ModernMuscleCars.net - Modern Muscle Cars Archive - Need help deciding (f-body vs mustang)

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Need help deciding (f-body vs mustang)
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Posted by: Jforce05

I don't mean to start a flame war or sound like a complete noob but I need some help deciding on which car to buy....

I have test driven both trans ams/firehawk and mustangs/mach1/cobras and I suprisingly like both cars equally as much so I am having trouble deciding on which is a better street car. I don't want to build a 10 second car, but just have something I can do a few bolt ons to give me some added performance. I was just wondering if either of the of the vehicles (LS1/4.6) handle bolt on modifications better then the other? Right now I really like the body of the Mach1 (2003-2004). I hope I dont sound too much like an idiot I am just starting to get into muscle cars since I have been into trucks most of my life. Hopefully I dont spark any LS1 vs Mustang flame wars but I am just looking for some good guidance on what the best car for me is.

Again, I am just looking for the best street car (weekends) that will get the most power out of bolt on modifications.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Posted by: ChevyPower

Your Q. is wich car can take more bolt on parts. That is easy look at any parts book like PAWS, Summit, or Jegs and you will see the GM section is the largest and the Ford section is allways smaller and seprate.

Im not claiming GM is better than Ford, I just say it how I see it.

I believe its not the company its the current mechanic that makes a good running car rather its a Pinto or a Doge Viper.

Posted by: Mr. Luos

LS1 starts with better power than the 4.6, unless you are looking at 03/04 Cobras.

Bolt-ons add about the same for both motors. So........

LS1 > 4.6 when it comes to an overall street car. Although, I would say it really depends on which car appeals to you more. If you like the style of the Mach 1, get it.
Hell, the 4.6 sounds MUCH better than the LS1 anyways. Just need a couple extra mods to keep with the LS1.

Posted by: Grape Ape

There are advantages to either. Buy the one you're more comfortable driving and wisely choose what parts needed to modify it to the best potential per dollar. I'd be more interested in which I think will hold up better to the abuse I'd give it.

There are countless more choices for upgrades available for the 4.6, when considering all the brands. Looking simply at the number of pages dedicated to a single brand vs another simply isn't using your head. No offense, but think about it with the full consideration of the models he's considering. The LS1, or the 4.6L. One engine made it's way into about 2 million vehicles. The other has been installed into a number closer to 8 million.

Posted by: Horselips

try out a lot of both and then make your choice.
I`m a little biased towards the Mustang mainly because I personaly never cared for the looks of the Camaro/Firebird since the big change in 1982 and imho they have gotten worse in the looks department since then.

Posted by: KrautBurner

insurance is alot less on the F-Body than on the same year Mustang
even with more power
more young people buy mustangs (and more mustangs are wrecked each year)

Posted by: Grape Ape

I doubt insurance is alot less, if at all less. Take a 2002 Camaro vs a 2002 Mustang. The Mustang parts are almost immeasurably more available, hence less cost involved to buy them. The Camaro was ended in that year, and the Mustang was made through '04. There are literally hundreds of thousands more Mustangs available. That too drives rates. Back in 02 I sold a 1989 Grand Marquis soon after it was rearended. The price for crash parts was higher, as was the insurance, vs the '97 Grand Marq in the same driveway. The reason given by my insurance company was availability.

Insurance for young drivers is largely dirived from several factors including the vehicle itself. Their parents rates play possibly the largest role aside from a driving record issue. Often those parents own the car anyway, so the insurance cost is lower.

That said, I still think it best to buy a car you like and can afford... Provided it's an American brand.

Posted by: ultraflo

Wait until the new Shelby GT500 arrives and I'll sell you my Mach. It'll work out perfectly...

Seriously, I'm really pleased with my Mach 1 as a daily driver... I've added a few bolt-on's naturally, and it still maintains flawless streetability and is reliable. It has the muscle car looks you mention, so I say start looking for a Mach.

Posted by: LS1 Mopar Turbo

There has not been a good GM/Ford fight on here in awhile, so here it goes
Fuck Ford...How long did it take the GT to catch up to the F-body? Save it, I know you can't get an F-body anymore, but when you sell as many V-6 Mustangs as Ford does you can still keep selling the car. Get the LS1. Parts are getting cheap, they can be had pretty cheap now and are faster stock for stock than a Mustang so mod for mod you are going to go faster to a point

...OK
So what should you do, buy what you want both are great cars and hold a lot of potential the Fastest Stock blocked 4.6's are faster than the fastest
stock block LS1s, I pefer the GM stuff. Some pefer the Ford stuff. I will say that if you get a GT it will cost of bit of money if it isn't an 05 to Run with an F-body, Hell the LT1 F-Bodys go just as fast as the Pre 05 Single overhead cam 4.6s. Both are nice and I sure you would be happy with either one.

Posted by: maverick2010

Get a 5.0l There is tons of aftermarket support they respond well to even the smallest modification.

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