Do I want a mustang?

here is quick history- I need a new car. I want an STI... i could do an '05 which is what I want, but I'm having problems finding one local, in the right color, with the right millage, at the right price. So I'm thinking of sitting tight and waiting for the right STI to come along.

I still need a car... a buddy is moving out west and is selling his car... this is where the mustang comes in. It's an '01 Mustang GT.. 5 speed, cat back, Tokico Blues/Ford Racing Springs. 100k miles on the odo and in decent shape... not showroom but not beat either. I know the guy and he keeps up with what the car needs. Being a good friend, he is letting it go for a very fair price of $4500 just for me.

I'm not sure if I should pick it up in the meantime. I've always wanted something V8 at some point... I have a Jeep for the winter weather. I'm also thinking this will have a higher resale if I try to trade it in/sell it in a year or whenever I find the STI.

How reliable are these things at this millage? Anything I should look out for? I know it's not an STI replacement, but more just something to keep me busy for now. I've never driven one of this body style- fun to drive? Good price/value/pick up?

I'm not a huge fan of the 2V 4.6, but the 99-04 GT was the best modern GT Mustang with the sole exception of the 94-95 5.0GT in the last 35 years. 5-Lug wheels, 4-wheel discs, decent steering rack, 8.8" rear, and an OK suspension. The rear end likes snap-oversteer but they are decently put-together (except for the interior, a sore spot in all 90's/00's Fords). At that price even I like it!

mod motors are pretty stout, if its been taken car of it should be alright.

as far as fun to drive, I would say yes.. the cornering wont set the world on fire, the motor could be better, but it will amuse the hell out of you.

it sounds like a good way to go about trying out the v8 crackpipe.

do it

what about the "getting the girls" factor? ha ha

he meant to ask:

"is it a wise idea to buy something that isn't what you want while your waiting for what you want?"

what would aforementioned Mustang bring as a trade-in?

I'd take to a dealer and ask them what they'd give ya for it.

Only ones my 97 Cobra has attracted weren't on an intellectual level that interested me.

However, if your into beersluts, redneck girls, etc...

i've been known to dable in the sloot department from time to time. ha ha

Yes PHeller has it correct.. is it wise to spend money on something I don't really want, while waiting for what I really want.

It has to have a higher trade in value than my '95 Probe GT with 200,000+ miles.

The important thing is you know the guy and his maintenance habits.

If its not what you REALLY want I would hang tight and wait for the right car to come along!

I think Mustangs fall under the "OMG want one" or "you just don't get it" category.

I have 2, and I love 'em. There's something about wrestling on of these things around an autocross course that makes me happy.

It's certainly not an STi replacement! If you want the precision, handling, and grip of a Scooby, you'll find the Mustang sorely lacking.

The price seems right. If you dont like after a year or so it trade it in on the STi. Their prices will have fallen a little by then anyway where as you should still be able to get at least $4500 out of the Mustang.

I want a mustang. A 92 Notchback LX 5.0 5-spd. But that's another story.....

If the car is being sold for as much (or close to) what yu could get in trade-in/resale, then do it. If not and you will lose money I wouldn't.

I've got a '03 GT 5spd with a few ticks over 149k so they're pretty reliable. Outside of general maintenance and consumables, the only shocks to the system were replacing the traction control module and blowing out the #3 spark plug (an uncommonly common occurence according to my mechanic-he was able to save the head). 4500.00 sounds close to trade in so you may be doing him a favor. Like others have asked, is it what you really want though? See if your buddy will let you live with it for a couple of days and see before buying. If you do get bit by the Mustang bug, there's plenty of aftermarket out there.

I've definitely been bitten by the Mustang bug, I absolutely ADORE my Bullitt.

I beat on mine regularly both on and off the track. And it hasn't "broken down" yet. It did pop a coolant line once, but that was my own fault.

It's got 135k on the clock and it drives so damn strong, so it's pretty dang reliable as far as overall mileage is concerned. I mean, it's my daily and I don't ever worry about it starting in the morning or getting me home in the evening.

Mileage . . .well that's gonna depend on your foot and your gearing. On the highway, driving like sane person, I can get upwards of 25mpg . . .around town . . . driving like a teenager (which Mustangs tend to insight, strongly) I can dip down into the single digits.

Lastly, parts are cheap, both OEM replacement and aftermarket and fairly easy to just pop on! Even for a Mechanical Moron such as myself . . .

Oh . . .and if the logical stuff didn't get you . . .there's always this.

I kinda feel like every red blooded American male needs to own a Mustang at some point in his life. I haven't had one yet but every time I see a Foxbody GT on a used car lot I look to see the price. I'd rock an '01...my buddy had an '01 GT with minor intake exhaust mods and some suspension. Steering feel is lacking, seats suck, and the interior is just BLEH, but it doesn't matter when you fire that V8 to life snick the shifter into first blip the throttle and hang on!

Just talking about it makes me want this '01 for $4500!