The new king of bang-for-buck: Mustang GT vs. SRT-4

[kman10587]

When the SRT-4 came out in 2003, it was the undisputed king of cheap speed. Sub-14 second quarter mile times and 66 mph+ slalom speeds for $20,000? No one stood a chance. Now, it's 2005, and Ford has finally re-designed the Mustang, giving it even better acceleration and infinitely better handling. Quarter mile times for the 2005 Mustang GT have gone as low as 13.6, and it's only been out for a month; low 13's are definitely conceivable. Some would also argue that the Mustang GT outhandles the SRT-4. Although it doesn't generate quite as much grip, rear-wheel-drive is fundamentally better than front-wheel-drive, and the Mustang GT has bigger, wider wheels and tires. The GT is also a more comfortable daily driver, at least for two people. The ride is noticeably softer and smoother, and the engine is more relaxed and subdued. Feature content on the Mustang is better as well, offering such options as power driver and passenger seats, a six-disc CD changer, and a 1000-watt stereo system.

I believe that the Mustang GT is the new king of bang-for-buck. For $4000 more, you get a car that rides better, goes faster, and doesn't look like a riced-out economy car. And when the Mustang SVT Cobra comes out next year, it should raise the Mustang to a level of performance that it has surely never seen before outside of the race track.

Discuss

[NISSANSPDR]

I would definitely take a GT over a SRT4 anyday...RWD, NA reliability, just as easy to mod, I would venture to say better aftermarket....you'll see...give it time

[CanucksRT]

Not a big Mustang fan, but that power for that price, I'd take the mustang.

[Zwrangler]

WHAT???? A mustang GT is $24,000 in the U.S. ??????? bastards! over here in the Emirates the car dealers are selling them for over $37,500 coz they're like the new toy out on the market.

Damn it, i wish i c9ould get a new stang, definitely better looking than an SRT4. Only problem for me with the new stangs is they're sooooo wide like driving a ship not a sports car, but i can get over it

[NISSANSPDR]

Yea the GT Mustangs are going from 24-25 here...but you know...you could talk them down a bit too

[3000ways]

If I had to choose between the two, I would surely take the Mustang GT. Still I believe the SRT-4 is a better bang for the buck. I'm not sold on the Mustang being to outhandle the SRT-4, and I believe that the SRT-4 has the better brakes. Like I said though, I still take the Mustang GT in a heartbeat, I'd be willing to pay an extra $4,000.

[WickedNYCowboy]

I'd take the Mustang. Personally I feel RWD cars handle better. I feel you can control the back end better then with a FWD. That is one of the major things I hate about my ride it being FWD.

[kman10587]

I'd take the Mustang. Personally I feel RWD cars handle better. I feel you can control the back end better then with a FWD. That is one of the major things I hate about my ride it being FWD.

That's true, but on certain roads, the SRT-4 is gonna be easier to control anyways, due to its IRS.

[publicenemy137]

I'd take the stang anyday over some ugly looking neon

[panchoman]

Mustang Definatley, i have a cousin with an SRT-4 he's done a lot of things to it and it is pretty fast and everything, but when he first got it, i felt it was over rated, and ive never driven in that new GT but everyone says it what they say it is

[Muscletang]

Reasons why I'd take the Mustang over the SRT-4:

1. more horsepower and torque
2. better 1/4 mile and 0-60 times
3. SRT-4's looks aren't close to the Mustang's
4. better aftermarket for the Mustang
5. SRT-4 comes with a turbo and that makes me edgy
6. IT'S A FREAKIN 2005 MUSTANG!

[M3FordBoy]

^Number 6 was a good point . I would have to agree with him on all of them except for 5 turbo doesn't bother me. I pick the Mustang.

[syr74]

I cannot believe anybody is even arguing wether the Mustang GT handles better than the SRT4. Car and Driver got the Mustang within a whisker of base 350Z slalom times, and the GT turned in a better skidpad performance than the base Z! All this on the 17" all season tire/wheel package as the 18"s have yet to arrive!

Autoweek recently named the Mustang GT the winner in a comparo with the 05 GTO largely because the Mustang handles so well! Their words folks, not just mine. The only reason we are even having this discussion is because there is a live-axle under the pony's rear end. If somebody asked the same question but used a GTO or 350Z instead of the Mustang GT they would be laughed off the forum.

Say what you will about live-axles, a whole lot of IRS cars are going to be getting a full-on view of tri-bar tailights for years to come wether in a straight line or on the twisties.

Acceleration is simply no contest as the V-8 pony has turned a 13.5 at 103mph in the hands of Motor Trend testers, and the best verified bone stock time by a private owner is a 13.35 sec. e.t. bone stock thus far. SRT4's are fast stock, but they aren't that fast. The SRT4 is a good deal for the money, but the Mustang GT has it covered pretty convinicingly even at 4 grand more.

Also, good luck getting an 05 Mustang GT for less than 24k. Base price for the car is $25,2xx.00, and right now the average life expectancy of a GT on a dealer's lot is under 2 hours. These suckers go for sticker or very close to it simply because demand is enormous.

The Mustang GT is the reigning king of bang-for-the-buck, and likely will be for some time to come.

[Muscletang]

Originally Posted by M3FordBoy

^Number 6 was a good point . I would have to agree with him on all of them except for 5 turbo doesn't bother me. I pick the Mustang.

Turbo really doesn't bother me either, but my friends and family have had turbo cars that didn't do to well. When the turbo is running it's awesome and is fun to drive, but when it's broke, which seems to be too often, it's a pain.

[3000ways]

The Mustang handles so well, in comparison with what? A GTO which weighs 3800Lbs? Wow. Don't get me wrong, the 2005 Mustang GT, is a step above the previous generation, but it still has a long way to go before it claim to up there with other performance vehicles. The SRT-4 is a car that I must admit I have underestimated, I don't think it's really an awesome handling car, but I don't think this about the Mustang GT either.