Tempted by a 2005 GT..... but LSD and leaf springs?

Tempted by a 2005 GT..... but LSD and leaf springs?

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Discussion

CupraAndy

Original Poster:

274 posts

158 months

Friday 18th July 2014
quotequote all
Hi all,

Im looking into the next car conundrum, for my daily (10 minute commute!) limiting myself to £15k. Ive seen on here, gumtree and now also ebay a 2005 GT V8 in mint green....... not my choice but a friend does car wrapping so that's not a problem.

My question is this, being into my VAG stuff (own a leon cupra race car) im finding myself torn between a 911 and a Mustang. (dream of one day building a 67 GT500, so American muscle has always been in my blood).

So due to this divide of love and passion im wondering if the 2005 onwards GT V8's come with LSD's as google would suggest? If this is the case then that's sorted, then my attention turns to the leaf spring suspension........... is this also the case, if so what can be done to bring it inline with modern & conventional spring & damper / coilover route?

Many thanks in advance.

Andy

Stig

11,817 posts

284 months

Friday 18th July 2014
quotequote all
05+ onwards (S197) have LSDs - however none have leaf springs! You're confusing with Corvettes.

The standard ride is predictably a bit mushy (as it's tuned for US drivers/roads) but there are plenty of aftermarket options (relatively inexpensive too) so you can make the ride/handling far more composed.

Great cars (IMHO) and a V8 GT for 15k is a lot of car for the money compared to Euro fare.

That said, take time and do your research (Especially with regard to thngs like lighting conversion quality as the SJB can get fried as a result of a poor one). Pop over to www.s197.co.uk for a wealth of info and people who are happy to share experience.

CupraAndy

Original Poster:

274 posts

158 months

Friday 18th July 2014
quotequote all
Brilliant thank you.

So they have modern suspension underneath too ehh smile this is a bit of good news. Thanks for the link, ill go have a poke around and kick over some stones.

vaughan watkins

512 posts

211 months

Friday 18th July 2014
quotequote all
Andy, people talk of the suspension because it is a live axle not I dependant, all V8 have LSD, my advice would be go drive one and don't listen to what people say, if you want a drivers car then look fur a manual although rate to find, auto great for cruising and not a bad gearbox but not very good at using like a manual, I had a 2006 V6 for 5 years as my daily, didn't miss a beat emxceot for an alternator, basic to service so do it yourself, now at the same time I bought mine my brother bought a 996 careers 4, I paid for my 2 and a half year old mustang with 12,500 miles £12.5k my brother paid £24k, owned them the same time did similar mileage 50k, I did tyres and brakes and usual oil and filters and the alternator, my brother did £8500 worth of maintenance in the same time, I sold mine for £11k losing £1500.my bro got £8500 ! So unless you like burning money lol go have a drive of the mustang :-) I only got rid of mine as we had twins so needed 5 seats so replaced it with a dodge challenger SRT8.

Crafty_

13,279 posts

200 months

Friday 18th July 2014
quotequote all
Stig said:
05+ onwards (S197) have LSDs - however none have leaf springs! You're confusing with Corvettes.
To be fair, corvettes don't have leaf springs either.

irocfan

40,388 posts

190 months

Friday 18th July 2014
quotequote all
It'll likely not handle as well as your Cupra - but it'll be a whole bunch more FUN!

I'll throw this one in here for you though:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ford-mustang-Roush-Super...

nowt to do with me but that seems insanely good value and if I didn't already have (a lime green 05, I kid you not!!) I'd be seriously tempted by this!!!

sonicbloo

637 posts

150 months

Friday 18th July 2014
quotequote all
CupraAndy said:
Hi all,

Im looking into the next car conundrum, for my daily (10 minute commute!) limiting myself to £15k. Ive seen on here, gumtree and now also ebay a 2005 GT V8 in mint green....... not my choice but a friend does car wrapping so that's not a problem.
I wouldn't spend £15k on a colour I didn't like (although 'legend lime' does look better in the metal) then further cash to get it wrapped !!

There are always quite a few for sale, so wait for a colour you want. The S197 website has been quiet lately, so use the MOCGB forum as well.

As said already, corrosion on the bonnet is very common, and look for dodgy lighting conversions. Neither is a massive problem anymore, and there are several people in the UK who can rewire cars very reasonably. UK depreciation is minimal for a car in your price bracket, I reckon I will get back almost as much as I paid 4 years ago (although I have spent about £4k on upgrades and general upkeep)

CupraAndy

Original Poster:

274 posts

158 months

Wednesday 23rd July 2014
quotequote all
Brilliant thank you all so much for your advice smile I definitely need to go drive one. I know it wont handle like my cupra / a 911. but then again I have the insanely good handling car, a V8 muscle is missing from my life.

Ive seen that supercharged one on flea bay, looks amazing but he hasn't responded to any of my emails! Not essential but out of interest, how much is tax on the V8 and then the Charged V8? Ive also been looking at an S5 so would charge that too...... But nothing has the presence of the Stang! Plus ive always wanted a 67 so least im one tiny step closer

Roo

11,503 posts

207 months

Wednesday 23rd July 2014
quotequote all
Engine size in a Mustang has no effect on VED.

They're all £230 a year.

CupraAndy

Original Poster:

274 posts

158 months

Thursday 24th July 2014
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Good to know thank you.

That Roush charged S197 has been relisted and ive sent him a text this time as hes not too far from myself. Hopefully can go have a look at the weekend, least then ill know how it feels compared to the 911 - if it puts a bigger smile on my face then I know that's the one for me. I have a feeling it will tho as im getting more excited about a stang than a porka!

smile

Then just a set of snow tyres in preparation................. LOL

CupraAndy

Original Poster:

274 posts

158 months

Thursday 24th July 2014
quotequote all
Ps just a side note, can the front passenger air bag be turned off? I have a toddler and he loves riding shotgun haha

irocfan

40,388 posts

190 months

CupraAndy

Original Poster:

274 posts

158 months

Friday 25th July 2014
quotequote all
irocfan said:
wow that is lovely, but sadly a little out of my £15k budget.

Hopefully going to go look at that stage 2 Roush Ebay Stang on sunday morning smile

LuS1fer

41,130 posts

245 months

Sunday 3rd August 2014
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Crafty_ said:
To be fair, corvettes don't have leaf springs either.
To be entirely fair, they do have a composite leaf spring either end but they are an era removed from what most people think of when the topic is raised.

The airbag on the 05-on Mustang turns off when it detects a light load in the front seat.

Mustangs handle just fine when you sort them. They won the European GT3 Championship, one year.