In the Autoblog Garage: 2008 Saleen S302 Extreme
by Drew Phillips on Jan 11th 2008 at 11:57AM 
Click above for high-res images of the 2008 Saleen S302 Extreme
My first experience with the Saleen S302E Mustang was an absolute blast. I was handed the keys and told to let loose on abandoned airstrip. Mash the throttle from a standing start and the 620 horsepower underhood would quickly turn the rear tires into a cloud of smoke. Use the throttle carefully and the rear tires would maintain traction, catapulting the car forward at an incredible rate. Brake to the absolute threshold, take a corner at high speeds, and then kick the tail sideways while exiting the turn - I was able to experience the full potential of the S302E, unrestricted by traffic and speed limits, with plenty of forgiving pavement in case of a spin.
Read on after the jump to hear about living with the S302E as a daily driver and check out our fab pics in the gallery below. Believe it or not, we took them ourselves.
All photos Copyright ©2008 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.
A few weeks later it was a whole different story. No, the car hadn't changed. It was still just as powerful and just as fast. The only problem was that I was now driving on public roads. Within the first few feet of driving the car I ran into my first challenge: exiting the parking lot. The carbon fiber front spoiler that looks so great on the car is also extremely low, and I take it slow with a sideways angle to clear the dip in the road. A few stoplights later and I realize the clutch that was so great for fast launches is not as great at slow, smooth starts. A few minutes later and I'm on the freeway. Remember those massive rear tires responsible for putting 620 horsepower to the ground? They're pretty darn loud at 70 mph. At least the exhaust is relatively quiet, due to the gearing from the 6-speed transmission.
So what am I supposed to do with this thing? If I mash the throttle, I'll be exceeding the speed limit by a fair amount in about two seconds. How am I supposed to put the 15-inch brakes to use? Experiencing the handling limits of the car would put me at twice the speed limit around corners. It seems that all of the great qualities of the car that I loved on the track have turned out to be much less useful for driving on the street. The S302E's capabilities are so far above anything that can be used on the public roads that you only get to experience a very small portion of the car. It is a strangely unrewarding experience, knowing the full power that can be unleashed underneath your right foot and not being able to do anything about it. On the contrary, my previous experience with a Saleen, the Parnelli Jones Edition, was one of the most fulfilling driving experiences I have ever had. The silky-smooth, 400-bhp V8 and well balanced suspension made it a true pleasure to drive, and it has been unmatched by any other Mustang I've ever driven on the street.
That said, there is no doubt that the S302E is an incredible machine. It's one of the most brutal cars I've ever driven, and it is sure to give plenty of thrills to anyone who puts down just under $80,000 to buy one.
What does that 80k get you? One heck of a motor, to start. Saleen has taken the 24-valve V8 to the... well ...extreme. A forged rotating assembly punches displacement out to 5.0-liters like in the Parnelli Jones Mustang, but Saleen takes it a step further and bolts on its Series VI twin-screw supercharger with integrated water-to-air intercooler to force the maximum amount of air into the engine. Saleen then adds ported aluminum cylinder heads, a more aggressive camshaft, duel fuel pump, 39 lb/hr fuel injectors, and a high-flow cold-air induction system. Handling all that power is a beefy 6-speed transmission and high performance clutch.
The rest of the S302E is standard Saleen Mustang with the exception of a few upgrades. A carbon fiber front splitter and rear diffuser spice up the exterior along with lighter 5-spoke wheels. The differential comes with limited slip and 3.73:1 gears, and the front brakes are a massive 15-inches compared to the standard 14-inchers.
So is the S302E worth it? As far as bank-for-buck goes, it's right up there with other sub-$100k sports cars. Compared to a Corvette Z06, it's slightly more expensive but has 115 more horsepower (a new Z06 is $72,125). It's about $5k cheaper than a Viper ($84,895) and has 15 more horsepower. The S302 also has rear seats and a pretty decent sized trunk. Yes, it's still a Mustang underneath, but probably the most capable one ever built. It's not something you'd want to drive consistently on the street, but it would be a fantastic car to use as a weekend racer for the local road course or drag strip.
All photos Copyright ©2008 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
GT500 5:08PM (1/30/2008)
80K is too expensive for what your getting. I have a friend that has one of these. He wishes he did what I did.
Get a Shelby GT500 for 45K base with all options. Spend 10-15K max gets you the ultimate suspension package, stage4 (Super Snake) Supercharger Package, wheels, tires, etc.. & Have 748RWHP 756RWTQ (Dynoed) = 880HP - 15% Std loss of power to the rear wheels = 748 RWHP. This is the best bang for the buck. Of course you can send the GT500 to Carrol Shelby & pay 18K for the Super Snake option & only have 605HP or pay 28K for the GT500KR upgrade & get 540HP but if buy the parts your self & are pretty handy (Ex. Super Charger Upgrade is direct bolt on) you can save alot of $$$$
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Greg 9:05AM (2/01/2008)
Beauty at it finest! 302.........there is a GOD!!!!!!
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8189720 3:16AM (2/05/2008)
LOL
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8189720 3:22AM (2/05/2008)
Dammit, that reply was to a previous comment...
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bosaleh74 2:24PM (5/01/2009)
what is the top speed???
the ZR1 tops 205mph with 638hp
the S302 Extreme should get 199mph
its have 620hp but its Heavier than the ZR1
What is the top speed > before i spend 80k$+
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Xris 11:59AM (4/30/2008)
I have to edmit the Saleen S302 is better than the Corvette and Viper. It's more powerful, looks fiercer and has more features than the other 2 cars.
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03 Snake 11:08PM (9/21/2008)
About your comment about i wouldnt drive this thing in the snow or water.. just think about this for a moment... would you honestly drive a Z06 in the rain? or Snow? or for that matter a Lambo or viper? Negative. Also. Power that you "cant harness on the street" Do you think you can honestly unleash the zo6 or the viper on the street? Not without a Class B Felony riding on your record. Its a fun car to drive, people will pay.
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TriShield 12:01PM (1/11/2008)
Saleen easily makes the most impressive Mustangs. They really sweat the details and their work is of the highest quality. Although I like the Extreme the Parnelli Jones edition they created is my absolute favorite.
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oZone 9:48AM (1/14/2008)
Trishield, you are. :bowdown:
Mr. Oak 12:06PM (1/11/2008)
Okay, this is really starting to bother me. You guys got any job openings?
On Mustangs:
1. Saleen
2. Roush
10. Everybody Else.
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Quattrofan 12:15PM (1/11/2008)
Ahw shucks...nevermind.
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Hamud 12:18PM (1/11/2008)
What a beast.
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Hamud 12:18PM (1/11/2008)
What a beast.
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Hamud 12:19PM (1/11/2008)
What a beast.
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Hamud 12:19PM (1/11/2008)
Ahhhh, fack... Had server poblems, sorry.
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John R 12:21PM (1/11/2008)
I haven't started read this yet, but I just wanted to let you guys know I hate every one of you.
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Mr. Oak 12:27PM (1/11/2008)
John: My sentiments exactly. In my next life, I will either be an automotive journalist or a porn-star.
mk 12:25PM (1/11/2008)
Aside from the fact that it is a mustang, with it's weight issue, and live axle issue...
But 80k for a car that is too fast to really use on the street, and "It's not something you'd want to drive consistently on the street, but it would be a fantastic car to use as a weekend racer for the local road course or drag strip."
I guess that tells me all I need to know. Rich hobby object, nothing more.
and spending $80k (plus all the tires, and accoutrements to go 'racing' if that is what this car is for...) is not a value. it is a luxury, and an expensive one. Corvette Z06 and Viper are the exact same way. Expensive hobby, not performance value.
A car would have to be one hell of a machine to be a VALUE at $80k, and it better well be perfectly suited to being easily and well used every single day.
My 300hp AWD sport sedan for less than $30k is a good, but not spectacular value. (>20k for that would be a spectacular value) because it is wholly useable on any road at any time, in any weather, with passengers along, and can do it day after day. It isn't anywhere near as powerful and fast as this saleen, but eminently more of a value.
I could buy many MANY more toys for the price difference between my daily driver, and that saleen. Like a motorcycle, which would be faster and better handling than even that Mustang. And that would be a value, too.
An $80k depreciating toy, especially one that is hard to play with under normal circumstances, is not a value. It is merely less expensive than a Porsche 997 Turbo or a Ferrari 430.
I have no problem with those expensive toys, or those who can afford them. Fine, great, have fun!
But media somehow portraying this as any sort of a bargain, is wholly inaccurate.
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#1CHAMP 12:12AM (1/12/2008)
This car has soul! as does every real muscle car. Have you ever driven A real muscle car? It's a blast! Have fun in your 300 or so horsepower AWD (touring mobile) which you probably can't even get sideways because of all the electronic aids you need to keep from crashing into a pole. Go Ford Motor Company! Your customers love you, and to all the broke haters-HAVE A NICE DAY:-)
David(Postal) 12:25PM (1/11/2008)
Scary fast I would love to hear a sound sample
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