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There's other stuff too...like why does the fold-down rear seat *not* have a lock (so that you can safely lock things in the trunk) and why is the glove compartment so small that the owners manual that comes with the car can't even fit in it?? : )
Check out a GT sometime, and you'll get a better sense why these cars have such a following...the GT has all the same problems as the V6, but in the "plus" category is a 260 HP/302 ftlbs TRQ V8 engine. And (for me anyway), the adolescent fun it provides (like being able to effortlessly light up the tires in screeching/smoking fury) outweighs the questionable quality inside.
Do diehard Mustang owners actually prefer the solid rear axle? I would think it would be cheaper for Ford to have the IRS in the new '05 Mustangs to reduce production cost instead of having to carry two rear suspensions in their inventory but the solid axle remains.
Also, for your average joe who buys a mid-life crisis Mustang, he's really just interesting in cruising around...the dynamics of his rear end really don't matter much in his grand scheme of things.
The way Ford sees it is probably that avg. Joe doesn't care which setup is used, the diehards will scream bloody murder if its IRS-only, and a small group of handling afficinados are already buying the Cobras...
Plus, it's kinda a heritage thing I think. That's why I like mine. That and it's fun to explain to scared passengers why the car has this off-putting tendency to skitter sideways sometimes in turns... : )
Bleed Brakes - heard brakes need to be bleed every 2 yrs..and i've heard under normal situation, the OEM brakes doesn't need to be bleed ever.. but at 64k miles... should i do it myself? get a test strip?
Coolant flush - don't know if this was ever done, i figured i could do this just to be safe.
Transmission flush - probably never done, could bring it to a garage to do..
Any input would be great... thanks
I'd also replace the brake fluid while you're at it as well; since brake fluid is hygroscopic (I think that's the term), it'll pick up water after awhile and its effectiveness will be reduced.
Check the spark plugs too...they're probably okay, but you never know and new spark plugs are cheap.
The OEM's have 42k on them and have plenty of tread on them but being 3 years old they are drying out and will wear quicker.
The 42k was put on the car the first and second years while sittimg most of the third year. Any suggestion appreciated.
Once you get your Bullitt make sure you register it on IMBOC's site, just search for it on Google. There is a lot of helpful information on the site.
I leased an '03 Mustang Convertible Deluxe, manual, May for 36 months. After reading various posts here, I realize that most folks think it's best to walk away at the end of the lease. I am contemplating purchasing the vehicle at the end. (FYI, I've had two minor fender benders, but that is not why I want to purchase. Tired of monthly payments.) I'd love to hear what you and others think. Here's the information I have from the lease agreement:
Monthly payment incl. tax $336.56
Purchase option at end of lease $12275.85
Residual value used to calculate monthly payment $11775.85
Gross cap cost $23161.01
- Cap cost reduction $2605.76
= Adjusted cap cost $20555.25
- Residual value $11775.85
= Depreciation and any amortized amounts $8779.40
+ Rent charge $2413.36
= Total of base monthly payment $11192.76
MSRP $25055
A Plan $22162.01 (family member works for the company)
$3000 rebate, $1000 down payment
At the end of the lease, I plan to pay in cash. (Tired of having a monthly payment.) I'm hoping to negotiate down with Ford credit, maybe a few thousand, but of course I'll have to wait to see what the market value is in '06. Also, what happens if I'm offered an early-out, but I still want to buy this car, rather than entering into another vehicle agreement? If the offer is presented with 3 months to go, can I then just pay the negotiated purchase option price and forego the remaining lease payments?
In addition, I paid for something called WearCare for excess wear and use $500 and $499 for the alarm, which were included in the price info above. I'd also love to hear any thoughts on my original deal. Was I reamed? Sadly, I did not know of this forum at the time. Oh, the lease agreement does not show anything about the money factor.
Thanks,
CC72
and if you were planning to keep the car after 3 yrs, why didn't you just buy it now?
I leased the car 18 months ago -- '04's were not available. And I leased because I didn't know if I wanted to buy. I didn't have plans to keep the car at all.
I am really disappointed as I have wanted a Mustang for years and when I finally get one, it appears to have something wrong with the transmission.
The cold "1st-clunk!-2nd" is a legendary problem for Mustangs with the T-3650 transmission (on all 5-spd Mustangs since 2002). Mine does it all the time. Try shifting very slow and smoothly when the car's warming up, and that'll minimize it.
Ford tells everyone "it's normal". But there is finally a TSB (technical service bulletin) out for this, so hope might be on the horizon. Tell your dealer about the TSB..that'll point them in the right direction.
It's not really a major problem, just one of the many minor annoyances that come with Mustang ownership. Best of luck.
Sorry, I thought you had 5 spd. Wow, I've never heard of this issue with an auto transmission...
Car is a Dark Shadow Grey Mustang GT coupe, 5 spd. It only has 5,200 miles on it and is in pristine condition. Mach 1000 audio system too which is a plus...the only downside is that it has a cloth interior.
Sticker price was $21,900...haggled a little with the Sales Manager and was able to get the price down to $18,500. According to Edmunds' price calculator, this is 10% below average dealer price for this model with this amount of miles on it. I'm going to take it I think.
Anyway, just thought I would post experiences...when I actually go through with the purchase, I will relate how everything went with the Ford dealer, maybe it will help someone else out there.
As soon as I take possession of the car I'm ordering a Vortech V2-SQ trim supercharger kit and having it installed ASAP...should net around 370hp/370lb-ft torque for a little over $22,000.
Perhaps I am not quite an average Joe – and actually (at 55) I am likely a bit past the exact, statistical ‘mid-life’. But there are really now only 2 things that would keep me from seriously considering a 2005 Mustang GT. One is the fact that Ford has not yet decided to add the Man-U-Matic shift (SST) capability to the 5 speed automatic.
And the other is that IRS is not available as an option. I grant that many people drag race the Mustang (duh) and that they may very well prefer the solid rear axle. And I also grant that IRS would be more expensive than the solid axle.
What annoys me is that it appears likely that the IRS will ONLY be available on whatever Ford ends up calling the new Cobra. (As was the case in the past.) I would really prefer to see IRS, when available, as a ‘stand alone’ option on the GT.
On the real world roads I often travel, IRS makes a substantial improvement in both ride and handling. I don’t drive exclusively on drag strips or perfectly paved corners, and I prefer the pros (and cons) of IRS over solid rear axle in everyday driving.
Just my $.02 worth (????)
- Ray
Spitting into the wind, I expect . . .
I think it all comes down to production economics unfortunately. Given your age, you recall when you could get your car optioned out exactly as you wanted it; these days, you're usually restricted to a couple of packages and a few minor add-ons. Anything more would slow the production, and increase the costs. One of the Mustang's big strengths is its low-buck performance. There are better-performing and nicer cars out there, but none as cheap as a Mustang.
A higher-priced Mustang might well suffer the same fate as the new T-bird: a cool car you'd think, but for the money, there's a lot of other, and better options out there.
But a manu-matic on a Mustang?! Ack...get outta here with that! ; )
All due respect – I owned and drove nothing but manual trans. cars for many years. 3 on the column, 4-or-5-on the floor – even 4 on the tree (a Peugeot) and 4 speed with separate O/D (Volvo).
But I (and many others) have either physical reasons to require an automatic – and / or simply the desire not to have to deal with a clutch all the time. The current crop of man-u-matics offers an opportunity to significantly enhance the gear change aspect of driving a car when desired - with the option of simply popping it in full automatic mode when Hotlanta area traffic becomes more stop than go.
Just my $.01.5 worth = with a penny and a half mail in rebate = FREE!
- Ray
Old enough to remember the days when choices included:
(From the Car and Driver 1965 Annual issue)
Pontiac Tempest / GTO
With 215ci 6 140 HP (!) - 3 speed manual, 4 speed manual, 2 speed automatic(!)
Final drive ratios: 2.56 / 2.93 / 3.08
With 326ci 8 250 HP – same 3 trans. options
Final drive ratios: 2.56 / 2.93 / 3.08 / 3.23
With 389ci 8 335 HP – same 3 trans. options
Final drive ratios: 3.23 / 3.36 / 3.55 / 3.90
With 389ci 8 360 HP – same 3 trans. options
Final drive ratios: 3.55 / 3.90
Note: Not all final drive ratios are available with all trans. options.
So – looking ONLY at powertrain combinations, I calculate a minimum of 12 powertrain combinations BEFORE adding possible final drive ratio options into the mix.
(And there were clearly many, many other options and color choices, etc!)
I do wonder why Chrylser is able to come up with a u-shift-it-auto for just about every car they make (including some not-too-great performers), but Ford really doesn't seem interested. I don't think Ford even makes one for *any* of its cars...hmmm.
The current (are they still producing them??) T-Bird has it available - essentially the same 3.9L V8 and trans. and SST mode as in my current 2003 Lincoln LS V8 Sport.
- Ray
Thinking on the 'Bird it used to be only something like a $150 option . . .
But the GT models have decent power that helps make up for the flaws...those are generally the Mustangs that people are passionate about.
GT handling is good considering the age of the chassis. I've run my GT on a road course, and it did fine. Sure, it's no sports car, but it holds its own.
I think the real appeal of Mustangs is that you're basically buying a (somewhat, anyway)modern version of a 1960s pony car. Few other cars on the road have such a direct heritage, and offer the bang-for-the-buck that a Mustang does. Rough around the edges, sure...not the most state-of-the-art, indeed. But maybe that's part of the car's charm? Is to me, anyway... <shrug>
I am not saying anything is wrong with the V6's but the whole image if the Mustang is built around a high output V8. The combination of V8 performance, styling, RWD, price and the almost unlimited availability of aftermarket parts are what has kept the Mustang around for so long. It's not for everyone but what car is?
Thanks!
<shurg>
Quick question.. Just got a certified 01 Mustang Convertible (oxford white with med parchment tan top and interior) V6, Love the car so much.. 2nd mustang, previous was a restored 68 mustang GT, orginial heritage aqua blue with matching interior and black vinyl top. Had it in the early 80's and nicknamed her Diana Supreme..because it just remind me of that whole era..anyway fast forward to now.. this new one is named Seabiscut, because it may be only a V6, but it knows it comes from thorobred roots and has lots of heart..now here is the million dollar question. what is the difference in driving dynamics between the live rear axle, solid rear axle and IRS? I know I could do a google but I figured this may be more interesting..
Why did I get a V6 instead of a GT? this is the first time ever I have ever optioned for the lesser engine..previous cars were the Mark VIII (a cobra engine in sheep's clothing) and a car before this was an 02 VW Jetta 1.8 turbo, 180 hores in a very lightwight car..0-90 in no time flat and before you know it or felt it you would look down at the speedo and say you were just this side of 100..so was kind of looking for something this time that would let me know what it was doing this time before doing it..all that said I do think the GT is worth the extra dollars..
well that's all for now..
Sign me, not really a Sally, but still a girl driver who ius driving my mustang all over town, cruising the highways and by ways of Southern California..
A car with an IRS system will "soak up" those bumps, fissures and potholes, as each wheel moves up and down independently from the other. So one side of a car may lose traction, but the other probably won't.
In a live-axle car however the wheels will move together, and something that affects one side will affect the other as well.
A great example of the difference is what happens when you hit a bump in the middle of a turn. An IRS-equipped car will ride it out fine, whereas a live-axle car like a Mustang will skitter sideways briefly as both wheels lose their grip.
BTW shouldn't the Mark VIII be a "cobra engine in elephant's clothing"? Those things were huge.
Thanks for any help/advice
Easier to do now while the body is being painted? Oh lord, the list is endless....
Maybe all new weatherstriping and window felts. Now would be a good time to clean up/replace some of the chrome glass trim. Door/trunk locks are probably all scratched up. Cleanup/repaint the grill. New taillight lenses/bezels.....how much money you wanna spend?
They also publish a very cool Classic Mustang spotters guide that's well worth the $17.
as far as the Lincoln Mark VIII it really was a great car..very high tech and lightweight (matter of fact it got better gas mileage than my V6) the whole car lowered when you traveled over 50 miles an hours..because it was so high tech the Mark spent lots of quality time with the mechenic, ha air supension, transmission and engine all replaced with 6 months times and because of that reason would be hard pressed to recommend that car without a Ford service contract..
as for me I work as a Ford delarship now as an F&I Manager so I always recommend extended warranties, lol..but truly personally would never be without one.. Looking forward to mid October with the new 05 Mustangs start rolling in..people seem to be leaving deposits on the black 05 GTs..
I like the interior treatment of the 05 alot..so glad Ford has done a dramtic change of the gauges etc, keeping it from looking the same as all other Ford cars IMHO..
well guess that's it for now..
However, there is a small but quite vocal drag racing crowd that prefers a live rear axle for both the iron durability and the better traction on smooth 1/4 mile tracks.
Just kidding about the Mark VIIIs...I always kinda liked them (though I liked the proportions of the VII better). Those cars were "banker's Mustangs" to be sure.
Be sure to keep us non-car-industry people apprised of what you see at your dealership re the 2005s...even the smallest bit of news ("hey, today the parts dept. got some '05 floor mats in!!) seems to cause a stir. ;-)
Darren, that price range sounds about right for a loaded V6 convertible with all the goodies (though I do note for 2004, Ford got rid of that odd running pony decal it previously used on the pony package in 2003...I bet no one misses it.)
I am writing from Australia and have zero knowledge on cars. I just inherited my father's 1965 Mustang Coupe in Wimbledon White with the 289ci V8. I was going to post the VIN numbers but am not sure which ones are which. It's a three speed auto and was never converted to LHD. Dad kept it in prestine condition and away from his "rev-head" sons by keeping it a secret. He loving stored it in a storage Unit down the coast. We didn't know he owned it until the reading of his will. I think I saw it once when I was about 8 or 9.
My problem is we want to insure the car and don't want to alert any Aussie Mustang car clubs that it exists just yet.
What does a "pony interior" mean and what does a "California Car" mean?
My dad refers to both in his video will. "Look after the original pony interior." and "my California Car use to take me back to my Slade days." We know who Slade is.
I am sure you guys can help!
As the car only has 6500 miles on the clock should we consider more than just servicing it? I think the front brakes are drums. Should we replace the drum brakes with disc's?
The car was serviced by the same guy for nearly 40 years. His son offered us $65,000 Aussie Dollars, thats about $45,000 US. Is that a good price?
Sorry for being so ignorant about Mustangs. We are reading as much as we can but it's hard because we are a family of musicians not car enthusiasts. Ah dad why did you keep this a secret?
Cheers, Noddy
6500 original miles??? Holy smokes!
The 'Pony Interior' refers to a very desireable (though pretty common) optional interior upgrade over the base interior. Amoung other things, it featured upgraded upholstery featuring a group of running horses in the backrest (hence the 'pony' interior).
I don't think 'California Car' has any special connotation for the '65 model year. I believe there was a 'California Special' that came out with the '67 model year but I could easily be mistaken.
A '65 with that few of miles would be a fairly valuable car (duh!). Personally, I would NOT convert the front brakes to disks; I would try to leave it as 'original' as feasible. Yes, I would think that $45k USD would be a very good price. Though how much sentimental value it may have should obviously be considered as well.
Show to be re-broadcast this Sunday, Oct. 3, at 2:00 pm.
http://dsc.discovery.com/schedule/episode.jsp?episode=0&cpi=2- 4805&gid=0