- Nov 11, 2006
- 3
Has anyone used the Ford GT as a daily driver? I'm on the fence post ready to pull the trigger. Maybe pass on any problems or possitve experiences.
Thanks
Thanks
About to buy a Ford GT... Daily driver?
- Thread starter kurtgibson
- Start date
Frequent driver, sure. Daily, no.
Once you are in the car, everything is fine, but getting in and out, finding a large parking space for the doors to open, height clearance issues, lack of visibility for city driving, etc. That is more than I care to deal with. As far as reliability, I think it is the most reliable exotic in the world.
Once you are in the car, everything is fine, but getting in and out, finding a large parking space for the doors to open, height clearance issues, lack of visibility for city driving, etc. That is more than I care to deal with. As far as reliability, I think it is the most reliable exotic in the world.
Empty Pockets
ex-GT Owner
Kurt:
This may be stating the obvious, but, whether you could use a GT as a daily driver or not depends on WHERE/HOW you intend to park it ... and how much stuff you need to take along with you daily.( As well as how paranoid you may get leaving a six figure, limited production car alone where the public can get to it at will!)
You'll pretty much need a "chase car" to carry anything beyond a briefcase and a cell phone ... and that assumes you're carrying the cell phone on your belt.
Visibility is just NOT conducive to normal "parking". You pbly WILL - WILL - "kiss" any curb you back up against with your 'diffuser ... or hit the spoiler under the nose going in "nose first" because you just can't see - or accurately judge - where they are. Period! 'Ain't no way. And you'll need 4 feet on the driver's side (at LEAST 3-1/2 ft) if you park "side by side" just to get in & out of the thing. (If anybody pulls in close beside you later, you ain't gettin' in or out of your car.)
And, "parallel parking"? FORGET IT!!!!!!! Don't even THINK about it! Oh! Don't even go there! (Can you say,"scraped wheels"? I knew you could!)
Reliability wise, you'd pbly have nothing to worry about as far as the car itself is concerned. It's a FORD ... not a Lambo, or Ferrari, or some other crankymobile...
'Hope that helps.
('Windy lil' bugger, ain't I. Krymuny ...)
This may be stating the obvious, but, whether you could use a GT as a daily driver or not depends on WHERE/HOW you intend to park it ... and how much stuff you need to take along with you daily.( As well as how paranoid you may get leaving a six figure, limited production car alone where the public can get to it at will!)
You'll pretty much need a "chase car" to carry anything beyond a briefcase and a cell phone ... and that assumes you're carrying the cell phone on your belt.
Visibility is just NOT conducive to normal "parking". You pbly WILL - WILL - "kiss" any curb you back up against with your 'diffuser ... or hit the spoiler under the nose going in "nose first" because you just can't see - or accurately judge - where they are. Period! 'Ain't no way. And you'll need 4 feet on the driver's side (at LEAST 3-1/2 ft) if you park "side by side" just to get in & out of the thing. (If anybody pulls in close beside you later, you ain't gettin' in or out of your car.)
And, "parallel parking"? FORGET IT!!!!!!! Don't even THINK about it! Oh! Don't even go there! (Can you say,"scraped wheels"? I knew you could!)
Reliability wise, you'd pbly have nothing to worry about as far as the car itself is concerned. It's a FORD ... not a Lambo, or Ferrari, or some other crankymobile...
'Hope that helps.
('Windy lil' bugger, ain't I. Krymuny ...)
You can do everything you'd do in a normal car in this car, except for carry anything. If I lived in say L.A or Las Vegas, I'd consider doing so, but the car is absolutely USELESS for carrying anything. I took a helmet and one 260 lb passenger to the track and it was a nightmare :lol
The other thing I'd consider is that you will find parking it a pain in the ass. Personally, I have no problem with the doors, visibility etc as I'm only 5'9 & 160 lbs. The issue for me is more that you'll find crowds around it or people who can't help themselve and have to touch it or lean on it etc. I'd more recommend a car like a 997TT or a Z06 that will go relatively unnoticed in that respect.
The other thing I'd consider is that you will find parking it a pain in the ass. Personally, I have no problem with the doors, visibility etc as I'm only 5'9 & 160 lbs. The issue for me is more that you'll find crowds around it or people who can't help themselve and have to touch it or lean on it etc. I'd more recommend a car like a 997TT or a Z06 that will go relatively unnoticed in that respect.
H
HHGT
Guest
ViperJoe
GT Owner
Empty Pockets
ex-GT Owner
ACR Joe:
Leave it to you to say in three letters what took me a whole page to say!!!!!!!! :eek :lol :lol :lol
Leave it to you to say in three letters what took me a whole page to say!!!!!!!! :eek :lol :lol :lol
- Nov 11, 2006
- 3
This is helpful...
I've owned Porsches for 25 years. Great cars. Saw the Ford GT at the NY auto show. Thought it was one of the best designs of any car that represents speed. If I buy it, I'd worry most about people leaning and denting the body panels. I'm not worried about storage and the door swing.
Does anyone have a rear licence camera? Does it work?
My default plan for the daily driver is the upcomming 07/08 Porsche turbo cab. Blends in better.
Thanks, All this info is helpful
I've owned Porsches for 25 years. Great cars. Saw the Ford GT at the NY auto show. Thought it was one of the best designs of any car that represents speed. If I buy it, I'd worry most about people leaning and denting the body panels. I'm not worried about storage and the door swing.
Does anyone have a rear licence camera? Does it work?
My default plan for the daily driver is the upcomming 07/08 Porsche turbo cab. Blends in better.
Thanks, All this info is helpful
Big Carrot
GT Owner
I would never try to drive mine every day! I think Empty Pockets hit the nail on the head. It's a blast to cruise around on the highway, but city driving and parking sucks! You might want to worry a bit more about the door swing. I assure you, it's not like any other car you've driven. You literally need several feet of door swing to be able to get in and out of the car!
Neilda
GT Owner
I wouldn't use mine as a daily mule - I love it too much. I paid nearly $300k for it in the UK and would have paid more... actually, the price is of no consequence - it's the rarity and the affection I have for it. It would really piss me off to have it damaged.
It will cope with being a daily driver, it's reliable and easy to drive, but as stated above, you can't take it to the supermarket (because of storage, parking and visibility). I would not take mine in and out of London and be cut up by the numerous white van men, postoffice vans, taxis, buses etc.
So you'll need a little run around as well. Something like a Porsche maybe? :biggrin
It will cope with being a daily driver, it's reliable and easy to drive, but as stated above, you can't take it to the supermarket (because of storage, parking and visibility). I would not take mine in and out of London and be cut up by the numerous white van men, postoffice vans, taxis, buses etc.
So you'll need a little run around as well. Something like a Porsche maybe? :biggrin
- Aug 25, 2006
- 4,436
Whether the GT, Lambo, Ferrari, or ??? they all have a cost to operate and maintain associated with them. No I do not drive mine everyday; I jump in the H1 however it is not because it can't be. Mechanically she would do fine and then as for the road rash as the result of moving through one's daily activities I bet that once one got used to her on a daily based it would be no worse than ..... darn I say a Corvette.
My biggest concern would be parking and then being able to get the door open when you return. I agree with another's post that a remote means to open the window would be a cool feature.
Takes care
Shadowman
My biggest concern would be parking and then being able to get the door open when you return. I agree with another's post that a remote means to open the window would be a cool feature.
Takes care
Shadowman
Nfwiw
Now about trailers.....I don't see a thing wrong with a trailer, especially a really cool one like the matching Prowler trailer. Youv'e got the torque and the brakes....look out Super Duty.
NFWIW No***** Way I Wouldn't.... This applies to my use of course and not everyone elses. I have owned hundreds of cars/trucks...regular, exotic, classic whatever...you name it pretty much. I have had "garage queens"...what a ROYAL pain! Unfortunately I don't have the resources of Jay Leno (who I admire) and can't afford someone to take care of my collection and have each ready at my beckon call. I love cars, and cars were meant to be driven. I drive my GT almost every day (I don't think anyone drives the same car every day...think about it). I mean it really isn't functional to haul firewood so I use my pickup for that, although I could buy a trailer (discussed later here). I guess it wouldn't be very good for soccer moms or carpooling either but those aren't an issue for me. Rather than letting it sit with a battery tender on it and a sure fire bet for premium value for my kids to inherit , I drive it and I love every minute. Yes it will get a door ding, yes it will depreciate...who cares..not me. All the thumbs up, the people hanging out windows with a camera and the smile on my face is worth it. So the doors are a bit less than "user friendly"....more of a inconvenience than a "problem". I park it at WalMart, Sam's Club, restaurants..whatever....although I am able to choose a good spot...perhaps a perk for living in Texas and not NYC. Never been "trapped"...not once. Hopefully for my kids sake that aluminum, carbon fiber, and leather will be at an all time high when I pass as I hope I will have used up every drop of the car by then.ACRJoe said:
Now about trailers.....I don't see a thing wrong with a trailer, especially a really cool one like the matching Prowler trailer. Youv'e got the torque and the brakes....look out Super Duty.
FB GT40
GT Owner/B.o.D
Camera
Spent lots of money on a rearview camera. Monitor built into the mirror. Bottom line - it's 15% useful. I will be replacing it with the stock mirror to get back the interior lights I lost.
G.
Spent lots of money on a rearview camera. Monitor built into the mirror. Bottom line - it's 15% useful. I will be replacing it with the stock mirror to get back the interior lights I lost.
G.
FlorIdaho Chris
Yeah, I've got one.
FB GT40 said:
I hate when that happens.
You spend lots of time/money on a mod and then go back to stock. It's happened to me before and certainly will again.
Mamzer
GT Owner
Daily Driver
I have been using my GT as an everyday car for the last month or so. The car is great. I have a smile when I get in and a grin when I get out. However, theres always a however, one can become extremely paranoid about the car. Where am I going to park it? Will someone park next to me and trap the car? Will someone key the car? It gets extremely dirty from everyday use. Of course I have the fastest color.... black..No disrespect. You also up your chances of having rock chips, etc. All in all though it's an expierence well worth the ride.
I have been using my GT as an everyday car for the last month or so. The car is great. I have a smile when I get in and a grin when I get out. However, theres always a however, one can become extremely paranoid about the car. Where am I going to park it? Will someone park next to me and trap the car? Will someone key the car? It gets extremely dirty from everyday use. Of course I have the fastest color.... black..No disrespect. You also up your chances of having rock chips, etc. All in all though it's an expierence well worth the ride.
SYCO GT
GT Owner
1,288 miles so far, dealer changed oil at 807 miles.
Bought it new on 10/8/06. It's a lot of money to put into something if you are not going to enjoy it.
I can't afford not to drive it. And it's too fun to let it sit in the garage.
Gave five passengers rides today at Thanksgiving get together. They all seemed to enjoy and appreciate it. People love to see it on the road too.
Yes, it's a little freaky to leave it sometimes - but such a joy to drive. Nothing like it that I've ever experienced.
As for storage, just did an overnight stay at the Hilton Palm Springs with my wife, after the So Cal Nov 18th Run. There's a helpful "overnight storage" thread with all the tips and extra pockets. For instance, did you know there are small stretchy pockets in front of each seat?
I've driven the GT to work, parallel parked (carefully)...
The doors are the only thing that stands out for me. I think they are a pain for parking...But a cool part of the aesthetic and historical design.
I'd agree though, daily driver - probably not. But 2-4 times a week driver, why not? I actually did use mine as a daily driver for a couple weeks, to make sure I hit break-in miles before the cruise...It was the only way I could find the time, and break it in properly at the same time.
Bought it new on 10/8/06. It's a lot of money to put into something if you are not going to enjoy it.
I can't afford not to drive it. And it's too fun to let it sit in the garage.
Gave five passengers rides today at Thanksgiving get together. They all seemed to enjoy and appreciate it. People love to see it on the road too.
Yes, it's a little freaky to leave it sometimes - but such a joy to drive. Nothing like it that I've ever experienced.
As for storage, just did an overnight stay at the Hilton Palm Springs with my wife, after the So Cal Nov 18th Run. There's a helpful "overnight storage" thread with all the tips and extra pockets. For instance, did you know there are small stretchy pockets in front of each seat?
I've driven the GT to work, parallel parked (carefully)...
The doors are the only thing that stands out for me. I think they are a pain for parking...But a cool part of the aesthetic and historical design.
I'd agree though, daily driver - probably not. But 2-4 times a week driver, why not? I actually did use mine as a daily driver for a couple weeks, to make sure I hit break-in miles before the cruise...It was the only way I could find the time, and break it in properly at the same time.
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SYCO GT
GT Owner
FB GT40 said:
Let us learn from your experience.
Was the picture too small? What was the main problem?
Thanks!