How would you spec a 2011 GT? Factory options vs. D.I.Y. or aftermarket

I've been playing with the "build your own" mustang website for a while now. I like turning my own wrenches, modifying my own cars, and always to the same upgrades to all my vehicles: Full audio:nav head unit/amps/speakers/sub, sways/springs/shocks, intake/exhaust.

How do the factory options compare with doing it yourself, or just going aftermarket? What specs/options would you consider mandatory, and which ones are just "nice to haves".

In the interest of not spending excessive money, or even paying for options that will be removed/upgraded in the future, here's my short list so far:

Brembo package- must do- 19" wheels, nice tires, 14" front brake kit for only $1800.

3.73 rear axle- much more expensive to add later.

I'm tempted to NOT get the HID's. They make you get the security package too, so it costs $900. I should be able to retrofit the HID parts myself if it doesn't cost that much. Or use the stock housings with an HID kit (but projectors make nicer beams with HID's)

NAV/AUDIO- I'm tempted to go with the base stereo, and add a full Kenwood nav head unit, full JL components and amps. Can probably do that for the same price as the OEM navigation.

Glass roof- Guess I have to see in person to determine if it's worth $2000:eek:

I'm even thinking of not going with the premium GT and just live with better breathing cloth seats. Do I lose anything performance related without the premium model?
 
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heres what I did for my 2011 Gt..
I got Electronics Package, Glass Roof, brembos, 3.73, 401a, and the Accessory Pkg 5. The factory alarms suck. You can get a much better aftermarket one for cheaper, and good wheel locks will run you a few bucks. there are tons of aftermarket HID kits, about 200 and install it your self. You wont have projectors, but still have nice looking HIDs.

My plan is to keep the factory nav. I tested it outu on a V6 model and found it quite nice and to have the built in hd is good too. The rest of the system is going out. Replacing all the speakers, adding a qlogic box with a sub, and have amps power the entire system. That way, you have the sync, navi, and built in hd, with a much better sounding system. You will need two amps, two four channels or a 2 channel and a 5 channel. You can get a 7 channel amp but it probably wont sound as good and would cost you a ton. I also heard those few 7 channel amps suck and die pretty quick due to overheating. Doing this myself with the amps would costs around a 1k for decent qualify stuff. Just doing a sub, speakers and one amp would run around 700. Theres always someone out there who is willing to buy your old shaker 500 stuff. It blows all the time so somebody needs a replacement. Get some of your money back by selling off the old stuff.

The glass roof I was also shaky on, until i saw it in person. I loved how it looked. Made it look brighter in the inside, and if its too bright, just pull the sunshade and its nice and dark again. Its great to take your girl out, lean the seats back, watch the stars, and have some "fun" lol... All with some privacy and not worrying about someone seeing you with your convertible down.

The only options I think are 100% needed are the 3.73 gears and the brembos. 3.73's are expensive afterwards, and the brembo package is a great value. You get tires worth 400 ea, big brake kit worth about 1,500, 19' wheels, and returned suspension, all for about 14-1500. It will come in handy when you start adding power to it with the inkate, exhaust, tune, etc... Now if your gonna be tracking it like crazy, I would not recommend this package. I would recommend doing it your own, buying an aftermarket suspension, your own wheels, and brake kit. The brembo pkg is good if your an every now and then tracker and drive it like it should be driven. If your a grandma who doesnt go past 45, dont get the brembos.
 
Also keep in mind that replacing the head unit isn't as easy as it would first seem because of the AC control integration on the dash. The only one I have seen is here and I don't particularly care for it. A friend of mine bought a base GT thinking he'd do the radio himself and is now regretting the decision...
 
glass roof: as mentioned above... totally cool
Brembos: Yes, if you are tracking you'll have your track wheels separate anyways. Use the stocks for cruising around. (need a drop though cause the 19's make it look 4x4.

3.73: Of course!

HID: very cheap.. doing it aftermarket risks screwing it up, not aiming them correctly and pissing people off, etc. Much brighter and easier to see at night, especially in the rain.

comfort Pkg: it wasn't that much and heated seats... the dual climate is a joke

Nav: I got it so when I dump the car it will be a selling point.. yes, a $100 handheld can do it, but it's integrated with all the systems, so it's cool.

Just get it all so you don't second guess yourself later on.
 
You will have the car for a while,get what you want.The 3.73's are a bargain.I would order white premium,black stripes,3.73,black tail panel,the 19" black ten spokes.It came in at 35,500 sticker.Brembo's mean nothing and I read they are no better then stock except for less fade in repeated stops,I hate the wheels that they come with and after seeing them in person hate them more.
 
Also keep in mind that replacing the head unit isn't as easy as it would first seem because of the AC control integration on the dash. The only one I have seen is here and I don't particularly care for it. A friend of mine bought a base GT thinking he'd do the radio himself and is now regretting the decision...

Theres actually a second one now. I saw it somewhere and its !!MUCH!! better than the metra one everyone has been seeing. Ill try to find it and post up a link
 
The Mustang sure has come a long way with available options in just the past decade. My 2003 GT really didn't have quite as much available option-wise as a 2011...it's good to see Ford going back to having so many things available once again. Just like the "old days."

But even with all these options, I'd still keep mine fairly plain. I would get:

-Brembo brakes
-3.55 gears (don't want to go too steep)
-Electronics package...I'm a bit of a gadget geek anyway, so gotta have the nifty stereo/nav system
-some exterior add-ons like the side scoops and rear decklid trim

I'm not a fan of any HIDs really. If it came with it, fine, but I wouldn't go out of my way for them. I certainly wouldn't install any aftermarket because A) they're not the same as a factory-installed setup and B) technically, they're illegal if they aren't factory.

Heated leather seats would be nice for the winter...but even more importantly, how about cooled leather seats for those hot summer days? Nothing sucks worse for a joyride than having a sweaty back after a few minutes of sitting in the seat. Ugh.

I don't think I really like the glass roof option. I'd rather have a convertible.

It's truly awesome that Ford now offers so much to let you tweak the car so it's pretty much the way you want it right out of the box. And some of that is now thanks to technology.

Over the years, I've changed my 2003 GT to suit my taste...changed some body pieces, made some mods in the exhaust/suspension/brakes/shifting departments, and recently added a stereo that's got everything in it...nav, Bluetooth, all touchscreen, etc.
 
To me, the only necessities are the brembo's & 3.73's.

I didn't think you could change out the radios in these cars, much less keep the SYNC.

Also, keep in mind that only certain options are available on the base GT model if you decide to go that route. You can't get the comfort package, electronics package, rear camera, HID's.....you can't even upgrade the radio.
 
factory: brembos + gears (3.73)

aftermarket: intake/ exhaust/ audio/ HIDs/ leather (if you choose)

I think a majority of options are cheaper aftermarket than factory, and usually better (since they are made to improve the car anyways)

factory performance parts are normally over priced, so i avoid. same with audio/visual (TON of after market availability)

Leather you can get a full install front + rear seats customized to your choice of leather + stitching for the cost of standard factory leather.

glass roof is cool, wouldn't pay $2k though
 
I'm bummed that the auto's don't come with optional gears and brembos. I may just get a Premium GT Auto with the comfort package. I'll just run down to the local mustang performance shop and get a set of 4.10's installed and a tune and call it good.