The fifth generation of the venerable Ford Mustang began in 2005 and had a retro look as a nod to the original from 40 years earlier. The GT was a potent model and accounted for nearly 30% of production in ’05. This Mustang GT is said to have only 360 miles on the odometer and retains its window sticker. Maybe it was put away when new because of the four-decade anniversary of the famous pony car. Located in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, this almost new Ford is available here on craigslist for $29.500. Thanks to rex m for bringing this time capsule to our attention!
Mustang GTs were built to perform. They came with an all-aluminum 4.6-liter, 3-valve SOHC Modular V8 with variable camshaft timing and a TR-3650 transmission. That motor was good for 300 hp at 5750 rpm and 320 lb·ft of torque at 4500 rpm. More GT goodies included a limited-slip differential with the same carbon-fiber clutch discs used in the 2003-04 SVT Cobra. With a 5-speed manual transmission, like in the seller’s car, the car’s final drive ratio was 3.55:1. When you put all this together, the GT was capable of doing the quarter-mile in under 14 seconds at 100 mph. It could also do 0-60 mph in under six seconds!
There is no explanation as to why this Mustang has seen only 360 miles in 16 years. It was purchased new in the city where it currently resides. Perhaps the buyer thought this car would be a future collectible and put in mothballs. It retains its MSRP sticker, but it has been put back on the window with Scotch tape. The final price appears to have been in the $27-28,000 range, which would equal about $39,000 today, so no payback for inflation.
The black finish looks nice from the limited photos we get in a not-too-well-lit garage, and it wears orange stripes that seem to match the two-tone upholstery on the insides of the car. Hagerty estimates that top dollar for one of these survivors in top condition is about $22,000, so does the lack of use warrant a premium? And what work would be needed on the car to make it roadworthy as all the rubber bits are older now?
The fifth generation Mustangs were well-done and were solid sellers. They provide good looks and respectable performance in a ‘modern’ package. They are quite popular and have held their value well.
As evidence, and a bit of trivia: one may think of Mustang Club of America show participants as primarily first-generation cars. But that is not completely true. Fifth-generation cars like this are neck-and-neck with first generation cars.
With the oldest ones now being 17 model years old, there certainly are beaters out there, but it is encouraging to see quite a few in good shape which are being taken care of. I have one, a completely stock 2005 GT Convertible with 28k miles, Windveil Blue with a tan top and interior. The car is quite fun to drive. The attached pic is me crossing the Mississippi River on the Dorena (MO)-Hickman (KY) ferry this summer.
As for this car: typically crappy craigslist ad, can’t really pass much judgement on the car itself or the story behind it. It’s a low-option car which looks to have the stripes added (which don’t do much for me) along with the Cobra emblems.
Thanks Russ.
Beautiful color combo, Bob…
Great looking car Bob, I myself have a 2011 Kona Blue 5.0, so fun to drive. If you aren’t already a member, you should check out the Blue Mustang Registry on facebook, it’s free to join. We meet up every year in Oak Ridge and do a week of road courses such as Tail of the Dragon, Back of the Dragon,Burkes Garden, Mt. Mitchell, Devil’s Triangle and more, it’s a real fun time with some awesome people.
These cars are great. I think Bob in Tn’s is nicer than the feature car, but I like subtle more than stripes. I rented an 05 V6 in Florida back then and I swear it got up and went faster than a Fox 5.0, but didn’t sound as cool. I don’t know the stats off hand, but I was impressed with the 6 cyl.
I have an 07 convertible V6 auto car and it is fun to drive and much faster and more comfortable than my 85 Capri. But I still love to drive the Capri more lol. Feels fast and gets more thumbs up.
Ford made sure the rental companies had them early on.
That way people would see them buzzing around.
They also had base V6 stick versions, so they could be had for under $20K as I recall.
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10208634279568818&set=a.3306577277663
This my 2008 GT Premium
Seems like a fair deal, posted 6 days ago.
If the top went down, I would be all over this one.