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As for the car, I'll start the bidding at $1 !!
-Craig
But I made a trip to the hardware store, bought some 2-ton epoxy to bond the skirt back into place and bought some "metal" bolts to hold the engine under cover back in place. Looks as good as new again.
This sucker will have to crack in half before it ever gets loose again!
But why would you let a possum drive your new car? I mean they don't even have licenses... ; )
How do you actually KNOW we don't have licenses - huh????!
And how did you go about the spoiler delete? Swap trunks, or actually remove/fill holes?
Anyway, welcome to the world of Mustangs. They really are a special car...and with the unfortunate demise of the GM F-bodies, there's nothing else like it available. I'm sure you'll really enjoy it.
-John
The wheels were part of the decor package, and are aluminum with "ponies" on the caps.
My dealer removed the spoiler, and repaintes the trunk...the only real option.
Now that I've driven the car a while, a few wishes;
- a disappeaaring or hidden antenna
- lighted window/lock buttons
- gas struts for hood opening
but don't get me wrong...this is a really neat car!
http://www.calcarcover.com/search.asp?search=antenna
I went with the 15" length and it seems fine.
As for your door lock "pins" - replace them with billet items from MGW Ltd; look up their site. Good company.
Enjoy your pony!
Jeff
I was worried about using 5-20wt here in Tucson. I have 15K so far no problems, but now that I know I'm covered by warranty I will switch to the Mobil 1, 5-30WT.
Check "Engine Coolant" capacity on that same link - it even has a typo - "3.6L V8" - ain't no such animal; it's a 4.6L V8.
It's your car; use what oil you think is best and I doubt you'd go wrong with Mobil One 5-30wt: I use that in two Lexus vehicles.
But - that site is still wrong...perhaps Proof Reading Ain't Job One!
(garaged and covered, gently driven, on time oil changes, etc). After ten years, it had only 50K on the clock, and 45K of those were in the first few years we owned it (especially since she became a mini van mom seven years ago). It looked and ran like new. Last fall her brother talked her into selling it to him (doh). So, with our newly freed up garage space, and the factory rebates going on this spring, what better time to buy my first ever convertible? In my younger days I probably wouldn't have dreamed of buying a V6 pony car, but after driving a convertible V6 in Florida for a week, I was impressed with the all around package - especially considering price. For the sake of argument, I test drove a couple of GT convertibles, but at my age I guess I've gotten a little tired of the extra noise, the stiffer ride, the lower fuel mileage, and the higher insurance costs. After much soul searching, I found (much to my surprise) my male ego no longer needed a V8. So I'm now the proud owner of a parchment over true blue V6 rag top with all the goodies (leather, traction control, power seat windows/locks, tilt/cruise, keyless entry, 6 disk CD, the polished pony wheels, and factory GT fog lamps - sticker $27K, after rebate and dealer discount $22K). I've got a little over 3K on the ticker now and I couldn't be happier with it. It is a wonderful value for the money, in my opinion, and has plenty of power for my purposes (top down cruising on warm evenings). Long live my new garage queen!
I have a GT (my first Mustang, so obligatory to get the V8 I guess), but I still think the V6 model is a strong car too. It's surprisingly quick, has all the tail-out fun, and feels pretty nimble. Maybe the only thing missing is that great V8 burble...
5-spd or auto? And I love those polished wheels...wish they made 'em in 17in for the GTs!
Should I... (gasp) drill holes in my front bumper cover? Should I get rubber washers? Are there kits for this kind of thing?
Help...
I'm in a state that requires front and back plates as well. In most of my cars, if I get them new or without the plate mounted if I buy them used, I don't install the plate.
About once every 4-5 years do I get a $25 "fix-it" ticket for no front plate - then it's my choice to mount the plate or pay the fine. I just pay it. Seems I only get this ticket in conjunction with a parking ticket.
Anyway, if you really do have to mount the front plate, there's not much of an option beyond drilling two holes and using a rubber/plastic bracket that should have come with the vehicle or is easily available from a Ford dealer.
But this license plate bracket...is this actually a Ford part? I'd love to not have my plate directly mounted to my bumper as it is now (came that way from the dealer, and I even found a set of screws and a little set of instructions showing the same thing the very same in the glove compartment)
I believe my 2000 Mustang a lots of other Fords don't use a front "bracket" per say but rather have "bolts" built into the front bumper just below the surface. If you are a plate state, they just stick an awl through the surface of the bumper at the dealer and make screw holes.
The plate screws right into the bumper and I believe it is the same on my wife's Taurus and my son's Focus.
After I bought the vehicle (used with 4k miles) I plugged the bumper's holes with some small, black plastic plugs from Pep Boys that match the bumper color.
http://www.fast281.com/video/licenseplate.wmv
I have a 1995 Sapphire Blue Mustang GTS. It has been a GREAT car for the last 8 yrs and 90,000 miles. I now drive almost almost an hour to work and abck per day so I had to come up with something new.
A 2003 Black 10th Anniversary Cobra. This is is MEAAAAAAAAAAAN! At first I didnt think the performance was alot more than my 95 which is modded, of course. Well after finally getting a chance to push this thing and drive it a bit harder than the normal test drive, holy smokes. She corners, accelerates, brakes, and does almost EVERYTHING better than my 95. It better right?!? The only thing I nedd is a little better exhaust note, but that will be taken care of this spring
http://www.corral.net/photopost/data/500/1579sssstang-resize.jpg
Besides the kick out of modding it (so far - Pro 5.0 shifter, Bilstein shocks/struts and lowering springs, subframes, etc.) it gets 20 mpg on regular gas, the insurance premium isn't bad if you're past 30 (and I'm waaaaay past!) - and it's a blast to drive.
On the downside, the backseat is good for a briefcase or a few grocery bags but not humans, the quality of some parts is rather suspect, the fit and finish is Ford Job What?, etc.
As for your question about the top holding up...if that's a major concern, you might not be the perfect candidate for a convertible...after all, steel & paint hold up better than vinyl fabric just about every time. It would be nice if you can garage it; if not, try a high-quality custom car cover (CoverCraft makes an excellent one for GT convertibles).
And did I say it's a blast to drive?
Don't let anybody talk you out of it. And, when the weather is perfect for that drive with the top down...remember to NOT take them along!
You list a Honda sedan as your driver now...so the Mustang will be a VERY different experience for you. If you buy a used one at a good price - and there's lots of convertibles to choose from in So. CA...you can sell it down the road without a lot of depreciation. That's a good way to get into a different type of automobile - low risk.
Good luck!
One dealer now has 2000 rebates on 04 GT's..
Almost sprang for the 03 Mach, 5spd, 29330 sticker..
a dealer in Venice,Fla had a 5000 doc fee on Machs several weeks ago, must be smoking something new???
Interesting how the Bullitts were pretty hard to come by, whereas the Machs can be had fairly reasonably...
looks like 2005 mustang has been unmasked front and back!
http://www.fallscitymustangclub.com/images/othercars/05%201.jpg
http://www.fallscitymustangclub.com/images/othercars/05%206.jpg
And yes, the 99+ do have 40 more hp. New heads, split-port injection, and other changes to the 3.8 did it.
The 99+ V6s are the ones to get if you're going V6.
-John
#1 How reliable are the 99+ Mustang V6's? Because when I am searching on auto trader I usually put the mileage limit to under 60,000 miles any suggestions on wether I should lower or higher that limit?
#2 Will I run better times on the 1/4 mile with a manual than with an automatic? If so how much time difference do you think there would be between the two?
#3 One of the first things I would like to do when I get it is a different exhaust. I will have to be making monthly payments so I would need a cheap one. Any ideas on what is a cheap one that will give me a good sound and some more horsepower?
If you want to have any fun driving this car do NOT get an automatic. The automatic transmission feels like it robs all the power from the engine and pauses and jerks on downshifts.
If you are going to get a different exhaust then go ahead and get a dual system with an H pipe. There are plenty of brands out there, but I have not done this (yet!) so I can't tell you which to buy.
As for the 1/4, a 5spd is worth maybe a half-second difference over the auto. The auto also eats up more rwhp.
But more importantly, I agree that a 5 spd is much more fun all around, esp. on a V6 Mustang. You won't regret getting one, and besides, part of the fun of a pony car is being able to easily light up the wheels in 1st and chirp the tires into 2nd!
Re the exhaust, Ford Racing makes a direct-fit "quasi-dual" for the 3.8 that's supposed to be nice, inexpensive and well-made...
The V6 Mustangs are great bang-for-the-buck cars I think; you get decent performance, rwd, and good looks for not a lot of money.
What color are you considering? : )
Re color, you should be able to find 'em in all colors no problem...there are a ton of them around.
Re the exhaust, it's a Ford Racing product, so check out their website or get a catalog at your dealership... Also, GEFracing.com used to carry them, and is a good place for Mustang parts online (I bought my Ford Racing GT exhaust from them).
I've found a few placed on line that sell replacement tops at reasonable prices. I've also found conflicting advise about trying to replace it myself.
Does anyone have experience doing this, and would you recommend trying it myself?
Are there any places where I can get some instructions?
Complete strangers will approach me in parking lots to tell me about a Mustang they once owned, little children have shouted "nice car!" at me, and older gentlemen have watched intently as I've cruised by. I've never driven a car that seems to have such near-universal appeal in this country.
So it hasn't been too surprising that everybody seems to have a Mustang story of some sort; from double-dating in a friend's first-year model to drag racing in a '70s Mach 1 to owning a rare SVO turbo, I've heard some interesting recollections and stories (often from people I least imagined would be into Mustangs).
So let's hear *your* interesting/cool/nostaligic Mustang stories! I'm sure people on these boards have some great ones.
First rule of design for a high volume production vehicle: utility matters most. That's the reason the Mustang sells so well: it's affordable and roomy without sacrificing fun. Save the low roofline and slanted windows for the $45k Cobra model that competes with Corvettes.
The fact that this part of the car is still covered up during the time the photos were taken shows that the roof and side design might not be completely finalized yet. Although I wouldn't expect major changes in the basic shape.
Looks sharp to me. Some of the interior plastics look a little hard and cheap, but it is still a major improvement over the current mustang. At least the design is clean and the metal bits look like they are going to be real metal. I like the old school font on the gauges a lot.
Oh well.