Best decision?

[user2520528]

Greetings,

I have a question for you folks that own a 2005+ GT. I currently own a 2004 Azure Blue Mach1 (4.6L V8 Manual). Now, I've always LOVED the body style and look/feel of the newer stangs. On the other hand I like the car I have now too (there's not many around if I understood correctly, limited production run or something.) Has about 28K miles and in really good condition.

My question is, should I sell the Mach1 and put that money toward a newer stang or keep it and just attempt to upgrade the hell out of it? I'm not that old of a guy, 21 years old. The thing is I really don't think I can afford 2 cars at the moment! So it's a really hard decision. The Mach1 cost me 21K when I bought it. I think the newer stangs are around 30K after all said and done right? Do these suckers move? I need help...

 

[DarkFireGT]

Previous to the S197 body style, I owned an '03 GT. As much as I loved and miss that car, the S197 platform is light years beyond the SN95 platform. I love the New Edge look, especially the Mach's (And you have, in my opinion, the best color). But the retro look of the S197 is fantastic as well. The only thing you'll really miss is the exhaust note. The 4V note can't be replicated, though the Pypes Mid-Muffler system gets close. Stock for stock, it's a driver's race. They made 7182 Mach 1's in 2004. They were limited production, but not rare. They made over 1300 in Azure Blue. That was the color they made the most of, actually. So, it's not a car to keep for value. New cars make terrible investments. Very few old cars actually do, for that matter.

It's a tough decision, because you have a great car, but there's obviously something that's drawing you to the S197. You will not regret moving to the S197, as it's a whole new animal. If you can wait, grabber blue is going to be available in on the 2009's (which they start production on very soon) or the 2010 (which starts production very early 2008). The Mach 1 is going to be available on one of those years, as well. I would guess 2010.

 

[Power4]

I've never driven an SN95 Mustang (the older style) so I can't compare the differences on driving and living with them, etc. However I do LOVE my S197. It's an amazing car that is a great daily driver, goes like stink, looks great (still get compliments on it from random people on a regular basis after having it for over a year). If I were you though I think I would stick with the Mach 1. It's also a very nice looking car, quick, and still a sweet Mustang. I've always been a fan of the Mach 1's. Not much point in paying a ton of money on the upgrade.

 

[Amstung]

I had an '04 GT automatic, but I hated not being able to shift gears. So I traded for an '07 GT manual. DarkFireGT is right on about the differences between the cars--I had no idea. Because the wheelbase is a little longer and because the front wheels are now right at the front of the car, the handling and the driving is a lot more fun.

I miss the styling of the '04 frankly, but I wouldn't go back. In fact, the new Mustang is more fun to drive around town than was my '76 Lancia beta Scorpion, and that was a real screamer. (I had a '72 Mach 1 too -- great engine, but not much else besides rattles.)

 

[226embarcadero]

I've never driven an SN95 Mustang (the older style) so I can't compare the differences on driving and living with them.... If I were you though I think I would stick with the Mach 1.

That's an interesting comment.

 

[226embarcadero]

It depends on what you want the car for.

If you want the 60s look, you have to get an 05+

If you are just considering the S197 because, well, it's newer... I don't see much point in laying down the cash for the upgrade.

In my opinion, there is no comparison. The S197 ('05+) is the best Mustang Ford has ever made... maybe aside from the 67-68 fastbacks.

 

[romans8:28]

Buy a clean Terminator and you wont be asking silly questions

 

[DarkFireGT]

Buy a clean Terminator and you wont be asking silly questions

You lost? :Zip2:

 

[JOEGTS]

I sold my 03 Mach1 to get my 08 GT/CS and don't regret it in the least. I even opted for an auto this time and love it. This is my 6th Mustang and by far the best.

 

[Cory281]

I had a 01 GT before my 08. Honestly I think I enjoyed the 01 quite a bit more. The 08 has a much better interior, handles better, I think it might be faster(My 01 had a couple of mods), but my 01 was really fun to just drive it. I would always get excited whenever it had sat for a week and I would go out and drive it. I don't really get that out of my new one. Thats just me though, go test drive some 05+ Stangs and see what you want, if it were me I'd keep the Mach 1.

And whoever said you can't get the 05+ to sound as good as the previous Mustangs is right, I really miss how my old sounded.

 

[boardroomjimmy]

You definitely need to go drive a new one before you get all excited about a trade. They are totally different cars, the '197 is a softer ride and feels much larger. Your mach will probably "feel " faster, and may very well be. I second the vote for a clean '03 /04 cobra if your looking for a step up in performance. I've had an 01 gt, 99 cobra convert, 03 cobra and now a '08 gt convert. The '08 is a comfortable ride and great for the wife, the '03 was a really fun car, my favorite of the bunch.

 

[Power4]

That's an interesting comment.

LOL, yeah didn't realize that 'till now. What I meant was that on appearance alone (since that's the only way I can judge the difference between the two, not having driven both platforms) I wouldn't do it. From what others say though once you drive both there's a big difference.

 

[romans8:28]

You lost? :Zip2:

LOL......... lost what?

I am just telling it like it is....... the truth is the best advise for anybody

 

[jcsuli74]

i had an 01, i had done a few things to make it stand out from the rest of the herd, traded it for my 07 . hind sight i should have kept the 01 and bought an S197 in a year or so. i am with darkfire though, S197 is a whole different animal and is head and shoulders above the earlier platform. while it does handle better, and it has more power, rides better, it takes a lot of the seat of the pants thrill out. i always tell people my 01 was the wild you ran around with on the weekend, but the S197 is the one you take home to mom.

keep in mind that the redesign will be unveiled here soon (I hope).

IMO i'd keep the mach, at least you dont see one of those every time you turn the corner (like you WILL in a s197).

 

[Black_02_GT]

Buy a clean Terminator and you wont be asking silly questions

+1 on this one

 

[Hoboattacker]

4V will respond MUCH better to boost. All you are doing is basically changing platforms. Similar power and all of that between the two cars. If you want a car to mod, keep the Mach 1 and mod the **** out of it. DOHC cars sound absolutely ****ing sexy. Better than ANY S197 I have EVER heard or will ever hear. You can never and will never be able to match the pure sexiness of a DOHC V8.

Keep the Mach 1, throw a supercharger on it, call it a day.

 

[ranger04]

The only reson I have a new stang is because of the new retro body style, if there was just away to have both. I would have to give the nod to the S197 as they look so much better and the hp is close to the same.

 

[1965coupe]

As much as I miss my '04 GT convertible, I have to admit, that car was a POS compared to the S197 mustangs. I hope I don't offend anybody.. the '05+ Mustangs are night and day compared to the old ones.

It actually got to the point where I was sick of driving the '04 because it was uncomfortable and had so much road noise..

On the other hand, Mach 1's are badass..

 

[stangdude2000]

If you get the S197 in manual, you will love the shifter. It no longer feels like you are reaching into the glovebox to shift into third gear.

I went from a 2000 V6 to my 08 GT, so its not as good of a comparison, but the 08 just feels MUCH nicer. If you get all the bells and whistles, I feel it rivals the 3-series, C class, and A4 as far as a nice interior goes.

 

[226embarcadero]

I must be missing something with the older body styles.

I have never driven any Mustang other than the '08 I currently own. But I hear such a large following and support for the '99-04s. Personally, I don't think they look even half as good as the 197s, so it must be strictly performance.

Right?