# So I Bought A Mustang...Fellow Mustang Owners, Chime In!

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-bought-a-mustang-fellow-mustang-owners-chime-in/594436>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [August 29, 2011, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-bought-a-mustang-fellow-mustang-owners-chime-in/594436 "2011-08-29T00:06:26Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\
**Post date:** [August 29, 2011, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-bought-a-mustang-fellow-mustang-owners-chime-in/594436/1 "2011-08-29T00:06:26Z")

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I bought myself a 2008 Mustang Gt Premium with only 9,000 miles on it. The car is in like new condition and is a blast to drive, although I thought it would be a little faster. Those 300 ponies are being asked to lug some weight!

So…what do I need to know about my car that I don’t yet know? The only early complaint I have is that shifting is a lot different than what I am used to…the clutch is so much tighter than on my old car. And for some reason, I can’t seem to get a CD to load in the disc player.

I ask because the car didn’t come with the owner’s manual. Let me know your experiences with your Mustangs!

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**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\
**Post date:** [August 29, 2011, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-bought-a-mustang-fellow-mustang-owners-chime-in/594436/2 "2011-08-29T00:12:43Z")

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That’s not a CD player, it’s a coffee cup holder. 😃

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**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\
**Post date:** [August 29, 2011, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-bought-a-mustang-fellow-mustang-owners-chime-in/594436/3 "2011-08-29T00:22:29Z")

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> [@runner pat](#):
>
> That’s not a CD player, it’s a coffee cup holder. 😃

Figured that one out…I wasn’t specifying a slot, as it holds 6 CD’s…the “Shaker” audio system is pretty loud. I like it! But on the drive home I just wanted to listen to that angry burbling coming out of those rear pipes…that’s a special kind of music right there.

The only time I really pushed it was coming across a bridge over the Ohio River from Kentucky into Indiana…I was already going about 70, there was no traffic, so I popped it into 3rd and floored it (hey, its already broken in, right?) and 110mph from 70 was almost immediate. There’s a lot of power in the upper RPM range!

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**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\
**Post date:** [August 29, 2011, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-bought-a-mustang-fellow-mustang-owners-chime-in/594436/4 "2011-08-29T00:29:27Z")

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2012 GT owner here (before that, had a 2010.) if it doesn’t already have them, get some Flowmasters on there.

what rear axle ratio do you have?

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**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\
**Post date:** [August 29, 2011, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-bought-a-mustang-fellow-mustang-owners-chime-in/594436/5 "2011-08-29T00:33:56Z")

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> [@jz78817](#):
>
> 2012 GT owner here (before that, had a 2010.) if it doesn’t already have them, get some Flowmasters on there.
> 
> what rear axle ratio do you have?

I don’t really know. Unless the original owner opted for the 3:55 gearing, I guess its the standard 3:31. Is there any way to check? Can I tell by gauging my RPM’s in top gear at certain speed/rpm combinations?

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**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\
**Post date:** [August 29, 2011, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-bought-a-mustang-fellow-mustang-owners-chime-in/594436/6 "2011-08-29T00:35:01Z")

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Obligatory pics:

[![](http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp360/sgenetti77/002-1.jpg) ](http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp360/sgenetti77/002-1.jpg)

[![](http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp360/sgenetti77/003-1.jpg) ](http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp360/sgenetti77/003-1.jpg)

[![](http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp360/sgenetti77/004-2.jpg) ](http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp360/sgenetti77/004-2.jpg)  
I really like the color…I haven’t seen one in that shade before. And I also really liked the low mileage. 9,000 miles on a three year old car!

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**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\
**Post date:** [August 29, 2011, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-bought-a-mustang-fellow-mustang-owners-chime-in/594436/7 "2011-08-29T00:46:01Z")

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> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#):
>
> I don’t really know. Unless the original owner opted for the 3:55 gearing, I guess its the standard 3:31. Is there any way to check? Can I tell by gauging my RPM’s in top gear at certain speed/rpm combinations?

PM me your VIN if you want.

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**Author:** ![crypto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b3f665/32.png) [@crypto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crypto)\
**Post date:** [August 29, 2011, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-bought-a-mustang-fellow-mustang-owners-chime-in/594436/8 "2011-08-29T00:57:54Z")

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Congrats on the ride. I will have to add an obligatory “SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET!” to this message. Very nice, indeed!

Personally, I would have bought the new Mercury Cougar. Alas, Ford never made a new Cougar and flushed the Mercury line completely down the drain.

So the new mustang is a great choice. One of the sharpest cars on the road, IMHO.  
And I agree with JZ… flowmasters are the only way to go.

As a classic car restorer, I would suggest you buy up all of the NOS GT emblems you can get your hands on and can afford. In 25-30 years, you’ll be sitting on a nice pile of cash.

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**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\
**Post date:** [August 29, 2011, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-bought-a-mustang-fellow-mustang-owners-chime-in/594436/9 "2011-08-29T01:34:50Z")

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> [@Stink Fish Pot](#):
>
> Congrats on the ride. I will have to add an obligatory “SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET!” to this message. Very nice, indeed!
> 
> Personally, I would have bought the new Mercury Cougar. Alas, Ford never made a new Cougar and flushed the Mercury line completely down the drain.
> 
> So the new mustang is a great choice. One of the sharpest cars on the road, IMHO.  
> And I agree with JZ… flowmasters are the only way to go.
> 
> As a classic car restorer, I would suggest you buy up all of the NOS GT emblems you can get your hands on and can afford. In 25-30 years, you’ll be sitting on a nice pile of cash.

I was told that only 1500 cars were produced in this model in the USA with that color…don’t know if that’s true or not.

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**Author:** ![PapSett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecc23a/32.png) [@PapSett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PapSett)\
**Post date:** [August 29, 2011, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-bought-a-mustang-fellow-mustang-owners-chime-in/594436/10 "2011-08-29T01:38:15Z")

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> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#):
>
> The only time I really pushed it was coming across a bridge over the Ohio River from Kentucky into Indiana…

I-64? Louisville into New Albany? If so, just be careful… the speed limit drops to 50 there I think, and goes back up to 70 other side od New Albany, and it’s an expensive speed trap! Got caught there once myself.

Anyway… gorgeous car! I have always wanted a Mustang! Congrats!

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**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\
**Post date:** [August 29, 2011, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-bought-a-mustang-fellow-mustang-owners-chime-in/594436/11 "2011-08-29T01:50:57Z")

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**Nice!** Former GT owner and I did have Flowmasters and a manual trans. Best day to own a Mustang GT: They day you are getting new tires.

I made sure that on the drive to the tire shop that there was nothing left but steel cords coming through the tires. I burned one up until it was completely flat about 1/4 mile from the shop. 😃

I moved on to an Infiniti G35 coupe, and the sucker never made me anywhere near as happy as the good ol’ American V8.

Good luck! I can hardly tell that you are excited. 😉

.

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**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\
**Post date:** [August 29, 2011, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-bought-a-mustang-fellow-mustang-owners-chime-in/594436/12 "2011-08-29T02:19:57Z")

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> [@PapSett](#):
>
> I-64? Louisville into New Albany? If so, just be careful… the speed limit drops to 50 there I think, and goes back up to 70 other side od New Albany, and it’s an expensive speed trap! Got caught there once myself.
> 
> Anyway… gorgeous car! I have always wanted a Mustang! Congrats!

No, the I-275 bridge from Northern Kentucky into SE Indiana…it was free and clear…so I punched it…not planning on doing that too often…I need to baby this car so it lasts for the term of the loan!

😃

> [@Philster](#):
>
> **Nice!** Former GT owner and I did have Flowmasters and a manual trans. Best day to own a Mustang GT: They day you are getting new tires.
> 
> I made sure that on the drive to the tire shop that there was nothing left but steel cords coming through the tires. I burned one up until it was completely flat about 1/4 mile from the shop. 😃
> 
> I moved on to an Infiniti G35 coupe, and the sucker never made me anywhere near as happy as the good ol’ American V8.
> 
> Good luck! I can hardly tell that you are excited. 😉
> 
> .

I don’t want to think about new tires for this thing…I am sure they are going to be a fortune. I will leave the traction control on to reduce burnouts (although I might try one tomorrow just to see…I know, immaturity!). And awesome on your Infinity! The G35 is one of the best looking cars on the road, IMO. They should have never changed the bodystyle for the G37. Plus that Nissan V6 it has is a screaming motor from what I’ve read/heard.

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**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\
**Post date:** [August 29, 2011, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-bought-a-mustang-fellow-mustang-owners-chime-in/594436/13 "2011-08-29T02:21:00Z")

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When I grew up the epitome of cool was a 65 Mustang. In high school, my buddy (I was in the passenger seat) did a “lawn job” driving his fathers Shelby Mustang. If I ever have a mid-life crisis and \*need \*a car as a pallative, it will be a Mustang and probably a Shelby edition. (Alas, for now, I haven’t had that crisis but do have 3 younger kids so mini-van it is).

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**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\
**Post date:** [August 29, 2011, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-bought-a-mustang-fellow-mustang-owners-chime-in/594436/14 "2011-08-29T02:44:14Z")

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> [@China\_Guy](#):
>
> When I grew up the epitome of cool was a 65 Mustang. In high school, my buddy (I was in the passenger seat) did a “lawn job” driving his fathers Shelby Mustang. If I ever have a mid-life crisis and \*need \*a car as a pallative, it will be a Mustang and probably a Shelby edition. (Alas, for now, I haven’t had that crisis but do have 3 younger kids so mini-van it is).

My soon-to-be-ex-wife has the minivan. I wish I had had it for this deal…its worth a lot more than my car was on the trade in!

🙂

But screw her anyway.

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**Author:** ![crypto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b3f665/32.png) [@crypto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crypto)\
**Post date:** [August 29, 2011, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-bought-a-mustang-fellow-mustang-owners-chime-in/594436/15 "2011-08-29T02:59:18Z")

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> [@China\_Guy](#):
>
> When I grew up the epitome of cool was a 65 Mustang. In high school, my buddy (I was in the passenger seat) did a “lawn job” driving his fathers Shelby Mustang. If I ever have a mid-life crisis and \*need \*a car as a pallative, it will be a Mustang and probably a Shelby edition. (Alas, for now, I haven’t had that crisis but do have 3 younger kids so mini-van it is).

Have you priced a Shelby Mustang recently?

If not, you might want to pick a different car for your mid life crisis. Sounds like you have some expenses with 3 kids that may want to go to college. You will not be affording a Shelby (unless of course you are rich or have family money.) And if you ARE wealthy, by all means get a Shelby! Or an Eleanor! Or a Boss!

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**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\
**Post date:** [August 29, 2011, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-bought-a-mustang-fellow-mustang-owners-chime-in/594436/16 "2011-08-29T03:02:57Z")

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> [@Stink Fish Pot](#):
>
> Have you priced a Shelby Mustang recently?
> 
> If not, you might want to pick a different car for your mid life crisis. Sounds like you have some expenses with 3 kids that may want to go to college. You will not be affording a Shelby (unless of course you are rich or have family money.) And if you ARE wealthy, by all means get a Shelby! Or an Eleanor! Or a Boss!

I drooled over the new Boss Mustangs…heck, over the regular 2011/2012 Mustang GT’s with the revamped 5 litre engine…but alas, I could not afford one. Hell, the Shelby 'stangs are over 50 grand!

So I will happily accept my mere 300 ponies and my payments because this is a pony car, not a race car…it looks good, feels good and it has a high fun quotient.

Its a divorce reward car, masking my impotence!

😃

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**Author:** ![crypto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b3f665/32.png) [@crypto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crypto)\
**Post date:** [August 29, 2011, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-bought-a-mustang-fellow-mustang-owners-chime-in/594436/17 "2011-08-29T03:07:49Z")

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> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#):
>
> I was told that only 1500 cars were produced in this model in the USA with that color…don’t know if that’s true or not.

If it is true, you should try to get the statistics for the car.

I don’t know how you get stats for a newer car. You might do a web search on your car and see what turns up. There might be a website dedicated to owners of the mustang you have…

The classic Fords of the 60’s and 70’s can be tracked with a Marti report, which tells you how rare your car is. You already have a 1 of 1500 with the paint choice. With the options that were ordered with the car, you could have a very rare car indeed. Which may be worth holding onto for awhile. The rarer the car out of the factory, the more desirable it is to a collector 20-30 years from now.

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**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\
**Post date:** [August 29, 2011, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-bought-a-mustang-fellow-mustang-owners-chime-in/594436/18 "2011-08-29T03:22:37Z")

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> [@Stink Fish Pot](#):
>
> If it is true, you should try to get the statistics for the car.
> 
> I don’t know how you get stats for a newer car. You might do a web search on your car and see what turns up. There might be a website dedicated to owners of the mustang you have…
> 
> The classic Fords of the 60’s and 70’s can be tracked with a Marti report, which tells you how rare your car is. You already have a 1 of 1500 with the paint choice. With the options that were ordered with the car, you could have a very rare car indeed. Which may be worth holding onto for awhile. The rarer the car out of the factory, the more desirable it is to a collector 20-30 years from now.

Just spent some garage time revving the engine and blasting the stereo…I like this car…I will definitely look into its rarity…moreso for me because there’s a lot of Mustangs out there, not so much “ooooh, my car is rare and worth more money”…I have a long way to go on the loan before that’s even a consideration…  
You guys keep repping Flowmaster exhaust, I am here to tell you that stock is not a quiet version!

😃

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**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\
**Post date:** [August 29, 2011, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-bought-a-mustang-fellow-mustang-owners-chime-in/594436/19 "2011-08-29T03:27:49Z")

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Hey, you got Grimlock!

> **[Grimlock - Alternators - Toy Gallery (Page #1)](https://www.seibertron.com/transformers-toys/gallery/alternators/grimlock/560/)**
>
> Seibertron.com is a massive website about Transformers toys, cartoons, comics, and movies. Popular features include daily news, toy galleries, a message board, a podcast, and more than meets the eye!

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**Author:** ![Spud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spud/32/347_2.png) [@Spud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spud)\
**Post date:** [August 29, 2011, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-bought-a-mustang-fellow-mustang-owners-chime-in/594436/20 "2011-08-29T03:32:48Z")

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> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#):
>
> I don’t want to think about new tires for this thing…I am sure they are going to be a fortune.

Just put four new P-Zero Nero’s on my '06 GT Premium Convertible (my mid life crisis from a few years ago). Just over $800 total (including alignment).

Welcome to the Mustang family. You will want to bookmark [www.americanmuscle.com](http://www.americanmuscle.com) for anything and everything you could possibly add to your new toy.

You probably don’t have the issue I had, but the best money I spent was on a strut tower brace which really helps on the body flex of the convertible. Opening up the airflow with a cold air intake and new exhaust is next on my list.

Beautiful car by the way. I haven’t seen many that color.

[Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-bought-a-mustang-fellow-mustang-owners-chime-in/594436.md?page=2)
