bigtom

i want to get a convertible gt, i test drove a stick shift 06 yesterday.
It was amazing!! but after looking at finances its just not gonna be possible.
im gonna have to get an older model. What are the pros + cons of
the 96-98 and 99-04 models?
how do they perform? are the gt engines the same for both models?
thanks for any advice.

alfromcal846

go for a 99-04 model. u have the pi motor which makes it crank about 40 more horses than the 96-98. They are better looking in my opinion and the engines are known for holding their miles real well granted your not on it everyday. How much u looking to spend?

bigtom

I agree they r better looking than 94-98s I would like to spend no more than 15000.
these are my must haves -; V8 motor, manual trans, and a convertible roof... oh and no tan interiors!
just dont like them!

bigtom

i think that at some point i would like a supercharger

what kind of mileage engine could you fit a s/c to
without greater risk of damage
e.g. would 50'000 miles be ok?
100'000 miles?

alfromcal846

i dont have a s/c at least not yet. But i'm assuming between 40-50k miles is perfect because if it was under warranty that would expire at 36 k plus the motor is nice and broken in. 100k miles with a s/c is too much. especially if your gonna wanna get on it youll be having problems way too fast although i have seen bolt on 100k mustangs. 15k to spend is good i got my 03 gt stick hard top for $14,500 plus $1,500 registration it has 17k miles. so look out for an late 01-02 stang convertible with about 40k-50k miles for about that much if not less.

alfromcal846

sorry correctrion it had 17k miles when i bought it now its at 27k. i bought it may 05. And u want an late 01 to 02 gt, because the appearence is improved from the 99-00 such as hood scoop, side scoop, smoked headlights and interior console. Also the trannies are diff the 99-00 to early 01 had the t-45 while the late 01 to 04 have the tr-3650 a improved and stronger tranny. also i believe they changed the intake manifold that had problems in the early "new edge" stangs but im not 100% sure

hwest

I agree the 99 - 04 has a better intake on it and has a 40 to 50 more horsepower than the 94-98. Also if you can go for a late 01 or later because as alfromcal846 said they did upgrade the tranny which will be able to handle more HP gains once you put on a s/c later.

Wildcat13

did you test drive the V6; it's not the same old V6. It handles and drives like the old GT's and is much cheaper (why I went for the V6; I wanted a GT too but couldn't afford it and after test driving the new V6 I fell in love!).

NeoTokyo

I couldnt see spending $20k on a V6, for 5k more you can get the base GT.

Ok, I will dissagree, the 94-98 Look 100% better than the 99-04 models but thats ones opinion.
For performance the 99+ is better unless you get a Cobra. For $8k you can get an average milage 98' Cobra. Only thing with those is that the engine lifespan isnt that long because its an aluminum block, I hear people saying that 75k is about time for a rebuild. Things have changed with the 99+ models though and the cars go a little further.

With 15k you can get yourself a Mach1 with low milaga, under 20k mi. I would suggest that, 04 has 310hp. The transmissions of 99-04 GT's and 03/04 Mach1 are tempermental and have weak factory syncro's, the trans is a TK-3650. If you are looking to finance then you will be very hard pressed to finance a Mach1 for under 20k, dealerships add alot of markup, check ebay out, you might find a dealership that will pre-qualify you on a mach1 they are auctioning off.

A tip about the Mach1: DO NOT GET THE AUTO!!!
A very important difference is the Auto version has a nodular iron crank (Not as strong as steel) and a 6 bolt crank, the manual has a much stronger steel crank and 8 bolts for the flywheel. Another important note is that the manual is an average .4 seconds faster than the Auto as advertised in MotorTrend, 13.1 is not a bad 1/4 for the money. These engines respond so damn well to tuning also that its not hard to get 375-400hp from that engine with just simple bolt ons. There are twin turbo kits out there to make these engines just stupid insane.

So, in your choice, give a Mach1 a home, a nice Azura blue one

mustangman02232

get a 02-04 cause they look better then the S-197s, and have the T-3650 tranny

as for the blower, nanaki gets 23 with 3.73s and a vortech

oh and all 4.6 before 01.5 have a T-45