Mach 1 Checking out you Mach guys

Hey guys, coming over from the 5.0 crowd. I don't know a lot about the mach cars but they sure hold my interest. I have been eyeing this Mach1 sitting on a local used car lot. I think its a 04, maybe 03 but definitely very new looking. I hope to stop by soon and take a real close look (gotta go when wife isn't looking) and get the scoop on it.
It is that Ford Orange color with the black stripes. Is that called Competition Orange?
Are there any numbers on how many produced by color?
I'll find out whether its an auto or manual and post back. Would just like some basic Mach info. I need all the "selling points" I can get to help convince the wife we NEED this car...If it is worth it.
Thanks for any help.
Ken

Thanks a bunch for that history lesson...very valuable info!
Yeah, I need to convince my wife about the "sexy" part and get her to see the light. The Mach at the dealer lot looks great from a passing glance, so I figured it might be a 04. That's good news, just hope I can convince her. I never thought about having a orange car before, but maybe its not so bad?! Its definitely an in-your face color compared to my previous colors. I'm a little excited about this car, now my next step is to see if it is auto or manual.
Thanks again, great help.
Ken

Hey, thanks for the link. I am on my way to check out the registry. This Mach 1 stuff has intrigued me from the start. I was just surprised to see one in our small town.
I have regretted selling my 93 vert for a couple years now. I had poured so much sweat and money into it, but got frustrated with a surging problem and sold it in haste. The Mach cars seem like they could put me back to the level I left off at. I had it in the 12s with a lot of parts and money invested.
We just bought my son a 92 hatch as a fixer upper which brought me back to this site. I forgot how much I loved being a member here...since Stangnet first started.
Thanks for all the info....
Ken

WOW, you guys are making my head spin!
Money is tight right now...kid in college, bills, etc. BUT, this Mach is calling me!
I absolutely HATE driving my Expedition land yacht, but I inherited it from my wife. She has 3 horses (the hay eating type) and we got her a new 04 F-150 last year, thus I got the family truckster. I use it to haul my boat, so it isn't all that bad to have. Still, I want a Mustang again. My daughter has a 04 6 cyl, we just got my son a 92 GT hatch, and now I need one. I would have to get rid of the Expedition, then be forced to borrow my wife's F-150 to haul the boat (its hard to get hold of the truck, she's out with the horses all the time) THAT is my main problem right now.
As for the Mach....I checked it out today. Got the VIN and ran a carfax on it. One owner car (local) and no reported incidents. Supposedly the owner traded it in due to financial problems. I was told that he is seeking to get it back? Whatever that means.
I checked the Mach over and found a few things.
The exterior is perfect...no scratches, dents, etc.
The interior is...well....how do I put it.........UGLY. The guy painted all the plastic parts to match the outside orange. To me it looks hideous. The contrast of the orange to the surrounding black is not good at all. Shiny orange paint...sheesh.
I know I could easily replace the parts without too much trouble.
I really have to give this some consideration. It IS a MANUAL tranny, so that is GOOD. I will probably go talk to the dealer tomorrow before work. See what they are asking. I'm pretty uptight about this car....not sure what to do. You guys are making it hard...too many good comments!!!!
Any more comments are welcome though....more to consider or convince me!
Thanks guys,
Ken

OK, I stopped by tonight on the way home from work. The Chevy dealership finally put a sign in the window. They list the car at $25, 495. I figure that is their top, wishful price, but don't really know the dealership that well. I spend all our money at the local Ford dealer, just down the road. I don't know if they are a willing to deal type dealership. I don't know anyone who has actually bought a car from them...and we are a fairly small town!
I plan to go by in the am and ask some questions. Who knows, maybe they will offer some kind of deal. I sure won't be paying that price~ ...not having to replace all those interior panels.
I heard on the radio that the radio station is doing one of their live broadcasts from that dealership, hummm.......
I hope to own that stang, but I have to stay poised and realistic?
Ken