97-99ish c5 or 01-04 Mustang as 2nd car?
05-05-2011, 05:48 PM
#2
Race Director
05-05-2011, 05:54 PM
#3
Banned Loser
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2017 Corvette of the Year
2016 C4 of Year Finalist
Creator of the "Original" whining and crying thread
St. Jude Donor '14-'15-'16-'17
Here we go again. 
Let the fun begin.
Let the fun begin.
05-05-2011, 06:18 PM
#5
Race Director
With the price differential, the question should be "a 97-99 C5 or two or three 01-04 Mustangs?" Or even, "do I want an apple or an orange for lunch?". The later (94-96) C4's are everybit if not more reliable than a 90's C5.
05-05-2011, 06:28 PM
#6
Race Director
You should have no problem finding a sub 100k 90's C5 in decent shape for under $15k. The prices are temporarily up (doubt if they are selling many), but $10k-$12k should get a nice one with a little patience.
05-05-2011, 06:35 PM
#8
Race Director
Even a '99 C5 is 12 years old now. On the other hand that car is only 3 years newer than my car.
Yes, I know there are some good deals out there.
But on average you'll regret buying one and trying to fix all the little issues.
15k should buy you a good one though, but be sure and do your homework.
05-05-2011, 07:07 PM
#11
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St. Jude Donor '05
Go browse C5 tech for awhile. 
Overall less parts and more overall reliable but they got their issues.
As far as engine/EFI stuff WAY more reliable.
Its all the electronic stuff.
Overall less parts and more overall reliable but they got their issues.
As far as engine/EFI stuff WAY more reliable.
Its all the electronic stuff.
05-05-2011, 10:19 PM
#12
Racer
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Fact: No matter what used car you get it going to have some sort of problems. Whether or not it breaks often is just a matter of luck. To answer your question, i would go with a C5. Unless you get a Cobra or plan on modding it, my belief is the mustang GT's are unimpressive. They also generally come with terrible gearing. Now if you plan on modding it I have been told the Mustang's take mod's very well. Hope I don't offend anyone here but I equate the 03 Mustang GT 5 speed that I have right now to a Mid to high 90's 6 cylinder stick camaro(the 3800). The C5 however I don't see disappointing you. If you plan on buying a Mustang and modding it that opens up a whole new book. Good luck with your purchase.
05-05-2011, 10:26 PM
#13
Melting Slicks
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Bought an '00 GT in 06 to keep at the TN summer house. Just to hot & wet in S FL during summer.
2 major issues with the V8's.
Plastic intake manifolds crack at the thermostat housing, there are no used units as they all crack. If your handy you can buy a new one & change it out, 800.00 + for a change @ the dealer.
Timing chain tensioner shoes wear out. They have long chains due to over head cams. At idle they sound like a lifter is clicking, later they start slapping.
One other concern was a soft chassis. The Cobra's have more bracing & are probably the stoutest of the lot. There are many aftermarket products available to stiffen the chassis. Monte Carlo bars, shock tower triangles that tie the towers to the firewall, rear shock tie bars just to name a few.
Got lucky with the one I had, the fellow that put 7 acres up for sale next to my land loved the car & took it as part payment for the property. I actually made money on that POS car.
If your stuck on a Stang get an 05 or at least drive both before you pull the trigger. The 05's are a much better car at least chassis wise.
Luck with your decision.
2 major issues with the V8's.
Plastic intake manifolds crack at the thermostat housing, there are no used units as they all crack. If your handy you can buy a new one & change it out, 800.00 + for a change @ the dealer.
Timing chain tensioner shoes wear out. They have long chains due to over head cams. At idle they sound like a lifter is clicking, later they start slapping.
One other concern was a soft chassis. The Cobra's have more bracing & are probably the stoutest of the lot. There are many aftermarket products available to stiffen the chassis. Monte Carlo bars, shock tower triangles that tie the towers to the firewall, rear shock tie bars just to name a few.
Got lucky with the one I had, the fellow that put 7 acres up for sale next to my land loved the car & took it as part payment for the property. I actually made money on that POS car.
If your stuck on a Stang get an 05 or at least drive both before you pull the trigger. The 05's are a much better car at least chassis wise.
Luck with your decision.
05-05-2011, 10:44 PM
#14
Melting Slicks
05-05-2011, 11:22 PM
#15
Burning Brakes
05-06-2011, 07:31 AM
#16
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St. Jude Donor '05
Would love to find a cherry 85 or 86 GT for a DD
Fun cars that look good and just dont break, and are cheap right now.
Fun cars that look good and just dont break, and are cheap right now.
05-06-2011, 07:34 AM
#17
Melting Slicks
I have a different spin. If you can afford to put out 13-15 grand for a C5 why not take a chunk of that money and buy a new GT and pay it off over three years. You will have a new car and a great performing one and no cares about break downs.
05-06-2011, 08:03 AM
#18
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St. Jude Donor '05
i actually prefer the mustang over the f-body cars.
The Vettes are fun cars and lots to like about the C5s.
All I can say is my 85 and 86s GTs I had were two of the most reliable cars Ive ever had and I mean over 100k mi span not a yr or two. They are cheap and easy to fix and mod
No running or electrical issues....those cars, the clean ones are going up so snap one up. Still some one owner cars out there that havent been butchered or raced to death.
Plenty of C5s out there and they will only become cheaper if you have the urge.
Ever price replacing the torque tube, trans or rearend on one?
05-06-2011, 08:53 AM
#19
Safety Car
Mustang.
If you need a part from AutoZone, NAPA, O'Reilly's, wherever; it will more likely be in stock for a Mustang than a C5. Used parts are more plentiful and easier acquired at cheap prices than on a C5 too. I don't know a single person who bought a good condition Mustang that had any trouble. All positive experiences. Stuff breaks, things wear out, but that's any car. It's a fun car with a huge community of owners.
Again, Mustang.
If you need a part from AutoZone, NAPA, O'Reilly's, wherever; it will more likely be in stock for a Mustang than a C5. Used parts are more plentiful and easier acquired at cheap prices than on a C5 too. I don't know a single person who bought a good condition Mustang that had any trouble. All positive experiences. Stuff breaks, things wear out, but that's any car. It's a fun car with a huge community of owners.
Again, Mustang.
05-06-2011, 09:20 AM
#20
Instructor
If your looking for a cheap car to tinker on and mod then i'ed go mustang. The aftermarket is awesome for this car.
If you looking for something to leave bone stock and just drive then i'ed go vette.
The build/design quality between the 2 is night and day. And thats not really a knock at the mustang. It was designed to hit a particular price point.
My friend is a die hard Ford guy. Has a '95. 347 stoker, t-56, completely aftermarket suspension, etc etc...
Car is scary fast and handles like a go-cart. But even he makes fun of it's Fordness sometimes. There is always SOMETHING minor but annoying broken on it.
If you looking for something to leave bone stock and just drive then i'ed go vette.
The build/design quality between the 2 is night and day. And thats not really a knock at the mustang. It was designed to hit a particular price point.
My friend is a die hard Ford guy. Has a '95. 347 stoker, t-56, completely aftermarket suspension, etc etc...
Car is scary fast and handles like a go-cart. But even he makes fun of it's Fordness sometimes. There is always SOMETHING minor but annoying broken on it.