New GT Owner Blunder

[GTeddy]

You guys will love this. Picked up my new dream car Tuesday (06 GT Red w/ White Stripe). After about 150 miles on the odo (some rain thurs did not venture out) I decided to zip out of a turn in second that was always satisfying in my 911. Yes I know, the GT is no 911 and yes the rears broke loose and she did a 360 despite me attempting to steer out of it. Whacked the curb and went over with two wheels. Could have been alot worse but seemingly only caused a good amount of damage to a front and rear rim (tires holding air and slight damage to the rim saver strip was able to drive her home). The car has the BBS wheel package. Other than my ego there appears to be no other damage. Bought the car from a dealer about an hour away who hadnt sold any cars before this and my local guy sounds just a cluleless so I dont have a great dealer resource. Ive spoken to a local tire guy who does alot of Porsche / Ferrarri work and I'd be comfortable letting him change out the wheels once I get them.

I have had good experiences with some of the wheel repair places but after seeing the small areas to safely jack the car I dont know how I would get the car up on stands and would not want to leave it on hydraulic jacks while the wheels were being fixed. Dealer wanted $1700 per wheel - Ford Racing is around $1,000 and I found an internet vendor ( www.wheelrims.net ) who claims to have them for $485 R $301 F but they are closed today so I cant verify they are the real thing until Monday. Given my track record to date I don't have a problem buying two new rims and having my originals fixed as spares. I live in central NJ.

Any other suggestions for this Bozo du jur are welcome. What an idiot! Thanks for your ideas.

 

[ViperJoe]

Sorry to hear about your unfortunate incident. Wheels are NBD; I'd be concerned about frame and/or suspension damage or at a minimum a four wheel alighment.

I live in PA just over the Scudder's Falls Bridge (I-95). Please post information on who mounts your tires and your level of satisfaction.

Cheer up. You're in one piece, although perhaps a touch broken on the inside!

 

[Red Rocket]

Sorry to hear about your slight accident. Joe is right about needing to inspect for other damage. With my car there was supplied a plastic laminated set of sheets re jacking and transporting instructions, which I keep in the car for emergencies in case anyone with greasy fingers needs the info. If you don't have these then get the GT Manual and make up a set for yourself (might I also suggest all owners do this).

Also, by 'falling on your sword' here it is nice service to others who don't really understand how the power in the GT is "instant on". Drivers need to learn the power response gradually in all cars - it's just that the GT has such gobs of torque that the learning curve is a little more precarious. You really have to sneak up on the throttle until you get the hang of it. Then you'll be able to break the tires loose at will in the first three gears and control it - powerslides are a lot of fun when you have experience. :banana

 

[dbk]

Could have been a lot worse! Pretty good amount of torque and alot of weight in the rear can be tricky.

That dealer is out of his mind with those wheel prices. I think some of the vendors here have the BBS rims for around $900 per wheel if the online guy doesn't pan out. Good luck!

 

[MotorsportNick]

I agree, you need to get the car inspected by someone who can compare measurements with the factory. When you hit a curb it may seem that only the wheels are bent, but in fact you could have damaged the suspension arms, the shocks, sometimes axle damage can occur. Hitting curbs can be major sometimes, you really need to get the car checked out.

 

[dbtgt]

Sorry to hear of your incident - it is something we all have done at some point in our car experiences - both on track and off :eek During the plant tours at the Rally this past August, we got to see first hand the alignment proceedure and follow-up checks the car goes through when it is built. Visiting with one of the guys who did the alignment revealed that proper alignment is crucial to the safety and handling of this car! For your own safety, I highly recommend that you have yours checked out at a really good alignment/frame shop by someone who knows what he is doing.

 

[Spirit]

Teddy,

Sorry to hear of your misadventure with the infamous 2nd gear spin out. Glad you are OK and your only injury was an ego burse.

Don’t feel too bad, many of us have done the same thing [me included].

I have done this in both the GT and in my Panoz Roadster, which is also supercharged. Going in to a corner, downshifting into 2nd and hitting the throttle hard will do it virtually every time in these cars with fulltime superchargers and lots of torque. Luckily in both instances there was no traffic on wide streets so nothing was hit, but it was quite a “rush” of adrenaline.

As for your car, as others have suggested, it would well be worth your while to have your suspension and alignment checked.

As for the wheels, I agree, the price you have been quoted of $1,700 each is way high [those are Ford Dealer retail prices out of the book]. I just purchased an extra set of factory “standard” cast Ford GT wheels for $550 each including the “standard” hub caps. So I would guess $700 to $900 each should be about right.

Good luck and welcome to the world of GT ownership, your going love it.

 

[GTNJ]

GTeddy

Thank for the PM,
Sorry to hear about your accident ! Been there......done that !
Another name for "Bozo du jur" is experienced.

Other more educated owners have given great advice, I offer you to certified dealers........

All American Ford
520 River St Hackensack, NJ 07601
800-789-2492
www.allamericanford.net

Healey Brothers Ford
237 Wickham Ave (route 211 east)
Middletown NY 10940
1-800-526-8942
http://www.healeybrothers.com/contactus/

Horseless Carriage Carriers transports my GT
http://www.horselesscarriage.com/

When your back on all 4, PM me and we'll get together.
Regards

 

[Specracer]

cold tires + BIG hp + no traction control + not much seat time in car = Oh sh**

Glad no one was hurt, and even better car is not trashed. A car dealer did the same thing up here in MA last winter. Bet you will not do that again.....

 

[Neilda]

I agree, you need to get the car inspected by someone who can compare measurements with the factory. When you hit a curb it may seem that only the wheels are bent, but in fact you could have damaged the suspension arms, the shocks, sometimes axle damage can occur. Hitting curbs can be major sometimes, you really need to get the car checked out.

Do get the car checked out, a sling-shot into a curb is a powerful knock to deliver the car - and in vulnerable areas. Nick's advice is spot on.

Sorry to read of your mishap - it happens.

 

[Fubar]

Also, by 'falling on your sword' here it is nice service to others who don't really understand how the power in the GT is "instant on". Drivers need to learn the power response gradually in all cars

Rocket is right, even for people who have time behind the wheel of the GT. I dropped my daughter off at school the other day. When leaving the school grounds you have to make a nasty blind left... so I punched it, and the wheels just spun so I shifted to second thinking I would get a little grip and still be able to move out of that blind spot... no luck, the wheels just keep spinning (I bet the rears where rolling at about 70mph). I'm sure the principal would have suspended me if it was her option. :ack For the record Cold Tires = Showboating

 

[B O N Y]

sorry to hear about your incident, get the car checked out, and take it easy, life is short enough... enjoy the ride. :wink

 

[GTeddy]

Thanks to all

Paid through the nose for two new wheels from Ford (motorsports and everyone else were back ordered at least until Dec.) and the alignment was only out a smidge (in fact the guy said he had seen porsches just off the boat with worse alignment from the factory) so all is now well. Used a place called Euro Tire in Fairfield, NJ 800-631-0080 and they seemed competent for both mounting and alignment. I've seen a bunch of exotics there but have a feeling I was their first GT. The alignment lift they have is perfect for the small lift points on the car - they can drive it on, get under it and then the lift has built in bottle style jacks to cleanly pick up the car in the right spots without touching the belly pans. After I send my bent up cores out to Wheel Collision Center I'll have some back ups if there is ever a next time (hope not) - also happy to lend locally while someone else is waiting for a wheel repair.

Thanks for all the feedback! :thumbsup