[boatn70]

I have some VERY basic questions for you guys.

i just started looking at one of each of these cars

02 5spd 94000 miles, exhaust, CAI and lowered 2.5"

03 5spd 30000, exhaust

04 auto 65000, stock

what can i expect to do to these stock motors based on mileage, will i need to look at any needed repairs such as valve springs, timing chain/belt, or what. is 94k miles alot on these cars? which motor is the 4.6 in these cars and whats the diff between that and the 4v motor or is it a 4v? how can i determine gearing in the rear?
anything specific that i should look for?

sorry to be so simpleton on this but i just started looking at these as a possibility for me. i have ready the stickys on the upgrades etc, very informative, i just dont want to buy something that could potentially have issues coming up soon. my plans are to drive as is for a short time and then start with some upgrades....speed is addictive!!
thanks

[03_StangGuy]

Well the lower the milage the better. Autos loss a noticable amount of power due to the transmission. GTs are 2v, if you want a 4v u need a cobra or mach 1. I know the cobra has forged internals, im not sure about the mach 1. With the GTs you can bolt on a s/c and have 400whp pretty reliably. If I were you Id take the 03 outa wut u posted they long as it looks in good shape.

[B0B]

welcom to the forums! if i were you, i'd look at the 03 with 30000 miles. that car is still practically new and will last for a long time! basically from mid 2001-2004 the GT's are all the same, they all have the 2v mod 4.6 engine and t-3650 5 speed transmissions (except the auto of course). when it comes to mileage, 94000 isn't really an issue as far as the engine goes if it has been maintained properly. my brother has an 01 GT with 98000 miles and it pulls just as strong as my 01 when i got it with 56K miles. the rear end gearing on these cars is 3.27:1 stock, and many people like either 3.73 or 4.10 gears, it gives you a pretty decent gain in acceleration and makes the car feel much more powerful.

[B0B]

Originally Posted by 03_StangGuy Well the lower the milage the better. Autos loss a noticable amount of power due to the transmission. GTs are 2v, if you want a 4v u need a cobra or mach 1. I know the cobra has forged internals, im not sure about the mach 1. With the GTs you can bolt on a s/c and have 400whp pretty reliably. If I were you Id take the 03 outa wut u posted they long as it looks in good shape.

+1 except only the 03-04 cobras have forged internals, everything else including mach 1's and earlier cobras do not have forged internals.. except the 5 speed mach 1's have a forged crank.

[boatn70]

ok, i know, its just opinions here as far as price....and i forgot to mention the 03 and 04 are verts.
02 asking 10 obo
03 asking 14500 (vert)
04 asking 15 obo (vert)

im leaning towards the 02, i may be able to pick it up for 9k. looking at it tonight. oh...the 03 has flomasters and was adult driven.
02 needs rear tires (what does that mean? LOL)

thanks for the input, so no real issues considering mileage

[CobraR]

it just means that the rear tires need to be replaced once you buy it. they are prolly worn down alot. no biggie, but you are gonna need to spend an extra $200-$300 on tires after you buy the car

[B0B]

a low mileage vert is gonna run you a little more cash.. see about talking them down though.. verts hold their value better than coupes as well. 9k for that 02 doesn't sound bad if its in good condition

[boatn70]

i gotcha on the tires!! just thought it was funny,
stock wheels, what sizes are fronts and backs? the 02 has the bullet style wheels, i like to know if he changed size.

[boatn70]

what kind of shifter is this? car looks pretty clean in most of the photos i have, will know more later

[SteviGX]

it kind of just looks like a different ball. idk though

[PowerShiftz02GT]

If i was you i wouldn't get an Auto. These cars are really fun as a Manual car. I was on the brink of getting an auto becuase mine is a Daily Driver. But driving a manual Sports car is way different and way more fun then driving some little honda that is manual. Get the manual. By the way the 4.6L Motors can take a beating. there are poeple on this website with 120,000+ miles on there 2v's with lots of mods on it pushing 400Hp etc. As long as you take care of it it wont be a problem. how ever if you buy the one with 94,000 miles you are probably going to need a lot of maintenance things such are cleaning the fuel tank with cleaner, new Plugs, Airfilter, Fuel Filter etc. Ask the guy when he changed all these. how often he changed his oil, Which oil he used etc. Also you dont want to buy a high mileage car and then mod it and have something break every month. Id say go lower miles. By the way i bought my 2002 Gt with 59,800 miles on it for 10,000 grand. So your getting ripped off on that 2002 deal. Go to New Car Prices and Used Car Blue Book Values - Official Kelley Blue Book Site and do some research on prices.

How many miles does your car have? Poll

[CobraR]

Originally Posted by boatn70 i gotcha on the tires!! just thought it was funny, stock wheels, what sizes are fronts and backs? the 02 has the bullet style wheels, i like to know if he changed size.

stockers are 245/45 17 all you need to do is pick a brand. i use BFG sports and kumo ecsta's (not at the same time, lol)

[20gtvert03]

yes id say do a little more looking

[boatn70]

powershift, thanks for the info on price......whatd you mean im getting ripped off? first off, havent bought anything, second according to KBB private party good condition is 8600, so its not that far off, remember i havent even made an offer yet. trade in is 7 and retail excellent shows 11800 or something like that.
if its in as good cond. as stated, price doesnt seem bad. i like the mileage you bought though.
not a done deal by any means, will see it on saturday afternoon, that and the vert.

are the convertibles heavier or undesirable for any reason, as far as performance goes?

[SteviGX]

Originally Posted by boatn70 powershift, thanks for the info on price......whatd you mean im getting ripped off? first off, havent bought anything, second according to KBB private party good condition is 8600, so its not that far off, remember i havent even made an offer yet. trade in is 7 and retail excellent shows 11800 or something like that. if its in as good cond. as stated, price doesnt seem bad. i like the mileage you bought though. not a done deal by any means, will see it on saturday afternoon, that and the vert. are the convertibles heavier or undesirable for any reason, as far as performance goes?

if you plan on making it wild you will have to get a cage. i know alot of places wont let you run under 12.99 without one

[PowerShiftz02GT]

Originally Posted by boatn70 powershift, thanks for the info on price......whatd you mean im getting ripped off? first off, havent bought anything, second according to KBB private party good condition is 8600, so its not that far off, remember i havent even made an offer yet. trade in is 7 and retail excellent shows 11800 or something like that. if its in as good cond. as stated, price doesnt seem bad. i like the mileage you bought though. not a done deal by any means, will see it on saturday afternoon, that and the vert. are the convertibles heavier or undesirable for any reason, as far as performance goes?

Oh yeah i know you didnt buy it, i was just saying you can probably find a better deal or get negotiate the price with him. Sorry i didnt mean to sound aggressive or anything. But if its a convertible then i cans see how the price would be higher. Yes the Convertible is Heavier and also you will want to buy Subframes connectors to make the Car handle better. The convertibles chassis are not as Strong or stiff as the coupes so you will loose some performance in the handling department. Also wait for the perfect deal to come along. it will come and you will be glade you waited. I know i was. But if you think these are the one you like then go for it. Good luck!

[boatn70]

thanks,
we'll see what happens. i'll keep you guys posted.