69 Mach 1 or 2016 GT

[DreamingBig]

Hey gang,

Just gonna put it out there, even though I fear the storm that might follow.

Do I go with the 2016 GT, or throw back to my teen years and pick up a 69 or 70 Mach 1?

I have a soft spot for the 69. Buddy of mine had one, and even begged me to buy it off him for $3000. Yup. It was a 428 CobraJet, shaker hood, red and black, 4 speed. Ah...and at 17 I just couldn't come up with the cash.

Anyway, I'm not 17 anymore.

I'm more of a cruiser than a racer.
I know how to turn a wrench.
The car wouldn't be a daily driver...but I do love to drive.
I'm torn between the luxuries of the 2016, the suspension, the body lines, the safety upgrades, the reliability, the 6 speed manual, etc., vs...
The beauty of that 69! The badass look, an engine I can actually get elbows deep in, and the nostalgia of it.

But, I live in the mountains of N.C. Yeah...I know...it's a straight line car. No twisties like with the 2016.

Someone talk some sense into me. I go back and forth depending on the day.

What am I not considering here?

Thanks! :headbonk:

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[mustang_guy]

If you can afford a classic with no rust thats a wonderful thing. I just refuse to pay those prices.

 

[whatsup62]

I struggled with the same decision....go drive both, turn the a/c on, turn up the radio, go run a 12 sec 1/4 mile all stock, take some curvy road on, drive it back home and park it without doing any fixes. I went with the newer one myself.

 

[Anthony 05 GT]

I was recently in the same position. I have a built, blown '05 that is a fair weather car only and figured I'd buy a beater and a classic or a new '15. When you get in a drive an old 60's car the brakes and suspension sucks big time so to me, I would only want a classic with modern suspension, rack steering and so on which really drives the price up. If I were you I think I would go check out a few old classics, drive them and drive a new one too...then go with your gut.

 

[DreamingBig]

Anthony, that's one of my biggest concerns - modern vs classic suspension systems. Thanks for that input.

 

[Firepath]

Man I have a similar quandry (when I one day get one) - my favourite is the 69 sportsroof and until the Gen 6 came out and also was said to be going global, was what I was going to get. I also don't want to pay ridiculous prices for old cars.

During university I built up a parts list of my 69 build, man it was going to be glorious one day lol.

Suspension can be significantly improved on the classics - TCP (Total Control Products) have brilliantly engineered coilover stuff that improves on the geometry and uses better mounting methods (spherical bearings VS deflecting rubber) and just plain better quality parts.

Heck with Dynacorn making bodies for the classic years now (and officially licenced by Ford) you can build a NEW 69 completely. I believe they have added a few improvements (bracing, zinc wash, etc) to the original design.

 

[RobD]

Interesting question and I live in the mountains of NC also so I get how curvy all the roads are. I had a 1970 Mach 1 that I eventually put a 429 into and to this day I miss that car. I think the 69-70 machs were the best looking mustangs to date, but I'm partial. The question to answer is would you be going to car shows, mustang specific events, etc. If so the old school might be more fun. Plus there may be more pride in it since you can actually wrench on it and I assure you us old guys drool over these old mach 1's. But if you want to road trip some where or drive through the curvy roads fast it will hard to beat the new car. I have a 08 GT that I drive to Florida once a year for car show stuff and I doubt I would want to drive that old Mach to Florida especially since it had 3:91 gears. Like you said the new car is pretty complicated for us old school guys that had cars that had points, carburetors, etc. Value is another thought, say you found a nice mach for around 20k or 30k, it will most likely retain most of that value. The new stang for 35k plus will start dropping in value when you sign on the line. Really you will be good which ever way you go, I wish I was it your situation.....

 

[bluebeastsrt]

For me it's an easy choice. As much as I love the 60 era muscle cars. I'd never put up with the 50 year old technology. Today's cars are almost space ships they are so much better and advanced compared to a car with an AM radio and drum brakes.

 

[lazarus870]

I was in the same boat. Fortunately, being Canadian and having the dollar be so weak, the decision was made for me since Ford adjusts the price of their new cars based on the country they're in so I didn't lose 30% buying my Mustang.

I enjoy driving, I enjoy things working. I really like the way old cars LOOK. New cars are much more heavy and bulbous looking in comparison. It's a lot of safety stuff. But they're much more enjoyable to drive and also are damn fast and reliable.
You don't smell like gasoline going for a quick jaunt, you can drive them whenever, and they're much safer.

Before I ordered my '16, I took a look at the LS1 Camaro and fox body 5.0 Mustang (especially the 93 Cobra). Both of them were great cars but comparatively had NO options and would've been unreliable and jarring in comparison.

Kind of like guns; I have a Glock 21 and a Colt 1911 but which one would you rather trust is going to work day in and day out without tweaks, hand fitting, etc? I choose the much more modern Glock.

Though I'd love love love love a '68 fastback 390 GT. *drool*

 

[ScottsGT]

Get both.

My daily driver is my '15, but I have a '66 GT Fastback. It's just not the same thing. If you want a fun driving experience with you, the road and the car, get the new one.
If you love nostalga and love to experience yesteryear and were we came from, get a Mach 1. Oh, and if you really like to turn heads too. A vintage Mustang gets you more attention than you can imagine.

 

[Souldriver]

Hard choice

Drive both and consider how you are going to use it. Show car? more daily and sundays? repair/upkeep costs for each.

I would love an old 60s mustang, but i would need my basis for a practical car covered as well as enough money i dont need to sell it when the first thing goes on it.

 

[Chameleon]

Hey gang,

Just gonna put it out there, even though I fear the storm that might follow.

Do I go with the 2016 GT, or throw back to my teen years and pick up a 69 or 70 Mach 1?

I have a soft spot for the 69. Buddy of mine had one, and even begged me to buy it off him for $3000. Yup. It was a 428 CobraJet, shaker hood, red and black, 4 speed. Ah...and at 17 I just couldn't come up with the cash.

Anyway, I'm not 17 anymore.

I'm more of a cruiser than a racer.
I know how to turn a wrench.
The car wouldn't be a daily driver...but I do love to drive.
I'm torn between the luxuries of the 2016, the suspension, the body lines, the safety upgrades, the reliability, the 6 speed manual, etc., vs...
The beauty of that 69! The badass look, an engine I can actually get elbows deep in, and the nostalgia of it.

But, I live in the mountains of N.C. Yeah...I know...it's a straight line car. No twisties like with the 2016.

Someone talk some sense into me. I go back and forth depending on the day.

What am I not considering here?

Thanks! :headbonk:

The sentiment is there but I think you truly want the 16 GT. Get it.

 

[ForTehNguyen]

as pretty as classic cars are, to me its like buying and old computer, no thanks

 

[347CobraII]

I had 70 Mach 1 don't get me wrong I loved the car ran very hard for 351C 4V. But was hard to see of the back was always thinking I was going to side swipe when changing lanes. Call me crazy I don't care but I sold it kept my 76 Cobra II. I've had far more fun in Cobra II pick on my little Mustang II then I clean your clock HEHE. Never had many people who wanted to play when I was driving 70 Mach 1. Hint the name 347 Cobra II that's just small part what has been done to the car

 

[DreamingBig]

Thanks,

Rob, where are you? I'm near Asheville.

Yeah, I'm mostly about actually driving...not so much about the car shows. Love taking it out on a Saturday and getting lost...maybe finding my way back on Sunday before the workweek starts again.

If I could afford both there's no question. But that's impossible. After reading this thread and everyone's comments I'm leaning back toward the 2016. Tomorrow...who knows.

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