Stang Advice Needed

[SilverStanga6]

OK. Heres the scenerio I currently own a 2002 v6 mustang. Its stock and has maybe a few small blimishes here and there, but very clean and kept up well. I purchased it about 2 years ago and seeing as it`s a 2002 it`s 4 years old. It has 61,839 miles on it since when I bought it, it had 32,000.Anyhow, I`m thinking about what I should do with it. One side of me is telling me to try and modify it to get the most out of it with styling and performance. The other side of me is saying don`t mod it and try and trade it in for a nice quality used GT.I`m leaning towards a GT no later than a 99 on to 04 due to costs and I like that body style anyway. I`ve never traded in a car so I`m kinda at a crossroads on how to go about doing it. My KBB trade-in value is about $6,205. I`ve shopped around and looked online and at some local dealers with some used GTs ranging from $9,000 to a max of $14,000. Thats as far as I`m willing to go price wise, but what does that mean for my car note and insurance if I decide to actually get a GT? My car note now is $197.93 a month and my insurance is $999.99 every 3 months because I`m 19. How does the value of my car help me get the best price and quality GT? Is it all worth it? I`m going to check with my Ford dealership so they can give me their 2 cents on it but I can also use some advice from anyone here also. Thanx

[Grimmz]

insurance is always guna kill you, not matter what... it really depends on how much money your guna end up spending on your car... a GT would be a good buy, BUT you run the risk of gettin someone else's beat up GT and just have to fix it alot... yes your guna end up gettin more power outa a GT but it's all guna cost..MONEY and seeing as you don't have alota money to throw around i'd say stay with your V6, get some new insurance cuz that seems rediculous, i'm at 600 bucks for every 6 months, get some rims and some tints and some other body mods and be happy with that, then you can dive into the engine and get some more hp outa the 3.8 (some guyz are runnin well over 400 hp over on www.3.8mustang.com) but it sounds like for your age and income your best bet might be to stay with teh V6, and later when your older buy a new GT...

[TClark22]

yea i say stay with the six and mod it a little but dont waste too much money unless it can be transfered from a six to a GT like a body kit, wheels, etc...

[04DarkShadowGT]

Well it really depends on what you want to do. For the price difference between a GT and V6 you could get a blower for the V6. I have no idea what power you would be looking at but it should be descent for a street car.

You insurance will suck with a GT. I was paying 1200 every six months for my old 2004 before I turned 25. Since turning 25 I pay 525 every 6 months for my 06 Mazda6 and 98 GT.

Obviously a V8 will be a better platform for mods, but it all depends on your finances. If you can afford the difference in insurance and payment then go for it. For a rough estimate figure your payment will be $20 for every $1K financed. That would be roughly 8% interest and for a used car with the interest rate hike you are probably in that range.

[95bstallion]

v6>gt split port sixers are strong as hell. Go turbo or procharger and you'll be kicking some butt.

[mustangvsix]

it really just depends on how much you are looking at spending...a sixer i find is going to be more expensive to mod for power, and a gt maybe less...however a gt's insurance plus the added car payment are going to definately cut into your modding budget. stick with the sixer, after all if you build it up enough there will be that day when you roll up on a cobra, and are able to beat him, there will be nothing like telling him he just got owned by a sixer...

[Grimmz]

Originally Posted by mustangvsix

it really just depends on how much you are looking at spending...a sixer i find is going to be more expensive to mod for power, and a gt maybe less...however a gt's insurance plus the added car payment are going to definately cut into your modding budget. stick with the sixer, after all if you build it up enough there will be that day when you roll up on a cobra, and are able to beat him, there will be nothing like telling him he just got owned by a sixer...

I'm under the impression the difference in insurance will make the V6 cheaper all the way around for our age group...2 grand should be enough to put a stock 6er down the 1/4 mile in less then 14...

[SilverStanga6]

Thanx a bunch for the advice. I mean I`m still in the air as far as what I would like to do. It would be fun to mod my 6 gun, but I just dont want people to think because I`m pushing a V6 that my car is a joke. If I had known better in the beginning I would have looked into a GT. I just wanted a mustang because it was my dream car and I`m lucky to have it ,V6 or not period.If i decide to mod my 6er up, I want it to be a badd a** V6, not some "sleeper" like i`ve seen a few people call a 6. They can really get up when they like. But my conscience keep saying as much time and money it`s going to take to mod a 6 to run with the 8s. Why not just trade in for a used GT with a good trade in deal? Thats my current impression, but like I said, I`m going to continue to look and shop around and investigate and ask dealers questions about trading just so I can learn the art of trading in to begin with. So theres no guarantee im going to trade but it dont hurt to learn beacuse im still young. I`ll keep yall posted on how things work out,but in the mean time, I wouldnt mind some appearance modding ideas and maybe a good true dual exhaust set up to get my car to sound similar to a V8.( yes I kno the 6ers will never sound like an 8 but im sure it can come close, so set up ideas would be kool.) Oh and TClark22, I`m diggin those two stangs you got, but where did you manage to find the gt front and back bumpers for your 04 6er?

[Grimmz]

Originally Posted by SilverStanga6

Thanx a bunch for the advice. I mean I`m still in the air as far as what I would like to do. It would be fun to mod my 6 gun, but I just dont want people to think because I`m pushing a V6 that my car is a joke. If I had known better in the beginning I would have looked into a GT. I just wanted a mustang because it was my dream car and I`m lucky to have it ,V6 or not period.If i decide to mod my 6er up, I want it to be a badd a** V6, not some "sleeper" like i`ve seen a few people call a 6. They can really get up when they like. But my conscience keep saying as much time and money it`s going to take to mod a 6 to run with the 8s. Why not just trade in for a used GT with a good trade in deal? Thats my current impression, but like I said, I`m going to continue to look and shop around and investigate and ask dealers questions about trading just so I can learn the art of trading in to begin with. So theres no guarantee im going to trade but it dont hurt to learn beacuse im still young. I`ll keep yall posted on how things work out,but in the mean time, I wouldnt mind some appearance modding ideas and maybe a good true dual exhaust set up to get my car to sound similar to a V8.( yes I kno the 6ers will never sound like an 8 but im sure it can come close, so set up ideas would be kool.) Oh and TClark22, I`m diggin those two stangs you got, but where did you manage to find the gt front and back bumpers for your 04 6er?

it's the same front, and u can get GT bumpers alota places...

like i said here's a general list of things you could get for you car that would put youin the upper 13's for the quartermile...


1. Long Tube Headers ----------------- 258.00

2. Shorty Off-Road H-pipe ------------ 160.00

3. MGW Short Shifter ----------------- 179.00

4. BBk 65mm Throttle Body ------------ 245.95

5. 4.10 Gears & Tunner Package-------- 589.99

6. Nitrous Express Ford EFI Kit --------- 517.99

7. T-lok ------------------------------ 279.85

8. Mustang Tuning CAI ------------- 75.00

all thats about 2,300 bucks and thats without a new cat-back and the install so your lookin at about 3 grand total for all that stuff but you'll be running mid 13's with some good tires and a 100 shot... some of the guyz on the 3.8 boards are running other set ups with cams and stuff that are down in the low 13's and 12s which for a sixer with the matching price of a GT is DAMN good...

Please keep in mind, when we compare cars it's for the same year brand new or what have you, because you can't compare new and old, it's just not fair either way and isn't accurate...happy hunting...

[SilverStanga6]

Man... I`m at a crossroads. Im almost 20 and stuck with a stock 2002 V6. I`ve pretty much iced out the idea of getting a GT because I can`t find one local enough to trade in my car for a reasonably priced 99-02 GT and I don`t know how much my car note and insurance will change. SO with that being said, my next bet is to try and mod my 6 gun. I love it to death because it`s my first car,but I just dont know how to get the most power out of her without having to buy a charger which i can`t afford. HOW CAN I GET THE MOST POWER AND PERFORMANCE? and dont knock me,but my car is an automatic. 6 guns have a lot of potential, I just need help going about it. If any one can help me that will be awesome.

[mustangvsix]

i think you should just save for a charger/ tubro because by the time you spend money on all the little bolt on's, gears, and nitrous you will be more then half way, if not almost all the way if you count' install to having a charger/tubro, honestly if you ask most people hear and you see how much they have spent on bolt on's and what not, basically everyone of us would trade it all if we could have the supercharger...so that is something for you to think about

[Grimmz]

Originally Posted by mustangvsix

i think you should just save for a charger/ tubro because by the time you spend money on all the little bolt on's, gears, and nitrous you will be more then half way, if not almost all the way if you count' install to having a charger/tubro, honestly if you ask most people hear and you see how much they have spent on bolt on's and what not, basically everyone of us would trade it all if we could have the supercharger...so that is something for you to think about

not true at all, u can get in the 13's for half the price of a full turbo kit... i just proved that in my post... all those bolt ons and a 100 shot will Def. get you in the 13's especially with that auto... I'd say gears and a tune, you will change the shift points on your auto and gain hp from the tune, the gears will give you that low end acceleration our cars need so much...

[SilverStanga6]

Yea that is true. I mean I`ve practiced in my cousins car how to drive a manual shift and for some reason, I just can`t get the hang of it yet. So I figured, mustang or not an automatic would be more my speed. I do plan in the hopefully near future to save up for a type of charger. I`m just starting with the less costly basics right now and working my way into the car. First, Im going with true duals with probably flowmaster 40s. Oh and if anyone know of any type of exhaust and muffler set up that will give my car a deep and aggressive tone and sound pretty good while idle that will be a big help. That`s why my own personal thoughts would be true duals with flow 40s for that sound.I envy the V8 sound so much and i know a 6er can`t achieve that IDENTICAL sound,but can sound close and good to an 8. Anyway, so what kind of QUALITY bolt ons can i invest in possibly to get good boosts of horsepower? I don`t know what Ford was smoking when they decided hey lets give 6guns 190hp! I mean c`mon that`s like an embarrassment to the mustang legend. SO any bolt-on boosters and exhaust setups I`m looking for.

[knife13]

the insurance difference between a v6 and a GT isnt much different. Maybe an extra 15 bucks a month.

don't put slowmaster 40's on your v6, itll sound like ass

[knife13]

get a catback made for your v6, dont try using v8 mufflers etc. Either way, there is absolutely no way for you to make your car sound like a v8, and i dont see why you would anyhow, unless your the kind of guy that puts a 14inch wing on the back of a front wheel drive.

[SilverStanga6]

That sounds interesting. How can I go about getting a catback made for my V6? How much will it cost? Oh and I`ve heard that flowmaster 40s arent bad at all. Every person I know with stang says they are good and have a nice sound. Well if flowmasters isnt the thing, what are other types of mufflers that can give my car a good agressive sound?

[SilverStanga6]

Allrighty people. Hopefully the time is coming for me to play Dr. Frankenstein and start modding the hell outta my V6. I`ve come to terms that it would be more satisfying for me to be able to jus customize my V6 and build it from scratch into something incredible instead of being close to 20 year old purchasing a GT and having car payments and insurance ruin my freetime in life by constantly working. So! with that being said my first priority is to of course put a True Dual Exhaust setup on my car. I got a buddy who works at the nearest Meineke. Hes got a 2002 3.8L V6 just like mine except its white. He`s got true dual exhaust with flowmasters I do believe and he started it up and I gotta admit the s.o.b sounds great not like a V8 of course but VERY close deep and pretty throaty and sounds good reving also. I forget everything he said he did to it, but thats all him. For me, I`m looking for a good true dual exhaust set up that will give my V6 an aggressive sound not like and V8 of course, but something respectable. Any setup ideas are welcome.

P.S- I don`t know what it is, but it seems like my V6 stock exhaust is breaking in I guess? OR is just me? It sounds a little different than what it used to because when I got it, it was so quiet and now its got like a little rumble to it not like others I hear. Is it something good?bad? or nothing at all? and if it is something, will it effect the sound of my True Duals when I get them? Thanx

[Grimmz]

Originally Posted by SilverStanga6

Allrighty people. Hopefully the time is coming for me to play Dr. Frankenstein and start modding the hell outta my V6. I`ve come to terms that it would be more satisfying for me to be able to jus customize my V6 and build it from scratch into something incredible instead of being close to 20 year old purchasing a GT and having car payments and insurance ruin my freetime in life by constantly working. So! with that being said my first priority is to of course put a True Dual Exhaust setup on my car. I got a buddy who works at the nearest Meineke. Hes got a 2002 3.8L V6 just like mine except its white. He`s got true dual exhaust with flowmasters I do believe and he started it up and I gotta admit the s.o.b sounds great not like a V8 of course but VERY close deep and pretty throaty and sounds good reving also. I forget everything he said he did to it, but thats all him. For me, I`m looking for a good true dual exhaust set up that will give my V6 an aggressive sound not like and V8 of course, but something respectable. Any setup ideas are welcome.

P.S- I don`t know what it is, but it seems like my V6 stock exhaust is breaking in I guess? OR is just me? It sounds a little different than what it used to because when I got it, it was so quiet and now its got like a little rumble to it not like others I hear. Is it something good?bad? or nothing at all? and if it is something, will it effect the sound of my True Duals when I get them? Thanx

When you put an intake in it'll sound a lil deeper when you romp on the gas... as for mufflers, TClark loves his MagnaFlow Mufflers, and I def. Rep SpinTech Prostreets, to be honest alota the guys on 3.8mustang forums have posted clips of their flowmasters and then later changed their set up to SpinTech's... I would be surprised if you found a better muffler then the ProStreet for a V6... but thats just my $.02

[SilverStanga6]

Yeah that makes sense. I never would have thought that because the people on 3.8mustang.com that have flowmasters, they don`t sound bad at all. Truth is,those sounds is what inspired me to go about getting flowmasters. I was listening to a clip of the black 2000 v6 with flowmasters and it sounded mean, very deep. From where Im from, flows have a good following. I`m not really familiar with SpinTech though ill look into it. I`m just trying to get a good setup with the true duals that will sound great for a v6 and also give that notion that hey this stang is nothing to play with. People think 6guns are a just a sleeper joke and they aren`t I don`t think, not just because I have one, but because I know that they can get up real good and not to be underestimated. I`m just taking my time and choosing my mods carefully.First duals then im going to rims and tires and maybe a custom paint job. After that, I`m going to clear euro lights head and tail and neons.I`m going to focus on the interior also with some custom mustang matts and I like those chrome knobs on Mustang Tuning. Bumper inserts are next after that and lowering the car about and inch or two, to make it look aggressive. Tinted windows and sound system is a must and then the oh so wonderful ENGINE PERFORMANCE. Any kool ideas are welcome.

[Grimmz]

Originally Posted by SilverStanga6

Yeah that makes sense. I never would have thought that because the people on 3.8mustang.com that have flowmasters, they don`t sound bad at all. Truth is,those sounds is what inspired me to go about getting flowmasters. I was listening to a clip of the black 2000 v6 with flowmasters and it sounded mean, very deep. From where Im from, flows have a good following. I`m not really familiar with SpinTech though ill look into it. I`m just trying to get a good setup with the true duals that will sound great for a v6 and also give that notion that hey this stang is nothing to play with. People think 6guns are a just a sleeper joke and they aren`t I don`t think, not just because I have one, but because I know that they can get up real good and not to be underestimated. I`m just taking my time and choosing my mods carefully.First duals then im going to rims and tires and maybe a custom paint job. After that, I`m going to clear euro lights head and tail and neons.I`m going to focus on the interior also with some custom mustang matts and I like those chrome knobs on Mustang Tuning. Bumper inserts are next after that and lowering the car about and inch or two, to make it look aggressive. Tinted windows and sound system is a must and then the oh so wonderful ENGINE PERFORMANCE. Any kool ideas are welcome.

Wow...U might wana hold off the Neons, and headlights/tailights, learn from my mistake, don't do it...lol most of them are poor quality and even if they are they just detract from the look of the car...

As for Rims they'll really look great and will increase the handling ALOT better, and you got plenty to choose from here on Mting, may I recommend either the 17x9' and 17x10.5 combo or the 18x9, and 18x10 combo... it just sets the look of the car OFF!...

also don't worry about the interior of your car to much, if you want to spend your money on some good mods you can refer to the list I posted up earlier... otherwise the small Mach 1 Effects will look good and make the car look SOOO GOOD, I got rims and exhaust now and I get people askin if I'm a V8 all the time, I've even had people suggest I put V6 Badges on to make it look slow...lol

[MattJ]

No matter what you have, youll get used to it and itll need to be faster. You just need to think of where youd like to spend your money...