2016 GT premium or 2023 GT base

[row-n-go]

I am looking to buy another Mustang GT M/T as a daily driver. My 06 GT premium was traded in on a truck when it had 160K miles with just regular maintenance. I miss that car and regret getting rid of it. I am trying to decide between a low mileage (30-40K) gen 2 premium vs a gen 3. I commute 40 miles to work 50/50 hwy/cty. I have been reading this forum for the last two weeks and the wealth of knowledge here is impressive. Yes, I understand that most of what you read are complaints as most happy owners do not seek out forums but there seems to be a lot of complaints of cylinder scoring, ticking, oil consumption, piston slap, occurring with the gen 3 engines. I am also concerned about the compression being bumped up to 12:1 for longevity reasons. The change in transmission gearing is a concern also. So which of these generations would hold up better making it to 200k miles without major repairs? I do all of my own maintenance, oil changes at 5K intervals and all fluids as per the manual. My last f250 6.2 had 280k miles when I sold it and my 2018 currently has 112K and I have no plans to get rid of it anytime soon. My current commuter car is a 03 civic manual with 180k miles and still gets 38 mpg and is as boring as it gets.

Sponsored

 

[KingKona]

You're already biased and aren't going to believe anyone that tells you that the engines are just fine.

 

[Jstang23]

Either gen 2 or gen 3 has its problems. But as most cars if you take care of them they'll last a long time. I have the gen 3 and absolutely love it, I have a very similar commute to yours and I average 26 mpg 50/50 city hwy. I average about 30 on the highway.

 

[MrMike]

With how much you drive and how long you keep your cars, I'd suggest finding a leftover 23 301A.

 

[Crew4991]

I am looking to buy another Mustang GT M/T as a daily driver. My 06 GT premium was traded in on a truck when it had 160K miles with just regular maintenance. I miss that car and regret getting rid of it. I am trying to decide between a low mileage (30-40K) gen 2 premium vs a gen 3. I commute 40 miles to work 50/50 hwy/cty. I have been reading this forum for the last two weeks and the wealth of knowledge here is impressive. Yes, I understand that most of what you read are complaints as most happy owners do not seek out forums but there seems to be a lot of complaints of cylinder scoring, ticking, oil consumption, piston slap, occurring with the gen 3 engines. I am also concerned about the compression being bumped up to 12:1 for longevity reasons. The change in transmission gearing is a concern also. So which of these generations would hold up better making it to 200k miles without major repairs? I do all of my own maintenance, oil changes at 5K intervals and all fluids as per the manual. My last f250 6.2 had 280k miles when I sold it and my 2018 currently has 112K and I have no plans to get rid of it anytime soon. My current commuter car is a 03 civic manual with 180k miles and still gets 38 mpg and is as boring as it gets.

Not to worry OP, whichever you decide both are great. You keep your vehicles long enough that whichever you go with you will squeeze the value out of it.

 

[row-n-go]

You're already biased and aren't going to believe anyone that tells you that the engines are just fine.

How am I biased? I have been wrenching on my own vehicles for a long time. I can list several models that just have known issues like the 6.0 PS heads or the boxters ims bearing. I am just looking for advice from those that have had experience with both and can recommend the most reliable model. If there is an issue I can address myself to prolong longevity I'm all for it.

 

[MAGS1]

I have a 2022 (gen 3 yote) and I daily mine. I have zero concerns about it. Machines have issues at time so things are going to happen. With the 2023, you’ll have a fresh warranty which is huge, especially for a daily. Anything major will be under warranty for a little while, so that should give you some peace of mind

 

[EFI]

How am I biased?

You seemed biased because all you listed are the "concerns" about the gen 3 while listing none of it's benefits, and no such concerns for the gen 2.

With all that said, it seems your main goal is longevity. So it seems silly to even consider an engine that is 7 years older and has tens of thousands of extra miles on it compared to a brand new one that has warranty.

 

[KingKona]

How am I biased? I have been wrenching on my own vehicles for a long time. I can list several models that just have known issues like the 6.0 PS heads or the boxters ims bearing. I am just looking for advice from those that have had experience with both and can recommend the most reliable model. If there is an issue I can address myself to prolong longevity I'm all for it.

You're biased because you've already decided there are "known issues" and you aren't going to believe anyone that tells you that the engines are just fine.

 

[Strokerswild]

Of those two options, I'd pick the '16 because it's a Premium car. Better looking too. Throw on a GT350 intake manifold with a tune (plus injectors if E85 is in the cards) and enjoy.

But then, I'm biased.

 

[NavyMAChief]

If manual then premium all day for those ventilated seats. If auto I would do the newer base to get the 10spd as I had a new 21 GT A10 premium and it was awesome.
I’ve had 4 S550s 3 premium and 1 base, will never buy a base again mainly for the seats but I like the sync system.
If you do a lot of miles you will love those vent seats.

 

[row-n-go]

Of those two options, I'd pick the '16 because it's a Premium car. Better looking too. Throw on a GT350 intake manifold with a tune (plus injectors if E85 is in the cards) and enjoy.

But then, I'm biased.

Thanks. No E85 access but I did already read up on the intake swap.

 

[row-n-go]

If manual then premium all day for those ventilated seats. If auto I would do the newer base to get the 10spd as I had a new 21 GT A10 premium and it was awesome.
I’ve had 4 S550s 3 premium and 1 base, will never buy a base again mainly for the seats but I like the sync system.
If you do a lot of miles you will love those vent seats.

Has to be a manual hence my user name.

 

[NavyMAChief]

I think 2017 was first year for car play if that’s something you’re looking at. I have sync 4 wireless in my work truck so I miss that part when I’m in the car

 

[row-n-go]

I think 2017 was first year for car play if that’s something you’re looking at. I have sync 4 wireless in my work truck so I miss that part when I’m in the car

as long as the radio works i'm good. I am more of a buttons and knobs over touchscreen guy. Not a fan of the digital display speedo either. The light from those displays kills my night vision .

Sponsored