Autoblog picks V6 Mustang third, behind Genesis and 370Z
#1
Autoblog picks V6 Mustang third, behind Genesis and 370Z
#5
I think the article was pretty fair. It was strictly performance based and all done on a slalom style road in the mountains. I would not expect anything different. The article does point out that the mustang is $9,000 cheaper than the 370z. You put a quarter of that savings into suspension components and you have a nice little slalom sixer.
#9
#10
However, the throws were so short that downshifting from third to second-gear happened faster than you could reasonably let the clutch out, overwhelming the rear-wheels and sending the car into a tizzy. Says Harley, "I wasted too much time looking for gears."
I would think it would be much easier to not miss a gear with short throws...
#11
legacy Tms Member MEMORIAL Rest In Peace 10/06/2021
Joined: September 16, 2009
Posts: 3,377
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From: Clinton Tennessee
Some of the comments by the testers didn't make sense to me. I would never even think of testing a Mustang of any kind against a 370Z. Why wasn't the V-6 Camaro invited to this test? For a 'girl car', i think the V-6 Mustang did pretty good. I don't feel 'shame' cruising down the highway. I just went past 100 miles on the odometer today.
#12
Honestly, I'm scared that the next wave of high school girls/up and coming secrataries/college kids will be behind the wheel of this new V6 Mustang. I have a 6 year relationship with my 200ish hp V6, and I've been to and beyond it's limits many times. I know it like the back of my hand, have driven it 100s of times on my favorite backroad, took it to the strip and have autocrossed it. I've been ready for an upgrade for a while now. A 300+ hp car should NOT be a first car for people who are going to be texting and driving, etc. Which is why I still see a market for a 200ish hp Mustang.
#13
Everyone has to realize that it won't win every comparo test out there. Like some have said, comparing it with the Genesis 3.8 and 370Z is a good thing, and people are taking the 2011 more seriously than in years past. I think the article points out the shortcomings, which would be an easy fix for anyone looking to make the V6 a more potent car with some minor work.
#15
Everyone has to realize that it won't win every comparo test out there. Like some have said, comparing it with the Genesis 3.8 and 370Z is a good thing, and people are taking the 2011 more seriously than in years past. I think the article points out the shortcomings, which would be an easy fix for anyone looking to make the V6 a more potent car with some minor work.
#16
And neither will I. I started following Mustang boards back in October when I started my search for a car. This board always seemed to have more respect for V6s than the others I read. There's even more respect for the 2011s now. It's just a **** good performing car.
#17
300+ HP isn't a "girl's car" (I hate that term). The Z was always meant to compete with American V8s, now its heels are getting nipped at by the V6 Stang. The V6 is getting compaired to a Z and the V8 is getting compaired to an M3. Who'd believe that five years ago.
What I can't wait for is when the average Joe/Jane looking for a car, who would have bought a 200 ish HP V6 stang, buys a 2011+ V6. On the first test drive, coming out of their Camry or what have you feels the surge of power and roar (hey its a sweet sounding V6). They'll look at the price vs that "peppy" new Accord V6, option it out just as nicely and be blown away by the price vs what you get. I know tons of people who live by the mantra, Asian cars are solid as rocks, 240 HP is fast, domestics are piles of junk. I guarentee a few thousand people who believe that, who drive the 6er, will never own another import.
What I can't wait for is when the average Joe/Jane looking for a car, who would have bought a 200 ish HP V6 stang, buys a 2011+ V6. On the first test drive, coming out of their Camry or what have you feels the surge of power and roar (hey its a sweet sounding V6). They'll look at the price vs that "peppy" new Accord V6, option it out just as nicely and be blown away by the price vs what you get. I know tons of people who live by the mantra, Asian cars are solid as rocks, 240 HP is fast, domestics are piles of junk. I guarentee a few thousand people who believe that, who drive the 6er, will never own another import.
#18
They did state that they were evaluating the cars as sports cars, so I knew the Mustang would finish third. But I don't evaluate what I want in a car the same way as them. I want a good looking year round dailey driver sporty coupe that won't brake the bank, willl win its share of stoplight races, and is something I can have fun with on occasional dragstrip runs. My '05 4.0 has done an ace job at fulfilling those roles, I bet the 2011 will be even better.
Last edited by lostnight; 5/17/10 at 11:25 PM.
#20
I've talked to several Z enthusiasts, and they actually aren't happy with the 370. It got small, more expensive, and isn't any better inside than the 350. Most people now are looking for clean 350s and modding them vs. picking up a new 370. Can't say I blame them.