Buy a Mustang?

[Sniper9]

This is my first post here. The last GT I owned was an '85 some years ago. Obviously this is a 'stang board so I expect some bias, but what I'm looking for is some honesty. Right now I'm considering '99 GT coupe, ABS,16" wheels, cloth interior, AC, premium sound cd, power etc. The car is in perfect shape & I'll be spending about 15k on it if I decide to do this. My question is this; what should I be concerned about for this particular year/car, are there any known problems w/ motor, brakes, susp, anything ...etc?? Especially since this is the first year of the redesign, sometimes there are bugs. 15k sound right? Like I said my last GT still had a carb, so I'm a little out of touch. Thanks guys!

[Lizard King]

First, 16" wheels? Those where never part of any option packages for the 99+ GT. Always been 17"... If they are selling you some 16" I would ask them why? Is it a colission issue?

15K US for a 99GT (coupe?) sounds a bit steep, allthough I am not 100% in touch with the US economy.

In Canada, my old 2000GT right at this point is worth 22K selling value. ... if you convert that into US dollars that would put it at about 14K. I would think a 99GT should sell for about 12K US right now... but economics are all about region.

[CactusHugger11]

buy a trans am instead

[GITY UUP]

GTs do come standard with the 5 spoke 16" wheels. They are the same 5 spoke wheels that you see on some V6 models. 17" 5 spokes were an upgrade on my 2000 GT as part of the "appearance package". I'm not sure what Ford is doing with the current GTs, maybe the 17" tourque thrusts are standard now.

[Lizard King]

What are you talking about? When I bought my 2000GT the only option I put on was traction contol. Everything else, even the radio was standard ... and IT CAME WITH 17 wheels. Exactly like my brochure says right here.

[GITY UUP]

I just looked at my window sticker in my glove box and it states premium package under that premium package it specifically states the 17" 5 star rims with 245/45/17s series tires along with all the other options in the package. I believe without paying for the premium package in 2000, you received the 16" 5 stars with 225/55 or 60/16 series tires. I have seen GTs driving around on the factory 16" rims and the rim/tire combination doesn't look that great. Now, on the 2001 and 2002 GTs when they introduced the touque thrust rims, I don't believe that the 16" rims were an option. I also see that you are in Canada Lizard, maybe the packages are different there. I've also never seen a Ford product where you don't pay for optional equipment, Hondas maybe, but not Fords, so I don't know hat you're talking about there. As I stated, maybe buying cars in Canada is different..

Here is the exact listing from the window sticker verbatim:
GT feature car package:
P245/45ZR 17" BSW tires
wheels 17" machined aluminun
black feature car stripe (since removed)

[95GTS]

Gity Up is correct about the 16" five spoke wheels being standard. They are very chessy looking, too. I've even got a poster on my wall of a black 99 with those wheels on it from their Ford brochure when the 99's first came out.

[GITY UUP]

The 17" wheels are definately better looking. The 16" wheels are way too small for the wheel well on the GT. As I stated, maybe it was different for Mustangs sold in Canada. It does't matter, it all comes down to the fact that we all love to get on this board and talk about our favorite car.

[blackvert00]

the 16" wheels is a definite downside. u want 17" wheels. and from what i heard GTs out the factory with 16" wheels have a lower speed limiter set because of the speed rating of the 16" tires. as far as price goes, 15K sounds high. i bought my '00 GT convertible fully loaded (trac. ctrl, leather seats, mach 460, 17" wheels, etc.) for 16K back in november.

[GITY UUP]

By the way, $15 K sounds a bit steep for a 99 is it a hardtop or a ragtop? What is the mileage? Has it ever seen rain or snow? This would also be helpful in getting your price. You can also check out www.edmunds.com to get a fair market value for your 99 GT that you're looking at. Make sure you input all of the options, the mileage and the condition and it wil give you a price. Hope this helps.

[Lizard King]

Probably is a Canada factor like you said... or I could be wrong. In all honest truth I have never seen a GT with 16in wheels... could be why it seems so wrong to me.

Edmunds is good... or look in your local car trader... they'll give you a good insight.

[Sniper9]

Thanks for all the replies so far...The 16" wheels were stock in '99 with the 17" wheels being a $550 upgrade (That's a box I would of checked off myself, I think the 16s look undersized in there too, but I've never heard of the speed limiter being different due to this???anyone else?) This particular car has 20K miles on it. Edmunds priced it at $15,498, Kelley at $14,750, ChromeCarBook at $14,687. These pirices are adjusted for Syracuse NY...BlackVert00 at 16K for your car, I'd say you should be very happy! After reading some of these replies I don't think I'll offer anything over 14K IF I go with this one...I'm going to try to hold off for a premium model with traction control, leather, 17s..it's just soooooo hard to find these (5 spd '99 and up GTs) around here. Those 2002 17" torque-thrust wheels do look GREAT! I could always add 17" wheels down the road....And of course there's the '99 Cobra w/48K sitting on a lot for 19K, but I've heard there were engine issues with the Cobra in '99 and 48K is a lot of miles.....anyway, are there any major issues or reasons that I should stay away from a '99 GT in particular??

[GITY UUP]

Offer $13,000 and then buy 17 " or 18" rims later.

[Rob03]

Do a CarMax on it and make sure it isn't a collision car...it doesn't hurt. Look closely at the car and make sure all the paint matches...and I agree on the price...do an edmunds or kelly blue book on it...

Cheers,
Robert

[blue00gt]

The only real problem I have heard about is the 2nd gear syncros in the T45 being prone to going out, which I think I may be starting to experience on my 28K mile '00 GT. Shift that sucker fast and at high revs when you test drive it and make sure it engages each gear smoothly, especially 2nd.