Prior to this awesome 05 GT, I owned a 96 GT for 4.5yrs. I did some mods to it, mostly cosmetic, but also did a few performance mods: Tri-Ax, aluminum DS, 3.73's, tubular LCA's w/urethane front & spherical rear bushing, off-road X-pipe w/MagnaPacks. The car was a blast to drive, but as time went on, the noise from the exhaust began to wear on me and I realized that quantity (the car was VERY LOUD) does not equal quality.
With this 05, I feel that the stock exhaust is adequate for my needs, though I'll probably have some bigger/nicer tips welded in place of the factory tips. I installed the Steeda urethane shifter bushings and will leave it at that.
Just a few observations I've made over the past week with the new machine.
Anyone else have any thoughts from prior experience when it comes to modding a Stang?

 

My '05 GT is simply in another league compared to my '90 Mustang GT that I had for 10 trouble-free years.

Fit & finish is most notable.

Too bad they've retained the solid rear axle.

My '90 constantly reminded that it was indeed a low budget car. While in the '05, the individual parts in the interior are clearly low-end, but the way they all come off as a package...well, it just WORKS.

To characterize the '05, I would say it's an excellent implementation where the package as a WHOLE is greater than the sum of the individual parts.

 

I modded my 97 GT quite a bit, as well as my 90 LX 5.0. However, sort of like what you did, my 97GT was straight pipes. My 05 GT now has the magnaflow catback with magnapak system. Although it does sound great,, I have only had it a little over a month and the constant drone is starting to get on my nerves since I do a 1 hour of highway driving daily. Man, just think, it is getting on my nerves now and it is not even summer time.

 

My attitude is like this basically: It's a muscle car, yes. However it's the nicest car I've ever owned and don't want to mod it to the point where it's a chore to drive and no longer enjoyable. Electric auxilliary gauges are probably all I'll do to the interior as far as major mods go.

 

I've owned a 1967, 1971, 1973 Coupe, 1973 Convertible, 1996 V6 Vert, 2000 GT and now the '05 GT. By far the '05 is the best of the bunch with the best chassis yet in any Stang. The fact that this chassis was developed for the Stang (not a borrowed Falcon/Granada/Pinto chassis) is not mentioned nearly enough.

While you can see many of the corners Ford cut to keep this car in the high 20's pricewise - the basic chassis/handling/power is there. I can't wait to get 18's and lower profile tires to see if the handling improves - I don't like the Pirellis at all - feels like a "baloon tire". Another thing that I did with my 00GT and now the '05 is to install Dynamat Extreme to the inside of the trunk, flooring, etc to eleminate much of the road noise and make the Mustang sound and feel more solid. I'm installing the "TacMat" insulation foam behind the door panels as well - and just makes the car feel so much more solid.

For Exhaust - I went with the Magnaflow axle back and (once I had it properly fitted at a muffler shop) am pleased with the slight increase in sound and the increase in bass.....on my 00GT I had went with the FlowMaster 2 chambers and they gave me a headache with the 2000rmp drone - so the Magnaflows are perfect for me.

 

My first stang was a 98 cobra. loved the car but i needed a truck. so i sold it. The only major mod i did was flowmaster catback. this past summer i picked up a 92 5.0. it was an auto and i was bored to death with the car. I had it for 2 months, sold it then ordered my 05 GT stick. i have many ideas for this car. cant wait till i get it.

 

I've owned an 88 GT, 89 GT, 90 GT, 92 GT(still own), 99 GT, 02 GT convertible (still own), and now this 05 GT.
This one doesn't feel like a mustang like the rest (bumpy, rattling, loud, etc...).
It feels more like a luxury car, which I think Ford meant to do so that it would appeal to the older mustang fans, who can remember seeing their first mustang in the 60's and being thrilled, and now many can afford to own what they dreamed of in the past w/ a more comfortable ride addapted to the customers w/ "arthritis". LOL
I'm 25, and love this one more than any other I've owned....like earlier posted, I don't think I'm going to try to make this one a race car yet. It's just to nice of a car to start taking apart.

 

92 GT

 

02 GT

 

05 GT

 

The biggest difference I have noticed is chassis stiffness. I had an early 80's mustang and to compare it even to my 03 cobra there is a HUGE difference. Ford does seem to continually improve the mustang.

Anyone whos ever jacked up the corner of an early fox body and not had the doors or hatch fit properly while in the air knows what i mean.

 

This is my 9th mustang. Over the last 8 years I have had 6 fox bodies and 2 SN95s. (I still have an 88GT). When I first got the 05, I thought I didnt like the soft ride. A couple of months ago, my 05 was in Stainless Works shop getting the 3" exhaust developed and I had to drive the 88. It only took a few days to appreciate how much more I liked the 05. Now my 05 is back in Stainless Works shop for some headers development so I am having to drive the 88 once again. All I can say is I want my 05 back. It is so much better than the previous mustangs.

 

I have a 66 coupe, have owned a 84 GT and an 02 GT. The 05 I have now is by far a superior base vehicle to begin modding. True, if you want factory performance it can't be beat in terms of horsepower per cubic inch. I am nervous about having one of the first ones after such a major makeover but it has been worth it so far just for the reactions on the street. IMO you can't go wrong purchasing this vehicle, even if you only keep it a couple of years.

 

True dat, used hot tinfoil is tougher than Foxbody sheet metal. I wonder if a set of sub-frame connectors will make a noticable improvement to the 05's. I remember the difference on my 91 when I had them installed - night and day.

 

Lets see...I've owned an '86GT, '87GT, 89lx, 91lx, 96GT, 99GT, and '01 Cobra. All manuals, except for the 89. Done everything from drop in a K&N to pull the motor and swap heads. What I've learned from owning all these cars is GET THE NEW CAR. Just from my 15 minute test drive, I knew I wouldn't be right until I had an '05 and I can't wait for the bloody thing to get here. :bang:

There, that feels better.