Paint Mustang for my wife?

[NeedSpace]

So with Kid #1 heading off to college, I want to trade in my Ford Flex for something with a little more pep for my wife. We still need a car with back seats because we have 2 other kids and the cops frown upon strapping them to the roof. We took a 2012 Mustang Convertible 6 speed for a test drive and she loved it. I was hoping to go used for a 2010 so I can get basically the same car for about $8k less. here's my dilemma:

My wife wants a very specific color, Grabber Blue. This is a tough one to come by used with the options we like.



A thought I had was to purchase basically the same optioned car in white, and then get it painted by an autobody shop... The colors we would paint it would either be a lighter blue or mint. The front right 2 cars in this pic.


I am still waiting on pricing but wanted to get the opinion of you guys first.

I am not too worried about resale because I usually take my cars to about 130k miles. If I did the white, it would contrast nicely with either color, plus, I was planning on doing the pin stripping like the photo on top (ala porsche). This way, also, I wouldn't have to go nuts regarding painting the engine bay, inside trunk and door jams. My paint shop also has a paint booth so it would be baked on paint. What do you think?

[RANDY P]

A good paintjob that will look factory will cost you at least $8k and you would still have a used car.

Order it that way new. Easier and less hassle. Or, find one and add the options out of pocket.

rjp

[porsche4life]

Nope, find one in the color you like, color is damn hard to change and do properly....

I'd look at transporting one across the country before I'd change colors.

[wreckersteve]

Also look at the leap in fule economy since 2010. That alone might make it worth it.

[RANDY P]

Ford : Mustang Ford : Mustang | eBay

[pwd72s]

Why a 4.6 2010 Model? The 5.0 (2011 and up) models look the same as a 2010, are around 100 horsepower more. Also, check the options...look for one with the Brembo brakes & 3:73 ratio limited slip. Color? Up to you, I guess...

Oh, even if it's a 6 banger...the 2011 & up have more power..

[Zeke]

A good friend and car dealer once told me there were 2 things in life to avoid: getting opened up by a surgeon and painting a car. In both cases, it will never be the same.

Personally, I think the body heals up better than what happens to a car.

[Grog]

How big are your kids? Did you ride in the back seat? The back seat is really comfy but no leg room for the back or front, because the front seat has to be moved forward. I don't know but it might be worse in a convertible. I have 2 teens (18 and 16) if we all go somewhere, we take the truck.

[pwd72s]

Originally Posted by Grog

How big are your kids? Did you ride in the back seat? The back seat is really comfy but no leg room for the back or front, because the front seat has to be moved forward. I don't know but it might be worse in a convertible. I have 2 teens (18 and 16) if we all go somewhere, we take the truck.

Another good point...not much legroom for back seat passengers in a Mustang...unless both you & your wife are short people who move the seats forward anyway.

[azasadny]

Don't paint it, get the car in the color you want, it's out there!

[pwd72s]

Originally Posted by azasadny

Don't paint it, get the car in the color you want, it's out there!

Definitely! Even shipping coast to coast in an enclosed trailer with full insurance coverage is MUCH less expensive than a quality repaint.

[EarlyPorsche]

How about a blue Camero? They are wild looking!

[pwd72s]

Originally Posted by EarlyPorsche

How about a blue Camero? They are wild looking!

Also much heavier than a Mustang...read the comparison tests. I've yet to read a Camaro vs. Mustang test where the Camaro was favored by those testing...

[Laneco]

Buy the color you want, Ford made plenty of them. That grabber blue is spectacular. The color on the t-bird-lets that you're looking at is kindly described as anemic and accurately described as emasculated.

Have Kaisen find you one - it's what he does.

angela

[nostatic]

I thought Mustangs were so fast paint couldn't stay on the metal.

Oh wait, I forget it depends on the height of the cliff.

I keed, I keed

[Heel n Toe]

Originally Posted by NeedSpace

I am not too worried about resale because I usually take my cars to about 130k miles. If I did the white, it would contrast nicely with either color, plus, I was planning on doing the pin stripping like the photo on top (ala porsche). This way, also, I wouldn't have to go nuts regarding painting the engine bay, inside trunk and door jamBs. My paint shop also has a paint booth so it would be baked on paint. What do you think?

These parts of your post seem to say that your repaint would only be an outside repaint: "I wouldn't have to go nuts regarding painting the engine bay, inside trunk and door jamBs."

If you and your wife are okay with that, go for it. Take it to MAACO if you want to and don't let anyone ridicule you for doing so.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by Zeke

A good friend and car dealer once told me there were 2 things in life to avoid: getting opened up by a surgeon and painting a car. In both cases, it will never be the same.

Personally, I think the body heals up better than what happens to a car.

This. Unless you pay a fortune it won't ever look right. Either find a used one spec'd the way you want or order it. The old V6 is crap, the 2011+ V6 is very good. Frankly if it were me I'd just order a new one, the last few days of 2011 are a good time to buy.

[EarlyPorsche]

Originally Posted by pwd72s

Also much heavier than a Mustang...read the comparison tests. I've yet to read a Camaro vs. Mustang test where the Camaro was favored by those testing...

Really? I guess what I like about them is styling. Gotta admit they actually has good looks compared to the ford and dodge competitors.

[Rot 911]

I agree with Paul on getting a 2011 or 2012 Mustang over the 2010. There are so many improvements in engines and handling that you will wish you had spent the extra money.

[porsche4life]

Fwiw, 130k miles isn't ****, so the car would still have some resale, unless it's been to Maaco.