Hey everyone, I'm new to the site as well as mustangs. I hope this is the correct place to post this, if not tell me where and I'll put it there. I drove a jeep for 7 years and I am driving a Yukon XL till I can sell my jeep. I am looking at getting a Mustang once the Yukon dies as it is at 203,000 mi. now. I am looking at '07 GTs and '04 Cobras. I guess my biggest issue is that I need it to be a reliable daily driver, but I also want to have a little bit of a toy in it. I am thinking minor modifications like headers, x pipe and exhaust as well as intake and the tune neccessary to make it run propperly with this settup. I know a little about the stock power levels, but what kind of MPG am I looking at? What do you all think is a better path for me to take? I really like the idea of having a supercharger under the hood but if I'm riding at 14 MPG it'll be hard to justify it to my fiance' since the '07 GT get close to 20 MPG from my understanding. It seems like the price of the two is somewhat similar so it really comes down to what is going to be better for minor mods and the most important thing is reliablity and cost efficiency.
Thanks for all the help!

 

If you are looking for a daily driver, I would recommend getting the 07 GT. If you decide to go with an 03' or 04' Terminator Cobra, be sure to get one with low miles.

 

I had to buy a cheap low priced 4 cylinder car to drive to work cause my new supercharged mustang give me a beautiful 14 to 9 mpg...cant really take my feet off it. So id suggest the GT with the exaust setup u want and ull be happy with the sound and the
Logical fuel consumption that it give you.

 

The terminator cobra has an underrated 390hp (more like 410-420), while the 05-09 GT's have only 300hp, a bit underpowered for its size/weight. The cobra would be much more fun but I couldn't find one under $20k in my area during the 4 months I was looking for a car, only could find a 2002 cobra, which have 320hp.

Looks like you'll be forced to get a 05-06 GT, cause the low mile and clean termi cobras will run you more $, they are rare too.

 

I'd just go with the 2007 GT if I were you. For a daily driver, it does provide a little bit more in terms of creature comforts plus still is a fun ride. Being newer, it should also be more reliable overall in terms of the issues you could run into.

 

I've been looking into the 03' - 04' termi's and the lowest I've seen is in the 19K range, however the miles are bit high. The standard ones with low miles are in the low to high 20's. I would consider getting, but would keep in the garage as a weekend/car show. =-)

 

what do you all think about a Mach 1? I'm just trying to find the best option and I really have no set direction at this point. I really lilke the styling of all of these cars, the biggest thing is being able to drive it everyday and have it be reliable for the long haul.

Thanks again for the help in my aimless shoots in the dark!

 

If you're looking for a reliable daily driver, go with the stock GT. The more exotic variants you mentioned have limited production engines and other parts, which will equate to more expensive repairs down the line. Also, they'll have potentially more repairs overall because the exotics have not had the benefit of mass production like a stock GT.

The S197 GT's are really reliable, especially for a performance car. I've had my 2010 GT for about a year with no problems whatsoever.

There's plenty of power in a stock GT. Coming from your Jeep and Yukon, you will be grinning ear to ear each time you get in the car.

Whichever way you go, don't get one that has been modded - unless you really know the history of the car and those who did the mods. Mods can cause all kinds of reliability gremlins. I don't think you want gremlins driving with you in a daily driver.

 

Id do the 07+ GT if I were you! I was thinking of a Boss when I bought my 2011 and and glad I didnt! The GT gives me all the love I need!!!! Plenty fast and fun!!!