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The Car conundrum, what to buy.

TurboMinivan

TurboMinivan

Still plays with cars
Location
Lehi, UT
kmboren said:
Any thoughts on the 4.6 liter GT mustangs in the 1999-2006 Era. Katelynn is thinking hard about buying her first car and is in love with Mustangs. I figured you might as well buy a GT vs. a silly v6 4.0.
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Full disclosure: I owned and daily drove a 2006 Mustang GT 5-speed for a year and a half a while back.

There were three main versions of the n/a 4.6L V8 used in the Mustang:
  • the standard 2v version used through 1998, rated 215 hp or 225 hp depending on year
  • the Performance Improved version (with better flowing 2v heads) used 1999-2004 rated at 260 hp
  • the 3v version introduced with the all-new 2005 model rated at 300 hp
The only significant issue with the 3v engine is the OEM spark plugs. I don't know why, but Ford in all their wisdom decided to design and install these fancy 2-piece spark plugs on the assembly line. After a few years, when you go to remove them they break in half. This makes removing the remaining piece from the head a royal pain in the ass. It is so common, numerous tool companies have designed a special tool kit for just this operation. Once you get the broken pieces out of there, install proper aftermarket plugs and you're good to go.

The redesigned 2005 is an all-around better car than the former generation. The engine made good power IMO and, like most Ford V8s, sounds awesome with an exhaust upgrade. On my car, I removed the stock mufflers and replaced them with what were essentially glorified glasspacks (I forget the brand name). Good grief, that car sounded heavenly whenever I was on the throttle.

Long story short: if you're thinking about a V8 Mustang, the 2005+ is well worth a look.
 
kmboren

kmboren

Recovering XJ owner anonymous
Location
Southern Utah
TurboMinivan said:
Full disclosure: I owned and daily drove a 2006 Mustang GT 5-speed for a year and a half a while back.

There were three main versions of the n/a 4.6L V8 used in the Mustang:
  • the standard 2v version used through 1998, rated 215 hp or 225 hp depending on year
  • the Performance Improved version (with better flowing 2v heads) used 1999-2004 rated at 260 hp
  • the 3v version introduced with the all-new 2005 model rated at 300 hp
The only significant issue with the 3v engine is the OEM spark plugs. I don't know why, but Ford in all their wisdom decided to design and install these fancy 2-piece spark plugs on the assembly line. After a few years, when you go to remove them they break in half. This makes removing the remaining piece from the head a royal pain in the ass. It is so common, numerous tool companies have designed a special tool kit for just this operation. Once you get the broken pieces out of there, install proper aftermarket plugs and you're good to go.

The redesigned 2005 is an all-around better car than the former generation. The engine made good power IMO and, like most Ford V8s, sounds awesome with an exhaust upgrade. On my car, I removed the stock mufflers and replaced them with what were essentially glorified glasspacks (I forget the brand name). Good grief, that car sounded heavenly whenever I was on the throttle.

Long story short: if you're thinking about a V8 Mustang, the 2005+ is well worth a look.
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Thank you. She is looking pre 2005 for the budget of 10k or less. She actually drove A 2001 Bullitt GT car recently and really enjoyed it. She wants to look at a couple more before she makes a decision.
 
TurboMinivan

TurboMinivan

Still plays with cars
Location
Lehi, UT
For the curious: I went digging into my archives to remember what exhaust upgrade I installed. It was an axle-back bolt-on Pypes kit, and these specific mufflers (well, resonators) are called Pype Bombs.

pypebomb-axelback-0510.386489.jpg


If you wanna hear them installed:
 
Greg

Greg

I run a tight ship... wreck
Admin
Location
Grand Junction, CO
glockman said:
Well, I must have a fall itch for new cars.
This happened a couple weeks ago and all I can say is, coyote motors are the bee's knees.
I waited a couple weeks to see if it was going to go through crowds ok. So far, so good.
View attachment 177574
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Had a rental Mustang with the 2.3T Ecoboost and it was a RIOT to drive. I bet the V8 is even more fun.
 
glockman

glockman

I hate Jeep trucks
Location
Pleasant Grove
Thanks to the rabbit hole Hickey sent me down earlier in this thread, I looked all over for a used F150 Standard cab short bed in 4x4 with a coyote to supercharge. They are few and far between and people literally want more for a used model than you can order one new from Ford. I suspect this car might get a supercharger at some point. 700+HP just seems like a good time, but 460 is also pretty fun. I haven't missed that damned Toyota yet, even today in the snow, mostly because I drove the jeep :D

So far the only negative is my wife telling me she is a better driver. I tried to prove her wrong by taking her to The Grid Sunday. She beat me in both heats:oops: I'm not sure if I should be proud, embarrassed or scared.
 
I Lean

I Lean

Mbryson's hairdresser
Vendor
Location
Utah
glockman said:
Thanks to the rabbit hole Hickey sent me down earlier in this thread, I looked all over for a used F150 Standard cab short bed in 4x4 with a coyote to supercharge. They are few and far between and people literally want more for a used model than you can order one new from Ford. I suspect this car might get a supercharger at some point. 700+HP just seems like a good time, but 460 is also pretty fun. I haven't missed that damned Toyota yet, even today in the snow, mostly because I drove the jeep :D

So far the only negative is my wife telling me she is a better driver. I tried to prove her wrong by taking her to The Grid Sunday. She beat me in both heats:oops: I'm not sure if I should be proud, embarrassed or scared.
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Bring her out to an autocross, you can both drive--so you can compare your times in the same car, on an identical course. :)
 
glockman

glockman

I hate Jeep trucks
Location
Pleasant Grove
Gravy said:
@rholbrook has one of those...
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I think Mrs. Holbrook has one, not Russ.


I have to say, the more I drive this the more I like it. When you are driving over the point of the mountain (in Mexico) and every ass hat in the left lane is doing 60mph, it's super gratifying to pass them in the triple digits, allegedly.

I just noticed it has 0-60 and 0-100 timers built into the car. I'll have to head back down to Mexico and see what the numbers say. This thing is like a video game, but for men.
 
mbryson

mbryson

.......a few dollars more
Supporting Member
Location
Bountiful, land of rocks
glockman said:
Go sit in a new Camaro and then a new Mustang. The choice is very clear which is the better car.
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I 4000% agree... I had the Camaro rental for the 2023 Buick GS Nationals. Can't see a damn thing out of that car. It's not even safe. Mustang is MUCH better. Styling and design goes to the F*rd for me as well by at least 2000%. I haven't liked a new Camaro since '92. '93 to current... not my favorite at all. Corvette's are a little better but the new mid-engine is not for me either. Chev HD pickups from the last 4-5 years... :puke: :puke: :puke::puke::puke:
 
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