Is it worth it?

[lil OH]

I have an 03GT Premium True Blue with 85k miles. I have some plans for it this spring/summer but is it worth throwing money into an 03 with 85k? The prior owner was a women who babied it driving who I know personally...was never even pushed over 4k rpm. Theres a few mechanical issues but nothing major that needs to be fixed.

My plans involve adding headers, x-pipe, tune, CAI, clutch and saleen rims w/ tires...which equals around $3k.

So is it worth it or should I start saving for a newer model?

 

[Tim2002GT]

That will all depend on you. Personally, I prefer our bodystyle over the newer models. However, hp come with a big pricetag on our cars. If your just wanting something to have fun with and not worry about making payments on, stick with what you already have.

 

[lil OH]

Thats how I was thinking...two more payments and its paid off vs. payments for years. Is there anything that is known to go after 85k miles? I don't know much but it seems a lot of parts start breaking down after 100K. BTW 11.54 is damn impressive.

 

[kyle_99gt]

well im not sure about the 03 but my 99 has over 100k and is still running fine other then the problem i had with the timing chain taking out my main bearing... Everything else is fine iv had the car for 6 years and really have done nothing to it other then oil changes.

This doesnt really have to do with mileage but rubber does break down over time so you might have problems with rubber bushings after a couple years.

 

[GDawg]

Maybe change your gear oil and tranny fluid... other than that, hell yeah keep it and toss money into it. Once it's paid off you can do anything you want to it to make it impressive. Just depends if you're happy with this style. I love my car and I'm far from done. I've got around $10k into mine and I've just started... I'll be getting FR500s and adjustable LCAs this spring. And more after that. Maybe 3.55 gears. Body kit will eventually come too. This pony will never die unless some idiot kills it...

 

[lil OH]

Thats settles it...going to be dropping many paychecks into my stang this summer Can't wait to get it running right.

 

[03_TrueBlue_GT]

I bought mine with 68,000 miles and its at 92,560 miles right now, I plan on doing more to it than what is on my sig... I was happy to run a 14.3 with my worn tires spinning on my 87 octane tune at the track.. So I know it can hit a high 13 with the right tires... These little 4.6's can take a lot of punishment if they are taken care of like regular maintenance and stuff. Be sure to take care of the tune up before you start modding it, like get the plugs, coolant, oil, fuel filter, air intake filter cleaned before you start throwing money at it.. Btw dont fear the gear...

 

[Rejekt]

I'd rather have a car paid off and be able to mod it than one I'm paying out the ass for that I can't afford to do anything to. I just paid mine off and am now looking at superchargers. I looked at Cobras for months and then decided to just keep mine and mod it rather than get into more payments. Have fun with it. Things break man, and when they do, make them better. At least if you have the car paid off, you can afford to do things.

 

[trombonedemon]

Theres a point where there is a "Land of no return," meaning, you put more money into the car then you will ever see returned if the car is sold, do you think you will cross that line? If so, keep the car more sentimental value then anything else, if not, sale while you still can make a profit.
That line was crossed for me when I blew my car's engine, transmission, and rear end.
Sooooooooo, my great grand kids will be driving my mustang; provided that this country don't make gasoline engines illegal or run out of said gasoline.

 

[txredgt]

I think some smarter mods might be suspension and gears if you're going to change the fluid anyways. Suspension will be getting close to its end if it isn't there already so you kill 2 birds with 1 stone. Get the suspension and the rims and you will want to continue modding her!