Flamesuit is on and I know it sounds like sacrilege but...

I won't wax on about how great the Turbo is. I'd be preaching to the choir, I just thought I'd share some of my reasons for considering a Boss 302.
My Turbo now has 56k on the clock. I just had a new clutch installed, radiators and 60k service done. Car is in tip top shape. However, the aforementioned service items cost me $5k. My Turbo is a weekend toy with maybe one HPDE per year. Otherwise its the fun car in the family. My kids like to ride in the back, and my wife and I like to take it when just the two of us go out.

Here are the problems I have with the Turbo.
1. Its expensive to maintain. I take care of mine, and maybe the big ticket items are now out of the way, but I can't keep putting that kind of money into the car.

2. The nearest dealer is an hour a way and so is my Indy. neither offer loaners, so service visits are a major inconvenience.

3. I live in a small town. If you've been driving for 15 minutes you missed where you were going. Turbo warm up and cool down seriously cut into my enjoyment. Feel like an ***, idling at a gas pump and every other destination on my errand list for two minutes while the turbos cool.

4. Finally, I am at 56k miles. I think it is already considered a high mileage car by this board, but something about a car over 60k I think will hurt resale more.

The Boss 302 is naturally aspirated, cheap to maintain, will be brand new and carry a full warranty. It is track ready in stock form (like our cars) and should not depreciate as bad, given its limited run. There is a local dealer 5 minutes from my house. All the same qualities I liked in my former C5 Z06. In fact I would consider a Z06 again, but I want back seats for the kids. It maximizes how often I can take the car out.

I know, its interior sucks, it has a live rear axle, and does not have the cache and reputation of the Turbo. I don't care about the image thing. In fact, here in Upstate NY driving the Ford will get more smiles than the Turbo.

I also considered a used M3. But I test drove one (it was a convertibly FWIW) and was dissapointed by the lack of lower and mid-range torque. Maybe there is something else I should be considering.

I figure I can get between $45 and $50k for my car and a new Boss is $43k and I could get a used/certified M3 with 20k miles for about $48k.

I Appreciate any thoughts, insights, insults and requisite derogatory comments about my momma

 

some thoughts...

AWD, NY winters, I don't drive mine if there is snow on the ground or on the way, but I feel like somebody would bring this up...

Depreciation, how bad do you think the boss will depreciate in 3 years, 20k miles?

5 minutes on the internets... 2009 shelby gt500 w/ 25,000, for high 30's, mid 50's msrp. 30% drop in 3 years and 25k miles.

I don't know how the gt500's compare on build numbers etc. Just trying to find out how late model "special" mustangs are depreciating.

The distance to service and factory warranty are appealing. do you know how trustworthy local dealers are? quality of work? would you trust them to work on an explorer? how about your track car?

I have a friend with an m3 and I hassle him about it, I say "sure it's special and a cool fast car, but across the parking lot it is a silver 3 series". I feel the same way about the boss (and Z06 for that matter), from across the parking lot it's a mustang with stripes... vettes, mustangs, and 3 series are all over the place in Denver.

Our cars could be called just a 911, which is fine with me...

 

put down the crack pipe, man

lol, but seriously, I agree with DanF. I don't know if a Boss would depreciate as fast as a regular Mustang given it being a special series, but you might want to wait and see about getting a used one. seeing my friends' experiences has made me vow to never buy a Ford new.

also, the driving experience is totally different. my 911 is not a Turbo, but I think I would have to have a gun to my head (or wifely pressure ) to trade in that experience for that of a Mustang...even a Mustang that laps just as fast as an M3 or better.

speaking of the M3, I own one and I can see how a Turbo owner would be dissatisfied with its low end. it may not be the car for you. if you're looking for a German car with monster torque, may I suggest the Mercedes AMG's?

 

Thanks for the Reply Dan.

I think the car will depreciate no doubt. And that is a valid point. But I think it will depreciate less.

As for the quality of the local shops, I am not that concerned. Its far easier to find a quality mechanic to work on a Ford than it is a Turbo. Plus with a full warranty, I am less concerned about the price of parts etc...

In terms of image, of it being just another ford with stickers, or a Z06 being just another corvette. While I fully appreciate a lot of people liking the uniqueness of a Porsche, and I do like the looks it gets, I think it has its downside as well.

I love to drive. I love throwing a car around corners and the thrill of acceleration. I don't care what badge is on it, as long as I love it. And sometimes luxury brands, create a certain stigma in the public's eye that i can do without. Yes its a Porsche, but that's not why I bought it (for the same price as a Tahoe no less). I didn't buy it to show off, feed my ego or look good. I bought it to put a stupid grin on my face.

 

only if "Laguna Seca" edition.
well, because Racecar

 

That $5k service is unusual (why did the radiators need to be replaced?) and probably not going to repeat unless you have some major failure.

I currently own a '11 Mustang GT, I bought it after similarly disappointing M3 test drives (DCT and 6-speed). Like you, I could care less about prestige or image, I just wanted the best car for the best dollar. I bought one, immediately made suspension mods (it's as good if not better than a Boss in that category), and enjoyed the car since last September.

Now I'm ready to sell it. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the car, it's just that the little details you start to notice after a while: the car lacks any steering feel. I can't feel the road at all. The live axle repeatedly makes itself known...when the rear end unloads it is very scary and does not inspire confidence. The fit and finish of the interior is very nice but the materials used are just cheap. And lastly, and this is important to me, the car is not attractive.

If I were you, I would consider getting a daily driver and leaving the Porsche in the garage except on those days you want to go enjoy it. If this isn't feasible for you and you really need back seats, I'd perhaps bide my time until the next M3 comes out late next year which will have a turbo 3.2 or 3.3 liter engine making >450hp.

Go drive the 302 before you spend much thought on it. A lot of people can't stand the way it feels despite magazine articles. The car is going to feel huge to you. (You will adjust to that, btw). Microsoft Sync is incredible and should be included on every car made, if you care about those types of things.

 

Also, don't stress about depreciation. The older Mustangs, basically anything before 2010, depreciate horribly because 2010 is when Ford started making dramatic improvements to the Mustangs.

 

You pay either way you go. Maintenance for the turbo, or depreciation on the Mustang. Unless you are supremely unlucky the depreciation will be the greater hit. Also in terms of speed its still no comparison, the turbo is faster all around, and even more will a simple flash etc.

What the 302 has going for it is great v8 sound and a drag race ready car with its own upgrade market. Still its a muscle car vs a sports car. It depends on what you want. Test drive it a few times and see what you like better.

I think for the 40k or so price range there is nothing better than the 996 turbo that has back seats for kids. The M3 is not going to be a big savings on maintenance imo. If rear space is an issue, along with maintenance I'll be on the minority opinion of a Lexus IS-F with some suspension upgrades.

 

I agree 100%, especially up here. I'm in Watertown, NY and my Turbo sticks out like a sore thumb... and not necessarily in a good way. I love taking it out and going for drives (although we are really lacking in the twisties) but I hate taking it out to do errands. It just draws too much attention. You're right, the Ford would actually fit in much better and wouldn't have that negative stigma Porsche seems to have up here.

But then again, the AWD of the Porsche is nice especially considering the amount of rain and snow we get. And I would definitely miss the turbos and the tunability of the Porsche. So I'd personally stick with the Porsche, despite the stigma issues.

 

I assume we are talking about a non-daily driver, correct?
The Turbo sticks out because it is awesome and different.

If you need to blend in with the masses, take your other car...

or you could buy a corolla and keep the turbo.

Another comment on perception, local law enforcement has a different attitude when you get pulled over in a muscle car (ask me how I know... see signature). The first time I got pulled over in the 911 the cop was very polite and gave me a warning. The first warning I have ever received...?

Muscle car, cop is going to give you a ticket 100% of the time, from my personal experience, anyway.... They look at you like you are reckless and you know exactly what you did wrong.

Than again we aren't comparing apples to apples... speeding in a 400 hp car with leaf springs, bad breaks, and no airbags is a little different than a 2012 mustang, but I think the basic perception remains.

 

Keep the car and learn how to do some basic DIY like plugs, oil, drive belt, air filter, brakes. It will save you money and time driving back and forth from the dealer. Most of those DIY's are fairly straight forward if you are somewhat mechanically inclined. There are quite a few step by step DIY's right here on 6speed. That is, of course, if you have the time to DIY. Not to mention, the service you just performed should keep you going for a while, 60k is a major one.

I doubt you would get 45k to 50k for the car unless you really held out for the right buyer. Mods don't really hold their value unless the buyer sees value in the mods. More like 40k realistically, I would say.

I do have to admit though, the warm up cool down is extremely annoying. It's crazy that it takes 15 minutes for the car to completely warm up. 2 minute cool down is extreme IMO, only necessary when you have been really mashing the gas and staying in boost without cruising at low RPMs for while. 30 seconds to 1 minute is probably fine if you have been staying out of boost and running errands.

As far as the Mustang... Remember, Porsche, there is no substitute!

 

I'd ask the same question on corral dot net for a more unbiased answer

Looking at all your questions it appears as you want a car that is fun and cheaper to maintain. From the reviews the Boss 302 sounds awesome as it supposedly outperforms the M3 and the mustang platform has a way cheaper aftermarket than the turbo if you ever want to make any improvements.

The Mustang will never be in the same category as the Turbo, it will not be as prestigious and exclusive but if you feel that you can get more fun out of owning it I say go for it.

 

many factors here: have you though of driving the car more to justify owning it. the ford hits 40k the first day you drive it off the lot. the shelby that is,over 20k hit the first day. i know all cars take a hit, but to me thats huge. your kids and wife love the car. thats huge. i drive mine 90% of time alone. 5 k is a lot of money and you will have to spend more, but in the long run you're already attached to the car and there will be cost on the other car down the road. new clutch and radiators, whats left beside service ? lucky you, i had to change my radiators at 45k, and the clutch was because i added more power. the issue that i would be worried about the most is this. selling the car and a year later knowing the other car was better. i have bought and sold many P cars and have been on the fence about selling this one for a newer one. my son gave me great advice " dad the new one will be old just the the one before" so i decided to make the car mine by adding upgrades.. thats another thread!!!!!!! you already have one of the best sports cars in the world. IMO. maybe you should consider taking it on long, hard, runs early on the weekends to get reacquainted with the car more often. i would consider this, turbos don't fall in value after a certain point. 60k high miles, who says? these cars are know for 150k plus with relativity no big problems. take a look at any ford for sale at 60k miles. its worth very little and in the next 60k miles worthless IMO. there has been talk about the 996 being the least porsche "LOOK" out of them all. the last laugh would be if it became value because so.. who knows.. driving!!!! forget about it; you'll know the first real drive that its not a porsche.. this post goes for the BMW as well.. IMO....

 

I figure that any car is basically a tool to get some job done. Sounds like you need a more practical solution for the job you are needing to do. Cars come and go; there'll always be another for sale if you feel you made a miscalculation. The difficulty is separating emotion from a business decision.... Good luck with whatever direction you take. Carhopping is expensive in the long run, so think good and hard. A TT is a very wonderful thing.

 

If you are set on getting rid of the TT look into a used C63.
It has all the tourque the M3 is lacking and is a sedan so easy to get in and out with the kids