Ford Mustangs

[ensign_lee]

Hey y'all:

I'm seriously looking into getting a Ford Mustang, fifth generation (2005 onwards). Anybody have any experience with these?

Or anyone know a good place to go to ask for experience with these?

I'm looking to get answers regarding how often maintenance is needed, little quirks of the car that only owners would realize, etc.

In case you care, right now, I'm looking at a V6 Convertible.

Thanks guys!

-ensign_lee

[Fnord]

Have you driven a Fnord latley?

[ensign_lee]

Have you driven a Fnord latley?

Ford = yes
Fnord = no

[Frink]

pfft... mustangs.

Wait six more months and get a new Challenger.




Yeah, I'm biased against Ford. Sue me.

[Galapogos]

Man up and get the V8.

[flomo]

Man up and get the V8.

i agree
if you are going to get a silly car get a really silly car

[ensign_lee]

I thought about it, but I didn't think it was worth $7,000 for something I'm really not going to get to use. Plus, I can go 100 without even thinking about it (the car is RIDICULOUSLY SMOOTH at high speeds), which seems like it would be -utility for me.

[Sprayed]

Check out the GT 500. Cheapest car on the market offering 500 hp+.

[swiggidy]

go go go

[Warpe]

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/pen...plants/MC00056

[boost]

Check out the GTO. Cheapest car on the market offering 400 hp+.

much better value, much cooler car.

when it comes to american, chevy > mopar > ford


and yah, ffs, do not buy an american "muscle car" with a v6 in it. This rule should be followed in almost all applications. The one that comes to mind that is the except is the Grand National.

Oh and if you think a mustang, a convertible mustang at that, drives like its on rails at 100mph, you need more experience behind the wheel of actual performance cars.

[thizzSantaCruz]

My room mate has had 2 mustangs, from what I hear from him there not that great of quality of cars. Yea they can go decently fast but its just not that great of a car. I think you can find something a lot better in your price range.

[martindcx1e]

they look purdy but they aren't stellar in any other category. and yes, if you want a muscle car get the challenger (wets self)!

[lolzzz_321]

Just reading the thread title, I knew OP would get trashed.

What other cars have you test driven? If this is your 'dream car' though, then go for it.

[ensign_lee]

My room mate has had 2 mustangs, from what I hear from him there not that great of quality of cars. Yea they can go decently fast but its just not that great of a car. I think you can find something a lot better in your price range.

Thus far, this has been the only helpful post, and it's really not even that detailed.

More like these plz.

And I don't have $60,000+ to go and get a "performance" car, not to mention do I need a car that goes easily to 100+mph and cruises well at that speed? I think that would provide me even more -utility (negative utility). So the reason I'm going for Ford is it's value for dollars spent, and it's aesthetics.

Now, looking around the internet, it seems that people either A) love their mustangs or B) hate their mustangs because they fall apart. I want to know if the people in group B are "normal" or if they're just a vocal minotiry.

Thanks for the help, guys.

[ChrisBCritter]

I had a 2000 mustang which I heavily modified up to over 500 hp. It was a lot of fun, and I learned a lot (i.e. spent a LOT of money) about mustangs.

Here's a few sites for Mustang related fun! I'm sure you'll get a lot more information about the new mustangs there than you will here... I used to know a lot more, but that was a couple years ago.

http://www.corral.net/
http://www.stangnet.com/
http://www.fordvschevy.com/
http://www.blueovalnews.com/

Sorry, but I can't give you any specifics myself over 2005+ mustangs except that they look nice.

I will say that having a V8 is a LOT more fun than the V6. But if you're just getting it for a "look at me" car and not a "I wanna have fun stoplight to stoplight" car, then go for the V6... Now, put a TURBO on the V8, and you have stupid fun... man was that stupid...

[martindcx1e]

i owned a 96 v6 and a 99 gt (both around the 60k - 90k miles mark). both vibrated a BUNCH and neither seemed to ever be aligned right even after getting an alignment. a friend of mine had a 98 v6 and he experienced the same thing. i currently own a 00 honda civic and the maintenance on it has been like non-existent compared to the stangs. nothing huge ever went wrong with them (while i had them) though. i still love stangs but the foreign cars are so much better quality currently.

[seoul_child1]

i take it this is a summer specific vehicle (v6 convertible)? i don't have any experience with mustangs. but the vast majority of owners who i do know, bought them to highly modify them. their daily driving vehicles are imports?!? go figure...

[ChrisBCritter]

i owned a 96 v6 and a 99 gt. both vibrated a BUNCH and neither seemed to ever be aligned right even after getting an alignment. a friend of mine had a 98 v6 and he experienced the same thing. i currently own a 00 honda civic and the maintenance on it has been like non-existent compared to the stangs. nothing huge ever went wrong with them (while i had them) though. i still love stangs but the foreign cars are so much better quality currently.

Hmmm, I don't remember hearing of this as a consistent problem with mustangs. Unlucky personal experience? I personally never had any vibration problems (alignment related) with mine at speeds up to and including 180 MPH (Germany is fun...)

Besides, the 2005+ mustangs are based on an entirely new platform, so this wouldn't apply anyways!

[martindcx1e]

Besides, the 2005+ mustangs are based on an entirely new platform, so this wouldn't apply anyways!

yep that's true. has anyone seen how the 05+ models score in consumer reports mag? the previous were never very high or low, and i'm wondering if things have improved or not.

[Galapogos]

I don't think you should get a V8 just because that's the cool thing to do (though I put it that way) you need to get it because it is so much better. Sure you don't need that power but it's a great thing in a vehicle. I had a Firebird back in the day that was juiced up nicely and I've never enjoyed driving any vehicle as much as that one since then.

I'm not sure of the price difference between the two, but if it's reasonable and you can afford you really should get it.

Also, anyone I've known that's had the newer mustangs haven't complained about them. fyi

[Jack Sawyer]

toyota , honda >> ford

in reliability terms

[Cocco_Bill]

I raced against a V8 Mustang on the highway with my BMW. The big V8 was unable to keep up at high speeds against a naturally aspirated 3,2 6 cyl

[Miffed22001]

I prefer 3 wheels baby!

[boost]

My room mate has had 2 mustangs, from what I hear from him there not that great of quality of cars. Yea they can go decently fast but its just not that great of a car. I think you can find something a lot better in your price range.

Thus far, this has been the only helpful post, and it's really not even that detailed.

More like these plz.

And I don't have $60,000+ to go and get a "performance" car, not to mention do I need a car that goes easily to 100+mph and cruises well at that speed? I think that would provide me even more -utility (negative utility). So the reason I'm going for Ford is it's value for dollars spent, and it's aesthetics.

Now, looking around the internet, it seems that people either A) love their mustangs or B) hate their mustangs because they fall apart. I want to know if the people in group B are "normal" or if they're just a vocal minotiry.

Thanks for the help, guys.

wow, youre not even making sense. If you really want one, go get one. There are plenty of performance cars that are well within your price range. There are also plenty of good looking cars that dont pretend to be a muscle car in your price range. Honestly if you want a inexpensive convertible Id give you way more respect if you chose a miata, a solstice, a z3, a 350z, ect, instead of a v6 mustang. And what is all this about easily going 100mph? This has been the case for 90%+ of production cars since the early 90's. But Id rather be in a lot of things rather than a ford going 100mph.


Im not even sure why Im posting in this thread, I am too much of a purest I guess. I mean you prob are gonna buy an auto.. a v6 auto convertible... heh its cool though to each his own.

[boost]

I raced against a V8 Mustang on the highway with my BMW. The big V8 was unable to keep up at high speeds against a naturally aspirated 3,2 6 cyl

dude... dont you drive an m3?

[boost]

I don't think you should get a V8 just because that's the cool thing to do (though I put it that way) you need to get it because it is so much better. Sure you don't need that power but it's a great thing in a vehicle. I had a Firebird back in the day that was juiced up nicely and I've never enjoyed driving any vehicle as much as that one since then.

I'm not sure of the price difference between the two, but if it's reasonable and you can afford you really should get it.

Also, anyone I've known that's had the newer mustangs haven't complained about them. fyi

yah its not that you need the top speed capability, its that the power makes driving so much easier/more enjoyable. Merging onto the highway in a porche gt. On the other hand its a nerve wracking affair in a base model kia compact. Its all about accelerating fast, thats the fun part, and it has practical applicaitons.

[bigspenda73]

did you take the Chicago job?

[ensign_lee]

I had a 2000 mustang which I heavily modified up to over 500 hp. It was a lot of fun, and I learned a lot (i.e. spent a LOT of money) about mustangs.

Here's a few sites for Mustang related fun! I'm sure you'll get a lot more information about the new mustangs there than you will here... I used to know a lot more, but that was a couple years ago.

http://www.corral.net/
http://www.stangnet.com/
http://www.fordvschevy.com/
http://www.blueovalnews.com/

Sorry, but I can't give you any specifics myself over 2005+ mustangs except that they look nice.

I will say that having a V8 is a LOT more fun than the V6. But if you're just getting it for a "look at me" car and not a "I wanna have fun stoplight to stoplight" car, then go for the V6... Now, put a TURBO on the V8, and you have stupid fun... man was that stupid...

Thanks a bunch, Chris. I really appreciate the help.

i owned a 96 v6 and a 99 gt (both around the 60k - 90k miles mark). both vibrated a BUNCH and neither seemed to ever be aligned right even after getting an alignment. a friend of mine had a 98 v6 and he experienced the same thing. i currently own a 00 honda civic and the maintenance on it has been like non-existent compared to the stangs. nothing huge ever went wrong with them (while i had them) though. i still love stangs but the foreign cars are so much better quality currently.

Appreciate the feedback.

Besides, the 2005+ mustangs are based on an entirely new platform, so this wouldn't apply anyways!

yep that's true. has anyone seen how the 05+ models score in consumer reports mag? the previous were never very high or low, and i'm wondering if things have improved or not.

In Consumer Reports, they were talking about how the quality of Fords overall has gone up a lot, and that the mustang was great value as far as the V8 was concerned.

I don't think you should get a V8 just because that's the cool thing to do (though I put it that way) you need to get it because it is so much better. Sure you don't need that power but it's a great thing in a vehicle. I had a Firebird back in the day that was juiced up nicely and I've never enjoyed driving any vehicle as much as that one since then.

I'm not sure of the price difference between the two, but if it's reasonable and you can afford you really should get it.

Also, anyone I've known that's had the newer mustangs haven't complained about them. fyi

Hmm...guess I'll have to go and drive each one of them again to see if the extra power is worth the $7,000.

Your post makes a lot of sense. It's probably not about hitting ridonkulous speeds on teh freeway. It's about the acceleration from point to point.

did you take the Chicago job?

Still deciding.

[jyms]

If your buying a Ford, GET A FORD

[ensign_lee]

If your buying a Ford, GET A FORD


*amazing car pic here*

Hard to do on a budget of $25,000 max that you're willing to spend.

[lolzzz_321]

buy trikflows vette imo

[ensign_lee]

Car Enthusiasts:

Your input would be most appreciated. I think I found an awesome car at an awesome price, but well, I don't really know for sure since I don't spend my every waking moment thinking about it. People who know more about cars would probably know more; plus, I'm basing the value on the price difference between the 2007 model and the 2008 model instead of the invoice price (which I know I should probably be doing anyway). I also have no idea how much a car should depreciate in a year given that it sat on a dealer's lot the entire year.

So here's what we've got:
2007 Ford Mustang GT Premium (V8) Convertible - Red, with a black vinyl top

Optional Equipment (which is all that would really distinguish this car from the base models anyway):
235/50/Zr18 Tires
Interior Upgrade Package
Active Anti-Theft System
Wheel Locking Bolts
Fron Seat Side Airbags
Sirius Satellite Radio (I get a free 6 months with it. After that, I doubt I'll use it, but still nice to have for a little while)
Convertible Boot Cover (I don't think I really need this, but meh)
18" Premium Aluminum Wheels (I think these are the best wheels Ford offers)

And just cool features that are standard (in case you don't know the base GT Mustangs off the top of your head):
power Mirrors, Windows, Seats
Shaker 500 Audio System (A ridiculously good audio system)
Anti-Lock Brakes (weeeeh)

So what I'm looking at is $31,763 INCLUDING TT&L, which means that the car is selling for about $30,000 or so. To compare, a 2008 Ford Mustang with most of these fixings would MSRP for about $35,415 BEFORE TT&L.

It has a whopping 711 miles on it. To be honest, that doesn't bother me at all. So um yeah...ensign_lee do goot in finding good car value? Or does he suck?

Thanks for your input guys!

[animal_chin]

I guess its a good deal if this is what your looking at. BTW it makes a difference if your buying form a dealer or from a person, I choose dealer in my estimate.

[XTR1000]

buy german car-art. seriously. our cars are designed for interstates without speedlimit<taions
....I´m drunk......AUDI A5 just kills any US musvle car...mustangs are a stykle playcebo

[boost]

Ive made it clear that Im not a mustang fan, but if you want a convertible mustang, then yah this appears to be a pretty good deal. Have you talked to them at all? Did they come down on the price? If thats just what its listed at then you need to get them to drop it more obviously.

Oh and the only major difference between the base and the gt .. you got it all wrong... the only major difference is the v8 ldo.


Make sure to post pics when you get it home.

[ensign_lee]

Ive made it clear that Im not a mustang fan, but if you want a convertible mustang, then yah this appears to be a pretty good deal. Have you talked to them at all? Did they come down on the price? If thats just what its listed at then you need to get them to drop it more obviously.

Oh and the only major difference between the base and the gt .. you got it all wrong... the only major difference is the v8 ldo.


Make sure to post pics when you get it home.

The Base GT

[JL]

buy german car-art. seriously. our cars are designed for interstates without speedlimit<taions
....I´m drunk......AUDI A5 just kills any US musvle car...mustangs are a stykle playcebo

VW/Audi are over-priced garbage that blow up after 200,000 KMs.