Living with a mustang in the uk
Discussion
Hi,
I'm considering a 2012 5.0gt mustang coupe, and was just looking for some guidance on how they are to live with in the uk?
Do you get them serviced in ford dealers or specialists? Can anyone reccomend one in the south east?
Anything I should be aware of, or think about before buying?
I'm considering a 2012 5.0gt mustang coupe, and was just looking for some guidance on how they are to live with in the uk?
Do you get them serviced in ford dealers or specialists? Can anyone reccomend one in the south east?
Anything I should be aware of, or think about before buying?
Easy as pie to live with, I have done around 38,000 miles in the last four years in mine, in all weathers and seasons - been great, totally solid and reliable.
Any decent indy should be able to service them, you will have to source parts etc for it though.
The SVA/IVA conversion on the later cars is a massive potential bork if it hasn't been done properly. There are a few companies around that can do it properly - if it has been done by one of them it will be fine.
www.s197.co.uk is the place to go for 05+ cars, tonnes of articles and advice on there about owning and using the newer cars.
and of course www.mocgb.co.uk.
Any decent indy should be able to service them, you will have to source parts etc for it though.
The SVA/IVA conversion on the later cars is a massive potential bork if it hasn't been done properly. There are a few companies around that can do it properly - if it has been done by one of them it will be fine.
www.s197.co.uk is the place to go for 05+ cars, tonnes of articles and advice on there about owning and using the newer cars.
and of course www.mocgb.co.uk.
The service schedules are set out in the handbook. There is absolutely nothing in there that can't be done DIY or by any half-competent mechanic with a socket set.
All the information you will ever need, all the support you will ever need, is available on the internet, You Tube and any number of Mustang forums in the UK and the US.
The car is constructed like Lego and comes apart like Lego, nothing is difficult bar the modern electronics which requires a modern electrician - no more simple live and earth, it's all CANBUS rubbish which is why so many SVA/IVA conversions went awry. Always check who did the conversion before buying as botch jobs are around £1000 to remedy.
In short, nothing to fear at all. I bought my first Yank in 1994 on a whim and have had one ever since. For fun and entertainment, they have no peers.
For insurance, try A-Plan or Classicline.
All parts are available either from suppliers in the UK like US Auto or from www.rockauto.com. Things like the oil filter are common to the V6 Mondeos so always available.
Larger stuff can be obtained from the US via Ron Fenton at STS Imports who runs containers back and forth to avoid the massive shipping costs (though soms hipping is reasonable anyway).
If you need to register on www.S197.co.uk, you'll have to liaise with TwinTurbo on here as registration has to be opened specifically for you to fend off the spambots.
All the information you will ever need, all the support you will ever need, is available on the internet, You Tube and any number of Mustang forums in the UK and the US.
The car is constructed like Lego and comes apart like Lego, nothing is difficult bar the modern electronics which requires a modern electrician - no more simple live and earth, it's all CANBUS rubbish which is why so many SVA/IVA conversions went awry. Always check who did the conversion before buying as botch jobs are around £1000 to remedy.
In short, nothing to fear at all. I bought my first Yank in 1994 on a whim and have had one ever since. For fun and entertainment, they have no peers.
For insurance, try A-Plan or Classicline.
All parts are available either from suppliers in the UK like US Auto or from www.rockauto.com. Things like the oil filter are common to the V6 Mondeos so always available.
Larger stuff can be obtained from the US via Ron Fenton at STS Imports who runs containers back and forth to avoid the massive shipping costs (though soms hipping is reasonable anyway).
If you need to register on www.S197.co.uk, you'll have to liaise with TwinTurbo on here as registration has to be opened specifically for you to fend off the spambots.
I am considering a car from http://www.themustangspecialist.com/ - so i'm hoping they know what they are doing...
though any advice on how to check the SVA has been done properly?
though any advice on how to check the SVA has been done properly?
All of the above.
I have a 2011GT (Black with Black stripes)a bit like the CS you are looking at- which is at a very good price IMHO.
Mine is a daily driver and in the last 2 1/2 years it has covered 26000'. Servicing for mine is done by Dave at HTE - read the MOCGB and S197 forums for his details - highly recommended.
Living with it day to day - no issues at all but I hope you are not shy as the car will get constant attention. For a 5 litre V8 economy is actually very manageable, tend to average about 22/23 giving 25 on a run and considerably less around town. VED is £228 or what ever the band is. Insurance is reasonable rather than good. I use G Sykes and it comes in at £750 fully comp unlimited mileage but they do ask for LHD experience and I claimed the 10% discount for being an MOCGB paid up member (£27 ish).
MOCGB is friendly but you will receive a lots of negative comment about the 2010+ shape and rear end - a bit of green eyed monster there. Ignore the crap about cart horse suspension and solid rear axles on PH, the car handles superbly and you will not notice any difference with an IRS set up (puts on flame suit).
Be aware 2014 will see the Mustang released as a 'world car'. So maybe RHD will be available which may hit residuals on LHD's but its unlikely a V8 will be marketed in the UK.
Finally I have enjoyed every minute in this car. Driving it gives a sense of occasion whether popping to the shops or driving to Spain.
Buy it, you wont look back.
I have a 2011GT (Black with Black stripes)a bit like the CS you are looking at- which is at a very good price IMHO.
Mine is a daily driver and in the last 2 1/2 years it has covered 26000'. Servicing for mine is done by Dave at HTE - read the MOCGB and S197 forums for his details - highly recommended.
Living with it day to day - no issues at all but I hope you are not shy as the car will get constant attention. For a 5 litre V8 economy is actually very manageable, tend to average about 22/23 giving 25 on a run and considerably less around town. VED is £228 or what ever the band is. Insurance is reasonable rather than good. I use G Sykes and it comes in at £750 fully comp unlimited mileage but they do ask for LHD experience and I claimed the 10% discount for being an MOCGB paid up member (£27 ish).
MOCGB is friendly but you will receive a lots of negative comment about the 2010+ shape and rear end - a bit of green eyed monster there. Ignore the crap about cart horse suspension and solid rear axles on PH, the car handles superbly and you will not notice any difference with an IRS set up (puts on flame suit).
Be aware 2014 will see the Mustang released as a 'world car'. So maybe RHD will be available which may hit residuals on LHD's but its unlikely a V8 will be marketed in the UK.
Finally I have enjoyed every minute in this car. Driving it gives a sense of occasion whether popping to the shops or driving to Spain.
Buy it, you wont look back.
Edited by Mykap on Thursday 11th April 12:07
Mykap said:
All of the above.
MOCGB is friendly but you will receive a lots of negative comment about the 2010+ shape and rear end - a bit of green eyed monster there.
Not really and not just there. MOCGB is friendly but you will receive a lots of negative comment about the 2010+ shape and rear end - a bit of green eyed monster there.
MOCGB membership has also never had any effect on any renewals of mine, every premium is negotiable. They are far more concerned with area, garaging and mileage but mainly age and claims history. On that score, it's always going to be cheaper to keep the car standard which not everybody wants though the 5.0GT has a much better argument for that.
LuS1fer said:
Not really and not just there.
MOCGB membership has also never had any effect on any renewals of mine, every premium is negotiable. They are far more concerned with area, garaging and mileage but mainly age and claims history. On that score, it's always going to be cheaper to keep the car standard which not everybody wants though the 5.0GT has a much better argument for that.
You will certainly get a significant mileage discount on yours then. MOCGB membership has also never had any effect on any renewals of mine, every premium is negotiable. They are far more concerned with area, garaging and mileage but mainly age and claims history. On that score, it's always going to be cheaper to keep the car standard which not everybody wants though the 5.0GT has a much better argument for that.
hmmm..
thanks for the advice, just seen this: http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/ford/34801/new-ford-m...
seems RHD and a V8...
maybe it would be more sensible to wait a year and look at buying one of those?
thanks for the advice, just seen this: http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/ford/34801/new-ford-m...
seems RHD and a V8...
maybe it would be more sensible to wait a year and look at buying one of those?
The guys have already provided the usual great information...........but I will say that example you're looking at is lovely and £27/28k seems to be the going rate for a 2011 5.0
Should you wait for the next gen car? Well, the car itself should be launched on or before April 17th 2014 (the Mustang's 50th birthday), but there's no firm on sale date, neither in the US nor over here. No confirmation of RHD (despite what Autoexpress may say) either. The new car WILL be available with the slightly revised version of the current V8 (think 430/440bhp) but it also looks like a 4-pot 2.3 Turbo is also on the cards. IRS too, and test mules have been spotted with that already. If your budget is around that £28k mark, you're unlikely to get a next-gen V8 for that. The current 2013/14 cars are around £35-38k from dealers in the UK. I wouldn't expect the new car to be much cheaper.
Should you wait for the next gen car? Well, the car itself should be launched on or before April 17th 2014 (the Mustang's 50th birthday), but there's no firm on sale date, neither in the US nor over here. No confirmation of RHD (despite what Autoexpress may say) either. The new car WILL be available with the slightly revised version of the current V8 (think 430/440bhp) but it also looks like a 4-pot 2.3 Turbo is also on the cards. IRS too, and test mules have been spotted with that already. If your budget is around that £28k mark, you're unlikely to get a next-gen V8 for that. The current 2013/14 cars are around £35-38k from dealers in the UK. I wouldn't expect the new car to be much cheaper.
That Auto Express mock-up looks like it based on a Camaro photo. As TT says, even if they do make RHD, who knows when we'll get it as these cars generally go to the US first where strong demand will suck production for at least a year.
Then Europe gets a turbo, not a V8. is that a Mustang or a Ford generic Coupe? You decide. Will it push the prices of the current car up or down? I suppose that depends what it looks like - a Mustang or a Hyundai (have you seen the latest Focus - yuk)
I think this gen will be the last "real" muscle cars as we know them even if the new one does get a V8 as emissions will bite.
Besides, LHD are REAL Mustangs, RHD is just playing at Mustangs.
Then Europe gets a turbo, not a V8. is that a Mustang or a Ford generic Coupe? You decide. Will it push the prices of the current car up or down? I suppose that depends what it looks like - a Mustang or a Hyundai (have you seen the latest Focus - yuk)
I think this gen will be the last "real" muscle cars as we know them even if the new one does get a V8 as emissions will bite.
Besides, LHD are REAL Mustangs, RHD is just playing at Mustangs.
I've owned a 2005 for 5 years. Quite possibly the most practical modern American car to own over here. Reasonable economy, managable size, everyone loves the car and it gets more attention than any car I've ever owned...
As stated above who carried out the SVA is extremely important.
And for me and so many owners RHD just doesn't work: so wrong and yet so wrong. I would be hard pressed to part with a tenner for a RHD Mustang. I have seen a converted one under the bonnet too. I think Stevie Wonder could have done a better job...
Malc
As stated above who carried out the SVA is extremely important.
And for me and so many owners RHD just doesn't work: so wrong and yet so wrong. I would be hard pressed to part with a tenner for a RHD Mustang. I have seen a converted one under the bonnet too. I think Stevie Wonder could have done a better job...
Malc
Mykap said:
Fidgits said:
Cheers for the offer, I'm actually Newbury way nowadays..
Just trying to figure out the towbar thing, then will go shopping :-)
Uh? Towbar Just trying to figure out the towbar thing, then will go shopping :-)
Maybe not for you then unless I have missed the sarcasm...
and i have a jetski i need to get to the sea...
Gassing Station | Mustangs | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff