Choices...
3rd Gear Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 996
From: Merritt Island, FL
This is a typical response you will see here. Not a dig on the poster...he is a good guy.
Since we have both in the family now (the old man just got a GT) I can compare both quite well.
First, I am pushing 40 and pay cash for cars...so money isnt a real concern. Yeah, I drive a girly 6. Do I have a problem doing so? Heck no. I love my car and it will be around for quite some time. I chose the 6 beacuse it made more finacial sense to do so and I love the looks of the Pony Package.
With all the talk about how ridiculously poor performing the 6 is (on the GT side) you would think it is an Escort or Pinto. I did drive a GT when my car was in for the Sirius to be fixed...but it was commuting and didn't feel much different than mine.
So last weekend, the old man talked me into going to the track to break in his new GT right (he is the track junky, not me)...but it was a good time nonetheless. The result?
The girly 6 was within a second on every run except one I blew. 14.6 average to 13.6 average. Over a 1/4? That is all? I did take a few runs in the GT...and granted it pulls harder after the 1/8th...but there just was not that much of a difference. To the 1/8th we were within a length every time. Is the 6er almost as fast? Not a chance...but it is no slouch either.
Lets keep in mind the S197 6 puts up exactly the same numbers as Sn95 GT's. Remember when those were considered fast cars?
OP...your big unknown is the insurance. Most of us here have kids your age...so we are not good barometers as we pay next to nothing for insurance. I think my full coverage is $660 a year on three cars and three motorbikes... so you can see I have no insight into teen prices. However, I do recognize that is a huge concern to young people as I have seen several threads where young folks were paying $200 a month or more in insurance.
The 6 to 8 decision may be very easy once you lay out all the pros and cons...that insurance question has to be answered though. Once you have that piece...rock on.
Since we have both in the family now (the old man just got a GT) I can compare both quite well.
First, I am pushing 40 and pay cash for cars...so money isnt a real concern. Yeah, I drive a girly 6. Do I have a problem doing so? Heck no. I love my car and it will be around for quite some time. I chose the 6 beacuse it made more finacial sense to do so and I love the looks of the Pony Package.
With all the talk about how ridiculously poor performing the 6 is (on the GT side) you would think it is an Escort or Pinto. I did drive a GT when my car was in for the Sirius to be fixed...but it was commuting and didn't feel much different than mine.
So last weekend, the old man talked me into going to the track to break in his new GT right (he is the track junky, not me)...but it was a good time nonetheless. The result?
The girly 6 was within a second on every run except one I blew. 14.6 average to 13.6 average. Over a 1/4? That is all? I did take a few runs in the GT...and granted it pulls harder after the 1/8th...but there just was not that much of a difference. To the 1/8th we were within a length every time. Is the 6er almost as fast? Not a chance...but it is no slouch either.
Lets keep in mind the S197 6 puts up exactly the same numbers as Sn95 GT's. Remember when those were considered fast cars?
OP...your big unknown is the insurance. Most of us here have kids your age...so we are not good barometers as we pay next to nothing for insurance. I think my full coverage is $660 a year on three cars and three motorbikes... so you can see I have no insight into teen prices. However, I do recognize that is a huge concern to young people as I have seen several threads where young folks were paying $200 a month or more in insurance.
The 6 to 8 decision may be very easy once you lay out all the pros and cons...that insurance question has to be answered though. Once you have that piece...rock on.
I would say go test drive a GT and see if the money was worth it to you. Like you said, money is hard to come by at your age so you want to get your moneys worth. If power and speed are what you are going for, the GT would be a much better car to start off with, but if you want a body kit and some appearance mods, there is no real reason to switch to the GT. Also, check with your insurance company and see how much your rates will increase. I'm 23 right now and I pay just over $100/month with a pretty good driving record. (2 speeding tickets when I was 20 with a Jeep Grand Cherokee).
3rd Gear Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 667
From: Irvine / San Diego
IMO insurance will be one of the main issues for you. I'm also 17 and i was looking at getting a GT, but the insurance costs flew way up when i compared a v6 to the GT. If I were you, I would wait until you are 21 or so, when your insurance rates go down for not being an "inexperienced driver" (depending on your record of course as well 
)
but of course it is YOUR choice sodecide what you think would be the best deal in your opinion:
An insane looking sixxer that is fast, but not extremely fast (you can also get F/I eventually if you want)
or
A stock GT that looks good and is faster, but doesnt draw as much attention.
it also depends upon what you are looking for. Do you race at a track? or just drive to school and parties? that is another deciding factor
)but of course it is YOUR choice sodecide what you think would be the best deal in your opinion:
An insane looking sixxer that is fast, but not extremely fast (you can also get F/I eventually if you want)
or
A stock GT that looks good and is faster, but doesnt draw as much attention.
it also depends upon what you are looking for. Do you race at a track? or just drive to school and parties? that is another deciding factor
Thread Starter
5th Gear Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,217
From: NC
Yeah I think I will go test drive the GT, and maybe they'll let my dad drive the Shelby and the Ferrarri (haha that would be sweet). I hope it's still there when I get a chance to go by. I think that will be the deciding factor. I don't go to the track but it would be nice to have that extra power on the road. Not to mention the bragging rights...
Keep the opinions and comments coming.
Keep the opinions and comments coming.
2nd Gear Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 396
From: NY
Here's what you should go on:
Do you want looks or power?
Looks=V6 with body kit
Power=V8/GT
Are you really going to use the extra power from the GT on the streets? Especially since you don't street race or hit the drag strip/track, I am not sure you will. I know my modded V6 as it is now is enough to get me into a lot of trouble on the street and I have only done pretty much performance mods to it because I am a power junkie and the turbo I am planning would only be useful for open desolate highway fun, on ramps, or the drag strip since I don't street race either.
I don't know if you are a power junkie but just to give you an image of how different they are:
GT
mid-high 13sec car stock
Potential for 11's with full bolt-ons (performance/drivetrain/suspension)
Potential for high-mid 11's with intercooled f/i and a couple bolt-ons, and deeper with more
V6
15sec flat to low 15sec car stock
Potential for 13's with full bolt-ons (performance/drivetrain/suspension)
Potential for low 13's/high 12's w/ intercooled f/i and a couple of bolt-ons, deeper with more
Just to give you an idea of how big a difference outcomes of races are, about 1sec difference in a race between cars=10 car length separation
Insurance will play a little role too. I was quoted about $750 more per year for a GT than a V6 of the same year, but I am only 19 so that plays a role too. I have heard people over 22/25 only have a couple hundread dollar difference between the V6 and GT, so if you want the GT work with your parents on the insurance to help you save about half a grand a yr probably.
As stated, don't worry about mpg differences because they aren't that much. And if you really want to close the gap, I'm sure a cai/tune will fix it.
The other main difference between the 2 is the exhaust sound. You can make V8's sound really great and you can make V6's sound decent.
Since you don't care about power, but obviously looks I will give you my honest opinion of what to do. Get the GT, you can do the body kit and other looks a little later on, and a huge part of looks I consider is exhaust sound. No matter how fast I can make a V6, it won't sound as nice as a V8 with just an axleback, and I am not even talking high-flow mid pipes and headers. We haven't even talked cams yet. The sound potential is amazing.
PS- On the auto vs manual trans thing. You say you can drive a stick (I know how to too). A major part in picking out the transmission for my car was where I drive. I drive normal city driving most of the time, but on my route to college 3-4 times a week I hit rush hr traffic for 1/2 hr-45 mins a day. I borrowed my dad's stick car to see what it would feel like driving stick in that traffic for a week, and let me say I wanted to kill myself. Even with my favorite music playing on cd (ozzy osbourne, just to let you know
), I was going through lots of stress of the constant 2 step with the clutch pedal and gas staying in first gear the whole time. I can drive stick too, but choose based on your driving situation and not overall preference. You'll thank me later.
And autos that have a nice stall and shift kit will beat a great stick driver w/a short throw shifter in the same car 9-10/10 times. I've seen it happen, trust me. I've seen it happen to even average stick drivers lose to auto trans cars with the same cars (but this is mostly in 265hp-300hp+ applications.
Do you want looks or power?
Looks=V6 with body kit
Power=V8/GT
Are you really going to use the extra power from the GT on the streets? Especially since you don't street race or hit the drag strip/track, I am not sure you will. I know my modded V6 as it is now is enough to get me into a lot of trouble on the street and I have only done pretty much performance mods to it because I am a power junkie and the turbo I am planning would only be useful for open desolate highway fun, on ramps, or the drag strip since I don't street race either.
I don't know if you are a power junkie but just to give you an image of how different they are:
GT
mid-high 13sec car stock
Potential for 11's with full bolt-ons (performance/drivetrain/suspension)
Potential for high-mid 11's with intercooled f/i and a couple bolt-ons, and deeper with more
V6
15sec flat to low 15sec car stock
Potential for 13's with full bolt-ons (performance/drivetrain/suspension)
Potential for low 13's/high 12's w/ intercooled f/i and a couple of bolt-ons, deeper with more
Just to give you an idea of how big a difference outcomes of races are, about 1sec difference in a race between cars=10 car length separation
Insurance will play a little role too. I was quoted about $750 more per year for a GT than a V6 of the same year, but I am only 19 so that plays a role too. I have heard people over 22/25 only have a couple hundread dollar difference between the V6 and GT, so if you want the GT work with your parents on the insurance to help you save about half a grand a yr probably.
As stated, don't worry about mpg differences because they aren't that much. And if you really want to close the gap, I'm sure a cai/tune will fix it.
The other main difference between the 2 is the exhaust sound. You can make V8's sound really great and you can make V6's sound decent.
Since you don't care about power, but obviously looks I will give you my honest opinion of what to do. Get the GT, you can do the body kit and other looks a little later on, and a huge part of looks I consider is exhaust sound. No matter how fast I can make a V6, it won't sound as nice as a V8 with just an axleback, and I am not even talking high-flow mid pipes and headers. We haven't even talked cams yet. The sound potential is amazing.
PS- On the auto vs manual trans thing. You say you can drive a stick (I know how to too). A major part in picking out the transmission for my car was where I drive. I drive normal city driving most of the time, but on my route to college 3-4 times a week I hit rush hr traffic for 1/2 hr-45 mins a day. I borrowed my dad's stick car to see what it would feel like driving stick in that traffic for a week, and let me say I wanted to kill myself. Even with my favorite music playing on cd (ozzy osbourne, just to let you know
), I was going through lots of stress of the constant 2 step with the clutch pedal and gas staying in first gear the whole time. I can drive stick too, but choose based on your driving situation and not overall preference. You'll thank me later. And autos that have a nice stall and shift kit will beat a great stick driver w/a short throw shifter in the same car 9-10/10 times. I've seen it happen, trust me. I've seen it happen to even average stick drivers lose to auto trans cars with the same cars (but this is mostly in 265hp-300hp+ applications.
2nd Gear Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 197
From: Texas
Personally, I would not tolerate myself changing much about the appearance of a car until it's performance is actually different from a stock car. A good example is with the tune + intake, I allowed myself to pick up some nice wheels, nothing huge or different, just black bullitts, I liked the look and had a good opportunity to buy them and new tires for a VERY cheap price.
That being said, the F/I I plan to add will come first. While I have the money now to do all the body mods I plan on wanting, with some left over for minor performance upgrades. Rather have the fast car, before I make it look fast.
Now THAT being said, I realize you're not someone who will be out on the streets or track racing that much, that being the case I'd assume your car is more for looking nice.
I plan to use the power I'll be buying for the car, both at the track, and down in mexico from time to time. I'll get my enjoyments worth out of spending the money on the power. Will you do the same if you had the GT?
Regardless of what anyone else thinks, it comes down to what you like doing. If you like driving your 6-er, looking however, keeping at the PSL, not trying to start crap with other cars, and don't take it to the track too often, I'd say stick with it, make it look how you like.
But if you think you'd get into the power, or get annoyed at other cars that might be faster, and think to yourself "MAN, I wish I had gotten the GT" gotta live with no regrets man.
Do keep in mind the insurance cost as well, but personally I'd cover your opinions first, the insurance will take care of itself.
That being said, the F/I I plan to add will come first. While I have the money now to do all the body mods I plan on wanting, with some left over for minor performance upgrades. Rather have the fast car, before I make it look fast.
Now THAT being said, I realize you're not someone who will be out on the streets or track racing that much, that being the case I'd assume your car is more for looking nice.
I plan to use the power I'll be buying for the car, both at the track, and down in mexico from time to time. I'll get my enjoyments worth out of spending the money on the power. Will you do the same if you had the GT?
Regardless of what anyone else thinks, it comes down to what you like doing. If you like driving your 6-er, looking however, keeping at the PSL, not trying to start crap with other cars, and don't take it to the track too often, I'd say stick with it, make it look how you like.
But if you think you'd get into the power, or get annoyed at other cars that might be faster, and think to yourself "MAN, I wish I had gotten the GT" gotta live with no regrets man.
Do keep in mind the insurance cost as well, but personally I'd cover your opinions first, the insurance will take care of itself.
Thread Starter
5th Gear Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,217
From: NC
Here is our insurance setup. My dad has a company car that we do not have to personally insure. So, technically we have 3 cars for 4 people (we have 4 but don't have to insure one). So, we don't put me down as a primary driver since I am the youngest. Since my car is the most expensive to ensure, we put down the lowest risk driver for that one and move down the list. So, I'm not listed as the driver so insurance isn't too much worse, hopefully, since we'll have 49 year old woman driver with no tickets or wrecks in her life as the primary driver of it.
So, I don't think insurance will be too big of a deal.
So, I don't think insurance will be too big of a deal.
5th Gear Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,460
From: WV
Hunter....
I know you are trying your best to come up with the right answer....I know how agonizing it can be. I was very concerned whether or not I could afford a "second" vehicle when I bought my GT. I was nervous, being solely responsible for my debts. I was right on the edge....and I can only offer you this advice: Follow your heart. Everything else will work it's self out, I promise.
If you want that GT.......GO FOR IT!!! Be driven, you'll find a way to make your goals and dreams happen.
I know you are trying your best to come up with the right answer....I know how agonizing it can be. I was very concerned whether or not I could afford a "second" vehicle when I bought my GT. I was nervous, being solely responsible for my debts. I was right on the edge....and I can only offer you this advice: Follow your heart. Everything else will work it's self out, I promise.
If you want that GT.......GO FOR IT!!! Be driven, you'll find a way to make your goals and dreams happen.