Alright here is the back story: I am a 19 year old guy (I am not a punk teenager, but a very mature adult). I just got hired as the computer lab supervisor at a college in here in South Carolina. Anyway right now I drive a 1993 Mercury Tracer (horrible car, but it was free) and I want to buy a new GTO.

I went to the dealer today and the GTO is under GMS until the end of the month dropping its typical price of 34,295 to 30,995! I see this as I great deal, but I am thinking that I should wait for the potential rebates as well as the GMS and I may be able to get the price down to a reasonable 28/29k. What do you guys think?

However, I have also been researching cars for about 6 months now and I found while talking to a local Ford salesmen that he can build me a 06 Mustang GT for 26,373.20, just the way I want it, out the door.

I test drove both of these vehicles already and I am in love with the GTO. That being said, the Mustang GT is a nice car too and I can get it right now for about 5,000 cheaper than a GTO and this Mustang GT is an 06!

So my questions are, what would be the reasons to justify purchasing the 05 GTO when it costs 5k more than an 06 Mustang GT? And if I was to purchase a GTO, would waiting a little longer get me to a lower price or just screw me over worse?

I am looking for some words of wisdom ...

- Justin

Sit in both, interior of the GTO is much better than a Mustang. Mustangs are a dime a dozen. 400hp is 400hp. GTO rides better, sounds better and imo looks better. And overall the Mustang just feels so much cheaper. Oh well you get what you pay for.

I don't think you will see the GTO offered for less than it is now. I think all the 05's are pretty much off the lots at this point, or will be by the end of the month.

Agreed, it won't get any cheaper. As for why spend the x-tra money, you get what you pay for. The Goat is worth it. You won't be sorry. As for being a mature adult, you won't be behind the wheel, and it will be O.K. B)

I don't think you can go wrong with either car. I have been buying Mustangs since 1988 but my next car will be a GTO. I'm not to thrilled with the '05 Mustang, looks like a mid-life crisis car to me. Only you know what will suit you best but it sounds like the only thing keeping you from the GTO is the price. Forget price, get what you really want or you will kick yourself later.

What part of SC are you in? Dealer here in Sumter has 9 GTO's to pick from. They seem to be good people.

I live in Summerville, there is really only one big dealer in this area, and they have like 6 on the lot. I was there for about an hour tonight looking at the different colors, sitting and playing with everything in the cars (they leave the doors unlocked at night!) - I love going when the dealership is not open, because you don't have those pesky salesmen breathing down your neck.

Anything else, besides the interior and HP, that yall think really distinguishes the GTO (price wise) from the Mustang GT? I am thinking the LS2 will potentially last longer, and that the car will be more of a collector's edition in years to come.

With 320 max torque the Mustang GT is fun to drive. But the GTO is another realm. It not only has 25% more for max torque at 400 but has at least 300 ft. lbs of torque available from idle to its 6500 rpm redline. That means its not just fun to drive but FUN to drive.

As for the importance of the interior, I think if you think about it you will find that you find yourself behind the wheel of your vehicle a lot. The interior of a car is like the bathrooms and kitchens in a house. You spend a lot of time there and it's not worth scrimping with a cheap interior.

Then lets add the fully independent rear suspension for better control and a smoother ride.

Then lets add the fact that while the car costs more up front, it will be worth more when you get rid of it. That means the difference will be more like $2000 to $3000 dollars.

Alright I think I am sold on this car, but I think the price will drop lower maybe GMS with a 1k or 2k rebate, am I wrong? I can easily wait to buy, I like all the colors, and either tranny is fine for me (I am not a picky person), so I am not worried about specific availability.

What do you guys think about the pricing from now to the end of the year?

Are you a GM employee? If not, you won't get the GMS price after Sept 30th.

If your a GM employee, I would wait for rebates on the 2006s which you can apply on top of the GMS price. (May be several months into next year, though.)

If your not a GM employee, you probably won't see lower prices until next spring.

5k is quite a bit more than the Mustang GT. You just have to ask yourself if it is worth it to you.

I wouldn't buy either car as an investment. 5 years from now, resale on both would probably be somewhere in the mid teens.

Being a "mature" 19 and working in a college computer lab, I would probably recommend not getting either car right now. (Going back 10-15 years, I too was a "mature" 19 and worked in a college computer lab - I would not have recommended to myself to drop this kind of cash on a car.) $30k is a lot to spend on a car. I would look for something used. If you need a muscle car, check out some used F-bodies or Mustangs. You should be able to easily find something in the low teens that will be plenty fast. Get through college and get a good job and then you'll be able to get the latest and greatest car then.

I am not a GM employee, and I do make quite a bit at this job especially considering I have no bills to pay except for the different insurances (everything else goes in the bank). I am rationalizing this by thinking this may be the only time in my life I can afford a car like this, this is my dream car (I have wanted one since I heard the 04's were in production), and once I get married and start a family (next 3-5 years) I will be restricted by practicality and a tight budget. :(

So ... buy one now seems to be the consensus?

What's up man? I'm 20 years old myself and I'm looking to get a GTO within the next month or so, or as soon as I can sell my current ride (95' camaro) and find a good deal on a used one. I'm going used simply because I can't exactly afford 30,000, but low-mid 20's is a lot more doable. Anyhow, definitely go with the GTO.. Mustangs are nice, but they're EVERYWHERE.. get something that's not so common and at the same time has a nicer interior AND more speed. Good luck with whatever you decide, and let me know when you get your hands on one.

Wow been doing the math here, state farm quoted me $35 cheaper a month with the GTO compared to the Mustang GT. Chalk it up as another reason to buy the GTO.

Originally posted by justincmd@Sep 18 2005, 09:52 PM


I am thinking the LS2 will potentially last longer, and that the car will be more of a collector's edition in years to come.
I agree. I know Ford had some issues at the start with the new 3 valve head, sure they will have more. GM has a proven engine that I think will hold up much better.

Originally posted by justincmd@Sep 19 2005, 05:07 PM
Wow been doing the math here, state farm quoted me $35 cheaper a month with the GTO compared to the Mustang GT. Chalk it up as another reason to buy the GTO.
Yep, I have an '04 Mach, an '05 GTO would be almost $100 cheaper every 6 months for me to insure.

have you thought of getting a used 04? they're going for like 20,000 now. They're still faster than a mustang and get a little bit better gas mileage than the 05 gto. You really cant go wrong with those 3 cars, but I just wouldnt like having a car that 3 people on my block have so that scratches the 05 out of my books.

edit** 05 stang that is