Should I come back?

[Wally]

Hey all, long time no see. Here’s my story. I picked up my first mustang and V8 car in early 2016. It was an Oxford white 2015 GT premium with the 50 years appearance package. Beautiful car and fun to drive.

I traded it in during May of last year after about 15 months of owning the car. It had too many problems and was in the dealership for over 4 weeks total during the time I owned it. The bigger things were the AC evaporator core and cylinder misfiring that finally broke the camel’s back.

May of last year, I traded the car in for a brand new 2017 Challenger scatpack which I enjoy. The only option I got is the black wheels. It has a few minor annoyances like rattles and pizza cutter tires but has been otherwise good to me. The 6.4 liter engine feels faster than the coyote but on the drag strip I don’t think there would be a huge difference.

I am in a better place financially now and am considering trading the car in for a brand new 2019 mustang with my exact specifications, factory ordered if necessary. I settled for what was available on the lots for both the mustang and challenger.

I would like a 2019 GT premium, race red, 10 speed auto, PP1, MagneRide, digital dash, B&O stereo, red interior, and a few other goodies I can’t think of right now. I built the car on Ford’s website and MSRP was just north of 50k.

I suppose I am looking for some feedback on the 18 and 19 GT, mainly is there a noticeable difference between the 15-17 coyote and the 18-19 engine. I know I will be sacrificing some torque and that put you in your seat fast feeling but that’s ok, I don’t race the car often and have never been to the track. The mustang has been the more aesthetically pleasing car to me since 13-14 refresh and the 18-19 is beautiful in my opinion.

What are the main drawbacks I am looking at if I pursue this new mustang, other than the obvious financial hit I will take (I’m ok with that if the car is exactly what I want and will want to keep it for a while.)

Sorry for the long post. It’s good to be back and I look forward to test driving a new GT in the near future.

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[Labradog]

If your only issues are rattles and narrow tires just buy an aftermarket set of wheels/tires for your Challenger imo. You aren't getting rid of rattles going back to a Mustang.

 

[TripleB]

Absolutely. Keep trading cars in every year. It’s always worth it

 

[Wally]

If your only issues are rattles and narrow tires just buy an aftermarket set of wheels/tires for your Challenger imo. You aren't getting rid of rattles going back to a Mustang.

You’re absolutely right, those issues are fixable. I guess it’s more about the fact that I don’t really love the car, and the desire to get that feeling back with the mustang.

 

[Wally]

Absolutely. Keep trading cars in every year. It’s always worth it

I acknowledged the fact that it would not be a good financial decision and that I am ok with that. If you read my post fully, you would see that I’m looking for a car that I love and want to keep for years to come, and I think the GT fits the bill. I loved my first one but had to get rid of it due to the excessive repairs it required. Hopefully you haven’t had anything major go wrong with your car.

 

[bluebeastsrt]

Oh yea trade that bitch. Next year we can start another thread. On if you should trade the Mustang.

 

[Wally]

Oh yea trade that bitch. Next year we can start another thread. On if you should trade the Mustang.

I was hoping you would chime in with your signature charm! I am not a trade my car in every year or two guy, nor am I prone to making rash decisions, financial or otherwise. I would still have my 2015 mustang if not for the endless problems it had. It was an awesome, sexy, fun to drive car. My goal with this thread was to get owner opinions on their 18 or 19 GTs and try to figure out if it could be my “keep it for years to come” car. Really I have to answer that question for myself. I just wanted to have a discussion on the pros and cons excluding the obvious, that being I will lose money on the trade.

 

[activeGT]

You’re absolutely right, those issues are fixable. I guess it’s more about the fact that I don’t really love the car, and the desire to get that feeling back with the mustang.

I really like the Challenger except for one thing. It's BIG. If Dodge would shrink it down I would consider one.

 

[BmacIL]

If you get the 10 speed it seems to be worth it.

 

[66Bronc1]

I am happy to write about my 18 GT and how much I love the car. I have had Hondas, Subaru WRX's, VW's, Miatas, a 2011 Camaro SS and most recently a 1985 C4 Corvette and a 2017 Camaro RS. I traded in the Corvette and Camaro RS for the GT. The C4 I put so much into and it still need so much more work. It was a torque monster though. And my 2017 Camaro RS, V6 automatic 8 speed was supposed to be my last car- to retire with- a good MPG, relatively fast, good handling car. I loved the car but the automatic 8 speed was so bad- mine had the "shuddering" issue. Never liked the way it shifted anyway and the shuddering issue and it sitting at the dealers more than I was driving it.

OK, I was not even looking at Mustangs- I was looking for another Camaro- with M/T and also used C7 Corvettes. I test drove a 17 GT, did not like it at all. Then I test drove my 18 GT (M/T) only to rule it out- had 0 expectations, expected to hate it, start it up, drive around the block and say no thank you. The opposite happened- I loved the car- the start up, the sound, the looks, interior, the visibility, the ergonomics. I test drove it 2 times- loved the way it shifts- the feel of the shifter is Miata-like and the dual mass flywheel is just plain awesome. The feel and handling of the car is just awesome- compared to my Camaro, 85 Vette and also my 2016 WRX. The rev's drop so nicely for shifting gears- and the sound is music to my ears- I don't even turn on the radio. My WRX by comparison had such a bad rev hang- it was awful. And it tracks so good- so laser straight- might be the best tracking car I ever had. I have had my GT 2 months and 1K miles on it so far. The fit, finish, paint are all excellent to me. Mine has no rattles, everything works great. It's just a base GT- only option is the black out package but I will not track it so I don't care. And for 30K what a deal. And oh, the gas mileage- I average 24- on 87 octane. I am amazed. My 2011 Camaro SS got 19 with a tail wind on the highway going a steady 70 on 93 octane. And it's close to my 2017 Camaro with the V6- I got 26. So yes I absolutely love the car- more by the day actually- and I get compliments on it everywhere I go. My neighbor said it was by far her favorite car out of any that I have had over the past 3 years. .

 

[Clump]

I did pretty close to the OP. '16 GT to '16 Scat Pack to '18 GT. None of this makes financial sense, but boys will be boys.

I'm completely happy with my '18 GT, both on its own and compared to the Challenger I had.

A little background:
I wanted a 392 Challenger. In late 2015 the Scat Packs were pretty rare and SRTs were stickering at $50K+. So I bought a Mustang to scratch the V8 itch. It was a base GT with PP that I got for under $28K. A year later Scat Packs were pretty available with good incentives and my Mustang was worth near what I paid for it, so I started looking. I really wanted a manual, which limited the choices quite a bit. I ended up with a loaded Scat Pack Shaker, ironically stickering at $50K+. This summer I decided that being old and looking to relocate soon it would be wise to part with the fun car. After a lot of hemming and hawing I listed the Challenger for sale. I got 0 response, not even a scammer! At this point mentally the car was gone, so I started looking at alternatives. I flirted with a 1SS 1LE, but I just don't like the look and I really don't like the interior. I started looking at '18 GTs, found a car I liked and made a deal. I've owned several Mustangs over the years, including my first car, a '67 fastback, so this feels like home.

On the street I believe a 392 Challenger and Mustang GT are a pretty even match. The Challenger has a big, fat, lovely torque curve. Everywhere in the RPM range there's torque. It's a lot like a big block from the 60s. The Coyote is a revver, but we all know that. Being a PP1 car the lower rear helps. The new MT82 gearing helps keep it in the sweet spot too. 500 pounds lighter helps too.

I felt like I could drive my Challenger every bit as fast on back roads as I could my GT. Being back in a GT it still holds pretty much true. The thing I've noticed is that the GT is easier to drive fast. In the Challenger you're always aware of the size and weight, it could be fatiguing to drive fast. Personally, I find the GT much more enjoyable, but I had a really good time in my Challenger.

The size of the Challenger is a blessing and a curse. The interior is roomy, with a usable back seat. The trunk is huge. It's a very comfortable ride. It also feels heavy and a bigger car all around. The Mustang isn't near as roomy inside, but it's very comfortable, at least for 2.

Styling is subjective. I think the Challenger is the best of the retro looks. It hasn't changed much since it came back, but they nailed the look of the iconic generation. S550 Mustang is a much more modern look that I personally really love. I really hated the 1980s base stereo in my '16, so made sure to get Sync 3 this time. The Premium interior is lovely, but could have easily lived with cloth seats.

This is a shame - My Challenger had better panel fit than either Mustang. The '18 is better than the '16, but it's just sad that FCA can do it better than Ford. A good body man could correct it all in an hour or 2, but really?

Sorry this got long, but figured I've actually done what the OP is contemplating.

 

[Notagain]

If you get the 10 speed it seems to be worth it.

Came in just to post this!! I got rid of my 2016 for a 2018 10 speed.

10 speed hype is real!!

 

[NoVaGT]

You’re absolutely right, those issues are fixable. I guess it’s more about the fact that I don’t really love the car, and the desire to get that feeling back with the mustang.

Don't waste the $$, give it to me. I've got some mods I need doing, like a SCer.

On a serious note I'm worried you've already, in your very emotional head, set the expectation bar too high. No Mustang will be as good as you think it's going to be.

 

[NoVaGT]

....I loved my first one but had to get rid of it due to the excessive repairs it required...

....I traded it in during May of last year after about 15 months of owning the car. It had too many problems and was in the dealership for over 4 weeks total during the time I owned it. The bigger things were the AC evaporator core and cylinder misfiring that finally broke the camel’s back.....

No, you didn't "have to get rid of it". 4 weeks in the dealership for warranty work doesn't force you to get rid of it, your emotions did.

Seriously, until you get yourself in check, you're never going to be satisfied with any vehicle.

 

[Rock&Roll]

Call me crazy but the 2015 GT is the same thing as the 2018 GT .

The 18 has that refresh going on and you can spend a ton more money on options but it’s basically the same thing.

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