SS50: V6 versus GT (Practicality vs. Dream)

[MSC]

Hi guys.

The Mustang is my dream car, and the moment I saw the S550 I knew the time had come to achieve said dream. But right now, I'm split between the V6 and the GT.

There's something to be said about owning a GT. It's the penultimate Mustang. It's what I feel a Mustang should be. I like all the little luxuries. I'm a techie, so I like the features in the Premium model. I drive 100 miles a day and after driving an Escape for some of those commutes... I've learned to value how a car handles and drives. So the GT hits those points real nice.

But then there's the other side of me. I grew up poor, and I was grateful to have parents who always put food on the table. The side effect of this is I hate having debt, or spending more money than I should on something else. So I can swallow the cost of a base V6 better than spending an additional $10-20K on a GT model. I can justify $215 a month more easily than $600. I can afford a GT comfortably if I wait a couple of months, but the price tag still gives me a heart attack.

The V6 has fuel costs, insurance, and driving environment (city) going for it. The GT has premium options, performance features, and fun factor. I'm heavily leaning towards the V6 as it makes the most sense and makes it much easier for me to buy a nicer home down the line. But whenever I sit in my friend's California Special... I wonder if that extra money is worth it. I've driven both and the V6 and GT both hit the spot, so that makes it even harder.

What would you do?

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[1320']

Honestly? I have this debate all the time in my head. Do I go base...do I burn for premium? Do I want to buy a S550 or get a S197 and mod the hell out of it?

This is a choice you're going to have to live with, because frankly not everyone has the financial freedom the bunny hop from car to car.

My advise is this:

If you really want a GT, wait and save for it long enough so the payments are the same vs a V6. Yeah..you may have to wait until the 2016 MY, but it's worth it to get what you *really* want.

 

[pietran30]

Honestly? I have this debate all the time in my head. Do I go base...do I burn for premium? Do I want to buy a S550 or get a S197 and mod the hell out of it?

This is a choice you're going to have to live with, because frankly not everyone has the financial freedom the bunny hop from car to car.

My advise is this:

If you really want a GT, wait and save for it long enough so the payments are the same vs a V6. Yeah..you may have to wait until the 2016 MY, but it's worth it to get what you *really* want.

Real solid advice.


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[MSC]

Honestly? I have this debate all the time in my head. Do I go base...do I burn for premium? Do I want to buy a S550 or get a S197 and mod the hell out of it?

This is a choice you're going to have to live with, because frankly not everyone has the financial freedom the bunny hop from car to car.

My advise is this:

If you really want a GT, wait and save for it long enough so the payments are the same vs a V6. Yeah..you may have to wait until the 2016 MY, but it's worth it to get what you *really* want.

I could save it, but there still be a part of me that will go "Holy crap! I could have spent $15K on something else! Like part of the down payment on a condo, or a year's rent, or..." you get my point. But I suppose you have a point.

 

[Macfarland]

I was in the same situation as you. To me, a Mustang has to be V8 and manual in order to actually live the Mustang experience. I don't like cars loaded to their teeth, but I dont like the base either. Since I didn't have $40.5K lying around nor I feel comfortable paying $600 a month, I bought a 2010 GT manual with track pack. Brought them down from $23k to $19.5k. This beast only has 48k miles and had one owner. I have been asked (obviously non auto enthusiasts) if it is 2015!! Most of the S550 sixers and ecoboosters congratulate me for the decision. All I can tell you is that I'm in love. This was the only way I could have that V8 rumble immediately. I say, look for a low mileage 2010+ Stang and wait another few years for a used S550!

 

[Sal33n]

Split the difference and get a premium EB.

 

[113]

Honestly? I have this debate all the time in my head. Do I go base...do I burn for premium? Do I want to buy a S550 or get a S197 and mod the hell out of it?

This is a choice you're going to have to live with, because frankly not everyone has the financial freedom the bunny hop from car to car.

My advise is this:

If you really want a GT, wait and save for it long enough so the payments are the same vs a V6. Yeah..you may have to wait until the 2016 MY, but it's worth it to get what you *really* want.

This. I could afford a V6 or base Ecoboost right now and have the same monthly payments as when I buy a GT in a few months and put down a huge down payment. It's just worth it for me to wait; I never even considered anything other than GT.

So OP, I'd recommend just waiting and saving up more. I hate to use the term but you only live once - why settle now when you can actually afford to get what you want and have years of fun with it? There is plenty of time for settling and making tougher financial decisions later in life. Not to mention the GT Premium is going to have a lot more resale value down the line when you're ready to trade-in/sell a few years/decade from now.

 

[JolleyRoger]

I had the V6 Auto in 2011 and while it was nice and for a V6 ran VERY well, i always regretted not getting the GT. I have pretty much the same background and while i appreciate the no debt concept I also appreciate (now that I am older) we are not here forever so a small splurge after the family is taken care is worth it. I would save until you are comfortable for the Premium GT, trust me it will be worth it. Just got My GT PP Ruby Red last week....wait for it i say!

 

[15s550]

I think you know what that answer is ... you always have to look at your budget and figure out what you can "realistically" afford. Getting a V8 will mean more visits to the pumps. My car has 760 miles right now and I'm averaging about 17 mpg in mostly city driving. Don't forget that insurance will be expensive for a V8. So car/gas/insurance/maintenance costs have to be factored into your decision. After you run your numbers, you should have a good idea of where you stand.

You can make it a phased approach ... get the V6 now. Save for that house. Buy the house. Then as you get more settled into your dream job, get the V8.

Or ... you can go "all in" and get the V8!

Good luck! I don't think you can go wrong with any of the engines the Mustang offers. The V8 with a manual is the obvious choice in my book. But a V6 with a manual and 300 ponies under the hood is nothing to laugh at. You're still getting a beautiful car.

 

[Stam616]

There are other threads asking this very question or the EB vs the V6. I just got a V6 with the 051A pkg, A/T and spoiler delete. I thought about the GT and the Ecoboost but in the end the V6 made the most sense. I Love the way it sounds, handles and feels. The car is extremely well appointed and the upgrades I want , well I'll get them as my wallet allows. In the meantime the money I save using Reg gas, lower insurance premiums, and far lower monthly payment with a minimal amount down- I can let work for me so I have much more in the future.

If the GT is really what you want, and it's only a matter of saving up a few months, then I say go for it. A Car like the Mustang is an emotional purchase anyway. If sanity and fiscal responsibility gets to you, then go for the V6. It's a great car, very quick, handles almost perfectly (IMO) and although not as "techie" as the Premiums- sync is amazing as everything can be controlled through voice commands which can I think is pretty cool! Almost all the upgrades in the Premiums are available aftermarket so you can do as I am and upgrade as you can. Whatever you choose its still a Mustang.. Enjoy!!

 

[Branden]

I could save it, but there still be a part of me that will go "Holy crap! I could have spent $15K on something else! Like part of the down payment on a condo, or a year's rent, or..." you get my point. But I suppose you have a point.

I felt exactly that way... I saved up extra to get the payment where I wanted it, but when it came down to it the interest rates were very close to 2% so I ended up not putting that money down. I figured it'd be better off going into my 401k/retirement, or literally anything else.

Financing an extra 5k doesn't make a big difference in interest, especially when you consider inflation in 5-6 years versus the return you could get on that money. On a 6 year loan, financing an extra 5k ends up costing you like 60 bucks a year at current interest rates, assuming you keep the car until the note is paid. I considered going EB for the economy, ended up going GT Premium and love the car. I think a lot of people will tell you to do the "responsible" thing and save up for a nice down payment, but I think that's more for piece of mind than anything.

 

[krahooligan]

There was a thread closed by mods that was exactly like this. Please search. Save us all a headache. It's gonna turn into a GT vs v6 debate and we all know that the GT is heaps better. So go buy one. Have fun. Other wise you'll be a red light in your v6, and a GT will pull up to you and you'll punch yourself in the nuts because you should a bought the GT.

 

[MagneticA]

I know you're asking for advice, but truth is; you already know the answer. You'll get plenty of justification on this site for splurging, but in the end it is your budget you're living on and your own goals you're striving to attain. Sleep on it for a few days.

 

[Local]

Pretty much my exact predicament right now. I've all but convinced myself to get the GT.. I've never made a purchase like this and hell, we only live once. No matter what I'm going to be ecstatic once it's mine. I'm 28, no kids and no mortgage.. If not know it'll be in 10-20 years . I'm far to impatient for that. The feeling of settling for a different trim would be to much to bare.

 

[cbrookre]

I know you're asking for advice, but truth is; you already know the answer. You'll get plenty of justification on this site for splurging, but in the end it is your budget you're living on and your own goals you're striving to attain. Sleep on it for a few days.

This is almost exactly what I was going to say. We do not (nor should we) know the details of your budget. Really I have been waiting for over 10 years for this purchase, I bought a 2006 used, but sold it shortly after for the reasons you are talking about, it just did not feel right at the time. Now it is much later, have saved and am ready. But I do not take this purchase lightly, to me this is a 10yr investment minimum, I plan to take great care of it. I know there are those that say you are stupid to buy it and not race it, wring it out, whatever. But I am an adult. With kids and a wife. And other responsibilities. I will take good care of it and drive it responsibly, but could not see spending this kind of money on something that I would soon replace. The V8 Mustang is all I could ask for in a car, and as long as it is reliable it will be mine.

Sorry for the ramble, but if I were you and you are worried about money, do not ignore that side of you. There will always be a time where you can just go for it, but it sounds like that time is probably not right now for you...

Chris

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