$35k.... for a GT?
06-26-2015, 08:04 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 7
$35k.... for a GT?
So I'm looking at getting into another mustang and checking the prices on the new GT premiums you can expect to pay $35K? Is there a thread on a forum somewhere that shows OTD price paid and region of purchase? I'm looking to pay all in cash.
I think back to 1999 when I was just 20 years old and bought a 99 GT brand new for 21.5K out the door. I was a college student living at home paying $400 a month for the car, and $200 a month for insurance as I worked 40 hour a week and took 20 credit hrs a semester. You are only young once, right?
So fast forward to 2015...where the minimum wage is $7.25
The minimum wage in 1999 was $5.15
Now granted, I was making much more than minimum wage in 99 when I decided to get the car and it was easily affordable as a college student. Salary increase really hasn't changed that much in the last 15 years and at a price tag of $35K, I don't see many 20 year old college students being able to afford a new mustang.
Thank god prices were as low as they were back when I was in college. So why the big climb in price? Cost of materials? Inflation? Safety regulations?
I think back to 1999 when I was just 20 years old and bought a 99 GT brand new for 21.5K out the door. I was a college student living at home paying $400 a month for the car, and $200 a month for insurance as I worked 40 hour a week and took 20 credit hrs a semester. You are only young once, right?
So fast forward to 2015...where the minimum wage is $7.25
The minimum wage in 1999 was $5.15
Now granted, I was making much more than minimum wage in 99 when I decided to get the car and it was easily affordable as a college student. Salary increase really hasn't changed that much in the last 15 years and at a price tag of $35K, I don't see many 20 year old college students being able to afford a new mustang.
Thank god prices were as low as they were back when I was in college. So why the big climb in price? Cost of materials? Inflation? Safety regulations?
06-29-2015, 10:28 AM
#3
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: MI
Posts: 37
Minimum wage is a political number that has little to do with anything real, especially average household earnings. It could be $15/hour tomorrow by law but that wouldn't change what a new car is worth.
Dollars per HP its a bargain right?
I think the increase is due to a lot of things and true for many vehicles. Increased safety standards and consumer expectations, increased fuel economy and emissions regulations and expectations, increased consumer expectations for interior materials quality, an ongoing HP war with competing vehicles.
Its small stuff but a 1999 didn't have Bluetooth, satellite radio, side airbags, variable assist steering, IRS, or stability control (I was away from Mustangs for 25 years so I may not be 100% on all of that)....and it sure didn't have 400+ HP and decent brakes.
Where cars are positioned in the market evolves. 40 years ago a Corvette was just a slight jump up from a Z28 or Trans Am for a young buck, now its in a whole different segment and basically bought by guys in hats. Maybe a new Mustang isn't really any longer what a guy just out of school should expect to be buying.
Dollars per HP its a bargain right?
I think the increase is due to a lot of things and true for many vehicles. Increased safety standards and consumer expectations, increased fuel economy and emissions regulations and expectations, increased consumer expectations for interior materials quality, an ongoing HP war with competing vehicles.
Its small stuff but a 1999 didn't have Bluetooth, satellite radio, side airbags, variable assist steering, IRS, or stability control (I was away from Mustangs for 25 years so I may not be 100% on all of that)....and it sure didn't have 400+ HP and decent brakes.
Where cars are positioned in the market evolves. 40 years ago a Corvette was just a slight jump up from a Z28 or Trans Am for a young buck, now its in a whole different segment and basically bought by guys in hats. Maybe a new Mustang isn't really any longer what a guy just out of school should expect to be buying.
Last edited by 1985GTto2013GTCSV; 06-29-2015 at 10:33 AM.
06-29-2015, 02:55 PM
#4
3rd Gear Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 699
Welcome and good luck on finding a GT in your price range. With inflation, wages, unemployment is all higher than what is being admitted to it's hard to find a really nice car for under 35K I remember when you could get a 3/4 ton Ford truck for 15K out the door now try and get one for under 50-60K
06-30-2015, 06:06 PM
#5
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Georgia
Posts: 6
$35k.... for a GT?
If you're looking for a 2015 model. You can find one as low as 28k for an GT base. Maybe even lower since they're making 2016 models now. I believe prices naturally goes up due to better design, technology, and power. I'm 23 now and the reason why I purchased the new mustang was because my insurance was screwing me over. I was paying 465 for an 08 v6 mustang where as I'm paying 400 for an 2015 GT. Well max, you have to research/drive the mustang so you can get an better idea. GT base 28k GT base with performance package 31k GT premium aka leather seats 33-34k GT premium pp 37-39k. These were the numbers when I got my mustang... It sure gave me a big headache.
06-30-2015, 06:56 PM
#6
All the above. I just bought a 15 premium automatic. Paid 36 for the car and couldn't be happier! I own a 1995 GT and can tell you they've come a very long way in 20 years. No body would blink an eye if you compared a Mustang to an M3 today. Just the cost of multiple airbags will drive the cost up. Also it has voice activated controls. The only time I would talk to the 95 was to say please start.
Last edited by bluebeastsrt; 06-30-2015 at 07:00 PM.