I need some HONEST opinions...

[Harry P.]

I'm about ready for my next car, and I'm seriously considering a Mustang... however, I have never driven one. I've never even sat inside one (I'm talking about the new "retro" models).

Obviously I'll have to check one out at a dealer, but as you all know it's basically impossible to give a new car a real test drive with the saleman sitting right there next to you. Soooooo, I'd like to hear from anyone out there who has one. I'm leaning toward the V6, and it'll definitely be a manual. The V6 seems like a pretty good bang-for-the-buck choice. I don't really need the V8's performance or gas mileage.

Any owner comments from you guys, either positive or negative? Anything particularly stand out in your minds?

[Rick Schmidt]

My Mother has an 06 v6 She bought new to replace my 01. Far as I know she only had one problem with the car , which was the piece in the Auto Shifter that fills the gap fowled up making the car hard to get in gear. Ford fixed it under warranty with no problem. The few times I've driven the car I've liked it. Theres a difference in power and giddy up an go over my 01 and it definatly rides much smoother than my 01.

[CAL]

I'm about ready for my next car, and I'm seriously considering a Mustang... however, I have never driven one. I've never even sat inside one (I'm talking about the new "retro" models).

Obviously I'll have to check one out at a dealer, but as you all know it's basically impossible to give a new car a real test drive with the saleman sitting right there next to you. Soooooo, I'd like to hear from anyone out there who has one. I'm leaning toward the V6, and it'll definitely be a manual. The V6 seems like a pretty good bang-for-the-buck choice. I don't really need the V8's performance or gas mileage.

Any owner comments from you guys, either positive or negative? Anything particularly stand out in your minds?

I donno, I have given a few sales dudes some dirty laundry before, espeically when they tell ya it's okay to drive like you stole it. I remember when we got back from the Mazdaspeed 6 test drive the sales guy was speachless (which is good) and white as a ghost.

I serously was considering one too. I was on a Mustang V6 with a Pony Package. It felt good driving one, and I drove several for extended test drives.

The GT V8 was nice, but I was having a hard time justifying that much more for something that was probably just going to get me into trouble.

So, the V6 to seemed like more bang for the buck, especially with a manual.

I still consider it off and on.

[Corvette.Jeff]

I dont have any personal experience with the "new" mustangs, but i do have experience with car salesman. If you act like you actually wantt eh car more than you do while your test driving it, he might let you get on it. when we bought our 07' silverado we wanted to see how it performed and the salseman let us, he even let us pull a trailer around the backlot! If nothing else you may be able to go test drive a used one from a individual and take a test drive.

[E St. Kruiser50]

I'm about ready for my next car, and I'm seriously considering a Mustang... however, I have never driven one. I've never even sat inside one (I'm talking about the new "retro" models).

Obviously I'll have to check one out at a dealer, but as you all know it's basically impossible to give a new car a real test drive with the saleman sitting right there next to you. Soooooo, I'd like to hear from anyone out there who has one. I'm leaning toward the V6, and it'll definitely be a manual. The V6 seems like a pretty good bang-for-the-buck choice. I don't really need the V8's performance or gas mileage.

Any owner comments from you guys, either positive or negative? Anything particularly stand out in your minds?

Harry, Harry, Harry

Mustangs are the "ALL TIME #1 SELLING PONY CAR" . WHAT ELSE IS THERE TO SAY .

The first one's are collectors cars, and there's jillions of them old one's still on the road - RUNNING.

I bought a brand new '67 in Dec. 66 for my Christmas present.

A dark metallic green fast back, with a Police interceptor Hi-Pro 390, that was a screamer.

That car was as solid as any car I ever drove, so the new one's just gotta be killer.

Take it out for a drive and scare yourself and the salesman

[CAL]

Harry, Harry, Harry

Mustangs are the "ALL TIME #1 SELLING PONY CAR" . WHAT ELSE IS THERE TO SAY .

The first one's are collectors cars, and there's jillions of them old one's still on the road - RUNNING.

I bought a brand new '67 in Dec. 66 for my Christmas present.

A dark metallic green fast back, with a Police interceptor Hi-Pro 390, that was a screamer.

That car was as solid as any car I ever drove, so the new one's just gotta be killer.

Take it out for a drive and scare yourself and the salesman

+1

[Harry P.]

The only Mustang I've ever driven belongs to a friend of mine... a '65 coupe with a 289, I think. Naturally I "took it easy"... it was her baby!!!

[Aaronw]

Go to Hertz, rent a GT350H, then decide if you can live with a milder version. I'm sure someone rents the V6 version too. $150 or less (much less for a regular Mustang) to help you make up your mind about a $20,000+ purchase seems like a pretty reasonable trade off. Heck make it a weekend and take a drive to the coast or mountains as appropriate for your location.

[Harry P.]

Go to Hertz, rent a GT350H, then decide if you can live with a milder version. I'm sure someone rents the V6 version too. $150 or less (much less for a regular Mustang) to help you make up your mind about a $20,000+ purchase seems like a pretty reasonable trade off. Heck make it a weekend and take a drive to the coast or mountains as appropriate for your location.

Chicago... no coast (unless you count Lake Michigan) and no mountains... but a LOT of wide open highway, especially downstate.

Good idea on renting one.

[pstreet]

my only experience with the new mustang is one i rented on business while in alabama.

i dont know if the automatic transmission and rental car upholstery had anything to do with it, but it was one of the biggest turds ive ever driven. slow to go and not very responsive.

[oldman23]

Hi Harry,

My son has an 06 Mustang v6 Manual HE HATES IT He's 36 y.o.

He drove me to the Doc's in it and it road like a lumber wagon. When he took off from the light it always seemed like the trans was slipping.

It just bugged me crazy!!!We live outside Phoenix and WE HAVE MOUNTAINS and that poor stang can't crawl up them unless it is in second gear, then you better shut the air off. He's trading it in on a new Mustang GT. I can't crawl inside a stang now so I'm happy with our 2006 Dodge Charger Daytona. It's got a set off brass ones and it rides and climbs the hills nice. 5.7L Hemi 3.73 Posi 5 speed auto and every option that was available when we ordered it. It has the number plate on the dash and it's # 1257 of 2000 built and right now since i've been sick it only has 470 miles on it and we have it stored up on blocks in the cool garage. If anyone needs pictures or info on one PM me.

Ernie

Edited April 29, 2009 by oldman23

[mikemodeler]

Harry,

I too rented one (in 2005 when they were "new") and was not impressed. Of course I chalked it up to being an abused rental car but the V-6/automatic combo seemed weak at the time. The gas mileage wasn't that great, but then again, it WAS a rental. Being average sized, (5'9") getting in and out was difficult for me as I had been used to driving an SUV for several years but now that I am back driving a sedan, it probably wouldn't be so bad.

I would drive down to Mannheim road and see what the airport rental lots have available. I doubt you could get the V-6/5 speed but who knows! Not sure if the dealers have that combo sitting on the lot but a good dealer will search for you, especially in this business climate. Something to consider is how this car will be used. If it is your daily, year round ride in Chi-town, that manual trans might be a pain in the butt. Also, the resale value usually takes a hit because unlike the 60s/70s, most buyers want the automatic.

Hopefully you can find what you are looking for and it is all that you are hoping for!

Mike

[Brendan]

I have driven my two friends' Mustangs...an '06 and an '07...I believe. Both were V6. I personally didn't care for them. One friend likes his car, but would not buy another one. My other friend absolutely hates it. He drove my Subaru and he was going to buy that as his next car. This is just my opinion but there are other cars that are better in the price range of the Mustangs. And are more fun to drive.

[Harry P.]

If it is your daily, year round ride in Chi-town, that manual trans might be a pain in the butt. Also, the resale value usually takes a hit because unlike the 60s/70s, most buyers want the automatic.

Mike

Yeah, it would be my regular car, but a manual in the city doesn't bother me. I've driven nothing but manuals since 1984, so I'm used to it. And resale value doesn't matter to me... I keep my cars for a long time, until they basically have no resale value anyway. By the time I'm ready to get rid of a car, it's pretty much worthless... I do get my money's worth out of every car I buy! My current car is a 2001 with 140,000 miles on it. It's not worth much. I'd be lucky to get 3-4K for it.

But I have to say, the bad reviews coming from a lot of you guys has me re-thinking things...

My second choice was the new Challenger. I'll have to give that one a try, too.

[diymirage]

more so then the mustang or no mustang debate i would like to pose the question:

rwd or not ?

i mean, do you really want to buy a car that you cant really SAFELY drive 4 months out of the year ?

(im sure there are all sorts of ESP antislip programs and what not but still)

i live out in michigan and the 4 seasons (almost winter, winter, still winter and construction season) has always kept me from buying a RWD car

IF you decide to go with a RWD anyways based on looks and nothing else i would take one challenger over a handfull of mustangs

Edited April 29, 2009 by diymirage

[James Flowers]

Harry drive one. Only you can tell if it fits you . I have owned at least 70 cars and trucks so far. The only thing that sells me on one is how it fits me when I drive it. A car or truck that does not feel right when you first drive is not the one you want. When you find the one that fits that is the one you want. Then check all the information about the vehicle you can find . That's the one you should buy.

[B_rad88]

hey harrypri, i think you should drive and build the

'07 bullitt mustang gt, or

'07 saleen s281 supercharged, or

'08 shelby mustang gt500kr, or

'08 parnelli jones special edition mustang gt, or

OR MY DREAM MUSTANG!............

a mustang gtr concept

i hope that helps!

[Joe Handley]

My sister's Boyfriend has an '07 V6/Auto Mustang and as far as I know he's happy with it. He wanted the GT when he bought it to replace his '98 Taurus and that was only a few grand more......but since he's still only in his mid-20's the insurance per year was just twice as much as the price difference between the V6 and GT. Now my sister has a '06 Charger SE with the 3.5l V6 and "touring" suspension and it's not quite as quick as the Mustang, but her mileage should be pretty close and it should hande at least as good, if not better.

[Aaronw]

Chicago... no coast (unless you count Lake Michigan) and no mountains... but a LOT of wide open highway, especially downstate.

Good idea on renting one.

That is what we've been doing the last few years, if we have a reason to rent a car we will get something we are considering buying when its time for a new car. I was very impressed with one of the Subaru wagons, decent looking, all wheel drive, fairly quick considering it was a 4 cyl, good handling and fun to drive. I never thought I'd be able to say that about a station wagon.

[Guest Davkin]

i mean, do you really want to buy a car that you cant really SAFELY drive 4 months out of the year ?

That's far more a function of the driver than the car. I have lived in northern Utah all my life and while our winters aren't quite as bad as Michigan's they are far from mild and I've never owned a FWD car or even a 4WD car/truck. In fact, I made it through one of our worst winters ever driving a '76 Chevy 3/4 2WD truck with nearly bald bias ply tires. Smart? No, but I only got stuck once, (and was able to get myself out) and never came close to having an accident.

We live outside Phoenix and WE HAVE MOUNTAINS and that poor stang can't crawl up them unless it is in second gear, then you better shut the air off

I'm suprised to hear that. Isn't the current v6 Stang rated at near 200 hp? I drive a '99 CV and it's rated at 210 hp and weighs over 3800 lbs and has auto and I'm very happy with it. I live in a mountainous area and it will cruise up the hills just fine. I'd think a v6 Stang weighs less than a v8 CV. Maybe the smaller displacement gives up low-end torque even if it has similar hp. BTW, this big v8 cruiser gets 24mpg on the highway.

David

Edited April 29, 2009 by Davkin

[Smart-Resins]

I can not give you a honest opionion based on performance! But I will give you one on appearance! Go challenger!! Jody

[camaroman]

Harry, The HONEST truth is my wife bought an 08 V6/auto convertible last fall

It is one the most fun cars we have ever owned. As far as the V8 thing...

I almost got caught the week of New Year at ###### near 100 (Miles not Klicks)

on I-85 with the top down. Very Tight and well handling Car!!!! Maybe it's because

of the Pony package.

We bought ours at the local dealer, used, with less than 6000 miles

on the clock for 20K out the door ( taxes, title etc). The way to go, with a bunch of them

coming in from lease. Ours was a Ford factory rep's car.

Camaroman sez go for it!

PM me if you want to talk directly over the phone.

[roadhawg]

Harry, heed Camaromans advice......buy slightly used. Let somebody else take the depreciation butt-kickin' on it! But anyway......If I was in the market for a car, hmmm, lets see. The Mustang is WAAAAY more affordable than the Challenger, and it might not mean much to some, but Ford didn't take any of that kickback...ummm, I mean bailout money, did they?

Chicago... no coast (unless you count Lake Michigan) and no mountains... but a LOT of wide open highway, especially downstate.

Good idea on renting one.

I just came through Chicago yesterday. 35 mph and endless construction is not what I consider "wide open highway"......

[Foxer]

more so then the mustang or no mustang debate i would like to pose the question:

rwd or not ?

i mean, do you really want to buy a car that you cant really SAFELY drive 4 months out of the year ?

(im sure there are all sorts of ESP antislip programs and what not but still)

i live out in michigan and the 4 seasons (almost winter, winter, still winter and construction season) has always kept me from buying a RWD car

IF you decide to go with a RWD anyways based on looks and nothing else i would take one challenger over a handfull of mustangs

I live in the mountains (ok, hills) of New England .. pretty much same as Michigan. I've had rwd cars all my life all four seasons .. my last 7 were 5 Porsches and 2 recent Infinities .. a G35 and G37 Coupe. I have NEVER put any car up for storage during winter months. What you do is equip the car for winter driving. All had summer tires as normal gear. When it turned cold and snowed, yes, these cars became eels. That's why winter tires were invented. I live up a steep hill with very steep driveway. I always got home. This is just common sense and I don't understand why people don't properly equip their cars for winter. My wife has an Audi and previously 4 Subaru Legacys ..ALL wore 4 snow tires in winter. I don't want to turn this into a FW/RW drive argument.. just want people to keep their rides safe and keep it the typical Mustang/Dodge argument !! heheh

Edited April 29, 2009 by Foxer

[george 53]

Harry, I've never owned a Mustang. But I have ALWAYS been a V-8 man. My Daughter has a V-6 Jeep Commander, and my Bruddah owns a 05 Dodge sebring V-6. BOTH of them lil 6's got PLENTY of pep an spunk for me. They're close to 300 horse,and they can zip!. I don't know if the added price of the V-8 would be worth it. Unless you plan on racein it, then at that rate hit em up for that GT 500 thingie they claim is so fast.(I'm NOT a furd guy).