Don't Wreck Your GT

[GTFUN]

Ok guys, almost every time I mention that I'm getting a GT I hear
a story about how someone wrecked theirs and I need to be extra careful
when driving it.

I have never driven a car with the motor behind me so I'm pretty sure
the car will act differently if it gets "loose" and I may not know what to expect.

Can you guys give me some tips so that I don't get myself into trouble
with the car? I would really appreciate it..

 

[MK2_GT]

I've driven GTs now for 3 years and have never even remotely had an issue. Just use common sense and it's a very safe car.

 

[Empty Pockets]

Ok guys, almost every time I mention that I'm getting a GT I hear
a story about how someone wrecked theirs and I need to be extra careful
when driving it.

I have never driven a car with the motor behind me so I'm pretty sure
the car will act differently if it gets "loose" and I may not know what to expect.

Can you guys give me some tips so that I don't get myself into trouble
with the car? I would really appreciate it..

COLD TIRES & COLD WEATHER. Be mucho conservative driving on the former especially DURING the latter!!!:willy
As I recall, the factory tires do not grip the road well at all in temps below 60 degrees. The MORE below 60*, the worse the pblm. The compound just isn't suited for either.

Also, resist the temptation/urge to say to yourself in the 1st days of ownership, "Oh what the heeey! Let's put th' ol' right foot thru the radiator & see what she'll do from this stop light to the next one!" (read that - DON'T DO IT). I can e-mail you a pic or two of what the result will be if you try that. You WON'T like it. :wink Put some "conservative" miles behind the wheel gently testing your own comfort/skill zone first!

Always keep in mind the ol' saying: "Just because you're qualified to write the check for a supercar doesn't mean your qualified to DRIVE it", and you'll be fine! :thumbsup:cheers

Good luck on your hunt!

 

[Waxer]

Ditto what he said.

 

[Luke Warmwater]

Also, resist the temptation/urge to say to yourself in the 1st days of ownership, "Oh what the heeey! Let's put th' ol' right foot thru the radiator & see what she'll do from this stop light to the next one!" (read that - DON'T DO IT).

Oops I wasn't suppose to do that I guess ? Oh well lol... It's actually a pretty stable car but then again I'm comparing it to 1400ft lbs of torque in a pickup. Was pretty funny driftng it at will. Def could steer it with the back end. Some day I'll get the GT in a big lot and see how it slides.

 

[skyrex]

Okay, here is a quick and dirty .02 that is just my own opinion. Keep in mind that I know I am fortuante to live in perpetual summer and be able to drive pretty much year round. Unlike some of our brothers in places that have four seasons I never have to fight the inclination to take her out to beat the first snow, or take her out on an "unseasonably" hot day in the high forties in mid winter. I am not sure I remember the high forties. :lol I don't drive her in low temperatures under 50.

That said if you have had experience with other high horsepower cars I don't think you will have a problem. Sometimes I think that people buy a high horsepower car without "working" their way through the ranks by going through other cars like a Vette, NSX, Viper, F-car etc....and surprise themselves by punching it too hard in a corner and end up in a world of hurt. I have never had a problem and she is by far the most stable car at high speed I have ever driven. Enjoy her, its what she was made for!! :thumbsup

So watch the low temps if that is a factor where you live and get to know her a little before you light it off. Oh yeah, watch the gawkers who try to run you off the road :eek , and consider changing the tires. I was shocked at how big a difference it was when I switched from the stock GY's to the Bridgestones. Like night and day. Have a great time and, like we all do, enjoy every second with her. Best of luck. :cheers

 

[Neilda]

The thing to remember with cars of this power is that its ability outstrips your own. In other words, to get to the edge of the performance of the GT is going to require skills that most of us don't have.

The good advice has already been given - just don't be tempted to bury the gas pedal, keep everything smooth and controlled. It's generally only those who say 'let's see what this baby will do' that get into trouble!

 

[jaxgt]

As a novice, I was given 3 very useful bits of advice when I bought my first one:
1. Don't punch the gas pedal to the floor - slowly and evenly give her gas
2. Definitely don't do #1 when you aren't going straight (ie around a curve)
3. Definitely don't do #1 or #2 when the tires are cold

That being said - you'll be fine. Enjoy.

 

[Specracer]

This might help: Other have said this a little differently, when I am coaching I have found that people understand this analogy.

Pretend there is a string that runs from the 6:00 position of the steering wheel to the accelerator pedal. When you have the wheel turned, you can’t wood the go pedal. but as you wind out the wheel to the straight position you can slowly roll into the throttle.

Actually even on GY, assuming you do not abuse physics associated with the coefficient of friction (mat the throttle while turning, or cold etc…) the car is very predictable, and actually slides quite well, and controllable (get a lot of experience, before experimenting, or in a wide open place).

And as other have also said, be honest with your self on your driving abilities.

 

[BlackICE]

Just drive the car like EP did and you will never have any trouble! :lol

 

[Empty Pockets]

Just drive the car like EP did and you will never have any trouble! :lol

And here I was starting to think this just might be the first "driving" thread wherein Pockets' or #1079 wasn't bad mouthed! :lol :tongue

 

[centerpunch]

Bottom line, it is very unusual for a car with this much power to not have traction control. An inexperienced driver who has driven lots of cars with tons of power may have an inflated belief of his (or her) car control skills.

There have been at least several GTs wrecked or even totaled in low speed accidents with under 100 miles on the odometer.

Wreckedexotics.com has more wrecked GT photos than you'd ever want to look at, many are captioned "Driver was doing a burnout but lost control."

 

[PL510*Jeff]

And here I was starting to think this just might be the first "driving" thread wherein Pockets' or #1079 wasn't bad mouthed! :lol :tongue

:bow :shrugrofl

 

[Empty Pockets]

:bow :shrugrofl

Aaaaaaaaaaah SHUDDUP!

 

[tpraceman]

Find a big parking lot and experiment

 

[Fast Freddy]

Ok guys, almost every time I mention that I'm getting a GT I hear
a story about how someone wrecked theirs and I need to be extra careful
when driving it.

I have never driven a car with the motor behind me so I'm pretty sure
the car will act differently if it gets "loose" and I may not know what to expect.

Can you guys give me some tips so that I don't get myself into trouble
with the car? I would really appreciate it..

i take it you have never been to a road racing school. now would be a good time for you to attend. i suggest Bob Bondurants school of high performance driving. i took that 3 day course back in '92. driver training is insurance for yourself and your GT :thumbsup

 

[HHGT]

i take it you have never been to a road racing school. now would be a good time for you to attend. i suggest Bob Bondurants school of high performance driving. i took that 3 day course back in '92. driver training is insurance for yourself and your GT :thumbsup

Agreed 100%. Bob is a great guy to boot.

 

[Luke Warmwater]

An inexperienced driver who has driven lots of cars with tons of power may have an inflated belief of his (or her) car control skills

Isn't that a contradiction? Maybe I'm misunderstanding?

 

[Kayvan]

-Most folks making those comments...dont own GTs; same as Vette downers

-Large % wrecks: rogue valets, dealer staff, exotic rentals, friends, kids, lease-poseurs

-When its your own $150,000-200,000 tied up in a car....you WILL be careful

-Read the new owner FAQs:

>Start in 1st gear (not 3rd) its slightly off-center; couple of 3rd starts and ->new clutch
>practicing driving in a parking lot is not a joke;
>even making left turns with that huge a-pillar takes practice
>backing-up takes practice; as does low-nose approaches of front splitter.
>Drive around local areas you are very familiar with for few weekends
>warm up tires min 15 min b/4 hard driving; dont go out <40 deg.

Do a warm-up cycle of 5-10min. before take-off, warm up tranny fluids and put it on float charger (in trunk) when you come back (you have no idea state of that battery)

Take a Skip Barber, Bondurant class.....others will drool when you mention GT in intros.


People get into trouble when they go out first weeks to show off new GT to friends/family who want to see what it can do.

It can do 212mph; say that and cruise relaxed till you are ready

 

[soroush]

Isn't that a contradiction? Maybe I'm misunderstanding?

I think what he is trying to say is that just because you have driven fast cars in the past does not make you an expert on car control