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Advice/Thoughts - upgrade or trade? (2013 GT)

3K views 25 replies 12 participants last post by  Cordero1 
#1 ·
Hi All... looking for some opinions on my next move w/my 2013 Mustang GT. I've always leased cars, so had a new car every few years mostly toyota/lexus before I got my first Mustang almost 4 years ago. This car is my most favorite. I've done some upgrades, learned a lot, probably made some mistakes… and now I'm trying to decide if I should continue w/this car or change it. Looking for some thoughts from you all who have been in Mustang world for longer than me….

My current car - 2013 Mustang GT Premium, Black, non-Brembo. 35k miles. 18" wheels. Paid off. - Steeda CAI, Steeda Sport Springs, Steeda PH Bar, Steeda Proaction Shocks/Struts, Steeda Tune, 3.73 gearing, BBK Xpipe, Roush Axlebacks. Only issue w/the car is the hood corrosion battle because it's always parked in my driveway (last 4 years).

I like anything 2011 forward (I really like the 11-12 body style). I started thinking I might want a supercharger someday and wondering if it would be better to find a low mile car w/brembo as a base than to upgrade mine. Also thinking I'd have to go back to a lower gear ratio (not sure). I'm also toying w/the idea of getting a manual now that I don't have to drive as much for work, but not sure on this yet.

I like a stang that I could keep for a very long time… If I kept this one, I'd probably get a Tahoe or similar in a year or two for more daily driving. If I get a different stang… not sure on that, depends on how much it costs. Like I said I'm still new to this world, but want to stay in it…. Interested in what you all think. Thanks. Arlen.
 
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#3 ·
Car's paid off? Rock this car into whatever you want it to be. That's the joy of a stick axle mustang; everybody makes parts to turn it into whatever the owner wants.

Brembos an easy add to your current ride. They are all over Ebay, just buy rotors, dust shields and calipers, hook em up and go. You'll obviously need new wheels but, that's an open door to your own tastes.
 
#4 ·
Keep the car. If you go with a centri blower the gears will be fine. With an auto and 3.73 gears (I think I am reading this right) with a centri blower and stall will be an absolute beast.
 
#6 ·
Brembo do increase stopping power, particularly in repeated applications. It does mean specific wheels, of course.

Having had a centre blower on a 3.73 car, I can't imagine being able to plant the power of that in any way, on a street tire...no matter what trans is ahead of it.
 
#7 ·
They don't, you'll gain a slight mechanical advantage from a longer lever arm (14" vs 13.2") but it is not a significant increase in stopping power. It IS a significant increase in thermal capacity, which serves 0 purpose at a drag strip. The man can spend his money as he sees fit, but that is a bad investment.
 
#8 ·
Where does he say he's building a dedicated drag car? From the mod list it looks all purpose and that's where you can use that additional thermal mass for high speed and repeated stops.
 
#9 ·
He didnt, which is why i said if. like I said, he can spend the money as he sees fit, but i promise the stock brakes are more than adequate for a few high speed stops. My wife and I both road raced mustangs on the stock 13.2" brakes for years, and I could kick the ABS on with 295 NT-05s at all 4 corners, meaning i still had WAY more stopping power than i did tire. Now, to be fair i had a fairly aggressive brake pad, but still, the stock brakes are fine.

So again, he can spend the money on them if he wants, BUT for anything other than a serious track day racer, they are a bad investment. Or at least not worth the return on the investment, word it as you see fit.
 
#10 ·
My 14 TrakPak was a garage queen and a great car although since I didn't limit my mods it just wasn't much fun to drive...except going fast and carving corners. With that said at one time I was tempted to by a 15 and after taking a few test rides I probably should have. The Performance Pakage in the 15 just felt more solid than my 14 and the stock cornering was as good as my mod'd 14. I wasn't sold on the 15 and up body although now I like them...a lot. Now, with all of this said my 03 Cobra is just loads more fun to drive than my mod'd 14 TrakPak and it's bone stock and doesn't have as much HP as my tuned 14.
I have to agree with with Voltwings on the Brembo's, if you aren't going to seriously track the car I wouldn't spend the money because you aren't going to gain hardly anything...except bragging rights.
 
#11 ·
The only reason to get a different car would be that the new one has some feature that you can't live without, or if money is no object. I have a 2012 3.7L and plan on getting a 2018 5.0 as it would be impractical to change my engine to a 5.0. If mine was a 5.0 now and I just wanted more power I would put some mods on it; that would save the depreciation of a new car and would be much cheaper. If I still had my 2011 5.0 I would still be driving it and not even be thinking of getting a 2018; but an unfortunate incident with a telephone pole put an end to the '11. This is a decision we can't make for you as you have to weight the cost/benefits involved.
 
#14 ·
We got one more model year for the GT350. I believe the GT500 won't be out until the 2019 MY, for the record.

That said, I traded my '13 premium for a '17 GT350 -- absolutely no regrets. I drive it daily, though I live only a couple miles from work so the in town mileage is low anyway. With cold weather/winter tires on it now, (Alpins) it grips pavement in the 20s to 30s F with no problems at all, sport mode or not.

On the other hand if you love modding your car, don't bother with GT350 or GT500. Mine is set up perfect and although I put a lot of mods in my '13, I'm not going to touch this one - it's perfect for me. For modding I'd go with an '18 GT Performance Pack to give you a jump start and have fun from there!
 
#15 · (Edited)
Thank you... some good feedback and perspective here. Yeah, I'm not trying to build a race car. Want something that can handle the track a couple times a year and formidable on the street. I drive it to work every day but only 3mi from my house.

Good points about not trading the car unless I make a substantial upgrade.... I really like modding the car (and keeping it somewhat sleeper looking), so maybe buying someone else's modding, gt500 etc. won't be best for me.

Assuming I keep the car, and don't need to get the big brakes and wheels, then I'm thinking of adding the Steeda UCA/LCAs, Bracket and 1pc driveshaft next.
 
#16 ·
Thank you... some good feedback and perspective here. Yeah, I'm not trying to build a race car. Want something that can handle the track a couple times a year and formidable on the street. I drive it to work every day but only 3mi from my house.

Good points about not trading the car unless I make a substantial upgrade.... I really like modding the car (and keeping it somewhat sleeper looking), so maybe buying someone else's modding, gt500 etc. won't be best for me.

Assuming I keep the car, and don't need to get the big brakes and wheels, then I'm thinking of adding the Whiteline or BMR UCA/LCAs, Bracket and 1pc driveshaft next.
Fixed.
 
#17 ·
Let’s see....you love the car and it’s paid. Seems like a no brainer to me....
 
#18 ·
Thanks guys.... Volt I usually go with Steeda since I can have them install it for me. They're like 20mins from where I live. Been thinking about doing it myself (the UCA, probably not the driveshaft), but it kind of looks like a pain to do.... on jackstands.
 
#19 ·
One thing to keep in mind when replacing the UCA in your Mustang is to replace the UCA bushing on the axle. The original Ford bushing is just not up task and added strain you will put on it buy replacing the OE UCA with a BMR or??? which comes with a poly bushing...IMHO
 
#20 ·
Just bear in mind the big difference bushing is primary noise control so, it'll get more rackety, for sure...
 
#21 ·
Har, differential bushing...autocorrect. doing the upper can be a pain. You need a hell of an impact gun to get the giant centre bolt out. Torque is like 300 pounds or something, too so a truck sized torque wrench, too. You can't really do the arm without removing the bracket, as there is no tool room or bolt pull out space in the floorpan with the bracket bolted in. I did it twice on my s197s in the garage so, I understand the job.
 
#22 ·
Getting the feeling everyone wants you to keep the '13 and have stopped giving thoughts on the original question. Some really good comments, though.

For the 'upgrade or trade' question it might be an idea to take a weekend and drive a supercharged S197 and whatever S550 you are considering on the same day. Preferably on a couple of days running.

Then, for the next three days, see which one you dream about the most and voila! There's your answer.

For what it's worth, if the supercharger for your '13 wins you will probably need to add the LCA's anyway. And relocation brackets with your lowered already setup. Driveshaft? Not sure why if you're not racing it. While two piece is ugly and heavy, they tend to work okay with street setups. Brembos only if you hate the look of your cute little calipers that much. They'll still do the trick with street tires as long as you aren't doing hard core 'track-style' repetitive braking. (Gotta admit, the Brembos look better.)

Oh, and you should do this ASAP! If the supercharger wins there are usually unbelievable boxing day supercharger kit sales every year. Not that I'm pushing supercharged S197......(but I guess I am. Tried to remain objective but I can't. Sorry.)

Good luck with your choice. On a positive note, neither one is a loser and good times are ahead either way, right?

All the best.
 
#23 ·
All really good perspectives and info.... this is exactly what I was looking for. I'm still not sure what I want to do, though I don't feel like I have to change my car due to some practical limitation. Thanks again everyone!
 
#24 ·
I was pretty close to trading mine in at one point this last summer. My main reason being the gen 2 coyote. Slap a blower on them & hit 800's. But then once I started to look at turbos & blowers to plan out the car & doing the math it became too much. Higher car payment (if you have one) as well as higher kits for the newer car. Also higher insurance payment. I love the look of both, but the s197 was the one that convinced me to leave imports & buy one. As for the hood, I see guys on forrums & fb already gaving issues with that too. Would carbon fiber be an option? Stick with it, might as well with what you have in it. I plan on keeping mine for the long looooong run.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G928A using Mustang Evolution mobile app
 
#25 ·
A concern about higher insurance rates may not be relevant. I had full coverage on my '13 V6. Traded last summer for a '17 GT350 and a '99 Escort (to drive when there is a salty mess on winter roads ;) ). Same exact coverage cost me +$14 for the Shelby plus minimal insurance on the Escort together.

Since you're coming from a GT not a V6... well. The difference could be even smaller. But it all depends on driving history, how many cars you have on a policy, and whether your house is on it, too (can provide a discount there on insurance as well).

Most Insurance companies will provide you a quote for free. Mine is Progressive and there you go through adding the car as if you bought it (using their online function) and it shows you the change in insurance cost. The day before I made my final decision, I saw that, my eyes bugged out, and my last bit of hesitation evaporated. I ran over and got my Shelby, then added the car for real. Yep. Quote was for real...

YMMV depending on your insurer, of course. That's why it's good to check before you get concerned or list it as something that might hold you back for doing what will make you happiest.
 
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