Rented a 2012 V6 convertible while on vacation
12/19/11 | 02:52 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Bullitt Member
Joined: May 19, 2010
Posts: 275
Likes: 7
From: Chicago area
Rented a 2012 V6 convertible while on vacation
My wife and I just got back from celebrating our 15th anniversary with a week's trip to the big island of Hawaii, where we splurged and rented a 2012 V6 Mustang convertible for an extra $35 a day.
I'm used to driving my 2011 GT manual trans at home, so this was an interesting opportunity to find out what it's like to drive an auto trans with the smaller engine.
As far as performance, I didn't really test it (I was with my wife, after all), but it seemed just OK. Not underpowered, but not very peppy, either. We did climb a lot of hills, and the engine seemed adequate for that, but it didn't thrill. Overall, the car was somewhat dull to drive. I'd like to try a V6 with a manual, but obviously you couldn't rent one.
It was fun to have the top down, but the weather was a bit wet and windy for most of the trip, so we didn't take full advantage. My wife thought the rear visibility was pretty poor with the roof up.
As far as overall impressions, I'd say the car was very pleasant and easy to live with, and obviously good looking. Our color was grabber blue, which I didn't choose and never thought I would like, but it really grew on me after a few days. Still not sure I'd ever select this color for my own car, but it was less "loud" than I thought it would be.
One piece of advice to anyone going to Hawaii: If you do rent a Mustang, be prepared for all the island natives to easily identify you as a tourist. It seemed like every third car on the road was a Stang convertible. and I'm guessing most of them were rentals. Obviously, we weren't the only ones to feel like forking over a little extra!
I'm used to driving my 2011 GT manual trans at home, so this was an interesting opportunity to find out what it's like to drive an auto trans with the smaller engine.
As far as performance, I didn't really test it (I was with my wife, after all), but it seemed just OK. Not underpowered, but not very peppy, either. We did climb a lot of hills, and the engine seemed adequate for that, but it didn't thrill. Overall, the car was somewhat dull to drive. I'd like to try a V6 with a manual, but obviously you couldn't rent one.
It was fun to have the top down, but the weather was a bit wet and windy for most of the trip, so we didn't take full advantage. My wife thought the rear visibility was pretty poor with the roof up.
As far as overall impressions, I'd say the car was very pleasant and easy to live with, and obviously good looking. Our color was grabber blue, which I didn't choose and never thought I would like, but it really grew on me after a few days. Still not sure I'd ever select this color for my own car, but it was less "loud" than I thought it would be.
One piece of advice to anyone going to Hawaii: If you do rent a Mustang, be prepared for all the island natives to easily identify you as a tourist. It seemed like every third car on the road was a Stang convertible. and I'm guessing most of them were rentals. Obviously, we weren't the only ones to feel like forking over a little extra!
Last edited by danimal15; 12/19/11 at 02:53 PM.
12/20/11 | 12:52 PM
#4
Tasca Super Boss 429 Member
Joined: December 18, 2010
Posts: 3,708
Likes: 0
From: NorCal
One piece of advice to anyone going to Hawaii: If you do rent a Mustang, be prepared for all the island natives to easily identify you as a tourist. It seemed like every third car on the road was a Stang convertible. and I'm guessing most of them were rentals. Obviously, we weren't the only ones to feel like forking over a little extra!
12/20/11 | 12:59 PM
#6
Cobra R Member
Joined: June 17, 2010
Posts: 1,666
Likes: 0
From: Southeastern Virginia
We saw a goodly number of V6 verts while in Florida last month. If Hawaii has 50% of them then FL has 40 percent at least!
One nice sighting on I-95 on the way down there was a Kona Blue / white Boss 302. Older couple driving. Very nice.
One nice sighting on I-95 on the way down there was a Kona Blue / white Boss 302. Older couple driving. Very nice.
12/20/11 | 01:00 PM
#7
Calgon Take Me Away!
Joined: April 1, 2011
Posts: 10,829
Likes: 5
From: Florida
Originally Posted by danimal15
My wife and I just got back from celebrating our 15th anniversary with a week's trip to the big island of Hawaii, where we splurged and rented a 2012 V6 Mustang convertible for an extra $35 a day.
I'm used to driving my 2011 GT manual trans at home, so this was an interesting opportunity to find out what it's like to drive an auto trans with the smaller engine.
As far as performance, I didn't really test it (I was with my wife, after all), but it seemed just OK. Not underpowered, but not very peppy, either. We did climb a lot of hills, and the engine seemed adequate for that, but it didn't thrill. Overall, the car was somewhat dull to drive. I'd like to try a V6 with a manual, but obviously you couldn't rent one.
It was fun to have the top down, but the weather was a bit wet and windy for most of the trip, so we didn't take full advantage. My wife thought the rear visibility was pretty poor with the roof up.
As far as overall impressions, I'd say the car was very pleasant and easy to live with, and obviously good looking. Our color was grabber blue, which I didn't choose and never thought I would like, but it really grew on me after a few days. Still not sure I'd ever select this color for my own car, but it was less "loud" than I thought it would be.
One piece of advice to anyone going to Hawaii: If you do rent a Mustang, be prepared for all the island natives to easily identify you as a tourist. It seemed like every third car on the road was a Stang convertible. and I'm guessing most of them were rentals. Obviously, we weren't the only ones to feel like forking over a little extra!
I'm used to driving my 2011 GT manual trans at home, so this was an interesting opportunity to find out what it's like to drive an auto trans with the smaller engine.
As far as performance, I didn't really test it (I was with my wife, after all), but it seemed just OK. Not underpowered, but not very peppy, either. We did climb a lot of hills, and the engine seemed adequate for that, but it didn't thrill. Overall, the car was somewhat dull to drive. I'd like to try a V6 with a manual, but obviously you couldn't rent one.
It was fun to have the top down, but the weather was a bit wet and windy for most of the trip, so we didn't take full advantage. My wife thought the rear visibility was pretty poor with the roof up.
As far as overall impressions, I'd say the car was very pleasant and easy to live with, and obviously good looking. Our color was grabber blue, which I didn't choose and never thought I would like, but it really grew on me after a few days. Still not sure I'd ever select this color for my own car, but it was less "loud" than I thought it would be.
One piece of advice to anyone going to Hawaii: If you do rent a Mustang, be prepared for all the island natives to easily identify you as a tourist. It seemed like every third car on the road was a Stang convertible. and I'm guessing most of them were rentals. Obviously, we weren't the only ones to feel like forking over a little extra!
Last edited by lalayla; 12/20/11 at 01:02 PM.
12/20/11 | 01:01 PM
#8
Calgon Take Me Away!
Joined: April 1, 2011
Posts: 10,829
Likes: 5
From: Florida
Originally Posted by Double-EDad
We saw a goodly number of V6 verts while in Florida last month. If Hawaii has 50% of them then FL has 40 percent at least!
One nice sighting on I-95 on the way down there was a Kona Blue / white Boss 302. Older couple driving. Very nice.
One nice sighting on I-95 on the way down there was a Kona Blue / white Boss 302. Older couple driving. Very nice.
12/20/11 | 09:31 PM
#9
Legacy TMS Member
Joined: February 2, 2004
Posts: 7,582
Likes: 670
From: Insane
Big Island rocks. Although, Maui is definitely sweet. You should have hopped a plane to Kahului and drove to Hana and back. Totally. Worth it. 
/Miss that place...
//Been to the Islands three times.
///Dunno if I'd move there, though... run out of real estate to drive on pretty quick..
/Miss that place...
//Been to the Islands three times.
///Dunno if I'd move there, though... run out of real estate to drive on pretty quick..
12/20/11 | 09:38 PM
#10
Calgon Take Me Away!
Joined: April 1, 2011
Posts: 10,829
Likes: 5
From: Florida
Originally Posted by houtex
Big Island rocks. Although, Maui is definitely sweet. You should have hopped a plane to Kahului and drove to Hana and back. Totally. Worth it.
/Miss that place...
//Been to the Islands three times.
///Dunno if I'd move there, though... run out of real estate to drive on pretty quick..
/Miss that place...
//Been to the Islands three times.
///Dunno if I'd move there, though... run out of real estate to drive on pretty quick..
Two of my best friends live in Hilo on the big island to study marine biology. They moved from Kauai.
12/21/11 | 12:59 PM
#12
I Have No Life
Joined: September 24, 2011
Posts: 10,141
Likes: 172
12/21/11 | 06:00 PM
#13
V6 Member
Joined: May 29, 2010
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
From: Seneca Falls NY
We rented 3 Mustang convertibles in Hawaii for our 10th anniversary in May and we loved every minute of it. My better half was unhappy a few times when I drove through a quick shower and a couple times it was too hot or too cold, but that top stayed down.
My only disappointment was when I tried to take the Mustang through a state park that was driving over lava flows. Needed a Jeep for that 1 hour.
Perfect rental cars for Hawaii. Went to the active volcano on the big Island which was a full day of driving. Also drove around Oahu and Maui. The Hana Highway was amazing with the top down and all the switchbacks.
The V6 was perfect for an island where you can't go fast, but I was happy to get back to the GT. Had a black, silver and Kona Blue(in Kona). In Maui they tried to give me a Chrysler convertable and I said no effin way.
My only disappointment was when I tried to take the Mustang through a state park that was driving over lava flows. Needed a Jeep for that 1 hour.
Perfect rental cars for Hawaii. Went to the active volcano on the big Island which was a full day of driving. Also drove around Oahu and Maui. The Hana Highway was amazing with the top down and all the switchbacks.
The V6 was perfect for an island where you can't go fast, but I was happy to get back to the GT. Had a black, silver and Kona Blue(in Kona). In Maui they tried to give me a Chrysler convertable and I said no effin way.
12/22/11 | 07:15 AM
#14
Cobra Member
Joined: December 4, 2011
Posts: 1,418
Likes: 3
From: Central Florida
I can vouch to the fact that the rentals do not have the 3:31 gear in the back. A huge difference with the V6. I rented a coupe while in Dallas, Texas. It was the V6 of course, but not with the 3:31 rear. This car impressed me so much, I bought one a couple of months ago, but equipped with leather and the 3:31. A big difference indeed. While I won't even think of talking smack against the 5.0, it is a quick and fun car to drive, especially since my last ride was a 2005 F150 with the 4.2 V6....this Mustang is great! Maybe one day I'll graduate to a 5.0, but the V6 gives me what I was after most: MPG and fun. I have to drive from Orlando to Tampa 5 days a week, so the 25 to 27 MPG I'm seeing in the V6 is the big selling factor.
Last edited by Bucko; 12/22/11 at 07:17 AM.
12/22/11 | 08:02 AM
#15
Calgon Take Me Away!
Joined: April 1, 2011
Posts: 10,829
Likes: 5
From: Florida
Originally Posted by Magnamover
We rented 3 Mustang convertibles in Hawaii for our 10th anniversary in May and we loved every minute of it. My better half was unhappy a few times when I drove through a quick shower and a couple times it was too hot or too cold, but that top stayed down.
My only disappointment was when I tried to take the Mustang through a state park that was driving over lava flows. Needed a Jeep for that 1 hour.
Perfect rental cars for Hawaii. Went to the active volcano on the big Island which was a full day of driving. Also drove around Oahu and Maui. The Hana Highway was amazing with the top down and all the switchbacks.
The V6 was perfect for an island where you can't go fast, but I was happy to get back to the GT. Had a black, silver and Kona Blue(in Kona). In Maui they tried to give me a Chrysler convertable and I said no effin way.
My only disappointment was when I tried to take the Mustang through a state park that was driving over lava flows. Needed a Jeep for that 1 hour.
Perfect rental cars for Hawaii. Went to the active volcano on the big Island which was a full day of driving. Also drove around Oahu and Maui. The Hana Highway was amazing with the top down and all the switchbacks.
The V6 was perfect for an island where you can't go fast, but I was happy to get back to the GT. Had a black, silver and Kona Blue(in Kona). In Maui they tried to give me a Chrysler convertable and I said no effin way.
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