I've been doing alot of thinking (again) and I'm debating on getting a different Mustang.

If I keep the 97GT I would need to do the following:

PI heads/upper intake manifold
Repaint
Rims
Windshield (8 years of specks and small chips)
Brake upgrade (Cobra probably)


If I get a Mach 1:

New Exhaust
Copy Evil Capri's wheels :jester:


The only thing is I'd have a new 20K loan but a 6 year newer car. I have alot to think about.

MACH 1, MACH 1, MACH 1

id give up many things to own a mach1, if you can do it go for it.....but if its going to put you in a financial hole then stick with what you got, its a nice car

Thanks John. Great name by the way. I had something happen recently that made me think if I can afford it I should do it, we only go around once. I don't like that the 96-98 Mustangs get no respect so I feel the need to personally change that. :jester:

The Mach 1 is a great package all on it's own, there is some room to make it different from others (see Evil Capri's car), and the horsepower is pretty sweet!! :nice:

beleive me i lnow how tempting a mach1 is ive been DYING for one since they came out. its by far my favorite mustang (after the 70 boss 429 of course). i think that the mach1 package just looks so good on that new edge sn-95 body. but heck i love my car and ive only had it a yesr so for now im good.
and about the respect thing i know where your coming from...i sometimes have to try to get people the stop trying to convinve ME that MY car isnt a 5.0
"they stopped making them in 93"...if i had a dollar for everytime people with MUSTANGS have said that to me...and your right the bodystyle in general doesnt get any respect :mad: and im with you on doing my best to change that!

How about this! :-D
Go to the Ford performance parts crate engine section, find the 4.6 l cobra or mach1 engine trans, exh, computer package they sell and do a swap.
5700-6000 dollars. I did the PI intake manifold only with plates that I made. I was looking at PI heads and VT or Comp cams as the next upgrade-but decided to wait and build a setup with potential. The manifold alone was great but you always want more so I will wait til I have the dollars.

I agree. You've got a gorgeous car. You could really go all out with mods and not spend as much as a new loan. I must admit I'd be mighty tempted by a Mach 1 though. I think you should keep it but the choice is ultimately what you feel is best.

yah, change the wheels and bolt in a new motor.

Thanks for all the inputs. I just came from the local BMW dealer body shop and to get the front and rear bumpers redone, a quarter panel piece that has had damage (prior to me) and they didn't hide a weld line very well, and the top of the front fender wells (only fade spots on the red paint), it will cost $1800 out the door. They do fantastic work and the warranty is above and beyond. I also have the PI project priced and ready to roll. So, with all that and the windshield replaced ($250) I will have basically a brand new (looking) car. I'm going to keep it, I just rolled it over to 60K miles.

John, that's a pretty nice looking car you have. Being the past owner of a '98GT, '98 Cobra, '03 Mach 1 and the present owner of an '04 Mach 1 I'll voice my opinion. Being that your car was factory rated at 215HP they are pretty slow. But look at what you have, a 60K mile Premium pckg. car that looks pretty good. It is, although, an 8 year old car with no warranty, I assume. Now, you could upgrade to the Mach, '03 or '04, get a newer car, better motor and brakes, in-dash cd changer, retro dash and seats and lets not forget the Shaker hood or you could spend the money to upgrade yours. I've been there, it's easier and wiser to go to the newer car. Just my 2 cents worth.

Maybe a sign? I exited off of the highway today and when I got onto one of the slower streets my car decided it didn't want to get below 2,000 rpm and if I put it in park it was up to 4,000 rpm. :hmm:

was a vacuum hose popped out of place? same thing happend to my moms 00 Windstar, turns out it was a unhooked vacuum line.

keep it man. i betcha theres alot of memories in that car...

and who cares what toher ppl think of your car? show em what reall matters :burnout: :SCREEEEECH:

:-D

ppl round my area dont give the 5.0s didly, but i still love em :drool:

oh for an 82 GT....

I just popped the hood and pulled on the throttle a couple of times and it knocked the idle back down. We'll see how it goes.

is it a high mileage car?

no, his car is low mileage and :cough 86 gt cough:

65,000 miles on mine. I test drove an 04 GT with 7K miles on it. It was clean but it was white, the side scoops and the skirts on the side didn't seem to match the rest of the paint. I passed.

no, his car is low mileage and :cough 86 gt cough:
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i prefer the 82, and 83/84 GTs to the 85/86s, but i do lik them better than the 87-93 ones. 82 was the best fox IMO. there was never a better lookin fox. and yes, i count Saleens. 82 GT was simple, sexy and speedy. what more could a guy want? B)

i like red 82 GT and blue 86 GT with 82 scoop and welds