Considering an '06 Mustang

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Benzadmiral

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Hey, all,

Still loving the giant gray Buick. But I'm thinking once again about a "fun" car, one that would drive and feel very different from the Buick's serenity. On AutoTrader I see a great-looking one, a 2006 Mustang fastback, steel gray over light gray cloth, V-6 automatic, GT lights, 56K miles. The local dealer (who has a good rep, I think) wants $15,987. I don't plan for it to be my daily driver, more of a weekend car that I can also take to work if I feel like it. And a lot depends on how much the insurance would be!

I may go test drive it this weekend. Anything special I should look out for?
 
Almost 16k? For a V6 AUTO, Almost 6 yrs old with that mileage!!!! Is this guy kidding me? You can buy it BRAND NEW, for not too much more. As in, the cost replaces the concerns. Either way, your dough, your choice.
 
Intimidator posted exactly what I was thinking. That's an under $10k car here, even on a new car dealership's used car lot, and would be less on a little mom&pop lot.

If you're going to spend $16k on fun car, get a REAL fun car with a V8. V6 Mustangs are for college girls. :-)
 
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Trust me, the V-6 will be powerful enough for my kind of fun -- and I don't drive manual. Driving in The Swamp requires paying attention to your vehicle and road signs, to other drivers' idiocies, and beyond that to avoiding potholes and cracked slabs of pavement. I don't have enough attention for all those things plus a manual transmission!
 
Originally Posted By: The_Intimidator
Almost 16k? For a V6 AUTO, Almost 6 yrs old with that mileage!!!! Is this guy kidding me? You can buy it BRAND NEW, for not too much more. As in, the cost replaces the concerns. Either way, your dough, your choice.

Well, that's what they *say* they want. I'll bet they'll be willing to deal.

A new Mustang coupe stickers at least $22K, right? Even if I get 'em down to $20K, that, to me, isn't "not too much more" than $16K, that's a lot more! I can buy a lot of gas with that $4K.
 
A 6 years old Mustang should loose about 55-60% of its original price. For low mileage and excellent condition you should add 10-15% on top of the current value.
 
On Edmunds I see about 9500-10,000; on KBB.com about 14K; on NADA about 13,900. The latter two are within spitting distance of the dealer's 16K, so I can see where they got the idea to price the Mustang that high.
 
I wouldn't pay more than 11k for that mustang, and a v6 auto mustang wouldn't be my choice for a fun cruiser, you can get much better weekend cruisers for 16k than that. That car in MN would run you 10k on the high end..]

this would be a better weekend cruiser than that
http://fargo.craigslist.org/cto/2516274420.html
 
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As someone who has accumulated multiple vehicles, many of which are not driven very often, let me say that I think you will come to regret buying an entire extra vehicle "just for fun".

If I were in what I think is your situation I would consider trading in the Buick on one car which would combine both the daily driver and fun roles. When you have the same net miles driven spread over two vehicles you are paying a lot in physical and financial depreciation.

It is very easy to throw away thousands of dollars this way. I think you will be shocked when the day comes that you want to trade away the Buick and/or the Mustang and you compare the depreciation hit vs the miles you drove. The way to "come out" on a new or recent vehicle is to put many miles on it while maintaining it scrupulously, so that it is the high-miles but creme-puff car that we are all looking for.
 
Originally Posted By: TooManyWheels
As someone who has accumulated multiple vehicles, many of which are not driven very often, let me say that I think you will come to regret buying an entire extra vehicle "just for fun".

If I were in what I think is your situation I would consider trading in the Buick on one car which would combine both the daily driver and fun roles. When you have the same net miles driven spread over two vehicles you are paying a lot in physical and financial depreciation.

It is very easy to throw away thousands of dollars this way. I think you will be shocked when the day comes that you want to trade away the Buick and/or the Mustang and you compare the depreciation hit vs the miles you drove. The way to "come out" on a new or recent vehicle is to put many miles on it while maintaining it scrupulously, so that it is the high-miles but creme-puff car that we are all looking for.

Sure, I'd love to find one car that could do both. But nobody makes big comfortable coupes like the Mercedes 560SEC or the Cadillac Coupe de Ville any more. So what should I do -- give up a vehicle I still love for something that would be a compromise?

Besides, both cars have already taken a big depreciation hit. The Mustang is an '06. The Buick is an '03 bought in '07, paid off two years early, now at 88,000 miles, still looking near new, and maintained scrupulously, as you say. If I find the right Mustang at the right price, it would be treated the same way.

I don't get it. Other people here have often posted a plan to buy a second "fun" car. Beyond "Are you sure about this?" -- which is your advice, of course, and should be considered -- the advice I've seen here in the past clustered around what car the poster should get and "What are the known problems/plusses with Car X," not comments about the poster's choices in engine and transmission. . . .
 
If you were buying the car for daily use, I'd say yeah, get the V-6 to have something practical, economical, and fun.

But if this car is going to be a toy from the start, and NOT a primary driver, make it a toy you can have real fun in - get a V-8. Seriously.
 
Originally Posted By: Benzadmiral
..... But nobody makes big comfortable coupes....any more...



If you haven't driven one yet, you may be a good candidate for a 2004-2006 GTO. A big comfortable coupe backed up by a great V8 engine. You can get a auto or the 6 speed, you'll get better mileage with the manual.

If you can put up with the extra doors, the G8 is also a good alternative. Either of these imo are bargains in the current market, considering the price/performance/quality relationship.

ps...I also love the Stang, but I wouldn't even consider a V6 unless I was contemplating a twin turbo set up of some sort. Although the appeal of the cheaper insurance and better mileage is tempting, especially with the new 300hp V6's.
 
Originally Posted By: Benzadmiral
But nobody makes big comfortable coupes like the Mercedes 560SEC or the Cadillac Coupe de Ville any more.


Cadillac now sells the CTS coupe which appears fairly spacious and comfy, at least on paper. But I'm guessing it may be more than you're willing to spend...
 
I don't care for that particular "rental car" Mustang. While the V6 (of that generaton) has plenty of torque and HP, it's very harsh, noisy and not "fun". I've rented them plenty. Don't like em one bit.

The newer ones, with the 4 valve V6 are much smoother, quieter, more powerful and get better economy. Plus Ford did a great job updating the seats and interior in later years.

That's too much! Please consider purchasing a newer V6 one or a V8. Trust me, you'll be much more satisfied.
 
V6 Mustang of that era = meh. Especially when coupled to an automatic. It's about the same power output as your Buick, so it won't be any faster.

What about an older 350Z, Miata, Solstice/Sky, or BMW Z-whatever?
 
Originally Posted By: Cujet
I don't care for that particular "rental car" Mustang. While the V6 (of that generaton) has plenty of torque and HP, it's very harsh, noisy and not "fun". I've rented them plenty. Don't like em one bit.

The newer ones, with the 4 valve V6 are much smoother, quieter, more powerful and get better economy. Plus Ford did a great job updating the seats and interior in later years.

That's too much! Please consider purchasing a newer V6 one or a V8. Trust me, you'll be much more satisfied.

Believe me, I'd love a newer model, especially after reading here about SwampDweller's ruby-red 2012. But that, or even a '10, would have to wait a little while.
 
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