Would you buy a garage queen?

I've seen the threads too about mileage not being such a big deal as long as the car is maintained, so I don't feel we have to re-hash that. (Although if you want to, have at it.)

I came across a 2001 Mustang Bullitt on CL that I am in love with. Dark Highland Green, 5500 miles on the clock, never even seen rain for crying out loud.

I look at it, I'm in love...and then it hits me. I am going to want to drive the ever-loving crap out of that car...and I feel a bit guilty. Anyone else feel the same way? This car has been neatly preserved for 11 years, and now I kinda feel like it should go to someone else who will care for it in the same fashion.

And as much as it kills me to see another cool car condemned to a garage, there are plenty of other Bullitts out there with more mileage on them that I could enjoy, and I wouldn't miss a wink of sleep knowing that I've got a cool car that will pull commuting, track day duties, or even shuttling the pups to the park.

So what say you, GRMers. Do you free a performance car from the indignity of garage queen status, or do you let it be preserved for posterity's sake?

Just curious.

I like the Bullitt Mustangs. But there's nothing especially special about special edition Mustangs anymore. Drive the crap out of it.

I wouldn't bother owning car I couldn't drive.

And I have a few cars....

Woody wrote: I like the Bullitt Mustangs. But there's nothing especially special about special edition Mustangs anymore. Drive the crap out of it.

Forty years from now, one of my children will bitch at you for "ruining a classic"... Then I will ruin the back of their head with a swift smack.

I hate people who complain about driving cars that are "too valuable"... It's a damned car...what else are you supposed to do with it?

I have enough cars I can't drive.

Don't need another one. I would drive the crap out of it.

If you modify it, keep the originals so you can put it back to factory.

how's this for an answer?

The Gilmore Museum has a privately owned collection of mint condition auburns, cords, and a 20's Benz (worth 7 figures). the owner of the cars is in his late 80s. He will come and check the cars out and drive them down the country roads of West Michigan

Snooks Museum in Bowling Green OH also drives his cars regularly, and races a few of them

If you stumble across a car that ISN'T , say, a true one of a kind like a Zagato-bodied something, my feeling is you treat it like any new car. If you had bought this car/was it's original owner in 2001, what would you have done? Bought it and never driven it? Or would you use it like it was McQueen's and you were in the mood to chase down the baddies in their Charger?

I bought a 1996 cobra 4yrs ago, had 13,000 miles on it. It was 100% factory down the tires, had a H1SSS vanity plate, and a old ford master tech as the owner. Zero regrets prepping it for autox ESP class :)

BTW, those 2001 bullets have a different intake plenum, throttle body etc, and and significantly faster than the regular GTs of the era, mostly because of a much nicer torque curve; very fun car to drive. That dark green is also stunning.

Highly suggest you buy it if the price is right.

Great Bullitt vs Mach 1 vs 1999 cobra atricle: http://mustangforums.com/forum/bullitt-mustangs/175733-99-cobra-bullitt-and-mach-1-a.html

Bullitt vs GT specs: * The new cast aluminum intake manifold has an increased runner diameter to maintain low-end torque and provide a broader power curve for increased top-end performance. * A twin 57mm-bore throttle body replaces the GT 65 mm throttle body, allowing for quicker throttle response and increased peak flow. * To reduce parasitic losses, the alternator pulley was increased to 66 mm and the water pump pulley was increased to 140 mm. * The exhaust system has been retuned to increase flow approximately 20% and give the Bullitt a new distinct sound. * All Mustang Bullitts have the new TR3650 transmission and clutch assembly that provides improved shift quality. A new 11-inch flywheel and clutch assembly have been added to increase torque capacity and reduce clutch pedal efforts.

Exterior

• Pony on grill is centered in a blacked out coral instead of chrome.
• Does not come with a spoiler.
• Brushed aluminum gas filler door.
• Molded front mud guards.
• Different Rocker Panels
• Lowered by 3/4"
• Red Brake calipers with a silver Mustang.
• Simple side scoops without the honeycomb plastic grill.
• Bullitt Badge on the left of Trunk lid.
• Rolled exhaust tips.
• Molded c-pillars sweep forward instead of straight down.

Interior

• Brushed aluminum shifter bezel.
• Brushed aluminum ball shifter knob.
• Door sills with BULLITT logo.
• Retro dash has white lighting and closely indexed speedometer.
• Seats are stitched to replicate the style from the 60's..
• New stainless steel pedal covers are positioned to provide better heel-to-toe relationship

It's not going to be your DD, is it?

I'd buy it, take good care of it, and drive it whenever I wanted to.

A car is a machine that was built to be driven. An animal is something you pamper and love.

It's just a Mustang dude. Buy it and drive the heck out of it. You can drive the thing without destroying it. I would be more worried that this car has only been driven 500 miles a year for the past 10 years. It has only gotten the gas tank filled up maybe twice a year, wonder how many oil changes. I bet it is like brandy new inside and out though.

I like the highland green color of these, but otherwise not a big Mustang fan myself.

There is no indignity in preserving what is original only once, and almost always worth a LOT more as a low mileage, ultra clean survivor. I would have no problem at all buying and driving such a car. You CAN wring it out, though. Resist the clutch pops, watch out for a dirt or worked on road, don't drive in the rain, etc... But, when it's dry, and you want to have fun, wring its neck when you wanat to. Of course, no over-revving, preventative maintenance, careful wipe downs/washings, dust cover...all come with the territory.

My last Spitfire was a '62 with really low miles, 19K, and, when I sold it in 2008, I had NO problem getting the asking price, and had people calling me after the sale...and, yes, I did wring its neck during the summer. But I did the post wringing clean up as needed.

RE: iceracer, a car can and often IS both.

Regardless of what others do, if it is calling your name, and you want it, buy it. Just maintain it. I can't stand people who take a rare or hard-to-find car in really good condition, then beat it into the ground with no regard to maintaining it. Says to me, "I've got enough money to do this, ha, ha" or, "I just don't care enough about it, so what if its startring to show a bit of rust here and there."

I watched a guy do this with a really nice '72 Capri. Granted, not a "classic" or remotely considered one. But, after three years of neglect, it looked horrible, inside and out. And he had other cars for Daily Drivers. Beat it and throw it away was his creed, it's only a car.

Yeah, count me in the "cars are meant to be driven" camp. Just take care of it - keep the stock parts so you can put th back, and don't cut up the body - but mod it and drive it hard.

Cars were built to be driven. If you want something to sit in the garage and look at, build a berkeleying model. If you buy cars as an investment, thank you. I look forward to the day when I can hand you a stack of cash, side-step the clutch, and leave a 50 foot pair of black marks on your driveway while a little tear runs down your face.

As far as what a garage queen is "worth:" Nothing if I can't drive it.

OK, the personal remark was not needed or called for.

I will not be crying if you side step the clutch. You can do with it what you want to. You bought it.

The OP was asking for an opinion on what, as individuals, we would do/felt.

Reread my post. BTW, I just hope you don't "drink like a champion" before you get in and side step the clutch.

It's a Mustang Bullitt, there's a few out there.

My concern with ultra-low mileage vehicles is that cars don't like standing around. Stuff seizes, grease dries out and tires get flat spots and they're often a bigger pain in the butt to keep going because of that.

My 911 is a low mileage car (60k since 1988) and it's suffering from various ailments because of it.

There's absolutely no reason not to drive it! Now, that doesn't mean you should trash it but I think it deserves more than 500 miles a year and rain isn't going to kill it. Cars are meant to be driven and enjoyed, especially ones like that. The Bullitt is probably my 2nd favorite Mustang of the last 40 years.

My dream one day is to own the world's highest-mileage Ferrari...

Javelin wrote: My dream one day is to own the world's highest-mileage Ferrari...

High mile Fiero+bodykit= dream achieved!

I don't like the idea of being the caretaker of a car, preserving it for something else. I drive my cars, I modify my cars, I use my cars. I don't abuse or neglect them, but the welfare of a future owner/collector is not a guiding principle.

In the case of the Bullitt, drive it with absolutely no regrets

I would buy a higher mileage one just cause it's usually cheaper. I do think stuff should be preserved though, it's already kept nice, it should remain that way. Just not by me though.

Joey

OK, the personal remark was not needed or called for.

??? Not sure how I can put this in a way that won't hurt feelings, but basically, I wasn't talking to you.

The world has enough garage statuary. Drive it.

WWJLD? (What Would Jay Leno Do?)

It's a car, not a statue. If someone wants to buy it because they think it will be a good investment to stick it in a garage and occasionally rub it with a diaper, I'm sure they'll be able to offer more than you.