<strike> </strike> Hey guys...I have been on here a while...but all my posts have been deleted because I posted most of them in the 2 week period that got erased [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad.gif[/img]... so I'm not a newbie to the mustang/ford world...I was BORN into a FORD family....my 1st word was BRONCO...not mommy/daddy...my dad has also ALWAYS had a mustang around...and the last one was a 2000 V6 (actually my mom's car) that was given to me last year as a graduation (high school) present because my mom got a 03 Focus ZX5...thing is...they promised to help me buy a 05 GT when they first came out (and when I was still working) but things didn't go as planned and right now we're REALLY tight on money with college (university of the pacific...stockton, ca)....so kinda stuck with the V6 Auto right now...instead of a new car they put a whole Alpine system in for me...worth about 4 grand...including labor...while this helps with satisfaction of driving...its still completely stock performance wise...and just very unsatisfying to drive on my 100+ mile a week commmute...I stopped working over last summer because my parents decided I should focus on SCHOOL only (but I have recently run-out of savings and now am forced to rely on the for EVERYTHING [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad.gif[/img]...kinda sad when I have to ask the 'rents for some cash to take my girl out)...I've been trying to convince them to let me get a job (they're paying for gas and insurance right now) and trade in the V6 (the job would only be for some spending money and making payments for now) for a used 03/04 SVT Focus with the Euro package (preferrably Comp Orange)...as I have an obsession with those cars being a Ford nut and Comp Orange lover...thing is...I think I'm getting closer to it happening (theres an 03 with about 30k miles and already supercharged at a dealer in SoCal)...but last night I was laying awake thinking to myself would I really want to let go of the mustang????...I really WOULD miss the FR arrangement...being able to do quick brakestands and SLIGHT power oversteer (it IS a V6 with open diff...)...plus I had SO much planned for that car...but it's just not within reach right now...i definitely want to convert to V8 and stick (probably N/A Mach 1/'01 Cobra motor and 5-Speed)...convert to IRS...etc...but it just wouldn't happen until after college...by then the 09s would be out and the car would probably have 100k+ miles on it...I just think I would lose interest in the project...I think I AM close to convincing them now...but not sure if it would be worth it...so from a Mustang and Ford guy to other Ford nuts...I'm asking what to do if they DO say yes and allow me to get the SVT...should I go for it...or see what happens and try to finish the Mustang...because I definitely will have both of those cars in my garage SOMEday...I just grow impatient when I see other people whose parents buy them their cars and mod them...but then the kids don't appreciate it and don't LOVE the car like I would...so also if theres any PARENTS on here with similar situations or...(i cant believe I'm asking for this.....) have PARENTAL advice (gasp) it would be appreciated........THANKS!

 

Not a parent, still you really should consider your self lucky. My first car was a 1992 Mercury Grand Marquee light baby blue with navy interior, single tape deck and 4 speaker sound system. After that I got a job and bought a used 2003 Tacoma pickup. I sold it to my brother to by my V6 stang, I go to college full time and pay for my car payments along with any other expenses including gas. You are really lucky if I had a stang as my first car I would not have had to "car hop" like I did. If my parents were paying for college, gas, and gave me a new sound system that cost 4k I would not even think of selling it. It's human nature to always want more and right now your going through the same thing I did when deciding between the GT and the V6. Bottom line for me was the payments would have been about 80 to 100 dollars more anf the insurance about 3k more, plus more for gas with the GT, so I got the 6 and I am happy to just HAVE a Mustang. A college student will have a hard time making payments only working part time(trust me sometimes it's tight for me and I have a good job), not to mention during finals I don't have time to work. I assume you parents pay your insurance as well you really need to consider what you could potentially be putting them through. The focus will cost more on insurance so now factor in the inrease in insurance, plus what happens if you can't work enough one month to make your payment they have to pick that up too and the car will no doubt be in their name thus effecting their cedit rating if you can't make a payment, now that plus tuition, factor in the gas (cali right what are you guys up to 3.00 for regular?). Point being you have a great car( looks great in your avatar) there is nothing wrong with it. My advice? Leave well enough alone and wait to get another car AFTER college when you have a steady job and are not tied to your parents credit score and insurance. Just my two cents though.

 

Get down on your hands and knees and thank your parents. You are sooooooo lucky. Concentrate on school, be patient and be very very glad you have a car to drive (a Mustang no less). In just a few years, you will be out of college, have a good paying job and can buy whatever car you darn well please. I make my kids pay for insurance, but we got them a brand new Hyundai to share (warranty lasts until the youngest gets out of school).
My dad wouldn't even give me an $800 car when I was your age.

 

I'm with Karman and vistablue....count your lucky stars!

I know it's tough, wanting a new '05, thinking it was in your grasp, then not being able to get it....same type of thing happened to me with a '07 order....my wife decided we needed to move, even after she gave me the green light to order it....went to the dealer and everything....then "BLAMO"...lol

Hey, we need the room...plus, I'm getting a TWO car garage! You know what that means....PROJECT MUSTANG!!!! Woohoo! lol

Anyway, trust me, school is going to go by faster than you think. Focus on the positives that you have right now....you have a kick butt V6 Stang (I have one too! 2000 V6 and couldn't get any more stock if it tried and I still love driving it) to tool around in. You're getting gas money from your parents and all they are really expecting out of you is to apply yourself at school. IF you can swing it, do what my buddy did....take classes in the summer sessions, if your college offers them. His college had two summer sessions and he graduated in three years with a four year degree. He did it because he really hated school, but he knew he needed his degree.

Good luck, keep your chin up and study hard!

 

....well...pretty much the response I was expecting 9and deserved)...I mean I do feel guilty when I keep looking...and although there are ALOT of quirks about the V6 that I dont like...I still LOVE that car (esp the appearance)....and for the record it wasn't my FIRST car....my parents weren't going to buy/give me a car when I got my license...my uncle gave me his 95 Contour GL with 160k miles...and I even felt bad about getting rid of THAT car when we gave it away to my cousin who didn't have a car...that car was costing too much to just keep in our driveway (tranny went out and we fixed it...valve cover cracked....fixed that too) so we just gave it away....and then they got the new focus and gave me the mustang...I am taking summer courses this summer because I changed my major (went from Mechanical Engr to Business) and I need to get caught up...but yea...I AM thankful and appreciative...but I just kinda feel bad that they are paying for EVERYthing right now...and they GAVE me a car...I paid for part of the audio...and the few appearance items I've picked up...but I feel spoiled with them giving me a car...I think it's just more satisfying to drive a car I picked out and paid for...I just keep trying to get the SVT now because they dont make em anymore and their miles are just racking up...but you guys are right and I need to appreciate what I have...thanks for the advice guys....!

 

also...my dad didn't go to college...he went into the navy after high school....he sadly became the man of the house when he was only 12...so he didn't have time to devote to school in high school...instead working to help pay bills, etc...he bought his 1st car with his own money (a 68 Mustang coupe with a V8...that original "legend lime" color with a black vinyl top)....his second car was a 76 Cobra II that overheated on a freeway overpass...so although that 2nd choice may not have been a smart one (I'm sure if future9er24 reads this he'll have words...lol)...but my point is he picked that car and put his money into it...I just cant wait for the day that I can get into my car and go for a drive and know that the car I'm driving is MINE (or at least PARTLY mine) and under my name...it's not really about which specific car...I would be ALOT more satisfied with the V6 if I picked it out and paid for it with MY money...I mean I helped with the stereo and I put new headlights/bulbs/smoked tails and deleted my spoiler....ALL by myself...but you overlook that stuff after a while and only see the car as a whole...and the car I see is the one that is my mom
s EX-car...i know it's ALL in my head....but someone has to have gone through the same thing right? or am I just crazy....lol...don't answer that!

 

Patrick, you're right, you will feel better owning a car you bought yourself. Im 21 and an engineering major in college, and i had been driving my first car, a 1983 buick regal which i bought just before my 16th birthday. i have been working and saving my money since i was 14, and in December i was able to purchase my Mustang. i paid for it completely by myself, and i didnt want any help with the payments.

unless you can afford a new car right now and can pay cash outright, i would just stick with what you have, like everyone else has said. it doesnt seem like you'll be able to make payments, because you said you dont have a job and need to get money from your parents. even if you got a job, you'd be spending too much time working trying to pay a car off, that you'll school work will suffer.

keep what you have and be happy with it. when school's over, buy exactly what you want, and have a blast with it. i wouldnt try to import an entire cobra/mach 1 drivetrain into the v6, as you'll be able to actually buy the cobra/mach 1 with the time and money you'll spend doing the conversion.

to end this rambling response (sorry...), keep the stang and do what you need to to enjoy it. when you have money and time, get your dream car (a focus?) and have fun with it. if you go into debt and get bad grades in school, so you can get your car now, it will only hurt you later. be patient. -Dan

 

thanks for the imput dan...and everyone else...again for the record...the SVT is one of MANY dream cars...if you look at my sig...it just seems the most attainable right now...and because it was a lower-priced SVT car...people don't seem to baby them as they do say a cobra or lightning...it is a LOT easier to find a nice low-mile cobra or lightning than it is to find a SVT focus...also due to the fact that Ford didn't make that many SVT foci...but you guys all have good points (and ones I've heard before...lol)...but I think I may have asked the wrond question...I think what I was looking for was for people to overlook the situation and compare the two cars...if you had the chance...would you guys/gals trade/sell a pretty much STOCK Mustang V6 Auto to get into a lower mile...supercharged SVT Focus?....disregarding all the other factors...although they would be a bigger part in determining a decision...I was a Mustang fan before the Focus was even built and I STILL love them...but it just seems like with what is going on in the world with oil and all that...a smaller economical car would make more sense...and be more FUN to drive than my car...so...to those DIEHARD Mustang fans...what would you rather have...a older SN95 V6 Auto (not a S197...which is ALOT better than mine) or a supercharged SVT Focus?

 

If you could find a straight trade for an svt focus, that's be great, but i dont know if that's gonna happen, especially if youre looking for one in real nice shape. the focus is a fun car, and it's certainly more attainable then any other svt vehicle, except mayhe the contour.

if you can sell your mustang, you may be able to get within a couple thousand dollars of a svt focus. if you can find a way to bridge the price gap (work and save $$$ all summer, small loan), go ahead and make the purchase. just make sure you have the financial security to do so, so make sure you dont spend all your savings to do so. good luck with what ever you do!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mudshuvel319 @ April 19, 2006, 8:08 AM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
If you could find a straight trade for an svt focus, that's be great, but i dont know if that's gonna happen, especially if youre looking for one in real nice shape. the focus is a fun car, and it's certainly more attainable then any other svt vehicle, except mayhe the contour.

if you can sell your mustang, you may be able to get within a couple thousand dollars of a svt focus. if you can find a way to bridge the price gap (work and save $$$ all summer, small loan), go ahead and make the purchase. just make sure you have the financial security to do so, so make sure you dont spend all your savings to do so. good luck with what ever you do!
[/b][/quote]

true true true...well the trade-in value of the V6 with all the stereo equipment removed is about 5900-6000...I would probably sell off the stereo stuff to put towards down payment...OR...I would try to sell privately...leave stereo stuff in there...and ask $9k for it since it only has 41k miles for a 2000...and we take care of our cars like no OTHER...BUT...I don't see it happening that easily...so I'm probably...for now....going to stick with the stang and fix it up...I'm more of a road race/handling guy instead of a drag-strip guy...so the Auto and stock suspension are KILLING me...so the next thing I'm going to do is get the Steeda basic suspension upgrade...probably this summer...after working...but again...thanks for everyone's imput...it's ncie to hear POSITIVE comments about my car...as most the guys in this area are import owners...who don't appreciate ANY american cars let alone a V6 Mustang...but it's nice to hear some good comments about it for a change...

 

Did the dealer actually tell you that you'd get that much for your trade in? Because I ran mine through KBB.com and didn't come up with that number for a trade in..I have a 2000 V6 and I'm coming up with $5200 for excellent condition....If you can get $6000 from a dealer, do it man! And tell him that I have one to trade in too....

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(PaulF @ April 19, 2006, 6:44 PM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
Did the dealer actually tell you that you'd get that much for your trade in? Because I ran mine through KBB.com and didn't come up with that number for a trade in..I have a 2000 V6 and I'm coming up with $5200 for excellent condition....If you can get $6000 from a dealer, do it man! And tell him that I have one to trade in too....
[/b][/quote]

It actually depends on dealer. When I bought my F-150 last summer, I asked dealer how much he would give me for my Mustang for trade-in. He said between $8,000 and $9,000.
Also '00 V6, 37,000 miles, 5 speed manual.

 

that's what ONE dealer told me...not MY actual dealer...I ran mine through KBB too and that's what came up...with GOOD condition 41k miles...premium wheels, spoiler, power seat, auto, premium sound, and standard items selected....may be different in your area too...plus I'd try to sell the stereo separately to another mustang owner since my box was custom built into my trunk for two 10's...two amps mounted on back...check out my car domain.....

 

As a former owner of a Focus SVT, I'll say stick with the stang and save your money. Had a lot of quality issues with mine. Gas mileage wasn't the greatest either considering you have to rev the s%#t out of it for it to go anywhere because it has no torque. I only had a year and a half. I'm probably getting better mileage out of my 05 GT. And when you drive it feels like your driving a bus 'cause you sit so high in the seat. Just my 0.2 cents.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(laserred38 @ April 19, 2006, 12:52 AM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
also...my dad didn't go to college...he went into the navy after high school....he sadly became the man of the house when he was only 12...so he didn't have time to devote to school in high school...instead working to help pay bills, etc...he bought his 1st car with his own money (a 68 Mustang coupe with a V8...that original "legend lime" color with a black vinyl top)....his second car was a 76 Cobra II that overheated on a freeway overpass...so although that 2nd choice may not have been a smart one (I'm sure if future9er24 reads this he'll have words...lol)...but my point is he picked that car and put his money into it...I just cant wait for the day that I can get into my car and go for a drive and know that the car I'm driving is MINE (or at least PARTLY mine) and under my name...it's not really about which specific car...I would be ALOT more satisfied with the V6 if I picked it out and paid for it with MY money...I mean I helped with the stereo and I put new headlights/bulbs/smoked tails and deleted my spoiler....ALL by myself...but you overlook that stuff after a while and only see the car as a whole...and the car I see is the one that is my mom
s EX-car...i know it's ALL in my head....but someone has to have gone through the same thing right? or am I just crazy....lol...don't answer that!
[/b][/quote]
Your dreams are good. They can be a reality in the future.
I drove my mom's ex-car and it didn't kill me. I enjoyed it for what it was. Your Mustang is Beautiful,Enjoy it.
Plan for your future cars. If you get a job save your money, you can find better things to spend it on rather than replacing a perfectly good car.
Good things come to those who wait. You already have good things. Wait and be patient. Better things will come. [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/icon_wink.gif[/img]

 

As many of the other people are saying, you are one lucky person owning a car. Ive talked to my parents about my first car (4 more years (Yeah I'm 14)) and they said, NO MUSTANG [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/crying.gif[/img] . Anyway If I were you I would keep the Mustang until you're out of college and If you really want, sell the car, and as karman
said... <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>buy whatever car you darn well please.[/b][/quote]
And if you really want an 09 Mustang, by all means buy it.
[img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrinjester.gif[/img]





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<span style="color:#FF0000"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%">I want a Mustang!</span></span>

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(NIXTANG @ April 21, 2006, 5:29 PM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
As a former owner of a Focus SVT, I'll say stick with the stang and save your money. Had a lot of quality issues with mine. Gas mileage wasn't the greatest either considering you have to rev the s%#t out of it for it to go anywhere because it has no torque. I only had a year and a half. I'm probably getting better mileage out of my 05 GT. And when you drive it feels like your driving a bus 'cause you sit so high in the seat. Just my 0.2 cents.
[/b][/quote]

wow....didn't realize all that....i kinda like the commanding view of the road in my mom's ZX5 though....i DID know it had no torque and the whole having to rev the crap out of it....but that's what makes it a fun car to drive....i dunno....in a perfect world i would have both.....a modded V8 M/T stang for when I wanna do long smoky burnouts and tear up the strip.....then have the lighter more agile FF SVT Focus for canyon carving......but hey....since when is it a perfect world.......by the time i'll be able to afford both we'll probably be out of oil....[img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad.gif[/img]......do i REALLY sound like THAT much of a spoiled brat though? i mean i AM an only child and we're a pretty well off family....but.....you guys make it seem like i dont appreciate my parents and my car....i am just a TRUE car (and FORD) enthusiast...i plan on making a living tuning/modifying Ford product....i just wish my dreams would come true SOONER.....who doesnt wish that????

 

IF I were you I would keep the stang. Im not really one of them Ford homies but my view of the focus is "cheap"..... [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif[/img] My dad had a rental wagon one, it was pretty pooty.