Considering a Mustang GT

[SRMobile]

Hi,

I'm looking into a Mustang GT (1999 - 2003)and would like some insight as I plan to use this car all year round rain or snow.

Ive been looking at both the GT Coupe and the GT Convertible. I told myself if I were to ever buy a Mustang it would have to be a convertible.

So I'd like to hear from both people who have the convertible and coupe that have driven it in the snow.

Convertible: Any leaking issues ? How is it in the winter ? Is it worth the extra money ?

Coupe: How is it in the winter ?

Thanks in advance!

PS I'm from the Montreal area.

 

[mrbeer99]

Welcome to the Message Board.

IMHO, city driving the Late Model GTs is not as bad as some of Southerly USA Neighbours might think.

I have owned two Mustangs previous to the one I have now and drove those two mustangs in the Winter. (After I got married, I no longer needed to drive the thrid one) After 7 years of driving in the city, I only managed to get stuck like 4 times and three of those were right outside my house at the end of my driveway, trying to get in or out from my house before the plow went by. If you lived in an area where they don't plow or salt often, then I would consider something else.

Rule #1) Nothing Beats a Great set of Winter Tires and Rims. Like Drag Racing & Tim Allen, you get the right tool for the right job. A Great set of winter tires will help you Greatly. Research a good set of Winter Tires, spare no expense for a well designed, good quality set of winter tires. I can't emphasize that enough.

2) Drive SLOW, If I had $1 for every SUV I saw in the ditch on a bad winter day while I was driving by in my Mustang, I would be a rich man. Some people in SUVs, are a little over confident since they own a 4x4, they think they can't loose control. The Mustang may have a light a$$, but it can be controled with better driving technique. City Driving is different than driving on rural covered roads. In the city they Salt and Salt and then Salt again, so the roads are good on some of the worst days. Traction Control can help if you know how to use it, but it will sometimes get in the way. I was out on the roads, in my Mustang, on the day of the Ice Storm, seeing everyone in the ditch while I was just fine in the stang. But I was only going 20 km/h or less.

3) Nothing beats a few sand bags in the trunk and other Emergency equipment (shovel) for the "Just In Case" factor. Be Canadian, get out and Shovel.

Our parents seemed to have gotten through Canadian Winters with worse cars than a Late Model Mustang without to many serious problems. Although I recognise that cars back then were a fraction of what a GT costs these days. So, if you dinged a door, no big deal.

Or spend $500 and get a Winter Beater. A good set of Winter Tires will cost you about the same anyway. But you need the space for both cars.

I hope this helps.

 

[SRMobile]

MRBEER,

Thanks for your help, I didnt forget about this post, I was just weighing everything out and now I am the new owner of a 2003 Vertible GT 5 speed

After driving it around for 3 days now, I dont know if I'd want to drive this baby in the winter.. Im sure I could get away with it with the proper tires and sand bags, but Id be pretty pissed if something happend, not to mention all the road salt and sand they use here in Quebec. I guess we will see what happens,

Thanks again!

Cheers,

 

[Stangfreak95]

MRBEER,

Thanks for your help, I didnt forget about this post, I was just weighing everything out and now I am the new owner of a 2003 Vertible GT 5 speed

Thanks again!

Cheers,

Congrats on your new toy !

After driving it around for 3 days now, I dont know if I'd want to drive this baby in the winter.. Im sure I could get away with it with the proper tires and sand bags, but Id be pretty pissed if something happend, not to mention all the road salt and sand they use here in Quebec. I guess we will see what happens,

Now you understand Mustang+winter=

 

[zoma]

rusty thunderbird + winter = donuts in ice covered parking lots .

Its like a mustang, but without the love and attachment!

 

[mpcv2000]

I drove my car only for one winter and it was awesone , no problem at all , I own a 2000 GT convertible , but the thing is : the winter I drove it I was living in Florida...



Congrats on the new ride , now let's start modding it...

1st : Gears !

2nd : I hope you got a stick car cause the convertible are heavy and slower then a Coupe so gears ( 3.73 Stick & 4.10 Auto ).

3rd : Shifter if it's stick .

4rd : Pulleys .

5th : Chip to fix the rear end gear change and lean the car out( air Fuel ratio ) plus add some timing a bit so you'll be able to free up around 10 RWHP .

6th : I forgot the Cat Back , this will be mostly for sound but when you own a V8 you must hear it a bit. 2 1/2" tube with 3" to 3 1/2" tips.

The list can go on and on for hours but what the hell , this is why we buy these cars , we like to mod them..

 

[SRMobile]

hehe,

You'll be happy to know that I got the 5 speed and have a superchip left over from a previous ford vehicle (y) where is the computer code located ?. I read somewhere that there is a dealer flash that could be done to upgrade the power.


What do the gears go for ?

Thanks

 

[zoma]

2nd : I hope you got a stick car cause the convertible are heavy and slower then a Coupe so gears ( 3.73 Stick & 4.10 Auto ).

3rd : Shifter if it's stick .

If it is auto, some things to keep in mind:

1) Slapping a 4.10 in an automatic with no calibration done is gonna end up having you slap the rev limiter all over the place

2) Shift kit before gears. That way you can get away without a computer calibration in some cases (like me with my 3.73's).

3) Good stall torque converter.

4) Once you have all that on the auto, heck go get a shifter too. B&M hammer shifter is real perdy on the console, is definitely my shifter of choice for aod and above auto trannies.

 

[TheDamned]

Well that was my first winter with my license\car\mustang... and I stored my Mustang... Best thing i've ever made... I would be crying to see my stang getting eaten alive by salt.... As for the traction, bah, I had a Camaro T-top 1985 for winter... and i had no problem at all with traction (well somes but minors...) sooo i'm sure my SN95 handle better in snow then my camaro 85.

Just my .02 cents bro, congrats on the new car