sdd1z28

Hello all. I am about to embark on buying a Mustang GT. I owned various F-Bodies over 18 years and now will be looking to get my first Mustang. Many times along the way I almost did it. A 88GT, 96 Cobra and a 2005 GT. Always went with other things. Soooo, it has been 7 years since my 2000 LS1 Z28 got sold. Marriage, House and baby has been going on. Last summer I sold my Avalanche and bought my first Ford, a 2009 FX4 F150. I like the quality and since I have a baby now and need a back seat, the GT is a no brainer. I am looking at 2 for sale now. One near me in Cincinnati and another down near Dallas.

Here's the specs

2010 GT Premium with HID, 5 spd and leather. 105k miles and they want $12,500 (Near Dallas) This one is from a somewhat smaller dealer and I would have to rely on pictures and if bought ship it up to Ohio. It is in the best shape of the two.

2012 Mustang GT Premium with leather. It's a one owner from PA and has 124,000 miles (This is in Cincinnati) they want $15,700. So, 5.0 and Six Speed. I looked at it an it is a little rougher. The rims were blacked out and so was the 5.0 emblems. Not sure if it was plastic dipped or not. Interior looks OK.


I am kinda torn. I heard the six speed has issues and wondering how reliable the Coyote will be as mileage piles up. I had my LS1 Z28 for 9 years and sold it with 142k on it and it was still strong. I also will split the driving with the F150 and GT. So i only will be putting about 5000 miles a year on whichever Mustang I get.


Any opinions would be welcome.

Thanks: Steve

5.M0NSTER

Coyote, hands down. As long as it has been kept up this drive-train is solid. Over 400hp and the 6 speed isn't that bad. And if you don't like it there is a TON of aftermarket mods from simple snifter brackets to full shiftier upgrades.

These cars LOVE to be driven hard. They make all sorts of noises if you try to go easy on them, but at 50%+ power they come alive. The MT82 isn't that bad as long as you don't mind occasional grind or crunch shift feeling.

5.M0NSTER

Oh, and as for baby seats, I went with matching Recaros

Mr. V

It would take more than a couple of grand difference to move me to a 2010. I was actually shopping for a 2010 when I bought my 2012. It was only 2000 difference and no one would drop lower. At that point, 2012 all the way.

FromZto5

First, welcome to TMS.

Second, I never thought I'd hear the words "2012 Mustang GT and 124k miles" in one sentence Forgive my feeble mind but I shudder when I think of my Marilyn having that many miles. lol.

Third, of those two options, I personally would choose neither. I think for about ~15k, you can find much better deals than that. Is your budget set at 15k-ish, and that's set? No wiggle? If you can afford a little more, go for something with less miles, or maybe even a 2013.

But if you must choose from those 2, I too would say Coyote 2012. The engine advancements over the 2010 warrant it, despite the higher miles. The body condition worries me, as you stated.

Good luck with the decision and let us know what you decided.

SpeedCostsMoney

I was shopping for 2011-2012 when I picked up my 2010. Mainly because it was a steal of a price and only had 25,000 miles on it. I only paid $17,500. You can find one in the 30-50k mile range for around $14,000-16,000 easy. I would go with the one with the less miles and better condition but that is me.

Also I have a baby seat and it it works great!

FromZto5

^ see, now THAT'S a much better deal than the OP found. Gotta keep looking around. Good deals, nay, GREAT deals to be had everywhere. Sadly, bad deals are also rampant and readily available. LOL.

5.M0NSTER

That is a great looking car!

laserred38

Why would you be looking at cars with that many miles?? As stated above, what is your absolute budget? Cash or finance? Goals for the car?

SpeedCostsMoney

Thanks! Plus the dealer had no idea the car had a list of mods on it a mile long. It has cat back corsa exhaust, Boss 302 body kit, chrome engine dressings, costume interior, Bama tune, and it had Ford Racing Hot rod cams. I took the cams out and sold them but it was nice none the less.

PJRManagement

Neither, there are better deals/choices out there. And try for 2011+ so you get Coyote and 6-speed.

05PRMTX

Like many others above have said, keep looking. That is A LOT of miles. Especially on the 2012. Definitely go Coyote though.

JonsMustang

2012 of course!

88lx50

Try to up your budget to a 2013 or better. There were a few issues with the first two model years that were remedied later on - mainly with the engine.

sdd1z28

I have that same seat in my F150! I'll have to get another one for the Mustang.

sdd1z28

The reason the budget is around $15k is I am making payments on the F150 still. I bought it used and it's been great. It needs a little mid life work ie.. bumpers repainted. I could certainly wait a little longer and save up a little more. I am specifically looking for a triple black GT Premium though. That same dealer has a 2012 with 71K and tan leather for $17,400. I could low ball at $15K on that one and see. Or... I'll wait till Fall and continue searching. Thanks for all the help guys.

SpeedCostsMoney

Sounds like a good plan. I made mistake in the past and getting the first thing that came up. Search and find a deal. It is not like Ford didn't make a ton of Mustangs.

SONICBOOST

After having the 4.6 and 5.0, the 4.6 is great but if I were you I would do whatever it took to get the 5.0. 100 more hp plus better mpg.

FromZto5

What's with these "deals" you're finding? Yeah, up the budget for a newer with lower miles. Definitely the way to go.

What issues specifically? Cylinder #8? etc? Luckily no issues on my '12. It was a later that year build.

kylerohde

There were NOT any kind of widespread issues with early 5.0 engines. What you're referring to is likely the issues some tuners had with modifying the engine when it first came out. That was a tuner issue, not a Ford issue.

I'd have no issue buying a used '11 or '12 if it's in good shape, personally.