04 vs. 05+

[BigMike80]

I thought I was going to get an 05 but after the hollidays and taking care of some other financial issues Im back being broke LOL. Anyway my question is whats the difference in performance between the 04 and the 05 mustangs. Im thinking of getting an 04 or lower just to save myself several thousand and use that money in mods. So Im just wondering how much better are the 05+ models as far as performance goes. This car will be my DD but I would like to take it to the track as well. Thanks for any info

-Mike

 

[DarkFireGT]

Having owned both, I can tell you that stock for stock, the '05 has quite a bit on the sn95 in both performance and handling, as well as fit and finish. By the same token, I really miss my '03. I really fell in love with it. One thing I liked better with the Sn95's was the exhaust note. For some reason I like the exhaust on the sn95 better. If it were me, I'd find a used Mach 1. 4V's sound sick, and respond well to mods. But, I already own an '05. With the right mods, either one can be fast and handle well. Just pick which body style you like better. They both have their high points and low points.

 

[srothfuss]

If it were me - I'd wait until you have the appropriate funds and then get the newer car. Improved structure, better rear end and cooler look (opinion)

 

[bigcat]

imo, the 3v motor is light years ahead of the 2v. the 3v responds so much better to mods, and you even have a 40 hp marging to begin with. couple that with the much improved chassis, and you have a winner!!

 

[Hoboattacker]

With financial troubles, get a used 2003-4 Mach 1 and do some mods to it. 4v's are disgusting and are just mean as hell. I mean, I love my 05, but there will always be a special place for the 04 Mach 1's and the 03/04 Cobra's

 

[BigMike80]

How much of a difference in HP is there between the 04 Mach 1 or Cobra than the 05 GT? Im really a noob when it comes to cars so whats the difference in 3v and 4v? Maybe Im getting too much into the tech discussion but would like to know what Im getting into with each car.

Thanks
Mike

 

[CA Lightfoot]

How much of a difference in HP is there between the 04 Mach 1 or Cobra than the 05 GT? Im really a noob when it comes to cars so whats the difference in 3v and 4v? Maybe Im getting too much into the tech discussion but would like to know what Im getting into with each car.

1. 3V = 3 valves per cylinder, 4V = 4 valves per cylinder. In general, more valves means more intake and/or exhaust... more power.

2. 03/04 Mach vs. 05/07 GT: 4V Mach has just a bit more HP, arguably a bit faster, old design, old school, lots of easy mods, lots of fun, missing my 03. Test drive a Mach cold, see how it shifts 1-2 and 2-3. Decent used Mach sells in upper $teens. Lots of Mach info at http://www.mach1registry.org/forums/

3. 03/04 Cobra: Supercharged built 4V. Underrated 390hp. Easy to mod beyond 400 rear-wheel HP. Nearly as fast as $45K+ 07 GT500! Decent used Cobra sells in low- to mid-$20k's. Probably not what you're looking for. More Cobra/SVT info at http://www.svtperformance.com/forums/index.php?menu=2
(check out "The Market")

4. My suggestion: Test drive a used Mach. Then test drive an 07 GT. Compare prices, payments, insurance, warranty, and especially set aside some money for maintaining 3+ year-old Mach.

5. Bottom Line: Buy what you like AFTER a test drive. I bought an 03 Mach after looking for months for a late '60s/early '70s muscle car. No regrets.

 

[kooldawg6]

'04 Mach 1
305 HP @ 6000 RPM
320 LB-FT @ 4250 RPM
10.1:1 Compression

'04 Cobra
390 HP @ 6000 RPM
390 LB-FT @ 3500 RPM
10.7:1 Compression

'05+ GT
300 HP @ 5750 RPM
320 LB-FT @ 4500 RPM
9.8:1 Compression

 

[BigMike80]

Thanks for all the info guys...After the hollidays Im gonna get out and test drive a few to see what I like better. If only the new stangs werent so damn sexy it would make my decision easier. I have a feeling Ill go with an 05 just because of the body style. But Ill keep you guys posted when I decide to buy.

Thanks again
Mike

 

[lmunz22]

In my own opinion, I would not settle for anything. A car is a major investment that you will have to live with for a long time, so you should get exactly what you want. If that means waiting a few months to get extra cash together so be it.

 

[351CJ]

There is no comparison, the 05+ is incredibly better than the 99 - 04s.
A bone stock 05 GT handles better than ANY older Mustang except for the Cobra R.
The ride of the 05s is way better, steering feel is way better and the 05s have an overall "solid" feel that is light years ahead of the 04 and earlier Mustangs. I have a mint condition 01 GT with only 29K miles on it. I don't drive it very often anymore because it drives, rides and feels so out of date. My 01 looks good, sounds good so I'm having a hard time parting with it even though it feels so bad.

But ride, handling and feel are not that important to some people. You haven't told us what's important in a car for you. Go and test drive both 04 & 05 Mustangs and decide for yourself if the 05 is worth the extra $$.

 

[Osiris]

They're Mustangs....so the decision will be a good one whichever you choose....



I also love the Mach 1's and almost bought one over my '05 but in the end, I felt the '05 was a much more solid car and offered the most potential. beyond that, the 2005's brilliant styling allows for so many unique ways of customizing so creating a Mach 1 from it would not only be easy to do, but IMHO looks better in the end.

If you get a Mach, look for Azure Blue. It's the only color I've seen on a Mustang that Ford didn't paint any other cars or trucks with, aside from the now more recent Grabber Orange and the old Performance Red ( torch red? ) of the '00 Cobra R's, not to mention the mystics of the Cobras.

 

[YardSpecial]

Well after owning a 02 GT Vert auto and a 01 Cobra.

The 07 is faster and light years ahead of the SN95. The 4.6 DOHC is a joke when it comes to mods, insane $$$$ with little power increases.
Takes a blower to make power the cheapest.

05-07 are also faster in the quarter mile due to better factory chassis while weighing more.

SO in the end, its what makes you happy............

 

[GOLDENPONY]

Choice

I had a 2000 GT 'vert and loved it. BUT, I now have an '06 GT 'vert and there is no comparison- the '06 is light years ahead. Not only in style, but in technology, and fit and finish. Handeling, brakeing, and power. The new Mustangs are crazy cool.

 

[Hoboattacker]

If you get a 03/04 Cobra all you have to do is exhaust, tune, and a smaller supercharger pulley and you can easily push 500-550rwhp on a safe tune.

Edit: With the Cobra you can easily run mid 12's with those mods (even with wheel hop) and probably low low 12's high 11's if you could launch it right.

Mach 1's stock run low low 13's high 12's if you're a good driver.

 

[BigMike80]

If you get a 03/04 Cobra all you have to do is exhaust, tune, and a smaller supercharger pulley and you can easily push 500-550rwhp on a safe tune.

Edit: With the Cobra you can easily run mid 12's with those mods (even with wheel hop) and probably low low 12's high 11's if you could launch it right.

Mach 1's stock run low low 13's high 12's if you're a good driver.

Im not sure how good of a driver I will be w/ a muscle car...Ive always owned 4x4 trucks and Jeeps. I know how to drive through mud, now I want to see how well I can do in a straight line or even a road course.

I think Ill go with an 05+ because I would like to try it out on a road course as well as the drag strip and will need something capable of handling not just going in a straight line. But for the most part this car will be my daily drive and because of that I would really like to be riding in something as sexy as the new body style.

-Mike

 

[351CJ]

But for the most part this car will be my daily drive.

-Mike

Those are the key words Mike. Forget how much better the 05+ handles or how much HP the 3V has, the 05+s are far better every day cars than any prior Mustang.

 

[Hoboattacker]

If it's your daily driver, get the 05+. But just so you know, the Mach 1/Cobra are great in the twisties due to their IRS suspension

 

[TGJ]

If it's your daily driver, get the 05+. But just so you know, the Mach 1/Cobra are great in the twisties due to their IRS suspension

03 - 04 Mach 1's do not have an IRS...

 

[65fastback2+2]

Love my sn95!

05+ has NO interior room in the rear!
05+ is just a knock off of the real thing.....seriously, if you can spend 20-25k on a 05+ GT...why arent you spending that money on a fully restored 65-68 GT or a 69/70 Mach 1????

My mach ROARS....i love the fit and finish...it handles REALLY well and the ride is nice and decently firm like I like it....

Only complaint is no one knows what a mach is really...hehehe...so its a secret weapon