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Enjoy the Shelby, if you live in Florida, enjoy the Shelby and be glad you have a liberal concealed weapon law.
I'm looking to buy a new Mustang GT (my first new car ever). I even rented one (albeit a V6) for a day, just to get a good feel for it.
The car didn't seem very comfortable to me. For one thing, the headrest juts too far forward. Also, there isn't a lot of lateral legroom. Lengthwise, it's okay. But it seemed that my outer calf was cramped by the center console, which has a hard plastic edge to it. I'm 6'2", and have long legs.
I spoke to the dealer about the headrests. He said they could be changed. Is that true, and how difficult would it be?
As for the center console, is it possible to cut a little bit of it away (just a shallow semi-circle) to provide a little more calf comfort?
I'd be very grateful for any advice or ideas you could give me. I would rather buy the Mustang, but if I can't find a way to make it comfortable then I'll have to go with option B, an Infiniti G35. The G35 is comfortable, but not as sweet-sounding, or as fast.
Finally, and I know this is really asking for everything, but is there a way to install a telescoping steering wheel? If not, I can live with it, as long as the other problems are resolved.
I'd go to the dealer and have an extended sit in a GT just in case there's a difference from the V6 seats.
The only advise that I have to offer is this: if you're not comfortable in a car, don't buy it lest you spend several years kicking yourself.
The difference between the Vette, Stang and Accord have more to do with the cars themselves (weight, springs, etc.) than with the rear axle.
The GTH has 25 more horsepower than the GT, but it shouldn't be that noticeable if I end up buying the GT, right?
Gone is the nervousness of Mustangs of yore, and gone is the oh-so-annoying head toss that has historically been the trademark of live rear axles. In fact, every C/D tester peered at least once under our GT's rump to ensure there weren't a couple of pricey half-shafts whizzing around in there. You only notice the live axle at step-off, when you turn 90 degrees while simultaneously applying major throttle. Then the rear end briefly binds and skitters outward a few inches, feeling a trifle awkward, momentarily confused. It's amazing what conscientious engineers can do these days with solid axles.
http://www.caranddriver.com/roadtests/8778/ford-mustang-gt-page2.html
So far so good. It's turning lots of heads and I love the way this car drives for a muscle car. And that's exactly what it is. It's just not going to handle as well as a vette or even a 350Z, but I knew that going into this deal.
Question as to upgraded exhaust... Has anyone here put on Flowmaster American Thunders with no further exhaust mods? Was wondering how they sounded.
I may be crazy, but sounds to me like the '07 already sounds a little louder than '05's and '06's I've heard; maybe they were automatics. Anyone know of any changes made as to what's put on at the factory?
Also, seems to me that there's been a lot of discussion here regarding vettes and shelbys. Aren't there forums for those? Not that my feelings are hurt, but no one even gave their thoughts on my recent purchase and post #2250. Eveyone's too busy talking about vettes and shelbys.
Anyway, love this car. Here's a photo of one that looks just like mine..same wheels and all.
Regards!
Fine, if some of you guys want the outdated technology of a solid rear axle, you can have it. Maybe you'd also prefer a 4-barrel carb instead of fuel injection? Or maybe an AM radio instead of a 6-CD changer?
I highly recommend you sit in the back seat on a long trip (I have). You feel every bump right up your spine.
For me, unlike the rabid loyalists and jealous detractors here, it isn't either/or, the Vette or the Mustang. They're both great, only the Vette is far superior, as well it should be, given its substantially higher price. In fact, the C06 ate up the GT 500 Cobra in Car & Driver. You can only imagine what it can do to a regular GT, or what the Z06 could do to both. :shades:
Why all the bickering over the Mustang vs. the ZO6? Few would argue that it is a superior car at a substantially higher price. I doubt anyone has tried to return their Mustang GT to the dealership because they thought it had IRS! I do consider myself a "rabid loyalist" when it comes to my 06 GT convertible. As far as bang for the buck goes-- I'm happy!
Must have missed that part of the owners manual which prohibits adults from riding in back.
Mustang vs Z06: one man's ceiling is another man's floor. :shades:
just until you have to buy tires. then it will be more like 90-40.
My kid who picked up his 06 GT 3 weeks before I did put the Ford racing exhaust on it and keeps naggin me to do the same. Loves the 4 inch outlets and even deeper sound, now a definite head turner. Waiting till the holidays to do the same with shorty headers as well (which requires reflashing the computer). He had the an authorized FoMoCo racing dealership in Atlanta install his to avoid any warranty grief.....$379 for the exhaust plus $80 to install.
Lets start with the positives. The car was Baby Blue with a Black top and a gray leather interior. It was handsome enough to draw some "nice car" comments from car crazy Californians. I started the car up and was surprised to hear a really nice exhaust note. The car sounds like a Jr. V8 as opposed to a raspy V6 found in other Ford products. Acceleration was adequate and the 5 speed automatic seemed to pick a gear and stick with it as opposed to hunting for gears. It did well going up and down the streets of San Francisco. Merged well onto the Freeway and had no trouble summoning 2 gear downshifts to pass people. Freeway ride was quite comfortable. We drove From San Francisco down to San Diego and not once did I feel sore or tired from driving. My wife who is over 8 months pregnant found the car to be comfortable. We drove for probably about 95% of the time with the top down and were able to hold normal conversations on the freeway cruising between 75 & 85 mph with no problems.
Now the negatives: I understand that I was not driving a GT, but the suspension was way to soft and floaty once the road turned curvy. The brakes felt mushy. The interior plastics and dash materials were just down right atrocious (Ford should really be ashamed of themselves). I also had a gripe with the trunk. Granted it is a Convertible and luggage space is NOT a priority. For some odd reason the trunk slopes UPWARD towards the front of the car! I was able to fit one large rolling suitcase (barely) and some other small bags in the trunk while our other large duffle bag had to be put in the trunk.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
Thanks for the review.
my other quesiton is, how many comfort stops did you have to make with your 8 months along expectant wife?
any guesses on gas mileage?
sounds like a great trip overall.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
Originally I was thinking of the Ford Racing exhaust or Borla, but I've heard that Flowmaster gives the classic muscle car sound. I can purchase on the web for $288 and have been quoted $80 to install from Midas. Supposedly they sound great with not too much interior cabin resonance. Like I said, I wish I could find someone who's installed them to verify.
On other forums, I've read where people have put on certain exhausts and found them to be too loud with too much resonance. Seems they wanted to go with same brands they put on the older model GT's (pre 2005), and due to the fact that the new GT's mufflers are behind the axle, way at the rear, with little tail pipe... it's causing more roar than they bargained for.
As for shorty headers on these, the exhaust manifold on the new GT's is already designed like shorty headers... not like the old design with 4 seperate tubes on each side going into a "log". The Ford Racing shorties will provide higher flow though. The stock exhaust already breathes pretty damn good. Some people are putting on X-pipes only to find it gives them a higher pitch they didn't want. The stock H-pipe gives the lower pitched sound familiar to those who love the classic sound.
For me.. I'm not looking to do many mods. Just the exhaust and maybe a cold air induction.
Again, if anyone has put on these Flowmasters... let me know.
Thanks!
Yeah but they are riding on 8 tires instead of 4 for saftey so I don't think the size of their rims directly related to better handling. Rather the two tire on each wheel setup calls for a smaller diameter rim. Surely they don't need 18 or 19 inch wheels because the tires are so good which is the point you were making, but there are other reasons which I thought some might find interesting too.
enjoy that full night's sleep. you are going to be going without it for a while in a month or so!
But I still don't think you'd see them going to 18" wheels for better handling.
I don't either but I think it would help with durability. Less rollover, less surface area for junk on the track to hit, etc.
I will most likely be opting for the 18" polished bullitt style wheels when I order later this year but the harsh roads here (Even Detroiters say our roads are bad :surprise: ) are keeping the option open for the 17s. :sick:
Question though.... If the connections are welded, can the welds be easily "broken" in case of future replacement? Don't want to have to have anything cut.
I was thinking of having them bolted on and then welded after I determined I like them. Still haven't heard them in person or discussed with anyone who's installed these Flowmasters.
As for installation, I think I'll just get them done for the $80. Instructions talk about possible necessary adjustments to the H-pipe if the muffler tips end up out of alignment. I'd rather someone else deal with it if problems arise. Besides, laying on my back installing these things in the 95 degree heat, is not my idea of a fun Saturday.
DW
2006 GT. JLT II CAI, Long Headers, X-pipe, SCT 2 Evo custom tune, Cats, Borla, Hurst, Sequential. 382BHP/328RWHP
Well, obviously you need to find a shop with great skill at tuning Mustangs.....and great skill with a dyno doesn't hurt either.... :surprise:
Also, be careful when you tighten the back two bolts onto the plenum. I cracked it slightly on the right side at the mounting point, but it's not noticeable.