jprog7

Hey guys,

I am in the market for a Mustang. I was considering a 2010, but with the 5.0 coming out, I have a feeling 10s are going to depreciate like a rock. I also don't want to buy a first year with the 5.0 and new Tranny.

That being said. I've found 3 cars that I am considering. All are manuals.

The first is a 2003 GT, Torch Red, 56k miles, shaker hood, Mach Grill delete and chin spoiler, 18" staggered deep dish gray bullits, lowered an inch, KYB adjustable shocks, X Pipe, and Flowmasters. Nice clean car, that I negotiated down to $8500. The car is clean with a few rock chips and a mild nick on the side. The only thing I don't know about is the Shaker set up. It's got a funky black piece of plastic on the hood, I'd want to swap that out for an OEM Mach 1 hood to make it look cleaner.

Next up is a Black 2002 GT, 41K miles, very clean, just a few rock chips. Mach 1 grill delete, flow masters, and a Tri-Ax shifter. $7kish

Option 3 is a Windveil Blue 05 GT, 85K miles, I haven't seen the car. Rotors replaced, all stock, except for a blackout panel. $11,5K.

I'd really like a fun car, something to play around with at an autocross or two, nothing crazy. It will be driven almost daily. Prices seem to be really good...New England in the middle of winter. I'd most likely sell the car in a year or year and a half. I'd put less than 10k miles on the car in that time. Then I'd like to consider a 2011 or 2012 GT after the new drivetrain proves to be good.

So what option do I go with?

mrtstang

Personally, the 02 gt sounds best to me. Low miles, and mostly stock appeals to me.

CopNaStang

It all depends what your looking for. Consumer Reports rated the 2005 poorly, but after the kinks were worked out they jumped back up for 2006. I would rather buy one that is pretty much stock and has a trail of maintenance paperwork. No younger owners either. This is the hood set up your talking about on the 2003
http://www.latemodelrestoration.com/...05115_4763.jpg
You can buy an adapter kit that raises the scoop for the real Mach 1 hood, but if your gonna sell it down the line you may not want to dump $$ in it?
Good luck on whatever you choose

grogan

option 1
well, the shaker hood, grille delete and spoiler all run together for about 1100.00 18" staggered bullets run about 1300.00 with tires shipped. eibach lowering springs (assuming) are about 400. kyb adj. shocks - guessing 85 each? x pipe and fms call it 500

so your getting 3600 in extra parts when purchased new, so paying about 5 for the car.

option 2
no real biggie on this. id have to look at the difference between option 1 and 2.

option 3
not in a million years would i pay 11.5 for an 05 with 85k!!! miles....

looking at getting a 11 or 12 i would go with the 03 have fun playing with that then turn around and sell when the bugs are settled on the 11 or 12.

02stang2113

I would say option 1 but i guess it all comes down to what body style you like more!?

lilcrate

I would do option 1 for a short term toy, maybe even if it was for long term. Option 2 only for long term...

hpwrestler220

option 1 no doubt..drive them all and see which you like the best/which one drives best...

we need pics

smitty2919

+ A MILLION....any sporty car that has mods done to it is more often than not been beaten on. also look who your buying from. i got my 04 GT for 8K with 32k mi and was second owner and was a 35 year old guy who got bored of it. lowered magnaflow catback and a CAI thats it. so yea i scooped that right up lol

if its a clean car well maintained, and all those mods, grab that for a short term fun car. just enjoy it

lilcrate

I don't consider my car "beat" on at all and I would buy my car if someone else owned it and they treated it the same way I do. I would save hella cash, and don't think people who drive stock mustangs don't drive them hard just because they are stock.

Mustang_NTriangle

if you have money to buy a 2010 then go for it or buy and 09. I would wait and opt to buy the 2011. Cars depreciate regardless of year.