So I have had my same mustang for 8 years now ( 04 v6), which I got new. We have been through a lot together but I ve loved every single moment. I ve put her through hell as well but she s never let me down. She still runs strong after 130K and I am happy to say that she's never had engine or transmission problems.

Anyways so I m 24 now and recently got a job as a teacher, so I m ready to move on and purchase my first car. I have been wanting a new mustang since the return of the 5.0 and the new 3.7 305hp. After reading and learning everything about these 2 new mustangs, I was eager to finally test drive one. So today I decided to swing by my local ford dealership and get in one. When I arrived I asked if they had any base 5.0s and they said they only had one which was already pretty much sold but the guy said lets take it for a spin anyways. It was a premium with brembo package 6 spd, but since I haven't driven manual in ages I opted not to drive. Anyways so the salesman really showed me what it was capable of and I was impressed, very exciting. Once we got back he went in and grabbed the keys of a 3.7 auto. I don't know if it was the fact that I got to experience the 5.0 first or that I had imagined the new 3.7 to be some huge powerful gt killer (which it is and did have some good power for a 6, especially compared to my 3.8) but in my experienced it lacked compared to what I imagined.

Sry so long but really felt like sharing my experience and opinion.

 

I kind of did the same thing as you did but I test drove a v6 first, It was a convertible and had a great lease price. It ran great (I had owned a 06 v6 vert) so there was a difference in power, after I brought the v6 back I test drove a GT coupe, WOW what a difference in power! I kind of wanted to lease a car but the GT's don't lease worth a crap so I brought the GT back, test drove the new Explorer, then wanted to try the v6 again. I took it back out and it's wasn't quite the same after driving the GT. I gave up the great lease and no vert and came home with the GT.LOL
I guess if you only drive the v6 then you will be very happy with it, just don't drive a GT

 

I drove both and while the GT obviously has more power and will leave the V6 in it's wake, the 2011+ V6 is so many miles ahead of previous V6 Mustangs that it is very satisfactory to me.

If you can afford the gas and insurance on the GT, get it, otherwise grab the V6.

 

If I were in the market for a v6 and went to test drive one, no way would I test drive a GT at the same time. I'd never be able to convince myself that the V6 was enough afterward. I'm a sucker for power. If you still go with the v6, you're a better man than myself!

 

I can afford a base 5.0 auto but idk about the gas and insurance. The thing that leaves me undecided is that now after 8 years, the limited space of a sports car kinda bothers me. I don't have a family yet but I am getting married in summer and now I actually think about the space. Idk what I m going to decide but if it's not a mustang this time I know when I m like 30 some I ll pull the trigger on one. :/

 

The one you drove most likely had 2.73's

Go find one w/ a 3.31.. It's a different car.

 

Get one with the 3:31 gear and slap a tune on it. Should make for a pretty fast V6 Mustang.

 

The 3.31 ratio really transforms the car. My buddy has 3.73's, a tune, an some meaty tires an that thing is an absolute monster for a sixxer. 370 Z's, G35's, and any other quick sixxers round town know and respect his car. The only mods that affect power are axle-back exhaust, intake an tune

 

I suggest you get one BEFORE the kids come

 

I took my wife's 2011 V6 auto with the 3.31 rear axle to the track once. That little 3.7 is quick! I got to make only two passes the whole night. On the first pass I launched by power-braking to bring up the RPMs some and it just spun the stock tires really bad. The second launch was WOT from an idle and it ran a 13.8 @ 102, which was very respectable and better than some of the V8s that night. Below is the timeslip. I'm sure I could've done even better with more practice.

 

All of my previous Mustangs were V8s but this time fuel economy was a factor. I got the 3.7 with 3.31 gears and I'm very happy with the decision. A new 5.0 would have been very nice but the V6 is a good choice for both performance and economy.

 

I agree go with the v8 if you can afford it, but if not get the v6 with 3.31 rear end. The first car i drove was a v6 manual but it had the 2.73 gear and while fast it didn't feel like I expected. I ordered mine with the manual tranny and the Performance Package that comes with the 3.31 gear...totally different car than the one I test drove. Much better off the line...and 2nd and 3rd gear are a blast....and I got it very cheap.

 

I suggest you get a quote for insurance on a new 5.0, you might be surprised. Im 28 and have never been in an accident but I do have 4 points on my license (2 Failure to obey traffic control device moving violations) and I got a quote from Geico for both my Sentra (beater) and my new 2013 5.0 Premium with very good coverage at $506 for 6 months. Thats $84 a month for 2 cars! Thats nothing. As for gas, you'll have the most fuel efficeint V8 Fords ever produced. Piece of mind.

 

hmmm, ya think maybe they make more money on the 5.0 and maybe he (the salesman) did it on purpose?

If you are considering the V6, definitely a big mistake to drive the 5.0 . . . the new 5.0 was out when I bought my 4.6, and I was also considering the new 3.7, and I intentionally did NOT drive the new 5.0 for exactly this reason. Actually to this day I have not driven a new 5.0 because I know it would be trouble if I did!

 

A few folks have mentioned fuel economy. What is the real world difference in mileage between a 3.7 with 3.31 gears and a 5.0 with 3.31 gears?

Also, to the OP: why an auto? You can save $1100 by getting a manual transmission, which is much more fun to drive and offers better car control.

 

Having driven a 2012 V6 rental for three weeks and my '11 GT for six months, I can report everyday mixed highway/city mileage of around 25-26 in the V6 and 20-21 in the GT. So you're looking at maybe 20% worse mileage which might be around $250 extra per year with average annual mileage.

 

I have a base model 3.7 with the 6 speed and it is a hoot to drive. Basically the '11+ V6s are better than the 2009 GTs and the cost difference is significant. My insurance is low, I can get up to 32 mpg on a Vegas trip and it is plenty of power. The 5.0s are AWESOME CARS if you can afford it but the base V6 with the stick is no slouch! Go base (GT or V6), it has everything you want in a drivers car and can be upgraded the way you want it for less that the difference between it and a Premium. Good Luck and let us know what you buy!

 

Oh one other thing, the automatics really hold back the 3.7. First '11 with an automatic I drove felt "nice" but the 6 speed stick was the BOMB! When you upgrade to a short throw shifter and a real shifter breacket, it is AMAZING! Makes me want to do BAD THINGS!

 

If you don't mind me asking, what is "good coverage"? I have 5 million in liability, $500 collision deductible, $200 comprehensive deductible, and few other options that don't add a ton of cost to the insurance. The car is a 2012 V6 that's insured for around $30,000. The cheapest I will ever get to, with a car worth this much, is $2000/Year after 10 years driving experience. Right now I have 5 years and it cost me $3000/Year. No tickets or accidents.

I'm just curious to see what other people pay in different areas.

 

5 million? What?