A few questions for the Experts - 2006 Mustang GT Convertable
Greetings from Calgary, AB.
As a new member to this board, let me introduce myself... this is my first post. I'm a 35 yr old who according to my wife is going through an early midlife crisis, since I'm a few days away from purchasing a 2006 Mustang GT convertable. For the record though, she loves the car and will be happy to go cruising in it. I have a few questions though before I sign the papers.
- I have picked out a white GT with 18" wheels (the crappy looking ones with the large spokes - IMO) in an automatic... yes, automatic. As an ex - 280Z owner from years ago, I liked the 5-speed, but found the shifting to get tiring after awhile. In stop+go traffic, there is nothing like the ease of an automatic. On top of that, the cluch is somewhat stiff in these cars, and the wife won't be able to learn. I found the automatic with the V8 to be pretty fast off the line, and for the record, I couldn't see myself needing to have the lower gear ratio to get that extra jump in performance. That being said, I would be interested in anyones opinion on this... will I regret an automatic?
- As well, I would be interested in dropping a few grand into add-ons. One part of me is saying to invest in the undercoating, rust protection, and paint protection, as well as a few years of extra warranty. The other is saying to drop it into mods like wheels, exhaust, suspection, or a light bar. I would be curious what some of you would recommend relative to mods coming out of the gate. I really want to get those factory wheels off, and get the polished chrome 5 spoke that looks better in the 18", and I should be able to do that, relatively cheap, since the parts guy at the dealer figures he would have a buyer for the rims I have on the car, and then for $600 bucks, they will upgrade them, and fit them all on the vehicle.
- I like the look of the car when it is lowered a few inches, with the wheels under the wells... not to mention I find the car a bit unstable in corners when going over uneven roads. The parts guy told me about $1000 to mod the suspension.
- I've seen the Roush mustangs with the light bar, and that to me really finishes off a convertable. For $799 its all installed.
Anyhow... these are a few of the things I'm contemplating before I sign the papers. With inventory being low in Calgary, it is limiting my options relative to colors. I was a bit dissapointed with the red since I found it to be a bit washed out looking rather than rich like I've seen others... while the white seems to stand out and contrast well with the black leather interior and black top. Will I regret the white when red or black seems to be the classic color?
And if you had a few xtra grand to blow on mods from the factory... where would you put it?
Anyhow, any feedback from you folks would be appreciated. I'm having a hell of a time making a decision. I know I want one of these bad boys... I just want to do it right.
Welcome to the Forum, I am pretty new here as well. Why don't you just order a 2007 Convertible exactly like you want it, instead of accepting what they have left over in the 2006's? I ordered my 2007 GT Premium Convertible on 20 June and it is scheduled to arrive during the week of 02 August. When you are spending that much money, you may as well order it exactly like you want it, just something to think about before you drop all that money.
Welcome to the Forum, I am pretty new here as well. Why don't you just order a 2007 Convertible exactly like you want it, instead of accepting what they have left over in the 2006's? I ordered my 2007 GT Premium Convertible on 20 June and it is scheduled to arrive during the week of 02 August. When you are spending that much money, you may as well order it exactly like you want it, just something to think about before you drop all that money.
Good advice... I will look into this. I thought that the new line came out in the fall, hence my decision to seriously consider a purchase right now. Did you have to pay MSRP though?? I'm saving quite a bit with the sales right now - $37,800 for a vehicle with a $42,600 MSRP, Canadian. $5,000 off MSRP is good... as well, they are throwing in the interior upgrade package worth $600 bucks.
Welcome. There is certainly a lot you can do to this car. Agree the paint and undercoating might be a good investment considering where you live. If you decide to drop some $ into performance parts, you should first consider a cold air intake & custom tune ($500-700). That's where most of us started. From there you can change out the stock axleback exhaust ($300-750), and on, and on, and on.... If you want to mod the suspension, you're probably going to spend more than $1000. You might want to consider the FRPP Handling Pack (http://www.fordracingparts.com/parts...tKeyField=8976) as a reasonably priced option.
As a new member to this board, let me introduce myself... this is my first post. I'm a 35 yr old who according to my wife is going through an early midlife crisis, since I'm a few days away from purchasing a 2006 Mustang GT convertable. For the record though, she loves the car and will be happy to go cruising in it. I have a few questions though before I sign the papers.
- I have picked out a white GT with 18" wheels (the crappy looking ones with the large spokes - IMO) in an automatic... yes, automatic. As an ex - 280Z owner from years ago, I liked the 5-speed, but found the shifting to get tiring after awhile. In stop+go traffic, there is nothing like the ease of an automatic. On top of that, the cluch is somewhat stiff in these cars, and the wife won't be able to learn. I found the automatic with the V8 to be pretty fast off the line, and for the record, I couldn't see myself needing to have the lower gear ratio to get that extra jump in performance. That being said, I would be interested in anyones opinion on this... will I regret an automatic?
- As well, I would be interested in dropping a few grand into add-ons. One part of me is saying to invest in the undercoating, rust protection, and paint protection, as well as a few years of extra warranty. The other is saying to drop it into mods like wheels, exhaust, suspection, or a light bar. I would be curious what some of you would recommend relative to mods coming out of the gate. I really want to get those factory wheels off, and get the polished chrome 5 spoke that looks better in the 18", and I should be able to do that, relatively cheap, since the parts guy at the dealer figures he would have a buyer for the rims I have on the car, and then for $600 bucks, they will upgrade them, and fit them all on the vehicle.
- I like the look of the car when it is lowered a few inches, with the wheels under the wells... not to mention I find the car a bit unstable in corners when going over uneven roads. The parts guy told me about $1000 to mod the suspension.
- I've seen the Roush mustangs with the light bar, and that to me really finishes off a convertable. For $799 its all installed.
Anyhow... these are a few of the things I'm contemplating before I sign the papers. With inventory being low in Calgary, it is limiting my options relative to colors. I was a bit dissapointed with the red since I found it to be a bit washed out looking rather than rich like I've seen others... while the white seems to stand out and contrast well with the black leather interior and black top. Will I regret the white when red or black seems to be the classic color?
And if you had a few xtra grand to blow on mods from the factory... where would you put it?
Anyhow, any feedback from you folks would be appreciated. I'm having a hell of a time making a decision. I know I want one of these bad boys... I just want to do it right.
First off - welcome! I just took delivery of an '06 white GT convertible - black top, black interior, premium model with interior upgrade. I traded-in my '05 GT hardtop - black with red interior. The dealers are offering good money for '05s because people are looking to get into the new body style but don't want to buy new so used '05s are in demand. I paid $26K for the hard top new and got $23K on the trade. Anyway I personally think the convertible body style in white w/black looks awesome. It turns a lot of heads. I just added a light bar a couple days ago and as you said it really finishes it off. Now people are snapping their heads, not just turning them. The bar also helped (to a small degree) reduce body flex which is the first thing I want to resolve. I added a strut tower brace before the light bar and it really didn't make any difference. I think the next step is subframe connectors. I also tinted the windows and put the wheels and tires from the hardtop on the vert - 18" Cragar S/S. I had axle backs, 4:10 gears, CAI and an engine tune on the '05 hard top but I don't think I'll do any engine mods on the vert - not sure yet. The car is a blast to drive and very comfortable. Enjoy!
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'06 Convertible GT Premium - Performance White, 5 Speed Manual, Black Leather, IUP, Shaker 1000, Tinted Windows (35% all around), 18X9 Cragar S/S +36 O/S, Nitto 555 Extreme 255/45/18, BBK CAI w/Brenspeed SCT Tune, MGW Short Throw Shifter, Light Bar, Strange Development Strut Tower Brace.
welcome to allfordmustangs and good luck with your car any car you get i'm sure you will be happy with.The only thing i will say on the extra warranty is that if you read post in here any mods to the car and the dealers are given them promples on covering them under warranty.the deals only what the car stock so it seams. The wheels i would make part of the deal. get what you want and have them do it before you get the car who knows if the part guy can realy sell your wheels. THe paint protection i would forget about if your like the rest of use you be waxing your car with good wax and more then is needed so spend your money on a good wax system like Zaino or one of the others out there.They say the auto is faster off the line then a stick even before any work done to it (shifts to early they say)but they have a tune kit for that.Anyway good luck and hope this helps it's only my 2 cents
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06 mustang gt premium 5 spd manual redfire with dark charcoal int IUP my color and shaker 1000 -ford chrome bullitt wheels,MGW power outlet/ac knobs and raido knobs/cup bezel, chrome tail light bezels and headlights, C & L cai / Brenspeed 93 tune, MGW shifter, SLP Loadmouth, Shelby spoiler, sequential turn signals,J&M lca, 14 inch antenna and Zanio
I have a GT vert (black with red interior), I have added a light bar and a strut tower brace, and both I think are a must for convertible owners. I agree, I get many looks and compliments on the light bar. As for upgrades, I again agree with many here. My first upgrades were the CAI, tuner, and exhaust. I have since then upgraded the suspension (spent less than $1000 for the entire kit, but add in installation and it put me over the $1000 mark) and the brakes. I have also gone one step further witht he engine, I have put on headers, a trottle body w/spacer, underdrive pulleys, and many cosmetic upgrades (like the plenum cover, aluminum trim and poweder coated valve covers).
stlwagon, tksuther, 06redfireGT, and mvvrandermey...
Thanks for all the feedback! I will take all of your thoughts into consideration when making this decision. I was speaking to my brother last night who used to sell Ford cars back in the day, and he suggests the undercoating spray ($250 at Ford)... but has been told by the guys that do the paint protection and leather protection that they only use a high quality wax and leather compound that can be bought for $25-30 bucks. The rust protector is supposed to be a waste of money considering the body has it's own warranty against this, and as long as the vehicle is being cared for... and like myself, only driven in the summer, there should be no trouble.
As far as the Mods... I think I will be sure to get the tires I want, and the light bar is a must. Some of those other things like the exhaust, suspension, cold air intake and others will all have to be done over time. I think I might pass on the xtra warranty since I have bought many warranties over my time, and not used them. From the sounds of it... these cars are built well, and for the $1400 xtra... I might as well put that money back into the car rather than count on it breaking down to get back my money.
I would be curious though... Anyone from Canada here know when the 07's can be available... for order and delivery?? I have sent a letter to Ford, but probably won't hear back for a few days. I plan to find out from the dealer tomorrow... but I have a feeling they will be more interested in selling the 06, and giving me the "worst case scenario" for this option. At any rate, I'll call a few Ford dealers to make sure I'm getting the straight goods.
Good advice... I will look into this. I thought that the new line came out in the fall, hence my decision to seriously consider a purchase right now. Did you have to pay MSRP though?? I'm saving quite a bit with the sales right now - $37,800 for a vehicle with a $42,600 MSRP, Canadian. $5,000 off MSRP is good... as well, they are throwing in the interior upgrade package worth $600 bucks.
Calgary, I've got to ask. Are the stangs really selling for that much in Canada?? 42.6 sticker even 37.8 is awfully high IMO. I just bought a vert a few weeks ago, sticker on it was 34.9 and it was premium pkg with many upgrades.
Good luck with your upgrades. You'll soon find out, it's addictive.
Calgary, I've got to ask. Are the stangs really selling for that much in Canada?? 42.6 sticker even 37.8 is awfully high IMO. I just bought a vert a few weeks ago, sticker on it was 34.9 and it was premium pkg with many upgrades.
Good luck with your upgrades. You'll soon find out, it's addictive.
Do not forget, he may be talking Canadian dollars, there is a bit of a conversion factor there. If he is talking US dollars, remember, many countries (maybe Canada too) have high import taxes and other kinds of taxes (like Germany has a built in to the price of 14% tax). If you check the other threads, there was a guy in eastern Europe who was paying something like $65k (in US dollars) to get his hands on a Mustang. I remember when I was stationed in Germany many years ago, a pair of Levi jeans (after converting to US $) was running very close to $65, where you could buy them in the US for about $23 at the time. But in any case, anyone willing to spend that kindof dough on a Mustang deserves a thumbs up fromt he rest of us.
Good advice... I will look into this. I thought that the new line came out in the fall, hence my decision to seriously consider a purchase right now. Did you have to pay MSRP though?? I'm saving quite a bit with the sales right now - $37,800 for a vehicle with a $42,600 MSRP, Canadian. $5,000 off MSRP is good... as well, they are throwing in the interior upgrade package worth $600 bucks.
No, I didn't have to pay MSRP, in fact it was $3,793 less than MSRP. I ordered every option except the Shaker 1000 because it takes up too much trunk space IMHO, and I also didn't get the GT appearance package because I didn't like the fake hood scoop. Had it been functional I would have ordered it. Other than those two options, it was fully loaded, even got the center cap spinners, floor mats, and polished exhaust tips. I paid invoice price, but then I got to subtract $500 for being in the military, and $500 for using Ford financing. Total MSRP was $36,900, but my cost was $33,107, of course that is U.S. dollars. Good luck, and I hope you get exactly what you want!
Calgary, I've got to ask. Are the stangs really selling for that much in Canada?? 42.6 sticker even 37.8 is awfully high IMO. I just bought a vert a few weeks ago, sticker on it was 34.9 and it was premium pkg with many upgrades.
Good luck with your upgrades. You'll soon find out, it's addictive.
GTSTANG06... Sorry for taking so long to get back to you! I've been spending a lot of time phoning dealerships, and researching this purchase.
To answer your question, 37,800 Canadian is what these bad boys are selling for... loaded up for the most part. Keep in mind that our dollar is on a different level, and right now it's at an all time high... meaning that it's actually cheaper for me to buy here (if we are comparing apples to apples) then it would be south of the border... like wise for you. Last time I checked, our exchange rate was abour .85 cents on to the US dollar which means that I would have to pay 32,130 US to purchase at the same price. In other words, if you exchanged your dollar and bought one up north, you would be saving almost 3 grand... assuming we are comparing the identical car with the same options.
No, I didn't have to pay MSRP, in fact it was $3,793 less than MSRP. I ordered every option except the Shaker 1000 because it takes up too much trunk space IMHO, and I also didn't get the GT appearance package because I didn't like the fake hood scoop. Had it been functional I would have ordered it. Other than those two options, it was fully loaded, even got the center cap spinners, floor mats, and polished exhaust tips. I paid invoice price, but then I got to subtract $500 for being in the military, and $500 for using Ford financing. Total MSRP was $36,900, but my cost was $33,107, of course that is U.S. dollars. Good luck, and I hope you get exactly what you want!
Coool.
At any rate, I have shifted gears so to speak... and have a dealer trying to bring in a 07 Vista Blue GT California Special Vert for me. I should know tomorrow if he will be able to do it... but he seems pretty sure he can... within a week or so. I stumbled upon this car while doing my research, and after asking the sales guy some more questions I was able to find a few in Alberta. Needless to say... over the last week, I have come to find that the dealers and primarily sales guys do very little for you. They would rather sell you what's on the lot rather than look after your needs and ensure that all of them are met. Last week, I didn't even know that the 07's were hitting the lots over the last few days, and I wouldn't have had it not been for my own independant research. While there are only a small handful of them, and they are spread out all over hells half acre... I think I might have found "the one". I don't mind spending $40K for this bad boy since it already comes with the 18" wheels that I like, as well as some of the unique body changes that come with the Cali Special. I like the fact that they lowered this baby 1.5" and give it a little bit of a meaner look. While this one is a stick, and I was originally looking at an automatic, I have a feeling that I'll be happy with that in the end. There's nothing like the roar of that sweet V8, and unfortunately the automatic prevents you from hearing it often... unless you are flooring it all the time.
07's are popping up at dealers all over town here in Edmonton. I took the pic of this Alloy 07 on Saturday at the Dalhouse park'n'ride(on our way to the Calgary Stampede) in Calgary and this black 07 GT/CS a couple of weeks ago at Healy Ford in Edmonton.
GTSTANG06... Sorry for taking so long to get back to you! I've been spending a lot of time phoning dealerships, and researching this purchase.
To answer your question, 37,800 Canadian is what these bad boys are selling for... loaded up for the most part. Keep in mind that our dollar is on a different level, and right now it's at an all time high... meaning that it's actually cheaper for me to buy here (if we are comparing apples to apples) then it would be south of the border... like wise for you. Last time I checked, our exchange rate was abour .85 cents on to the US dollar which means that I would have to pay 32,130 US to purchase at the same price. In other words, if you exchanged your dollar and bought one up north, you would be saving almost 3 grand... assuming we are comparing the identical car with the same options.
My bad, forgot about the conversion rate up north, keep thinking of Canada as one of us....
A few questions for the Experts - 2006 Mustang GT Convertable 
