really love the glass roof and after having a 2011 Mustang GT when that first came out, I wouldn't get the car without the glass roof for sure. It would be amazing if you could retract it or something like a sunroof but if you were to add some feature like that, I suspect you would greatly lose the amount of glass you currently have and thus it basically just becomes a sunroof rather than something closer to a panoramic glass roof. The back seats are nice to have although I can't say that I've asked anyone to sit back there as of yet... The trunk space in the vette was reasonable although if you took the roof off, you lost nearly all functional trunk space. I like the space in the mustang so far (even though I've only put an umbrella and ice scraper in there so far) although I almost wish the car didn't have the upgraded shaker audio system because you lose a good chunk of space.
Attention
The corvette is really one of those iconic sports cars out there and no matter where I went or what I was doing, I always had someone checking it out or asking me about it. I honestly didn't buy the car because of that but it was something I had to deal with (I didn't mind it per se...I just wasn't looking for the attention). I've only had the mustang out a very few short times in public so far and every single time I've had at least 10 people walk up and ask what car it was. It's been interesting because for people who don't know cars too much, they seem to recognize that it's just not a standard mustang (perhaps it's the over abundance of snakes all over the car...as my sister likes to critique...). For people who know cars, they immediately recognize that it is a really rare car and ask me one of three questions right away: How fast is that beast? What's the fastest you've driven it? Holy sh*t that car sounds like it will do 150 mph...what did it cost you, $40k? I would say that the questions and attention were always there with the corvette but based on my limited sample size, the mustang is a straight up and down attention getter.
On a side note for the attention, I just put 35% Llumar tints on the car and it looks amazing for sure. I've only had it out in public once since the tints and everyone at work came and found me to say that the car looks even more amazing than before.
It wasn't a great comparison but I did want to write it up. Overall, I still have a little buyer's remorse and guilt for the indulgence but the car is awesome and I'm happy with it. I do miss the vette and wish I could have kept both but clearly that would be well over $100k in cars sitting in my driveway...and thus impossible. I suspect that few people are in the position I was last month trying to decide if they should trade in the corvette for a new mustang but if you are, I would say take a flyer on it and you'll be really happy with it. I know I am.
oke: in '17 or thereabouts when the next Monster is birthed, I'm pretty sure similar pricing will be obtainable. i'll probably be back then to see if I can get another thread pulled by the mystery censor for the same reason. 
