Motor Heads, I need help/advice.

[jeffrefrig]

I’m trying to choose between two Mustangs. Pre-owned, one is a 2024, but only 4 cylinders putting out 315 HP, dual turbo, around 10,000 miles, with all the goods. They call it “carbonized gray metallic” with black innards.
The other, a 2018 GT Premium rag top, 55,000 miles, “Ingot Silver Metallic” with blue interior. 460 HP.
Both cars are automatic 10 speed, and priced the same at just under $30,000. I’ve driven both cars when my friend had one of each. He traded the 4 cylinder for the GT. It’s baddass! The small engine one was faster than my SS Impala. I need an automatic because of my aged out knees. Most of you know what the GT can do, I’m sure. My down payment will be my ‘20 Malibu, which I know they won’t give me Jack for. I doubt if I give them a couple thousand more it won’t make much difference.
My common sense tells me to get the 2024, but my heart wants the GT.
The new ones are ridiculously high. Any recommendations?
Thanks in advance.
Jeff T.

 

[AlHunt]

You're kidding, right?

Get the GT before it gets away.

 

[Jon651]

As the saying goes: There is no replacement for displacement!

 

[kraynky]

GT without question. Twin turbos sounds like potentially double trouble down the road.

 

[jeffrefrig]

Exactly what I expected! Thank you guys. "No replacement for displacement!" I love that! Years ago I had a Harley Superglide. One of the most beautiful man made sounds on the planet. Straight drag pipes with no baffles, you can't make that sound up. Just like the dual exhaust on many pony cars. Now all I have to do is take that GT out for a little ride...and bring my checkbook! Of course I'll have them throw a set of rear tires in the trunk.
Again, I thank yinz guys!

 

[A10]

Post pics of the GT when it comes home! Ain't nothin' like a ragtop!

 

[LVSteve]

Somebody is getting "twin turbo" confused with the "twin-scroll" turbo actually fitted to the 2024.

To be candid, neither press my buttons. I have no love for convertibles, and the standard Ford interior in black these days is cheap and nasty looking, a trend I see creeping into many vehicles. Sure, it's fine in a fairly basic work truck or low end SUV, but don't try and sell me anything so equipped for more than $40k new, because I'll just laugh at you.

 

[robertrwalsh]

I confess to an issue with the rag top. I admit that is just me. Plus I probably couldn't afford to insure the GT. In CA it is an issue.

 

[Rimfire Fanatic]

Get the GT and garage it. In Oregon that would be a summer only car. Keep your impala for a daily driver when the weather is nasty.

 

[s&wchad]

I just checked Carvana and found a 2021 GT with under 6K miles for $36,590. It not a convertible, but it's a lot newer and has 1/10 the miles. It also checks the automatic transmission box!

https://www.carvana.com/vehicle/3715608?refSource=srp

 

[Rimfire Fanatic]

I just checked Carvana and found a 2021 GT with under 6K miles for $36,590. It not a convertible, but it's a lot newer and has 1/10 the miles. It also checks the automatic transmission box!

https://www.carvana.com/vehicle/3715608?refSource=srp

There you go.

 

[Norton 750]

Convertible all the way for a toy car! And a V8 Mustang Convertible will sell easier down the road in my opinion.

 

[WR Moore]

I'm sure they've improved convertible/roadster tops since my '65 Spitfire, but like the gent above, I want a solid-no moon roof either-lid on my vehicles.

The other thing that car taught me is that highly tuned technical engines can be maintenance problems waiting to happen. That's pretty much unavoidable these days with all the electronics, but don't go looking for trouble. My late son was Ford trained and HE wouldn't buy a current Ford V8. He did buy an Explorer with the turbo 4 and it seems to run OK with impressive gas mileage........so far. But one of the reasons he bought it was the discount he got on Ford parts.

 

[xfarfuldog]

Buy the V/8. I've owned several muscle cars over the years including 2 - Regal T Types (A non black Grand National). Loved the turbos and had zero engine problems. These turbo engined cars of today do not hold up. Turbos produce heat which will destroy the over burdened small displacement engines.

 

[SLCDW]

Nothing sounds better than the idle of an ecoboost four - no one ever said.
Agree on the V8 and drop top for a fun car with better value retention.
As a Chevy guy, couldn't disagree more with the suggestion that you sacrifice the Impala SS by driving it in the winter, depending on the model year. It will never keep up with cars weighing a thousand pound less, but In my experience with my 96 SS a cam swap with RRs, headers with 2.5 exhaust, and 3.73s will make it interesting.

 

[Krogen]

I've had 4's, 6's and V8's; both turbocharged and naturally aspirated. Nothing supercharged, yet. But I gotta say nothing has been more fun than my GT350 with it's Voodoo flat-plane. The engine redlines at 8250 and screams to be driven hard. It comes alive at 4000 RPM. Your GT may be more docile, but you'll have a heckuva lotta fun with it. Forget the turbo-4. If you're like me, the grin a V8 puts on your face is priceless. On top of that, I think V8's are in their twilight years. Get one while you can.

 

[SMSgt]

The choice depends on how many tickets you can afford. Around here, I don't know what happens to everyone when they drive one, but all of them deserve tickets. They are almost worse than BMW drivers.

If you're looking for "cool" . . .

 

[A10]

Those Coyote V8s have been around for a long time and have proven pretty dependable. As far as electronics go there's no avoiding them in any newer cars. When I got my Tacoma the guy told me there were more than 40 computers in it! Pretty crazy, but it tells my phone when I left the doors unlocked...plus I could start it from New York if I ever had the need!

 

[madmikeb]

I'm going to go against the current here!

I always said when I bought my Mustang I was going to buy an 8. When the time came I bought a 2017 2.7 ecoboost convertible. No regrets. I have put on Ford performance sport cat back exhaust, a Mishimoto intercooler and charge pipes, an oil separator and an Airaid intake pipe. It goes plenty fast for me and on a recent trip to Phoenix I averaged almost 37 mpg. Granted this dropped once I hit Phoenix traffic but on the trip up that was the average.
It may not sound like an 8 but when I fire it up in a parking lot heads do turn!