Please help..."04 Mach 1 Vs "05 GT

Mach428 said:

I've seen a handfull of machs run 13.3- 13.1 bone stock. Most of the 04 Mach Dyno at around 280 hp more or less putting them at 320-330FWHP. Unless the 05 is significantly lighter, I believe the Mach will have an edge in acceleration, not sure about handling, Mach come stock with Tokico and they are 3/4 of an inch lower then the current GT, seems to handle fairly well, and gets excelent traction.

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Don't forget that the 3V - 05 motor has variable cam timing and a 2 stage intake manifold. I'd bet that it has a lot more low end torque than the Mach 1 motor.

The Mach may have a slight acceleration edge because it will be 100 or 200 lbs lighter and it has smaller diameter tires (same axle). But the 05 with its MUCH improved suspension geometry and its vastly better F/R weight distribution it will easily out handle the 04 Mach 1 and it will ride much better too.

I concur with low 13's for stock 03-04 Mach 1's, I've got a friend with an '03 Mach who's run 13.19 with zero mods at a Florida track. Given what we know regarding weight and power, I don't foresee the new '05 being quite as quick as the Mach, due to weight and maybe a smidge less h.p.. But the '05 will be so far superior in almost every other respect, that any small advantage in straight-line squirt will be of little concern. After all, if 1/4 mile times were ALL that mattered, we all would have been driving LT1 and LS1 powered F-bodies in the 90's.

I just keep thinking that since I've had two 'stangs since 1996 I've been looking at the same interior for 8 years and I want an 05 so I can get something fresher looking.

No kidding. When the 1987 Mustangs came out with the highly modernized dash, I was in love. When I sit in one today, it's ancient, rattly, and very 80's. When the 1994 came out the interior, was "WOW". Today, when I jump in my buddy's '03 Mach I just go "ugh". Brand new car, 10-year-old interior, with some silver spray paint on some parts. Change and an upgrade to the 21st century is long overdue.

tcosper said:

NOTHING IS MORE EXPENSIVE THEN REGRET.

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You sure got that right.

According to Ford engineers I talked with at the 40th in Nashville, the '05 GT 5-speed will only be 40 lbs heavier than the Mach 1 (3470 vs 3430). If the '05 engines are underrated, it's gonna be close, acceleration-wise, for these two cars. The new suspension and weight balance should pay great dividends.

I have had my car since Dec. 2002 and without a doubt can say it is the best SN-95 Mustang I've owned. However, the new car will have many benefits that would make it worth the wait. Even though it's "just a GT", the performance capabilities appear to be on par.

I guess the choice comes down to styling preferences and perceived exclusivity (the Mach is a limited edition, despite its higher numbers relative to the Bullitt).

Good luck in your decision.

RICKS said:

No kidding. When the 1987 Mustangs came out with the highly modernized dash, I was in love. When I sit in one today, it's ancient, rattly, and very 80's. When the 1994 came out the interior, was "WOW". Today, when I jump in my buddy's '03 Mach I just go "ugh". Brand new car, 10-year-old interior, with some silver spray paint on some parts. Change and an upgrade to the 21st century is long overdue.

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Well you should think "ugh" on the 05 then it's ancient with styling queues for the Mustangs of the 60's Funny how styles and attitudes change over time, you must not remember the 60's. Seems these styles just get retreaded over the years. Not complaining I like the retro cars much better than every car looking the same. I can sit in a clasic and really love it for what it is and was. The 05 GT is not a 21st century design sorry but it is a cool car and Ford is getting back to the orginial pony car of the 60's. Some like it and some hate it but that's the way it is.................

Hey, whats the story with Moding the 05. Last time I herd, mods would actually hurt the performance of the 05, is there any new info out there shooting the "Mod Proof theory" down?

Definitely wait!!! There's only a couple of more months to go!

Regarding handling on the Mach. I really got a chance to open up my Mach today. My friend and I found a road where there is no posed speed limit, no cars, no people, no buisnesses, and no residents. I feel like the car could have taken more, but I doubled every recomended speed on every turn. If the recomended speed was 30 i was goin 60, if it was 40 I was goin 80. The car felt flush to the ground, there wasn't any tire screaching, and the car felt solid(Not to mention i blew by some guys Camaro up a straight hill lol). The car felt great, my friend haveing a GT, was nothing but amazed and simply laughed at the handling. The car felt like it had a lot more to go in the handling department, but I really didn't feel like a responsible person pushing it to the limit, especially when theres trees around. If the 05 is supposed to be better in handling, its going to be absolutly sick. Now that I got a chance to really see how my car felt on a practically deserted road, I was very impressed with my Mach's handling I feel like its absolutly perfect for my type of driving.

Silverbull271,

Define "stomp"...not sure to which aspect of performance you are referring. Just curious...thanks!

Silverbull271 said:

Well Mach Stranger, I purchased an '04 Screaming Yellow Mach and couldnt be more happier..Dont care what anyone says this car will STOMP the '05 GT and any other stock GT......

-Yellowbull271-

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Just curious as to what you mean by stomp as well? Since the new GT is not out yet and no one outside Ford has tested it (magazines at least), how does anyone know what its performance will be. I have no doubt it will be close but stomp would be more like a 2003 Cobra vs 2003 Mustang GT. Now that's a stomp. I think it will come down to driver between the 05 and the 03/04 Mach 1.

The Mach 1 is an awesome car. But the 05 GT is a better car. Acceleration will be close but I can't think of another area where the Mach 1 will touch the new GT. Chasis, handling, interior, ride quality, looks (though that is objective), stance etc.

wait till the '05's are out then decide. By then there will be a few machs left with great incentives.

--if this matters to you: 10 years from now the Mach will be worth WELL more than the '05GT.

there won't be any incentives or machs left by august

if this matters to you: 10 years from now the Mach will be worth WELL more than the '05GT.

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I'll have to agree to disagree. Not that the '05 will be that collectible, but the Mach is not going to be some sort of rare treasure. They've made plenty of Machs, it's no R-model, not even a Cobra. And as Ford rolls out more and more special models on the new platform, i.e. Boss 302, or Shelby, or another Mach, people will move on. A cool car, a good car that we'll always be fond of, and will always stand out at the shows, but lets not get carried away. In 10 years they'll ALL be affordable used cars, 04 Mach or 05 GT, just like a '93 Cobra or '94 GT is today, it's not worth considering.

Well you should think "ugh" on the 05 then it's ancient with styling queues for the Mustangs of the 60's

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You missed my point I think. I don't mind the retro-themed interiors, because they are modern interpretations of the old cars, not carbon copies or re-hashed designs of old stuff. The new Mustang brings classic styling cues forward to the present. It's a fantastic EVOLUTION. After all, the 94-04 interiors were hugely inspired and reminiscent of the 69-70 Mustangs, and a nicely done evolutionary design that looked right at home......IN 19-friggin-94!!! It's just that the execution of the SN95 interior is not modern anymore, it's old, tired, and a monochromatic sea of black plastic. The '05 ALSO draws inspiration from the past, but it looks throroughly modern, crisp, and top-quality. It's totally fresh, and another good evolutionary design. But if Ford repeats itself, and keeps churning out that same flippin interior for another 10 years, virtually unchanged or upgraded, believe me, in the year 2015 I'll think that interior is ready for the glue factory as well!! I don't go "ugh" when I get in a new SN95 because I don't like classic evolutionary Mustang styling anymore, I go "ugh" because that interior doesn't pass muster in a brand-new 2004 car, and it's way way past due to be put out to pasture. It's like music. A song comes out, it's pretty retro, and you really like it. But then the radio station plays it over and over and over until you practically want to punch your radio the next time it's played. It's not that the song is bad, it's just been beat to death. Time for a new tune, and it's another retro one, which is fine, just as long as it's different and is well-produced and good.

Signal_12 said:

wait till the '05's are out then decide. By then there will be a few machs left with great incentives.

--if this matters to you: 10 years from now the Mach will be worth WELL more than the '05GT.

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I personally think the Mach will have slightly better than gt prices. But I don't know if it will be as much as say a Cobra. However I also don't think it means anything in this particular thread. Since the person looking for advice has had 4 mustangs in 5 years. So collectibility for him is moot.

Silverbull271 said:

You guys can say what you want and think what you want.....

Ill put my money down that there will be ALOT of unhappy consumers come this Fall!

Give it time, the car needs it....EVERY Mustang enthusiast knows that.
Pick up an '04 Mach while you still can!


-Yellowbull271-

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From the amount of people on this forum. I would say not every enthusiast thinks it needs any time. Sure this fall there will likely be people disappointed. But it will likely be more from salespeople than the car. I'm not sure why you would think this. Other than you just bought the mach1 and are looking to validate your purchase. Which you do not need. You bought a good car. Is it going to be better than the 05. In some aspects yes. But the 05 is an agreed upon vastly superior chassis. Enjoy your purchase.