Re: Should I trade my \'02 SVTF for \'04 Mustang GT?

NO.

 

Re: Should I trade my \'02 SVTF for \'04 Mustang GT?

If it were me, I'd go Forced Induction. You'd have a better power/wieght ratio and close to the same WHP as the GT. Plus you wouldn't be spending those extra THOUSANDS of dollars

 

Re: Should I trade my \'02 SVTF for \'04 Mustang GT?

If it were me, I'd go Forced Induction. You'd have a better power/wieght ratio and close to the same WHP as the GT. Plus you wouldn't be spending those extra THOUSANDS of dollars

Good point and I have mulled over that option for a while now but I don't have the money to add FI nor to mod my SVTF anymore so to me it would be more cost effective to trade out for more factory horsepower with a warranty.

Keep in mind this is an option that I am exploring right now so please keep the comments coming everyone.

 

Re: Should I trade my \'02 SVTF for \'04 Mustang GT?

Yes.

SVTF blows.

 

Re: Should I trade my \'02 SVTF for \'04 Mustang GT?

I say yes. You can get those GTs at INVOICE, plus a huge rebate! You have to think.. sure, with FI you'd be about as fast as a Mustang (maybe faster), but you'd also be plowing money into somewhere where its going to disappear. If you upgrade to the GT, at least you have an investment. The FI will actually DECREASE the value of your car!

Plus, from a speed side, GT's are incredibly easy to make fast.

 

Re: Should I trade my \'02 SVTF for \'04 Mustang GT?

I would go for it. In the long run you can make better power and make it handle just as good. Not to mention that the mustangs keep getting better so the 04's are really nice. I bet if you wait another month you will be able to get a better price once the 05's start rolling in.

 

Re: Should I trade my \'02 SVTF for \'04 Mustang GT?

Go for it if you like them! The GT will have (most likely) less problems than the SVTF and it surely won't depreciate in value any more than the Focus. Just replace the factory brakes and you've got yourself a nice car.

 

Re: Should I trade my \'02 SVTF for \'04 Mustang GT?

I go through this thought process all the time. I have the svtf and a '99 GT. I need the focus for commuting and hauling my kids to soccer, etc. It is a great car for daily driving, but I keep reading posts about 270 whp vortech supercharged focuses, and I think "Man, that would be such a fun car!" But then I think about the original price I paid for the focus, the cost for FI, and then the inevitable replacement of driveline parts when I break them with all that power. I also think about how many times I've had my car to the dealer in the 18k miles I've driven it, and it makes me hesitant to invest anymore, seeing as half my warranty is up. If you add it up, you could probably by an Audi A3 with the six, a DSG tranny, and quattro in '06 for the money you'll have in the focus. Which would you rather have?

On the other hand, I just put the bullitt suspension and mms caster camber plates on the GT. Except for steering feel/accuracy and rear end traction/predictability, the mustang gives up nothing to the focus in the corners now. Sure it still pushes a little, but its amazing what 30mm more of tire and a little negative camber will do. And I can correct with the rear wheels. With a K&N filter and no other mods, it dynoed at 237whp and 281w ft.lbs. with 58k miles. I have put kenny brown sub frames and jacking rails to stiffen the body and make it easier to work on. The only other mod is a steeda shifter. I have about $14k in it now, including the cost of the car. By the time I get to $20k, the car will easily run a low 13 to high 12 quarter mile with me driving (and I drive like s*&t), easily hang with a focus in the corners, and be acceptable, albeit not as enjoyable as the focus to drive every single day (without breaking). It would be tough and a lot more expensive to achieve that with a svtf.

Summary: for my money, the focus is a great car the way it sits. It's fun to make a few enhancements and feel the improvements, but in my particular situation, FI or anything else doesn't make sense. Now, if I owned my own shop, like Tom turbo, that would be another story. Just my $.02.

 

Re: Should I trade my \'02 SVTF for \'04 Mustang GT?

I think the main question you should be asking yourself before considering any future modifications on either car, is, Which car would suit you better everyday? Do you have a long commute? Do you have a lot of stuff to move? Do you often have more than 1 person in the car? How's you insurance on a V8 RWD car?

As much as i'd like V8 thrust, i enjoy my SVTF more. Its an easy hauler, holds bunches of stuff, rides nice, can fit people in it comfortably, and insurance isnt as high as it would be on a mustang.

Also, like smitty said, modding the SVTF is throwing money in a hole. Its a great car to tweak, but unless youve got deep pockets to replace trannys, clutches, and tires, heavy breathing FI like the Vortech is gonna be costly even after that initial hit to buy the hardware.

If you would be comfortable in a GT, than get it. If you think you need the SVT keep it instead.

Oh, and EVERYBODY has a GT. Hardly anybody has an SVT Focus.

 

Re: Should I trade my \'02 SVTF for \'04 Mustang GT?

I would say no. The difference in overall 'niceness' and ergonomics of an SVTF to a Mustang GT is night and day. An 04 Mustang GT's interior is essentially the same crap interior that we have in our 96' SVT Cobra, and the chassis is quite old as well. The SVTF is just so much more confidence inspiring and tossable as well. The 04' GT is quite simply the newest "old car" you can buy, regardless of how well it has aged!

In addition, even if you like the Mustang concept of econo-muslce, the new 'Stang is such an improvement on the previous GT that its definitely worth waiting out.

Keep your SVTF for now (its a great car) and save up your money. You can then determine if the initial batch of GTs are going to have some quality issues or not, and then pickup a 1 year old used model with next to no miles on it cheap. The GT is not a limited production vehicle, so the market will be quite flooded with new 02s (with likely small improvements) by then.

There are plenty of people that pickup a little sports car like the GT and then their grades slip and mommy takes it away, or lose their job and can't afford the payments, or get a divorce, have chillens, etc... and the depreciation hits its max the very first year of ownership (even though its really not very "used" yet)!

 

Re: Should I trade my \'02 SVTF for \'04 Mustang GT?

I would have to agree with having more room in a SVTF. The reason I like it is because it gets good gas mileage, sounds nice and is fun to drive. It is a great way to commute back and forth to work without having to drive one of those Honda's with a coffee can for a exhaust on the back

 

Re: Should I trade my \'02 SVTF for \'04 Mustang GT?

Or do like I plan..hang on to the SVTF and think Cobra in '06 or '07

 

Re: Should I trade my \'02 SVTF for \'04 Mustang GT?

How's you insurance on a V8 RWD car?

Insurance isn't quite so bad on Mustang GT's, as I've said in a couple other threads.. I got price quotes for the GT and the FSVT and the GT was $20 a month cheaper.

edit: also on the gas mileage note, keep in mind that the GT uses regular vs. premium. The difference in MPG is made up for by the difference in price of gas.

 

Re: Should I trade my \'02 SVTF for \'04 Mustang GT?

DO IT! DO IT! (B. Stiller Starsky & Hutch)

 

Re: Should I trade my \'02 SVTF for \'04 Mustang GT?

No way, save up for an 05. From what Ive heard and read, its infinately better than the last model.

 

Re: Should I trade my \'02 SVTF for \'04 Mustang GT?

I have to agree with Duncan69. It really depends on the primary use of your vehicle. If you can remain patient, keep the svtf, and save your money, then just buy an '05 or newer mustang when you can afford it. I just came from looking at one today, and the new car is so far ahead of the older one in every way. I plan on waiting until ford is offering rebates on the new mustang. If you think that will be a long time, then look at the '04 f-150. Besides, if you're over 40 like me, then whats a couple of years?

 

Re: Should I trade my \'02 SVTF for \'04 Mustang GT?

I've thought about this, but I'd kick myself everytime I saw an '05 Mustang. I'll probably end up with an '07 or '08 when the Focus is used up.

Even as cheap as they are now, I HATE the current interior.

 

Re: Should I trade my \'02 SVTF for \'04 Mustang GT?

I hate the interior in the 05 Mustangs. I had as 01 GT not too long ago and I don't mind the body of the new 05 Stangs and certainly welcome the chassis improvements but that BS retro dash crap has to go. I like the twin bucket rear seat, but that red leather is awful too.

I'm on the fence about the new Stang. If they ever do a special edition with a "modern" interior I would consider one.

 

Re: Should I trade my \'02 SVTF for \'04 Mustang GT?

I hate to say it but the '04 mustangs (as well as the '99-'04) are a dime a dozen; an SVT Focus is not. Yes you could say foci are a dime a dozen, but an SVT Focus is much different from your standard focus.

 

Re: Should I trade my \'02 SVTF for \'04 Mustang GT?

The 05 Mustang will be nice and it sounds like it will perform great. There is a good write up in Motor Trend this month check it out. However I think they will be getting a high price for these when they first come out.

 

Re: Should I trade my \'02 SVTF for \'04 Mustang GT?

Wow thanks everyone for your honest opinions as that is what I love about the Jet!!

Okay here is what I have kind of decided at this point:

1. The insurance will go up $15.89 per month over my SVTF.
2. The payment will go down $33.08 per month over my SVTF.
3. The payment includes GAP Insurance(covers everything owed including interest in case of getting totalled) and 3 years of maintenance.Total monthly savings is $17.19 per month.Not a big savings but I am getting a lot more in return financially over what I pay now.
4. Yes I kept going back and looking at the 2005 Mustang GT sitting there while negociating on the 2004.Plus all of the car mags have given that car excellent write ups on it.
5. If I cannot get the price lower on the '04 GT I will keep my SVTF and wait until the '05 GT's start to become more plentiful at the dealership and work on getting that.
Finally,as far as needing more interior/cargo space I never needed it but wanted the SVTF since it was a performance model,had all of the perks that came with the car and the beginning of the SVT lineup.

 

Re: Should I trade my \'02 SVTF for \'04 Mustang GT?

Hey Jim,
I think you should wait till you can get the 05. They are definitly more spacious and handle better and have more power and etc.....

After the initial newness wears off you will be kicking yourself in the A**

for not having the patience and seeing all these 05's on the road. NOW if you could work a deal on the 04 COBRA then that would be worth it.

L8R

 

Re: Should I trade my \'02 SVTF for \'04 Mustang GT?

I sold my much modded Bullitt(suspension, tires, etc.) to pay off my SVTF because I never really drove it much after I got the Focus. Sure, the acceleration was a major rush, but the Mustang platform was crude, the Tremec 3650 trans a slow shifter, and the build quality was an insult. Steering had almost no feedback and handling lacked the easy confidence I look forward to now everyday in the twisties. I'll be checking out the '06 Cobras someday, but for now I like my SVTF just fine.

 

Re: Should I trade my \'02 SVTF for \'04 Mustang GT?

After the intial thrill is gone and the accelleration becomes boring, you will miss the Focus. I've had an 01 Cobra, 03 Cobra and multiple 88+ 5.0L stangs. They are very crude compared to the total package of the Focus. Once you get past the HP then all the plusses go to the Focus. Wait unitl the 05 becomes a good deal and keep driving the Focus - I'm waiting for the 07 Cobra (if it doesn't end up costing as much as a Vette).

 

Re: Should I trade my \'02 SVTF for \'04 Mustang GT?

Depends on where you live & what you need. If it helps, my decision 3 months ago was between just those 2 cars. I was looking to keep whatever I bought stock, though. As noted before, new suspensions or FI ewre never on the plate.

Deciding factors for me were:
1. Longevity: I need something that will run 25k mi/yr, and last to 150k+ miles. Edge: Mustang (only because I have taken several over 125k hard miles, without ever opening the engine or tranny- including the clutch).
2. Stock Performance: With #1 in mind, I can't afford to modify things. I shied away from a turbo/FI car because of the longevity issue. Most every mod I've done came back to haunt me after 75-100k miles. Edge: draw.
3. Handling vs. Straight-line performance: The SVT wins in handling, hands down, but I make 3 turns- all at traffic lights- on my 20 mile drive to work... it might be different if I lived around twisties (WISH I DID!), but I don't. Edge: Mustang
4. Interior room: I don't need a minivan, but I do need something to haul the 2 kids in... and with the front seats pushed back, the Mustang rear seat is unusable for anything over 10 minute trips, even when kids are <8 yrs old. Also, I am 6'+, and I hit the Mustang headliner, even w/o a sunroof.
5. Comfort: Hey, I was coming from a Z07 Corvette (stiffer than a ZR1), either option feels like riding on a cloud!
6. Mileage: I couldn't see replacing the Corvette with something slower, heavier, with less hp, and that got only 1mpg better... Edge: Focus.

Had interior space & mileage not been an issue, I would have gone with the Pony. Is the interior cheap on the 'stang? Yes! But ask my wife what she thinks of the cheap "paper" headliner & interior on the Focus next to a Japanese car... the Focus isn't that much better than the Stang. Is build quality that much different? I don't think so.

Finally, think of the good side: which ever car you get, you'll have plenty of fun! Good luck in your decision.