running costs

[iaiin]

Any advice would be good, been looking for a 2+2 sports car,porsche,bmw m3,tvr cerb but so many horror storys about running costs, reliabilty (not with porsche i must admit)cant make my mind up???
need to be able to transport kids about but have another car so not a every day user!!
Want to have something for them special days & the mustung looks & sounds great (V8 really wanted anyway.)
Can handle left hand bit, but what are they like to live with???
running costs for cerb £2,500 per year !!!!!
shame as i love them but i will only do 3K year!!
are they good to own long term.
seen a nice 1 on here for £26K love colour, good mods but do not know enough about them, never been in 1,whats the handling like, been told a bit scittirish over the bumbs???
Dont want to waste some sellers time but how will i know with out trying 1..So hopefully you guys can wise me up.
Maybe been in same position!!!!!

[GavinPearson]

I had a 2001 Mustang V8 and it was skittish over bumps and I was very skeptical of claims that a live axle 2005 handled like it had IRS. Then I drove one and was very surprised. It is actually very good.

I would drive the car with an open mind. You'll be pleasantly surprised.

[LuS1fer]

The 2005 Mustang is a very easy car to own and live with. The handling is reasonably good but can be easily upgraded via Roush in the UK if you want something a bit sharper although fitting the parts yourself might save you some money.

I have supercharged mine to 462bhp and have some parts to upgrade the suspension. My main gripe is the tyres are a 235/55 x 17 (Pirelli P Zero Neros) which is just foolishly tall and I imagine it would benefit from a wheel size bigger and a low profile tyre to increase the sharpness. The ride is hard even on these tyres though but I can't tell you how it rides on the 20" wheels I've bought as I can't get the tyres for them (Sport Maxx's) until March (thanks Dunlop). I've got some Tokico D-Spec shocks coming and I'll probably end up lowering the car slightly despite my attempts to resist it.

There have been some warranty issues with the 2005's but nothing serious. The warranty isn't covered by Ford UK. The engines are designed to run 100000 miles without any trouble. My last 1998 Camaro Z28 5.7 LS1 I had for 4 years in which time I spent £4k on mods but the only maintenance required was oil and fluid changes as it was a pushrod all-alloy V8. It costs hardly anything to run. Depreciation was low, servicing was DIY with a 13mm spanner stuff and consumables like tyres and brake pads are the only things that need doing. American service parts are available from any UK suppliers by next day delivery and cost less than the UK stuff.

The 2005 Mustang is an all-alloy 3v ohc design which pretty much just needs regular oil changes. The only thing to watch for is any warning lights on the dash probably due to carefree assembly and any rattles from the engine (some 05's have been afflicted by noisy valvetrains). There are currently some real bargains appearing on ebay for less than £20k too which will leave more money in your pocket for modifications.

[iaiin]

LuS1fer said:

The 2005 Mustang is a very easy car to own and live with. The handling is reasonably good but can be easily upgraded via Roush in the UK if you want something a bit sharper although fitting the parts yourself might save you some money. I have supercharged mine to 462bhp and have some parts to upgrade the suspension. My main gripe is the tyres are a 235/55 x 17 (Pirelli P Zero Neros) which is just foolishly tall and I imagine it would benefit from a wheel size bigger and a low profile tyre to increase the sharpness. The ride is hard even on these tyres though but I can't tell you how it rides on the 20" wheels I've bought as I can't get the tyres for them (Sport Maxx's) until March (thanks Dunlop). I've got some Tokico D-Spec shocks coming and I'll probably end up lowering the car slightly despite my attempts to resist it. Thanks I have seen some nice ones for sale,but i must admit i would want it to sound nicer & handle better than from what i have been told,so will look to buy upgraded one 2nd hand! There have been some warranty issues with the 2005's but nothing serious. The warranty isn't covered by Ford UK. The engines are designed to run 100000 miles without any trouble. My last 1998 Camaro Z28 5.7 LS1 I had for 4 years in which time I spent £4k on mods but the only maintenance required was oil and fluid changes as it was a pushrod all-alloy V8. It costs hardly anything to run. Depreciation was low, servicing was DIY with a 13mm spanner stuff and consumables like tyres and brake pads are the only things that need doing. American service parts are available from any UK suppliers by next day delivery and cost less than the UK stuff. The 2005 Mustang is an all-alloy 3v ohc design which pretty much just needs regular oil changes. The only thing to watch for is any warning lights on the dash probably due to carefree assembly and any rattles from the engine (some 05's have been afflicted by noisy valvetrains). There are currently some real bargains appearing on ebay for less than £20k too which will leave more money in your pocket for modifications.

[stig]

Hi Wayne,

Can you give me an idea of what sort of mpg you were getting before the 'charger was installed?

Am seriously thinking of running a 'stang as my day-to-day car, but with 500 miles a week commute (less once my bike is back on the road), I don't want to buy a BP station to go with it

[LuS1fer]

stig said:

Hi Wayne, Can you give me an idea of what sort of mpg you were getting before the 'charger was installed? Am seriously thinking of running a 'stang as my day-to-day car, but with 500 miles a week commute (less once my bike is back on the road), I don't want to buy a BP station to go with it

American cars don't gas guzzle and haven't for many years but oh how the motoring press like to perpetuate the myth. In the 60's a high power V8 would give you 10mpg but any 90's V8 will return very good fuel consumption figures. I drove the Mustang in stock form from Manchester to Wales through wind and rain through mid-Wales and it returned about 23-24USmpg overall which converts to about 28 UKmpg. That was a mix of motorway, A roads and Welsh B roads at a relatively swift but smooth lope in daylight and darkness cruising at about 80 or rather more towads the end of the trip.
www.markporthouse.net/rangie/fuelconsumptionconversion.htm#

The car then sat in my garage while I transferred the plate and I drove it up to London on the M4 to get the supercharger fitted but failed to note the mpg. However, when I collected it, it was now supercharged and I set the computer again and crawled through rush hour traffic from Edgware to the M4 and then back to Cardiff mainly at motorway speeds but obviously giving it an occasional flooring to check the supercharger. It was lashing with rain again but the consumption was again 24 USmpg/28UKmpg. Driving it more slowly would easily take it over the 30UKmpg mark and if you wanted to be truly anal about it, I'm pretty sure you could get 35.

I'm using it this week to commute back and forth work which is 9 miles either way and includes a lot of sitting in traffic and a little bit of gunning when given the chance. It hovers between 20 and 21 USmpg in these conditions which is 24/25 UKmpg. I suspect that the motoring press have a duty to thrash and punish cars that aren't their own so get a lot less but it's really not true to say these cars need a BP station and a recent thread on here suggests a Focus can be considerably more thirsty - a corollary of smaller engines in increasingly heavy cars that a V8 shrugs off.

[stig]

Thanks Wayne. I ran a 630hp .383ci Supercharged SBC in my GTR and have a 400hp 350ci SBC in my Can-Am, so I'm not unfamiliar with US engines - albeit not the most modern incarnations.

Thanks for the info, it's about what I reckoned for the 'stang. As you say, there are a few cropping up now for sub 20k (just missed out on one!), but am waiting for right spec.

Still wrangling over the colour though

[iaiin]

stig said:

Thanks Wayne. I ran a 630hp .383ci Supercharged SBC in my GTR and have a 400hp 350ci SBC in my Can-Am, so I'm not unfamiliar with US engines - albeit not the most modern incarnations. Thanks for the info, it's about what I reckoned for the 'stang. As you say, there are a few cropping up now for sub 20k (just missed out on one!), but am waiting for right spec. Still wrangling over the colour though

Stig
I have been looking as well & are sorted now (bank permitting)there is a nice 1 on e bay, it has just ended did not make reserve at abut 13k,good spec, he said it is the cheapest around,2000 miles, silver with red leather,premium pack, i am not very good at computing (paste sites & all that) but you could contact to find reserve!

[LuS1fer]

I had a choice of silver/red or black/grey. I went with the former as I've had a lot of black/grey cars over the years and fancied something different. For me, the Mustang looks good in silver but my favourites are black/red or red/black. I did like yellow but went off it. I also like the metallic blue but my Z06 was metallic blue (again I avoided black) and after all is said and done, I still love black cars.

[iaiin]

LuS1fer said:

I had a choice of silver/red or black/grey. I went with the former as I've had a lot of black/grey cars over the years and fancied something different. For me, the Mustang looks good in silver but my favourites are black/red or red/black. I did like yellow but went off it. I also like the metallic blue but my Z06 was metallic blue (again I avoided black) and after all is said and done, I still love black cars.

Do you think that price for my saleen is ok??

[LuS1fer]

Classic American had an article about the 2005 Saleen and an importer was selling them for £32750 on the road. Based on the price I was offered one for in Florida last year, you could just about import one for £28k but my enquiries this year suggested a lot of Saleen dealers weren't very generous and were suggesting paying over list although there are a few bargains on US ebay mainly in the southern States.

£25k for a 2005 Saleen is a very good buy. You get the wheels, the suspension upgrade, stainless exhaust, a quick ratio gearbox and a very nice body kit. Even if you bought a stock Mustang for less than £20k, it would cost more than that to modify it when you factor in shipping costs. I would have bought it myself for that price.

As a bonus, it also makes 325bhp.

>> Edited by LuS1fer on Thursday 16th February 21:23

[stig]

iaiin said:

stig said: Thanks Wayne. I ran a 630hp .383ci Supercharged SBC in my GTR and have a 400hp 350ci SBC in my Can-Am, so I'm not unfamiliar with US engines - albeit not the most modern incarnations. Thanks for the info, it's about what I reckoned for the 'stang. As you say, there are a few cropping up now for sub 20k (just missed out on one!), but am waiting for right spec. Still wrangling over the colour though Stig I have been looking as well & are sorted now (bank permitting)there is a nice 1 on e bay, it has just ended did not make reserve at abut 13k,good spec, he said it is the cheapest around,2000 miles, silver with red leather,premium pack, i am not very good at computing (paste sites & all that) but you could contact to find reserve!

Yeah, saw that one but can't stand the red leather

I'd have almost any colour (except green), but only black leather. Where did you find the Saleen? American Pickup Trucks? I was soooo tempted by a blue supercharged one they had, but it was best part of 50k.

[iaiin]

stig said:

iaiin said: stig said: Thanks Wayne. I ran a 630hp .383ci Supercharged SBC in my GTR and have a 400hp 350ci SBC in my Can-Am, so I'm not unfamiliar with US engines - albeit not the most modern incarnations. Thanks for the info, it's about what I reckoned for the 'stang. As you say, there are a few cropping up now for sub 20k (just missed out on one!), but am waiting for right spec. Still wrangling over the colour though Stig I have been looking as well & are sorted now (bank permitting)there is a nice 1 on e bay, it has just ended did not make reserve at abut 13k,good spec, he said it is the cheapest around,2000 miles, silver with red leather,premium pack, i am not very good at computing (paste sites & all that) but you could contact to find reserve! Yeah, saw that one but can't stand the red leather I'd have almost any colour (except green), but only black leather. Where did you find the Saleen? American Pickup Trucks? I was soooo tempted by a blue supercharged one they had, but it was best part of 50k.

Stig
i have answered on other thread,about where got from,How much do you want to spend (if you dont mind) i will keep a look out!e bay is very good as it gets out to a big area!!be prepared to travel, but if you spend £25k who cares if you have a day of work & drive it back (cant wait to pick mine up!!)

[iaiin]

LuS1fer said:

Classic American had an article about the 2005 Saleen and an importer was selling them for £32750 on the road. Based on the price I was offered one for in Florida last year, you could just about import one for £28k but my enquiries this year suggested a lot of Saleen dealers weren't very generous and were suggesting paying over list although there are a few bargains on US ebay mainly in the southern States. £25k for a 2005 Saleen is a very good buy. You get the wheels, the suspension upgrade, stainless exhaust, a quick ratio gearbox and a very nice body kit. Even if you bought a stock Mustang for less than £20k, it would cost more than that to modify it when you factor in shipping costs. I would have bought it myself for that price. As a bonus, it also makes 325bhp. >> Edited by LuS1fer on Thursday 16th February 21:23

LuS1fer

As i said got a saleen 2005 coming in a couple of weeks 700 miles on clock private sale,I know it sounds stupid now i have brought it (so impulsive)but do they have any warranty,where do you get them serviced???

[LuS1fer]

It's not the one on ebay is it? There's a black one on ebay for £26500 Buy It Now but it still seems to be going. Still a great price.

Ah...warranty. No, Ford won't honour the warranty. You are, to all intents and purposes "on your own". However, it depends oon where you are in the country as there are plenty of American car specialists in the UK. Most Mustangs will be happy with simple fluid changes as per the service schedule as most things in the engine are non-maintenance. If you get faults, places like Litchfield or Mildenhall can diagnose and fix problems. Personally, I would change the oil and filter very 5000 miles using a good quality oil like Mobil 1, change the brake fluid every 2 years and you can generally do all the maintenance yourself.

[iaiin]

LuS1fer said:

It's not the one on ebay is it? There's a black one on ebay for £26500 Buy It Now but it still seems to be going. Still a great price. Ah...warranty. No, Ford won't honour the warranty. You are, to all intents and purposes "on your own". However, it depends oon where you are in the country as there are plenty of American car specialists in the UK. Most Mustangs will be happy with simple fluid changes as per the service schedule as most things in the engine are non-maintenance. If you get faults, places like Litchfield or Mildenhall can diagnose and fix problems. Personally, I would change the oil and filter very 5000 miles using a good quality oil like Mobil 1, change the brake fluid every 2 years and you can generally do all the maintenance yourself.

LuS1fer
Yes thats the one,should be off e bay now,what do you think??
Back to service, that is why i like the yank cars there engines are bullit proof & i have a nechanic that does my work who is good!so no warranty, better hope nothing goes wrong as my budget for car was £18k, i never have taken any notice of budget,s,
when i saw that black saleen on e bay i had already been talking to him before hand about a deal, then e bay removed from listing as i was putting in my bid!He had put something in the add they didnt like so pulled it,we had a deal but had already relisted it, but should be of now!
Cant wait to see it in the flesh!!
Back to service/repair i was going to get tvr Cerbera but they said budget £2.5k a year to run !!!!!!!!!
noble only 2 seats.
porsche could only afford 1998 911 carrera.
wanted a v8 but not temprementle engine,whats left,& these new mustangs are one call looking motor!!!!!!!!!!

[LuS1fer]

iaiin said:

LuS1fer said: It's not the one on ebay is it? There's a black one on ebay for £26500 Buy It Now but it still seems to be going. Still a great price. Ah...warranty. No, Ford won't honour the warranty. You are, to all intents and purposes "on your own". However, it depends oon where you are in the country as there are plenty of American car specialists in the UK. Most Mustangs will be happy with simple fluid changes as per the service schedule as most things in the engine are non-maintenance. If you get faults, places like Litchfield or Mildenhall can diagnose and fix problems. Personally, I would change the oil and filter very 5000 miles using a good quality oil like Mobil 1, change the brake fluid every 2 years and you can generally do all the maintenance yourself. LuS1fer Yes thats the one,should be off e bay now,what do you think?? Back to service, that is why i like the yank cars there engines are bullit proof & i have a nechanic that does my work who is good!so no warranty, better hope nothing goes wrong as my budget for car was £18k, i never have taken any notice of budget,s, when i saw that black saleen on e bay i had already been talking to him before hand about a deal, then e bay removed from listing as i was putting in my bid!He had put something in the add they didnt like so pulled it,we had a deal but had already relisted it, but should be of now! Cant wait to see it in the flesh!! Back to service/repair i was going to get tvr Cerbera but they said budget £2.5k a year to run !!!!!!!!! noble only 2 seats. porsche could only afford 1998 911 carrera. wanted a v8 but not temprementle engine,whats left,& these new mustangs are one call looking motor!!!!!!!!!!

I'd have bitten his hand off. It looks absolutely stunning. It had already caught the eye of people at the Mustang owners Club. I'm pretty sure he could have got a lot more for it too.

I once looked at Cerberas but the two seats in the back are a joke and the build quality is dire. A friend of mine has a Griffith and it's one thing wrong after another, not to mention the risk (and I put it no higher)that the engine might fail. Good toy but not for those of us who don't like to spend huge amounts on repairs that could go on mods. NOble is another great car if you like track cars. Obviously the Mustang won't come close to the Noble for handling but these days, the roads are too choked to go that fast and hell that Sallen looks way better. Looked at 911's too but the interior is so crap, it wasn't ever in the running and the running costs aren't small either. Don't like the image. For me, it came down to a Monaro VXR or the Mustang. Couldn't find a Saleen so bought the supercharger and gear to make the GT something more of a sleeper with loads of power. The VXR lost out because of the styling and the prices were still more than my Mustang with all the modifications.

Congratulations on that car though, it will keep it's value far better than a stock Mustang I would think.

[iaiin]

LuS1fer said:

iaiin said: LuS1fer said: It's not the one on ebay is it? There's a black one on ebay for £26500 Buy It Now but it still seems to be going. Still a great price. Ah...warranty. No, Ford won't honour the warranty. You are, to all intents and purposes "on your own". However, it depends oon where you are in the country as there are plenty of American car specialists in the UK. Most Mustangs will be happy with simple fluid changes as per the service schedule as most things in the engine are non-maintenance. If you get faults, places like Litchfield or Mildenhall can diagnose and fix problems. Personally, I would change the oil and filter very 5000 miles using a good quality oil like Mobil 1, change the brake fluid every 2 years and you can generally do all the maintenance yourself. LuS1fer Yes thats the one,should be off e bay now,what do you think?? Back to service, that is why i like the yank cars there engines are bullit proof & i have a nechanic that does my work who is good!so no warranty, better hope nothing goes wrong as my budget for car was £18k, i never have taken any notice of budget,s, when i saw that black saleen on e bay i had already been talking to him before hand about a deal, then e bay removed from listing as i was putting in my bid!He had put something in the add they didnt like so pulled it,we had a deal but had already relisted it, but should be of now! Cant wait to see it in the flesh!! Back to service/repair i was going to get tvr Cerbera but they said budget £2.5k a year to run !!!!!!!!! noble only 2 seats. porsche could only afford 1998 911 carrera. wanted a v8 but not temprementle engine,whats left,& these new mustangs are one call looking motor!!!!!!!!!! I'd have bitten his hand off. It looks absolutely stunning. It had already caught the eye of people at the Mustang owners Club. I'm pretty sure he could have got a lot more for it too. I once looked at Cerberas but the two seats in the back are a joke and the build quality is dire. A friend of mine has a Griffith and it's one thing wrong after another, not to mention the risk (and I put it no higher)that the engine might fail. Good toy but not for those of us who don't like to spend huge amounts on repairs that could go on mods. NOble is another great car if you like track cars. Obviously the Mustang won't come close to the Noble for handling but these days, the roads are too choked to go that fast and hell that Sallen looks way better. Looked at 911's too but the interior is so crap, it wasn't ever in the running and the running costs aren't small either. Don't like the image. For me, it came down to a Monaro VXR or the Mustang. Couldn't find a Saleen so bought the supercharger and gear to make the GT something more of a sleeper with loads of power. The VXR lost out because of the styling and the prices were still more than my Mustang with all the modifications. Congratulations on that car though, it will keep it's value far better than a stock Mustang I would think.

LuS1fer
Thanks mate i think i got a good buy, thats why i blew my budget.
I thought about monaro but i dont like the look, also the hsv there are some goog ones on P/H with 550 bhp but it looks like a vauxhall senator, so i think i am cool enough for the saleen!!!!!
We must send some pictures of each others cars so i can see what yours is like!!

[LuS1fer]

Sure then I can hate you even more. LOL.

Set up one of these:

www.cardomain.com/ride/2177534/1

[iaiin]

LuS1fer said:

Sure then I can hate you even more. LOL. Set up one of these: www.cardomain.com/ride/2177534/1

LuS1fer
I will try but cant promise!
By the way cant help but notice your user name relates to the devil!!!
You wont believe this but my saleen build no is 666, no joking they dont normally do this no, but that bloke i brought it of asked as a favour to do it as he went over to saleen dealership to purchase!!!
P.S when i had my hair short in the summer i also have 666 on my head!!fate!!!