Newbie, new Mustang (and Ford in general) convert

[jon1all]

Been lurkikng here for the past 1.5 months... really enjoy the atmosphere... best Mustang forum I've found so far.

Anyway, I have always been a GM guy... Pontiac specifically. Never was a huge Chevy fan, but haved owned 10 different Firebirds and/or Trans Ams in my day... 70s/80s/90s models. Anyway, when Pontiac (GM really) killed the Firebird after 2002 I was holding out for an eventual re-introduction. When the new Camaro concept came out I was really hopeful that a Firebird would follow in a couple years if the Chevy succeeded. Well, needless to say GM went and killed Pontiac and dashed my hopes forever of a renewed Firebird (SOBs!!!)

As I said, I've never been a Chevy fan and in fact don't really care that much for the new Camaro... never did. So after GM axed Pontiac for good I decided to take my obviously misguided loyalty to GM and look elsewhere... and decided to give the Mustang a real look at (the 05s & up have held my interest since their introduction... it was obvious even back then to a non-Ford-guy that Ford "got it very, very right" with the S197s).

Anyway, I have NEVER in my life owned a Ford product. But I can honestly say I will soon, especially after my experience tonight. I was driving home from work and happened to drive by a Ford dealership and noticed about 5 or 6 2005-09 Mustangs sitting in their lot... so I decided to swing in real quick and see if any were GTs. I was just going to do a real quick recon since I am not actually in the market to buy just yet, but I didn't even make it onto the lot for 20 seconds before some hungry salesman jumps me. I tell him I am just looking to see if any of these are GTs and sure enough a nice dark blue 08 GT is the first in the row. I walk up to it with the salesman in tow and peer in the window and sure enough... a 5spd... and with black leather t'boot. Salesman produces the key (how did he get it so fast?) and hands it to me and says, "Start her up!" I hestitate because I really have no intetion of buying the car... I am really just looking and dreaming at this point. Well... key in hand... what choice do I have so I fire the muther up! Wow! Awesome sound. Best V8 I've heard since the 97 WS6 T/A I used to won... in fact... dare I say... even better (and my T/A had a nice Borla cat-back). Anyway, as I am sitting there just enjoying the moment the salesman says, "Let's take her for a ride!" Again, because I really have no intention of buying I decline, but he insists and before I know it I am in the passenger seat as he pulls out of the dealership and hammers it... balls to the wall! What a rush... I haven't been in a performance car in a few years now and brother was he making this GT perform! Shortly thereafter I'm in the driver's seat giving it the same treatment at his urgings and I AM LOVING IT! WOW!!! Really, you Mustang guys are holding out on the rest of us... what a car this is! Dang!!!!!!!! I've sat in some earlier Mustangs (but never ridden in one) and never really liked the way they "felt"... but these S197s fit me like a glove. I loved the driving position and the shifter fell to hand perfectly and shifted with bolt-action precision. The clutch was higher effort than I expected, but not unpleasantly so... in fact, I rather liked it... it felt... solid. And looking out over that long hood (this one happened to have the factory faux hood scoop too) was a real pleasure. I love long hoods!!!

Needless to say the performance was fantastic... heck the whole car was just fantastic... really felt like it was carved from a single piece of steel. They say the 10s are even sturdier... I can't hardly imagine!

Anyway... I am smitten! Consider me a Mustang convert... I must have one of these cars!!! Now to just convince the wife the absolute NECESSITY of owning one!!!!!!!

 

[ViperNuge]

Great story dude. This is my first mustang too. If you thought you felt power wait untill you drop a new tune in that bad boy......hang on, it just keeps getting better!!

Dealers are willing to move the iron right now.............you can score quite a deal. Good luck finding the perfect one.

patrick

 

[bluecar]

Well, you're preachin' to the choir.

Happily, wives are generally better with cars than with other guys' stuff e.g. audio equipment.

No doubt the salesman will call, so have her drive it too. Pics will be anticipated!

 

[The Fang]

If the cost of a new one is in most cases unafFORDable then a slightly used one is really the way to go just get a carfax on it.
The salesman made a sale the minute you got in the gt it just may be a while till you get there. As for the wifey you start talking about it now and in a few months she will be glad of you get one just to shut you up.
I found the hood long at first then after a while it seems to get small imo.

I also thought a couple of years ago that gm would have shot out a firebird too but they are just bunch if idgits imo.


good luk

 

[RICVA05]

You would not believe how many performance parts are out there for these cars. I am up to $60k including the cost of the car since March of 05. So I know how addicting these things are.

 

[kooldawg6]

Awesome, Man!!!!! As already stated...you like the sound and power of the stock GT...step into the aftermarket world and you'll have a mean sounding 12 sec ride in not time!!!!! Pretty great that a Mustang is that capable nowadays! I also give a big nod to the Dark Blue ('05-Sonic Blue, '06-08 -Vista Blue, '10-Kona Blue)!!!!!

 

[Ken04]

don't discount your wife's ability to be a Mustang lover also. Like I've always heard; "chicks dig Mustangs". Be smart, lead your wife into it letting her think it's her idea to buy a smart, sexy, fuel efficient, SAFE car that BOTH of you can enjoy. Look up a couple local Mustang clubs and show her all the funs time you two can have TOGETHER in a Mustang.

I bought 1 first for my wife, then how could she not allow me the same simple joy she gets to have everyday ? One hint, if you bring the car home to show it to her save the second gear powershifting slides for when you're alone, haha. Good luck, I know what you mean about being smitten with the
S197 Mustangs, first time I ever saw one I was DONE, had to have one, no wait, had to have 2.

 

[GreyDiesel]

great story man. I felt like I was reading a penthouse letter. "This doesn't usually happen to me, but I saw this really hot chick at the library... etc. etc... before I knew it we were in her hot tub... yada yada yada..."

Actually, I would not know b/c I have never read that magazine.

The 05-09 Mustang is the best deal out there in terms of performance. No way to get more fast for your buck, especially if you are thinking of modding.

My wife was also not a fan when I first brought it up, but I told her this was one of those rare things in the marriage that was not negotiable and she said okay. I think a lot of women dont realize how important a car can be for many men. They think its just another material possession, like a TV, or a shirt. Once I was able to communicate that it was a hobby, and a passion, rather than just a car, I think it was an easier sell.

Also, she loves the car now. A lot of women probably have no experience in a fast/loud/fun car, and they think its just stupid. When I bought it, we agreed that I would not drive like a lunatic, especially when she was in the car. About six months into the ownership, I took her out to dinner one day, she had a few drinks, and on the way home, on a quiet and abandoned stretch of road, I asked her if she wanted to see what the car felt like at full throttle. "Fine, whatever" she said. So, I came to stop, rolled the windows down, did a 10 sec burnout to get some tire smoke in the cabin, and then let her rip, all the while my wife is in the passenger seat "holy crap, woah.. what the?.. ha ha ha... woooh! That was fun, do it again!"

She now asks me to floor it whenever she sees a clear stretch of road. Girls just dont know until you show them, then they love it. She was just asking me the other day if I ever thought about getting a Harley.

 

[Ken04]

great story man. Also, she loves the car now. A lot of women probably have no experience in a fast/loud/fun car, and they think its just stupid. When I bought it, we agreed that I would not drive like a lunatic, especially when she was in the car. About six months into the ownership, I took her out to dinner one day, she had a few drinks, and on the way home, on a quiet and abandoned stretch of road, I asked her if she wanted to see what the car felt like at full throttle. "Fine, whatever" she said. So, I came to stop, rolled the windows down, did a 10 sec burnout to get some tire smoke in the cabin, and then let her rip, all the while my wife is in the passenger seat "holy crap, woah.. what the?.. ha ha ha... woooh! That was fun, do it again!"

She now asks me to floor it whenever she sees a clear stretch of road. Girls just dont know until you show them, then they love it. She was just asking me the other day if I ever thought about getting a Harley.

great story, I remember last August my wife and I did a local 'rally'. The guys running it were explicit that this was a rally done over public roads at 'street legal' speeds (wink, wink, nod, nod). It was a timed event and you had to figure out clues as you went along to get the route.

The only thing was, if you got lost or missed a turn, you had to make up time right ? I looked over at my wife at one point, going 118 mph down a deserted country road, she had a grin that went ear to ear. The next day we went to a Ford Fever show and drags. We put her car in the show and shine. With our entry she got a trip down the quarter mile. She almost chickened out 16 times. But in the end, after asking me a million questions, she rolled up to the line, had a .46 reaction time and LOVED it. Now of course, she wants nitrous, a supercharger, drag radials, a Pro 5.0 shifter, etc, etc, etc.

I remember teaching her to play golf, now she, like me is an addict. Same with the car. It's a great hobby to have together. And I never have to beg and plead to go play golf, or do something with the cars. Best bet is to get your spouse involved and loving the sport.

 

[jon1all]

Thanks for the encouragement guys. My wife has put up with my car obsession for a long time and when I sold my last Trans Am I told her that I would have another cool car again someday. So it would not be a total surprise to her… but, as with all things, timing is everything.

I think she would enjoy a Mustang though. Totally unsolicited by me she made a comment a few weeks ago about how cool a red (with white stripes) 08 GT was that was parked in our neighbor’s driveway (their daughter was visiting and it was her car). I was stunned (because by this time I had already been seriously lusting after one myself) and was like, “Yes, you are correct dear wife… that is indeed a very nice looking automobile.” Or something to that effect! Actually I was quite shocked and took it as a good sign. Anyway, I really don’t think me getting one will be a problem in the long run… just then “when” of it is yet to be determined. Me, I’m thinking this weekend would be great! Her, more like next year! Maybe we’ll find a compromise!

 

['08GTcaRED]

Yeah a compromise would be great for you! Glad you could join us, er will be, eh whatever you get the point. Welcome!
I too was sad when Pontiac got the boot(I think them ruining the retro GTO was the crowning moment in recent history though ) But that's for another forum. Good luck with the wife and ask questions when you come back for a mod list
Eh honestly everyone has their own opinion and really it's up to you to do what you want with the car...

 

[jon1all]

Don't even get me started on the abortion that was that late-model GTO. But as you said... that is for another forum.

The salesman that took me for my joy ride called me yesterday offering me $3k right off the top on that 08 I drove! Their asking price was pretty steep to start with ($28k) so this $3k off really only brings it into the reasonable realm.

 

[scupking]

I test drove a 2010 GT last weekend and the car is amzaing. I know the 05-09s are basicaly the same car as the 2010. Also the S197 loves a CAI and 93Oct tune. I have seen many people just with a JLT CAI and BamaChips 93 Oct tune put down 300rwhp (350 crank hp). So these 4.6s in the 05-10 stangs are basicaly 350hp motors just tuned down by ford. I'm going to be selling my 01 GT for a used 05-09 GT next year. You can find a bunch of S197s with low milage for 15-18k. I one that will never by a new car.

 

[Becky19611]

That is so funny. It could have been (almost)written by me. First time Ford owner, Firebird lover through and through. I have owned 2 firebirds, and was waiting for the new ones to come out when Pontiac bit the dust. I had just bought a 07 mustang and have been paying it down with the intention of getting the firebird asap. O well, love the Camaro. Can't say I love the mustang though, unless I just happened to get a bad one. And can't talk husband into new Camaro.

 

[02GTRX]

^^^ smart husband..
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[jon1all]

I could just never own a Camaro... just out of principle! It would be harder for me to own a Camaro than it was for me to switch my devotion to the Mustang.

 

[02GTRX]

^^^ smart dude.
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[Ken04]

I could just never own a Camaro... just out of principle! It would be harder for me to own a Camaro than it was for me to switch my devotion to the Mustang.

speaking of the GTO, which I honestly kinda liked although it was pretty plain looking, Anyway, new Camaro=old GTO, yea, same architecture. Wonder why it weighs so much, has IRS and is UGLY. Can you say Holden ? Ah, I thought you could.