smaruska

Hi all, been a Mustang guy forever but not exactly thrilled with how much the new ones cost and I've always wanted a LSX. Strongly considering selling my clean PI swapped 98 GT and putting the $$$ towards a GTO sometime this year or next.

Would consider a F body too but I'm really leaning GTO because its newer, available LS2 and I've heard the build quality of the GTO is way above GM standard (thank you Holden?). I'm also sick of 90s dated interiors which the GTO thankfully lacks. So anything I should watch out for? Is the 05/06 premium worth it vs the cheaper 04 with the LS1? I know I probably could not straight trade my car for a GTO unless it was very high mileage but I'd like to keep it in the $10k-$12k range overall. Is that unrealistic or what?

Sorry for all the noob questions in advance. Here are a few pics of my 98 btw, interior is a 9 after I've gotten through with it, paint is a 7 or 8 and there is almost 0 corrosion on the underside of the car since its not driven in bad weather. My only reservation to getting rid of it is that it IS so clean, I JUST did the trans/wheels/tires/interior and the motor has a ton of life left in it. I'd be worried about finding a car in my price range that is half this clean.






Thanks again!

Honda Hunter

iTrader: (8)

My favorite body style mustang. I miss my 97 GT. You'll definitely enjoy a GTO.

6PntHo

iTrader: (2)

Clean car man, Gto would deff be worth it. Either one you won't regret.

LukePhillips

iTrader: (2)

Finding an 05-05 for $12k would be very tough. You can find high mileage 04's for around that though.

smaruska

I'll bang around multiple classifieds for a bit. I've seen some nice ones in the $15k range, not sure what the market or demand for them is yet honestly. Seems like F bodies are a dime a dozen, same with Mustangs but the GTO is a lot rarer.

LSCha0s

iTrader: (4)

I just bought this M6 04 with 50K on it for 12.5. I drove some mustangs and the GTO is way better made and all around better IMO. It was also several K cheaper.

smaruska

That's what I'm talking about. I would obviously prefer the 05/06 but would not be opposed to getting an 04 if the price and mileage were that much better. I mean its still a LS1... From the impression I have got of the 04s they are pretty much the same car, just slightly less power and a different exhaust/cosmetics.

LSCha0s

iTrader: (4)

I purposely bought the 04 for the few better mpg. It's my DD, my toy is a 91 C4 with 400 RWHP LSx. The more I drive the GTO the more I like it. I'm thinking I might buy a beater for a DD.

Rise of the Phoenix

iTrader: (27)

If you're looking for something that already has some mods done, you'll get more bang for your buck buying a F-Body. In my opinion, there is no better looking vehicle around than a 1998-2002 WS6. You could find a pretty nice one in your price range. Can't go wrong with a GTO either. By the way, extremely clean looking Mustang.

smaruska

My second choice would be a white WS6 with a black leather interior. Although I hear those are rare and the owners know it... fml... lol.

Rise of the Phoenix

iTrader: (27)

I would just comb the classified section on here, and if you're not in too much of a hurry, you'll find a good deal on what you want. Welcome to the LSx crowd.

smaruska

Yeah I've been lurking. I'm going to keep an eye out for what stuff sells for and talk to some LSX ppl and then decide what I want to do. Seems like a nice 05-06 GTO might be out of my price range but an 04 might be more obtainable and a F body definitely is.

OneSlowV

iTrader: (2)

You can a low mileage 04 for around 12k. Most of the low mileage LS2 Goats are close to 20k. And for that price could buy a used 5.0 and walk on the LS2.

JC316

iTrader: (1)

Depends on where you look and what you consider to be high miles.

05 Auto, 97K - $12.5k

http://dallas.craigslist.org/mdf/cto/4445022392.html

04 Auto, 90K - $8900

http://dallas.craigslist.org/sdf/cto/4433363457.html

05 6 speed, 97k - $13k
http://killeen.craigslist.org/cto/4399741940.html

06 6 speed, 47K - $15k

http://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/cto/4449086670.html

smaruska

Looks like I'm going to have to up my price or just get into a F body or just say screw it and supercharge the ultra clean car I have. Supercharger or turbo will punch what I have right now straight up to 400+ to the wheels but at that price plus what the car is worth that's right at the $11-$12k range I could get a modded LSX for that is probably making that much power NA... Like I said I have time to think it over.

HCI2000SS

iTrader: (2)

I used to own a gorgeous 04 Mustang gt with cams, nitrous, etc, etc...traded it for this Camaro, and am very glad I did! Something about these LS based motors that are so much more fun IMO

Rise of the Phoenix

iTrader: (27)

You could buy my WS6. 440rwhp and it's just heads/cam.

Tim94gt

iTrader: (2)

If I could do it all over again, I would have ls swapped my Sn95.

I love my GTO though, it's a really fun car to drive and is way more refined/comfortable than the mustang was.

Honda Hunter

iTrader: (8)

That's what I hated most about my experience with my 97 GT. No matter how much I put into it, mod for mod I was always behind a LSx car. I'd look into a modded WS6 as mentioned above.

bloodygoat

i had a 2014 v6 stang before some jerk wrecked it for me. Loved it and miss it. 0-60 times are about the same when compared to the ls1, and i got 29mpg when my foot was heavy. Dont get me wrong i love my 04 gto but i would much rather have a 3.7 v6 mustang.