camaro driver. looking at an '03 GT

[axl rose]

for some random reason i felt like test driving cars. couldn't find any V8 fodys really so i stopped to drive an '02 5-speed mustang V6. shifted at 3.5k and it was SLOW. then i stopped at another dealership across the street (which was actually where i had my car parked oddly enough)

'03 Mustang GT
20k miles
5 speed
silver
great shape
pretty much all options except leather
1 owner
Indiana car

$16k

my shifting was a little rusty since i've only driven stick once for more that 5 min, but i managed not to kill it. that was this summer with a '92 silverado 4.3. anyway i was shifting in the 2.5-3k range. one word. quick.

with my car as a trade in my payments would be about $300.

any rants about this specific year, or that fact that i'm actually considering a ford? i remember hearing something about the intake manifolds sucking pretty hard in the '98s and such.

 

[trailblz]

I think everyone i here prefers the Stang over the Camaro, but most of the later year versions (SS, etc.) can kick the crap out of any stang stock to stock with similar drivers.

If you like it and think its a good deal, pick it up!!!!

 

[axl rose]

do you think the price is right though? i just don't wanna get screwed. i've looked at f-bodys and mustangs on autotrader and this car seems to be priced decently. it blue books at $17k. ultimately i'd like to take the car on a longer trip, at least 60 miles, just to get a feel for the car.

i've been driving a mildly modded '98 V6. posi, 3.42 gears, Z28 steering rack, catback, aluminum driveshaft, and some stuff with the air intake. the mustang just feels sooo fast and i've barely even driven it.

LS1's are extremely hard to find around here. to find any deals on a Z28/TA with a manual trans i'd have to go at least 200 miles.

are there any issues with the motor in this particular year? or anything about the 4.6L really?

 

[04DarkShadowGT]

From a dealer its about right, you can talk them down a little but its got good mileage, fairly new, and it was probably 25-26K new so I would say its a fair price.

The 4.6L is pretty stout but its very expensive to mod for any real N/A power. You will have about the same power with a 4.6L with new heads, cams, intake, exhaust, etc that you have with an LS1 with full exhaust.

 

[axl rose]

i'm just looking for something with some power, and that actually sounds good. the only mods i would do are exhaust and air intake.

 

[HoustonGT]

i'm just looking for something with some power, and that actually sounds good. the only mods i would do are exhaust and air intake.

Ohh no you wouldn't lol. You'd get addicted like the rest of us and keep goin and goin

 

[axl rose]

what about would this car run with the 5-speed? lows 14's?

 

[DBMSTNG]

i'm just looking for something with some power, and that actually sounds good. the only mods i would do are exhaust and air intake.

i once said the same thing.

 

[Superhereaux]

what about would this car run with the 5-speed? lows 14's?

low 14's are common with an average driver


if you want a quick car an 'o3 gt with gears, exhaust and a few other bolt-ons should fit the bill quite nicely

if you want a fast car alot of companies make superchargers for the 4.6 2v that'll put you near, at or a little over 400rwhp (trying to go fast n/a in these cars is a waste, don't try it)


but drive the car a little more around town at normal speeds and see how you like it. i've driven fbodies and prefer my 'o2 and i'm definately not what you would call a "ford" guy. i just think it's a better driving car around town and for daily driver status

 

[03GTconv]

From a dealer its about right, you can talk them down a little but its got good mileage, fairly new, and it was probably 25-26K new so I would say its a fair price.

The 4.6L is pretty stout but its very expensive to mod for any real N/A power. You will have about the same power with a 4.6L with new heads, cams, intake, exhaust, etc that you have with an LS1 with full exhaust.

You can get a 4.6L PI motored Mustang with full boltons Cams, Heads to around 295-310 Rwhp...Thats Maxed out..but it should run mid to Low 12s.....The LS1 Bone Stock usally puts down 300-310 Rwhp...But these stout little stangs with the right mods can take out a very mildly Modded LS1.....

F- Bodys are hard to come by.....Mustangs are a dime a dozen and it sounds like you got yourself a pretty good deal....Id take it....Mustangs are alot of fun and you wont find a more loyal bunch of enthusiasts!!!

 

[bluextc]

Mustangs are alot of fun and you wont find a more loyal bunch of enthusiasts!!!

+1


Mustangs are an addiction, and so much fun. Don't think you'd regret it, but don't think you'll be satisfied with the basic bolt-ons. They are like potato chips...

 

[Jackie Chan]

You can get a 4.6L PI motored Mustang with full boltons Cams, Heads to around 295-310 Rwhp...Thats Maxed out..but it should run mid to Low 12s.....The LS1 Bone Stock usally puts down 300-310 Rwhp...But these stout little stangs with the right mods can take out a very mildly Modded LS1.....

F- Bodys are hard to come by.....Mustangs are a dime a dozen and it sounds like you got yourself a pretty good deal....Id take it....Mustangs are alot of fun and you wont find a more loyal bunch of enthusiasts!!!

with h/c and boltons and mid 12's you should kill yourself unless you are running bandimere

 

[DocG]

Not a bad price considering the mileage. Might want to take a look at the Tremec thread on here, tranny's are known to be a possible issue on these cars. Might want to drive it some more and get a feel for the 1-2 and 2-3 shift. Or since you're a little rusty on stick, get someone who is a pro at it to check the shift for you. Beware of the dreaded 1-2 shift clunk. If it shifts like butter, you're golden!

 

[axl rose]

i got to drive it by myself for an hour today. it seems to handle quite a bit better than my camaro, even though mine does have the Z28 steering ratio. granted the ford is running on wider tires. my current ride just seems like a larger car after driving the mustang. obviously accelleration is better, and the 5-speed is a blast. it's also great to see my hood whenever i want to. i love the sound of the motor.

now what i don't like. the interior is nice, and is perf. however, the seats in my camaro are more comfortable. i just feel more at home, but maybe just because i'm used to it. the mustang does have to Mach sound system with a 6-cd changer. but who cares when my Monsoon system sounds even better? and the hood scoop looks tight. but why the **** isn't it functional?

i haven't made my mind up for sure. turns out the car was $23k originally and got marked down to $16.5 because well, $23k is outrageous and it's not many people are looking for RWD car at the end of october. he said he'd give me enough on the trade to make the loan $14k. that's actually the same amount my camaro received for trade in 1 year ago and 11k miles less. so it does sound like he is set on the price of $16k.

i'm filling out the credit application. first of all i want to see if i can even get the thing. while that's going through i'm going to consider my general financial situation.

i don't know how to explain it really. it's just something about the car.

 

[myponyrocks]

with h/c and boltons and mid 12's you should kill yourself unless you are running bandimere

Bandimere and full bolt ons and some wieght reduction I'm running 14.6s

As to the 03, thats a decent price and if its stock or near stock the owner probly hasn't beat on it. I say go for it, but try to knock another grand off of it.

*EDIT* Oh and I'm assuming the dealer swapped those wheels onto it... 03+s came with Bullitt style wheels to the best of my knowledge? Bring that up to em.

 

[Matt's 03 GT]

Axl:

Get it... You won't be sorry. I waited about 10 years to get my first mustang (about 2 months ago) and I haven't regreted the decision for a second. Every time I start the car in the morning I am reminded of just how great it is to have a V-8.

Does anyone know if those rims came on the 2003 gt?? I thought they all got Bullitts???

Just remember V8>V6 in any car.

F.Y.I. I paid $14,800 for my 2003 with 33,000 miles on it recently.

 

[Crzyhrse]

$23K originally? You could buy a Mach for $20K and still have 3K left over for mods.

 

[axl rose]

the stang idled so smoothly too. i was sitting at a light and i honestly had to give it some throttle to see if it was still on.

if i do in fact get it (still not sure), exhaust at the end of April. the motor sounds nice now, can't wait to hear it in a more natural state.

 

[Ruckus46Gt]

do yourself a favor and get a mach one. Better out of the box all around and wont have to kill your pocket to make it fast. I have way to much money into my car and pull what a midpipe, intake, catback mach 1 would pull

 

[Crzyhrse]

290RWHP.