Noob from MI

[6gun]

Hey all, about to pull the trigger on a 2011 SHO.  Tux black with Nav.  Love mods.  My other ride below needs a new garage mate with some of the same DNA.  Had a 94 SHO, Red over Gray, auto with the Yamaha motor.  Incredible car it was.  Moving from a BMW 740 back to the SHO.... looking forward to it in the next couple of days.  Excited and giddy.  Anything I should watch for?

 

[DJE624]

Welcome and best of luck with the purchase!  I honestly can't think of a thing to watch out for. Besides the usual pre-owned vehicle stuff.

 

[TSS]

Welcome fellow Michigander.... from East Lansing here.

 

[6gun]

Thanks.... and your white SHO is making me wonder if I might want to look at a white one too.... That ride is gorgeous.  Awesome wheels!!

 

[6gun]

Thanks.... and your white SHO is making me wonder if I might want to look at a white one too.... That ride is gorgeous.  Awesome wheels!!

Thanks TSS.  Any pics of your car? 

 

[DJE624]

Thanks.... and your white SHO is making me wonder if I might want to look at a white one too.... That ride is gorgeous.  Awesome wheels!!

Thanks man!  A lot of the guys here helped me decide on the wheels.  They were probably saying, "Just pick one and leave us alone!" LOL 

 

[BiGMaC]

Welcome Aboard 6Gun!!
Look forward to your exploits in modding!
:WELCOME:
WOW.... speaks a lot for the SHO! Must have impressed you as much as it did me! I made the decision to go SHO after driving the BMW 5 and 7 series among many others (Lexus, Hyundai, Mec, C7, etc.  The SHO was more comfortable for me (i'm gettin' ooolld!) and I could mod it to death or buy two for what a well equipped 7 series would have cost me as sweet as they are.

 

[SHOdded]

Welcome to EBPF!  Buy the SHO already!!!  Pics of the EB rides can be found in the photo galleries, SHO specific ones are here:

http://www.ecoboostperformanceforum.com/index.php?action=gallery;cat=1

and MKS specific ones are here:

http://www.ecoboostperformanceforum.com/index.php?action=gallery;cat=7

 

[6gun]

Welcome Aboard 6Gun!!
Look forward to tour exploits in modding!
:WELCOME:
WOW.... speaks a lot for the SHO! Must have impressed you as much as it did me! I made the decision to go SHO after driving the BMW 5 and 7 series among many others (Lexus, Hyundai, Mec, C7, etc.  The SHO was more comfortable for me (i'm gettin' ooolld!) and I could mod it to death or buy two for what a well equipped 7 series would have cost me as sweet as they are.

Indeed.  I initially was looking at a 745li, but the build quality of the 2011 Raptor SCrew and the overall SHO package (price, looks and performance) sold me.  Ford is doing a lot right.  Another thing was having been a previous SHO owner.  My 94 was an incredible car.  Fast, reliable and comfortable - me likey.  I've had 4 BMW's and 1/2 dozen other trucks/cars since the last SHO and it's time to mix it up.  You are so right about the initial outlay, and add to that the (~$3000/year) cost of maintaining a BMW in primo running condition, it all adds up to time to make a switch. 

 

[crash712us]

Welcome a board neighbor!

 

[6gun]

Thanks for the warm welcome.... Drove a low mile white one w/out nav last night... NICE car, was a little louder than I expected, maybe it had cat backs or something.  I liked it.  Overall outstanding and beautiful.  Love the white color.  Hope to drive a black one tonight with nav.  It's kinda down to the two of them....but the black car is gonna have to be nice to beat last night's intro.  I am familar with the nav system, the Raptor has nav.  I like it, but i think Garmins and the like probably have the Sync beat purely from a nav perspective, but nav clearly adds at least $1000 to the aftermarket price.  In the truck, on a road trip, I am glad I can turn off the display, the screen can actually be distracting....  Now, if only someone only made a nav/dvd player/radar dectector combo unit..... any ideas?

 

[DJE624]

I'm glad that you had a good experience last night and hope tonight will be as good.  Either way you go, I am sure you will be happy.  These are fantastic cars, not very well known to the general public.  That's part of why I love them! 

 

[BiGMaC]

Well said!  6gun...Drive the  next one (or 2 , etc.)… pick one…… Then go for it and never look back.  You'll be pleased.

 

[6gun]

Well said!  6gun...Drive the  next one (or 2 , etc.)… pick one…… Then go for it and never look back.  You'll be pleased.

Hey, BigMac, I read through the writeup on the CQuartz finish coat.  Fabulous info and stunning result!!  I have to try this on the Tux Black Raptor (and the coming SHO).  I am very interested in how it performs after a spirited offroad session at the Silver Lake dunes or one of the local mudpits...if it makes cleanup easier, it would be well worth the investment.  And if it offers any additional protection against the inevitable Arizona pinstripes (caused by branches scraping the paint as I fly down the trails), this would be HUGE.  If oft considered wrapping the truck to protect the factory finish, but that's pretty pricy.  However, it doesn't take long to make the side of the truck look like a crime-scene.  I love the Tux Black on the truck, it really pops after a clay bar and Meguiar's Ultimate treatment, but what you had done looks an order of magnitude better and probably less abusive to the clear coat.  Thoughts?

 

[6gun]

The CQuartz would have to stand up to this....

 

[BiGMaC]

Comments on CQuart finest. The costly part is the paint correction. Of the $950 I spent only $275 was for CQuart, but as long as there's any clear coat the vehicle and plastic will have NO blemishes, at least in Wills' shop.  Then coat it. Then just wash... Don't apply anything ever as it will dull the shine (if you do it can be washed off... Even waxes and sealers won't bond).
It is far beyond any sealer or wax and can only be removed mechanically. They warrant it for 2 years, but users I know who have had it as long as 4 years still rave. As far as being hydrophobic (run off angle is < 10degrees) and besides being chemical resistant (gas and bird bombs won't etch it even after a week on the surface)... Nothing sticks to it plus it is anti static so very little dust will stick. 
The pick you showed is no problem.  Of course, you can scratch any surface, but my car looks just like it did after Wills was through.  The biggest trick is no touch washing... Do tires and wheels gently with dedicated bucket/MF tools and rinse first. Then, including tires and wheels) Rinse with pressure washer-> use foam cannon and let it sit for 3-5 min.-> rinse with pressure befor it can dry-> blow dry with a dedicated electric leaf blower ($30-$40) and then any touch up with a thick MF towel using no pressure.
If it needs touch up let a CQuart certified shop like Wills' wash and apply Renew (can be done every 3-6 months at a fraction of the cost). Pinstripes can happen, but since the coating is up to 100 times the thickness of your CC, your paint will be preserved.
I'd do it again in a heart beat. The paint and plastic still look look like new auto glass and no scratches yet.
Lay your head down and look at your finish toward a light or in the sun... You'll see the scratches and spiders.  The flatter the surface (scratches are irregularities) the deeper and more reflective the finish.
Sorry to sound like a salesman.  OptiCoat is a little harder, but most feel less reflective.  If you have any more specific questions let me know.

 

[BiGMaC]

Oh yea' ... left out my comment regarding the wrapping.  My neighbor does this for a living at his shop next door on show cars to commercial busses and trailers.  An average car or pickup can be wrapped professionally (no bubbles, etc.) for about $700-800.  A, lot of guys, like another neighbor who did his C6, use to see if they like a new color.....  It will protect the paint well, but mars moderately easily and maintenance is commonly reapplication on an entire continuous body panel.