tips for potential 05-09 'stang buyer?
 

Hi -- I'm drooling over the 2011 models (like the new V6 for its combination of performance and efficiency) but also thinking that it might be more cost effective to go with a used 05-09 GT, save some significant dollars over the new ones, and have some fun with it . . .

I'd really appreciate any tips or suggestions from you guys (and gals) in the know --

- what model year would you recommend?
- issues and problems to be aware of?
- cost effective mods to have more fun with an '05-'09?
- what would you do or look for if you were considering a used '05-'09 Mustang?

thanks in advance for your thoughts!

05-09 rear end just look BETTER !
no fake hood scoop.
hood contamination looks like rust but was contamination that was under when painted.
If a Vert the rear quater panel drins can plug up , I built my own tool to suck crap out needles /leaves etc.

Find a loaded GT with less then 20k miles. Get a 2008 or newer.

on a side note my 2009 GT is for sale. 8400 miles.

thanks Ed -- I definitely do not want any fake hood scoops or window louvers or anything like that; and I'm not interested in a convertible since I live in New England and the car is likely to see some snow.

Flagstang, maybe we should talk . . . I'm in Massachusetts, that might be an issue . . .

thanks for the quick replies, keep 'em coming!

I like road trips and fresh crab. Problem fixed :)

07-09 Model Year, and another vote to go with a GT with low miles. I honestly haven't experienced better gas mileage out of a V6 than what many many many people get with a GT (I'm running 16-17 around suburbs, and 25-26 max on the highway). Even with tunes.

I really can't name any issues that the car has, personally. Though through lurking I have heard about leaking and gas pump nozzle issues with early shut off. Aside from that though, the thing is a champ.

One recommendation... get yourself a good camera along with it. The car is friggin photogenic and will beg you to take it's photo...a lot.:nice:

My avg city is 19 mpg and my highway is around 31 mpg. Thats another perk of getting a stick. My buddy with a auto thinks im full of it because he only gets 24 highway. I love passing a civic on the highway getting +30 mpg.

Hard to suggest a specific year. Mine is an 05 (built Oct 2004) and I love it.

05-09 = the REAL s197's :banana:

Mileage: i get 25-27 on the highway, 19 on the street.

Wait till the release of the 2011's to buy an 05-09 the price of the 4.6L engines will take a hit. Should save you some money there. Mileage is good if you stay off of it, but it will have plenty of power and there are so many mods to do it hurts looking at my computer screen determining whats next.

The deals are already moving on the 2010, I just looked at a Grabber Blue Roush 427 R and they are offering 0% for 60 months.....

Later 08-09s have the 'non-break off sparkplugs' in the revised heads...07 up is not supposed to have the hood lip 'iron contamination' that causes the paint to blister/peel, 07 was last yr
(I think) that was available without side air bags in deluxe models, seems like a lot of 05/06 had cowl leaks around smart junction box...
'deluxe' basic models have cloth seats/no side airbags/no 500-1000 watt stereo/no mycolor/fewer gages, the 'premium' is probably going to be more commonly seen with leather seats, many with IUP dash and leather wheel/shift knob, shaker 500 or maybe the 1000 with the big sub in the trunk.

Whatever you find if its a GT stick, I gotta predict youre gonna have a ball driving it- never had such a fun car to drive...just rowing thru the gears, how the exhaust gets that little cackle when you downshift...the car has a lot of 'mechanical noises' that are filtered out of most- you can somewhat hear the transmission, cant miss the exhaust, and for me anyway- fits like a glove...pedal placement, shifter, even the goofy looking parking brake is suprisingly just in the right place. Love driving these cars...and IMO they are the best looking model since 69.
the 10-up interior looks great, but the outside just dont call out to me like the 05 did, even if a better car...but all are great looking and fun driving cars- good luck in your search!

Don't know what your budget is. But at least look at used GT500s.

All good advise.

Thanks for all the input folks!

Right now I'm leaning toward an 08 or 09 Bullitt, '09 if I can find one . . . I like the sleeper aspect of it, that the engine makes the same power as the '10 and it has the suspension improvements also. I'm surprised you didn't suggest a Bullitt Charliehorse, you must really like that 'vert! (unfortunately a convertible doesn't work for me because I don't have a garage and it would kill me to see ice and snow packed on top of the rag top.)

Interesting thought shanec about the used GT500 . . . I'll keep an eye out for those but I doubt I'll find one within my $20-25K-ish budget . . . and this will be a daily driver so that's probably a little more go power than I need.

Sounds like if I stay with 08 or 09 model year that avoids most of the issues with the earlier years, right?

I am looking at '10's also, if I can get a '10 Premium GT for about $27K I might go for that . . . the deals are getting pretty good around here (Mass/RI) but not quite that good yet . . . like many of you, I like the front end on the '10 a little better than the earlier years, but not crazy about the "diaper" on the back. When the 2011's start hitting the lots the 2010 pricing has got to fall like a rock, but I'm not sure how big a hit the earlier used models will take.

I am thinking Premium with the leather seats, etc., and definitely a manual transmission.

I do want cell phone interface (bluetooth or whatever) for hands-free phone use, does anyone know what year they added the Sync and if there was a cell phone interface before that?

Does the rear end gearing make a big difference in gas mileage? I doubt this car will ever see a track (though that would be fun) and I think it will have more than enough get-up-and-go with the standard gearing (3.31?) so I don't think I really need the 3.73's, and I'd rather have the gas mileage of the taller gearing if it makes a difference. (yes I know the Bullitt only comes with 3.73 rear)

thanks again!

I have an 07 GT prem coupe, no problems at all. The 05 to 09 I believe are true to the Mustang look, the newer ones are too rounded. Just do your homework and check out all the possibilities, you will find what you like.

GT/CS Maybe?
 

John: Good ideas all here! IMO. You could possibly look for a low mileage 07-09 "California Special" GT coupe. They are already now considered to be one of the really great "Style Icons" of this S-197 Mustang group.

Driving one of these very sharp looking babies is a total love affair! And the folks out there all stare at you where ever you go! If you can even find one out there for sale? Only 17K of the GT/CS units were ever made during 07-09. This out a total of almost about one half million S-197's produced.

California Specials are also now priced so very right for what you are buying! And the "Cals" are very beautiful and so much fun to drive/own too! Ours is a 5-speed stick and is such a real blast! Just love owning it!! Good luck John, on your search for some of that S-197 happiness!! :nice: CalStang

+1 on the GT/CS. I absolutely love the look of them. If you are patient and want something more exclusive, look for a 2009 model of whatever you are interested in. 2009 production was by far the lowest of the series, and as was stated earlier, has all the updates to fix issues the series had. The CS cars have unique front and rear bumpers (shared with the Shelby GT), unique two tone leather seats and side stripes. Unique to the 2009 models is a white side stripe on certain colors. 2009 CS production was only 2619 units.

Here are a couple of 2009's (note that the fake hood scoop is a separate option, don't let it deter you they didn't all come that way)

https://themustangsource.com/gallery...0/03786357.jpg

https://themustangsource.com/gallery.../a2_828378.jpg

https://themustangsource.com/gallery...0/5_424306.jpg

https://themustangsource.com/gallery...0192_copy2.jpg

dunno what colors youre considering either...as you might assume, I'm kinda partial to blue- BUT have to admit that although I'm not really into red cars, of all the colors Ive seen, that 'redfire' color just really 'pops' in the sunshine, more than any other IMO.
Just suggesting dont let colors toally be a deciding factor in the search- check out all of them, as some just look sooo right- different trim/stripes/whatever, you might see a 'non- favorite' color change your mind. my least favorite was windveil blue, but Ive seen many in that color with certain wheels or whatnot that are drop dead gorgeous cars to look at...the car has the lines to make them all a possibly new favorite in any color :)