kyleb15

I wouldn't be buying until May of next year if everything falls into place...saving money etc. As I am still in nursing school, ya I'm a dude lol.

I've searched on here and found out that there isn't a whole lot of difference between the 05-08's, I think the major being the spark plug issue? And I honestly really like those years just as well as the 10's.

I'll only have around 12k to play with, so I'd say that puts me in the 07yr 65k mileage range? What do you think? I'm in the midwest.

I'm very mechanically inclined, so what are we looking at doing when these cars get up in the 120k range? Obviously batteries, brakes, alternators, oil, **** like that is no big deal. What about transmission and engines issues though?

I'd plan on having this car till at least 2016.

I have a 93 chevy 1500 right now, been through everything with this damn truck through the years. 230k miles, batteries, starters, alternators, radiators, water pumps, dropped in new engine, exhaust, rebuilt tranny, tires, shocks, axle clamps, you name it, i've done it. Getting to the point where it will last me until I'm out of school but there is no sense in putting any more money into it.

Nuke

If possible, '07 and up would be your best bet since the 05 and 06 are/were vulnerable to the vast majority of the TSB's associated with the S197. You should become familiar with those, BTW. But an 05 or 06 that's been checked out by a mechanic knowledable with the S197 would be fine.

kyleb15

Just not sure I could come up with that kind of money. People are wanting 17k+ for 07, which in my opinion is a little steep.

Thrashard340

Wow. A few months ago, these were in the $15k range. I just checked prices in my area and they are all upwards of $17k. I agree with Nuke though and if you can find a way to get into an '07, that would be ideal. It wouldn't make sense to buy an '05 or '06 if you had to put more money in it for repairs. You might as well keep your truck.

I had an '07. I bought it used with 10k miles and traded it in with 36.8k. The only problem that I had with it in the 2 1/2 years that I had it was that a spring or clip on the pass rear brake caliper worked itself loose and I had to replace the rear brakes prematurely. That's it though.

Derf00

Well a year from now you may be able to get a 2008 with the revised spark plugs/heads for that price. That would be the ideal purchase, almost zero issues on lat 08 and 09 models.

aaquib1992

Wait until this winter if you can, usually mustangs (all RWD cars in general) go down a bit in price during that time. But if you do end up getting an older S197, as nuke said, they have quite a few TSBs and you should get familiar with them.

The water leaks, and problematic alternators are the main ones you need to watch out for, because either of them could render your car inoperable.

808muscle

If your patient you will find a great car for a good price. Bought my 06 GT auto in November 09 with 15k miles for $15,500 off the ford dealers lot. No issues at all. Race the sh#t out of it too.
This car can handle serious high miles. There are a few threads about guys in the 200k range.

Kevs_4.6

If I were in your position I would look for a '07+ GT with as few miles as possible but still within your price range. Probably cant be too picky about which options or color the car comes with or in. You could fix the spark plug issue in the '07 with the 7989 Champion spark plugs (the car will probably need a good tune up anyway).

Reliability wise, I would look for a car that is as bone stock as they come less chance of getting a car that has been abused that way. Otherwise those 4.6 3v's are pretty "Bullitt" proof until you start throwing a bunch of boost at it.

aaquib1992

An 07+ GT for $12,000? Chances are if you find one, it's a salvage title, or has an unbelievable amount of miles on it.

OP would be hard pressed to find a good condition/low mileage v6 from 07+ for that price.

Kevs_4.6

Title status was not a specification, if the title has to be clean and clear...then yeah your looking for a unicorn.