Thinking about an 05-09 GT to daily...

[Beerski]

Hey all! New here from southern Indiana. Looking to spend about 10-12k on a V8 car with a stick for my 30 minute highway commute. Basically I’m wanting something comfortable, torquey, manual, and that classic V8 rumble. Seems like an 05-09 GT fits the bill.

It looks like these cars are pretty solid and hold together well if taken care of. Am I on the right track? I’m thinking I can get a pretty nice one for the money I’m spending (writing a check btw)

 

[Dino Dino Bambino]

If you really want that bodystyle, get the '09 model. All the issues relating to the '05-'08 models were resolved by then so it's the pick of the bunch.

 

[weather man]

Plenty of cars to pick from in that price range.

 

[eighty6gt]

My friend in nj runs a 2005 GT with like 300,000 miles Changed plugs once. Gas, oil, tires, brakes. Yes they are great cars.

 

[Mike in SC]

I second it on the '09. No high thread heads, all earlier issues resolved. Just be prepared to work on the door panels. For details on this do a search on the forum. Good luck!

 

[406guy]

I daily my automatic '06 GT all summer. It's high geared, barely doing 2000 rpm at 70 mph. Gets around 25 on the highway.

I think your on the right track. Depending on how much bumper to bumper traffic your dealing with in your commute, I would choose an automatic trans over an '09.

 

[eighty6gt]

My 08 has the improved 14mm spark plugs.

 

[Mike in SC]

As long as it's no OEM spark plugs, life is good.

 

[bujeezus]

Take a flashlight and look for the leak in the heater assembly under the intake (coolant will be pooled in the valley between the heads). Was a major pain in the butt for me but some people have claimed to do it in 30 minutes. Took me almost 3 hours. Alternators are shit on these cars too. Mine was gone at 50k miles. Starter was gone at 100k but that's isn't common. Aside from those issues, I still think it's a great car.

 

[rocky61201]

I got 255k on my 06gt manual. Great car and I don't have the heart to sell it and I don't trust anything else that I would drive 100 miles a day. NOTHING on the motor has never failed me but I have replaced the o-ring gasket under the intake and the oil filter adaptor gasket as well. Never even had a problem throwing codes and no electrical gremlins. I change plugs about every 80k miles. I've worn out plenty of suspension and brake related stuff, but that is to be expected on any high mileage car.

EDIT - the times I've been stranded and needed a tow truck were (1) throw out bearing at 45k miles, (2) grenaded stock clutch on a 3d gear WOT upshift at 70mph about 120k miles, (3) broken plastic clevis on the clutch master cylinder rod that attaches to the clutch pedal around 180k miles. #3 is the only one that pissed me off. That critical part should not be made out of plastic!!!!

 

[06redgt]

I got 255k on my 06gt manual. Great car and I don't have the heart to sell it and I don't trust anything else that I would drive 100 miles a day. NOTHING on the motor has never failed me but I have replaced the o-ring gasket under the intake and the oil filter adaptor gasket as well. Never even had a problem throwing codes and no electrical gremlins. I change plugs about every 80k miles. I've worn out plenty of suspension and brake related stuff, but that is to be expected on any high mileage car.

EDIT - the times I've been stranded and needed a tow truck were (1) throw out bearing at 45k miles, (2) grenaded stock clutch on a 3d gear WOT upshift at 70mph about 120k miles, (3) broken plastic clevis on the clutch master cylinder rod that attaches to the clutch pedal around 180k miles. #3 is the only one that pissed me off. That critical part should not be made out of plastic!!!!

 

[06redgt]

I got 255k on my 06gt manual. Great car and I don't have the heart to sell it and I don't trust anything else that I would drive 100 miles a day. NOTHING on the motor has never failed me but I have replaced the o-ring gasket under the intake and the oil filter adaptor gasket as well. Never even had a problem throwing codes and no electrical gremlins. I change plugs about every 80k miles. I've worn out plenty of suspension and brake related stuff, but that is to be expected on any high mileage car.

EDIT - the times I've been stranded and needed a tow truck were (1) throw out bearing at 45k miles, (2) grenaded stock clutch on a 3d gear WOT upshift at 70mph about 120k miles, (3) broken plastic clevis on the clutch master cylinder rod that attaches to the clutch pedal around 180k miles. #3 is the only one that pissed me off. That critical part should not be made out of plastic!!!!

My Dad had the plastic clevis break on his 06 also. I think it had around 150K on it when it happened. My car just turned over 90K, but I might replace the clevis on it just so I won't have to think about it any more.

 

[eighty6gt]

I installed a 2013 gt500 master cylinder. Seemed more robust.

 

[N2STC]

Good thread! I do the same thing during same thing all summer. I wouldn't drive it in snow. Still have only about 40K but it's awesome. I had the alternator problem throwing a cam sensor error code. Couldn't believe it, but that was it. Also had an issue with ABS alarm coming on randomly, Took the ABS module apart and re-flowed the solder joints (I can advise or do it for you). Go for it. Life is short. I paid $10K for mine with about 30K miles two years ago.

 

[46addict]

I am seeing higher mileage 05-09s in my area for $7k-8k which is well within your budget. Spend the leftover money on maintenance catch up and you should be good to go for many miles.