Build it or buy it

[dcartwright]

My 2005 turbo lite convertible is approaching 40,000 miles. I bought her in June of 2005, but didn't drive a lot in 2007 or 2008 because I traveled a ton for work. New job in June of this year came with a 90 mile a day commute.

I wanted to buy and nearly bought a GT at the time. I had a self imposed limit on both total financed and monthly payment. I couldn't work out a deal for a GT that fit my limits. I'm not too far from having paid off my car, but I'm seeing cheap, low mileage '06 GT verts regularly and occasionally seeing cheap, low mileage 07s that look tempting.

I'm wondering whether I should look at trading mine in or trying to upgrade it as much as possible to be GT like. That would start with the stage one, then would probably involve getting a leather kit. I'm not sure the order of other upgrades after that, but I'm guessing it would be brakes and suspension. My wife has an 06 GT hard top. I like the '05 body better which is one point in favor of upgrading the current car. I like the '06 interior much better, though. In the long run, it would certainly be cheaper to upgrade what I've got. I know this car has been well taken care of, too. On the other hand, if I bought it instead of building it, I'd get all of the upgrades at once, have the tiptronic transmission, and have a lower mileage car.

If anyone has any thoughts, I'd appreciate 'em. Maybe you'll have some pros or cons I haven't thought of, have already done some of this work, etc.

[03GTCruiser]

You could always look at the junk yard to get the interior parts, but as far as the tiptronic, not sure how compatible it would be with the turbo lite computer.

[quicksilverdon]

I would not underestimate the value of knowing yours has been taken care of.