How are 05-09 GTs holding up?

[BLAKE]

I still have a little over a year on my lease, so this isn't going to be a next week thing, but I keep finding myself on autotrader looking at these cars to replace the 05 GT I had back in the day that I had to get rid of when we had a kid (who just turned 9 the other day).

I'm wondering what issues to keep an eye out for as these cars age. I know the door panel "leather" likes to peel off, but I haven't heard anything else as far as known issues go.

And before we go off on a tangent, as great as a 5.0 is, I don't want to spend that much and prefer the 05-09 styling, so I'm out on 10-14.

[95ragtop]

Pretty bullet proof as long as the previous owner took decent care of it. There were changes throughout the model years: 07+ had a revised cooling system and newer design spark plugs, 08ish+ had tpms sensors and side air bags became standard. If I could swap mine out I would love to get rid of the side air bags and tpms sensors. American muscle now sells a valve stem sensor for the early models instead of the band style.

[BLAKE]

That's good to know. Tpms sucks. Though the glass roof is sexy. Pretty sure that's 09 only though.

[46Tbird]

There were running improvements to the drivetrain, electric systems, and even the chassis as the years progressed. I would get the newest car you can find that meets your other criteria for mileage, price, etc.

The only issue is, that like all pony cars / hot rods, someone has probably abused it in the past. There are a surprisingly high number of these cars out there with built motors and blowers. I guess that could be good or bad, depending how you look at it. The rods in these cars are super wimpy, and tend to window the block even in a stock car that gets driven hard.

The well-maintained completely stock '05-09 GT is already getting hard to find and comes at a premium price. I understand your preference for the earlier styling, but the coyote cars have a lot of improvements besides the extra 100hp and they don't cost that much more. I'd have to suggest a '13-14 as they got the better pistons, which as we know can be problematic on the '11-12s.

Keep an eye on the S197 forum classifieds. Clean '05-09 cars show up often but they get snatched up quick. (you may need to register)

Good luck!

http://s197forum.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=50

And here's a 4.6 3v rod versus toothbrush comparison, heh.

[slow99]

And before we go off on a tangent, as great as a 5.0 is, I don't want to spend that much and prefer the 05-09 styling, so I'm out on 10-14.

I understand your preference for the earlier styling, but the coyote cars have a lot of improvements besides the extra 100hp and they don't cost that much more. I'd have to suggest a '13-14 as they got the better pistons, which as we know can be problematic on the '11-12s.

Get a 5.0!

[bird_dog0347]

Find an 05 with a bad motor and put a 5.0 in it... best of both worlds.

[46Tbird]

Get a 5.0!

Right. Nevermind the EPAS, six speed transmission (auto or manual), optional Brembo brakes, updated dash and interior materials, improved front suspension geometry, etc.

Or... that I gave him a link to help him find the '05-09 of his dreams.


lol

[Denny]

Ya, the newer 5.0s are just such a superior car, I couldn't even have this argument.

[bcoop]

You should check with Kyle (lowthreeohz), but I'm pretty sure you're too late for Marisa's GT.

[BLAKE]

Thanks Danny! That piston rod is wimpy. What were they thinking?

Ya, the newer 5.0s are just such a superior car, I couldn't even have this argument.

There is no argument, so it works out.

You should check with Kyle (lowthreeohz), but I'm pretty sure you're too late for Marisa's GT.

Yeah, I talked to Kyle about his car, but the timing is so far from right, it'll be a year before I'm seriously in the market.

[46Tbird]

Yeah, I talked to Kyle about his car, but the timing is so far from right, it'll be a year before I'm seriously in the market.

That sucks. Her car really was clean.

[lowthreeohz]

Yeah, as mentioned her car is sold. Gave it away for 12.5 and the dealer sold it 2 days later. Its still running around here, belongs to a 26 year old chick now, I expect it to be totaled soon lol

[BLAKE]

That sucks. Her car really was clean.

Yeah I know. I'm sure they took good care of it, but I couldn't budge on that one. Downside to having a leased car.

[Rick Modena]

Yeah, as mentioned her car is sold. Gave it away for 12.5 and the dealer sold it 2 days later. Its still running around here, belongs to a 26 year old chick now, I expect it to be totaled soon lol

No shit, some 18 yr old chick bought my glass roof white 09 GT. First time I saw it on the road it was dirty as fuck and she had at least 200 beads hanging from the rear view mirror...

[bcoop]

No shit, some 18 yr old chick bought my glass roof white 09 GT. First time I saw it on the road it was dirty as fuck and she had at least 200 beads hanging from the rear view mirror...

How many of those beads came from you?