Five Oh Brian

Thanks, all, for the continuing advice. Charliehorse really explained it very well - it's all about cash flow for me. My wife and I are still working, but currently our income level is lower. My new position can net me more income as time moves on, so I believe my cash flow problems will be short lived - maybe a year? Maybe I could find a way to weather a year (liquidate my savings, stocks, etc. to cover the lower income), but I'm very risk averse and am probably over reacting to my situation.

So, if I trade in my '07 GT for the new '11 MCA/PP, I would lower my monthly payment, insurance, and fuel expenses by about $120 to $150 per month and I would get $10,000 in my pocket right now from the equity in my '07 GT. That $10,000 in my pocket now would cover my income deficit for many months until I turns things around at work.

As for getting the basic '11 GT 300A, I would still bank $10,000 today by trading for it, but I would only save about $20-$30 per month in doing so.

And, Tony, every time I think I'm leaning toward the V6, you chime in and remind how much I'd miss the torque of a V8. Such a tough decision!

starbai

Among your options I'd to the Taurus... I'd always be envious of the GT's if I drove the v6 Stang. Since you'll probably miss the power of the GT... you can pamper yourself in all the toys and luxuries of the Taurus to keep your mind off of the reduced power on tap.... thats my mind set anyway.

Good luck with whatever you choose... I recently was in a similar situation and had to ditch the toys for one practical decision...

Hard to let go of the toys but its a good feeling to not have financial stress hanging over your head.

Five Oh Brian

While 0% isn't offered on '11 GT's, there are plenty of lenders offering rates in the 3-4% range.

We're on the same page. Base '11 5.0L 300A with 3.73's an Brembo's would be perfect.

Five Oh Brian

Stout Mopars, Josh! I had a 95 Dakota Sport that I bought new in late 94. Club Cab 4x2 with 5.2L Magnum V8, 5 Speed Manual, and 3.55 Sure Grip Axle. Bone stock it went 15.0's in the 1/4 mile - as quick as bone stock 95 Mustang GT's back then.

I'll have to pass on the Valiant! See you at the track this year.

Five Oh Brian

Well, I drove the '11 V6 MCA/PP today. Handles awesome! Fuel economy is great. However, it sounded yucky and made no power until I revved the heck out of it (then it comes alive, though). I just cannot go from a thundering, supercharged V8 to a wheezy sounding V6. However, the '11 V6 is still a stunning performer for 95% of the population - just not for me. If I bought it, I would be regretting it all the time, so that would be money poorly spent.

My wife and I spent all evening writing down pro's and cons to keeping my '07 GT versus buying the '11 GT 300A that's arriving at our dealer next week. It's Sterling Gray with black cloth, 3.73's, manual trans, and Brembo Package. My wife and I have our budget on a spreadsheet out a whole year into the future. We analyzed our new income situation, our current obligations, weighed our need for the equity from my '07 GT, and my need for a fun toy. We read through all of the responses from this thread and weighed everyone's opinions heavily - thank you all for the help.

So, drumroll please............

We're going to trade my '07 GT for the '11 5.0L in about 10 days (it's due to arrive in 7 days, so it'll take a few more days for it to be prepped, cleaned, and paperwork done on our end. Payments will remain the same as I'm currently paying, but we get to keep $10K in cash from the equity in the '07. If we end up not needing the $10K to cover cash flow gaps, then we will pay down debts later this year so that it helps our long term financial position. Win, win, and a new '11 GT in my garage very soon!

Thank again for all the opinions, suggestions, advice, etc.

Five Oh Brian

Tony, you have been very instrumental in my decision to trade for the Sterling Gray '11 GT. Your questions were thought provoking and pointed me in the right direction. In my heart, I knew I wanted to stay with a V8. But, rationalizing it financially helped my head agree with my heart.

My list of pro's and cons was huge, and my wife was absolutely on board with buying the '11 GT after going through that exercise and pouring over our yearly budget.

I have been agonizing over this, and am relieved to have found a win-win solution. Thanks, my friend!!!

Itravelalot

It is nice to know that Five Oh Brian is not going to be V6 Brian. Give it a few years and I am sure you will get this very well modded. I know that I have not been a member for all that long, but you have helped with the 2012 Mustang purchase, and I am glad to know that you will have this. Although it will prevent me from making fun of the situation by calling you 3.7 Brian. I think I will have to get used to the power, because I thought that the v6 was pretty fast. It does make a good sound for a v6, but I never have had anything but beaters before now. Congrats on the decision, I think that it is a good one. You will truly be Five oh Brian once more

zilla8

congrats you will love the new 5.0

I have a 300A and It's become my dream car.I've modded it just the way I wanted and could not be happier.

Five Oh Brian

Thanks! I'm gonna keep the mods to a minimum - likely just a handheld tuner and perhaps a few billett aluminum interior pieces to brighten up the 300A interior a bit. The new 5.0L is plenty of car just the way it is, which makes me feel a lot better about trading in my supercharged '07 GT.

Five Oh Brian

Psychologically, having a 5.0L again is a big deal for me. I've owned Ford 5.0L's in the past and owned one when I first joined a Mustang forum back in 1999 - hence the Five Oh Brian user name. I swore then that I'd never switch to the smaller & inferior 4.6L. But then I did: '00 GT, '03 Mach 1, and '07 GT. The 4.6L wasn't really inferior at all - especially the 3V and 4V varieties. But, once the 5.0L returned I knew it was just a matter of time before I'd just have to own one.

Glad I could help you with your 2012 purchase! The forums here are such a great community and I'm so happy that we can all help each other out! On a side note, I had ordered a '12 GT a couple months ago that I thought I'd like to buy. It's being built this month and is due to arrive next month, but I really like Sterling Gray and the '11 GT I'm buying is equipped just right, while the '12 GT was a premium with more stuff than I can really afford.

Enjoy your '12 when it arrives and I'm sure we'll be swapping some '11/'12 stories back and forth!

maxmustang

interesting you go from auto to manual (do not want start a thread again hihi) good decition v8 its also psycolocically better greets max

zilla8

That's what I said I had CAI,full exhaust and SCT waiting on my car before it even arrived. I share a birthday with the Mustang (1964) and I also was a die hard Fox 5.0 guy that did'nt even look at a new Mustang for 20 years

This new 5.0 is the baddest Mustang GT Ford has produced IMHO and It's my poor man's Cobra

BlueSkyVert

I think you made the right decision.

Although some folks in this thread seem to think you're in a "fire sale" situation ans that anything less than selling it for a Civic is irresponsible, you've explained multiple times that you are NOT, and just trying to proactively free up some immediate cash flow. That's more than the majority of folks would do.

I got into an argument once with a friend that said I spend too much on cars (which is true). However, this same friend drinks and smokes regularly - I do not.

When we added up together what he spends on alcohol and cigarettes, it was very close to the cost of my car payment on a monthly basis. I think I could get rid of my car easier than he could quit either of his vices, lol.

I guess what I'm saying is that I understand your position 100%. You want some financial breathing room for your family without completely giving up your passion. You don't have other dalliances, and make sacrifices in other areas to compensate for it. You know there is obligation with debt, and are prepared for it. Not to mention that trade value...I got $22,500 for my 07 vert last year, and it had less than 10,000 miles on it. I think that $22k especially with the 5.0 out, is extremely, extremely generous.

Enjoy the new '11, and be proud that your job values you enough to place you in another position. That is a compliment in itself.

Tony Alonso

Congrats! I have just recently gone through a similar analysis - the life of a passionate car enthusiast is that wonderful blend of emotion and logic that is generally IN CONFLICT

Your '11 GT reminds me very much of my '07 GT - stripped except for a few options. I had the 3:55 gears, 18" wheels, and the Shaker 500 (my concession to "luxury"). I enjoyed it with NO modifications because I was daily driving it and wanted to keep it relatively clean. Then, the '08 Bullitts came out, and I almost got one, but I am glad I waited for the 2010s. The styling change, interior materials upgrade, the suspension changes, and even the tweak to the 4.6L engine power were such a big difference to me that I soon "got over the loss" of my ordered '07 GT when I traded.

I hope you enjoy the engine performance in the new 5.0L - I assume it will be stellar, and with a little tuning tweak and those gears, I bet the around-town and drag strip seat of the pants feeling and sounds will melt your heart!

Enjoy, and glad the financial situation was manageable. The new Mustang GTs are such great cars now, I can't imagine how Ford will top them.

cdynaco

That right there earned a Degree in "American Creative Finance"!!

Congratulations!!!


(Though it may not apply to your situation since you are pulling cash out, my personal favorite part - after careful calculation, obtaining a good loan rate, and coming to a favorable decision - is opening my wallet and laying down a credit card to close the deal for a car! No cash. I don't know why, I love that part!! )

Five Oh Brian

My 07 GT is the only automatic Mustang I've ever owned and it was great at the dragstrip. I've owned 5 manual Mustangs and like driving a manual better, even though it'll be a little slower at the dragstrip. I think I'm done drag racing for a season or two (can't afford to break anything right now).

Five Oh Brian

I'm pretty sure that I won't be modding the '11 for a long time, if ever - really. I spent a ton of cash on the '07, but I just won't have any extra money for awhile.

Five Oh Brian

You understand my situation 100%. I'm very lucky to still have a job. My employer does really like me. I've made them a ton of money in the last 12 years and always have a great attitude doing it for them. They are being very fair with my '07's trade in value, too, and they feel bad that I've got to trade it in to bank the equity, but they do get to sell me another car, so they get something out of it, too.

Thanks for understanding my plight and reading along. I'm blessed to be able to keep a V8 Mustang in my driveway - especially such a nice one.

Five Oh Brian

Well, I don't know about a degree in "American Creative Finance," but I do have a Bachelor's of Arts degree in Corporate Finance from a well respected university's business school. It's nice to apply some of what I learned in school once in awhile.

cdynaco

Well that's cool... as for me, I don't have any papers. Mine came from the school of running my own businesses, dreaming, combined with hours and hours on a TI Comp Int calculator and writing numerous XL spread sheets to run scenarios. Banks don't give start ups loans, so I had to think outside the box a long time ago. Before it was a saying.