Actually, in my state everybody pays one fee for registering a car (trucks are different). I'm not sure about insurance. I pay a pretty darn low rate as it is and I have been ever since I've had this car. Insurance is quite reasonable up here in northern Wisconsin. different story if I take a new job in a big city though! And while I still owe, I'm not upside down. I could trade it and the trade value would pay it off, but selling privately would give me some down$$$.

How does the Mustang do in the snow? Similar to the Camaro I suppose? Everybody told me I'd be sorry I drive a Camaro in the snow when I moved here but its not too terrible if you're careful. I noticed that the Mustang has the same size tires that I have now, P235/55R16.

 

With the open axle and a lot of the torque down low in the V6, it likes to spin the wheel even in the rain. Definitely not a strong point is driving in the snow, its easy to get stuck. Once you're going its not too bad if you're carefull, but you can get stuck spinning at intersections with just a bit of slush. I would just park mine and take a used SUV if there's an inkling of snow predicted. If it had a limited slip it would probably not be too bad, but too much torque for an open axle.

 

Hello.

I have had my V6 Mustang since Dec 2004 and have had no issues. I like the ride, style, and with gas going up, I average between 25-28 MPG if I keep on the cruise control and foot off the floor. I test drove a pony package V6 a year ago with a friend who was looking to buy (and did) and felt a little difference, but not much with the drive I took being a "normal" one and no banzi back road run. Depending on how you plan to drive the car, test drive different versions and as someone else mentioned, a V8 also. Do on the same road and same speed for an accurate comparison.

My other car is a 1985 Monte Carlo SS and bought it new in Oct 1984. Also owned a 1989 Mustang LX with a 5.0 and fully enjoyed that car. Had to sell it when I went to college again. So I have a variety of cars I enjoy and am not on the Chevy vs. Ford bandwagon. I like cars in general, but Mustangs have always been my favorite.

Good luck shopping and do not forget insurance payments going up and shop around for a good price.

 

Well, I finally did drive one and get an upclose look today. I drove a Pony on the same road I drive my Camaro - its got pretty bad pavement so I wanted to see how it would do. A couple of impressions: the body doesn't seem to move around as much as my Camaro over bumps. Sure, the Mustang's wheels were getting a good workout but I think that the Camaro tends to bounce more. Well, maybe not exactly bounce. I'd say more vertical movement. Maybe more wheel hop on the Camaro.

The exhaust had a nice growl to it, even on the V6. I was pleasantly surprised. The seats seem a bit higher which is good. The steering wheel doesn't seem to require as much effort though. I like the Camaro's tight wheel. Does anyone know what the steering gear ratio is on the Mustang?

Also, the parking brake handle doesn't go up very far and seems quite tight. the handle itself looks kind of cheap. From an ergonomic point, I think its better to mount it to the right of the shifter like the Camaro because its a more natural fit for your hand after shifting into park

I didn't notice any squeaks/rattles on the test car (it only had 550 miles) but the suspension seemed a bit noisier. I'm not sure how to describe it - it just seemed like you could hear the suspension working on every bump. Kind of like a metallic thump.

They offered me a real good trade on my Camaro. I think I'd still consider it. One of the dealers I went to is going to call me when they get one in so I might get to drive another one.

 

I ordered my Pony 3 weeks after the 2006 order banks opened. My 1st new car in 20 years was a real gamble as I had not seen either a Pony model or Vista Blue in person yet.

My car was built on Sept 15, 2005, so it was one of the 1st of the breed.

Within the 1st 500 miles, I took care of the 2 factory issues that bugged me in the V6 Mustang I had rented earlier: a tune got rid of the throttle lag and GT takeoff mufflers and a LH GT downpipe got rid of the buzzy stock exhaust and gave me the exhaust note I love to hear with the windows down.

With nearly 11,000 miles on it, I have yet to have a single warranty issue. Quality wise, I would put my Pony up there with any of the Japanese or German cars I have owned.

 

Another thing I was wondering about....the headlights. You know how on a lot of cars the lens turns cloudy/scratched/foggy, well on the Camaro for example the lens is one composite piece with the headlight assembly's body and you have to replace the whole thing - at a cost of over $200 each. Is the outer lens on the Mustang headlight replaceable or does that work the same way? I couldn't tell when I examined it up close. I take it that the actual bulb element is replaceable from the back and you don't replace the entire round part? I wonder if that and the lens is all one piece. And for anyone with an older ('05) Stang, are your headlights lenses getting cloudy/foggy?

 

After 2 1/2 years, lights and cover plate still clear and as good as new.

 

46,000 miles and still clear. lots of bugs and a few rock dings though.

 

Another question: for those who have the fog lights, do you think that they help w/visiblity in bad weather? They're mounted kinda high, almost like headlights. On another thread people say that other cars think they're your high-beams! I always thought that to be really effective fog or driving lamps should be mounted down low because their purpose is to light up the road. I wonder if these are really effective or mainly just for looks.

 

The fog lights are aimed down just in front of the car, so I find them just as effective as the ones on my '88 Mustang GT which were low on the bumper. I used them this morning due to mist.