Comparison of 2010 GT Coupe Loaner to my 5.0 'Vert
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Cobra R Member
Joined: June 17, 2010
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From: Southeastern Virginia
Comparison of 2010 GT Coupe Loaner to my 5.0 'Vert
While the dealer had my 5.0 convertible (replacing defective airbag module), they gave me a loaner 2010 GT coupe overnight (long story). Anyway I thought it would be useful to compare the two and report. The main differences were:
- The 2010 was a coupe, my 2011 is a convertible
- It had the 5-speed auto, I have the 6MT
- It had the Electronics Pkg, my car doesn't
- It had the optional polished 18" wheels, I have the nickel 19's
- Both cars were GT premiums, w/401A (loaner was Serling Gray with Brick/Red interior), both have 3.31 rear.
Major Observations:
- This coupe definitely "feels" a bit tighter in structure & handling than my 'vert. And this was a 2010 coupe, prior to the myriad detailed structural improvements reportedly made to the 2011. Not a big difference, but it also corners flatter & is more responsive. Keep in mind that this with the 18" wheels (I have 19's). Wish I could have driven a 2011 5.0 coupe right after I test drove that convertible just like mine back in May, but there WERE none (I test drove a 2010 GT coupe w/3.73 in Feb but seat of my pants forgot how that felt, other than GREAT)! I can only imagine what a 2011 coupe with Brembo pkg must handle like! I'm not regretful or anything but instead just a new mild preference, because the 'vert's roof is still magic to me.
- The coupe's seat reclines ALL the way back, whereas my Vert's seat doesn't go back very far. I am guessing it's due to the rear seat armrest intrusion in the 'vert. Dang. I'd like more recline. Also, I hit my head on the coupe's roof getting out once (I am only 6'-1"), something that wouldn't happen on a top-down day!
- The automatic kicks butt!! If my old V6 Accord shifted this instantly I might still have it. The smoothness & quick shifting of the Mustang auto is unbelievable! I can see why the 1/4-mile guys all prefer the auto. Still, I dislike having my right foot affect what gear I am in, even though this torquey drivetrain was effortless, and I don't like the "feel" of a torque converter between me and my rear axle. Further, shifts in the middle of turns is unforgivable (I guess all autos do this) Ford (& all others) have yet to make an auto tranny that reads my mind. But with the same engine, I see how the auto is faster in the 1/4. It's foolproof!
- I am content that I didn't get the $2340 Nav system. I prefer my Garmin to the built-in nav. The graphics & interface/functionality are really cool, but I found the big 8" display to be semi-blinding while driving at night - I couldn't get it dark enough to not be an irritation in my peripheral vision, yet still bright enough to read. I'm sure I'd get used to it tho. I LOVED the Sirius weather report, with internet-quality graphics! One last note: I think the bass was a little stronger in the coupe due to the rear deck speakers.
- The 315-hp 4.6 V8 exhaust initially sounded better to me than the 5.0 (see my other post in the "Flowmaster Sounds HOT" thread for my subjective direct comparison) - but it wore on me after awhile - the automatic exacerbated the droning tone. A direct comparison revealed the 5.0 exhaust to have a much deeper/bass-ier tone.
- Especially w/the auto, the 4.6 zips easily around in traffic just fine and feels as strong as the 5.0 until you open it up, at which point the 100-HP deficiency shows itself. I was guessing this car had the 3.73 rear gear, but I checked the window sticker and was surprised to see it did not, which means it has the same 3.31 I have. NOW I can just imagine a 2011 coupe with 3.73 rear gears! But this 2010 is definitely NOT a "current-day Mustang II" as one of the 2011 guys proposed - this leftover 2010 GT coupe is a great car, especially for the $26k-ish price I am sure you could get it for (sticker was $36+K, but it had 800 miles on it).
- Once I got my car back, I IMMEDIATELY experienced the wonderful difference: while the 2010 was very strong & quick, the 5.0 6MT is just on a whole different level - it practically "leaps"! I pulled into traffic, floored it, switched lanes (it LEAPED into the middle lane) around a bus, then shifted to 2nd and it pretty much LEAPED again, seemingly instantly, well past that bus by then. WOW. It's just a whole 'nother experience! Again, what must a 3.73-equpped 5.0 coupe be like, if my 'vert is this sick?!?
Aside: The dealer had a pea-soup-green new Fiesta in the showroom, which recently received an unflattering review by Car-and-Driver. One look inside it and I could see why - ergonomics didn't look great (current Focus looks better to me). Worse yet, the "new car smell" in this Fiesta was more like a strong chemical smell of glues & plastics, definitely not pleasant, and nothing like my GT's new car smell.
- The 2010 was a coupe, my 2011 is a convertible
- It had the 5-speed auto, I have the 6MT
- It had the Electronics Pkg, my car doesn't
- It had the optional polished 18" wheels, I have the nickel 19's
- Both cars were GT premiums, w/401A (loaner was Serling Gray with Brick/Red interior), both have 3.31 rear.
Major Observations:
- This coupe definitely "feels" a bit tighter in structure & handling than my 'vert. And this was a 2010 coupe, prior to the myriad detailed structural improvements reportedly made to the 2011. Not a big difference, but it also corners flatter & is more responsive. Keep in mind that this with the 18" wheels (I have 19's). Wish I could have driven a 2011 5.0 coupe right after I test drove that convertible just like mine back in May, but there WERE none (I test drove a 2010 GT coupe w/3.73 in Feb but seat of my pants forgot how that felt, other than GREAT)! I can only imagine what a 2011 coupe with Brembo pkg must handle like! I'm not regretful or anything but instead just a new mild preference, because the 'vert's roof is still magic to me.
- The coupe's seat reclines ALL the way back, whereas my Vert's seat doesn't go back very far. I am guessing it's due to the rear seat armrest intrusion in the 'vert. Dang. I'd like more recline. Also, I hit my head on the coupe's roof getting out once (I am only 6'-1"), something that wouldn't happen on a top-down day!
- The automatic kicks butt!! If my old V6 Accord shifted this instantly I might still have it. The smoothness & quick shifting of the Mustang auto is unbelievable! I can see why the 1/4-mile guys all prefer the auto. Still, I dislike having my right foot affect what gear I am in, even though this torquey drivetrain was effortless, and I don't like the "feel" of a torque converter between me and my rear axle. Further, shifts in the middle of turns is unforgivable (I guess all autos do this) Ford (& all others) have yet to make an auto tranny that reads my mind. But with the same engine, I see how the auto is faster in the 1/4. It's foolproof!
- I am content that I didn't get the $2340 Nav system. I prefer my Garmin to the built-in nav. The graphics & interface/functionality are really cool, but I found the big 8" display to be semi-blinding while driving at night - I couldn't get it dark enough to not be an irritation in my peripheral vision, yet still bright enough to read. I'm sure I'd get used to it tho. I LOVED the Sirius weather report, with internet-quality graphics! One last note: I think the bass was a little stronger in the coupe due to the rear deck speakers.
- The 315-hp 4.6 V8 exhaust initially sounded better to me than the 5.0 (see my other post in the "Flowmaster Sounds HOT" thread for my subjective direct comparison) - but it wore on me after awhile - the automatic exacerbated the droning tone. A direct comparison revealed the 5.0 exhaust to have a much deeper/bass-ier tone.
- Especially w/the auto, the 4.6 zips easily around in traffic just fine and feels as strong as the 5.0 until you open it up, at which point the 100-HP deficiency shows itself. I was guessing this car had the 3.73 rear gear, but I checked the window sticker and was surprised to see it did not, which means it has the same 3.31 I have. NOW I can just imagine a 2011 coupe with 3.73 rear gears! But this 2010 is definitely NOT a "current-day Mustang II" as one of the 2011 guys proposed - this leftover 2010 GT coupe is a great car, especially for the $26k-ish price I am sure you could get it for (sticker was $36+K, but it had 800 miles on it).
- Once I got my car back, I IMMEDIATELY experienced the wonderful difference: while the 2010 was very strong & quick, the 5.0 6MT is just on a whole different level - it practically "leaps"! I pulled into traffic, floored it, switched lanes (it LEAPED into the middle lane) around a bus, then shifted to 2nd and it pretty much LEAPED again, seemingly instantly, well past that bus by then. WOW. It's just a whole 'nother experience! Again, what must a 3.73-equpped 5.0 coupe be like, if my 'vert is this sick?!?
Aside: The dealer had a pea-soup-green new Fiesta in the showroom, which recently received an unflattering review by Car-and-Driver. One look inside it and I could see why - ergonomics didn't look great (current Focus looks better to me). Worse yet, the "new car smell" in this Fiesta was more like a strong chemical smell of glues & plastics, definitely not pleasant, and nothing like my GT's new car smell.
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