21st Nov 2008, 17:31

Yes, there are VERY significant differences in the new V-8 and V-6 Mustang. The V-6 costs 5-6 grand less, rides much smoother, has a 40% lower insurance bill, and handles better in daily driving. Outwardly and in the interior it is identical in almost every respect. The 4.0 will break every speed limit in the U.S. and does 0-60 in a very respectable time. Since 1985 I've owned 2 V-8's and 2 V-6's. The new V-6 is faster than the last V-8, rides twice as good and gets very close to exactly double the gas mileage. I can't justify paying thousands of dollars for one less second 0-60.

As for the V-6 being for women, that is ludicrous. Ford offered ALL the Mustangs, from 1964 until now with several different engine options. None were marked "Men" and "Women". The V-6 outsells the 8 by a HUGE margin because most people (myself included) are more concerned with paying less for the car, less for gas, and less for insurance than owning a car whose potential can't be used legally anywhere in the U.S. Actually, the 6's potential can't either, so I fail to see the advantage in putting out thousands more for 2 extra cylinders and 1 extra second 0-60.

21st Mar 2009, 11:17

First of all I doubt that this review is even valid. There is no such thing as a 2005 Mustang LX. I wish people that came on here could at least do a little bit of research before a lame attempt is made to bash a car.

And here goes the V6 is better guy again:

"The V-6 costs 5-6 grand less, rides much smoother, has a 40% lower insurance bill, and handles better in daily driving. Outwardly and in the interior it is identical in almost every respect. The 4.0 will break every speed limit in the U.S. and does 0-60 in a very respectable time. Since 1985 I've owned 2 V-8's and 2 V-6's.

I agree with everything except for ride, handling and fuel mileage. The New GT rides and handles better than the V6 in my opinion. Every review of the GT I see pretty much compliments its ride and handling over the V6.

I have driven both, and as far as smoothness they are about the same. Handling, the GT is more responsive, yes firmer, and more composed, no comparison. If you want a silky smooth ride, you shouldn't have bought a Mustang. Seeing as how many Mustangs you've supposedly owned, you should appreciate how far they've come in that respect. If you want a car that rides smooth, get a Cadillac, Buick, or Lincoln. The Mustang is a muscle car, not a stodgy old people mobile.

"I can't justify paying thousands of dollars for one less second 0-60."

Fine, some of us can. I can't justify paying a few thousand less a car that can't back up it's looks with its performance. The V6 sounds cheap and really isn't much better on fuel than the GT, city driving it probably is but on the highway there is no real big difference.

The new V-6 is faster than the last V-8, rides twice as good and gets very close to exactly double the gas mileage."

Close to exactly double the gas mileage of what? My friend owns a 1997 GT Convertible, I've taken a few long rides in it, and borrowed it myself a few times. It averages about 15 City, 25 Highway. This is going back 12 years and two generations of Pony now. By your logic you're saying that your V6 Mustang is capable of 28 MPG City/47 MPG highway. Boy, all those people that bought hybrid cars sure missed the boat.

Compared to a 1970's Boss you may be getting good fuel economy and close to double, but no recent Mustang even going back to late 1970's Fox platform was that horrible on fuel consumption. Even the Fuel injected and carburated 5.0 Liter V8 (302) was a relatively fuel efficient motor for its era. You've either bought a long line of lemons or don't know how to drive or take care of your cars.

The Mustang is not an economy car. If you wanted that, there are many cars like the Insight, Civic, Fit, Aveo, Smart, Prius, Yaris, or Corolla that may suit your fancy.

"The V-6 outsells the 8 by a HUGE margin because most people (myself included) are more concerned with paying less for the car, less for gas, and less for insurance than owning a car whose potential can't be used legally anywhere in the U.S. Actually, the 6's potential can't either, so I fail to see the advantage in putting out thousands more for 2 extra cylinders and 1 extra second 0-60."

The V6 outsells the 8 Simply because it is cheaper, period point bank. Also Rental Fleets hoard them, V6 automatics namely, because Americans are not taught to drive manual transmissions anymore. And even the ones that do know how to drive manual transmission cars would pound a rental car to death, I know I would. Also many people buy a Mustang just for the name, without doing any real research. To some people they could care less what they have under the hood, but for me its MY money, and when I spend MY money I get what I want.

22nd Mar 2009, 21:53

My 1990 5.0 got 11mpg city and 14-18 highway. It did 0-60 a full second slower than my 4.0 V-6. Why would anyone want to shell out 6 grand more and pay 40% more insurance for a ONE SECOND advantage 0-60 that the new 300 hp V-8 offers??

I'm a business man, self-employed, and paying through the nose for the exact same car (that rides rougher) and looks identical is not my idea of sound business practice. I lost more money in selling or trading my past V-8's than I did my 6's, so I doubt resale offsets initial cost and higher insurance and fuel expense. That wasn't my experience.

22nd Mar 2009, 21:55

I'm a mechanic. I DEFINITELY know what's under the hood. I chose a 4.0 V-6. Why do people get upset about people who choose practicality over performance you can't use legally?

13th Apr 2009, 00:16

I'm not a mechanic, but mechanically inclined, and after personally owning two vehicles with the same 4.0 liter V6, I wouldn't touch that motor with a ten foot pole. Cheaper does not always mean a better financial choice in the long run, no more than age necessarily signifies wisdom.

Perhaps there's a Festiva or Pinto waiting for you somewhere, that way you can get the full satisfaction of using its "Full potential of legal performance"

21st Nov 2010, 09:11

The guy that is quoting everybody sounds a little angry. It's just a car. Chill.

21st Nov 2010, 15:49

This is a rather amusing older thread. It always seems funny to me that Mustang owners are so defensive about their purchases... especially the V6 owners. Why are they so worried about someone else spending extra money to get the GT?

With the same mentality, shouldn't they have purchased a Focus rather than spending the extra $5K for looks you really can't use for any real purpose? I mean really, who's business is it? Should people not buy Corvette's because you can't legally go over the speed limit? Ironically it is usually the V6 Mustang drivers that I see racing around like they have something to prove, and not the GT drivers.

People that buy Mustangs with insurance prices, gas mileage and other cost concerns really shouldn't be looking at sports cars to begin with. It is ridiculous to go on about someone's choice to buy a GT. I have only owned V8 powered Mustangs, and will always continue to do so. To me it is time to give up driving Mustangs if I feel I need to cut back on costs to own one. I like the top of the line, period, end of story. Don't waste my time with second rate... especially when it comes to performance cars. I also buy my cars for me to drive and not to look good in. I don't waste money on big wheels, flares, spoilers, hood scoops and all the other tack on crap you can put on a Mustang. They look the same from the drivers seat, so why waste the money on it. I don't have some secret need to be gawked at while I wait for every light. Seems most V6 cars I see have the ever compensating crap all over them, which more than likely takes a huge bite out of that $5K they saved over the GT anyway. Talk about a ridiculous waste of money!

Plus, anyone who thinks the V6 and GT Mustangs are the same exact cars with merely different engines doesn't know what they are looking at, and definitely should stick with a Fusion. I a glad they finally, for the first time ever, put something besides a V8 in the Mustang that is worthy of the name. The new 3.7 V6 is definitely a nice engine for this car. However, the new 5.0 is still worth the difference.