Poll: Thinking about getting a 'Stang GT! (Poll)

[HaVoC]

First vote in the poll if you don't want to read the following long post.

This is a long post but bear with me. I want to explain my thinking process...

As some of you remember a few days ago I posted a thread wondering about what car I should get. Ever the practical guy (My dad was born in a poor village in India with 5 sisters and 3 brothers...he instilled a "bit" of practicality in me) I've been looking at the sporty import sedans and even looking at the 30K Euro offerings as well as Lexus.

Since my dad has Lexus which I drove a lot, I've been spoiled with the awesome levels of refinement and lack of NVH (noise, vib., harshness).

I don't want to spend $30K on a new car since I have to think about a new apt., college loans, etc. So one would think I should tilt towards Rising Sun "imports" for their great refinement and quality. I've researched the Camries, Accords and Maximas and decided they ARE NOT the car for me! Talk about MAKE ME VOMIT cookie-cutter styling. How did these Japanese cars get so BORING!?? Nowadays American styling seems to be cutting edge. I've also been looking at the Subie WRX which is very unique in it's own right. However, finding one to test drive will be a chore and I think the high boost turbo 4 is going to be harsh and buzzy.

Ever since I drove a Ford F-150 in H.S. I've always enjoyed the torque and smoothness of a big American V-8. (How many Indian guys YOU know drive a truck? ) Anyway, got rid of the truck when I went to college (way to big in a college town) and we got a '92 Saturn. Yuck...at least it was pretty reliable.

Went to a Ford dealership and saw a 'Stang GT. Red...also saw a Black Cobra which was just awe-inspiring in person! I know it totally goes against my practical grains but what an Id-satifying beast! I'm going to test drive one. My friend Chris has a V6 stang and he absolutely loves it. (2000, black) He says so far it has been very reliable. My experience with the Ford truck was actually pretty good as well. I know it won't match a Camry or Accord in terms of quality/reliability, but for the value you can't really beat it.

The GT now has 260 horses which will seem monstrous to me (compared to the rental cars I drive when working on the road now and the wheezy Saturn) yeah yeah...I know..HP/liter is not good, inefficient, gas-guzzling, etc. But it seems to me that nothing can beat a V8 in terms of torque and driving enjoyment. (love to be able to just step on the gas without shifting to pass at freeway speeds) I do admit though a factor is being able to transport friends comfortably on long trips. But I can give this up if everything else is good enough.

So...what do you guys think? Am I risking too much practicality and quality in the name of American Iron? Again, sorry about the long post but I want some good opinions. Thanks in advance.

 

[konichiwa]

<< 'Stang >>

ROFLMAO!

 

[gittyup]

I seem to go thru phases from wanting a nice quiet sport Sedan to the thrill of a nice loud V8 muscle car. I am currently in the latter. The depreciation and resale of the V8 muscle car is not the best. I would look for a GT that is a year old and don't take that huge depreciation hit by buying a new one once driven off the lot....

 

[Soybomb]

I still have anyone actually prove to me that imports are &quot;more refined and reliable&quot; than their comparable size/priced american counterparts (yes indeed your benz might be better than a neon). Anyway I'd recommend you drive the turbo 4, I drive one (although mine is an older dodge) but it isnt harsh and buzzy at all. A camaro is a better performer than the mustang though currently. Better seats, handling, and power. Only get the mustang if you just want a mustang.

edit: that means I cant complete your poll hehe

 

[HaVoC]

Geez! I haven't even finished EDITING and you guys reply already! That's a good sign though.

What's so funny Konichiwa?



<< I would look for a GT that is a year old and don't take that huge depreciation hit by buying a new one once driven off the lot.... >>

That's a good point I haven't considered. I know Jap cars will rule when it comes to resale. But I'm willing to keep this thing for about 3-4 years. But will I tire of the 'Stang? One year old Mustang GTs are aplenty, I guess, but methinks it will be difficult to find one that hasn't been abused (looking for manual GT) since the nature of the car almost begs for clutch abuse!

 

[HaVoC]

<< A camaro is a better performer than the mustang though currently. Better seats, handling, and power. Only get the mustang if you just want a mustang. >>

I agree, but the F-bodies are going to be phased out and the already bad depreciation will be really bad on these. Also, I like 'Stang styling more.

 

[Angrymarshmello]

HaVoC - go for it! I'd get one but insurance for me would be way to much.

 

[thedarkwolf]

The 4.6l is a pretty good engine and last time I looked most of ford's more reliable cars were their rwd v8 machines. We have a t-bird with a 4.6l with 235k miles on it and sofar we have only had 2 problems with the engine. The egr valve kept sticking and needing cleaned till we finally had to replace it and it cracked the intake manifold but that was a design flaw and fix by ford for free and since this is a 96 t-bird I dought its used on a newer mustang. You might be lucky and kind find a left over 2k model mustang and get a pretty good deal on it.

 

[Angrymarshmello]

Just did the poll...

What model year Cobra is that? If it's the newer body style, (99) you have to be careful about some of the fuel line problems (among others) associated with the Cobra. They might have been fixed in recalls but I'm not exactly sure. They have awesome handling (IRS baby!!!!!) but you'd be better off in a 96-98 Cobra, or probably a 99-00 GT, if those problems aren't covered in the warranty.

 

[Soybomb]

Heh sounds to me like you're looking for more of an image car than power. I think there are better looking cars out there for the image if thats what youw ant....

 

[SuperGroove]

Why buy a Mustang GT for well over 20K, when you could buy a Mazda RX-7, Mk.4 Toyota Supra Turbo, Lexus SC300, Porsche 968, Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo, C4 LT1 Corvette, BMW M3, Audi S4, Audi S6, or Audi A4?


You're hurting me noggin here.

 

[HaVoC]

All of those cars I would have to buy USED! I don't wanna drive in a used car. I know about the heart-palpitation inducing depreciation, but I'm still willing to endure it because I want a new car. (not just the new car smell but that is an added bonus)

 

[TuffGuy]

test-drive an eclipse gt. it does not have as much power (only 205hp as the mustang gt, but the interior is nicer and the ride is smoother. the mustang and the eclipse were my final two choices, and i chose comfort over power. the eclipse hits 3500rpm @ 100mph and 2700rpm @ 80mph. try it. you might like it. i did.

 

[Tommy2000GT]

Try to get Mustang with like 3 miles on the odometer or right off the truck if you get a 5speed. When I was looking around for 2000 mustang GTs last year, I put 7 miles on a 5speed GT and those were learning how to drive a stick miles. I'm sure I shortened the clutch life a lot. Also, when the salesman drove off into a empty street to let me take over, he was riding on the clutch pretty bad. So you see, even if you get a 5speed Mustang with 20 miles, those could have been really hard miles that have been drive by salemen or people learning how to drive a stick like me. However, I bought the automatic Mustang GT so I didn't care, the 5speed just didn't seem all that to me.

 

[Renob]

The stang is a girls car get a Trans Am 6speed and 300ponys

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

GET A MUSTANG!




sincerely,
the original MustangFanatic

 

[Tominator]

My sister has had a 'Stang with a V6 for 3 months. Her and Hubby are IN LOVE with that car!

The Mustabg is one of the few cars that looks much better in person than in pictures. It's styling takes second seat to no other car anywhere near the price!

I say GO FOR IT!

Get the GT. There is very little difference between it and the Cobra.

 

[iamwiz82]

OK, a V6 mustang is a chick car, the V8 is all guy. I VERY RARELY see a woman in a V8. Its always the single exhaust 6cylinder version. What a waste, buying a $20k car for just the looks...

 

[StageLeft]

Well the V6 still isn't too shabby in the performance area... A V8 costs a decent bit more, isn't quite as good on gas, and will kill you on insurance if you're young! Speaking of which does anybody have the 0-60 or 1/4 of a 2001 V6 mustang? 5spd of course, but auto as well.

 

[Yoshi]

Personally, got a 2001 Aurora 4.0. I work for GM an I cannot beat the discount.

V8 Stangs are pretty cool, I had a 5.0L Trans Am before the Aurora. The only thing that sucks about RWD V8 cars is winter driving. If I were you I would look into a used BMW 3 series, that would be very cool and probably under 30K.

 

[Zucchini]

guy or girl, the stang lacks class

 

[HaVoC]

There is something about the burble of a large displacement 90-degree American V8 that simply sets my soul alight!

I don't like the styling of the Eclipse, but I'll check it out nevertheless. I'm still worried about insurance on the 'Stang. I will turn 25 only on Nov 1, 2002. But I have a good driving record so maybe it won't be so bad.

Off to watch the SUPERBOWL, now!

 

[Valhalla1]

<< The stang is a girls car get a Trans Am 6speed and 300ponys >>




try 330 ponies. the LS1 is highly underrated due to insurance prices.

No other car performs like the Camaro/Firebird/Trans Am for the price. NONE