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The 2005 Mustang V6 is identical to the 2006 outside the Pony Package. From what I understand, the Pony package is V6 specific, and includes smaller fog lights in the grill with chrome bevels and a chrome "cross" for lack of a better word and the tri-bar pony emblems on the front fenders. The big thing on the Pony Package is the stiffer suspension "inspired" by the GT's.
That being said, if you can find a '05 V6 on a lot, test drive it to compare to the Scion Tc and the new Eclipse. I think you are going to be hard pressed to find someone on these boards who has physically driven both the Tc and Stang. I have not heard anyone's first hand account of the Eclipse, although I saw a new one pulling out of a parking spot yesterday at work. My initial impression was "eh". It does nothing for me.
Good luck!
Truth is, that's a hefty price to pay for more "bling" and no more "go".
Personally, $8K more for one of those pacakages puts a Mustang dangerously close to the price of the Shelby GT500 version ($39K) coming out in a little more than a year. Performance will be at or near a $60K Z06 'vette with the GT500. Not as much bling, but a whole lot more performance.
I'm one of those who thing that all the chrome wheels, add-on grills/tail lights/spoilers in the world are not going to increase performance, so why bother.
But if you're serious, also check steeda.
RX-8 w/ automatic (perhaps more in line with the handling of you're old 240SX); downside is low torque and not a really good match w/ an automatic (although I'm biased against slushboxes; personally I'd go for the manual version).
Mazda 3 hatch (very similar if not better driving dynamics than the tC and IMO more interior space/cargo room).
If you can find a "stripper" 350Z, you'll be in that $27K territory. That would make a very nice sports car, too.
Of course, a Mustang GT is my present fave, but you can't find them and it doesn't look like demand is going to subside anytime soon.
I see an awful lot of those little TCs on the road. I think they are a little bland on the styling side, but they are supposed to be sprightly little performers and the price looks good.
Mazda 3 is also a fave, but I'll admit, I'm a bit partial to Mazda since all of their car offerings lean more towards the sporting side. Plus, I think they are handsome little devils, particularly in wagon/hatch configurations.
I have yet to find a body kit or aftermarket body mod that can come anywhere close to how phenomenal a stock Mustang looks. They take what is a sublime looking car and reduce into something obscenely bad. I do think the stock look can do for an Eibach drop, racing stripes are nice, and the spoiler is optional.
I would find it hard to believe that after years of development, testing and engineering, that Ford could release the new Mustang and in the space of a few weeks (yes, weeks) that these aftermarket folks could "improve" on handling, performance, etc. If you mean making the car corner faster of brake better at the EXPENSE of ride quality, higher initial cost, higher cost per mile, reliability, and longevity; sure, why not. To me, a good ride is about a balance between sweet cornering and handling, reasonable price, reliability, and the ability to track down a straight road without darting or run a pavement-pocked interstate without losing a kidney. I've been in a few of these super tuned cars, and although I'd love to take one on the track, I would trailer it there and back. Not exactly something I'm interested in doing with my daily driver.
We're all on the same page. I'm not into the "bling" after market kits (which at this point, is the only thing Rousch, Steeda, etc offer). Maybe there is a little better braking or handling. But, as you say, at what cost?
Out of the box, Ford did a fine job with the Mustang. Why mess it up?
I've seen "tarted up" V6 Mustangs and have to ask "why"? Does it make it perfrom any better?
But, people spend money on crazier things, I suppose.
Got a question for you, and any other fellow Mustangers out over here : Have a co-worker that is planning a new car purchase - he is likes the new Stang and the Magnum. I know nothing about the Magnum and just a bit about the Stang. Any insite I can give him? He currently owns a nice red-faded-to-ornageish Mustang GT (not sure how old, but older). I figured you have healed and recovered, AND that you have had some time with your new Stang to give some proper advice!
ZoomZoom....ahh...oops...wrong forum!...lol.......
That said, the vista blue at least judging from the sample in the color guide is a 100% improvment. Just as blue only with no purple. Very Metallic.
Mark.
I'm not too familiar with the Magnum myself. It's got a hemi (like they don't say that enough) and it's a station wagon. That's about as much as I know. I like the Stang as much as I liked my former RX8. Two very different ways of doing a sports car, however.
The '05 Mustang GT is a totally new car compared to previous years. It's a brute force kind of car. It's loud. It's very fast and it handles well.....not as well as the RX8, but good nonetheless.
It's got monster torque throughout the rev range. Whereas, the RX8 has that sweet high rpm redline. RX8 sounds like an Indy car. The Mustang's sound is more of a snarl and bark....something that would scare small animals away.
Where the RX8 is a scalpal, the Mustang is a sword. I took it on one long trip to the KY Derby. It's a good road car. It doesn't have the equipment level of the RX8, either. But, it's still comfortable. If you need to regularly take people on long trips in the back seat, I wouldn't recommend it, however.
If you needed the room, the Magnum would probably be the choice (or 300c/Charger). If you want a "hot" stylish V8 modern muscle car, you won't do better than the Mustang GT.
Hope that helps.
Don't be a stranger.
Will GM and Chrysler ever wake up?........what ever happened to the Cameros and Firebirds.......Obviously...... GM was asleep at the switch again! :mad: itch again!
Hello!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
the Mustang based on historical trends will most likely be less reliable than a Nissan or Toyota, yet I don't think there is enough data yet to say it has a lot of problems. First off, it's the first MY and regardless of brand, the initial year has more problems then the following ones. Second, most of the TSBs seemed to have been fixed after April/May. Last, this is a high performance car...its focus (and god bless it for it) is on the WOW factor, not on reliability and good manners. It reminds me of a very large, powerful (yet obedient) dog on a leash. He'll stay on the leash, but once you take it off you better be ready.
I drove the V6 as well as the GT I bought and they both were impressive. The Pony V6 coming out looks even better, but I would suggest you wait as well. 240SX's are cool sporty rides and more time will allow you to check out the reliability data and probably save money.
As far as "first year"...the Scion TC was brand new in 2005, the same year Mustang came out with the redesign. The number of problems and low ratings for the Mustangs are much more extreme than TC's..in fact the only widespread "complaint" with the TC really was an annoying stereo cover and maybe a few rattles here and there with the sunroof.
After reading through dozens of reports on the Mustang vs Mitsu vs TC (the eclipse is a brand new model THIS year....2006) I would have to say it seems Mustang deserves most of those lower ratings as the problems were "real" not just annoyances.
But I do appreciate the info. I am also aware that "some" are Mustang fanatics and are willing to put up with a lot of hassles for "their car". But coming from a perfect performing vehicle that never had to go "back" to the dealer for ANYTHING in 13 years except regular maintenance, brakes and a hose, it's difficult to not worry about the many problems documented on ALL of the newer cars honestly.
The 240SX has retained more value than almost any other Japanese import. The 350 certainly was NOT worth waiting for...I did and was hugely disappointed in it. The 240SX offers the perfect mix between sporty yet practical. THAT is what I hope to find in my next car. At this point the TC is ahead for price/value/less reported problems of the three but I will continue to watch them all. Thanks again for the input.
Over the last 10 years, I'd say all of the variety of cars that have been in the family, all were reliable. Today's cars are all built well, regardless of manufacturer. Brother-in-law had a Ranger that went well over 200K miles with no major work. My sister (who turned me on to the Mustang to begin with) has a 5 year old Mustang with over 100K miles, again no problems.
Personally, I've had more problems with Nissans (200SX and a 300Z) I've owned than with anything else. The BMWs (3 Series) were more troublesome, too. That's not a blanket indictment, just personal experience.
Had a bad recent encounter with a new Toyota Tacoma that Toyota took back. Still didn't scare me away, though. I replaced it with another Toyota (4Runner).
I expect my current Mustang GT will be just as good as anything else I've owned. It will run 100K miles with no headaches if the first 4 months of ownership are any indication. Same goes for the 4Runner. That's all I can ask from any car/truck.
Just have to understand what it is you bought. I won't expect my Mustang to sound or ride like a Camry or Accord. Conversely, I won't expect the 4Runner to handle or accelerate like the Mustang. I DO exepect both to start and run the way they were designed to do, however. You can bet I won't be taking the Mustang out in the snow. It will stay garaged while the 4Runner gets that duty. I wish the 4Runner made the kind of exhaust burbling, snapping the Mustang does, but I know it's not meant to.
As long as your expectations are correct, you shouldn't fear buying anything (with the possible exception of KIAs).
aero...while it's great that you love your 240x, if you're honest with yourself, any of what you're looking at, whether it's a Mustang or a Scion, will serve you well for many, many years. Technology and reliability have advanced so much in the intervening 13 years, you'd be making a quantum leap from your Nissan with either car.
As an example, I have fond memories of the '90 300ZX I owned. As I look back, it couldn't hold a candle to the build and reliability of anything in my driveway today. That's not to say for it's time it was a bad car. It's just that there have been so many advancements since then, by all manufacturers.
I do have to disagree with you about the 350Z. While I never bought one, it was always on my short list of cars I test drove ever since it first came out. For a sports car (the 240 isn't anywhere near what the 350Z is or what the 300ZX was) it ranks right up there with some of the best on the market at the price point.
My "perfect" car would be similar to the 240SX in reliability, style and room with perhaps a slightly more powerful engine and a few of the new goodies developed since it was LOL.
I had other Nissans that also gave me NO PROBLEMS as well but I would not define them as an ultimate car. 310GX, 200SX, etc.
There's nothing in Nissan's arsenal right now that would fit the bill as a 4 cyl coupe. Probably the closest you're going to find is a Celica (which is going away), the afore mentioned Scion TC, or a Civic/Accord 4 cyl coupe.
The Mazda RX8 may fit the bill since it has "4" doors in coupe form, but it's going to be several rungs up the ladder from the 240SX. It's also going to cost more. Mustang V6 would fit the bill, too (unfortunately, no Ford employee plan offered). It's got a nice trunk, but the back seat would be no better than what you'll find with the 240SX, but it will perform better.
Then, there's the MonteCarlo, since GM is giving great deals. It will have more room than the 240SX and perform better while priced close to the Scion TC.
Lots of choices out there for coupes than sell in the "teens".
Don't get me wrong, I think the Z is a great car. I just like the G35 better. :P
Also, about the Nissan 240SX - my wife had an '89, which if I remember, was the first year for that design. I hated that car! No ground clearance, getting in and out of it - I was always hitting the side lip of the seat. Eventually, a huge hole wore in the fabric there. And I'm a short and skinny guy. It also had this clunk in the front fender. The paint was horrible - got the fine scratches very easily. The cloth on the seats was itchy. Not my idea of a good car. Maybe they made changes after the first year.
Daniel
I also average around 17-18 MPG City and 24-25 MPG highway. I've owned 2 Honda CRXs, a Honda Civic, and a Ford Expedition. My GT is easily the funnest car of the bunch....
You write "your going to pay for it especially in fuel as well as insurance and possibly engine wear. Now that is somewhat a guess on my part but logic says more stress on engine parts means higher rate of failure."
Insurance? yeah, probably.
Fuel? If I remember correctly the EPA mileage stickers for the V-6 and V-8 are almost identical, within 1 MPG. It would seem to me that driving style would dictate actual mileage much more than horsepower in this case
Wear and Tear? Here's where I relly have a bone to pick. Which engine receives more wear, assuming similar driving styles? 1) a 300 HP engine running at 75%? or a 250 HP engine running at 100%? I think the answer is clear. Of course, if all you use is the V-6 at 75% aren't you still causing more "wear and tear" on the engine than a V-8 at (now) 50%?
THen you speak of tweaking your V-6 to get more horsepower. More wear and tear? You've got to be kidding me!
Pick the V-6 for the price, pick it for the lower volume at the tailpipe, pick it for the lower insurance premium, but DON"T pick it for the longevity, especially of you want to try and force tune V-8 HP out of it
IMHO, most people who buy Saleens and all people who buy Roush stage 1's are the same type who buy Hummers or Expeditions that never see mud in the fenderwells. Bling, to be sure.
And that's about all
Out
You've made me so - like- sad!!!!
a Chick car color? My mascera is running!!!
Really, Sonic Blue? Vista Blue?
Someones been reading the paint chips at the Hardware store too long!
Even the NAME vista blue is more feminine
Sounds even better when you say it with a lisp!
Color is in the eye of the beholder, Sonic Blue ROCKS!
'course, I might be a little prejudiced :P
I find the ride of the current Mustang GT to be just fine. As others have stated, though....they think something is wrong since it is a firm ride. Of the few trips I've taken, I found the Mustang GT to be quite comfortable.
I am continually amazed at the sound of this car. The exhaust burbling and cracking and back firing, everyone is surprised to know that it is stock!
Agreed, yet to hear some owners talk, they think something's wrong with the car. Like you, to me it's a mechanical symphony!!!!
Ok, now my 2 questions. Out of curiosity, I checked carfax.com and entered the VIN number. It came out saying:
"IMPORTANT! Records were found in the CARFAX Report for this FORD MUSTANG GT that may confirm a clean title history or reveal potential problems. Find out by ordering the complete CARFAX Vehicle History Report"
Is this just so I can purchase a $24.95 telling me that my new car is clean or could there be actually something wrong with it?
Question #2: On an earlier post , someone said that turning off the traction control is preferred since most of us don;t drive on snow or mud in the summer. Driving in Los Angeles, do I need it on?
Thanks for this great board and for those of you waiting for the Mustang GT, the wait will be WORTH it!
David Ocampo
Just leave the traction control on all the time - that's the default. You won't know when you'll need it and it doesn't hurt to leave it on. Only turn it off if you expect and want to spin the tires on purpose.
and don't worry, I'll come back here to harass you from time to time!!.....can't let the Ford folks have all the fun.......
BTW, you recovered from the 'incident'?......hope all is well!
David
http://www.cervinis.com/NewFiles/05MUSTANG.html
Traction control is totally invisible until it is needed. ALSO the Mustang GT traction control can recognize a driver induced "burn out" and will let you light up the tires!!!
Mark
Of course, if you want to remove the cats, you will gain power.
Is there a way to enable this feature?
check these links
racing one
racing two