Test drove a 2006 Mustang GT tonight.

[Zenmervolt]

As an owner for a little more than 9 months now, I largely agree. Disputes/agreements below:

I'm not sure about "bogging" the engine below 3K, mine will pull without protest in 5th from about 1,250 RPM (~35 mph). It's not fast, but it's certainly not "bogging". Bogging the engine typically connotates a rather violent protest from the engine, not simply lacadaisicaly acceleration. If all you meant was that for snappy response from the engine it's best to keep it at 3K or above, I'll buy it, though in my experience I'd say 2,500 RPM and not 3,000. In a normal day of commuting, my car never sees anything above about 2,500 RPM.

Agree about the drivetrain feeling clunky sometimes, but it's really more to do with driver style. It's clunky if you try to drive it like a european car (for example, if I try to drive it like my 951), but if I just man-handle the shifter into gear it feels better. Basically, you have to drive it like a muscle car.

It does handle better than people expect, there are no miracles, but most people would never know that it had a live axle in the rear by driving it.

The top of the dash is definitely poor. The '07 cars have an option of a leather dash that is worlds better IMO. The dash vents do look a little odd, but they work better than the vents on any other car I've ever driven. From a functional perspective, they are exceptional. The plastic used in the center console could be much better. Much, much better.

Agree 110% on the bolstering of the seats.

My biggest complaint really though is that the car sits too high and so does the driver. I miss the feeling of being in a really low-slung sportscar like the 951 or the 914 where you basically sit on the floorboards and have the pedals straight out in front of you instead of below you. Of course, that's not really possible on a more practical car, and I did just go through 6 inches of snow this morning with the Mustang without issues, so I suppose that I can live with the car feeling like it's too high up in the air.

ZV

 

[thedarkwolf]

The engine is suppose to feel raw and have some vibrations to it. Its a mustang . I wouldn't want a silky smooth v8 under the hood of mine.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Bump for the morning crew.

 

[moshquerade]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
I was picking up my car but they were washing it when I arrived so I strolled up to the new car lot to look at the new Altima, nice car BTW, too bad it has a CVT instead of an automatic. I'll have to drive one of the manual tranny versions one of these days.

Anyway, I noticed two new Mustang GTs parked nearby so I asked if either of them were sticks and one of them was (a dark grey 2006 GT with black leather interior, 5 spoke polished 18" wheels about 3k on the odometer) so I go over and get in the drivers seat and the sales guy says go ahead and start it up. So naturally, being a car nut, I did. Sounded nice and throaty so I asked him if I could take it for a drive. I gave him my license and phone number, he made a quick copy of it and gave it back to me and we were off.

A couple things I noticed right away was how big the car feels inside. You sit kind of low in it and outward vision isn't the best. It's not bad but it isn't great either.

Fun car but the drivetrain feels like there is a bit of slack in it. Kind of clunky if you don't shift smoothly. Pedal placement is good and the brakes feel pretty good too for a car this size. I know what this thing weighs, hell, my 2k3 Maxima is lighter, but in all fairness it didn't feel as heavy as it is in driving it.

The engine has loads of torque and is quite a bit of fun to drive. Clutch take up is light but you can easily feel when it starts to engage. Shifts are fairly short and precise, which is a real plus and something I hated about the old Mustangs (first upgrade any SN95 owner should do is drop in a short throw shifter).

The engine pulls strong in the first 4 gears (never got into 5th) and the car really leaps forward when you get up past 4k in the revs. If you want to really get on it you'd better be well above 3k in the revs or it will bog the engine...I quickly remembered this from having owned two of them in the past but I had forgotten it. Still, the engine feels kind of raw and has a bit of vibration that I'm not used to in the Japanese cars I've been driving for the past 6 years...god, has it been that long since I've driven a Mustang GT? I guess it has.

The car also handles well. I've read quite a bit about this car and how Ford developed it to drive hard around a track yet still be comfortable and capable of driving home after a day at the track without wearing out the tires and brakes. I think this car could be pushed hard quite a bit and still be very maintenance friendly. It felt perfectly happy at full song or just cruising along at 3k in 2nd or 3rd gear in traffic.

Of course, it couldn't be all praise right? On to the things I didn't like...the interior, it seemed cheap to me, the dash vents were particularly cheesy and the hard plastic of the dash and door panels, while better than most GM vehicles I've driven, felt cheap compared to Japanese and German cars. The seats are comfortable but lack lateral support. I think Ford's idea was to go retro, obviously, but a car that performs as this one does needs some decent sport seats.

Oh, this car had the Shaker stereo system but I never bothered to even turn it on...who could with that wonderful exhaust note reverberating around the cabin!


The exterior is a really nice execution of retro design though, I think Ford really hit the nail on the head with this car. It's a design that marries the best of the old with the best of the new. Driving this car made me miss my old Mustangs yet reminded me of some of the things I didn't care for at the same time. Still, the new Mustangs are great cars...the best yet and they look awesome IMO.

Note to Ford: Improve the interior and put in some better seats and you'll have a winner...oh wait, you already have a winner. Think of this as an enthusiast's heartfelt request then.

BTW-This particular dealership was asking $30k for this car. I think you could get a new one for less than that...which is pretty much what I told the saleman after my test drive.

you should submit your review to Ford.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
As an owner for a little more than 9 months now, I largely agree. Disputes/agreements below:

I'm not sure about "bogging" the engine below 3K, mine will pull without protest in 5th from about 1,250 RPM (~35 mph). It's not fast, but it's certainly not "bogging". Bogging the engine typically connotates a rather violent protest from the engine, not simply lacadaisicaly acceleration. If all you meant was that for snappy response from the engine it's best to keep it at 3K or above, I'll buy it, though in my experience I'd say 2,500 RPM and not 3,000. In a normal day of commuting, my car never sees anything above about 2,500 RPM.

Agree about the drivetrain feeling clunky sometimes, but it's really more to do with driver style. It's clunky if you try to drive it like a european car (for example, if I try to drive it like my 951), but if I just man-handle the shifter into gear it feels better. Basically, you have to drive it like a muscle car.

It does handle better than people expect, there are no miracles, but most people would never know that it had a live axle in the rear by driving it.

The top of the dash is definitely poor. The '07 cars have an option of a leather dash that is worlds better IMO. The dash vents do look a little odd, but they work better than the vents on any other car I've ever driven. From a functional perspective, they are exceptional. The plastic used in the center console could be much better. Much, much better.

Agree 110% on the bolstering of the seats.

My biggest complaint really though is that the car sits too high and so does the driver. I miss the feeling of being in a really low-slung sportscar like the 951 or the 914 where you basically sit on the floorboards and have the pedals straight out in front of you instead of below you. Of course, that's not really possible on a more practical car, and I did just go through 6 inches of snow this morning with the Mustang without issues, so I suppose that I can live with the car feeling like it's too high up in the air.

ZV

Perhaps bog wasn't the right choice of words. The engine definitely comes alive above 3k rpms. Driving sedately the car would be happy all day long below 2.5k rpms IMO. But if you want to put your foot down you'd be better of dropping down a gear to get the revs up.

I agree with you about sitting up too high in the car. I've always felt that way in Mustangs. You get used to it...until you drive more of a pure sports car.

 

[otispunkmeyer]

Originally posted by: Stumps

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: Stumps
I haven't driven a mustang newer than the 2003 model, so I can't comment on the newer ones, but the ones I have driven have alway felt very flimsy...especially after you hop straight in one after driving a Ford Falcons.

sure they have plenty of power, but they always feel like if you push them too hard that you will break it in half...oh and the brakes suck ass compared to a Falcon.

Well, I don't mean to undermine your post but you might as well compare a Mustang to the Space Shuttle...nobody here knows what the hell a Falcon's brakes or chassis feels like.

oh thats right you guys don't get any decent Fords...my bad

we get good fords too

its the biggest slice of the ford cake thats letting them the down. i seriously dont get why ford dont just sell the models they make in europe in the US, the US is trying to move to more fuel efficient cars so why not?

the focus is europes best selling family car, top gear loved the Mondeo ST220 (these are more rare than Aston DB9's) they loved the focus and the new focus ST, they even loved the Ford S-MAX which is a people carrier!

ford, in europe at least are making some corking machines...... though i think it is a shame we dont get the mustang, ford dont really have a sports coupe here. the fastest ford is the Focus ST and its a 3 door hatch.

 

[CVSiN]

Originally posted by: Stumps
I haven't driven a mustang newer than the 2003 model, so I can't comment on the newer ones, but the ones I have driven have alway felt very flimsy...especially after you hop straight in one after driving a Ford Falcons.

sure they have plenty of power, but they always feel like if you push them too hard that you will break it in half...oh and the brakes suck ass compared to a Falcon.

funny.. Ive had 6 and never felt that way.. and my highest HP one was over 700..
and with just subframes felt rock solid...

and the 2003s feel like tugboats compared to the older fox body which will also take over 1000hp..

I personally love the 2005/6 car.. add a supercharger and an real exhaust and that car REALLY wakes up..

you have to dive one to explain the feeling.. mustangs still love to be upgraded... and there is so much you can do to them at every budget level..

 

[DougK62]

My experince with one is that it's a hoot in a straight line, but a boat around corners and it felt huge driving around town. I feel bad for the people that have the V6 car.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: CVSiN

Originally posted by: Stumps
I haven't driven a mustang newer than the 2003 model, so I can't comment on the newer ones, but the ones I have driven have alway felt very flimsy...especially after you hop straight in one after driving a Ford Falcons.

sure they have plenty of power, but they always feel like if you push them too hard that you will break it in half...oh and the brakes suck ass compared to a Falcon.

funny.. Ive had 6 and never felt that way.. and my highest HP one was over 700..
and with just subframes felt rock solid...

and the 2003s feel like tugboats compared to the older fox body which will also take over 1000hp..

I personally love the 2005/6 car.. add a supercharger and an real exhaust and that car REALLY wakes up..

you have to dive one to explain the feeling.. mustangs still love to be upgraded... and there is so much you can do to them at every budget level..

Agreed. I had subframe connectors welded into my '94 Mustang GT and it made a huge difference in the stiffness of the chassis.

 

[daveymark]

Originally posted by: PaulNEPats
Hopefully you didn't drive it like this guy

old as hell, still funny everytime i see it

 

[SVT Cobra]

Why anyone would buy a new Mustang these days for the price they are when you can get a 2003-2004 Cobra and with a few mods have +500HP.

I have yet to do any modding to mine, but I will be doing it this summer.

 

[0roo0roo]

Originally posted by: Hyperlite
i'm probably going to make a thread about this sometime, but the under 30K RWD category is really heating up. 350z, Mustang GT, Upcoming Camaro, Possible Barracuda...theres going to be lots of fast, loud, raw, cheap competition in the next few years.

heating up? well for some cars, from what i've read the 350z sales are stagnating, nissan needs to renew their lineup and stop playing it safe.

 

[Stumps]

Originally posted by: CVSiN

Originally posted by: Stumps
I haven't driven a mustang newer than the 2003 model, so I can't comment on the newer ones, but the ones I have driven have alway felt very flimsy...especially after you hop straight in one after driving a Ford Falcons.

sure they have plenty of power, but they always feel like if you push them too hard that you will break it in half...oh and the brakes suck ass compared to a Falcon.

funny.. Ive had 6 and never felt that way.. and my highest HP one was over 700..
and with just subframes felt rock solid...

and the 2003s feel like tugboats compared to the older fox body which will also take over 1000hp..

I personally love the 2005/6 car.. add a supercharger and an real exhaust and that car REALLY wakes up..

you have to dive one to explain the feeling.. mustangs still love to be upgraded... and there is so much you can do to them at every budget level..

that's not a bad figure, but it pales in comparison to XR6 Turbo Falcons(and XR8's and GT's...not that they count for much compared to the XR6 Turbo) with no chassis or suspension modifaction taking over 1200hp and still being consider 100% legal and safe by the RTA (Roads and traffic Authority).

But then again our Fords have to be over engineered to suit our extremely ****** roads....that is THE reason that US cars do so poorly in Australia...they can't handle our crappier than 3rd world highways.

don't get me wrong, I have said this many times before..I like American cars....you guys have some of the sexiest looking coupes going(Corvette anyone?) and you guys always get to have more grunt from the factory than US...but when it comes to engineering quality and build quality(mainly in the chassis/suspension....and Especially in the interior department)...we leave you guys for dead.

I really wish Ford and GMH would import some yank coupe bodies and build them to Australian quality...that would make for some kick ass cars, although Ford did try back in 2000 with a limited run of Mustang Cobra's...but they fvcked it up by leaving the 4.6litre V8 standard and charging AU$100,000 for each one....but at least they had a good crack at sorting out all the suspension and chassis issues....the biggest problem with them was however the fact that you paid $100k for a car that gave inferior performance to a $45k XR6 or XR8 Falcon...which mad it pretty sad as it was ment to compete with the $70k plus TS and TE series Falcons and R8 and GTS300 Commodores...cars which were miles ahead of the mustang.

After the complete failure of the Aussie mustang, GMH gave up it's plan to import the corvette and do similar things...overcharge everybody for it...which is a shame for both cars....if they had of been place in the right price bracket...the sub $50k market, I'm sure every second performance Ford or GMH would be an American made one...not a Falcon of Crummydore...it would sure make things much more interesting around here, rather than the usually hotted up Falcon or Commodore taking on the token rice mobile(Usually GTR's or Supra RZ's....WRX's don't count cause a decent V8 or Turbo 6 Aussie sedan leaves em for dead.)

I know that if GMH released a decent Corvette that it would sell like hot cakes here especially since the Monaro has now been put to rest...looks like it's back to the boring sedan only 90's again

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: SVT Cobra
Why anyone would buy a new Mustang these days for the price they are when you can get a 2003-2004 Cobra and with a few mods have +500HP.

I have yet to do any modding to mine, but I will be doing it this summer.

I hear the new ones are of a much nicer interior quality, also ergonomically speaking. Power-wise though, yes, an 03-04 Cobra would be a better platform to start from for all-out power.

 

[SVT Cobra]

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak

Originally posted by: SVT Cobra
Why anyone would buy a new Mustang these days for the price they are when you can get a 2003-2004 Cobra and with a few mods have +500HP.

I have yet to do any modding to mine, but I will be doing it this summer.

I hear the new ones are of a much nicer interior quality, also ergonomically speaking. Power-wise though, yes, an 03-04 Cobra would be a better platform to start from for all-out power.

I doubt it, I rented a Hertz Shelby and in all honesty the panels were nice but cheap and the seats had no racing support. I'll take my terminator any day. (although I would like to have both )

 

[SVT Cobra]

Stumps, did they ever fix the mecanical quality of the Falcon, because all I ever here about them is how good they were, but they were put together with paperclips and chewing gum.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: SVT Cobra

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak

Originally posted by: SVT Cobra
Why anyone would buy a new Mustang these days for the price they are when you can get a 2003-2004 Cobra and with a few mods have +500HP.

I have yet to do any modding to mine, but I will be doing it this summer.

I hear the new ones are of a much nicer interior quality, also ergonomically speaking. Power-wise though, yes, an 03-04 Cobra would be a better platform to start from for all-out power.

I doubt it, I rented a Hertz Shelby and in all honesty the panels were nice but cheap and the seats had no racing support. I'll take my terminator any day. (although I would like to have both )

Agreed. The 03-04 Cobra has a much better interior (seats anyway) than the new Mustangs. The interior of the new Mustang is no better or worse than the one it replaced. It's just a different shape.

BTW-I did like the changing dash lights. That is pretty cool. :thumbsup:

 

[Vic]

Hmm... I test drove a new Mustang GT a while back and couldn't stand how it felt like a big fat pig. I loved most everything else about it except the weight and the shifter, but I could buy one for those reasons alone.

 

[SlowSpyder]

My buddy just got an 06 Mustang GT convertible, well really it's his wife's car but he drives it all the time. He got an auto. He gave me the keys and we went for a ride. I was REALLY disappointed with the power. From a stop I'd floor it and turn the steering wheel to go around the corner, I could barely get the back end to swing at all. Acceleration really felt mild. I don't know if the engine was still breaking in or what. I did like that exhaust note, but it seemed too subdued to me. It had a nice tone, but really needed some volume and a bit more rasp to come alive. The interior was very much 'ok' I guess is how I'd put it. Nothing special, but I wouldn't call it junk either. All in all I woulnd't call it a bad car, but I certainly didn't want to rush to a dealer to go get one either.

 

[SVT Cobra]

Originally posted by: SlowSpyder
My buddy just got an 06 Mustang GT convertible, well really it's his wife's car but he drives it all the time. He got an auto. He gave me the keys and we went for a ride. I was REALLY disappointed with the power. From a stop I'd floor it and turn the steering wheel to go around the corner, I could barely get the back end to swing at all. Acceleration really felt mild. I don't know if the engine was still breaking in or what. I did like that exhaust note, but it seemed too subdued to me. It had a nice tone, but really needed some volume and a bit more rasp to come alive. The interior was very much 'ok' I guess is how I'd put it. Nothing special, but I wouldn't call it junk either. All in all I woulnd't call it a bad car, but I certainly didn't want to rush to a dealer to go get one either.

Turn off the traction control.