Falchion

OK, I went for my third test drive in a Mustang today. The first was in a V6 Auto. I was interested in the V6 because of the retro style. It reminded me of the Mustangs of the late sixties. It was all right, but not quite what I wanted.

V6 Auto Test Drive

The second was a White Mustang GT. Wow! Very fast, but I'm still upside down big time on my Truck lease! :angry:

White GT Test Drive


Then I saw something in On page 122 of Matt DeLorenzo's Mustang, a New Breed of Pony Car, he quotes Ford's Chief Engineer Thai-Tang as saying that the V6 is a real sleeper in the Mustang line.

"The V-6 manual is also a really nice package as far as performance feel" Thai-Tang notes, "The transmission's internals have been changed with more precise machining of the gear set to provide smoother operation." .


So, I deceided that I should take one more test drive in a V6 manual, which is what I did today. And since I don't know of any other posts that have talked about the V-6 manual in much depth, I thought I would write down my impressions for other members. After all, I've gotten a lot of information from this site, so it's only fair that I give something back.

I took a test drive in the Black V6 5 speed manual that you see here. It was a very stable car, and went over some big construction bumps with ease. Very nice, and it seemed that even before I got behind the wheel it could accelerate 0 to 60 very quickly.

Then it was my turn behind the wheel!

I put it in first, and went all of two feet before I stalled it out!
Errr! I guess you have to give the V6 a little more gas then the V8.

But after I figured that out, I went tearing off down the road and really had some fun! The V6 manual is pretty fast. It's not as fast as the GT, but I feel that it's as fast as a lot of people will need, especially in traffic.

The V6 5 speed manual transmission itself has a longer throw then the GT, but it seemed to me to have a more precise feel then the GT. For example on the GT I couldn't find third gear when I shifted for the first time and had to hunt around a little. The V6 transmission on the other hand had gates where where I expected them to be and I didn't have any problem shifting from one gear to the other.

The V6 manual also felt a little more nimble on the road then the GT, maybe due to it's lighter weight, or narrower tires. I really enjoyed it, and would have ordered it, but I'm still upside down on my Truck lease, and there are lay-off rumors going around at work.

While both the V6 and the GT Mustangs are great cars, I think the V6 manual is more along the lines of what I want in my next car. I like the styling of the V6 more then the GT, and the price point is a lot more attractive to me. The performance of the V6 is still good, and while not as fast as the GT, I'm not really a hot rodder anyways.......

For those of you out there who feel the same way as myself, take a test drive of the V6 manual 5 speed yourself!

Falchion

More pictures of other V6's at the Dealer......

Falchion

Also, here's a picture of the cloth Medium Parchment V6 Interior......

sundeep

The very same thing happened to me in our car, the as soon as I got situated I stalled it! I was expecting more torque, but as soon as I got used to it, no problems!

Long live the V6 manual!

Last night was the first time i got to drive it for an extended period, it accelerates fine, and the gears are very precise, the throw is a little longer than you would expect by how low the shift **** is, but not as long as my honda's. It cruises easily at 85, you don't even know how fast you're going.

Basically, unless you want the sports car power, the V6 is more than enough for normal driving! You should easily be able to merge at will, and pass anyone you want. I haven't driven the GT (I don't think I want to, or else I might want it..) but I'm sured being lighter helps the V6 in the handling department.

I also noticed that it still has a decent rumble on acceleration. Obviously not a V8 rumble, but pretty good for a 6, with the proper plumbing you might be able to get it to sound like a less powerful 8.

For under $20K you can't find another rear wheel drive car anywhere!

Falchion

Yeah, with the styling the V6 Mustang has, I think it's a really good value. I saw the Machine wheels for the first time in person on the V6, and they really look nice! A lot better then in pictures!

Drivetime

Wow thanks for the reviews and pics Bart and your comments to Sundeep. I certainly wish I could find one to try out since it's what I have on order. Sounds like we'll be having plenty of fun whenever it finally gets here - latest estimate is early Feb.

Fordracing200

The V-6 stangs Don't impress me. I saw 2 of them at the local dealer. They are small and ugly.

MustangDan

You don’t have to make apologies for the V6 Historically it is in good company with 0-60 of 7.0sec.

1964 Ford Mustang (289ci V8 w/4spd) 7.5 15.7
1966 Ford Mustang (289ci V8 Auto) 10.9 17.9
1967 Ford Mustang (390ci V8 w/4spd) 7.4 15.6
1971 Ford Mustang (351ci V8 w/4spd) 5.8 13.8
1973 Ford Mustang 351ci 8.9 16.3
1974 Ford Mustang II 4sp 14.2 18.8
1974 Ford Mustang II Auto 15.6 19.4
1975 Ford Mustang II (302ci V8 w/3spd) 9.6 17.5
1977 Ford Mustang II 302ci 11.3 17.7
1980 Ford Mustang (255ci) 11.8 18.5
1980 Ford Mustang Cobra (225ci) 11.3 18.4
1981 Ford Mustang M81 McLaren (2.3L Turbo) 9.7 17.3
1982 Ford Mustang GT 8.0 N/A
1984 Ford Mustang SVO 7.9 15.8
1985 Ford Mustang GT 7.2 15.9
1987 Ford Mustang GT 6.7 15.3
1988 Ford Mustang GT 6.4 15.0
1990 Ford Mustang LX 5.0 6.4 14.9
1991 Ford Mustang GT 7.3 15.6
1992 Ford Mustang LX 5.0 6.2 14.8
1993 Ford Mustang Cobra 5.9 14.5
1993 Ford Mustang GT(auto) 8.0 16.1
1994 Ford Mustang Cobra 6.9 15.3
1994 Ford Mustang GT 6.7 15.1
1995 Ford Mustang 3.8 9.9 17.3
1995 Ford Mustang Cobra R 5.2 13.8
1996 Ford Mustang Cobra 5.5 14.0
1998 Ford Mustang Cobra SVT 5.4 14.0
1999 Ford Mustang Cobra SVT 5.4 13.9
1999 Ford Mustang Convertible V6 8.6 16.5
1999 Ford Mustang GT 5.5 14.1

This is from http://www.angelfire.com/pa3/ford/performance1.htm

Falchion

Pretty interesting info MustangDan, thanks!

To each his, or her own, Fordracing200........

And have fun with your new Car, Drivetime, your're going to enjoy it....

rex

it takes one to know one....

captin kapla

Ford is working on a 3.5l V-6...

OSUstangfan

kinda surprised you decided to come to this thread, considering how much you apparently hate the V6's...

daveyramone

How is it ugly? It's the same car as the GT... just cleaner in its detailing. I actually prefer the V6's looks which is why I'm pushing for an LX version of the V6 coupe but with the GT drivetrain. Give me roll-up windows or give me death!

Boomer

Some people have a chip on their shoulder when it comes to V6s...
Its like their wives/girlfriends cheated on them with a V6 or something...

Ignorance

sadsquared2

it takes one to know one.... [/b][/quote]

Falchion

Yeah, I think the V6 is a good deal for what you get.

I would like to see a LX version of the Mustang though. But, I'm not sure if Ford is going to do that. The GT's are selling too well.

I did notice that the V6's are starting to back up on the Dealers lot though. I think they had around ten of them, about three of them with manuals.

You might be able to start getting a good deal on a V6 if the Dealers have a hugh inventory of them.

91CountrySquire

I was actually looking for the V6 Manual... but the LX 4.6 is also a good idea. That's what the Stang's roots are all about... Bang for your Buck Performance, whether it's a V6 or V8.

Falchion

Maybe if they don't come out with an LX, then maybe they'll have a performance package for the V6. I saw in another post some time ago, that the V6 Mustang actually had a lot more power then Ford lets on. That Ford put on a more restrictive exhaust in order for for the V6 not to compete with the GT too much. :angry:

I think this may back fire on Ford though since maybe the V6's aren't selling as well as Ford thought they would. When I was at the Delership yesterday, they had about 10 V6's, but only one GT. Everybody wants a GT it seems like.


Maybe a better exhaust, biger, wider wheels, what else would we like to see? B)

mgdumont

Here in San Antonio, they were advertising V-6 with auto for about 17,500.00
Dealers are discounting around 2500.00

Falchion

Really? $17,500 for an auto already? That's great! I didn't think we would be seeing discounts already, but that's good!

I'll have to go with a 5 speed manual though, it's just too much fun! B)

Wow, just think what discounts there will be in August! They might just give them away for free!