shelby gt500? can you even buy one yet?


I would get the m3 though, in a hardtop.

 

I think i would choose the bmw. With BMW you will get luxury along with performance. The main reason i wouldnt get the mustang is just because they are not my favorite cars, even the shelby or saleen. I mean there nice, but to me its still a mustang (i know performance there better).

 

BMW, just because its BMW.

 

I think it depends on what he's after -- M3 is very refined and smooth. New Mustang in general (haven't tried GT500 yet) although not exactly crude, takes a more raw, visceral approach to performance. Personally, I like the Mustang's personality better -- most BMW's have a sort of sterile flavor IMHO.

That, however, is just my take on these cars. I'm not the one plunking down a bunch of cash for 'em.
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AUTIV
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Those are two totally different cars
One is refined and high class
The other is raw and a little white trash
Do you want the classy, quick, agile, can turn/stop on a dime, performance car?
Or do you want the muscle car, raw sounding, straight line powerful, body rolls like a marshmellow in a turn, performance car?

 

I'd get the M3.

 

M3 all the way. No matter how badass the Mustang may be... the M3 will always be more comfortable, reliable and a better performance machine all around. Not to mention the resale value.

 

Those are two totally different cars
One is refined and high class
The other is raw and a little white trash
Do you want the classy, quick, agile, can turn/stop on a dime, performance car?
Or do you want the muscle car, raw sounding, straight line powerful, body rolls like a marshmellow in a turn, performance car?

Body rolls like a marshmellow heh? That must be why a Mustang FR500C was the 2005 Grand-Am cup champion and pretty much dominated the entire season.

I can't deny how great the M3 is, but the styling is looking dated and I don't trust BMW enough to spit out a new design that I will like. Precious few here if any at all will agree with me, but I would personally rather have the Shelby.

 

M3 all the way. No matter how badass the Mustang may be... the M3 will always be more comfortable, reliable and a better performance machine all around. Not to mention the resale value.

I don't know about the reliable part, sir.

 

I'd go with the M3.

 

I'd also say it depends what he's after.

The M3 (I assume he's going with the outgoing E46, not the yet to be released V8 version on the new 3-series chasis?) is a much nicer all around car, and will impress more people if thats what he's after (I personally could care less what others think). A good friend of mine has one so I've ridden in it several times and driven it once, and it is a phenomenal all around car.

If he's a performance nut, the GT500 is an easy choice. Ball ascending fast off the line and everywhere else. And just like the '03/'04 Cobras, you could probably squeeze out another 70-100 rwhp for under a grand. And keep in mind this is a completely new and advanced chasis, even with the stick axle, so its not riding on an 3-decade old squeeky, rattling Falcon platform. It probably won't feel quite as composed as an M3, but on all but the roughest roads will probably handle near as well.

If it was me, I'd probably go with the Stang. Hell who am I kidding if it was me I'd go with a Vette, but between those two choices I'd take the Stang.

 

HAHAHAHAHA, M3 more reliable than a Mustang...AHAHAHAHAH

 

Body rolls like a marshmellow heh? That must be why a Mustang FR500C was the 2005 Grand-Am cup champion and pretty much dominated the entire season.

:lmfao:

And dominated M3's at that. All with an old skool, white trash, insert adjective here, american truck axle.

All that being said though, it depends on what you're after. The M3 is certainly a sweet car. I just don't think they are really comparable total packages, even if their performance ends up being similar.

 

Why wouldn't an M3 be more reliable than a supercharged mustang... factoring out the costs of possible repairs. The mustang has a standard 3/36 warranty. But then, I naturally assume that German engineering would be slightly better than a supercharged mustang. Apparently BMW is not all it's cracked up to be?

 

I guarantee 03-04 Cobra owners have seen less shop time for repairs than 03-04 M3 owners.

Ford has had that blown V8 (in one form or another) in development since the mid 90's.

 

Body rolls like a marshmellow heh? That must be why a Mustang FR500C was the 2005 Grand-Am cup champion and pretty much dominated the entire season.

I can't deny how great the M3 is, but the styling is looking dated and I don't trust BMW enough to spit out a new design that I will like. Precious few here if any at all will agree with me, but I would personally rather have the Shelby.

Was referring to the cars as bone stock. You can make almost any car handle well with the right amount of money

 

Was referring to the cars as bone stock. You can make almost any car handle well with the right amount of money

Bone stock, a regular Mustang GT ran something like 1.5 sec behind the E46 M3 at whatever track Ford was developing it on. The Cobra should be a lot closer. Regardless of what you think of the axle, this car wasn't made just to go in a straight line.

Also, just something to think about, the Cobra will probably be significantly more $ than a used 03 M3. Especially after the new M3 comes out and the bottom falls out on used E46 prices.

And has he looked at the GTO? As a total package, it's right smack in the middle of those other 2.

 

Price guesses for the GT500 are around $40,000. Probably as much as 50k in finality... 450 hp
M3 coupe starts at about $49,000... 333 hp
The new GTO with options is about $33,000... 400 hp

Hmmmm

 

Bone stock, a regular Mustang GT ran something like 1.5 sec behind the E46 M3 at whatever track Ford was developing it on. The Cobra should be a lot closer. Regardless of what you think of the axle, this car wasn't made just to go in a straight line.

Also, just something to think about, the Cobra will probably be significantly more $ than a used 03 M3. Especially after the new M3 comes out and the bottom falls out on used E46 prices.

And has he looked at the GTO? As a total package, it's right smack in the middle of those other 2.

So you are telling me this cobra will handle as good as an M3?

 

The M3 is generally considered to be one of the best handling cars in the world in it's price range. But as of yet, the GT500 is not in production...

 

So you are telling me this cobra will handle as good as an M3?

It more than likely will not, but the difference will not be as considerable as say, the difference between an M3 and a Chevy Trailblazer.

Anyway, yes - the LS2 GTO comes in with 90% of both cars' best qualities. But I don't recommend that your friend buy one.

 

It more than likely will not, but the difference will not be as considerable as say, the difference between an M3 and a Chevy Trailblazer.

Anyway, yes - the LS2 GTO comes in with 90% of both cars' best qualities. But I don't recommend that your friend buy one.

I agree, there is no way SVtJAYC that a mustang will be close to the handling of an m3. Maybe like Doric said, it won't be as considerable, but it still won't be all that close either.

 

wierd choice of cars...get whatever makes you feel good.

I guarantee 03-04 Cobra owners have seen less shop time for repairs than 03-04 M3 owners.

Ford has had that blown V8 (in one form or another) in development since the mid 90's.

BMW has fixed the initial problem with the engine in the 2001 production run of engines, and those that were sold got recalled and fixed.

And yes 03-04 M3 owners will have more shop time because BMW covers full maintenance for 4years/50,000 miles for: Brake pads, belts, rotors, engine oil, wipers and inspection.

When choosing a car, again just buy whatever car makes you feel good and don't listen to anybody else. good luck :yesway:

 

HAHAHAHAHA, M3 more reliable than a Mustang...AHAHAHAHAH

What kind of crack are you smoking?

 

I agree, there is no way SVtJAYC that a mustang will be close to the handling of an m3. Maybe like Doric said, it won't be as considerable, but it still won't be all that close either.

Depends on your definition of "close". A couple of seconds difference on the race track might mean a lot during a race, but in everyday driving, not really. Why is it so hard to believe an American sports coupe can come close to a German one? The stang rides on a stiffer chassis, and uses a very similar front suspension, weighs about the same, and has almost 50/50 balance. I wouldn't bet on the stock stang in a race, but to call it a marshmallow on the race track is ridiculous. And those M3 drivers that are getting embarrassed by it in the Grand Am cup, would tend to agree.

And the Cobra will be more than 40, especially with BS markups, while i wouldnt be suprised if a used E46 will be able to be had in the low 30's by the time the new one comes out.