03/04 Mach 1 vs. 05/06/07 GT - mechanical differences?

boatillo said:

Well obviously, but are they THAT different? Not like they're '69 Mach 1 vs. Mustang II different. Both are solid cars with plenty to build on right?

I just want to know beforehand if I'm paying $19k for a used Pentium II, when I could be getting a Core Duo if I had waited.

Click to expand...

Well, both are rear wheel drive, front engine, V-8 powered unibody constructed cars.

By all "advertising" they are very different cars and for the sake of exchanging parts from one to the other, they are.

Aftermarket parts are in abundance for both and will be for years. Everyone has jumped on the aftermarket for the newer Mustangs but in time some will go by the wayside as the current ones for the Mach1 are pretty much here to stay.

Machs have a shorter wheelbase, no Panhard Bar in the rear, with modified McPearson strut suspension up front while the newer has a longer wheelbase, Panhard Bar and true McPearson strut up front. What that gives you with stock suspension on either, is a better ride, eaiser to drive through the corners for the newer and harder riding twitchier turning (which can be translated to faster thru the turns for some drivers) for the older. The older Mustang can be brought up to be a great handling (neither is that bad stock) with not too much investment and the newer will need to have some work to keep up with the older if said is done.

Seating (ergonomics) is quite different from the two, depending on driver size and preferences one may pick one over the other in that form so a test drive of each is required to determine this.

Both have an old school form to them, the newer in body style and the Mach1 in options and appearence of the older Mach1s, Shaker hood, gages, seats, striping etc.

All and all, the newer is a more refined car than the previous and is very hard to compare on a 1 to 1 basis, IMO it's all about preferences of the individual, me, I would not trade the Mach1 for any of the newer ones that I have driven, but, I really would like to have BOTH!

boatillo said:

I've been reading about a big problem with the tremec 3650 on Machs...gears popping out or something, and it requires an $1100 kit from tremec to fix.

Dang if a Legend Lime v6 isn't looking awesome right now, $17500 or so and a full warranty...but...must...have...v8...

Click to expand...

When you find the Mach1 you want, get the Oaisis Report from the Service Department, it will tell you if the TSB has been done on it or not. Also as I noted in another thread, you may find one of the MANY that do not have the issue with the tranny.

You will also find that many Mach 1's have a problem with ticking heads that usually require having the entire cylinder head(s)s replaced. I owned a Mach 1, and before it turned 4000 miles it had a head replaced, the complete auto tranny replaced (at about 1400 miles!), a headlight replaced because it was gathering water inside the lense, and the seal around the key cylinder on the trunk replaced (was installed improperly at the factory).

All that being said, I was very happy with the car. It was a strong performer with great brakes and decent ride. But, I don't miss it at all compared to the '06 GT. It is all about personal preference- for me, the newer car was much more what I needed and wanted in a Mustang, and the aftermarket support for the new cars is tremendous!

I have an o7 gt...this may be a partial opinion, but, hold out.
don't be in a rush. Patience is a virtue. An 07, 06, or an 05 is a totally different car. There is a guy with an 03 Mach 1 2 doors down from me. When our cars are out and visible to the street, nobody gives him the thumbs up...or says "nice ride". even though it is.
when the o5's came out....anything before 05 fades into the background as just another Mustang.