Cheap track toy: 1999-2004 Mustang V6 or 1994-1998 Mustang GT

[Throckmorton]

You are losing sight of the fun factor, and I bet a Miata will be much more fun than a nose heavy expensive 5.0 Mustang that cost you $7000 to get it to the same horsepower as a 2012 Camry.

 

[Arkaign]

what size tires do those mustangs use? I'd say a lot of my track toy budget goes towards tires and brake pads/rotors/fluid.

I'd assume the cost for miata size tires is considerably less

16s and 17s mostly, for 95+ until fairly recently. For the GT that is (not V6s and not special GT+ models like Bullitt/Saleen/etc)

Miatas are definitely cheap to run! 14" and 15" tires FTW Are they as cheap as they used to be though? I'm wondering if they're getting pricer just due to so few newer cars using that size anymore. Heck I think even the new Fiesta comes with 15" and 16" stock, 14" isn't even an option.

 

[Throckmorton]

When I bought 14" tires for my Miata they were more expensive than 15" and 16" sizes

 

[Arkaign]

You are losing sight of the fun factor, and I bet a Miata will be much more fun than a nose heavy expensive 5.0 Mustang that cost you $7000 to get it to the same horsepower as a 2012 Camry.

Well, the Camry will still be an understeer-prone heavy bloat machine, whether you get the $20-$25k i4, or $30k+ V6. Yes, they have impressive power for the class, and are faster than idiotic vehicles like the BRZ/FRS, but they're also wheeled versions of valium. I've driven old 225hp GTs, and they're a fair bit more entertaining than any modern FF blahcouch.

As for the Miata, I agree, though there's something just as fun for me personally with an old V8 Mustang or Camaro. Power-on oversteer, good big-iron exhaust note, etc. With the Miata you sit in something beautifully balanced, super reliable, and completely tossable. Yet stock they just don't have much guts.

So I couldn't fault someone for either of those choices for fun factor, and they're pretty cheap to run as well.

 

[Arkaign]

When I bought 14" tires for my Miata they were more expensive than 15" and 16" sizes

That sucks, I was kind of fearing that answer. I remember back in the early '00s, I had an extra commuting set of 14"ers for my 5G Prelude. They looked hilarious, but man, I could get 4 cheap tires for $99 locally pretty easily. I was young enough that swapping back to 17" for the weekend was no big deal to me. Then I upgraded brakes and couldn't fit them any more

Now I'm so old I'd never consider something like that.

 

[JCH13]

On a Miata, or any other 4x100 lug sports car that I can tell, 15in wheels are almost ubiquitous at the track. So many wheels and tires available in 15in it's stupid NOT to get them. 16in is a wasteland. 17in has a great selection, better than 15in generally.

Arkaign, a Miata will also have throttle oversteer, like any good front engine RWD sports car.

OP: don't get too caught up in the detailed paper stats discussion. Having seen what cars do well at Lemons events it has become clear to me that you can take basically any sports car you want, set it up well, and have a hell of a good time with it. They all have pluses and minuses, but they'll all get you on the track turning laps, and that's the real point of the exercise.

 

[Arkaign]

+1 to JCH there.

And yes, Miatas are ultra fun and can have throttle oversteer, but talking stock v. stock, a 225hp Mustang will have a bit more flashbang to it than a stock NA Miata in stupid sloppy fun factor. Apples/oranges though, and I can totally understand why some would prefer the Miata even if the power isn't as available, particularly at lower RPMs.

 

[crackerjacks]

Get a 5.0. Early 4.6's were a disgrace to the V8.

I owned a 1998 GT, and yeah they sucked but the V6 was even worse.

Tires were 17" 245/45.

Only reason to buy an early 4.6 GT is if you plan on swapping in a cobra engine...but at this point you'd probably still be better off with a '95 5.0.

 

[exdeath]

+1 to JCH there.

And yes, Miatas are ultra fun and can have throttle oversteer, but talking stock v. stock, a 225hp Mustang will have a bit more flashbang to it than a stock NA Miata in stupid sloppy fun factor. Apples/oranges though, and I can totally understand why some would prefer the Miata even if the power isn't as available, particularly at lower RPMs.

Its not available in this generation Mustang GT either :awe:

 

[exdeath]

If you are going to be corner carving in a Mustang you need to sleep with someone at Maximum Motorsports to start with.

http://www.maximummotorsports.com/store/

If you really get into it, you can move on to Griggs, Agent47, etc.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

You guys are going to get my wallet into trouble.
Right now, all else aside from the engine being equal (google seems to indicate same brakes between v6 and 5.0 gt), I will probably go with the V6 for the lighter vehicle and parts availability. Unless I am completely crazy, I would think there were a lot more V6's sold than V8's and are now occupying junk yards. Unless the test drive tells me what everyone here seems to be trying to tell me about the anemic power level of the V6.

You don't seem to be comprehending what these fine folks are stating - DO NOT BUY A V6 Mustang unless its the 2011+ 3.7L V6.

The price difference from a 95 GT 5.0L and a '95 3.8L 140HP V6 is not much after almost 20yrs of depreciation, they basically cost the same.

You bring up weight savings? C'mon man, were talking 100lbs at most and a 80HP difference between the two. Absolutely pointless in bring up weight savings when the power to weight ratio is so far out of the V6 favor.

No one on this Forum has said a V6 was a wise decision, its a horrible decision.

$2-4K for a '94-'95 GT
$2K Suspension
$750 brakes
$$$$ - Heads/Cam/Intake/Exhaust

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/3593781127.html

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/cto/3576096241.html

DO NOT buy someone elses project gone wrong - http://monterey.craigslist.org/cto/3470312901.html

 

[Throckmorton]

You don't seem to be comprehending what these fine folks are stating - DO NOT BUY A V6 Mustang unless its the 2011+ 3.7L V6.

The price difference from a 95 GT 5.0L and a '95 3.8L 140HP V6 is not much after almost 20yrs of depreciation, they basically cost the same.

You bring up weight savings? C'mon man, were talking 100lbs at most and a 80HP difference between the two. Absolutely pointless in bring up weight savings when the power to weight ratio is so far out of the V6 favor.

No one on this Forum has said a V6 was a wise decision, its a horrible decision.

$2-4K for a '94-'95 GT
$2K Suspension
$750 brakes
$$$$ - Heads/Cam/Intake/Exhaust

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/3593781127.html

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/cto/3576096241.html

DO NOT buy someone elses project gone wrong - http://monterey.craigslist.org/cto/3470312901.html

From what I've seen, the V8 Mustangs are overpriced. People think their 1995 Mustangs are worth $5000+. For less money you can get a BMW with similar horsepower but better handling

 

[Kelvrick]

You don't seem to be comprehending what these fine folks are stating - DO NOT BUY A V6 Mustang unless its the 2011+ 3.7L V6.

The price difference from a 95 GT 5.0L and a '95 3.8L 140HP V6 is not much after almost 20yrs of depreciation, they basically cost the same.

You bring up weight savings? C'mon man, were talking 100lbs at most and a 80HP difference between the two. Absolutely pointless in bring up weight savings when the power to weight ratio is so far out of the V6 favor.

No one on this Forum has said a V6 was a wise decision, its a horrible decision.

$2-4K for a '94-'95 GT
$2K Suspension
$750 brakes
$$$$ - Heads/Cam/Intake/Exhaust

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/3593781127.html

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/cto/3576096241.html

DO NOT buy someone elses project gone wrong - http://monterey.craigslist.org/cto/3470312901.html

I am slowly getting the message beaten into my brain. I actually saw that first one and lnked to it in the OP. I'll start keeping an eye out for local ones to me for now.

If you are going to be corner carving in a Mustang you need to sleep with someone at Maximum Motorsports to start with.

http://www.maximummotorsports.com/store/

If you really get into it, you can move on to Griggs, Agent47, etc.

Thanks for the link. Those packages give me an idea of the parts I should be on the lookout for. I might just start buying up random parts I find for cheap on forums.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

From what I've seen, the V8 Mustangs are overpriced. People think their 1995 Mustangs are worth $5000+. For less money you can get a BMW with similar horsepower but better handling

God forbid you clink on one of my links and see two Mustang GT's for $3K or OBO!

Explain to me which BMW you are going to buy for $3-$5k that has 215HP & 285TQ & how cheap are those modifications & replacement parts again?

GT
0-60 6.7S
15.2 @90mph 1/4 Mile
.87G
3250lbs

1996 E36 328i has 190HP & 207TQ
0-60 7.3
15.3@83mph 1/4 mile
.81-.87 Depending on model
3100lbs

 

[Black2na]

If you are going to be corner carving in a Mustang you need to sleep with someone at Maximum Motorsports to start with.

http://www.maximummotorsports.com/store/

If you really get into it, you can move on to Griggs, Agent47, etc.

God a 05+ mustang with the Griggs full suspension and 305/315 tire combo's is on my list of Awesome. why does the Griggs suspension have to be 18k god easy way to spend 30k on a mid 2000's mustang X.X and not even touch the engine!

 

[power_hour]

Go for an 87-89 5.0L. Spend your cash on the suspension. Otherwise I would go Miata. I really question the need for all that horsepower around anything but an oval. Handling > Power

 

[jlee]

I test drove a 1997 Mustang GT the other day. He wanted $3400 and the car was CLEAN...they are not that expensive.

 

[Throckmorton]

God forbid you clink on one of my links and see two Mustang GT's for $3K or OBO!

Explain to me which BMW you are going to buy for $3-$5k that has 215HP & 285TQ & how cheap are those modifications & replacement parts again?

GT
0-60 6.7S
15.2 @90mph 1/4 Mile
.87G
3250lbs

1996 E36 328i has 190HP & 207TQ
0-60 7.3
15.3@83mph 1/4 mile
.81-.87 Depending on model
3100lbs

That's exactly the BMW. Those times are pretty close... 0.1 second quarter mile difference.

I just looked up KYB GR2 struts for the Mustang... 50% more expensive than the ones I just ordered for my E36. Fuel filter is $15 vs $20. Reman alternator same $150. OK a smog pump is only $180 vs $280. O2 sensors are $230 for a full set on the Mustang vs $336 on the BMW.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Oh, one other word of advice (well two actually): Subframe connectors.

 

[Arkaign]

That's exactly the BMW. Those times are pretty close... 0.1 second quarter mile difference.

I just looked up KYB GR2 struts for the Mustang... 50% more expensive than the ones I just ordered for my E36. Fuel filter is $15 vs $20. Reman alternator same $150. OK a smog pump is only $180 vs $280. O2 sensors are $230 for a full set on the Mustang vs $336 on the BMW.

Vanos seals

Transmissions!

Hehehe, E36 is still much cheaper than similar-year Mercedes though. I'd much rather have an E36 than a Merc or even a VW, and especially same-year Audis, which were horrendous back then.

 

[Arkaign]

I don't think the prices are really comparable though.

Here's a 1995 5.0GT 5-Speed with 100k miles for $3400 locally :

http://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/ctd/3621467152.html

Find me an E36 with 100k miles for around that price.

 

[Throckmorton]

I don't think the prices are really comparable though.

Here's a 1995 5.0GT 5-Speed with 100k miles for $3400 locally :

http://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/ctd/3621467152.html

Find me an E36 with 100k miles for around that price.

Your point is moot because that is the ugliest car of all time. It was styled by Play Doh

 

[jlee]

Your point is moot because that is the ugliest car of all time. It was styled by Play Doh

Styling is subjective. I'd drive that over an RX8.

 

[Arkaign]

Your point is moot because that is the ugliest car of all time. It was styled by Play Doh

Hahah it is ugly, but that's not enough not to put a huge grin on your face while hooning it.

 

[Kelvrick]

Hahah it is ugly, but that's not enough not to put a huge grin on your face while hooning it.

I think it looks better than the miata. It looks like this project will have to be put on hold though. A belt fed ar15 upper might be in my future.