Disillusioned after 3+ years

[HitandRunDriver]

Title pretty much says it all. I was my 2006 Mustangs third owner and picked her up in April of 2011. Coming from the Chevy Tahoe I had, this car was great and it was nice being able to drive something that didn't handle like a brick on wheels. I went about throwing various appearance and light power mods on as I could get the money. I'd always longed for a 2011/2012 but as this was the first car I purchased by myself I was more than happy with it. Fast forward three years and I feel like I'm at a crossroads. The car is paid off and has 53,xxx on the clock. I have a set of long tubes with an off road H sitting in the garage waiting for me to pull the trigger. Up until yesterday I was extremely anxious to get these on, but I woke up today and something was holding me back. Maybe it was the door leather panel starting to work itself loose after the third fucking time of regluing it, maybe it was the familiar squeaks and rattles of the playskool plastic interior, or getting cold feet on the header install as I live in California and would be a sitting target for any cop in the vicinity.

I then started browsing other header threads with some people stating not to even bother with headers unless going on a F/I route, which I more than likely will not do. This is a D/D and although I can appreciate a hellishly loud exhaust, I'm going to need to live with this.

The 11-14's look more tempting every day, and the 15' is only adding to my list of things to consider. Who else has seemingly lost the magic in their 05'-09' and what did you end up doing about it?

Side note: I may have a set of used JBA long tubes/ O/R H for sale soon...

 

[fdjizm]

Sounds like you should buy a newer stand bro, me I'm good I do love my baby!

 

[Wicked GT]

I never lost the magic for my 2006... sold it to help finance a house. That being said, when I rented and drove a 2011 v6 while on a business trip I knew I had to have an 11+ GT. The V6 drove better, was tighter and felt more agile. Finally bought a used 2012 about a year later and don't regret it one bit.

 

[eighty6gt]

Sell the exhaust system, spend some time fixing the creaks (completely doable,) and save up for a 2300 TVS. Run 9 psi with your stock engine. DO NOT TOUCH anything else.

fin.

I spend long periods not even driving my car. Right now it's in the garage, and I get maybe 20 minutes every 24 hours to work on it. Finishing up waxing it tonight, then moving on to removing the struts so I can install steeda plates and get rid of that popping (maybe.)

When you go back to finally driving it after a long time away, it's really cool. I remember just getting the car together on the koni's this spring, taking it out late at night with a fresh suspension and stoptech pads. Made tons of power with the cool air and stuck to the road like crazy. After a few stops, the braking was better than it ever was.

Beware of hedonistic desires! Costs a lot of money. I'm spending another $7000 in the next year or so to add 200 HP. :|

 

[TenSpeed]

Sell and upgrade to 11+. No regrets.

 

[Mystickeith50]

I have had approximately 10 mustangs over the years. Something you can't beat is age.....when I bought my 2011 new I was shocked it didn't rattle and vibrate and creek like my previous fox bodies, sn95s, s197s, etc. I can tell u I'd be surprised if you regretted buying a new one. Christ the coyotes can run as fast stock as some older ones with boost. I know others will disagree but it is what it is.

 

[Johnf78]

If your gonna do it and it's in the budget go 15+. The 15+ will be a better more refined vehicle. If new isn't in the budget then go 11+ .

 

[702GT]

The 5.0 generation has its own quirks and issues, just as the 3v does. You won't get away from the plastic interior, it's here to stay. Too much is riding on safety and weight savings to move away from the plastic interiors. If you've got the juice, you can foot for some leather trim upgrades here and there, but they'll still be mounted to plastic. I actually find the "cheap" plastic interiors preferable now. I can strip my interior down to bare carpet and skeleton dash in a half hour. Try doing that to '66 Mustang lol. Even the classics have their faults. They only fit together right in original condition from the factory. I've seen the cleanest of restorations, but you can always tell the interior was replaced, as it just doesn't fit perfect. I can never tell my interior has been gutted 4 or 5 times, because the plastic pieces fit back together so well.

Back to the 5.0 vs 4.6. There's no question the 5.0 is the better performer. It's the latest and greatest. Only perhaps the 5.8 trumps it, in the mod-motor category. It's easily a 600whp capable engine from the factory. A 3v could do the same, but I wouldn't want to sweat the bullets associated with running that much power on a stock bottom end. By the time you consider the price tag involved with building the motor to take coyote stock limits, upgrading the drivetrain or rolling the dice on a 3650/5R, and then buying the power adder to do it (something capable of sustaining 15-20psi). It's not hard to be drawn to the coyote platform. It comes ready to handle it. And it does offer more creature comforts which is always a plus.

I'm almost at that decision myself. One day I'll have to decide to drop serious coin on this car, or sell it and start over with a better platform and more potential.

When it comes down to it, it's what you're happy with.

 

[Grabber5.sl0w]

When the 2011's came out I couldn't wait to get rid of my '05 TBH. I never looked back the day I left the dealer with my '11. I was grinning from ear to ear for weeks haha.

 

[AndrewS197]

I thought I was happy with my 05 gt till I test drove a 14 5.0. I traded in the 05 for the 14 3 days later. No regrets.

 

[fdjizm]

Sell and upgrade to 11+. No regrets.

 

[JCCNY]

Like 702GT said, it's what you're happy with. I don't race and my manual 3V GT with 4.10's provides plenty of fun on the street. I often have the urge to upgrade, but I'll wait until the time is right.

 

[AlbertD]

Well you could address the issues you are having with the car and see if that changes your feel for it. On my 06 I also had the sagging interior panels and rattling interior, but I ended up fixing them and ultimately was happy with the result.

You can replace your door panels with some off of a base model and never have to worry about those sagging panels again. For the interior rattles, I took all of the interior out of the car and covered everything in dynamat as well as all the attachment points for every trim piece. No more rattles, nice and quiet.

If you are willing to fiddle with the car I say correct the issues and enjoy not having a car payment (Plus, the 05-09 model is the best looking imo). You could also throw on a blower to rekindle your love for it. If you don't want to mess with it, then you are probably better off just upgrading.

 

[Wicked GT]

Not even a letter...!

 

[JeremyH]

I still love my 07 as much as the day I got it if not more.

 

[avinaj80]

There is no shame in upgrading. Cars come and go for some people. For some they just stay in the stable. You can still get good chip for your car with that mileage. These newer Mustangs though? Straight awesome...

 

[Department Of Boost]

I turned my 2007 into a race car and bought a 2012 GT Brembo Vert as a daily. Best of both worlds.

 

[bullitt boy]

love my 09 and love the 14 both great rides 14 is a bit more refined though.

 

[5.0 Probie]

Who else has seemingly lost the magic in their 05'-09' and what did you end up doing about it?

We sold our 2007 and bought the 2014. Still flabbergasted on just how improved the 14 is over the 07...

 

[Taxman]

Quitter... hell you haven't even done anything to it yet but the smallest suspension work. You're bored of your almost stock car? Who's surprised?!? Boost that bitch and it's a brand new car. If you want another almost stock car, then trade it in and get a 5.0.