So, as some of you know, I drive a slightly modified 04 Acura 6MT. I love my car. I feel it looks cool. Driving it is fun, gets decent gas mileage when I remember not to be a dick and hit the go pedal aggressively, has good performance and great bells and whistles FOR IT'S TIME.

Wanted to create a point of reference. I grew up with Mustangs around my whole life as all my high school friends were into tearing down and rebuilding fox bodies and such. I knew that I felt like the Mustang had kinda lost it's "soul" with the introduction of the 4.6 and never really paid attention to it until they announced the return of the 5.0 in 2011. Since then you'll find my posts on many threads of current members that own the car and my praise of it, from a distance.

So recently had a trip to hang with my step sister and husband in the ATL. Fiancee thought it would be fun to upgrade our rental to a Mustang (NOT 5.0...that would have cost 120 bucks more, was rainy and wet and auto and convertible...decided against it. Ok, I do wish I had). Anyway, we get to counter and are presented with 3 options...Sterling Gray, Red or white...I opted for the Gray as that, Grabber blue and Kona have always had my attention.

My initial reaction to the car was that I was bred to hate it. I am used to precision steering, braking, power (more or less) and the Mustang felt like a tank. 1 day in, I did switch the steering from sport to comfort IIRC, so maybe that helped. Also, as you all know...new place, 35 degrees, new laws and cops and car I'm not used to...all that plays a role in initial impression. I brought along my Valentine 1 but realized quickly the State Trooper's in Georgia rely a LOT more on just fking visual nailing you for driving like a doosh, so I opted not to use it as a safety net. I just kept it within 10 MPH of the limit at all times (kinda ).

After 4 full days of driving the car and getting use to it. I texted my very close friend with an 05 modded GT (that started working at a Ford Dealership and takes delivery of his 5.0 this week) telling him what I really liked about the V6 Stang. He then asked me to tell him what I disliked and actually found myself stumped to respond and gave him mostly an answer like "no driver side floor mat"...a total cop out. I then realized...that not only did I not dislike this car. I actually enjoyed the crap out of driving it.

Electronics: More than I could ever ask for. Between the changeable and selectable mood lighting, halo and dash lights...SYNC in the car that took me a whopping 10 minutes to figure out (beat that...streaming BT pandora from my phone...). I did notice that for a car with only 10K miles...the radio display had some sort of cracking or frost on the inside and the scroll "up" button was kinda stuck and keyless entry FOB's were not reacting well, but might have been due to extreme sub freezing cold temps. Not enough to sway me from getting it...but kinda disappointing. In comparison to the Acura, I really didn't feel like it was a cheap or hard to use interior. They do put the volume and handsfree button on the right side of the steering wheel, which made me feel like why wouldn't I just reach over to the radio. But that's me being nitpicky.

Looks: Ok, this is TOTALLY subjective but if you give me some springs, and spacers...I could totally make this car look as mean as it is BEGGING to look, even without the famed "5.0" on the sides. I personally found myself looking back at it often...especially since it was a 2013 with the LED bar parking lights, the sequential awesome LED rears tails, and standard projector HID's. Stance was on point with a raked look, even from factory.

Quality: Again, IMO subjective...if you wanted to call it bland, or cheap, I'm sure you could. But to me, the doors felt solid, the buttons worked and felt solid, nothing made me feel like my Acura was MUCH better in this department.

Sound: Engine sound had a nice roar when you got on it. That could be helped with aftermarket exhaust. What I found MOST satisfying is the fact that the Shaker 500 (presumably) left a guy that normally listens to a full system with 2 amps and 2 12's wanting NOTHING. The system was far and away enough for me to be content without upgrading it or dealing with all the headaches that DO eventually come of upgrading.

Performance: Ok, so you go, MEH...on PAPER, this car has 305HP, right? My Acura has 286 (less with adjusted rating). But nothing, and I mean NOTHING...replaces a little thing I like to call TORQUE. Let's be honest...if we like the feeling of acceleration. Nothing duplicates that feeling like Torque. I only got the V6...and when you punched it to catch up to your brother in law that took off on the highway, it was literally a matter of 3 seconds before you were up on his ass again. I'm not saying that my TL couldn't have done something similar, but it wouldn't have done it as effortlessly. Although I had originally promised myself I'd light the tires up before returning the car, my age and maturity and lack of a good place to do it stopped me from ever achieving that. I know it would have been fun...but the opportunity didn't present itself.

MPG: Honestly, this was the one I was hoping would make me go home having wood for my TL. But alas, it didn't. Even after punching it here and there...and doing about 50/50 highway and city and driving 300 miles in the last few days...I filled back up ON REGULAR GAS for $43 this morning and netted about 26 MPG. I'm sorry...but I was sad that I wasn't able to find THIS to be something that'd keep me from getting the mustang. Given, the 5.0 would be much worse, but something tells me it would either be A) Worth it for the intoxicating 420HP and exhaust note or B) not much worse than my normal 20 MPG I get in the TL.

The bad: Couple of issues mentioned with buttons. I would highly consider getting extended warranty on this baby. The Threshold to carry your legs over when getting in the car is a bit tall. But I am working on a knee injury right now so I might not have even bawked at that normally.

So, in summary. The 2014 or 15 5.0 might be a serious contender for my next car. I'm sure my TL will stay in the stable as my baby carrier and grocery getter but the Mustang put a smile on my face that I can't wait to recreate.



stepsister and husband's house:

my stepfather ended up getting mustang envy at the airport and cancelled his reservation with another company because they were trying to pass off a civic as a "full sized car". Got him the same deal as us on the car (namely $300 off).

 

Awesome write-up J! I've never been a huge Mustang fan but I'm in love with the new ones. I'm constantly building them on the Ford website

 

I have always been a Corvette guy and never thought twice about Mustangs, until the new new style came out. IMO they are downright awesome!!!! Even though im not in the market, I would without a doubt consider a new Mustang (GT or higher, preferrably GT500). Have you guys ever heard a new GT with long tube headers? OMG!!

 

Tyler, really really glad you appreciated and visited the thread, man. I agree, it's been a LONG time since I was a fan.

JTS, thanks to you too...I agree. With ALL the muscle options out there, there really IS a distinct sound to a 5.0 with full header to flowmaster exhaust with h/x pipe in between!

 

Jeremy, you're a funny guy-----slightly modified '04 TL! LOL


Everything I read says the Mustangs are great for power and if you drive in a straight line. They're TERRIBLE in wet conditions.

Try the ZL1 Camaro too!

 

^ You are right about that. That combo on a 5.0 is one of alot of people's favorite car sounds, including me IMO Flowmaster>Dynomax. I had both on my foxbody's and there is noting better sounding than the Flowmaster.

" I knew that I felt like the Mustang had kinda lost it's "soul" with the introduction of the 4.6"

^^I also agree. My brother has a 1994 5.0 (obviously lol) that he still drives daily with 240k on the clock and the original clutch. <(not relevant but it still amazes me).

Anyway, Great write up and I'm sure you read this https://acurazine.com/forums/car-talk-5/my-5-point-ohhhhhhhhhh-858500/

Just kind of makes ya want one even more lol.

 

yah bastid...yeah, I've read it...and it "just kinda does"!

 

...coming out of left field, I'm still seriously considering a new 5.0 as a replacement for my Accord when its lease is up. Ironically, the remainder of my replacement options are FWD/AWD sedans with either a V6 or turbo 4.....so that tells you how impressed I am with the current Stang.

 

Say it ain't so!






GL with your decision.

 

J why wait? Go ahead and start off 2013 right

 

Nice write up

 

Lol. Sorry.

 

Not a bad choice if you end up getting one

 

Tyler, buy me this one.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2013-...t_29161wt_1165

 

OP, Wait for the 15 if you're looking to buy. Should be another big upgrade in the drive-train/suspension.

I'm currently running open headers after the cats if that counts? Lol

 

So how much was the rental? If you don't mind me asking.

 

Good luck on your car endeavors.. I'm not part of any mustang forums, but any news of the transmission problem being fixed/ independent rear suspension coming? The 5.0 is on my short list

 

test drove a 2011 5.0 the other day and decided that's what i'm going to get next as soon as i sell my car

 

The thing that impresses me the most about the new stang is that how good the V6 one is In the past the v6 variant has always been lack luster under performer but boy has that changed now. Seem like Ford realized that most sales number come from V6 buyer hence it only seemed reasonable to entertain that crowd first.

Good luck with the decision, I would go with the 5.0 by the way

 

I just noticed this on the Mustang page on Ford.com:



The factory-installed Track Apps provides a wealth of performance data. Using the steering wheel-mounted five-way buttons, you can view six menu options.
Information displayed includes:
-Accelerometer displays lateral and longitudinal g forces
-Acceleration times
-Automatic start and countown start
-Brake performance

Stoplights would never be the same for me if I had this function in any car.

 

I test drove a 2013 5.0 6MT this past summer when I was looking to buy a new car. I absolutely loved it, as well as the California Special package. The only thing that held me back was it wasn't the best choice for a daily driver in Chicago for me. I've always loved the Mustang, and one day I will have one in my garage.

 

Great write up. Enjoyed the read. Have a buddy looking at a 5.0. Hopefully will be riding in one this weekend.

 

Love the Mustang...if they ever made an AWD version, it would be mine...shit, if they made an AWD version of the Taurus SHO, I'd get that!!!

 

I'm pretty sure AWD is the only way you can get a new SHO.

 

 

Jeremy....if you end up getting the mustang, it will be modded well, that we can be sure off

other than that, Matt and I have been drooling over Mustangs at the local meets. I always loved that V8 exhaust rumble but never liked the styling until they got a major face lift...I have driven the 2011 5.0 V8 and they are an absolute delight to drive....

funny enough, I had more fun "messing around" in the Dodge Challenger R/T but the Mustang hit all the right buttons....in the 2 years, i bet they have gotten a dozen on upgrades inside and out which make them a lot meaner....

If you plan on waiting another year or so, do wait for the 2nd iteration of the new model....am not a big fan of getting the first model year as it will always have some bugs/flaws which are corrected in the 2nd model year....

with that been said, I agree with Tyler...why wait Start off 2013 with a "5.0 bang"

 

Thanks everyone. Rental ended up being $260 for 4 days, including taxes and fees.

I do agree that that V6 impressed the heck out of me, but I don't think I'd be able to live with it every time a 5.0 rolled by me. I'd have to have at least that. If I was loaded, I'd even consider the GT500. But, more power, more tire wear, less mpg. Kinda sways my balance as far as all around good car after a certain equilibrium point.

That same buddy of mine getting the 5.0 delivered tomorrow told me that he realizes now that there is such a thing as too much HP when he took a shelby home for a few days. He said that it really does just belong on the track on slicks...too much power for day to day driving like an ahole on the streets.

J.

EDIT for Anil:
Thanks man! Yeah, I'd hope I'd do it right...probaby just mildly lower it, and get spacers for a bit...then, eventually look into lightweight 18's or 19's for it. The car has so many bells and whistles, seriously. BUt you guys are right...they may be looking into independent rear suspension and some major upgrades in the coming years. I can be patient. My TL is still doing it's job like a champ!

 

"...too much power for driving like an a-hole on the streets...."

After your friend gets his, maybe he'll let you drive it for a bit to get the feel of the 5.0....

Every time I hear (read) "5.0"......."Rollin' in my 5.0....with my ragtop down so my hair can blow...." I really don't think his hair could move regardless...

 

His hair would CERTAINLY not have moved!
I agree...I even thought it would be good to rent one for a couple of days to get a feel for the REAL WORLD MPG for how I drive. I wonder how practical 420 HP really is. Rear seat is tiny too...forgot to mention that...in a pinch, it fits 2 adults...but normal circumstances and I'd take someone else's car.

 

I'd wait for the upcoming gen.

 

260$ for 4 days, woah where do I get in on this deal?

 

AWD would be a game changer on different levels for the Mustang. But unless it's done the right way (which in itself is subjective), it runs the risk of losing its character.

Honestly, I'd like to see it offered with the V6 but the V8 shouldn't change from its RWD configuration.

 

Interestingly enough rockstar I grew up in the same fashion as you. In fact my father had an '82 Mustang GT that he bought brand new and through out my high school days modded until it became a beast; dual carbs, 351 heads, aggressive cam, etc. A couple of people I knew had Fox body 'Stangs that were incredibly fast, but for some reason I kept away from them and besides my very first car ('72 Buick Skylark) I went Japanese for vehicles of choice.

One of my best friends bought a '12 Mustang GT last year. Long story short he no longer has it after a ton of issues (not the norm) but basically it was a nearly no-option GT because that was his price point. While it was fast and handled nice, I was so put off by the interior I could never personally get past that. Now again, that was a plain jane GT because he wanted to stay as close to $30k as possible, but regardless, even as an entry level interior goes, it just can't compare to a Japanese car. He now has a '13 Genesis Coupe Spec R and you know what the first thing he commented on about liking more thant the Mustang that it replaced? The interior. He gave up almost 100hp and some torque, but he said as a DD it's so much better and fast enough to keep him entertained, but the interior is 1000x better than the GT's was.

I find myself crusing Craigslist every once in a while looking for 80's Fox body 'Stangs for a fun weekend car. I'll likely always stick with a Japanese car for my DD but would love to have a 5.0 for a weekend track/crusier.

 

As a daily driver the V6 really shines. It's got good power, excellent fuel economy if not tapping the throttle too hard and it's plenty comfortable as long as putting people in the back seat isn't a huge priority.

I absolutely love mine and have driven it every single day for nearly the past 2 years through sun, rain and snow. I wouldn't change very much about it if I had the choice.

For me the base interior is way too baron. The plastic that covers the dash where mine has nicely detailed aluminum trim, the thin injection molded plastic steering wheel where mine has the hand stitched leather wrapped steering wheel with aluminum trim, the plain cloth seats where mine has full leather with contrasting white stitching... It all adds up to be a very comfortable place to be for extended periods of time, and it's why I went with the premium package over a base model.

Now, don't get me wrong. If you were looking for a toy or weekend cruiser? By all means the 5.0 is the only way to go.

 

I just read through your entire thread.

Love your Mustang. And it makes me want one, even after buying a new car.

Oh, and here are the best two quotes from your thread:

Fate?

 

Honestly, at it's price point the V6 Mustang represents an awesome performance value. A V6 Premium is an attractive alternative if the 5.0 isn't doable.

 

Thanks man! That's pretty much the reason I link the thread in my signature. It's a story that tells itself from the very initial stages of pricing it out, visiting dealers to drive them, placing an order, following it through the wait time and me finally getting it. Not a thing I'd change if I had to do it again

 

Thanks for all the comments, fellas. SA CHO, I absolutely agree. I guess there's just this fleeting feeling of having wanted a 5.0 for so long but never pulling the trigger that I KNOW I wouldn't be satisfied with the 6. That said, the 6 actually covers all my bases better than the 5.0 because it ALSO gets great gas mileage.

We had the tech package with sync and the track app installed (obvi)...probably why I was impressed. I was turned off to all the problems with the chinese built tranny's of the 2011's...but they seem to have that issue covered now.

Supertrooper...we honestly sound like soul brothers...similar upbringing, and respect for it, and plans to have it in the future at some point.

J.

 

They are all gimmicky though...and fairly inaccurate. I have a 0-60 timer on the Challenger...and while I have not used mine...people on the forums always come up with wildly unreal times.

 

Didn't read but GT or GTfo