Help Needed!
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 308
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte, N.C.
Help Needed! Currently I have a 2001 Mustang GT. It's a beautiful car but I want more power. For the past several months, I have been in love with the WS6. However, I'm noticing that they're very expensive and pretty rare in my area. I spoke to a dealer in N.J. that has a 2001 Fire Bird Formula for sale.
So far, the only thing that I know about it is:
It's a Pewter color;
Automatic;
T-Top;
31,600 Miles (I think that's a lot of miles for a 2 year old car);
still under factory warranty;
Dealer wants $18,900 for it.
I'm going to take a look at it this weekend--but I am a little nervous. Here are my concerns:
1- It's not a WS6. Honestly though, the reason why I'm so interested in the WS6 is the Ram Air hood. Now as I understand, the whole issue of Ram Air is a myth. But it still looks cool. Could I have the WS6 hood installed on this model. If so, what would it cost?
2- Is it true that the Formula puts out 345 H.P.?
3- Is modding this car expensive?
4- What are any problems/potential problems with this car? Any known side affects?
5- How does this car handle in the rain and snow? Does this car automatically come with Traction Control?
6- Is the dealer asking to much for this car. I'm a little concerned about the high mileage. Currently, my car has 24,800 miles (it's primarily a weekend car) but isn't 31,600 pretty high?
Guys, please I need as much help and advice as necessary.
So far, the only thing that I know about it is:
It's a Pewter color;
Automatic;
T-Top;
31,600 Miles (I think that's a lot of miles for a 2 year old car);
still under factory warranty;
Dealer wants $18,900 for it.
I'm going to take a look at it this weekend--but I am a little nervous. Here are my concerns:
1- It's not a WS6. Honestly though, the reason why I'm so interested in the WS6 is the Ram Air hood. Now as I understand, the whole issue of Ram Air is a myth. But it still looks cool. Could I have the WS6 hood installed on this model. If so, what would it cost?
2- Is it true that the Formula puts out 345 H.P.?
3- Is modding this car expensive?
4- What are any problems/potential problems with this car? Any known side affects?
5- How does this car handle in the rain and snow? Does this car automatically come with Traction Control?
6- Is the dealer asking to much for this car. I'm a little concerned about the high mileage. Currently, my car has 24,800 miles (it's primarily a weekend car) but isn't 31,600 pretty high?
Guys, please I need as much help and advice as necessary.
1. Yes, you could get a ram air hood 4 that car. Hood $350-$850, plus paint and labor.
2. False. An 01 Formula A4 probably puts down 300-315 RWHP
3. Yay and nay. Like any car it could get expensive.
4. Squeaky, Engine Knock, Bad rotors -tend to warp.
5. Like any rwd muscle car its not made 4 snow. It will make it through as long as you dont drive stupid.
6. Yeah, the price is a little high. Keep looking, dont rush. There's lots of Fbods out there for good prices.
Any more ?'s feel free to ask!! Good Luck!!
2. False. An 01 Formula A4 probably puts down 300-315 RWHP
3. Yay and nay. Like any car it could get expensive.
4. Squeaky, Engine Knock, Bad rotors -tend to warp.
5. Like any rwd muscle car its not made 4 snow. It will make it through as long as you dont drive stupid.
6. Yeah, the price is a little high. Keep looking, dont rush. There's lots of Fbods out there for good prices.
Any more ?'s feel free to ask!! Good Luck!!
2. 345 at the flywheel is about right
3. IF you compare it to modding a 3rd gen, a 5.0 stang or any carborated chevy engine, yes but it doesnt matter once you start modding youll find the money to keep doing it, its higly addictive.
4. Rattles....nothing sub frame connectors wont fix. piston slap....90% of these car do it, I havent heard of any coming apart from it, do a search on knock you will find out all about it. And the rotors warp after a few100-0 runs but aftermarket rotors should fix that.
5. traction control is a god send trying to get started in the rain, I have never (and will never) drive mine in the snow, but with some decent tires should be ok besides the ground clearence issues.
6. I would try to talk them down a bit, I payed more then that for my 99 with more miles, But I knew it was babied and well cared for. You should look around in the for sale section here Theres usually some badass cars for sale in there.
3. IF you compare it to modding a 3rd gen, a 5.0 stang or any carborated chevy engine, yes but it doesnt matter once you start modding youll find the money to keep doing it, its higly addictive.
4. Rattles....nothing sub frame connectors wont fix. piston slap....90% of these car do it, I havent heard of any coming apart from it, do a search on knock you will find out all about it. And the rotors warp after a few100-0 runs but aftermarket rotors should fix that.
5. traction control is a god send trying to get started in the rain, I have never (and will never) drive mine in the snow, but with some decent tires should be ok besides the ground clearence issues.
6. I would try to talk them down a bit, I payed more then that for my 99 with more miles, But I knew it was babied and well cared for. You should look around in the for sale section here Theres usually some badass cars for sale in there.
Originally Posted by Bklynstanger
Dealer wants $18,900 for it.
6- Is the dealer asking to much for this car. I'm a little concerned about the high mileage. Currently, my car has 24,800 miles (it's primarily a weekend car) but isn't 31,600 pretty high?
6- Is the dealer asking to much for this car. I'm a little concerned about the high mileage. Currently, my car has 24,800 miles (it's primarily a weekend car) but isn't 31,600 pretty high?
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,415
Likes: 1
From: San Diego/Schertz,Texas
I had the same problem with finding a ws6 with low miles.I eventually found one that was perfect on ebay. i search for a coulpe months, then found my baby. i live in san diego flew to washington picked up the car and drove it car home. 2000 WS6 with 5,300 miles. Be patient dont settle for something that isnt exactly what you want. ive owned the car for about 4 months now. good luck.
PS: hope your trading in the stang
PS: hope your trading in the stang
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,768
Likes: 0
From: Lexington, NC
Sounds like you should keep on looking, IMO I think you could find a better deal than that. I bought my Z(most all options) with 13200 for 18500. Good Luck man and enjoy the power of the LS1.
WeS
WeS
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TECH Resident
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 857
Likes: 0
From: Orlando
It wouldn't be a bad car, but I think you'd be settling for something you really don't want...new hood or not. Unless the dealership makes the price very attractive (remind them that winter is coming and unless they want to sit on it all winter, the price should come down) pass on it and look for a WS6 if that's what you want. This time of year is a buyer's market in the north for musclecars. Exploit the advantage! 
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The only LS1 Firebird that was actually printed on paper to put out 345hp is the 02 Firehawk.
An 01 Formula would be 310hp. If you want a WS6 Formula, they only made them 98-00 (unless you want a LT1). I say, if you are really that stuck on a WS6, wait it out. It's not like you'll be able to drive your car much until the spring anyway, so just wait and save. I wish that's what I would have done.
An 01 Formula would be 310hp. If you want a WS6 Formula, they only made them 98-00 (unless you want a LT1). I say, if you are really that stuck on a WS6, wait it out. It's not like you'll be able to drive your car much until the spring anyway, so just wait and save. I wish that's what I would have done.
go check out the car in person, sit in it test drive it ect just to see how it is. then look for a better deal.
your best bet is to just look for a t/a and just add on the ws6 hood. chances are you'd replace all that comes with the ws6 package with aftermarket **** so might as well save the money over the ws6 package and just get the t/a.
your best bet is to just look for a t/a and just add on the ws6 hood. chances are you'd replace all that comes with the ws6 package with aftermarket **** so might as well save the money over the ws6 package and just get the t/a.
That price is WAY too high. If it was a TA maybe, nothing against formulas but even a TA I couldn't see spending more that 18500 on if it was perfect with that many miles. I bought my SOM 01 with 13K WS6 for 19700. I think I got a good deal but they can be found I was just really patient... Took me a year 
I bought mine off of autotrader.com and got a great deal from a private owner. If it's a used vehicle I would definately not buy it from a dealer IMO. I got my 01 camaro for 21500 with 10000 miles and also with a few mods 
. just be patient, you will find the one you want. Be sure to look at the vehicle classified section on this forum.
Jason
. just be patient, you will find the one you want. Be sure to look at the vehicle classified section on this forum.Jason
