Trading my 997S for a 2011 Mustang GT. Your thoughts?

HardDrive · 02-18-2015, 01:37 PM

I recently decided to dip my toe in the Mustang waters by buying a 2002 Mustang GT. I really liked it. I've driven new GTs and was pleased. I guess I'm just getting itchy feet, but I'm seriously considering ditching my 997S for 2011. That was first year of the Coyote 5.0 motor.

I hate to admit to being a worry wart, but my 997 is coming close to being 10 years from its 'in service' date, after which, you no longer have any sort of recourse for IMS bearing issues outside of taking PNA to court directly. The class action suit against them only covers 10 years out.

What do you think? Foolish move?

'Grabber' blue is awfully close to Mexico blue, one of my favorite colors.....

motion · 02-18-2015, 01:48 PM

Put down the crack pipe and back away slowly, dude.

Black968 · 02-18-2015, 02:08 PM

There must be a lack of sun in OH. Absolutely not. Nice color though.

Dantilla · 02-18-2015, 02:09 PM

I like Mustangs.

Fun to drive, yet they do not attract too much attention, the one downside of the 911.
"Fun to drive" is relative, of course. Mustangs are overweight compared to nimble sports cars, but still on the short list of cars I like.

RANDY P · RANDY P's Garage

No. Mustangs are a dime a dozen, you'll be regretting it soon, especially financially. Buy 'em cheap and keep 'em cheap- it's a hot rod, and that's it.

Dump the $$$ into IMS fix, and build the sTang you have.. This phase will pass.

rjp

yazhound · yazhound's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by motion

Put down the crack pipe and back away slowly, dude.

WTH over?

Amail · 02-18-2015, 02:24 PM

Paul?!? Is that you?!?

HardDrive · 02-18-2015, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RANDY P

Dump the $$$ into IMS fix, and build the sTang you have.. This phase will pass.

rjp

I already got rid of the 2002, it was an experiment.

IMS fixes ain't cheap! Best case scenario is that they only have to do a tear down and clean the bits of metal (shudder) out of the engine. Worst is that you looking at a new engine, $20k+. Thats crazy.

HardDrive · 02-18-2015, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by motion

Put down the crack pipe and back away slowly, dude.

If you don't like Mustangs that fine, but I don't think its that bizarre an idea. I'm beyond caring what my neighbors think of the car I drive. I drive an old F-150 a lot of the time. The 5.0 makes 412hp, and seems to get great reviews all around.

aigel · aigel's Garage

Is the 997 towards the bottom of the depreciation curve? And where is the Mustang?
I would imagine that the 997 will lose a lot less in value in the next 5 years than the Mustang, leaving you the funds to get an aftermarket IMS bearing installed and have piece of mind.

That said, you may just want a newer car and something different and money is not the issue here - then I'd just go for it. There are newer and nicer 911s to be had later as needed. They also are on a depreciation curve!

G

enzo1 · 02-18-2015, 02:59 PM

991...

450knotOffice · 450knotOffice's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by HardDrive

IMS fixes ain't cheap! Best case scenario is that they only have to do a tear down and clean the bits of metal (shudder) out of the engine. Worst is that you looking at a new engine, $20k+. Thats crazy.

Only if it has already begun to fail. If not, then a simple replacement is relatively inexpensive.

It sounds like you have one of the early 997's. If so, you can have the IMS bearing changed out for a MUCH better LN Engineering version for about $2000 total cost. Peace of mind. I had the IMS bearing on my 2000 996 replaced at 110,000 miles while the clutch was being replaced (the original IMS bearing turned out to be fine, btw). My 996 now has 170,000 miles. If you have a later 997, then I hear that the IMS bearing in those engines is nearly indestructible.

onewhippedpuppy · 02-18-2015, 03:13 PM

If the IMS is bothering you, and you have an early build 2005, then just change it. It's not all that expensive. If you have a later car with the more robust IMS bearing, then you have nothing to worry about.

If I were considering a Mustang, it would have to be either a Boss 302 or the new body style. The 5.0 is a really great motor but I can't get over the super cheap interior. The new one is a quantum leap forward in quality.

Rot 911 · 02-18-2015, 03:19 PM

What Matt said re: the Mustang. I had a 2013, and while I loved the drive train, the interior was like sitting in a cheap, plastic cave. Kept it a year and then sold it.

HardDrive · 02-18-2015, 03:24 PM

To be clear, you used the LN product when you had it replaced?

Quote:

Originally Posted by 450knotOffice

Only if it has already begun to fail. If not, then a simple replacement is relatively inexpensive.

It sounds like you have one of the early 997's. If so, you can have the IMS bearing changed out for a MUCH better LN Engineering version for about $2000 total cost. Peace of mind. I had the IMS bearing on my 2000 996 replaced at 110,000 miles while the clutch was being replaced (the original IMS bearing turned out to be fine, btw). My 996 now has 170,000 miles. If you have a later 997, then I hear that the IMS bearing in those engines is nearly indestructible.

yellowperil · 02-18-2015, 03:31 PM

I'd like to see a pic of your 997. The Mustang looks nice but...

Nostril Cheese · 02-18-2015, 03:31 PM

The IMS issue is not as common as some people would like you to believe.

I can't fault you for liking the new Mustangs. The motors are great.

jorian · 02-18-2015, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HardDrive

To be clear, you used the LN product when you had it replaced?

I changed mine out when the clutch was done. A little less than $2K.

onewhippedpuppy · 02-18-2015, 03:38 PM

Just an aside, for the value of a 997S you can do way better than a 2011 Mustang. A brand new one should be a straight trade.

motion · 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HardDrive

If you don't like Mustangs that fine, but I don't think its that bizarre an idea. I'm beyond caring what my neighbors think of the car I drive. I drive an old F-150 a lot of the time. The 5.0 makes 412hp, and seems to get great reviews all around.

I actually LIKE Mustangs! I saw a bunch of the new ones in Kauai last week and they look great. I'm sure they haul a$$, too. But, you'll grow tired of it quickly because of the cheapness of all American built cars, and its a heavily depreciating asset. That thing's gonna be worth $10K in a few years. Your 997 will do much, much better over the long term, and it will be much more fun to drive. Just my 0.02!!!