My budget build - 2016 Mustang GT

So the purpose of this build was to do it on the cheap, plain and simple. There have been some amazing builds on this site and I'm sure if many of us had the means to drop $20k on parts, we would. But the reality is with car payments, mortgages, families, etc it's just not feasible.

So all of the work was done by me with the exception of having some mufflers welded in. Also except for my tires, nothing was more than a few hundred. So even on a very modest budget many of these can be done over time.

Advice, if you want to build on a budget, invest in some decent tools and don't be afraid to get your hands dirty. This is where you save most of the money. I installed my Steeda springs in my driveway using CJ Pony Parts video from Youtube. That right there saved me $300-400. I am not a mechanic by any means. I've got a marketing degree and a MBA, I sit in an air conditioned office all day long and I can do it. This forum is full of useful writeups and recommendations.

Now to the build...
I'll lists mods and prices so you can see what I've done.
The car: 2016 Base GT - Magnetic. No options and manual trans.

Mods:
MMD 20x10 - $318 AM Sale
Nitto NT555 G2 - 275/35/20 - $620 - discount tire direct (eBay)
Steeda Progressive Springs - $252
Steeda Alignment Kit - $36
Stteda IRS Subframe Bushings - $130
Borla ATAK axelback - takeoffs from my last mustang and welded in $0 ($150 for install)
H pipe - CJ Pony Parts - $110
Leather takeoffs - ebay $415

Total parts price $1843
Total labor $150

Car looks great man! It's nice to see that you can achieve such a good looking car without spending thousands and thousands of dollars.

Any more plans for it?

I'm not sure yet. Probably more cosmetic stuff. I want a more aggressive spoiler and some sort of front splitter. I haven't really narrowed down much ones yet. I'm also always on the lookout for used stuff on CL and eBay to save some money too. Probably won't be doing performance mods because of the warranty and 435 hp is plenty powerful for me. But we'll see how that changes the longer I keep the car.

awesome! hopefully someday I can find wheels going for that cheap again

Good job for less than $2,000

You added a lot of awesomeness for only $2K. Very cool!!!

Well Played Sir!

But as nice as it turned out some of us will still go "the cost is a secondary consideration route". We can't help it.....

"the cost is a secondary consideration route" is fine when you have tons of money to spend. To do what was done on such a reasonable budget is remarkable. Hey if I had tons of money to spend on my own junk I'd do it! But I don't and have to budget. This is a first class job on a budget.

Just got my sound system completed. I know a guy who had a shop so he gave me a pretty good price. I went Rockford all the way around.

Rockford 6.5 components for the front
Rockford 6.5 3 way for the rear
Rockford prime 250x4 for the speakers
Rockford P3 12" sub and box
Rockford 750 mono for the sub
Paid $1000 for everything including install out the door.

They installed the amps in the spare tire well since I don't have a spare nice clean install and hits pretty hard.





Also a more recent pic I put on 5mm on all 4 corners. Not the best pic however

Great looking wheels!

Today's pics

Car is looking really sweet.

Really leaning toward a base GT auto w/PP once my lease is up. Great to see you are so happy doing it yourself and shopping for deals! I can't help myself and if it is on sale I usually buy it whether or not I need it!

With all the upgrades still under the price of bumping up to the premium. Still have about $1000 until I'm at the premium trim price. Probably will hit it after I add a spoiler and front splitter. That's next in the todo list. As well as the light tint kit from anchor room with the blacked out corners.

Hey man can you go into some detail on how you made your seats leather for so cheap? thanks.

Leather takeoffs. You can get them on eBay for $400-500. Moderately easy install. You do have to remove the seats from the car. No special tools required but a T-50 torq bit.

There's a decent write up in here somewhere but it's pretty straightforward.

I'd tackle it yourself if your mechanically inclined. If you can change out brakes or change oil you can handle it. A shop is going to charge $400-800 for install.