I posted this on StangNet a couple days ago, because I often have trouble getting on this site. Unless I'm missing something it looks like the sticky review section has been delete so here goes for those who are interested:

Feb Issue of Car & Driver.

V6 with Premium Pkg ABS+TC, IUP & side airbags, spinner wheels = MSRP $22,890.

What they liked.
0-60 = 6.9 sec
1/4 = 15.3 @ 91 MPH.
They were surprised at how fast it was in a straight line, not that much slower than a 99-04 GT auto.
Styling & overall package.
The shifter lever look and feel
Auto trannie shifted very well, especially at WOT
The price - said that it's only a few grand more than Chevy Cobalt, implying that a V6 Mustang is a much better deal.
The overall package is attractive to them expecially considering the price.

What they didn't like:
Crappy skid pad # of .79 G - they blamed the tires
Mediocre 70 - 0 stopping distance of 189' again blamed it on the tires
V6 engine is noisy and unrefined
Steering too light & fast
Rear axle shuder
Gages hard to read
Fuel economy gage (IUP) with up and down arrows is stupid

 

Wow, that means a V-6 manual car should easily be a 14-second car with a decent driver.

 

what's WOT....what????

 

WOT=Wide Open Throttle


Thanks V10 . . .good stuff! Much faster than I expected. Nice!

 

Could you cut and paste the article or provide a link? Thanks.......

 

How do you get rid of OEM tires?

 

Just for comparison: In 1996, Car and Driver got 0-60 in 6.6 seconds and 1/4 mile at 15.1, from the 215 hp 4.6 SOHC.

 

I remember that too, (well, the part about the first SOHC Mustangs wanting to run 15's anyway) if only because one of the mustang rags said they had no more difficult a time getting a 99 V-6 5-speed to run 14's than a 96 4.6L SOHC Mustang GT automatic!

 

wow. i see great things in the future of V6 owners/enthusiasts. we have a very capable performer on our hands, methinks. wheee

 

The V6 is doing it's part to uphold the Mustang name. I'm still getting a GT in February, but without the V6 cars, I would not be able to afford it!

 

Go to tirerack.com and get out your credit card.

A few things about the tires on the V6, since the issue has come up...

The problem with the tires on the V6 isn't that they are bad tires, they are just too tall and skinny. B.F Goodrich Traction TAs are great tires; I have put about 8000 miles on a set on my Accord, and they are far better than the Michelin rim protectors that came OEM. Better dry and wet traction, better turn in, better road feel, and they don't squeal nearly as much. There is a slight increase in tires noise, but I can live with it.

IMPORTANT: the Traction T/As that come on the Mustang are DIFFERENT than the ones pictured on tirerack.com. According to the description on tirerack.com, "185 & 195mm section width sizes use a "5-rib" design while 205mm and wider sizes have a "6-rib" design." However... the Mustang has 215mm tires, but they have 5 ribs, not 6, and not only that, the tread pattern is COMPLETELY DIFFERENT than the 6-rib Traction T/As I have seen. Why is that? Do all the 5-rib Traction T/As have this different tread design, or is this an OEM special created just for Ford?

I've crawled under several '05 V6s, and there is a lot of room between the tires and struts in the front and the shocks in the back. I plan to put a set of 235/60-HR16s on my V6. The tire diameter is almost identical, and they will fit on the stock 7" rims (although I wouldn't go any wider than 235mm on 7" rims). As it turns out, I will be getting another set of Traction TAs, the 6-rib design. Read the survey results and judge for yourself:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?ti...romCompare1=yes

 

aww sweet... that is what i'd like to see

 

V6 Tires are 215/65R16, freak'n minivan tires

Lesse here

225/60R16
235/55R16
245/50R16

depending on rim size of course

You could get some nice 225/60R16's - Mich Pilot Sport A/S tires are very nice but a bit pricey or I think maybe some BFG KDWS's (BFG's website has size info)

 

hope their are larger V6 wheels in the future... or good replicas

 

On my 2004 V6, I went to a local Tire Store and they exchanged the crappy O.E. Goodyear Eagle LS's for a set of BFG G-Force KDWS. I had less than 100 miles on the car, and their Goodyear rep. snapped them up to re-sell them as dealer "Take-Offs".

I could have done better on the KDWS's from TireRack, but I would have been stuck trying to sell the Goodyears on my own. Subtracting the TireRack delivered price plus mounting & balancing, the Tire Store gave me around $150 for the set of Goodyear's (their paperwork reflected $75 each credit).

The O.E. BFG Traction T/A's on the 2005 V6 appear to be a better tire than what Ford used in '94-04 (Goodyear GA and later the LS, both considered a "Touring" tire), but are definitely too skinny.

So anyway, if you have yet to order or receive your 2005 V6, shop around at your local Tire Stores to see what kind of "exchange price" they are willing to offer you. Tell them you will make an appointment and drive straight there from the dealer after taking delivery. This is the best way to approach this issue as they are worth much more being "brand-new take-off's".

 

I did exactly that, and was told I'd get a $320 take off credit on the P-Zero Neros on my GT. Now if only the car would get here......

I'm going to put 255/50 Nitto 450's on it.

 

I'd go +1 ie 17's minimum on the V6. More probably though I'd do 18's. You could use a 45 profile rubber. Would work great and look female dogin.

 

That's for sure!

The sizes you list are all smaller in diameter than the stock tire. The stock tire is about 27.0" in diameter. Other sizes that are close to this are 235/60-16, 255/55-16, 215/60-17, 235/55-17, and 255/50-17.

 

Is the Car & Driver artical posted anywhere? Great info on the tires everyone, thanks!

 

That's great to hear about the V6 Mustang. I was considering going back and trying to track down a True Blue Bullitt or a 01/02 GT but with good numbers from the 05 V6 and about $5k difference in price I'll stick with getting the 05 V6.

I will wait for 06 and hope they offer better colors. I'm not paticularly excited about any one color on the current model. If I ended up getting an 05 it would be a split between Windveil & Mineral. I'm hoping the new blue will be like True Blue.