[Swpihc1]

Hey all,
I recently posted a thread about type/accessories/price of the 2005 V6 Mustangs. However, after researching on eBay (not the best place for research probably) I came to the conclusion that I could purchase an older model (2003 or below) with a bigger engine for practically the same price as the V6. I was wondering if you all could help me out, were you in my shoes, would you buy the V6 or would you purchase an older GT with a V8 and more options? Although I like the V6 body style more than I like the older ones, I'm still not sure if I need that much engine power. Me being a 16 year old, it will probably up my insurance a but load, and also, I know that if I drive a Mustang with a V8, I'll stomp the gas everywhere I go, probably not a good thing. I just can't figure out which one will be better for me in the long run, and which will look cooler. What's y'all opinion?
Thanks
Swpihc1:wavey

 

[snowboarder7710]

i would go with the v6. insurance for a 16 year old would kill you. i had a v8 f150 when i was 16 and insurance was insane. go with the v6, itll keep you out of trouble...well a little more so.

 

[xchris]

i have an 06 v6 and im 18, got the car when i was 15-16, i wish i had a GT honestly, you get sooo much crap for having a v6, but my new v6 is faster then the old gt's lol.

Insurance is low on my car, it is not considered a sports car for some reason. as for gas mileage.... i can get 29 or 12 depending on how i drive, lol.

your choice but man i would love a GT

 

[blkonblk06]

I woiuld say it depends on what you want more. I personally like the S197 Body style over that of the previous generations. But i would take the performance of the previous generations over the new v6. So i'd say if you are going for show...Go with the v6.. If you want go.. grab a GT.

 

[Rob05Sixxer]

i have an 06 v6 and im 18, got the car when i was 15-16, i wish i had a GT honestly, you get sooo much crap for having a v6, but my new v6 is faster then the old gt's lol.

Insurance is low on my car, it is not considered a sports car for some reason. as for gas mileage.... i can get 29 or 12 depending on how i drive, lol.

your choice but man i would love a GT

Its actually ignorance when someone takes one look at goes "omg LOL not a gt, no go". The current s197 V6 is one of ford's better sixxer models, ya its not a GT, ohlols no 2 more cylinders. Its still a mustang, just have fun with it, having a bigger engine doesnt make you any different the person with 2 less. Tension builds when someone starts the whole gt vs sixxer arguement, why didnt you get a gt? Well why didnt you get a shelby GT,or a roush, or a saleen? See it gets us nowhere, just have fun guys:bigthumbsup

 

[gphasagt]

Insurance will be a lot regardless of how many cylinders you have. A ticket will raise your insurance a lot more than two cylinders will.

 

[bigwilly43729]

I say get the v6 and put a GT bumper on it. I just don't like the v6 bumpers that much.

Your insurance will be through the roof. Try the good grades route and see if mom & pop are willing to look our for you and maybe put you on their insurance. It could be a longshot and they would probably kill you if you got a bunch of silly tickets, but it's better than shelling out over 1K every 6 mos for insurance. :nono:

 

[Rob05Sixxer]

The 05 still has its warranty most likely, the 02 gt is a 6 year old model with no warranty. I would recommend starting out with the sixxer, I know what your thinking man a big roaring v8 will be nasty, I was all giddy when I started driving thinking I was going to pick up some GT and drag my butt off, but the sixxer really taught me self control and to respect a car, because the sixxer is still alot of car for an up and coming driver, just my 2 cents, good luck on your choice, you win either way because you have a mustang!:bigthumbsup

 

[bigwilly43729]

Oh, and since it's your first car, savor it, cherish it, baby it and drive it like you stole it (responsibly, of course).

Have fun getting all the chicks in that stang!!!

 

[Rob05Sixxer]

Oh, and since it's your first car, savor it, cherish it, baby it and drive it like you stole it (responsibly, of course).

Have fun getting all the chicks in that stang!!!

/agree, sixxer was my first ride, it will never be traded in. Freaking have fun either way man

 

[gphasagt]

Have fun getting all the chicks in that stang!!!

We all know that only happens with windveil blue! :shigrin

 

[Rob05Sixxer]

We all know that only happens with windveil blue! :shigrin

Took the words right out of my mouth.

 

[AndyZX]

I would choose a used GT over a new 6.

In fact that's what I did when I was 17 and was looking for my first car. But thats just me, only you know what appeals to you most...a modern look or a nice throaty v8. :scratchchin

 

[blak05]

Trying to find a 02 that hasn't had the crap beat out of it might be a chore in itself...I had a 02 mineral grey with bullitts that I bought new in 02..seemed small, seats (leather) were uncomfortable as he##. Ergo's that just didnt seem comfortable, especially the non existant headrests! (which I think changed to bigger ones in 03 on Canadian models) Now have a 05 GT..love the car...My two cents are , having owned both styles as I'm sure many on the site have, is to go with the new six...the aftermarket is huge and keeps growing...the other thing to remember that the people that usually say crap about it "only" being a V6 aren't usually people that have worked hard to buy a car themselves, and having said that who really gives a sh$$ about their opinion..enjoy which ever you buy, but buy it for your own reasons...

 

[tampa07GT]

My younger brother just went through the same thing. He ended up with a 2004 GT with less than 38K on the clock. He was out the door for under 13K. It's blue looks hot...sounds hot and goes pretty good. He ordered the machined lip hypersilver FR500's from American Muscle (not deep dish) 18x9 with 265/35/18's and the Pro-Kit. Loved the wheels and drop. He parked it next to mine a for a second I wondered if I should have bought that 04 Cobra I had looked at and test drove.

I'll post a pic tomorrow.

Oh yea, get the GT if you want the look and sound but I have to be honest I bought the 07 because the interior and comfort was light years beyond the prior years. Then again I would have bought a V8 over a V6 even if it required going back a few years. That is no slam on the sixers it's my need for the sound and TQ of a V8. I have to agree with the above on the interior 100%

If you look at older GT's look at the 04's as they are close in price to the 02's. If you really look around and you can pay a little extra get a good warranty.
Good luck!!!!

 

[hotshot]

I personally would buy the V6 for 2 reasons. First, because i love the S197 bodystyle. 2nd, because the '05 V6 will have a longer lifespan for you, and also, will likely require less repair work in the shirt run, which you being 16, can't have a ton of cash to use to seek repairs for stuff like brakes, that might be in need of repair on a '02 model depending what it is.

 

[charlie_morman]

I would personally go with the '05 V6. The body style is a LOT better than the '02 in my opinion.

You also have to consider that the '05 will last you longer, should get a little better gas mileage, and probably has more/better features, especially as far as safety is concerned. If I remember right, the current model V6 puts out 210hp, while the last model V8 put out 214hp, so the two extra cylinders aren't really helping you that much as far as power is concerned.

As far as insurance goes, neither will be on the cheap side of the spectrum. The '05 may be more just because it is newer, but than again it may not be because it is a V6 and have better safety features than the V8 '02 you're looking at. Personally, I got my '07 V6 Mustang new a couple months before I turned 18 last September, and the only thing stopping me from the GT (I even offered to pay the difference) was that my parents didn't want to pay the insurance premiums. My sister turned 16 in August and just last month she got an '07 Subaru WRX, so our insurance probably stings a bit every six months, especially with both cars on full coverage. It is just something that comes with the territory, despite both my sister and I having a perfectly clean record (only been pulled over once, no moving violations, no parking tickets, no accidents) and good grades. I wish I could give you an estimate on the amount, but I just don't have one. The closest I can do is I remember a pamphlet last year from our insurance company (USAA) said a 2007 GT Mustang with an 18-year-old driver with a perfect history would be around $7000 a year in premiums under full coverage.

Moral of the story: go with the '05.

Edit:
I forgot to add. I would get a radar detector. While I'm not condoning speeding, it might just save you from a few moving violations to know their is a cop around. Considering what it would do to my insurance, my parents would probably beat me...and I'm sure your parents' reaction wouldn't be too much different.

 

[A7X1031]

I personally would buy the V6 for 2 reasons. First, because i love the S197 bodystyle. 2nd, because the '05 V6 will have a longer lifespan for you, and also, will likely require less repair work in the shirt run, which you being 16, can't have a ton of cash to use to seek repairs for stuff like brakes, that might be in need of repair on a '02 model depending what it is.

I totally agree with this. hotshot pretty much summed up everything I would tell you myself. The style is too awesome to pass up, and plus those V6 platforms have so much potential. Either choice your going to have a great car, Good luck!:bigthumbsup

 

[tampa07GT]

I guess for a 16 year old going with the warranty and newer car will be better. I'm 37 and not scraping for every penny. Even so I spend hours looking for a "deal" because I remember the lean days plus I'm now putting big $ into my house.

Go with the six.

 

[Black05Pony]

The interior of the past couple models of mustang (96-98, 99-04) are fantastically uncomfortable. The seats lean way back with no (or virtually no) headrests, the armrest in the center is positioned too far back for your arm to use, the arm rests on the door swoop upwards about midway along your forearm thus making it impossible to rest your arm on them, and they dont have support for double-din stereo recievers because they have 2 single-din holes that are offset from each other instead.

The interior of the newer car will definitely be more comfy for you and your possible passengers (mom, dad, bro's or sis's, friends, dates, girlfriends?) Which really makes it something to think about.

As for power? Well the 96-98 GT's started with 225 hp and the 99-04's had 260 I believe. The current v6 has (as everyone probably already knows) 215 hp. Its your choice but dont forget that the v6 is still a 4.0L motor and can sound pretty bad-ass with a decent muffler or set of duals with the right mufflers.