Sell my GT/CS to buy a 69 Mach?

[ahainline]

I know this is borderline blasphemy.. but should it be done? Realistically... the Mach is worth more NOW but will it be in the future? Should I let the current values of the car sway me? My car is in better condition I think but is that what matters or does potential value the true measuring stick?
My car:
http://www.nadaguides.com/default.a...=1968&m=1065&d=2868&c=7&o=13741&vi=71945&da=1

The Mach
http://www.nadaguides.com/default.a...m=1065&d=2879&c=7&o=13666~13664&vi=72006&da=1

 

[hookedtrout]

From my perspective I'd have to ask what's money/value got to do with it? On the other hand I realize some cars are bought strictly as an investment, some cars are bought just for fun and others buy them for the fun and the investment. If you were to talk to an investment advisor they would most generally always steer you away from collecting cars as an investment that you will need to rely on. I guess if you are looking specifically at the investment aspect it's like the rest of the stock market, what's hot today may not be tomorrow, it's a risk you have to decide on your own. Take the $ out and I'd say get the one that you like the best, what makes you the happiest.

Probably wasn't any help at all, Sorry. One of those age old questions that there really isn't an accurate answer to.

Cory

 

[ahainline]

I dont look at it necassarily as an investment... BUT the resale value does play a part in the car. I dont want to pay X amount today and try and sell it in 5 -10 - 30 years down the road and it not be worth anything. Wouldnt everyone want the car they own to be worth more?

 

[Midnight Special]

I dont look at it necassarily as an investment... BUT the resale value does play a part in the car. I dont want to pay X amount today and try and sell it in 5 -10 - 30 years down the road and it not be worth anything. Wouldnt everyone want the car they own to be worth more?

...Pure speculation depending on what level (project, good driver, near concours, etc...) you are looking to buy and what level of care or mods you plan to do... 'Lots of variables there. A 351 4-spd would be alot of fun! But look it over closely as many were ridden hard over the years.

Best of luck

 

[DeadStang]

OK, I'll weigh in here, and remember, I DO like CS/GTs (I've had two), but... I see two issues comparing the CS to a Mach.

First, there is a world of difference between the '68 and the '69 model year cars--much greater difference than comparing the 1965 Mustang with the 1968 Mustang. The '69/'70s are (relatively speaking) like a luxury car, compared to the '68s--even comparing coupes to coupes. The seats are more comfortable, they ride better, handle better, and have a more "modern" design, than the '68s. And I agree with the above post, a 351W/4 speed is just a kick to drive!

And second, you're comparing a Coupe to a "Fastback." No matter how cool the CS/GT design is, it's always going to be a coupe. I would not recommend selling your CS to buy a '69 Coupe, even if was an S-code Grande (unless it's a Cobra Jet Coupe, of course!). But you won't lose money buying a Mach as I think, unless your CS/GT is an S-code/4 speed car in excellent condition, the Mach will always be an inherently more valuable car. Remember that I do LIKE CS/GTs, this is just my interpretation of the Mustang value world!

 

[rvrtrash]

Hey Deadstang, know anyone that might have a 69/70 Mach for sale, maybe a Grabber Green one, that would be willing to take a CS in part trade? :wink: :wink:

Steve (Shameless plug since he isn't saying anything himself)

 

[DeadStang]

LOL! As a matter of fact, I do happen to know just such a person. And have even seen the Grabber Green Mach myself in person...AND I must say that it's a sweet ride.

Seriously, I sincerely hope that someone who doesn't own 400 different cars all at the same time buys the GG Mach and appreciates it--of all of the cars I've had, it is truly a Mustang deserving of a good home. And if I didn't have 400 cars ("slight" exaggeration), I might just say "f" it and convert the thing over to a Trimec 5 speed and hold onto it and drive the crap out of it--it's not like it's even remotely stock anymore except for appearance, anyway.

 

[ahainline]

Well I would ideally like to just keep both cars BUT the g/f has been pushing the issue of buying a house .. I want a house too but I dont know if another car would be that much of a setback. Am planning on selling my motorcycle this spring so that would be one less payment.
Are there any trouble spots that I should be looking for in the 69??? What would be a good price for a car that needs minor work(cracked dash pad, some tears in seats, minor surface rust on underside of hood)????

 

[Midnight Special]

Well I would ideally like to just keep both cars...

Are there any trouble spots that I should be looking for in the 69??? What would be a good price for a car that needs minor work(cracked dash pad, some tears in seats, minor surface rust on underside of hood)????

There are several ways of looking at it. If your girlfriend is going to become your wife...then kids, then....?? $$$

As for the 69 Mach, the trouble spots to look for are the same ones discussed at length here for the '68s; rust, condition/ compression of engine, clutch and trans, interior items (likely more expensive to repair on '69s) etc... but I would want alot more info and detailed photos before giving an opinion on price. What can you afford??

 

[ahainline]

Here are a few pics..
The girlfriend will probably eventually become the wife and kids are to be expected within the next 5 years.. but the cars arent going anywhere as long as I still have garage space to keep them. My financial situation isnt bad but could be better. This is why I was saying that if I could sell the motorcycle it would be easier.
I havent even seen the car in person yet so who knows, it could be junk. I know it doesnt have the original engine in it but it comes with it. Otherwise he said the only thing that wasnt original was the bumpers, tranny(used to be 4speed still), and paint(same color but repainted about 15 years ago.)

What would be a good price range to buy at?

 

[Midnight Special]

...Pretty neat Tony, 'looks to have great potential. Not original engine,(comes with it, but is it rebuildable) lots of "fix its" ...

I'm curious what he's $$ asking, then after personal inspection; I would apply the NADA guidelines and research e-bay, craigslist et-al to see what they're actually selling for, not just listed as... Knowledge is power!

The 69 Mach has always been one of my favorites. The '68s ride like a Bronco compared to my '69 ;-) but don't let your passion steer you into a bum deal. PM me his asking price if you want, then get started on your "homework" I'll do my part to help you with this. Others here with far more smarts will chime in as well as you get more info. I'm only beginning my formal ed w/ restoration of a '69 ;-)

 

[DeadStang]

The condition of the body is the biggest factor, but I'd guess it's worth ballpark $15-20K, assuming it's not a rusty hulk. It's missing the rim blow steering wheel ($500 minimum for a driver piece), but still has the console, which looks OK. Does it have the fold-down back seat? That adds value. The wheels are nice, too. Original '69 rear wing. Neat looking car. I am also curious regarding the asking price.

 

[ahainline]

Wheels, steering wheel, and radio arent original either, missed that one in the e-mail. Doesnt appear to have the Mustang Emblem above the quarter panel either. Wing is original and still has the fold-down rear seat that is in good condition according to the seller. Again, havent seen the body but from the pics I see some paint chips here and there...more pics below

 

[Midnight Special]

Wheels, steering wheel, and radio arent original either, missed that one in the e-mail. Doesnt appear to have the Mustang Emblem above the quarter panel either. Wing is original and still has the fold-down rear seat that is in good condition according to the seller. Again, havent seen the body but from the pics I see some paint chips here and there...more pics below

...Really look at the front suspension, steering and shock towers as well.
I wore mine (on the yellow 351) completely out and had to have the shock towers welded some years ago. Alignment, sloppy response and "clunking" while driving will be your clue...

 

[DeadStang]

Where is the car now? And what is the DSO on the door tag?

 

[PNewitt]

We've had this type of discussion before here, and it's always a hard decision.

To interject here for a second -- I think you might be asking "us" not so much from a practical opinion, but where your heart might be on this decision. If everyone said "oh, gawd, NO!!", you'd have your decision made up for you...(well, sorta..).

I can't predict where the '69 Machs will sit value-wise, versus the GT/CS. I think that the rarity issue will help make the decision., then again, I can understand the variety of owning more than one Mustang. I drove my GT/CS for 450K miles, and now I added a '94, which I call my "high-tech '68" (oh! no more window cranks!)

That "down the road" thing...marriage, kids, etc. You might think about which Mustang you'd want in your garage in 3-10 years from now. Income can change over time, and you might kick yourself for letting the CS go...and you'd want another one, and may not find what you'd like to get back.

I think it's not deciding on what's in front of you, but what you will want years from now. Can you borrow the Mach, for a long afternoon drive, and see what it does with your "spirit"? Does it exceed your gut feeling that you've had with the CS? (and think of the WOW factor you've had with the CS on the street...would you get that with the Mach? You decide.)

Maybe you should hang on to the CS, and save up for a late model CS?

It's all in what you feel, not so much what seem right at the time...or what's practical.

My two bits.

Paul N.

 

[BroadwayBlue]

...Can you borrow the Mach, for a long afternoon drive, and see what it does with your "spirit"? Does it exceed your gut feeling that you've had with the CS? (and think of the WOW factor you've had with the CS on the street...would you get that with the Mach? You decide.)

Paul N.

Kind of like that new Cadillac commercial...

"The question is ... When you turn on your car ... does it return the favor?"

My CS does everytime.

As does my 96 GT Convertible which is why I still have it ... always plan on selling it ... go for a drive and say ... what am I crazy?
I've decided when I have to sell it ... I need to stop driving it for good!

I think that's what Paul is getting at here.

(Great piece of marketing genius there by the way - can't believe it took this long for someone to come up with that one ... first time I heard that I said - wow! that was great!!)

 

[Midnight Special]

...A good Mach is nothing to sneer at, and they too get lot's of "Wow". The paint scheme on the '70 looks like a Boss at first glance and if you wind up w/ a shaker on the hood - prepare for comments "good"!
I'm very partial to both models and would have a heck of a time deciding where to economize. Truly, the only reason I don't have a Shelby or Boss is that I would be too much into preservation as opposed to driving and enjoying. The GT/CS and Mach Is are the next best going, for now, although I believe the time will come where they too will become risky and prohibitive. What ever you decide - enjoy it now while you can

 

[PNewitt]

There are times when the path of message boards arrive at a pretty good thought, that without other's input, we'd never get there. This is one of those times...

Rich and Tim hit on something that occured to me after reading their posts. I was wrong...it's not about the "wow factor", it's about something else....

Although this was about the question of CS vs. Mach, it's really come to the idea of personal 'gratification". What does your GT/Cs give back to you...and is it something you wish to keep?

Yes, it's a 40 yr. old car, and it may not drive as smooth as a new car, but it's that feeling of having this Shelby-ized coupe, and seeing that sassy spoiler in your mirror every time that you're on the road.

We know the perks, and the fun and enjoyment. But, sometimes we experience times in our GT/CS that are greater than the sum of it's parts.

It is that personal experience that we can measure to decide if it's something we want or don't want.... Like a lot of things in life, it always comes down to "the net effect"....is it an overall positive experience--or not?

Being the registrar, I've had the privledge of seeing hundreds of responses from owners, and years of letters and expressions of "love" for this Mustang. If it weren't for this affection, through gratification all these years, there would be no website, no books, no '07-'08's, and no one would care..., and the GT/CS would see it's own demise by time.

So, it has to do with gratification...and what it gives back to you. That is the real spirit of the GT/CS; but you know....I think all of you already know that.

Paul N.

 

[Midnight Special]

...Gratification and beyond I think, Paul. It's been hard to come up with an adequate description. It's just a feeling, I suppose.

Being more of an airplane nut, I always dreamed of owning a P-51 Mustang. Knowing I could never afford one - I settled for a THREE-51... As history would show how the aircraft was a major influence for the original Mustang car concept. I became more enthused and with time, hooked.

In the same way those pilots talked to, cared for, nurtured and became one with their airplanes (WWII or Reno Air Races), I chose the perfect vehicle to develop the same kinship with in a way that no new car (and all their computerized systems) can do.

Yes, it's a personal thing - but a feeling I wish all could experience...

P.S. Remember; these are tomorrow's "good ole' days" ;-)