What will $30K buy??

[Smith]

Okay, I just had my total knee replacement done two weeks ago. Moving around pretty good and doing therapy twice a week. I sold my 04 Mach 1 prior to surgery and banked the money. I plan to sell my boat this spring which should give me a total of $30K to invest in a Mustang. The doctor says I should be able to drive a manual when all is done!! So, here is my plan:

I want another Mustang, something to drive on nice days and take to car shows. What are my choices??

1. Another 03-04 Mach 1
2. Maybe a classic...66 Fastback? Or, 69-70 Mach 1?
3. Newer Mustang?? Shelbys are too high it seems

Any thoughts??

[Mach828]

Wait for a 2015!

Sent with a shot of DROID go fast

[Smith]

Originally Posted by Mach828

Wait for a 2015!

Sent with a shot of DROID go fast

I wish!!!!!! I don't think I can get one for $30K!!

[RPC33]

$30K would put you right in the range of a '13 or 14' Mustang depending on how it is equipped. The Coyote engine combined with the 6-speed (especially if the car has track package) is awesome. I just purchase a used '13 with track package (had 1,040 miles) and gave $27,500. The car is smooth and comfortable and runs like a scalded dog. Just my 2 cents.

[mach18604]

Simple..

a Nice Mach plus some mods

a Newer 5.0

OR

03-04 Cobra!

Best of luck with your recovery

[Mach828]

In my opinion the older mustangs like ours are just way behind on the comfort, technology, and performance of the newer models. I think the suspension, interior, and drivetrain of 99-04 mustangs are very weak.

I would love to own a 2013 or newer Mustang. They are so much nicer inside and out. They drive great and have a much greater mod potential than the older models. I enjoy working on the 05+ models more as well because they seem to be easier to work on, with less flaws to fix.

If something hapened to my car, I wouldn't even consider buying another Mach or Cobra. I'd jump straight to a newer one. 2013+ with an auto would be my only consideration.

[4valve 4tw?]

1)VERY nicely put together LSx new edge
2)Maybe used Boss 302
3)11/12 GT
4)Modded 2015 turbo 4(although they look pretty bland)

Since I know everyone's elses responses will be similar...

[mach18604]

Yeah.. You have to LOVE our year.. Lack of power for sure!

There is a reason why I have yet to Test drive a new 5.0!

[4V FURY]

I have to agree with the others who said 13-14 Mustang GT. Heck if you found a 11-12 Gt for the right deal you may have enough left over to install a supercharger and be well into the 11s while being very streetable.

[Thor]

Originally Posted by Smith

Okay, I just had my total knee replacement done two weeks ago. Moving around pretty good and doing therapy twice a week. I sold my 04 Mach 1 prior to surgery and banked the money. I plan to sell my boat this spring which should give me a total of $30K to invest in a Mustang. The doctor says I should be able to drive a manual when all is done!! So, here is my plan:

I want another Mustang, something to drive on nice days and take to car shows. What are my choices??

1. Another 03-04 Mach 1
2. Maybe a classic...66 Fastback? Or, 69-70 Mach 1?
3. Newer Mustang?? Shelbys are too high it seems

Any thoughts??

4. Buy a Maverick and drop the Coyote in it. (My current project)
5. Buy a Vega and drop an LSX454 in it. (Prospective project)

You'll have an outrageous ride, torque pushing the light-weight chassis and you'll keep quite a bit of money in your pocket in the end.

Of course, you'll need to beef the unit-bodies...

[mach 2]

I purchased my 07 Shelby GT500 with 12k for 30k, and love it! Clutch(twin disc) is Much easier than my Mach, and ride is great. Whatever you decide, good luck and enjoy!
Jeff

[4valve 4tw?]

Originally Posted by Mach828

In my opinion the older mustangs like ours are just way behind on the comfort, technology, and performance of the newer models. I think the suspension, interior, and drivetrain of 99-04 mustangs are very weak.

I would love to own a 2013 or newer Mustang. They are so much nicer inside and out. They drive great and have a much greater mod potential than the older models. I enjoy working on the 05+ models more as well because they seem to be easier to work on, with less flaws to fix.

If something hapened to my car, I wouldn't even consider buying another Mach or Cobra. I'd jump straight to a newer one. 2013+ with an auto would be my only consideration.

I'm certainly not bashing you, but this kind of mindset kinda worries me about future performance cars(C7 is a good example of it).

There are performance cars, family sedans, econoboxes, luxury cars, etc... They are what they are. They all sacrifice something, for the sake of something else. Some however, don't sacrifice anything, but combine different aspects... and cost way more.

I'm really worried that cheap, performance cars are gonna disappear, because people will want everything in every car. Sports cars/muscle cars are awesome, and I don't need every little option standard. Would it be nice? Absolutely, but nothing in life is free and I'd rather be able to afford a car in the first place, then not be able to afford it because the "stripper model" contains voice activated navigation, 3 touch screens, and heated/massaging seats.

[03BumbleBee]

I would buy a very low mileage 03/04 Mach 1 and put the rest in the bank for a rainy day!

[og2stang]

Well, if you are into car shows, the new ones are at Ford showrooms! If you are an enthusiast, there seems to be a lot of low mi Machs for sale, and those are car"showable", as are Terminators etc. The new Coyote's have a lot of plus's but they, aren't cheap, I agree with suggestion find a low mi Mach and bank the dif....probably need it for the "new improved healthcare".

[4V FURY]

Originally Posted by 4V FURY

I have to agree with the others who said 13-14 Mustang GT. Heck if you found a 11-12 Gt for the right deal you may have enough left over to install a supercharger and be well into the 11s while being very streetable.

Here ya go, 10.80s for $28.5k http://www.svtperformance.com/forums...14k-miles.html (not mine)

[24kmach]

My son-in-law has his black 03 Cobra Vert with super low miles. Whipple blower, long tubes, beefed up rear end, etc, etc. for $25,000.

[devous1]

I'm going the other way, no not like that. I'm a little older and might look at things a different. From this point in my life I'm not buying a car that I can easily sell and get my money back out of. I'm tired of spending **** tons of money on cars and never seeing it again.

I'm currently thinking about selling my race car and trailer to get one of the following.

64.5-66
68/69 BB
2000 Cobra R
66-69 Lincoln Continental

I'd still be left with several Mustangs but I'd just like something different and if its going to be a Sunday driver/car show ride the creature comforts aren't nearly as important as the cool factor.

[Mach828]

Originally Posted by 4valve 4tw?

I'm certainly not bashing you, but this kind of mindset kinda worries me about future performance cars(C7 is a good example of it).

There are performance cars, family sedans, econoboxes, luxury cars, etc... They are what they are. They all sacrifice something, for the sake of something else. Some however, don't sacrifice anything, but combine different aspects... and cost way more.

I'm really worried that cheap, performance cars are gonna disappear, because people will want everything in every car. Sports cars/muscle cars are awesome, and I don't need every little option standard. Would it be nice? Absolutely, but nothing in life is free and I'd rather be able to afford a car in the first place, then not be able to afford it because the "stripper model" contains voice activated navigation, 3 touch screens, and heated/massaging seats.

Comfort doesn't have anything to do with navigation and sync and heated seats. I meant it differently.

The new suspension is much better. The coil over style spring design, they come with pan hard bars, the control arm setup is nicer, better sway bars, there is a lot less body roll. They feel really firm. The k members are more tubular instead of a giant piece of metal like ours. The fuel pump is easier to access. The exhaust is easier especially doing long tubes. The new 5.0 with bolt ons makes what a boosted 4v 4.6 does. They get better gas mileage, and have better gear ratios (auto). The inside is larger if you are a bigger guy. They come stock with 31 spline axles and they don't seem to burn up the LSDs like ours do. They don't have all these small things that need to be changed like ours with the even flow head cooling mod, low fuel pump voltage, unique thermostat, and other small problems its hard for the average guy to know about.

I'd get a base model GT, no sync, no fancy seats, nothing. And it would be more more comfortable than my Mach.

Sent with a shot of DROID go fast

[Tommy Z]

I think a very low mileage 2003/2004 Cobra would be a cool idea.

Minor hijack...
What is an LSX? I'm familiar with Chevy's LS1, 2, 6, 7 etc but never grasped the LSX thing.

[Mach828]

I've never understood the LS swap craze. If you want a Chevy motor, just go buy a Chevy......and start growing out your mullet.

[Smith]

Originally Posted by mach 2

I purchased my 07 Shelby GT500 with 12k for 30k, and love it! Clutch(twin disc) is Much easier than my Mach, and ride is great. Whatever you decide, good luck and enjoy!
Jeff

This sounds like a good idea. I see that 07 and 08 Shelbys can be bought for around $30K. If my new knee can handle the manual shifting, this may be my route!! Plus it will move me up to 500HP!!

[ShkeRttlNroll]

Do you want eye candy or just more power, Car show guy or gear head? If its strictly motor go for a terminator or 05-09 shelby. Eye Candy with some power go for a 05-09 roush or saleen, low mileage ones are well in your price range. The 11-12 stangs are very nice but for the price you want to spend your only going to get a GT, nothing unique about that but a great car none the less. Its possible you might, Might find a higher mileage Boss 302 for a bit more then 30k.

[4valve 4tw?]

Originally Posted by Tommy Z

I think a very low mileage 2003/2004 Cobra would be a cool idea.

Minor hijack...
What is an LSX? I'm familiar with Chevy's LS1, 2, 6, 7 etc but never grasped the LSX thing.

Depends. As I used it, it represents the ls motor family, with X = any variable. Be it a 400hp LS2 or LS6, or a much cheaper but 315hp truck L33. Despite having a different designation, that truck l33 uses what are essentially ls2 heads, and is interchangable with most chevy engine parts. So any LS, L, or "Vortec" designated motors are LSx motors.

The other LSx are actual crate motors
http://www.chevrolet.com/performance/crate-engines.html
though people rarely mean that.

Originally Posted by Mach828

I've never understood the LS swap craze. If you want a Chevy motor, just go buy a Chevy......and start growing out your mullet.

Without getting into the politics of it...

It's not wanting a Chevy motor, it's about wanting result X or Y, whatever they may be(to me at least). Brand loyalty is for the birds, both Chevy and Ford made junk... and gems. It makes no sense to hate one or the other on name alone.

Let's use a Mach 1 somebody already owns as an example. They like new edge mustangs looks. They hate camaro looks. Now say they want 450hp. The obvious answer is supercharge the 4.6(I won't even bother with a hugely expensive and rough idling NA build). That's 450hp no problem, at the cost of about $5k, added underhood heat, added weight on the nose, and wear and tear of the motor. Oh and the lovely 3650 trans has to take that abuse(so there's another 2 grand)

450hp for an LSx? That's a 6.0 ls2, with a fast 92mm intake, an almost unnoticable cam, and exhaust(basically required since some stock exhaust pieces wont fit). A low mileage ls2/t56 can be found for around $7k at times, $1500 for exhaust, and 2500 for miscellaneous parts, or $11 grand total... but if you have factory parts to sell, even less. Now you have an NA motor with no added wear and tear, no added heat, is physically smaller, parts are cheaper/more plentiful, and is lighter then the stock motor it replaced, let alone a SC 4.6.

I'm probably going to put together an LSx mustang myself, vs buying a Mach and getting it how I'd like it. I've figured I can buy a new edge roller, engine/trans, put together an 03/04 IRS, and redo the interior(custom upholstered seats/sound deadening everywhere) for a bit under $20k and have an awesome DD. Added time and energy yes, but considering a low mileage Mach 1 at $16k, add supercharger, and the price is comparable. Those prices are accurate BTW as I had to get a solid estimate recently, as a guy has an 01 cobra for sale 1 minute from me with 80,xxx miles for $2,800. Motor sucked in water and is shot. I could get it for $2500 sell the trans for $500, and have a roller with cool seats and an IRS for 2 grand. I just won't have the funds to dive right in yet, so it would sit for awhile and I didn't want it to rot.

And that's me wanting factory fit, finish, and reliability for 100,000+ miles. For the drag race guys who just want 600 hp, you can put together a single turbo, intake/cam, iron block 5.3/4l80 auto swap for around $7k altogether. Swallow a valve? Don't even bother with a rebuild, go to junkyard and get another iron 5.3 for a grand. Happens again? Get another one, there's no shortage afterall.

Sorry for side tracking.

[Thor]

Originally Posted by 4valve 4tw?

Let's use a Mach 1 somebody already owns as an example. They like new edge mustangs looks. They hate camaro looks. Now say they want 450hp. The obvious answer is supercharge the 4.6(I won't even bother with a hugely expensive and rough idling NA build). That's 450hp no problem, at the cost of about $5k, added underhood heat, added weight on the nose, and wear and tear of the motor. Oh and the lovely 3650 trans has to take that abuse(so there's another 2 grand)

450hp for an LSx? That's a 6.0 ls2, with a fast 92mm intake, an almost unnoticable cam, and exhaust(basically required since some stock exhaust pieces wont fit). A low mileage ls2/t56 can be found for around $7k at times, $1500 for exhaust, and 2500 for miscellaneous parts, or $11 grand total... but if you have factory parts to sell, even less. Now you have an NA motor with no added wear and tear, no added heat, is physically smaller, parts are cheaper/more plentiful, and is lighter then the stock motor it replaced, let alone a SC 4.6.

I'm probably going to put together an LSx mustang myself, vs buying a Mach and getting it how I'd like it. I've figured I can buy a new edge roller, engine/trans, put together an 03/04 IRS, and redo the interior(custom upholstered seats/sound deadening everywhere) for a bit under $20k and have an awesome DD. Added time and energy yes, but considering a low mileage Mach 1 at $16k, add supercharger, and the price is comparable. Those prices are accurate BTW as I had to get a solid estimate recently, as a guy has an 01 cobra for sale 1 minute from me with 80,xxx miles for $2,800. Motor sucked in water and is shot. I could get it for $2500 sell the trans for $500, and have a roller with cool seats and an IRS for 2 grand. I just won't have the funds to dive right in yet, so it would sit for awhile and I didn't want it to rot.

And that's me wanting factory fit, finish, and reliability for 100,000+ miles. For the drag race guys who just want 600 hp, you can put together a single turbo, intake/cam, iron block 5.3/4l80 auto swap for around $7k altogether. Swallow a valve? Don't even bother with a rebuild, go to junkyard and get another iron 5.3 for a grand. Happens again? Get another one, there's no shortage afterall.

Sorry for side tracking.

Nicely detailed argument and accurate from my research. It all comes down to economics in what you can save in obtaining what you want.

[medrick]

I'm still considering selling my mach. 700rwhp daily driver with built everything pretty much. Has an irs right now but piecing together a nice built sra right now as well. Have it listed for 24k.