You are also in NC, which doesnt see the weather we do a little further north. My old cobra ate the flows off it in 2 years..competely blew the guts out of one. Pretty common up here. Also, TS is in jersey, which sees worse weather than i do most of the time. Just something I'd consider when purchasing an exhaust...how long it will last.

As far as sound, I agree, very subjective

 

I took my fake flowmasters off (after I bought the car) and just had the stock exhaust w/o mufflers then bought an offroad mid pipe and no cats & no mufflers is stupid loud! So I needed mufflers fast and I wanted the super 44's but the shop didn't carry them, so I just went with 40 series. Just get on youtube and find what you want headers/stock manifold- cats/no cats and different mufflers. Thats what I did. You can usually find flowmasters for like 60-70 bucks a piece and to have them welded is like 20 dollars. If you buy them at the shop your looking at 225-250 installed.

 

* On EBAY

 

yeah. they sound decent on the old 5.0's but still to me, decent is all it sounds. but to each is own!

 

My 2004 GT has ...waiiit for it..... Flowmaster super 50's. Yeah, I know, right? SUV mufflers on a Mustang. They were installed by the previous owner and I actually like 'em. They sound throaty and mellow at idle. Just enough to make people notice and wonder "what's he got?".A little louder than stock at idle. No drone at cruising speed and awesome at WOT. I'm not sure about the rest of the exhaust system, but I think it's all stock except the Flowmaster mufflers and 3 inch tips. I will get her up on the jackstands and find out..maybe tomorrow.

 

Yes, see my sig for exhaust set-up, but I selected 50 series Flowmasters on purpose to get the deep tone without being overly loud and obnoxious. I get tons of compliments from older guys about my exhaust.

 

The newer 11-13 ponies are using Bassaini's, have you heard any on a 90-99 model?

 

You are correct about weather/road conditions having an effect on the longevity of metal components. If that is in fact a concern for the OP, he needs to seek out SS exhaust components.

 

My car has had weld-in 40's for at least 10 years, maybe 11. They sound great, no leaks.

 

And you are probably in a rust free state... Im just telling my opinion. Some may have lasted years and years, just saying what Ive seen during my time