Hello I am in the market for a late model mustang, and am curious why some people chose the V6, and then did or didnt do mods later, versus purchasing a GT with the 4.6? I like the idea of a few pounds weight savings, and mostly the price difference. But it seems like all the mods I would do over time, I would actually spend more on the V6. Anyway, I very curious to see other peoples views and reasons why they chose the V6? Also, overall, how happy are you with the V6 performance, economy, handling etc. Thanks again.

 

If you were to research this site you would fine that the subject has been covered many times. There are pro's and con's for each side. I got mine after a bit of research into the 2005 Mustangs when they came out, I felt that going 0-60 mph in under 7.0 seconds was pretty fast, to spend an additional $15,000.00 to go one second factor did not make sense. Whether you chose the V6 or the GT both types of owners modify their mustangs. I have probably spent about $6500.00 since 2005 on various mods. Some of the mods had to do with some of the cheap interior parts and others had to do with appearance, handling, slight increase in power and sound. For instance for a louder exhaust note I put on a dual Magnaflow exhaust and had a rear stabilizer bar put on the rear end for handling. After the 2005 model year Ford offered similar items for new Mustangs at an additional cost over the price of a new mustang. The V6 puts a smile on my face everytime I drive it and is easier on fuel once the dual exhaust was installed along with the MAC CAI and Brenspeed Tune. Whether you get a V6 or GT depends on your personal preference. There are folks that will beat you up verbally because you might have choosen the V6 and then there are owners that will pat you on the back for choosing the V6, its all a matter of opinion, what you want the mustang to do, choice, macho image and money. I know some Mustang owners that will not talk to me because I have a 2005 V6 automatic to them the only real Mustang is the GT with a standard transmission regardless of what year. Whatever your choice you will be criticized either way. I just blow these people off. The point is to buy what makes "you" happy. Both are great Mustangs in my opinion. I just prefer the V6.

 

I purchased a V6 premium which basically has all the options that the GT has except the drive train, i paid 22,600 this summer I'm addin an explorer express S charger which with my headers and dual exh, I should be well over 300hp, more than a GT, right now I'm dyno'd at 214hp at the wheels & 253 ft.lbs. torque. not bad! after all said and done I'll still be under the cost of a GT, last year going to Mustang Week with the air on I go 30.8 miles per gallon that was also with a C&L CAI. with the price of gas, I can live with the economy and the surprising power http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w...c/DSCF0167.jpg

 

I bought the V6 because it was more affordable. It's always $5000 more for a GT and $5000 more for a convertible. Add that $10,000 to the base price of around $20,000 and you have a $30,000 Mustang.... And that's not considering option packages nor automatic if you want it.

There was a time I preferred the convertible over the coupe, but with the new fastback roofline and the quarter window shapes I really wanted to have that look just like the classic fastbacks. It cannot be mistaken for anything else on the road.

As far as the V6 goes, it's more than adequate for me and it out performs many GT's of the past. I am not interested in having the fastest car or racing. I am more of a cruiser who enjoys classic style.

Concerning automatic transmissions, I really don't like shifting in heavy traffic with a bad knee. I also don't like the thought of wearing out a clutch and having to replace it later or prematurely.

My main goal in buying a Mustang was to simply have a piece of the memories I had with my first car the 1976 Cobra II and the 1967 hardtop my father had when I was two years old.

As far as debating what real Mustangs are, they debuted in 1964 1/2 with the I-6 and 289 V8. They combined the exotic look of foreign sports cars with an affordable price almost anyone could afford. They sold on looks and appeal. It was not until later the horsepower wars began. So a true Mustang is the entire range of choices to suit any owner and be a personal expression of style or performance that appeals to a wide range of demographics from the very young to older people who still feel young at heart.

 

After renting an 05 V-6 for a week on a business trip, realized that it had plenty of get up and go. Enough to get me in trouble. Then in 06 they introduced the Pony Package. That is what really sealed the deal for me. I didn't and still don't care for the GT fog's. The pony Package grill looks at home for me.

Not to mention the additional cost of adding 2 cylinders, lower gas mileage, and 36 cu in. wasn't worth it for me.

I have added mods to mine (CAI, plug wires, GT take off muffler, soon to have tune, and plan for T-lok) Yet I'm still much cheaper than the GT!

I also have a 68 which is a 6 cyl. as well.

It's all about the car not the engine!

 

I’m new to the mustang forum world and Yes I was surprised at the verbal slapping you can get because you chose a V6 but whatever. I got mine first and foremost for the look, for me it is just retro enough. When I drove it and put my foot into it I was sold. I didn’t have a need to try a GT; I was thrilled with the acceleration. I can keep up the GT’s anyhow. I have installed dual exhaust and CAI, and will be setting in place some other engine performance parts. The gas mileage is great, the giddy up and go is awesome, the sound is aggressive. It is my baby and I could not be happier.

 

I thoroughly appreciate everyone who buys a V6 Mustang, as without those sales, Ford likely couldn't justify building just the V8 models. And, as already said, the V6 model is a decent performer (bettering many older V8 Mustangs).

While I currently own a GT and prefer the sound of an even-fire V8 over the muted odd-fire V6 exhaust, I thoroughly enjoyed my first Mustang which was a V6. I owned that car for 6 years and wish I still had it. I spent a lot of money modding that V6 to beat the V8 crowd, and ending up improving its 1/4 mile time by over 4 seconds from stock! However, fuel economy was only marginally better than a comparable V8 (you're still carrying almost the same amount of weight), so I decided to get any future Mustangs with a V8. Also, the V8's have better resale value, heavier duty components (differential, suspension, wheels & tires, etc.) for the most part, so it is more than just the engine that's different.

In the long run, it's great that Ford offers such a wide variety of Mustangs to cater to each individual's need to be an individual, while belonging to the Mustang family.

 

This is easy...
1. Spent a little over $17K new out the door
2. Daily driver,better gas mileage
3. After having an 03 GT I got tired of every ricer idiot wanting to race me while sitting at a stop light.
4. It's plenty fast enough for me and it looks **** good!

 

I have a preference for the Pony Package grille and fog lamps which are in fact correctly modeled after the original GT's. The big fog lamps on the new GT's are modeled after Shelby variations spread apart or close together.

I get admiring stares, glares and admiration all the time on my Pony. Some people are surprised when I tell them it is a V6.

I keep reading here and there that the published horsepower ratings of the V6 are lower than actual. Anyone here care to elaborate more about that?

Anyway, I am happy with the performance and some people are suprised that a V6 Mustang will move as quick as it does, and sound like a V8 doing it.

The Pony package does beef up the suspension quite a bit over the base Mustangs. I have driven both before buying and it makes quite a difference in handling.

I know there isn't much difference in fuel mileage between the V6 & V8 but it was hard for me to justify the extra $5000 at this time for the luxury of owning a V8.

I am averaging 21.3 MPG driving about 40 miles round trip to and from work every day... It's mostly interstate from Gastonia to Southwest Charlotte.

 

I agree that keeping the different choices available has been the saving grace of our beloved Mustangs. You can have what you want, what you can aford, or what you can insure. And the mods are there for all. Face it, a nice car is a nice car.
With that said, I've always went with more power, ie Cobra's of the past and GT's. My first 2006 S197 was a GT vert and this current 2008 is the coupe I wanted to start with. I considered the V6, but three things stopped my (1) the posted gas milage on the sticker only shows 1 mpg difference, (2) I didn't ever want to say " oh I could have had a V8", (3) and most importantly, I been blessed to be able to afford what I want in cars (for the most part).
It's all good in the Mustang world.

 

I, too, prefer the Pony Package grille and lamps, so I swapped them into my GT several months ago...

 

The reasons I tried 6 cylinders never materialized...

The number one reason I bought a 6 when I could have had a V-8 was for better fuel economy. Every single time I did that, I got equal or even less with the 6 cylinder than I did with the 8.

The power was noticeable less and I have always been disappointed with my choice.

Other than a V-6 being a less expensive and yes less equal option, I've never actually seen any stated V-6 "advantage" materialize. They are a compromise at best.

I've made my mistakes, and taken my lumps, I will NEVER regret not getting a V-8 again.

 

I got a 06 gt deluxe dec '05...the wife never drove stick before, dont like it, well last week we picked her up a matching 07 premium v6/auto pony pkg

between the two cars- the v6 does have a bit softer ride(the gt is not harsh by any means, but is a bit firmer) the v6 has the leather interior- I think the cloth seats in the gt are 100times more comfy. The v6 has the IUP, and I like the extra gages, and the mycolor thing the kids think is really cool(gt has only the 'sport appearance pkg' option- so both have the same leather wrapped steering wheel- test drove one in plastic, like the feel of the leather wheel much better). MPG- almost identical 17/25 vs 18/26. sound- the GT is music, the v6 is typical engine sound...power- the gt is a ball to drive- 13.76@103 in the 1/4 best to date, but in normal driving- really other than the sound they both run just fine- the v6 has plenty of power for normal zipping around.
MSRP Total cost:
the gt was 26,055(sport appearance pkg was only option at 195.00)
the v6 was 23,260(automatic/loaded +2965-695 pkg special=2270 in options)

IMHO, the most bang for the buck is definitely a basic gt stick/cloth...the v6 has absolutely nothing wrong with it, plenty of power to get you out in traffic no problems, I would think that the single biggest 'deciding factor' I could imagine would be insurance rates- a younger driver may not be able to afford coverage on a gt...I'm 44, rates seemed about the same on ours, but 20 some years ago I bought a new 85 camaro, and HAD to get the v6 as a Z28 at my age then was like 'hi risk' or something, rates woulda been near tripled...aside from insurance, personally I'd say plain gt all the way- but if you like leather interiors, convertibles, etc, cost is gonna become tipping in the v6 direction...either way they are beautiful cars, and for the money aint a bad deal.

 

I test drove a car with leather and I didn't like the slip-slide feel. I would not have passed up leather if the car I bought was equipped with it. However, I feel firmly planted in my seats with the cloth.

Don't forget to chrome trim your wife's Pony grille to match yours!

Nice Mark VII you got there too! I always liked those...

 

actually the mark is pretty much toast...147,000 miles on salty ohio roads has taken its toll. its at the point it may become a parts donor for the 69 mustang I love the old Mark VII's but the wifes been after me to junk it for almost 3 years now...I'm either gonna patch up the rusty rockers and replace the leaky rear main seal so one of the kids can drive it in a few more years, or strip it...anyone looking for a great donor car, keep an eye out for 89~90 Mark VII LSC's- they got the 8.8 posi with disks, the non-computer AOD tranny and the roller cam 5.0 of the mustangs...see them in the paper all the time for under 1000 bucks. really a shame- honestly before I got the 06, the Mark was my all time favorite ride- nice highway cruiser, only bad thing is all the doo-dads(air suspension, flaky but awesome when it worked JBL stereo, seat motors, climate control modules, power lock/window operators...that car needed attention to one of the above at least bi-monthy since I got 13 years ago- but I still love the old thing sorry for going off topic

back to the mustangs-

 

It looks good with the Pony grille in place! Just curious, are there any gaps around it or at the bottom because the GT grille opening is larger than the V6 Mustangs.

One thing I like about the V6 grille opening is that it shows more body color under the grille because it is shorter.

 

I had a 1985 Thunderbird 5.0 for several years. I ran it up to 245,000 miles and it got to where it needed a lot of mechanical work, but the body and interior was in very good shape. I bought an 1989 Thunderbird as a daily driver and I had hopes of eventually restoring the 1985 Tbird. I later bought a 1999 Mustang and traded the 1989 on it. Meanwhile I still held onto the 85 Tbird but eventually I decided to sell it to someone at work instead of letting it just sit.

 

There is only the tiniest of a gap in the lower corners, but you just don't see it at all. Here's a couple close up pics...

 

I'll fix those who give you a verbal slapping. Bring it to the track...I ran 13.84 N/A bolt on two weeks ago. Took out a supercharged cobra. He wasn't happy.....

 

The point is the 6 cylinder is NOT the gas miser many people believe it to be.

Now just think what time you would have run if you had put your efforts into a V-8???