$14.5k should get you into an '05 or '06 GT with some miles on it unless you find a steal. Just become acquainted with the TSB's in the stickies so you know some of the issues with these cars and what to look for when you find one and begin your inspection. Being careful or careless will determine the longevity of your love affair with your "new" car.

 

My parents let me borrow half of what my car costs and they make me pay 1/3 of any money I make to insurance. The rest they cover. Not an awful deal I guess, but I even a year later I am still 5 grand in the hole.

 

Be careful, cops like to profile. Young guy + Mustang = trouble in their eyes. Trust me I know. Good luck with your search and welcome from across the river

 

I wanted a Mustang for my first car when I turned 16 but instead I got my parents 20 year old jeep for a few years. Ever since I decided I wanted a Mustang, I researched them and found out everything I possibly could. I also determined exactly what I wanted and wouldn't settle for anything less. My parents had promised to pay up to 10k if I kept my marks in high school up. I would have to foot the rest of the bill.

Sure enough, about a month before grad I found a 2006 GT with 5500 miles on it with all the exact options that I wanted. It was 22k so when I decided to buy it, my parents paid the 10k they had promised because I kept my marks about 93%. If you work hard and actually pay for the car yourself, you definitely appreciate it more and take care of it more than if someone just gave it to you. My car is my baby, I care about it more than anything and I do everything in my power to keep it perfect.

 

My Mustang is my first car and I don't regret it one bit. I worked my tail off to get this car so I take a lot of pride in it. It's a good feeling. I agree with Nuke on this but if you don't necessarily need a GT, look into the V6's. You can find a V6 with very low mileage with the money you've got and the lower the mileage, the longer it should last which will help while you're going to college. Not too mention your insurance will be much cheaper so I'm sure your father will be happy with that.

 

Wow, this forum is amazing. I've been on other car forums and responses are slow and very low in numbers. Thanks guys, I really appreciate the advice and help.

And I'm sure my dad will be glad to know that the V6 is gonna help with cost. I guess my goal now is going to be to wait till I have the money, and then begin to look. Also, for the checkup with the car, my friend's dad manages an STS and told me you could get me a free check, so that will help!

Thanks again, Jared

 

My first car was my dads jeep. Drove that for a year, than bought my mustang when I was 17. Trust me insurance is the killer. I have to pay about 200 every month for my insurance. So if you don't have to pay for insurance than you are in the clear.

 

Jared, as far as trim goes, it really depends on you... The pony package on the v6 has small fogs, a better suspension, and a heck of a lot better wheels and tires-pictured in MustangFirstCar's sig. I've got the "deluxe" version with interior upgrade package (silver interior plastic trim pieces ) and cloth seats and that's just fine for me. I don't need the fogs because I don't see much horrible weather and don't like the wheels on the pony package and knew I'd be switching 'em out soon. All about personal preference and what your area is like.

Regarding insurance, if you're parents are worried about you going to a university with a freshman no-car policy, he can always list your car as a "recreational vehicle" for the months where the car will be sitting at home. It's a heck of a lot cheaper, you just have to keep the mileage down because that's how the insurance company tells if it's recreational or daily driven.

The main problem (debatable, perhaps) is the water leak. And you'll find plenty on that topic by just searching "water leak" on any page in this forum haha.

However, I'm going on 4 years 27 days from now with 50k on the clock and no major problems yet (knock on wood).

 

If you can find a nice 05-09, go for it. Who cares what some clowns on the internet think?

Honestly, the people that get all pissy because they see a young guy who is getting a car with a little of his money and a lot of his parents', are likely jealous because they did not have the same privileges back in their high school years.

I didn't even have a car throughout my high school years. I took the bus home everyday for four years. Sure, it didn't feel good sitting in a bus full of freshmen and sophomores who couldn't legally drive, but that's life.

I say make yourself happy. But like others have mentioned, you will get profiled like a ****.

 

I'm 16 (17 as of tomorrow), and its my second car. I got mine 3 months after I got my first (I don't like trucks...).

Total respect.