Mustang GT or Firebird Formula or ???

[-cy-]

Alright, i am looking into both of these cars. The mustang would probably be a '95 or so and the firebird would be around the same year. The concerns are speed, handling, gas milage, reliability, and overall feel. I am pretty sure the firebird fomula is gonna be faster, with the 5.7 V8, but the gas milage is probably gonna be pretty bad. Also, which is gonna cost more to insure? I need help, thanks for any advice.

[-cy-]

Alright, i am 16 (going on 17) and will be buying a car in a month or 2. My budget is low, around 7-8k including tax and licensing fees (i would like to keep it around $6500 without the tax and all). Insurance my parents are picking up, but they have a say in what car i get, so it can't be an insanely unsafe car. I am paying for gas, so i don't wanna get 6mpg as well. But being a teen guy, i want a fast, nice sounding, good looking car. I was looking at '95 Mustang GT's and Firebird formulas. Only thing about mustangs are i hear the handeling sucks and they aren't THAT fast. The problem with the formula is it has a 5.7l V8, its gotta guzzle gas. I just need suggestions and conparisons that include speed, reliability, gas milage, and stuff like that. I NEED HELP

[Jay!]

My pal has a '95 GT and a '96 Cobra. I think the Cobra is a better comparison for the Firebird Formula. I'll ask him about his insurance. 90% of the insurance cost will depend on your age, though... prepare yourself for the worst.

[Jay!]

And welcome to AF!!!

BTW, I merged your thread and changed the title to expand the comparison beyond the two cars listed.

[-cy-]

Thanks. But as to the comparison between the cobra and the firebird, i can't really afford a cobra. So what i am looking at primarily now are the stang GT and the Firebird formula. I am into rally cars as well, like the Impreza 2.5 RS, unfortunatly they are too recent and thusly too costly. I need suggestions and info.

[Jay!]

Here's a tool I love. Go to www.autotrader.com, click decision guide, then use the "Compare Cars Side by Side" section. I use it all the time.

Here's what I pulled up for you real quick:

[-cy-]

Oh cool, i've been looking through autotrader primarily now, but never used that option.

[Cannabis]

drop down to a 1994 mustang, and you get the 5.0. You can do alot to that engine, and it lasts for ever. Personaly I have had bad experiences with that 5.7, but they are both good cars.

[joeB]

5.0's suck I had a 95 and it had around 50,000 miles

and it could ever pass my 93 Escort GT.

[RSScamaro]

i would go with the 5.7 formula....the little bit more you will spend on gas a week (and it will not be much more that the mustang)....is worth the extra power and fun factor to drive....i can tell you as an f-body owner..go for the formula!..definatley..unless ofcourse insurance will be high




:monkeypis FORD

[-cy-]

Well, i actually got the car in really late December, and it is a '98 Firebird Forumula M6, all options. I'm really happy i chose it over a mustang. Mustangs are nice and all, but f-bodies are more my thing.

[joeB]

Thats why I got rid of the Mustang back in 96, it couldnt

even pass my 93 Escort GT, the Eccort is peppy, but a GT

Mustang not being able to handle a 4 cyl is pathetic. I traded

the Mustang in on a 96 Camaro Z-28, I like it, its better lookin,

I like the way it sits low and wide, much more fun to drive,

it makes me think of (vette) when I drive it. Did I mention

that nothing has beat it in races?

[RSScamaro]

ive said it before and i'll say it again...the ONLY mustang to buy if you want a fast car is the cobra R or the saleen, and not that stupid saleen s281 bullshit..even roush mustangs arent much faster than the ragular gt's unless you get a stage 3, i do love those leg pipes on the roush though!

[Twin89s]

As far as a Mustang GT being unable to pass an escort this is pure B/S
Should check under your hood man must of had the 3.8 V6....

And as far as a 96 Z28 not getting beat it only runs 14's....



As to the original question... buy what you like. But look into repair prices upgrade prices etc. Usually a mustang is cheaper to go faster. And the LT1's are pricey as far as mods or repairs... look up how much its going to run you to replace the opticrap... (the distributor)

I own both GM and Ford... both have downsides. But the Ford 302 is a stout motor capable of a lot of power. Also the Ford 5.0L GT is easier to work on then a 4th gen fbody trust me I know this from experiance! Just try to change all those plugs on that fbody in under 30-40 mins!
Aint gonna happen! You will prolly end up under the car first!
2nd a Mustang clutch is many times easier to replace than an fbody one due to the fbody using a hydraulic clutch setup while the mustang uses a cable setup. Now the mustang is only slightly slower. Though you could find a 94/95 Cobra 5.0L and they will have more power than a regular GT. If you want to go fast for cheap get a 3rd gen fbody (82-92) or a Fox body mustang (79-93) just some stuff for you to think about.

[Neutrino]

Please read this and do not bring ancient threads back