luckycbn

I finally found a decent job in this crap economy so I will be in the market to buy a used stang VERY soon.

I've had my eye on trying to buy a Terminator, but even just searching to see what's available right now just to torture myself by looking at pictures they're all either high mileage or have been modded.

The other two types of stangs I was looking into was either an 03-04 GT, or an 06-07 GT. The 03-04's ranging from 8-11k for a clean low milage and the 06-07's between 11-14k.

My question with this comparison is which of the three would be the cheapest to maintenance the motor to get it healthy enough to mod?

basically i know the 04 body style GT would be cheaper to get initially, but if i have to put too much money into just making sure it can handle mods without blowing up i may as well start with a newer platform like the 06'...

or even just save 18-20k and sit on it until someone is hard up enough to have to sell an unmodded terminator with low miles?

I don't care about the interior, and how much 'prettier' the newer models are, blah. I just want the path of least resistance so I can drive a beast.

luckycbn

and also it's got a lot to do with regaining my pride

i used to own a 2006 black GT with red leather interior until i lost it in a divorce so I'm getting a pony back in one form or another, i just want to do it in a smarter way by owning before i dump money into mods

mrtstang

Well if you want a beast get the 03-04 Cobra.

mineralpony

define "beast". I guess it depends on how much horsepower you want at the end. What type of car are you looking for? Ex: DD, Summer dd, weekend car, etc...

tbirdscwd

Just depends on your overall goals for the car IMO. If handling is a large concern, I'd go with an s197 for sure. If you just want a car that can be modded and drag raced then it's realy hard to beat a 99-04 GT.

s197s also tend to handle a bit more power on the stock motor due to their much better flowing heads, but almost every single mod is more expensive.

If you can wait a couple years, hold off and [ick up a used 2011 5.0L

luckycbn

I think waiting a couple of years to pick up a used 11' 5.0 sounds like my best bet.

and by beast i mean an everyday driver with at least 450ish hp, if i were to go with one of three cars i mentioned originally

the only problem i see with holding out for the 5.0 is the same problem i would have today if i bought an s197 in the next 5 minutes

all the mods are gonna be super high

mrtstang

Well it's all in what you personally want, but if 450 hp is all you want or need, i'd personally consider a 99-04 gt then.

tbirdscwd

Except, you need very few mods for the new 5.0L to rape most anything on the street. Right off the showroom floor they run mid 12s even with an automatic. With a simple exhaust, intake, and tune, they surpass 400rwhp. Slap a nitrous shot and you are in the 10s with the right traction.

mineralpony

termi with intake, tune, exhaust, and pulley= excess of 450 rwhp
99-04 gt supercharged = 350-400rwhp
s197 supercharged = excess of 400rwhp

lol u pick. For both the GT's you can get more power but it won't be safe on the stock internals.

luckycbn

thats whats so attractive about the termi with the forged internals

round about $$number to rebuild the gt motors to be able to safely crank out more power?

im assuming its not worth it when you can get the termis for what they're going for right now

the only problem is WHERE are the unmodded ones? and if i have to buy a modded termi what should I be looking so i don't save up 18-20k for something thats looser than a 2 dollar streetwalker?