Question about Mustang GT 2004 convertible

I had a 98 cobra (manual of course) and drove 1 1/2 hours in L.A. freeway traffic every day for several years.

OK one leg got a work-out but I can't imagine having an automatic in a sports car.

Come to think of it I guess I did end up looking a little like a crab-- one leg big and the other one small ;)

Steve

Paul Thomas wrote:

OK?

I would tell you it's great, someone else will tell you it sucks. Don't you just know what YOU want?

27K seems very close to Cobra territory.

Philly suburbs. Hell, yeah, we do the 10-foot crawl.

After a time, you forget that you're driving stick. By that, I mean that shifting becomes almost "automatic" when you're in a mind-wandering situation like rush-hour gridlock.

The only difference is this: folks with automatics like to maintain that

2-foot distance between cars. Folks with sticks will move forward when the distance becomes worthwhile.

You may suffer on occasion in gridlock, but when the road ahead opens up, you'll remember why you're glad you have manual.

But don't listen to me - I haven't driven a Mustang built within the last ten years. I do own two '93s, however, one stick and one auto. This may be the way to go - buy two. In rush hour, the GT with the automatic is fine; it's a convertible, though, so it's heavier and slower. I can't say that this is a problem because it has the automatic, but it doesn't seem to have anywhere near the giddy-up that the other car has.

For pure fun, I like the LX 5.0 with the 5-speed.

dwight

Go back to the lot and drive both. This should make your decision much easier.

-JD

________________________________________________________ | | | 1998 Laser Red GT RAMFM Member Since 1998 | | M-5400-A Suspension http:/207.13.104.8/users/jdadams || Subframe Connectors & Seat Bracing, Strut Tower Brace || 4-point K-frame Brace, Tremec T-45 & OEM 3.27:1 Gears ||________________________________________________________|

As far as fun factor or pucker factor is concerned, I think the automatic rates right up there with the stick car (maybe higher because you're not constantly rowing through gears).

FWIW, consistent bracket cars *usually* have automatics. Shift timing can be impeccable using a shift light and manual valve body. Even though the transmission pump exacts a toll in available HP, I have converted more stcikshift drivers to automatics than vice-versa.

Mostly a matter of taste but learning how to power shift well can be a spendy learning curve... rev limiters keep the engine damage to a minimum but bent shift forks can be a PITA..... especially if the warranty claim gets denied.

27 K is close to cobra terriotry ??? I thought cobra would cost around 38K. What do you think is a reasonable price for Mustang GT convertible ???

Well, maybe I was talking out of my arse. But I think that is MSRP and you should be able to go lower than that depending on your area. I've heard of people getting new coupes for 19K, new Machs for 25K and nice 03 Cobras for

29K Yes 04 Cobras MSRP at 38K, but do pe> 27 K is close to cobra terriotry ??? I thought cobra would cost around

The MSRP of the Car was 32K. I bargained it down to 27K. Do you think this is a good deal or should I bargain more.

I wouldn't jump into the deal. When the 05's become widely available, you could see a pretty drastic price drop. Check Ford.com to see what discounts are available, I got $3k in rebates when I bought my 02.

For perspective, look up the value of an 03 with one year on it with similar features, you might be surprised at the amount of depreciation.

John

Just for comparison, the local dealer down here in Tampa has an ad in todays paper:

Brand new 2004 Mustang GT Convertible

40th Anniversary Edition 17" Premium Alloy Wheels Cruise, Power Drivers Seat Loaded ! (Whatever that means) Stk #E3485 MSRP $30,300 $22,995 includes FMCC Bonus Cash

I don't know what the FMCC Bonus cash is right now. I think they're offering $2,500 or zero financing.

Doing a little fast math: 22,995 + 2,500 = 25,495, so they're discounting the car another $4,805. Not too bad of a deal.

I bought a new 2003 GT Conv, in February, from another dealer in Tampa, and after all the haggling, I walked away with a $29,315 MSRP car for $20,305, including taxes and fees. Probably came out somewhere in the $18,500 range before taxes. My trade was a $1000 beater.

Tom

The '05 convertibles are still a LONG way away. There might not even be any '04 convertibles still on the dealer's lot by then, and if there were, I would worry that they have remained on the dealer's lot for so very long because there is something "wrong" (options, colors, etc) with them.

Plus > I wouldn't jump into the deal. When the 05's become widely available, you