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2008 Racecraft 420 S Ford Mustang First Test

Saleen Corporation is a little different nowadays. The guy who's name is the namesake of the company is gone. The company itself has merged with American Sunroof Corporation, which like Saleen has been trying to redefine itself in an ever changing automotive market.

Saleen Mustangs have turned into heavily finned and spoilered cars that are rather pricey, thus not for everyone. Saleen's response to this the the Racecraft brand.

Mustang fans will recognize Racecraft as a brand of suspension components produced by Saleen. Now it has become a name unto itself, a brand of car. Racecraft cars are supposed to be easy on the eye and the wallet, all with stirring performance.

The very first Racecraft Mustang is the 420 S, which Motor Trend has recently tested.

The folks at Motor Trend have tested pretty much every version of Mustang under the sun. It's quite refreshing that they find the 420 S to be "one of the most well-balanced, fun-to-drive, not-overdone Mustangs we've tested in a good while."

The package starts with a base model, no option Mustang GT. The main power adder is Saleen's twin screw supercharger, which incorporates and intercooler with the blower itself resting low in the engine bay.

The EMS is recalibrated and a 98mm mass airflow sensor is installed, along with a high-flow inlet tube and K & N air filter. The result is 420 hp, up from the stock GT's 300.

For the twisties, the 420 S sports Racecraft shocks and struts along with an anti roll bar. It also has 18 inch wheels, down from the 19 inch that Saleen's sport, wrapped with Bridgestone Potenza 275/40-18s.

Visual mods are limited basically to a huge "Racecraft" banner across the bottom of the doors, which hopefully is an option.

Motor Trend recorded a 4.4 second 0-60 time and a 10.4 second 0-100 time. The quarter mile came in at 12.9 sec @ 110.0 mph. Handling is firmer than stock but completely liveable.

The 420 S is offered in all stock Mustang GT colors. Leather and other upgrades are available, but will push the price above the $40K mark. Saleen specifically wanted to keep the price below $40K.

Overall the 420S is a nice piece for a nice price. It's a completely liveable car that can be driven without being too aggressive to handle in everyday situations.

While just under 40K seems like a lot of money, consider that a base GT runs around 25K. Add the supercharger, intercooler, piping, and suspension pieces, and it adds up to a pretty good deal. Unless you are proficient at installing parts and tuning cars, in which case you could save a few thousand by doing it yourself.

AmericanMuscle.com has all the 2008 Mustang Parts you will need to spice up your 'Stang.

Should you lease, buy new, or buy used?

Image by nateOne via Flickr
Buying a car is always an interesting endeavor. It is both exciting and challenging, and sometimes scary.

Whichever of the above applies to you, there are basically three general options available to potential car buyers. To lease a car, buy a new one, or buy a used vehicle. Each has several pros and cons.

Leasing is a popular option for many. Typically your payment is lower than it would be if you just purchased the car with a loan. You can lease a car for so many years and then simply turn it in and lease or buy another one. The nice thing about a lease is that you aren't saddled with your purchase and it's declining value after the lease period ends.

Now for the cons, and there are many. The biggest downfall is that you are paying all that money essentially with nothing to show for it. Unlike a purchase, when the lease is up the car goes away.

Most leases also limit the amount of mileage that you can drive per year. This is a disadvantage to those that have to drive long distances or with any frequency.

You are also liable for any damages to the vehicle that are beyond normal wear and tear, so that means no street racing!

Buying a used vehicle is an attractive option as well. For those who are affluent in vehicle maintenance, this is the way to go. The previous owner has already absorbed the initial depreciation of the vehicle. On a slightly used, low mileage car you can save thousands of dollars. Most new vehicles come with transferrable warrranties.

If properly cared for, a used vehicle can be a far superior purchase to a new car purchase. The key is to look for potential damage or "lemon" qualities, along with checking to see if the car has been in an accident or has a salvage title. This can potentially be a nightmare if you are not educated in vehicle maintenance.

The final option is to purchase a brand new vehicle. This is a positive way to go if you don't know much about vehicles. Most new cars come with a warranty that ranges in length from 36,000 miles up to 100,000 miles. When you buy a new car you don't have to worry about the previous owner and whether or not there is hidden damage.

When properly cared for, a new vehicle will last for a long time. However, a poor credit rating can cost you a fortune in interest fees. As soon as you drive off the lot the car depreciates in value.

The most important thing when making any kind of committment to a vehicle is to do your research. Make sure that you don't just pick the car that you like because it looks good or has that electronic widget that you like. Choose a car that is reliable and dependable. Making a decision with your head instead of your heart will go a long way towards saving you money down the road.


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