[OAC_Sparky]

(06-12-2010, 04:04 AM)Mystake Wrote: For the amount of money it costs to get the GT, take that and invest it into your 6 banger and I'm sure you'll have an even quicker than it already is car. That, and you'll be unique.

It's all about "starting points". I am in no way slamming the V6 Mustang whether it is the past or present model; and I would daresay that I rarely disrespect most people's car choices** -- you like what you like and the reasons you buy your car (cost/needs/insurance/etc) are yours to decide. I wouldn't say what you drive makes you more of a man; get what you need and what suits you. I get the same BS with my truck -- I've got a Ranger FX4 -- people "blah blah blah" about "getting a real truck" but I've had people eat their words when I pull them out of the shiz in winter. I don't need the size of a full-size truck for what I use it for: work in the winter, some offroading, and for some electrical side work. It's 3 years old with only 40k on it. A similarly-equipped F150 FX4 would have been an extra $15G, and I'd rather spend that on what I prefer -- a car.

As for the Mustang, the 308HP that you start with in the V6 is definitely respectable. But the cost of "investing in it" to match a GT wouldn't be worth it unless you are trying to get around insurance costs, or a higher purchase price now and you intend to mod it after the warranty expires.

For example, a leather interior comes standard with the GT. On the V6 it's a $1500 retail option. (BTW I have the pricing lists on all FMC vehicles). The Brembo brake package only available on the GT is $1700 and would cost at least $2200 aftermarket (for all 4 corners). With that you get 19" Rims, Pirelli Z-rated tires (about $2000 aftermarket) and a strut bar. The 3.73 rear end (only avaliable on the manual trans GT) is $500 but would cost you about $1200 aftermarket by the time you install and set it up. Chances of you squeezing another 100HP out of the 6 naturally aspirated is slim, so count on another $5G by the time you're done. Add suspension upgrades the GT gets ($1000) and you can see that it doesn't take long to erode the price difference.

And this also doesn't account for the loss of a 3yr/60k bumper to bumper or 5yr/100k drivetrain warranty. These things are more important to me than a little more go fast. I drive 45km each way to work, so a car that is down for repairs is a major inconvenience.

As for "uniqueness", that is a matter of opinion. IMHO if you want "unique", get a Shelby. Or a turboed Focus. There is nothing particulary unique in buying what will be a fairly common car (the V6) and dumping a lot of money into it to not be able to beat the same car with a higher trim level.

That's just my view of it, YMMV.

** Open to criticism, however, is

1. ricing up your car with fartcan mufflers, multiple or gaudy bookshelf spoilers, "Type R" stickers (or other fake badging), and other ghey aftermarket appearance products
2. mods that defeat safety features of a car endangering the safety of the driver, passengers or others that share the road with you
3. asking outrageous sale prices for vehicles clearly not worth it.
   

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And yes, Ken, I do agree with you. You might say that the GT will be my "toy" and will spend winters toasty warm in the garage. I'm not buying it for practicality, I'm buying it because I figure as someone who's worked every day for nearly 25 years for the company that I deserve it. :p