So my birthday is coming up in May and I'm going to be trading my sixer in for a new 'Stang. I've been planning on getting an 05-06 GT, new body style without a huge increase in price. I'm definitely wanting a 5 speed too, I've been an automatic driver and it's quite boring and dull.

Do you guys think I should stick with getting an s197 GT or should I look for an 03-04 Mach or save some money and get an 03-04 GT? A 2002-2004 Cobra is a rare possibility as I'm wanting to stay under $20k.

This is going to be the car I mod out too, what's the first mod I should look into? I know if I get an 05+ it's definitely gotta have some wheels.

 

i say test drive and find what you like best. the S197s are sweet. I have seen some05 and 06 GTs for pretty good prices. I think it just depends what you want. test drive away and then decide. if you can find a good 03-04 Cobra that would be badass. so i say these 3 options in order 03-04 Cobra, S197GT, Mach1

 

You should be able to find an 03 cobra with 50-60k miles for around 20k.

 

They're really rare around here actually, I haven't seen ANY what so ever. My car has 50k miles on it so I think getting an 05+ with 20-25k miles for less is a better deal. If I do see a Cobra though I'll definitely take it into consideration.

 

if you can get an 03-04 mach do it, 4v ftw!!!

 

To be honest, I'd rather have an 05+ with lower miles than a cobra. Where do you live?

 

That's how I am also, I think the lowest I would go on a Cobra is 40k, 35 would be an instant yes, but 60k vs 25k, gonna go with the 25. I live in Southwest Missouri, small town.

 

Off looks.....03/04 Mach > s197.

But s197 are nice to sit in, they feel great when you drive them, but I've never driven a mach 1 though.

 

I found your car!

http://stlouis.craigslist.org/cto/1076134330.html

Here's a mach1 with 18,000 miles

http://stlouis.craigslist.org/cto/1073186533.html

 

Having done the v6 to Mach 1 jump before, I can tell you it's much more rewarding than an S197 GT. I was wanting an S197, too because I liked the body style but after test driving one against the Mach it was a no brainer. No joke, once I got to test drive the Mach I knew it was the one to get. The GT was nice, but the power takes the win.

 

Now that's one hell of a deal, wow. I really want a 5 speed though, only thing is I have no experience yet :s I know how it all works and how to, just haven't drove a standard yet.

 

Whoops, I definitely didn't notice that it was an auto.

 

man thats a good price on that mach1, I would be all over that!

 

Honestly Mach 1s are better if it's going to be serious modding simply because of the 4V. If you get an 05 or 06, get one with the bullit stock wheels and drop it right off the bat. Trust me the $500 spent on lowering it is WAYYYYYY better than some wheels. If you do get some wheels get DD 20's.

The coolest looking S197 was this car and it's what made me buy the '08
http://image.mustang50magazine.com/f...zor_wheels.jpg
http://image.mustang50magazine.com/f...e_quarters.jpg
http://image.mustang50magazine.com/f...ing_launch.jpg

SICKKKKK....no doubt.

 

If you can swing 20k, ive seen mach1's for 14k.... that leaves you enough to procharge it!

 

for 20k you could get a 99-01 cobra or possibly a 03-04 cobra.

 

Yeah a Mach is sounding pretty good right now, they're so rare around here though, finding one for the right price with super low millage could be difficult. I need to go to a bigger town like Springfield and check out what they have.

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cars-...3A1|240%3A1318

hmmmmmmmm

 

18,900 isnt a half bad price. Who knows you could get it for cheaper.

 

It's procharged, I think that's the perfect price

 

Its your call really. Me I like the 99-04 body style out of all the choices you offered, hence why I have one.

 

Yeah I think I like that style better, it takes a lot to make the new style look good. I'm really set on a Mach now that I've read reviews and road tests.

 

I was like wtf is so special about this mach 1 for 19k, and then I looked under the hood. That's the way I like em.

 

4v > 3v

Mach 1 or 01 cobra if you want to spend around 15k, if you want to spend the 20k then 03 cobra(can't beat factory supercharged)

However, I am not sure your age, but keep in mind insurance, buying one of these vehicles and being young and male makes your insurance company very very happy! lol.

 

I would get the cheapest one that has a v8 and a stick and put the rest into the motor/drivetrain to make it fast. But that's just how I roll.

 

That's exactly what I would do. I'd rather have a $14k car with a supercharger than a $20k car that's bone stock.

 

Keep that money, build the sixer, eat **** up.

 

That would be the way to go if I had the money in cash, I'll be financing though so it's not like I have a certain amount of money to spend.

I'm 17 at the moment, when I turn 18 in May is when I will actually be looking to buy. I'm starting to get pretty determined on the Mach. A Cobra for the same $15-16k as the Mach is going to be around 40-60k miles where as the Mach shouldn't be more than 30k so that plays a factor as well.