Hi guys. I want to buy a Mustang in the very near future. Unfortunately, I haven't been "in the loop" lately, and I'm out of touch with Mustang information. I'd like to know the important changes between year models. Right now, I have about $15k in cash to spend on a Mustang. This car would be my daily driver, but I would like to gradually modify it too. I'm primarily interested either a * Fox Body 89-93, or a * S197 (2005-09), * or even a 99-2004 style. For some reason, the 94-98 Mustangs do not appeal to me. What are the key pros and cons of each generation? What generation would be considered the best for fast, reliable street car? Finally, are there any important distinctions between years within the S197 cars?
My 07 GT is my 4th Mustang, and as much as I loved my heavily modded 95, my 07 kicks the crap out of it in just about every way. Even stock it was just a much better car. About the only thing my 95 did better was brake, but it was a lighter car and had Bullitt brakes on it. I haven't been able to get my 07 to sound like my 95 did, but it sounds pretty good. I would think that if you looked around, you could find a used 05 or 06 for around $15,000.
I'd say go and find a used 05 or 06. They could have come with 3.55's if they're a manual trans. They are right in that ball park price wise. The interior is way nicer than the previous years and the chassis is a helluvalot better than the previous too. My 07 has never failed to put a smile on my face whenever I drive it.
i sold my 95 for an 05... and the 05 is better in every way shape and form (with the exception of the sound).... my 95 had a bunch of work done, but my stock 2005 handles better, is 10000x more comfortable, and is quicker. some real hardcore racing guys say they like the older ones better because they are lighter... but especially for a daily driver, the smoother ride (and everything else) is well worth it. you shouldn't have a problem finding one for under 15k
I had an 01 GT vert with C&L intake + plenum, 85MAF, 75mm TB, and bassani catback. My stock (with MAC boomtubes) 08 is faster, pulls a lot harder, and is smoother. The 2v felt like it was it was going to break something when revving at 5200rpm, where the 3v is smooth as silk to redline. The 01 felt a little more controlled at freeway speeds, but around town the 08 feels a lot more refined. 01 was not drive by wire and felt a little more responsive with throttle inputs at lower rpm than the new drive by wire system is, but a tune will fix that. Brakes on the 01 weren't as good as the 08. Fuel economy is better with the 08. Driving the 01 during a hot day with A/C, it was slow; heat soak more so than the 08. More wheel hop in the 01 than 08. More lateral support and more comfortable seats in the 08. Seemed like the 01 only held half of your back and no head or neck support. Man trans in the 01 had long throws and is kinda noisy. Going into 3rd almost hit the radio buttons. 01 clutch was hard where is 08 takes very little effort to depress. 08 is smooth, a lot shorter throw, better placement, and has a nice "snick" when shifting. 99-04 auto's are only 4speeds versus 05+ auto's with 5speeds. Better visibility in the 08. Mod's are not that much cheaper with the 3v's versus 2v's. I LOVED my 01 and wish I never sold it. 01 was a musclecar to me, the 08 is a modern musclecar.
You can get a good used 99-04 for around 8-10k. Get some gears, suspension, exhaust and put a blower on her and be at 350-400 rwhp for the cost of buying a used s197 with no mods. So for 15k you can have one monster of a muscle car if you go with a 99-04.
