I wave the white flag; time for a new Mustang

[s197richie]

My ol' s197 has developed a new water leak. It's either the cowl and/or the cowl grommets underneath. A new cowl from CJ is outrageously priced at $1020; ebay used who knows what you're getting and how long the seal will last. Grommets aren't so bad at $80 for all ten plus a heat gun to seal them. Not knowing what's going on yet, I humiliatingly flex-taped the cowl to the windshield and yes it looks worse than it sounds and yes it will be lovely to clean it all up after the proper repair.

So of course my wiper arms are welded to the car from oxidation so I pre-loosened and lubed the studs for the job last night; during which I'm poking around underhood here's pre-rust there's pre-rust. Last time I went to change the diff fluid the fill plug was so oxidized it rounded off. I could have lifted the whole car by the ratchet before it turned, regardless of the half-can of Blaster I used.

It's hard to get 19 years out of a car that was downgrade-engineered to last five. It's nice to stay busy but...

So considering how much warranty-mongreling I plan on doing, I suppose I have to shell out for the PP for a decent gear ratio and an oil cooler the car actually recognizes as existing. Mods will just be a K&N no-tune CAI (yes i realize those are more for sound and bling than actual gains), a Hurst shifter, Flowmasters and a catch can. Don't plan to hammer on it but will do the Steeda entry-level Stop the Hop if there's an issue and then lateral links if issue persists.


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[Upacurb]

Look at other options then Hurst K&N and Flowmaster .....

They were the things to add back in the day but some much better options for these cars out there ...I would say order with active exhaust and then if anything just do a resonator delete ...

You will be surprised at how much the Mustang has evolved ...it's going to be a huge difference to your car today

 

[s197richie]

Look at other options then Hurst K&N and Flowmaster .....

They were the things to add back in the day but some much better options for these cars out there ...I would say order with active exhaust and then if anything just do a resonator delete ...

You will be surprised at how much the Mustang has evolved ...it's going to be a huge difference to your car today

Well I've seen too many delayed and botched orders; I'm finding what I want and driving it home that day.

Regarding the CAI I know Ford designed it so you can just cut the holders for the carbon traps off easily for pretty much the same gains. I don't expect much out of any of them that are no-tune or tune-optional.

Hurst while only using one link for the remote setup as opposed to MGW/Barton using three for a better toploader feel, still offers the largest shift reduction at 38% as opposed to 25% for MGW maxed out.

If you don't have AVE, the Flowmaster catback's scavenger pipe eliminates the resonator.

But yeah I'm stuck in the past regarding the best brands and I'll research further; ty.

 

[speedfrk]

I lived in WPB for 15 yrs so I know what you are going through with an older car. The sun and corrosion from living near the ocean is hard on everything. One thing that really works better than any other type penetrating oil is Aero Kroil. We use it in the aviation industry and it is amazing stuff.

I think, honestly, if I was going to spend somewhat big money, I'd get a 2013 Boss 302 with low miles rather than a new Mustang. Pretty bullet-proof cars with a real collectible pedigree. I pretty much hate the screens in the new Mustang and the styling is just OK but I love the 13-14 body style.

 

[armyGT]

If you are old school you will not e happy with a S650. The dash will drive you crazy. Buy a low mile S550 and save some money. Unless you are very TECH SAVY, you will be disappointed with a S650. BTW...you will lose at least $10k the first year of ownership on a S650. And, the cars are very fast as is. The Tuned Adjustable Exhaust has great sound, and if you are happy with a shifter swap, go for it! IMHO, mods have no return on the dollar.

 

[Nolasalt]

If you are old school you will not e happy with a S650. The dash will drive you crazy. Buy a low mile S550 and save some money. Unless you are very TECH SAVY, you will be disappointed with a S650. BTW...you will lose at least $10k the first year of ownership on a S650. And, the cars are very fast as is. The Tuned Adjustable Exhaust has great sound, and if you are happy with a shifter swap, go for it! IMHO, mods have no return on the dollar.

I'm pretty old school. Admittedly, on my first weekend cruise it took me 10 minutes to figure out how to turn the radio on . But that's part of the fun of having a new ride. Learning the dash is like learning a new phone. I think you'll like it!

 

[s197richie]

I'm pretty old school. Admittedly, on my first weekend cruise it took me 10 minutes to figure out how to turn the radio on . But that's part of the fun of having a new ride. Learning the dash is like learning a new phone. I think you'll like it!

Yeah in January I rented a 911 for a couple days and I accidentally grazed something and the fuel gauge disappeared; I had to pull over and google and there ended up being a scroll button on the steering wheel. Also there was no 12v charger so I had to hit a parts store for a new phone cord for the adventure. Electric push-button parking brake, etc.

 

[s197richie]

If you are old school you will not e happy with a S650. The dash will drive you crazy. Buy a low mile S550 and save some money. Unless you are very TECH SAVY, you will be disappointed with a S650. BTW...you will lose at least $10k the first year of ownership on a S650. And, the cars are very fast as is. The Tuned Adjustable Exhaust has great sound, and if you are happy with a shifter swap, go for it! IMHO, mods have no return on the dollar.

I turn 50 this year and am not too concerned about depreciation and wasted money; I work from home and only drive for pleasure. Got 19 years out of my s197 and counting so it will be the car I drive into the sunset lol. Also I'm wary of buying preowned since most ppl romp the hell out of these although the engine is a tank and the structural rigidity is much improved since the fox platform years. Still I'll pay the extra for a virgin car. Yoloswag420. TY

 

[Rocket Man]

I hope all those years of no payments has allowed you to save up 65-70K. If so you will be very happy with a loaded GT with PP and all the goodies to make it a fine replacement to hopefully last you another 15 years+.

 

[s197richie]

I hope all those years of no payments has allowed you to save up 65-70K. If so you will be very happy with a loaded GT with PP and all the goodies to make it a fine replacement to hopefully last you another 15 years+.

Lol now I feel bad because my car has 58k miles and is mechanically perfect; a sandblast-paint-undercoat and it will be ready to go another x years. Pulled the rear carpet to make sure years of undiagnosed door seal leaks didnt' compromise the structure but no rust or pre-rust under there. Cowl leak isn't major money to fix. Only driven for pleasure as I work from home. 65-70k does buy a lot of 20something y/o escorts haha. We'll see.

 

[Rocket Man]

dude why would you have to buy them (the escorts)?
work on that social game

 

[s197richie]

dude why would you have to buy them (the escorts)?
work on that social game

Just like Felix Dennis quipped, renting is cheaper in the long run. And less headaches. And like Chef once said, you pay them to leave. Let someone else deal with their kids, their bills, their mental problems and their substance abuse issues.

 

[LouG]

dude why would you have to buy them (the escorts)?
work on that social game

The old lease v buy conundrum. The end is the same.

 

[Yamazuki]

Perhaps we're thinking of the wrong kind of escorts here, and he really means this:

 

[s197richie]

Perhaps we're thinking of the wrong kind of escorts here, and he really means this:

I always liked the GT's

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