May be getting new car-opinions?

[yamarider]

One of my buddies has to sell his mustang to pay some medical bills, and i'm thinking about trading my car plus $2000 for it.

His car is a 99 mustang, 3.8 v6, 5 speed, 90,000 miles, everything is completely stock and it will need new tires and a clutch cable soon(possibly a clutch, something is f'ed up in there).

Mine is a 93 escort gt, 1.8 dohc mazda with 5 speed, 108,000 miles, about $2500 in new parts over the last 3 years, aftermarket intake, dynomax muffler, short throw shifter, and about $450 into the sound system (i'm keeping the amp and sub)

Here's my escort:

Here's the mustang:

What do you guys think? Good trade? I'm having a tough time making the decision. My first car was a 97 stang and I loved it, then when I wrecked it and ended up with the escort I hated it for about 2 years, but now the escort is starting to grow on me because I finally have it all figured out and set up just how I like it. I just can't make up my mind here. Either i'll take his stang and put about $2000 into it to get it where I want it, or wait a little longer and try to find a 1st or 2nd gen rx7 or supra, or some other kind of small sports car, dammit I just don't know. Or a motorcycle? Dammit!

 

[06yfm350]

That stang with 2 grand into it would look trick. I say go for it. Get rid of that little escort lol.

But this friend of yours, did he buy it new? has he been hard on it? ever accidented? list could go on and on. You will always have a risk buying anything used. You might want to waut and get a new car.

 

[yamarider]

If I had the option of buying a new car now I would LOOOOVE to because the new mustangs make me cry when I see them, I already have decided on the options that i'm getting on my gt convertible in 2 years or so, but that's $31,000 that I don't have right now.

He only had the car for about 6 months and treated it good, but there's no telling what the previous owners did. The one single thing that I am really worried about with this mustang is that there's something going on with the clutch/transmission, and until a mechanic looks at it and diagnoses the problem i'm not going to make the deal, because it MAY be the synchronizers in the tranny causing the problems, maybe even a combination of the trans and the clutch.

This is a really tough decision, because he really needs the money and I want to help him out, and I want the car, but i'm trying to decide if i'd be happier with the mustang or a smaller car like an rx7 or supra. I never drove an rx7 or supra, and i'm really not into tuner cars, but they always grabbed my attention and they look like a blast to drive.

Any other suggestions would be appreciated, I definitely want something rear wheel drive that handles like it's on rails, and it's gotta be within the $5000 range. I think the one single most important thing is that the car has to be a blast to drive.

 

[pelphrey]

It depends really. If you have to take a loan out to get the mustang I wouldn't do it. Not to mention you have already invested a decent amount of money into your daily driver.

I understand you want to help your friend out. I just wouldn't want the payments if I had to get a loan for the money to give him.

The only other thing that would take my eyes off the mustang is that it is a V6.


PS: In the first picture of the mustang, you look like a racing seat taking the picture...

 

[warrioracer08]

I like mustangs myself. They're fairly cheap, look nice and are fairly fast. I would say trade the escort and get the mustang. Supras and foreign cars liek that are nice and stuff, but you said you previously owned a stang and really liked it so stick with what you know before you get something and don't.

Good luck on your decison bro, but go with the stang!

 

[yamarider]

It depends really. If you have to take a loan out to get the mustang I wouldn't do it. Not to mention you have already invested a decent amount of money into your daily driver.

I understand you want to help your friend out. I just wouldn't want the payments if I had to get a loan for the money to give him.

The only other thing that would take my eyes off the mustang is that it is a V6.


PS: In the first picture of the mustang, you look like a racing seat taking the picture...

Right now a v6 is probably the best thing for me, with the combination of gas prices, and that my insurance will be high as **** since I already totaled one 3 years ago.

I wouldn't really have to get a loan out, my dad could lend me the money and I wouldn't have to pay interest or deal with any of the applications and paperwork.

Haha it does look like a racing seat was taking the picture!

 

[yamarider]

The more I think about this, the more I think the stang isn't the best choice right now. With a chance of needing a transmission in the near future plus needing some other work i'd have a good bit invested into it before I got it to where my escort is right now.

The escort has really grown on me, and although I don't want to keep the escort much longer I think i'm going to shoot for a small, light, and fun car instead of the mustang. The hard part is going to be finding one that is affordable, in decent shape, and doesn't have 200,000 miles on it already.

Eh, i'll probably change my mind by tomorrow morning, i've been fighting this little battle about what kind of car/truck I want next for the last 2 years and I just can't make up my mind.

 

[pelphrey]

Sounds like you need to find out whats up with the clutch and get it then...

 

[pdxguy]

Is there anything that says you have to buy another car? If your car is running great it might be a better option to just hold off all together. I can understand the desire to help him out, but if it's going to put you in a financial crunch or to force you into another vehicle before you are ready it may not be the way to go.

As you mentioned, the mustang has some potential issues regarding the clutch and possible even the transmission. If that's the case it could definitely turn out to be a money pit and end up screwing yourself in the end. You may also be looking at higher insurance costs when comparing the mustang to the escort, unless you are only carrying liability - then it doesn't fluxuate too much.

Would it be an option for him to sell the car outright and with whatever money he gets he could pick up a little reliable beater to run around in until he gets back on his feet? It may not be the nicest option around, but it isn't always ones responsbility to "rescue" everyone. (I mean that in the nicest way possible).

The final alternative I can think of would be very dependant on the kind of friend he is. If he's a long time, reliable best friend or something you might be able to "loan" him some money to help him out if it wouldn't hurt you too much in the wallet. I would recommend having some kind of pay-back plan though so there's a mutual agreement. Wouldn't want to see anything get screwed over loaning money.... but again it comes down to how good of a friend he is.

Good luck man, sounds like quite the decision.

 

[yamarider]

I think for now i'm just going to hold off on getting a new car, since my escort is serving me well right now especially with 35 mpg the way these nutty gas prices are. I don't think my friend will have any trouble selling the mustang for $4000, as long as he finds the right buyer.

If things go well i'll have a good job by the end of the month, i've already been offered 13.50 an hour to start, and i'm waiting to hear from another place I interviewed with. If things are turning out in my favor I might be able to afford getting a brand new car, then not have to worry about transmissions going out and everything else that could go wrong.

 

[usdsk8er540]

get a truck. then you can haul your quad in the back of it or tow a trailer. personally, i dont like fords, im a chevy man myself. a mustang would be nice, but the v6 is a little wimpy for a "sports" car. also, isnt 90K miles kinda high on a 99? my truck is an 01 with almost 73K on it and thats kinda high for it. its your decision, but i guess you just gotta decide what you are going to be using it for. my truck is a daily driver with a 5.3L vortec v8 and i love it. i hate gas prices and filling a 26 gallon tank, but i can average about 17mpg (city & highway together) and thats not bad for a silverado. good luck man!

 

[2xtreme]

Weren't you haveing all kinds of brake troubles with that thing a while back?
Is it fixxed? If not, is your buddy aware of the problem?

You don't want to screw up a freindship over a car deal.

 

[twelveoclockpimp]

Buy an 08' Challenger.....BOOOOYAHHH

 

[usdsk8er540]

nawh, no dodge. lol ive heard they are really bad on gas. i wouldnt mind a challenger myself though, but i dont think ill ever buy a car again. too damn low to get into with how my knees are. i thought about a new honda ridgeline, but its still a honda. id probably rather modify my silverado.

 

[2xtreme]

nawh, no dodge. lol ive heard they are really bad on gas...

The Mustang, on the other hand.............. :

 

[twelveoclockpimp]

Yea but with 425hp's behind that pedal you relaly can't complain. Mike

 

[dave85zxt]

Get a Supra, RX7 or 300zx. Mustangs are not known for their reliability and you insurance is going to be expensive. I have an 85 300zx turbo with 182k and I love it. Its been very reliable and is fun to drive. Its easy to up the HP too. I am putting out around 300 hp for under $600.

 

[yamaharaptor350]

dont get that mustang those v6's are weak...keep ure car better on gas

 

[klutchbuster350]

keep your escort.

 

[yamarider]

Yeah, I think i'm going to keep the escort since I finally have all the problems worked out of it, and save a couple thousand and wait for a good deal to come along on a used sportbike or dual sport. The escort is fun to drive, but it handles like a dead gerbil and I know eventually that tail end is gonna come around on me and it's gonna hurt.

If I find a good deal on an rx7 or something along those lines with less than 120,000 miles I might go for one of them too, but one with lower mileage is hard to find now.