Ok....so I love the 8....but I do believe I drove my dream car today, the Saleen S281 Extreme Mustang 550 ponies and 480 lb-ft. Have been car shopping for my bro for the past two weeks ((considered new GTO, ZO6, and Mustangs...muscle car guy)) anyways, got behind the wheels of this beast and the damn thing chirped through every damn gear. Here are his specs:

Exterior:
Color: Screaming yellow with black graphic and silver wheels
No upgraded rims, but got the Upgraded tires
Saleen Scenic roof
Ditched the whole racing panels on the back window...we're yucky

Total came in less than I thought it would...but realized he could get another used 8 and a ZO6 for the price .

Did you guys know they offer a paintjob that adds 16K US dollars onto the price.

After trade-in and tax we managed to get the car for $76K out the door.
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As for the test drive itself, the car was brilliant. Even at over 3800 lb's the thing turned like a dream ((for a muscle car)) and the gear box actually felt really crisp and had an even shorter throw than my new Short shifter from axial flow

The damn beast screams too and I managed to pull from 30 to 130 in 5th in seconds.

I admit I know little about american muscle and even less about the stang. But i've driven a base GT and a few Mach 1's and I must say this felt like an entirely different car.

*edit*

Just read the post and made it sound like we picked up the car today...the dealership had a Supercharged Saleen not the Extreme saleen, we test drove that and have his on order

 

I like American Muscle as well, cool car!
Is the Supercharger a Powerdyne or Vortech?
The Vortech is pretty awesome on a Ford V8 (Pro-Charger in a Z-06).

 

Owned a '00 mustang before........Not fun at all....
Made the right choice and got the 8 baby!!!

 

My g/f is trying to dump her '98 Stang GT convertible...man, what a POS.

But anyway, he had 76 large to spend, and he bought that? When (or if) he ever runs the quarter and his trap speed doesn't exceed say, 115, you'll know that Saleen grossly overstated the ponies (as he has done for years) by at least 150.

 

Post some pics when he gets it. Did he test drive the Z06?

 

Yep he tested the ZO6 and probally would have gotten it if they didn't try to jerk him the entire time we were at the dealership. The guy who tried to sell the ZO6 to us knew jack **** about the car and wouldn't even let us try and take the car up at all. Prolly reached 4K rpm and 80 mph in it ><. Will definately post pics, but I must admit in this whole trip I also fell in love with the Porsche 911 S. Sweetest sounding engine i've ever had the pleasure of getting to purr ((allthough it really didn't feel all that much tighter turning than my 8 :rock))

 

Should've gotten a used GT3

 

Having raw HP has it's ups, but in my personal opinions, I find the RX-8 to be a whole lot more fun to drive. I own a 97 mustang Cobra (305HP), and although you can kick the tail out and lay down some rubber easily, I've actaully on the verge of possably selling it.

Funny thing is, when I bought the 8, I had no intention of selling the summer toy...I just found out that my DD is just as much fun, if not more than the Cobra! The problem with RAW power is that unless you race at tracks, it's just bound to get you in a lot of trouble...rather it be in the hospital, or be it in jail

Those are some smooth cars yur talkin of, i won't deny. But a well cared-for and maintained 8 can provide everything (aside from the acceleration) that those are capable of!

Congrats to yur bro tho...hope he likes it. That's a huge chunk of change for anything built on a ford chasis (cept GT).

 

Pleease post pics when that baby arrives!! :P

 

oooohhh a Saleen very damn nice.. I only have one dealer somewhat localy who sells them and yeah a friend test drove one and loved it.. he didnt buy it or intended to just wanted to try it out. Helped he pulled up in a Escalade with Rims haha.. people always assume he's loaded. The Saleen's are a different beast than the normal Gt's so in comparision to them its not fair to do so.

Personaly if I had that kinda money to toss around and was looking for power I'd go for the ZO6, though if for ride I'd look for a Elise but thats just me. Hope your brother enjoys the ride though, I dont see many Saleens around at all in my area and hopefuly it will be the same where you live.