Manual?

[Zig]

To everyone who has shared their personal stories, I truly appreciate it. Once we dig out from the recent snowstorm in Chicago and my retirement begins (at least part-time) on January 1st, I plan to step up my search for the right Mustang. That will include test-driving both the automatic and the manual. Still, I keep circling back to the strong opinions suggesting that the Tremec is the best option if I go with a manual. As much as I love the idea, I struggle with the thought of spending over $70,000 on a depreciating asset. Ultimately, the test drives will tell me more.

How much did you pay for your tv, price is relative. Get what you want or you will want what you don’t have.

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[shubox56]

How much did you pay for your tv, price is relative. Get what you want or you will want what you don’t have.

Hi Zig, thanks for the opinion.

My 2 cents:
I understand the idea that “price is relative,” and I get the comparison to what we once paid for a TV versus what they cost today. But I don’t think that analogy really applies here. A Mustang isn’t a consumable household item, it’s a major purchase, a depreciating asset, and one that has seen prices accelerate far beyond what many would consider reasonable.

When we talk about relativity in price, context matters. The Consumer Price Index might show inflation at 3%, but that doesn’t mean every category is rising at the same pace. Healthcare, for example, could be running at 6%. So is that “relative”? Sure, but it’s not equal. The same logic applies to cars: just because prices in one category have gone up doesn’t mean it makes sense to accept steep increases in another without question.

For me, the decision isn’t about simply buying what I want regardless of cost. It’s about weighing value, depreciation, and whether the purchase makes sense in the broader financial picture. That’s why I’m cautious about dropping $70,000+ on a Mustang, even if I love the car. At $70,000, let’s just say my options extend well beyond a Dark Horse or a Mustang in general. After a career spent analyzing risk at a small brokerage firm, that mindset is ingrained in me. Still, passion isn’t always cheap, and at the end of the day, life is measured by how you live it, not just by how much you save. It’s a tightrope we all walk. There was nothing logical about my 1956 Chevy build, but I went for it anyway. With that same spirit, I’ll be shopping carefully for the right deal to keep the passion alive.

Long live hot rodding!

 

[Zig]

Hi Zig, thanks for the opinion.

My 2 cents:
I understand the idea that “price is relative,” and I get the comparison to what we once paid for a TV versus what they cost today. But I don’t think that analogy really applies here. A Mustang isn’t a consumable household item, it’s a major purchase, a depreciating asset, and one that has seen prices accelerate far beyond what many would consider reasonable.

When we talk about relativity in price, context matters. The Consumer Price Index might show inflation at 3%, but that doesn’t mean every category is rising at the same pace. Healthcare, for example, could be running at 6%. So is that “relative”? Sure, but it’s not equal. The same logic applies to cars: just because prices in one category have gone up doesn’t mean it makes sense to accept steep increases in another without question.

For me, the decision isn’t about simply buying what I want regardless of cost. It’s about weighing value, depreciation, and whether the purchase makes sense in the broader financial picture. That’s why I’m cautious about dropping $70,000+ on a Mustang, even if I love the car. At $70,000, let’s just say my options extend well beyond a Dark Horse or a Mustang in general. After a career spent analyzing risk at a small brokerage firm, that mindset is ingrained in me. Still, passion isn’t always cheap, and at the end of the day, life is measured by how you live it, not just by how much you save. It’s a tightrope we all walk. There was nothing logical about my 1956 Chevy build, but I went for it anyway. With that same spirit, I’ll be shopping carefully for the right deal to keep the passion alive.

Long live hot rodding!

So, i take it you don’t have a top of the line oled. Remember the plasma days? Hence, relative is to the holder.

if it’s that close to being what you want and you find yourself justifying the reason not to, your decision is already made you just don’t agree with it. At a certain point you either rebuild the past or move ahead with the current. Either finally sit and enjoy the meal or keep prepping makes it relative to the station.

agreed, aint chump change but what worth anything is?

 

[shubox56]

No OLED.

 

[AZ_Ryan]

No OLED.

People on this forum love spending other people's money.

70k aint chump change even if you have it. I had a Mach 1 with a Tremec before my current GT. The Dark Horse is esentially the same car, so I can vouch for how good it is. That said, I dont think its measurably that much better than a GT PP to justify the price tag. Especially if you arent going to track it. For your purposes, you might find the lighter clutch in the GT to be more forgiving. Good luck.

 

[Heritagedave]

To everyone who has shared their personal stories, I truly appreciate it. Once we dig out from the recent snowstorm in Chicago and my retirement begins (at least part-time) on January 1st, I plan to step up my search for the right Mustang. That will include test-driving both the automatic and the manual. Still, I keep circling back to the strong opinions suggesting that the Tremec is the best option if I go with a manual. As much as I love the idea, I struggle with the thought of spending over $70,000 on a depreciating asset. Ultimately, the test drives will tell me more.

Just saying -

I would not get hung up with thinking that the best way for you to go if you decide to get a manual Mustang that you need to get the Dark-Horse for its Tremec transmission.
If this is what you want, by all means get it, it's a great package.

This being said, I had a 2023 Mach 1 manual with the Tremec which is a great package as well, but I had other Mustang GTs with the standard Ford manual.
The Mustang I'm driving now is a 2025 Mustang GT Premium with the manual 6-speed, this manual transmission shifts great, no issues what's so ever, which make the GT a valid choice as well.

The choice is yours and either one will give you a huge smile on your face.

Happy Holidays –

 

[shubox56]

I really wanted a premium, but here's a manual possibility at a $10,000 discount to MSRP. $50,000+ plus tax/fees. I'm not keen on a first year production car sitting on a lot for over a year, but still flagging as a possibility.

 

[Heritagedave]

I really wanted a premium, but here's a manual possibility at a $10,000 discount to MSRP. $50,000+ plus tax/fees. I'm not keen on a first year production car sitting on a lot for over a year, but still flagging as a possibility.

Are you saying this is a brand-New 2024 Mustang which would make it a first-year run?

 

[shubox56]

Yes, new 2024. First model year for S650 (I think).

 

[AZ_Ryan]

I really wanted a premium, but here's a manual possibility at a $10,000 discount to MSRP. $50,000+ plus tax/fees. I'm not keen on a first year production car sitting on a lot for over a year, but still flagging as a possibility.

I think you would be very happy with that car and package. Thats a smoking deal, and you'll get a full warranty.

 

[Heritagedave]

Are you saying this is a brand-New 2024 Mustang which would make it a first-year run?

It's amazing you found a Brand New 2024 Mustang GT-Performance unit still in stock.
To me there is a big different between the standard GT and the Premium.
I have a Premium and love the upgrades. Do a comparison online and you will see the differents.

 

[shubox56]

It's amazing you found a Brand New 2024 Mustang GT-Performance unit still in stock.
To me there is a big different between the standard GT and the Premium.
I have a Premium and love the upgrades. Do a comparison online and you will see the differents.

Yeah, great deal for a base GT with PP. Still looking.

 

[AZ_Ryan]

Yeah, great deal for a base GT with PP. Still looking.

The 2024 premiums have more stuff than the 2026s. I'd highly consider it.

 

[shubox56]

Here's another one on the lot -- also 10K under MSRP @ 51K

+.

 

[shubox56]

The 2024 premiums have more stuff than the 2026s. I'd highly consider it.

What stuff does the 24 have that the 26 will not? My biggest concern is the time sitting idle in the elements and all the recalls, even though addressed.

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