perf pack v6 or 5.0 for 18 year old
8/17/10, 06:50 PM
#42
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wrong! My mom and dad had more sense than to buy me a performance car AS MY FIRST CAR at the age of 17-18. I grew up with fast cars from the age of 5 until I moved out and not until the age of 21 did I get a brand new 1991 LX 5.0. My first car was a 240z it was nice and had decent power and was fun to drive.
But hey parents do odd things these days....a lot more odd then when I was 18.....
But hey parents do odd things these days....a lot more odd then when I was 18.....
8/17/10, 06:51 PM
#43
MOTM Committee Member
And the fact that some of the posts could have been taken the wrong way and he did not react negatively AT ALL. What 18 yr old does that? I'd say either he's a super mature 18 yr old, or he is the "dad" posting here to see what he should do, or Ford doing market research? His username is also not something a typical 18yr old would make. Makes no difference though since the advice is the same.
I really like conspiracy theories
8/17/10, 07:59 PM
#47
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I had a feeling this thread would go off when I glanced at it earlier today . . . but anyway here are some thoughts:
- I also think there is something not quite right about an 18-year-old getting a brand new Mustang handed to them as their first car . . . it's definitely a better life lesson to earn it . . . but then again if I was offered one at 18, I certainly wouldn't have turned it down
- I had an Olds 442 with the 455 engine as my first car at 17 and I survived . . . but some of my friends with similar cars did not . . . I was unusually responsible / restrained for my age (some have other words for it, but some of them met less desireable fates)
- my Dad did buy that 442 for me, for $200! So needless to say, I had to do a lot of work on it to get it ready for the road . . . and I was proud to have done that work
- I drove that 442 through the winter, just like every other rear wheel drive car on the road those days, with no major issues . . . without traction control, didn't exist . . . and (unfortunately) plan to do the same with my new 'stang, but will get some good snow tires
- the new V6 Mustang is probably quicker than that old 455 beast, and handles a lot better, and has traction control (which is not to say it won't slide on snow, but it helps)
- to the OP's original question: I think the V6 is more than enough car, but definitely get a good set of real snow tires if you plan to drive it through the winter (for snow tires, narrower is better, so 17" wheels with high sidewall tires is the way to go) . . . you and your Dad need to use good judgment about whether you can be responsible in a car like that, and you can decide for yourself about how much you need to "earn it"
- I also think there is something not quite right about an 18-year-old getting a brand new Mustang handed to them as their first car . . . it's definitely a better life lesson to earn it . . . but then again if I was offered one at 18, I certainly wouldn't have turned it down
- I had an Olds 442 with the 455 engine as my first car at 17 and I survived . . . but some of my friends with similar cars did not . . . I was unusually responsible / restrained for my age (some have other words for it, but some of them met less desireable fates)
- my Dad did buy that 442 for me, for $200! So needless to say, I had to do a lot of work on it to get it ready for the road . . . and I was proud to have done that work
- I drove that 442 through the winter, just like every other rear wheel drive car on the road those days, with no major issues . . . without traction control, didn't exist . . . and (unfortunately) plan to do the same with my new 'stang, but will get some good snow tires
- the new V6 Mustang is probably quicker than that old 455 beast, and handles a lot better, and has traction control (which is not to say it won't slide on snow, but it helps)
- to the OP's original question: I think the V6 is more than enough car, but definitely get a good set of real snow tires if you plan to drive it through the winter (for snow tires, narrower is better, so 17" wheels with high sidewall tires is the way to go) . . . you and your Dad need to use good judgment about whether you can be responsible in a car like that, and you can decide for yourself about how much you need to "earn it"
8/17/10, 08:02 PM
#48
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Wow, I read all of these posts and 97% of them have the same thing in common... WTF!?!?! Really? an 18 year old with a brand new pony? When I was 19, I bought a 1995 Mustang GT for 5K with my own money. Why? Cause my parents said, "You want stuff, you have to pay for it!" I was extremely thankful for my 1989 Aerostar when I turned 16. My parents gave me that and I was sooooo happy! 260K miles on it with rust all over... But, it was wheels.
My advice is this, whatever Mustang you get, don't show your friends... You might not have many for long. Best of luck with your decision.
My advice is this, whatever Mustang you get, don't show your friends... You might not have many for long. Best of luck with your decision.
8/17/10, 08:16 PM
#49
Wow, I read all of these posts and 97% of them have the same thing in common... WTF!?!?! Really? an 18 year old with a brand new pony? When I was 19, I bought a 1995 Mustang GT for 5K with my own money. Why? Cause my parents said, "You want stuff, you have to pay for it!" I was extremely thankful for my 1989 Aerostar when I turned 16. My parents gave me that and I was sooooo happy! 260K miles on it with rust all over... But, it was wheels.
My advice is this, whatever Mustang you get, don't show your friends... You might not have many for long. Best of luck with your decision.
My advice is this, whatever Mustang you get, don't show your friends... You might not have many for long. Best of luck with your decision.
8/17/10, 08:32 PM
#50
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Neither is the right car. Get a car you can pay for yourself and stop living off your parents. Do you have any idea how much insurance alone would be a for a 5.0? Or is your Dad paying that too?
I went to a college where pretty much everyone had a BMW or Merc that their parents bought, and the cars were beat up, dented, dirty and they drove recklessly. I'm a firm believer something given has no value and you won't learn to respect it.
I bought my 07 GT on my own for myself as a college graduation present and appreciate it so much more because of that.
I can't imagine as an 18-year old rolling up to a cruise night/car show in a brand new 5.0 and having to explain that my parents pay for it, I'd feel pretty dumb. If you're a big mustang fan, work for a summer save up some cash and buy a nice 05-09 GT or maybe a 03/04 Mach 1, that'd be much more impressive!
Just my two cents since you asked.
I went to a college where pretty much everyone had a BMW or Merc that their parents bought, and the cars were beat up, dented, dirty and they drove recklessly. I'm a firm believer something given has no value and you won't learn to respect it.
I bought my 07 GT on my own for myself as a college graduation present and appreciate it so much more because of that.
I can't imagine as an 18-year old rolling up to a cruise night/car show in a brand new 5.0 and having to explain that my parents pay for it, I'd feel pretty dumb. If you're a big mustang fan, work for a summer save up some cash and buy a nice 05-09 GT or maybe a 03/04 Mach 1, that'd be much more impressive!
Just my two cents since you asked.
A V6 PP car is not a snow car.
Neither is a GT.
I have it good down here, no snow and very little truly cold winter weather.
If you live where it snows very much then you need a winter beater and then maybe a nice car for the nice weather.
Also, if you as a 18 year old haven't ever had a car with the power and capabilities that a GT, or even a V6 PP have, then I would say that neither is the car for you until you have more seasoning under your belt. Either one of those cars could be a handful for anyone who has never had a performance car before, dangerous in the wrong hands.
Neither is a GT.
I have it good down here, no snow and very little truly cold winter weather.
If you live where it snows very much then you need a winter beater and then maybe a nice car for the nice weather.
Also, if you as a 18 year old haven't ever had a car with the power and capabilities that a GT, or even a V6 PP have, then I would say that neither is the car for you until you have more seasoning under your belt. Either one of those cars could be a handful for anyone who has never had a performance car before, dangerous in the wrong hands.
This is a terribly hard call without knowing you. The V6 is no joke anymore. Now, when I was your age I wanted a 78 z28 with 4 on the floor with a whopping 180 hp. I would opt for a base gt buts thats me. The main thing is your saftey. I dont mean to preach or sound like a parent but I worry about this. The 3.7 has plenty of power.
You are so young and so inexperineced that I question the v8. YOu can get just as dead in either but the temtation is not there with the v6. The five oh just begs you to drive it hard.
I want you to come back here it 50 years. Your safety is everything. I dont know you and all kids are different. But, I love you young guys who love mustangs and I want you around for a long long time. I would take the base GT but thats me. No matter what you do , please be careful ok.
You are so young and so inexperineced that I question the v8. YOu can get just as dead in either but the temtation is not there with the v6. The five oh just begs you to drive it hard.
I want you to come back here it 50 years. Your safety is everything. I dont know you and all kids are different. But, I love you young guys who love mustangs and I want you around for a long long time. I would take the base GT but thats me. No matter what you do , please be careful ok.
Since you asked for opinions I'll give you mine. I've spent the last 20 years of my life responding to auto accidents and cutting people in various states of disrepair , out of vehicles. I don't know you but I wouldn't put any 18 year old in a 400+ HP vehicle. That is just a recipe for disaster.
Exactly. I'm 21 and will just have turned 22 when I get my Boss
Wow, I read all of these posts and 97% of them have the same thing in common... WTF!?!?! Really? an 18 year old with a brand new pony? When I was 19, I bought a 1995 Mustang GT for 5K with my own money. Why? Cause my parents said, "You want stuff, you have to pay for it!" I was extremely thankful for my 1989 Aerostar when I turned 16. My parents gave me that and I was sooooo happy! 260K miles on it with rust all over... But, it was wheels.
My advice is this, whatever Mustang you get, don't show your friends... You might not have many for long. Best of luck with your decision.
My advice is this, whatever Mustang you get, don't show your friends... You might not have many for long. Best of luck with your decision.
8/17/10, 08:39 PM
#52
Legacy TMS Member
Meh. Either the OP will splatter him/herself on a pole or someone else, or they won't. Won't matter what car they're in. Not to be terribly graphic, but that's really that. Have you seen people driving Civics... or hell, even a 4 cylinder Corolla?!? Death traps, and they still fly about at 90... in a 35.
So, in that respect, you should totally go for the Shelby GT500.
/hopes you don't wreck, or get wrecked.
//Because it totally sucks.
///oh, and not that you'll do that daredevil flyin' about... just overall sayin'.
////was a 16 year old with a Mustang II V6 and the things I made it do... kinda surprised I'm still here sometimes.
So, in that respect, you should totally go for the Shelby GT500.
/hopes you don't wreck, or get wrecked.
//Because it totally sucks.
///oh, and not that you'll do that daredevil flyin' about... just overall sayin'.
////was a 16 year old with a Mustang II V6 and the things I made it do... kinda surprised I'm still here sometimes.
Last edited by houtex; 8/17/10 at 08:42 PM.
8/17/10, 08:51 PM
#53
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I completely agree. I am not ever getting my son a car with over 250hp unless he either buys it himself and learns personal responsibility or takes some performance driving courses.
8/17/10, 09:12 PM
#55
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when i was 18, i got my 2005 V6. my dad tried talking me INTO the GT knowing i'd want the power later. i wish i would have listened. my parents didn't buy my car though, i made every single monthly payment till i sold her.
if i had a choice between a fully loaded 6 and a base 5.0, i'd take the 6. if you can get a premium 5.0, i'd say go for it. regardless, pick something that you want to sit in day in and day out. sit in both cars and decide based on that. no matter how much power you have, you'll always want more.
if i had a choice between a fully loaded 6 and a base 5.0, i'd take the 6. if you can get a premium 5.0, i'd say go for it. regardless, pick something that you want to sit in day in and day out. sit in both cars and decide based on that. no matter how much power you have, you'll always want more.
8/17/10, 09:21 PM
#56
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got a buddy that got his 18yr old son a gt500...luckily the story ended with house arrest for 6 months, noone got hurt...now his 17 yr old son has it- hes more mature, a calm headed type, but still a 500 hp car and a new driver is a couple inches of right foot movement from out of control...I couldnt do it...Ive told my sons sorry, but they wont be driving a mustang for a long time- insurance is just way too high for one thing, the temptation to make some noise is the major thing though- the best kid in the world(or his dad) will NOT be able to say hes never got on it. Old neighbor friend was going to get his granddaughter a pickup- no numbers of friends in the car, cheap insurance, strength of a full frame/high ride height, etc...IF I buy a (used) car for the boys to learn in, it will be a pickup...if not, THEY will b fixing up the mark VII or windstar, I'll gladly help- a lot- but they are going to know they gotta pay to play.
I drove since 15.5 yrs old when I got my temps, fixed up my own car(mom gave it to me at 15 if I could fix it, I could keep it- underhood fire meant I had a lot of work to do... paid my own gas/insurance washing dishes/bussing tables till I got a better job my senior year...still work there, pay a bit better now
every kid/situation is different, but even if I won the lottery or something and had endlless funds, only way Id give a 16 yr old a mustang would be with a 'valet mode' tune or throttle stop. Even a V6 had a crazy amount of power, 1/3 throttle even could still get a kid in trouble if he tried...20% on a gt might be plenty...I can(have tried) drive my gt normally with 1/2 inch of pedal...at 16 there is zero chance I could have
I drove since 15.5 yrs old when I got my temps, fixed up my own car(mom gave it to me at 15 if I could fix it, I could keep it- underhood fire meant I had a lot of work to do... paid my own gas/insurance washing dishes/bussing tables till I got a better job my senior year...still work there, pay a bit better now
every kid/situation is different, but even if I won the lottery or something and had endlless funds, only way Id give a 16 yr old a mustang would be with a 'valet mode' tune or throttle stop. Even a V6 had a crazy amount of power, 1/3 throttle even could still get a kid in trouble if he tried...20% on a gt might be plenty...I can(have tried) drive my gt normally with 1/2 inch of pedal...at 16 there is zero chance I could have
8/17/10, 09:39 PM
#57
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Yes.
And the fact that some of the posts could have been taken the wrong way and he did not react negatively AT ALL. What 18 yr old does that? I'd say either he's a super mature 18 yr old, or he is the "dad" posting here to see what he should do, or Ford doing market research? His username is also not something a typical 18yr old would make. Makes no difference though since the advice is the same.
I really like conspiracy theories
And the fact that some of the posts could have been taken the wrong way and he did not react negatively AT ALL. What 18 yr old does that? I'd say either he's a super mature 18 yr old, or he is the "dad" posting here to see what he should do, or Ford doing market research? His username is also not something a typical 18yr old would make. Makes no difference though since the advice is the same.
I really like conspiracy theories
8/17/10, 11:08 PM
#60
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