Hey guys, I have enjoyed reading all the information on the site and finally had to ask a question. I would love to wait for the new 05 but may have to give in and get an 04 Mach 1. Just love that car!!! My question is how dependable is the Mach 1? I mean should I expect it to run good, used normally, not racing or anything. Could I expect it to be as good as the 6 or GT in that regards? What if any problems could result from the hood scoop? That is my main worry.
Thanks for any help and info.

 

First off, Welcome! Now, about the Mach 1, you'll love it! Its as dependable and raides just like any GT. I drove my Mach 1 through a several hour tropical storm on the way home from the dealer where I bought it, and had no problems. BTW, you will be addicted to staring at the shaker!

Good luck, and let us know if you get one!

 

Thanks for the info! Right now I have a 1998 v6. Use it basically as a family car! To work and back and just normal stuff. So although I love a Mustang it's use is just normal. I wondered if they could be expected to hold up well over time or may have problems I would have to have fixed! Thanks!
It's hard to decide especially with the 05 coming soon. But it's hard to wait!!! Also dealers in my area are selling still for 30,000 plus for the Mach and from reading other posts in the forum perhaps I could find a better deal?

 

Yes! you can find a lot better deal. There is a $1500 rebate on it still if I'm not mistaken. Before tax/tags/ (with rebate)etc. I wouldn't pay over $26K.

 

I'd go for the Mach. With the rebates and a little haggling you should be able to get her for around 25k. The rebate in my zip for the Mach is $2500. It varies froim region to region. I know some dealers around here are even putting up their own rebates to move the 04's.

 

The Mach's a good car, a friend of mine has an '03 Mach 1. He's put about 15,000 miles on his so far without a single problem (it's his daily driver). He's 17 so he hasn't been that easy on the car, we've also gone out to an SCCA autocross twice with the car and pushed it. I helped him put a set of STEEDA underdrive pulleys on it a few months ago, we had to break them in so we got out of his neighborhood then turned onto the highway and got it up to 60mph in no time, he was shifting around 6500rpm. It ran perfect.

 

Ford's quality control has improved a great deal in the last few years. If you provide adequate maintenance and don't abuse it, you'll be happy for a long time. I would not hesitate specially now with the discounts and rebates available.

 

My main concern with the Mach is will the scoop cause any engine problems? I don't know much about them and wonder if they would be prone to letting dirt/dust or maybe water into the engine? I know it seems it wouldn't be made in the first place but this is a worry of mine. I am hardly ever on a dirt road but do occassionallly have to get on one. Dirt into the engine is my worry mostly.

 

Yeah, they have not launched a new vehicle in years without a major recall stopping or delaying its release... even the F150 had its hiccups. Anyway though we're on the Mach I which has been fine since it's not all that new. The scoop itself was put through previous aftermarket availability tests prior and then improved further for production. Would not worry about that.

 

The air from the shaker still has to go through the air filter, so dust/dirt is not a problem. The shaker has 2 drains as well. One around the outside lip, and the other on the inside, so that water doesn't accumulate.