Mustang Depreciation and FSH?
Discussion
The budget for my next car is £25-30k, my previous car was an immaculate and well spec'd Boxster S 987.2 which was such a fantastic sports car I feel that, for my budget, any other car in the Boxsters class is going to be disappointing so am looking for something completely different from the Boxster.
The criteria, along with the budget, is:
Relatively economical - above 25mpg would be ideal but low 20s is ok.
Fast in a straight line – 0-62mph in under 6 seconds is essential, under 5 seconds preferred and good mid-range acceleration.
Competent enough in the corners but doesn't need to be amazing by any means, some body roll is fine, I’m not looking for a track weapon.
3.0L or bigger – forced induction is fine but I’m not interested in turbocharged 4 bangers.
Comfy – I’m not looking for an armchair on wheels, but I don’t want to break my back riding over a cats eye either.
Decent noise.
It's going to be my only car and used as a DD, so Caterham, Lotus and more compromised metal etc are out of the question.
Originally the budget was £35-40k but I'm in the process of buying my first home so have sacrificed some of the budget to go towards my more adulty priorities - originally an F10 M5 was on the shortlist but I can't help feeling that on my commute, the M5 is going to be a tad boring. It's so quick that I can't really see a time where I’ll get to actually enjoy the performance and the running costs that go with an M5 don't seem worth it for the sort of driving I'll be doing.
I'd also considered an M240i but a friend has an M140i and it just seems so boring and characterless so that's out of the question too. Also, depreciation on those looks quite heavy with the number of cheap lease deals you see.
Also, whilst in my experience BMWs have always had some of the nicest looking interiors and infotainment systems, I can’t help but feel they’re very dull and with the number of BMWs on the road, so common whether you have a 320 or an all-out M car.
That leads me to the Mustang. It seems to tick all my boxes. Reasonably quick and torquey, the interior looks quite nice and different (I don’t expect the best build quality), it looks great to me, from what reviews have said it handles better than you’d expect, much cheaper running costs than an M/AMG/RS etc and there are plenty within my new, lowered budget.
The Autos don’t seem to get much praise unless you get the newer Auto on the facelift, those are out of budget so I’d need to opt for a manual. With 2016 cars with under 20,000 miles starting from £25k it does look like a great car on paper.
My first concern is depreciation though, given that this is the first RHD Mustang in the UK, there aren’t really any previous models to use as a base for depreciation. I was very lucky with my Boxster S, having only lost £5,250 on it in the 3.5 years and 23,000 miles I had it. I know I won’t get that lucky with my next car but I’m paranoid that I’ll spend 30k on a Mustang and get 15k for it in 2 years time. I know this is a bit of a guessing game but where do you see Mustang prices heading? Is it just a hunch or is there a basis for your guess?
Secondly, one I’m looking at in particular has specialist service history which I do find off putting, I have nothing against specialist servicing but equally don’t want to buy a car that hasn’t been properly serviced. The car in question was serviced by Hendy Performance, whom I’ve not heard of before, they seem to have a decent stock list of cars for sale but can’t find that much information out about them as there are similarly named companies that clog up my google searches.
So, given my criteria, how do you feel the Mustang stacks up? Is the lack of main dealer service history on what is a fairly new car worth moaning about? Am I missing some obvious cars that fit my bill? The Mustang does seem like a modern alternative to a Monaro which is appealing but these reservations are definitely holding me back at the moment.
The criteria, along with the budget, is:
Relatively economical - above 25mpg would be ideal but low 20s is ok.
Fast in a straight line – 0-62mph in under 6 seconds is essential, under 5 seconds preferred and good mid-range acceleration.
Competent enough in the corners but doesn't need to be amazing by any means, some body roll is fine, I’m not looking for a track weapon.
3.0L or bigger – forced induction is fine but I’m not interested in turbocharged 4 bangers.
Comfy – I’m not looking for an armchair on wheels, but I don’t want to break my back riding over a cats eye either.
Decent noise.
It's going to be my only car and used as a DD, so Caterham, Lotus and more compromised metal etc are out of the question.
Originally the budget was £35-40k but I'm in the process of buying my first home so have sacrificed some of the budget to go towards my more adulty priorities - originally an F10 M5 was on the shortlist but I can't help feeling that on my commute, the M5 is going to be a tad boring. It's so quick that I can't really see a time where I’ll get to actually enjoy the performance and the running costs that go with an M5 don't seem worth it for the sort of driving I'll be doing.
I'd also considered an M240i but a friend has an M140i and it just seems so boring and characterless so that's out of the question too. Also, depreciation on those looks quite heavy with the number of cheap lease deals you see.
Also, whilst in my experience BMWs have always had some of the nicest looking interiors and infotainment systems, I can’t help but feel they’re very dull and with the number of BMWs on the road, so common whether you have a 320 or an all-out M car.
That leads me to the Mustang. It seems to tick all my boxes. Reasonably quick and torquey, the interior looks quite nice and different (I don’t expect the best build quality), it looks great to me, from what reviews have said it handles better than you’d expect, much cheaper running costs than an M/AMG/RS etc and there are plenty within my new, lowered budget.
The Autos don’t seem to get much praise unless you get the newer Auto on the facelift, those are out of budget so I’d need to opt for a manual. With 2016 cars with under 20,000 miles starting from £25k it does look like a great car on paper.
My first concern is depreciation though, given that this is the first RHD Mustang in the UK, there aren’t really any previous models to use as a base for depreciation. I was very lucky with my Boxster S, having only lost £5,250 on it in the 3.5 years and 23,000 miles I had it. I know I won’t get that lucky with my next car but I’m paranoid that I’ll spend 30k on a Mustang and get 15k for it in 2 years time. I know this is a bit of a guessing game but where do you see Mustang prices heading? Is it just a hunch or is there a basis for your guess?
Secondly, one I’m looking at in particular has specialist service history which I do find off putting, I have nothing against specialist servicing but equally don’t want to buy a car that hasn’t been properly serviced. The car in question was serviced by Hendy Performance, whom I’ve not heard of before, they seem to have a decent stock list of cars for sale but can’t find that much information out about them as there are similarly named companies that clog up my google searches.
So, given my criteria, how do you feel the Mustang stacks up? Is the lack of main dealer service history on what is a fairly new car worth moaning about? Am I missing some obvious cars that fit my bill? The Mustang does seem like a modern alternative to a Monaro which is appealing but these reservations are definitely holding me back at the moment.
This is my experience of Mustang ownership so far.
I bought a 2017 GT brand new in March 2017 for £40,000.
In May 2019, I part exchanged it for a new 2019 GT. I received £27,000 for the part exchange, meaning that the depreciation cost me an exact £500 per month over the 26 months that I had the car.
I know that the dealer put my original car on their forecourt on for £32,000, although I don't know how much it actually sold for in the end.
Both of my Mustangs were auto, and the new 10 speed gear box is much better than the previous 6 speed. Also, IMHO, the digital dash and external styling differences are better on the facelift model.
I bought a 2017 GT brand new in March 2017 for £40,000.
In May 2019, I part exchanged it for a new 2019 GT. I received £27,000 for the part exchange, meaning that the depreciation cost me an exact £500 per month over the 26 months that I had the car.
I know that the dealer put my original car on their forecourt on for £32,000, although I don't know how much it actually sold for in the end.
Both of my Mustangs were auto, and the new 10 speed gear box is much better than the previous 6 speed. Also, IMHO, the digital dash and external styling differences are better on the facelift model.
The first thing is to drive an auto as it may suit your need, for me specialist history wouldn't be a minus against the car because in a lot of cases the specialist is more thorough than the main dealer.
Depreciation on these seems pretty sensible compared to a E400 coupe M240i etc so that wouldn't be a reason not to buy one, I like them they drive well & have a good sound track competitor wise if you want a nice V8 then there's the Lexus RC-F which also takes care of your Auto side of things.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Depreciation on these seems pretty sensible compared to a E400 coupe M240i etc so that wouldn't be a reason not to buy one, I like them they drive well & have a good sound track competitor wise if you want a nice V8 then there's the Lexus RC-F which also takes care of your Auto side of things.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Mandat said:
Both of my Mustangs were auto, and the new 10 speed gear box is much better than the previous 6 speed. Also, IMHO, the digital dash and external styling differences are better on the facelift model.
Thanks for your input. The depreciation doesn't seem too bad at the moment, I'd be looking at a 2016-2017 MY. Just hoping they don't dip too low after purchase. I've come from Porsche PDK so the old 6 speed is off-putting from the sounds of it, it will have to be manual with my budget. Personally I prefer the front end of the pre-facelift and rear end of the facelift. Dash is lovely in the newer model too but these are things I'm ok with missing out on.
Presumably, you're enjoying the car to be on your second? Does it feel at all special in normal driving? What is mid-range grunt like?
TREMAiNE said:
Secondly, one I’m looking at in particular has specialist service history which I do find off putting, I have nothing against specialist servicing but equally don’t want to buy a car that hasn’t been properly serviced. The car in question was serviced by Hendy Performance, whom I’ve not heard of before, they seem to have a decent stock list of cars for sale but can’t find that much information out about them as there are similarly named companies that clog up my google searches.
A quick search shows that Hendy Performance is part of the Hendy Group, a main Ford dealer (amongst other brands) based on the south coast and have been around donkeys years. (never had any dealings with them so don't know what they're like)
I bought one as soon as they were announced. Took a year to turn up. Got the keys in Jan 2016. £33k for the V8 and didn't realise at the time what a bargain it was.
Though I didn't want to, I sold it when I returned to London. 2 years and 14k miles and it sold for £30k.
Obviously helped by the newer model with its much higher price.
Think that worked out as £180 a month in depreciation.
Great car, I miss it.
Though I didn't want to, I sold it when I returned to London. 2 years and 14k miles and it sold for £30k.
Obviously helped by the newer model with its much higher price.
Think that worked out as £180 a month in depreciation.
Great car, I miss it.
My armchair, wild guess, on depreciation.
The RHD new shape Mustangs will continue dropping very slowly in the next 1/2 years. Then prices will stall at 20k or just under for the nice examples for many years.
Especially as you probably wont be able to buy such a thing in a few years time.
Electrification, and emissions targets, will soon see these types of cars extinct from new car showrooms.
Anyhow, enough of all the guessing about depreciation, get out there and get it bought.
After your 987 I can't think of anything else that'll stand any chance of stirring your soul, apart from maybe a 981. But look at how they're holding value.
The RHD new shape Mustangs will continue dropping very slowly in the next 1/2 years. Then prices will stall at 20k or just under for the nice examples for many years.
Especially as you probably wont be able to buy such a thing in a few years time.
Electrification, and emissions targets, will soon see these types of cars extinct from new car showrooms.
Anyhow, enough of all the guessing about depreciation, get out there and get it bought.
After your 987 I can't think of anything else that'll stand any chance of stirring your soul, apart from maybe a 981. But look at how they're holding value.
Trevor555 said:
After your 987 I can't think of anything else that'll stand any chance of stirring your soul, apart from maybe a 981. But look at how they're holding value.
Yep, while many would disagree, I personally don't think I could buy a genuinely better sports car than the 987 with spending 50K+. I think long term (very long term) the 987 will hold value more than the 981. I did look at 981's and the extra 10k I'd need to get a like for like car in terms of spec compared to my 987 just didn't seem worth it. I may have peaked, the 987 was an exceedingly good car. Slight hijack...
Has anyone had one of these and a Focus RS? I bought the RS after test driving both and feeling the focus was sharper and (probably) faster in the real world but I still hanker after the V8.
Which would you imagine would see less depreciation going forward though?
My RS has only lost (to me) about £1.5k. I bought it lightly used at 9 months old with about 1,000 miles and now, at 2 years old and 8k miles it has a PX value around £24k and a sale value around £26k, which isn't much less than I paid for it. It's had a £1000 Mountune upgrade since I owned it, which probably should be added to the depreciation as it probably won't add to the value.
V8 Mustangs seem to hold their value pretty well too, although I could probably get a post cheap tax point, low mileage example for about £30k when it would've been nearer £40k new.
Is the RS likely to remain firmer over the coming years?
Has anyone had one of these and a Focus RS? I bought the RS after test driving both and feeling the focus was sharper and (probably) faster in the real world but I still hanker after the V8.
Which would you imagine would see less depreciation going forward though?
My RS has only lost (to me) about £1.5k. I bought it lightly used at 9 months old with about 1,000 miles and now, at 2 years old and 8k miles it has a PX value around £24k and a sale value around £26k, which isn't much less than I paid for it. It's had a £1000 Mountune upgrade since I owned it, which probably should be added to the depreciation as it probably won't add to the value.
V8 Mustangs seem to hold their value pretty well too, although I could probably get a post cheap tax point, low mileage example for about £30k when it would've been nearer £40k new.
Is the RS likely to remain firmer over the coming years?
stevemcs said:
The 2017 models are the ones to seak out, the road tax is £145 a year.
This - although if you do get an slight older car make sure it's a Sync3. Look for the nipple on the roof. Also, custom packs seem to be worth a little more; I don't know why as they are just upgradedstereo+nav+seats+parking sensors (which can all be spec'd separately) with silver wheels and chrome side window surrounds. From what I've noticed with mine, is that it dropped significantly after about a year after being extremely firm, but has remained hovering around the mid-20s in terms of tradein value. The poster who reckoned they'll dip and remain at £20Kish I think could well be on the money.
stevemcs said:
The 2017 models are the ones to seak out, the road tax is £145 a year.
Only those registered after April 2017, when the new VED rules came in. My March 2017 registered car was £550 in VED. After having waited 9 months for the car to arrive from Flat Rock, I didn't want to wait until April to register it, hence getting it on 1st March.
TREMAiNE said:
ZX10R NIN said:
competitor wise if you want a nice V8 then there's the Lexus RC-F which also takes care of your Auto side of things.
I never realised that they were in my price bracket, definitely something I will look into. Pros
Lovely build quality, reliable, rare, high quality leather seats, good dealers, quick once above 4500rpm, Lexus forum is great.
But I couldn't live with the cons.
Totally flat below 3500rpm, in fact, put your foot down below these revs and it actually slows whilst it's changing gear.
Unless you pre select the gear yourself for an overtake the delay in it giving you the power is huge.
You just expect more from a 5.0 V8
If you want to overtake at 60mph then you have to drop 3 gears yourself to be in the power.
The sound, it's nice on cold start up, but then it's quiet. It doesn't sound like a V8 burbling down the road. Some have fitted Quicksilver exhausts.
The sound inside the cabin increases to a nice bark over 3500rpm but it's a speaker.
The infotainment is like no other make, so frustrating I didn't bother with it.
The paint is soft, stone chips easily. The bonnets on the carbon models expensive to fix once chipped.
So to summarize, lovely looking car, great quality, disappointing to drive unless you're totally ragging it.
A previous thread, https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Edited by Trevor555 on Tuesday 10th September 06:18
Edited by Trevor555 on Tuesday 10th September 06:20
I feel I can comment as I've had both a 987.2 Boxster S (PDK), and a 16 plate 5.0 GT manual ..
I paid 33K for the Mustang (it was 2 years old) and traded in (I was needing to get some equity back) for 27K about a year later. It was Black with all the packs added (no chrome). I had no issues with it at all in the 12 months apart from having an appetite for petrol and rubber.
I liked the interior, no squeaks or rattles. Felt quite well built with some nice material in places, some poor in others. Couldn't have given a rats ass it didn't have the new digital dash. Sync 3 was good. The Shaker stereo was OK, better than the Bose in my Boxster. Still amazed how little room there was in the rear (better than the Porsche though hehe) given the size of the car.
I had spacers and the Ford approved Eibach racing springs fitted. It sat really nicely. Handling was decent, more roll than the Boxster (even with the upgraded springs). Heavy car (and wheels) so I felt it could do with more suspension travel over potholed roads. It was quite crashy.
The standard exhaust is quiet. I had a custom axle back put on to give it the right growl. It's a must. I'm 50/50 on what sounded better as I had a carnewal exhaust on the Boxster. Probably the Mustang low down and the Porsche higher up the rev range.
I could get 30+ on a run in both. The Mustang has a very long 6th gear.
I agree with the previous poster that, to my surprise, the 5.0 GT needs revs. To really haul you need 3.5K. It's a little frustrating on the motorway at 70. You'd think it would just pull but given it's sitting about 1,800 revs, you put your foot down (even in Sport) and you expect a lot more. My current RS3 would eat it alive. If you rev it out it does start to really pull well 60+.
The standard Pirellis are hard and appalling. They need changed no matter how much tread they have on them.
The Mustang is what its supposed to be. It's a heavy, muscle car. Always got positive attention, nice for burbling around town and comfy on long trips. I think its a good daily. Plenty of aftermarket things to look at too if that's of interest. Exhausts, suspension, superchargers
I might look at another one at some point, probably a face lifted one for a) better more responsive engine b) switchable exhaust and c) mag ride ..
Hope that helps ..
I paid 33K for the Mustang (it was 2 years old) and traded in (I was needing to get some equity back) for 27K about a year later. It was Black with all the packs added (no chrome). I had no issues with it at all in the 12 months apart from having an appetite for petrol and rubber.
I liked the interior, no squeaks or rattles. Felt quite well built with some nice material in places, some poor in others. Couldn't have given a rats ass it didn't have the new digital dash. Sync 3 was good. The Shaker stereo was OK, better than the Bose in my Boxster. Still amazed how little room there was in the rear (better than the Porsche though hehe) given the size of the car.
I had spacers and the Ford approved Eibach racing springs fitted. It sat really nicely. Handling was decent, more roll than the Boxster (even with the upgraded springs). Heavy car (and wheels) so I felt it could do with more suspension travel over potholed roads. It was quite crashy.
The standard exhaust is quiet. I had a custom axle back put on to give it the right growl. It's a must. I'm 50/50 on what sounded better as I had a carnewal exhaust on the Boxster. Probably the Mustang low down and the Porsche higher up the rev range.
I could get 30+ on a run in both. The Mustang has a very long 6th gear.
I agree with the previous poster that, to my surprise, the 5.0 GT needs revs. To really haul you need 3.5K. It's a little frustrating on the motorway at 70. You'd think it would just pull but given it's sitting about 1,800 revs, you put your foot down (even in Sport) and you expect a lot more. My current RS3 would eat it alive. If you rev it out it does start to really pull well 60+.
The standard Pirellis are hard and appalling. They need changed no matter how much tread they have on them.
The Mustang is what its supposed to be. It's a heavy, muscle car. Always got positive attention, nice for burbling around town and comfy on long trips. I think its a good daily. Plenty of aftermarket things to look at too if that's of interest. Exhausts, suspension, superchargers
I might look at another one at some point, probably a face lifted one for a) better more responsive engine b) switchable exhaust and c) mag ride ..
Hope that helps ..
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