Hey Guys! I figured I would come here for some opinions on my issue at hand. I currently drive a 2010 F150 that I have put 64,000 miles on in the past year. This is slightly more than I usually would put on in a given year. Usually I am around 30,000 miles a year. Anyways, here is my "problem"

I am turning 25 soon and always wanted a 'stang, so I figured why not... before you know it I will be married with a few kids... not exactly the perfect time for a mustang. Here is what I am looking at:

Option 1:
My dealer (one of the salesmen is a personal friend) has a 2008 Grabber Orange GT Premium on the lot. Fully loaded except for the GT/CS package as far as I can tell. 30,000 miles on it, asking price is 18,000.

Option 2:
2012 V6 Premium w/ Performance Pack (manual obviously). Invoice is around 27,000

Option 3:
2012 GT Base manual. Invoice price is around 27,000.

Here is my issue. I will be driving this car year round in Illinois. I'm not too worried about the snow, as my truck Dyno'd at 350hp and it's only 2WD. I never put weight in the bed and I have gotten around fine (even in our blizzard last year) rolling on 22inch rims and "All Season Sport Truck" tires.

Also, a lower monthly price would be wonderful... making option 1 the most attractive in that aspect. HOWEVER... My F150 is loaded except for Navigation and a Sunroof. I absolutely love sync and the leather seats... as well as my adequate "Sony 700 Watt" speaker system.

I start leaning toward the cheaper option 1, but then I start to miss my Sync system... the fact that I am an original owner and not a "hand-me-down" owner. This makes me want the V6 PPack, as you get almost all of the performance of Option 1, plus "30" MPG. THEN I start thinking... hell I'm already spending 27,000. 412hp + being 25 sure does sound fun!

Lol thoughts?

 

I drive everyday for work, not as much as you but still about 15000 a year. I am a little older and have kids.

#1 get what you want now, because later you will need to make decisions based on others needs(wife, kids). I drove a camry for 3 looooooooong years, before getting into my stang. Went V-6 for gas milage.

I would go for the 2008 GT, but only because I prefer buying used and not getting hit with depreciation right away. Also, I prefer the styling of the 05-09 a little more than the new ones. If it is fully loaded, you would have a shaker system that is adequate and leather seats. You would lose sync though. Good luck.

 

just my personal view.

- a pre owned car is a big plus on my book, someone else took the big hit in price depreciation, from here its not so much anymore if any.
- i prefer the 2005-09 body style over the newer one.
- either way i'd stick w the v8.
- you mentioned the 08 gt being fully loaded, so i assume it HAS leather?
- after my perrsonal favorite torch red grabber orange is the second choice in my book.
- frankly i would like an (easy) way to connect my iphone to the shaker 500, there are ways to do so, like an aftermarket stereo, but for me its not worth the effort.

 

go big or go home, go with the 5.0!

 

Time for a couple test drives!

 

Join the Grabber Orange Club man!
Here's my 07. They turn heads.

 

Easily either GTs (not just because they are GTs).

The grabber orange is an amazing color and the 05-09 cars are just plain awesome looking. There is still plenty of power and alot of room for more, especially considering all of the mods and support available for the 1st gen GTs.

The V6 seems like a waste of time to even think about. I usually don't like to knock V6s, but considering that the 08 V8 looks better and is more powerful, and the 12 V8 is more powerful beyond compare + it is the same price, there seems to be no reason to buy a loaded V6.

The 12 GT is the option I would probably pick, simply for the power. 412hp, at your service.

 

The 08 GT price seems really good and the mileage isn't that bad. I paid a lot more for mine but it also had like no miles on it.

 

Thanks for the opinion guys. I think I have ruled out the used 08. My last two trucks were brand new and I don't think I could handle going used after that. Now the real issue at hand is the bare bones base gt vs loaded premium 6. I need quality audio in my ride. I have 4 really nice 6x9 polk audio speakers in my f150 I can reuse. What does the gt use? I really want the 5.0 but could settle for the 6 if I'm going to end up dumping tons of money in the car to get back my creature comforts....

 

Either the '08 GT or the '12 GT. But any of the 3 will cause you to puke when you wreck in the snow. There's a big difference between your present ride and a Stang in crappy weather.