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Ford Mustang (2004 and earlier)

2124 messages,  Last post on Aug 24, 2010 at 1:12 PM

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What is this discussion about? Ford Mustang, Coupe

Messages Page 153 of 213

#1521 of 2124 Question? by skeezix

Jan 11, 2005 (1:02 pm)

Has anybody wondered why Ford didn't put a 6 speed manual in the new Mustang? The F-bodys had a 6 speed in 1993. I'm just wondering. I haven't seen a test in a magazine even mention it. After owning two cars with 6 speeds, I wouldn't want to go back to a 5 speed anything.
 
PS: After owning a 400+ horsepower car with a V8 that has gotten 32 MPG on the highway, I wouldn't ever want to go back to a 6 cylinder anything.

#1522 of 2124 Re: Question? [skeezix] by graphicguy

Jan 11, 2005 (2:54 pm)

Replying to: skeezix (Jan 11, 2005 1:02 pm)
With as much torque the GT has, it is surprising they didn't include an extra gear. For the most part, I doubt anyone will complain, however. I've driven the GT 5-speed and it's a dandy....worlds ahead of the F-body manual trannys (which were heavy and bulky in comparson). Plus, I would think the extra gear in the GT would have had a negative cost impact.
 
Agree with you about the 6 cyl feelings. While I can see the appeal of someone wanting the Mustang look without the thrust/handling of the GT, for $25K it's hard to go wrong with the GT. You've got to enjoy the drive as much (or more) as the look.
 
I've had two test drives in the GT....one was in my sister's '05 GT and the other in a friend's GT. I'm amazed at what Ford did with the suspension (especially with the rear solid axle). It rides well while giving a good sense of road holding.
 
It won't make me forget what it's like to drive my RX8 (which is sublime), but if I ever decide to get back into a "muscle car", the Ford store will be my first stop.

#1523 of 2124 Re: Question? [skeezix] by john_324

Jan 11, 2005 (4:05 pm)

Replying to: skeezix (Jan 11, 2005 1:02 pm)
Not really Mustang-related, but wow...what kind of V8-powered car did you have that had 400+ hp and got great gas mileage?
 

#1524 of 2124 Have not taken a test drive yet, but the V6 by m1miata

Jan 11, 2005 (11:55 pm)

V6 is said to have a better sound coming out of the pipes now. Will have to make note of this when doing a test drive some day. Would consider buying the 2005 in a V6. The new '05 is good effort in many a way. I am still thinking that the styling could be a little less retro, but what the heck. I am sure they have plans for making this look more and more like the show car. I like the old curved dash in black better than the new silver rectangular look. Still don't know why the speedometer and tach are not side-by-side style. Sure love that V8 sound. May consider an older GT or Cobra some day. Call me crazy, but I think the 1994 thru 98 styled 'Stangs were some of the best. At some angles, the '99 to '04 models look good, yet the flat sides take away from the cars overall great looks, I think. Still pretty neat. A Cobra would be nice, with the independate rear suspension. The shifter location so far forward on the previous models seemed to be a bit akward. I have not spent a lot of time with a stick Mustang, and have not tried the Cobra. Any input from those with a GT or better yet a Cobra on the quality of clutch, and shifting in these cars? I had a Stealth, and it was so-so, then I got a Miata and it is all too sweet and easy to shift. You get spoiled. I imagine insurance to be higher in a Cobra vs. a GT, even though I was thinking of say a '98.

#1525 of 2124 V6 or V8 by celica20

Jan 12, 2005 (8:28 am)

I'm a long time toyota celica driver now intending to buy the mustang (no more celicas available and i rejected the mitsubishi eclipse after reading about it). I don't know if i should get the V6 premium or the GT(v8). I've driven V8's in the past and it is mega more powerful than the V6 or the 4cyl i drive. The dealer told me the V8 is not good in snow because of traction issues/weight. He suggests the V6but will order what i want. I like the V8 features otherwise. does it handle ok? i need an automatic since i can't drive manual, so shifting and playing "Fast and Furious' isn't an issue. I just want a good solid car with good resale and i've always wanted a Mustang since the 60's (yes, i'm not 20 any more LOL). Thanks.

#1526 of 2124 Re: Question? [john_324] by skeezix

Jan 12, 2005 (8:30 am)

Replying to: john_324 (Jan 11, 2005 4:05 pm)
I still have a 2003 Z06. It now has 11,700 miles. The computer says total average fuel mileage is 26.1 with mostly highway miles. That 32.8 MPG was a max. My latest trip to Texas (1600 miles) averaged about 28.
 
I know the V6 Mustang is powerful. All I meant is for just a bit more, one could get more power and not sacrifice gas mileage too much. One doesn't buy even a V6 Mustang for gas mileage, but it is cool if good mileage comes along with the package.
 
All potential buyers, repeat after me, the GT is safer, the GT is safer, performance is good, performance is good.

#1527 of 2124 Re: V6 or V8 [celica20] by m1miata

Jan 12, 2005 (9:56 am)

Replying to: celica20 (Jan 12, 2005 8:28 am)
Traction control. Be sure it has it, if traction problems are foreseen. A V6 can spin you out with ease. You will sacrifice 3MPG on the use of an automatic. That 25MPG on the auto. V6 is closer to V8 MPG. Ford gas mileage seems to always be subpar to GM. One thing I can say for GM, is that the V6 engines of that company get great gas mileage. As for the Eclipse, the style is exciting and the new engines available may look promissing. Will the company last? Build quality has been below average in the past, but I am NOT saying the new lineup of cars is bad, as they have not had a chance to prove themselves. That said, Mitsu has stubled perhaps one too many a time. I has a Dodge Stealth, by Mitsu, and it was a fun and beautiful car. What I found is that the reliability was so-so, as in middle road, and that parts were too expensive. It was like they sell the car at a great price, and you pay later in repair parts. If I bought a Mustang new or fairly new, to keep insurance lower, I would buy the V6 stick. If I bought a V8 right now, I could only afford one used, and would likely go automatic, as the old sticks were no so slick.

#1528 of 2124 v8 by lmx

Jan 12, 2005 (9:58 am)

you gotta get the v8,do you remember in 94 when the gt got out it only had 215hp...now with the new one theire starting with 300hp a big bump...but i'm sure that in a couple of years they will increase these number...v6 is an old technologie.

#1529 of 2124 Re: v8 [lmx] by m1miata

Jan 12, 2005 (10:17 am)

Replying to: lmx (Jan 12, 2005 9:58 am)
Take a look at the torque numbers on the 215HP engine compared to the current engine. Yes, the current HP is more, but at a certain point, it no longer matters unless the car is to used on the race track. The new V6 has plenty HP and torque. Just compare it to the original 'Stang 1965 and even '66, which had plenty enough power to get tail happy. I had one with the 289 engine. For raw power on the cheap, you could buy a used Camaro SS. Now-a-days most cars have HP which exceeds the driving ability of most drivers. You want to keep within say using 75% of both in the way of a safety margin.

#1530 of 2124 by john_324

Jan 12, 2005 (10:37 am)

"Now-a-days most cars have HP which exceeds the driving ability of most drivers"
 
Amen to that...I think in terms of overall driving skill (not simply mashing the pedal), V6s are plenty robust engines for must people. Probably even me.
 
Though I will say that the high-rpm power allows me to keep competitive with better handling vehicles on the track (I pick up on the straights what I lose in the turns)...but this is not what the typical buyer uses his/her Mustang for. As you point out, it's all about TQ, not necessarily HP.

Messages Page 153 of 213

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