I am a 21 year old still in college and I currently own a 92 5.0LX. I am debating whether or not I want to upgrade my 5.0 and put thousands into it or simply buy a 2005 GT. This isnt going to be a next week thing, I'm talking years down the road so I know I wont be getting a 05 but same model etc. I just wanted to know what you guys thought of the new mustang. Again I am talking the GT. My plan for the 5.0 is new intake, TB, engine, tranny, wheels, etc, you name it I plan on doing it. My newest plan was for a prochrager P1SC. So my question is what do you guys who own the 2005 think about the car? Could I put a P1SC on the 05 without any other mods? Try and give your honest opinion too, I'm sure if I posted this in the 5.0 section everyone will say stick with the 5.0. Thanks guys.
5.0 vs 2005
- Thread starter Funhog
- Start date
It really depends on what is important to you. I bought an '86 GT brand new and kept it until February of this year, when I sold it to get my '05. On the '86, I did $11,800 in mods (just in parts, as I did all the labor) which included motor, supercharger, exhaust, big front brakes, rear disks, full Kenny Brown suspension, gears, and pretty much every other performance item they made for the car. That car was faster than my '05, stopped better, had more grip, had less understeer, got better gas mileage, and it looked new inside and out.
So why would I sell this car which I'd owned for 19 years to get a lesser performing new car that I have to make payments on? Because in addition to speed and handling, I place a high value on the "feel" of a car going down the road, the way it absorbs bumps, ignores road imperfections, and remains unflappable no matter what is thrown at it. My '86 was better in those areas than any other fox body I'd ever driven, so I had no reason to sell it until the '05 came out and proved it was vastly superior in those areas.
For me, the '05 is nearly a perfect car. Simple mechanicals, sufficient horsepower and handling, tons of style, and with road manners as good as a new Honda.
From my experience in modding my Fox, I don't believe you can achieve as high a level of sophistication in a fox body, no matter what you do or how much you spend.
Owner1
So why would I sell this car which I'd owned for 19 years to get a lesser performing new car that I have to make payments on? Because in addition to speed and handling, I place a high value on the "feel" of a car going down the road, the way it absorbs bumps, ignores road imperfections, and remains unflappable no matter what is thrown at it. My '86 was better in those areas than any other fox body I'd ever driven, so I had no reason to sell it until the '05 came out and proved it was vastly superior in those areas.
For me, the '05 is nearly a perfect car. Simple mechanicals, sufficient horsepower and handling, tons of style, and with road manners as good as a new Honda.
From my experience in modding my Fox, I don't believe you can achieve as high a level of sophistication in a fox body, no matter what you do or how much you spend.
Owner1
Motorhead6T5
New Member
The 05's with a tune are about as quick as a H/C/I 5.0, but they smog,they don't smell rich,they ride better,way less road/car rattle noises,handle better,etc., I could go on and on. It's up to you, I own both 
I would say keep the 5.0 because of its heritage. You will still end up paying much more for the 05 than you will modding the 5.0. Unless you plan on dropping $30K into your 5.0.
But yes, the 05's are refined and sophisticated and pack a nice punch in stock form. Not to mention have a classic look that appeals to all ages.
So I guess you should do what your $$$ allows.
But yes, the 05's are refined and sophisticated and pack a nice punch in stock form. Not to mention have a classic look that appeals to all ages.
So I guess you should do what your $$$ allows.
NVERL8
Member
Whatever way you go you will be happy. I have a 91 5.0 and a 05 GT, the 91 is highly modded and the 05 is stock other than exaust. The only thing I can say is that the 91 seems to be a little more fun to drive, but that might just be because i had to get an auto in the 05 so my wife could drive it too. As long as your driving a mustang your sure to have fun. 
notchback
Founding Member
considering you already own the '92 you are starting at zero investment.
i'd mod the '92 and get a newer one later
way later.
besides, it doesn't sound like you will dump off the '92 so getting your $$$ out of it is not an issue
i'd mod the '92 and get a newer one later
way later.
besides, it doesn't sound like you will dump off the '92 so getting your $$$ out of it is not an issue
Funhog said:
, not only that but you will be faster and lighter. The new S197 platform is a good one and quite rigid but the Fox can easily be upgraded to brake and handle extremely well if that is also your pursuit. The aftermarket is huge and nice 5.0s are getting rarer by the year. Plus like everyone has said, it is paid for.
Though the '05 is a sweet car, I'd keep and mod the piss outta the 5.0 for now. The aftermarket is rather large and the OHV V8s seem much easier to work on. At some point I plan on picking up a project 5.0 to restore and mod. My girlfriend, future wife likes the idea and wants to help work on it too. Though if I was in the market for a new Stang I'd get probably wait for the new Shelby or another new special edition Stang.
millhouse
Founding Member
Motorhead6T5 said:The 05's with a tune are about as quick as a H/C/I 5.0, but they smog,they don't smell rich,they ride better,way less road/car rattle noises,handle better,etc., I could go on and on. It's up to you, I own both
Unless the 5.0 has a crippled driver, it wouldn't be close.
My 5.0 handles great and smells normal. I sacrificed a bit of civility for decent cornering/launching capabilities, so I do get more road noise and a more harsh ride.
I don’t however have a car payment, which aids me in modding the vehicle itself.
For a daily driver, the 05's win hands down. That’s not to say that you cant do the same with the 5.0's…you just wont be as comfortable doing such (unless your me of course.)
As I said, I am looking into a 331 stroker. I would more than likely do some suspension work to my car, try to lose some weight, larger tires, and so forth. Rick (Rick91GT) told me that if he builds me a 331 stroker with the proper internals I should make 400hp. And I forget who said it, but a new GT is about 30G. I paid 4200 for the 5.0 and I doubt I will put 30G into the car. Not to bash the new models, but they dont give off the same effect as the 5.0 IMO. Meaning, they do not seem like a muscle car or bada$$. I do not need leather interior, or all the hi tech mickey moose stuff. Cars today seem like they are more electronical than they are mechanical. I'll let you guys know what path I take, I am not going anywhere for a long time since my car only has 78G miles on it.
Motorhead6T5
New Member
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