I have been looking into either buying an older GT (95ish), or a newer V6 (2000+). I was wondering if you wonderful V6 guys could enlighten me on some of the reasons why the V6 is in some way better than the GT. So far all I can think of is gas, reliability, and insurance... Thanks, look forward to reading your responses. -Adam
I would say newer more reliable is the main reason, and gas as you said. the HP is very similar 190(V6) compared to 215(GT). I guess the one thing you need to consider is what body style do you like the 94 to 98 or the newer 99+?? Plus do you want a V8 sound or a V6 sound to the exhaust, if you plan on modding it. I would take the older GT though personally, if it has lower mileage and you can afford the extra cost for gas and insurance, although I don't think it is a huge difference.
That's about it. Though after I put in my 3:73's and tlock, I could have fun with those same GT's. Stockers mostly though. It's kinda fun to pick on them and then tell them you have two less cylinders! lol.... Now that I think of it, another advantage. Less front end weight equals a better balanced car. Which is really important if you wanna autocross.
remember, older the car the more problems it's going to have. My paint is showing it's age on my 94 as well as other things that tend to go out. If you were to get a V6, get a 01+. The smoked headlights are just sexier then the 99/00.
Thanks for the replies. I really like the body style of the 99+ for some reason. And gas+insurance is a big factor considering I am a teenager and money is never easy to get a hold of. I would love to get into autocrossing, but I'm not sure where these take place by me?? I live near the Sacramento California area. Any help would be appreciated. And just for the heck of it, how much $$$ would you have to put into a newer V6 to make it 'GT status'? -Adam
Well you are already in the area of the older 94 to 98 GT's maybe a few hundred bucks and you'd be there it may take a little bit more cash to get to the newer GTs though, but it is possible need to knock off a good 1.5 secs in the 1/4 mile.
Ok thanks. I thought weight would be another advantage? And is there an online insurance calculator out there somewhere so I can get rough guestimates of what the price will be for either the GT or V6. How many people out there have some 'V6 sleepers' that have rocked a few people that didn't expect it?
I do. I've pulled on a few pre99 GT's that had exhaust and the like. The other day I stayed with a fox 5.0 with a cam up till my gears ran out. Then he started to pull on me. But he was wondering if I really did have a v6
With my stock setup I stayed with a '98 GT from about a 20mph roll. Had we been at a stop, he would've taken me from more torque. There's not much you can do in the way if "inexpensive" mods to get to the HP level of a newer GT, though the smaller gains you get from those mods coupled with less weight will allow you to put up a stiff competition, if not outright beat them. I'd say max gains you'd get from performance mods outside of actually boring, cams, etc is maybe 240, including headers, heads, intake, dual exhaust, pulleys and gears. Don't get me wrong, 240 on a V6 with less weight than a V8 is just plain awesome, but when you get blower (ok, so it's more like if you get one), you could easily push 360 with like 12-14psi.
