Alright, in a few months (August) I will be able to purchase a car and am looking at 99-04 Stangs. I'm coming from a 97 grand prix GTP with 40k miles. Now, my grand prix had 240HP and 280 lb ft tq, so looking at stock 99-04gt specs, it doesn't seem that much more powerful. So I am wondering: Should I go for a Cobra or a Mach 1? I see GTPs beat GTs often (on youtube, lol), and I beat 1 once before, so I wouldn't want to downgrade. (I would just keep my car but my parents are making me get a new one for college since they want to keep mine)
If it was a cobra it would be a 99 or 01 (dont have $ for a termy)
budget is around 12k. i noticed most low mileage GTs go for 10k anyways, so its not that much more for 60HP.
One issue though...I don't know how to drive standard, but I am not apposed to learning.
So coming from a GP GTP what mustang should I get? GT, Mach 1 or Cobra? Is learning standard and driving it every day easy/worth it?
also what would insurance rates on those 3 types of stangs be? compared to a GTP?
Thanks for the help!
I can't say much about insurance rates since we have funky laws about it here in massachusetts but I'd say that if you find a Mach1 in your price range go with that.
I can't say much about insurance rates since we have funky laws about it here in massachusetts but I'd say that if you find a Mach1 in your price range go with that.
its better than a cobra?
the downside i see to the mach 1 is the solid axle
im not racing at the track all the time so a IRS is better isn't it?
I would go for the 2003-2004 Mach 1 because they have very similar performance as compared to the cobra plus the machs tend to be well cared for and will naturally have less miles because there 3-4 years newer that the Cobras in your budget.
But you really cant go wrong because like you said the Cobra does have IRS. If you love going strait fast enjoy having a little fun in the twisties than a live rear axle (Mach 1) will be great. If you love the twisties and maybe even serious about it (auto X, road racing,...) than the Cobra may be a better candidate.
If you do go with a Cobra stick w/ 2001. 1999 had a couple of issues and they have the weaker T45 while the 2001 gets the TR-3650.
__________________
-2000 Mustang GT Ford Racing 4.10s // T45R 5speed// Hawk HPS Brake Pads // Cold Air // BBK 75mm TB // BBK X-pipe // Hooker Aero Chambers // Eibach Sportline's // Ford Racing Upper and Maximum Motorsports Lower Control Arms // '95 Cobra R's // Toyo Proxes T1-S // Steeda Tri- Ax Ram HDX Clutch // tuned w/ SCT X3
I haven't seen many (if any at all) Mach 1's that are within your budget of 12,000. You could find a pretty nice '01 Cobra for right around there. Same engine as the Mach 1 but also with a little more performance, plus you get to say that you have a Cobra
I haven't seen many (if any at all) Mach 1's that are within your budget of 12,000. You could find a pretty nice '01 Cobra for right around there. Same engine as the Mach 1 but also with a little more performance, plus you get to say that you have a Cobra
Really? There is actually quite a few here on craigslist asking about $12,000- $14,000. It might be a little bit of a stretch but in this market i bet you its more than possible.
__________________
-2000 Mustang GT Ford Racing 4.10s // T45R 5speed// Hawk HPS Brake Pads // Cold Air // BBK 75mm TB // BBK X-pipe // Hooker Aero Chambers // Eibach Sportline's // Ford Racing Upper and Maximum Motorsports Lower Control Arms // '95 Cobra R's // Toyo Proxes T1-S // Steeda Tri- Ax Ram HDX Clutch // tuned w/ SCT X3
i say 03-04 cobra. i mean think about the long run. once you get a gt or mach your gunna want to mod it. save the money and get the cobra. cobras are so easy to gain power with. a simple port tune and pulley will get you over 500 rwhp. and on the 03-04 cobra it would only cost you 1500 or so for over 500 the the wheels. and you irs is great for road racing.
If you could find a Mach 1 in that price range with decent miles thats been taken care of, that is a steal. A mach would be a fun car to have and so much fun to mod. I dunno what your financial situation is, but it would probably take a while to save up for a terminator. You could buy a modded GT in that price range but you know the previous owner probably had too much fun with it.
__________________
-04 Mustang GT-Intercooled Kenne bell 2.1L supercharged @10psi, C&L cold air intake, mass air flow, Sumitt racing 75mm throttle body, Magnaflow catback with Bassani X-pipe, chip and dyno tuned, 3:73 gears, B&M short shifter, FMS lowering springs and UPR caster camber plates, UPR upper/lower control arms, UPR subframe connectors. Kumho 275 up front/Kumho XS 315 in rear. Currently 420RWHP/435lbtq
-Daily Driver 04 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner, Blacked out, TRD suspension, K&N filter.
if you are going the gt route you should be able to find a very very fine one for 10k. i would personally go with the 01 cobra. for some reason i absolutely love the 01 cobra. the cobra or mach 1 are both great options if you can find one right for you. and with todays economy you should be able to get a bit off of them too.
as for the transmission, go with a manuel all the way. once you learn how to properly drive one you will absolutely fall in love. it adds a ton to driving and instead of "having to drive" somewhere you end up just "going on a drive".
so all in all go with the 01 cobra or 03-04 mach 1 and hands down go with a stick.
__________________
Procharged 2002 Mustang GT 5 Speed 351rwhp 353rwtq at 10psi
Next summer looking to go with:
Bilstien shocks + struts, Lowering springs (brand still TBD (any suggestions?)), MM CC plates, front + rear sway bars, subframes, and upper and lower control arms.
Time to make the pony ride some rails
i say 03-04 cobra. i mean think about the long run. once you get a gt or mach your gunna want to mod it. save the money and get the cobra. cobras are so easy to gain power with. a simple port tune and pulley will get you over 500 rwhp. and on the 03-04 cobra it would only cost you 1500 or so for over 500 the the wheels. and you irs is great for road racing.
well...im not made of money, the termies cost WAY more. I just checked on autotrader, and most 01 cobras are going for 12k (theres one for 11.9k with 40k miles and its a vert somewhat close by) and most termies go for 20k. Not worth 8k extra to me.
FYI my financial situation is I am in high school and buying it with my own money. I'll be a senior next year and would buy it around the start of the school year, so 20k is way to big of a stretch, and my parents would flip out if they found out about me spending 20k. And a 01 cobra is fast enough, after all, it IS a COBRA
EDIT: There is a 99 cobra for $7500 with 94k miles. its really really far (2k miles), is it worth checking out?! Or should i go for the 01 and have less than half the miles and less issues and it's way closer (like 200 miles).
2,000 miles for a car not worth 10 grand is not worth it. just be patient. if you are waiting till your senior year then you have the whole spring and all of summer. be patient and a good deal will eventually turn up. trust me, dont settle for just anything, only settle for what you really really want.
__________________
Procharged 2002 Mustang GT 5 Speed 351rwhp 353rwtq at 10psi
Next summer looking to go with:
Bilstien shocks + struts, Lowering springs (brand still TBD (any suggestions?)), MM CC plates, front + rear sway bars, subframes, and upper and lower control arms.
Time to make the pony ride some rails
2,000 miles for a car not worth 10 grand is not worth it. just be patient. if you are waiting till your senior year then you have the whole spring and all of summer. be patient and a good deal will eventually turn up. trust me, dont settle for just anything, only settle for what you really really want.
alright. theres a 05 GT for 12k with 72.8k miles 300 miles away, in phoenix (i like to go to phoenix anyways lol) the HP in those is pretty much the same as a mach 1 and they look soooo sexy. Too good to be true? It's from a dealer and has a warranty. Man, this seems soooo nice.
link to the 05 GT http://tinyurl.com/azecdp
link to 01 Cobra http://tinyurl.com/avfotf
Keep in mind that they may run the same hp but the '05 GT is about 600 lbs heavier so it will simply be slower. I've pulled on a stock '05 GT (though not by much) and I'm only running a GT not a Mach 1.
I'm biased, but I say go for the S197. HP is close to the Mach, plus the interrior is more comfortable. I just about bang my head in my friend's '04 GT, yet have plenty of room in my '08. Plus I like the looks of the S197 (2005-2009) better
__________________
2008 Grabber Orange GT premium, 5 speed manual, 3.31s
Diablosport Predator Tuner and Bamachips tunes (93 Race, Torque, and Preformance), Boom Tubes
Kooks LT headers and catted H pipe, Steeda UDPs, delete plates, UCAs, LCAs, and Panhard brace, all waiting on time to install them
Keep in mind that they may run the same hp but the '05 GT is about 600 lbs heavier so it will simply be slower. I've pulled on a stock '05 GT (though not by much) and I'm only running a GT not a Mach 1.
im SURE its not a 600lb difference. in fact im pretty sure its less than half of that.
And USUALLY 05GTs beat 04GTs (stock vs stock) hands down
and imho 05GT looks better than 99-04. period. but just "having a cobra" would be cool lol.
Best Mustang for Me? 
