My girlfriend and I finally arrive at the dealership around 5:10 pm and I’m so filled with anticipation that I could explode… but I kept it cool. Or, at least I thought I was keeping it cool, but Liz told me that she could definitely tell that I was dying to see the culmination of my 3.25 month wait; my 2008 Mustang Bullitt. We hop out of the little Chevy Cobalt at Inskeep Ford in Greenfield, IN. It was cloudy and cold, but the roads were dry, which meant a nice trip home in the Bullitt. So, my anticipation grew stronger, but for the life of me I could not see where they put it. It wasn’t near the front of the store underneath the pickup overhang and I could tell it wasn’t in the showroom. Where was it? We ventured inside and the general manager noticed me right away and called my salesguy to the floor.
Mr. Pike came out and I could tell that he was as excited as I was. Just after a quick handshake, he asked, “So, have you seen it yet?” Wondering where the heck it was at, I replied “No, but I’m dying to see it.” He lead me out the back door to their OTHER bay (they have two bays, hence why I couldn’t find it). As soon as I stepped out that door and laid eyes on it for the first time… I was like…. “that’s all it is?”…. HAHA. I’m lying. I was left speechless. There was just something about it. I instantly knew that only God could make me part with this car. It just screamed “Korey.” No bling, no gaudiness, nothing. The clean lines, dark green paint, wheels and satin metals on it just got me. All I could say was “Wow, I don’t even know what to say” (real deep, eh?). Mr. Pike was telling me all about its arrival and just how impressed he was with the car.
I opened the door and sat inside. The interior is fantastic and extremely comfortable. Those GT500 seats really just kind of cradle you and hold you to where you need to be. I then grabbed the shifter and found it to be ICE COLD! But, it shifts like a dream compared to earlier stock shifters. With the slightest push, it goes directly where you want it to go with no slop at all. Ford’s efforts here have paid off. I also instantly noticed how cool the dash looked. The dash appliqué is not bright by any means and looks like it fits in with the satin trim around the gauges, a/c vents, and shifter. Those little touches, including the GT500 pedals really just bring the interior together. But, the number one best thing is the steering wheel from the GT500. It looks high quality and feels soooo good. I think the thickness of it just feels like you’re in control of the vehicle. NOTHING feels cheap in this interior.
Once I gave the car a good once around, we went inside and did the official paperwork. I paid for it and said “Time to test drive it!” Mr. Pike asked if he could come with us just because he had yet to experience the feel of it at full throttle. I told him “Sure!” and we hopped in. With a quick turn of the key, it fired right up! The exhaust… how do I describe the sound of that exhaust… it sounds mean as heck! A quiet rumble at idle, but with a goose of the throttle, it’s loud! We let it warm up a sec and then took off on a quick test drive out in the country. The first thing I noticed was the lack of NVH (noise vibration harshness). There are no rattles, squeaks, etc. This Bullitt feels solid as a rock. The window tinting really adds a lot to the Bullitt. It just kind of makes you feel like you’re in a private and cozy driving space of your own.
After the engine warmed up, it was time to really open it up. We got on a straight away and I dumped the clutch… the rearend squatted down and away it went. You can just feel how smooth and even the torque curve is throughout the whole RPM range. There is not a dull spot in the powerband, unlike in the regular GT. The trip to 5,000 rpms was smooth as silk, but you could feel the slight drop in the 2,200-2,400 rpm area that the designer talked about. But, it was so quick, it didn’t take away from the experience. Oh man, the exhaust sounds so good under full throttle. I couldn’t drop the windows because the tint needed a few days to fully adhere before I could move the windows. But, from inside the car, the engine and exhaust together make this symphony of sounds that is hard to describe. At cruising speeds, the cabin is quiet and the exhaust has a perfect volume and tone to it.
I then came out of the country roads and whipped it onto US40 heading back to the dealer. The suspension is a perfect mix of handling without jarring you around. This mustang absorbs bumps so much better than my old 2007 GT. As I said, you can definitely tell that Ford took more time in eliminating NVH with this car. There is not ONE rattle, squeak, etc. in any driving condition. It feels like you’re driving a car so much more expensive than the Bullitt. Even over mid-corner bumps, the Bullitt stays planted with very minimal body roll. The balance is amazing and as I whipped it onto US40, I never once felt like the car was getting away from me or needed “manhandled.”
I let Mr. Pike out at the dealer with everyone just staring at the car and I took a few minutes to talk to some Bullitt fans and thanked Mr. Pike for the great buying experience. Inskeep Ford was just as anxious to see the car as I was and it showed. I waved bye and followed Liz out of the dealer and as a goodbye present, I goosed the throttle hard and left at WOT.
I was able to further test the car on the highway and in the city as I traveled back to Anderson. The Bullitt does not disappoint at all. You could see a million pictures of it and still be at awe when you really see it in person. Ford really did hit the nail on the head. It is an all-around performer with substantial improvements over the standard GT. This is car with plenty of power on hand that can also handle and stop very well. There seems to be improved stopping power with the new pads, but I still may upgrade the calipers later. Other than that, I honestly do not know one thing I’d change on this car. I was considering modifying it slightly, but it doesn’t need it. The weakpoints on earlier GTs were fixed with the Bullitt and I’d be content holding onto it until the day I die. I finally have a car that leaves me feeling satisfied with my driving experience. I think it’s a car that Dad would be proud to drive. If you’re on the fence about buying a Bullitt, just test drive it. You’ll know what I mean when you come out of a turn hard and slam the throttle…
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*1998 Ford Contour SVT* EH 2.5L Duratec v6
Stock as can be, just trying to reverse the damage the previous owner caused.
Wow that was long but I read every word. Awesome story Wally, I love hearing people being as excited as me the day I picked up my GT. Good luck with the new car!
When can we hear a sound clip of that exhaust?
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-A7X- ~Stang Syndicate Boston~*2006 Torch Red GT*10/10/07 Performance:Borla FRPP Stingers w/ True Dual Midpipes, Magnaflow High Flow Cats, JLT CAI, Bama 93 Race Tune, Ford Racing 4.10 Gears, Nitto 555 Extremes. Visual: Black AVS Tail Light Trim, Honeycomb Tail Light Vinyl, Black Racing stripes, 35% Window Tint, Trunk Blackout Panel, Billet Antenna Delete, Mirror Covers, 17" Konig "Further" Rims, Quarter Window Louvers, 20% Tinted Head Light/Turn Signal, Boss C-Stripes, CS/GT C-Scoops.
Congratulations, Wally. Nice write-up. Sounds like it was worth the wait. Enjoy it (like I have to tell you).
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'05 Sonic Blue GT w/ '07 V8 engine, 5-sp, IUP, Beige leather interior, nothing else -
just the way I wanted it. (1 of 113)
OK, so I've added a few things to it. Check my Profile - too many to list here.
Haha, thanks, guys. I'm trying to find some faults with it, but comparing it to the rest of the s197 line, it's a pretty top-notch car. I'm going to keep taking notes on it and see if I find anything, but it hasn't disappointed me yet...
As I said in the write-up, I don't really think I could mod it, except for the brakes. MRT is doing a "reload" package for the bullitt and a SSBC brake upgrade in the same color gray is going to be offered...
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*1998 Ford Contour SVT* EH 2.5L Duratec v6
Stock as can be, just trying to reverse the damage the previous owner caused.
You left out the part where you stopped on the road in the midst of some Indiana cornfields and left the driver's door open while you walked around the Bullitt admiring its classic lines, when Steve McQueen came out of the field and strode towards the car while extending his hand for you to toss him the keys...
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2008 Shelby GT500 torch red with black stripes + sequentials
2001 Cobra mineral grey with 2003 Mach 1 shaker hood
1996 Cobra color-shifting mystic paint + sequentials
Wally, i read that whole thing.. man, you've got me excited.. i might just have to go testdrive one.. lol.. im sure theyd let me? ive been offered to drive a new Roush 428R.. and Roush Stage3.. my mind was saying yes and my mouth said no.. (fearing if i wrecked it, i couldnt pay for it lol) but damn, after saying no, i wanted to kick my own aZZ.. but if i can testdrive a GT, and other stuff- why not the bullitt right?
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2006 Mustang GT A/T Performance//JLT intake + Tillman 93 Street Race//Flowmasters//FRPP 3.73s//Powerslot Slotted Rotors//Hawk HPS////Pypes LT Headers//O/R X//FRPP Stingers Show//20in DD Black bullitts//Nitto NT555's//CDC Classic//Roush Scoop//Street Scene 1/4 Louvers//GT500 Rear Wing//FRPP Lowering Springs//Maximum Motorsports Caster/Camber plates//8000k Heads/Fogs//Blacked out Sequentials
I missed the part where you say if you like the bullitt or not, Wally.
very nice write up on your car. I got all excited like it was me that ordered and picked up the Bullitt. enjoy and get some pictures and some video of the exhaust!!
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2005 Mustang GT M5 -I reject your reality and substitute my own-
My experience with Bullitt #1911 
(Mods in profile)
