Sold my Lotus Elise and DD to get V6 Mustang w/Perf Pack. Some Q's, thanks.
07-04-2011, 05:25 PM
#1
2nd Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Near the Arch
Posts: 159
Sold my Lotus Elise and DD to get V6 Mustang w/Perf Pack. Some Q's, thanks.
Long story, but the short version is a tale of British electronics combined with the closure of the local road course. So, I sold my Lotus Elise track car and my 2002 DD GTI.
I'm a track day instructor so I still want a car that's road course capable now and then, but also need to add in a healthy dose of reality since I'm combining a track car and DD car into one.
After pounding the internet, reading everything, the jury is in and I'll be ordering the 2012 with the performance package, base model otherwise ... the less things with wires, the better IMO.
I've concluded the V6 Mustang w/ Perf Pack is the best bang for the buck performer out there.
Some Q's ... I'm a 100% Ford newbie, so go easy on the flame thrower ;-)
What's this suspension like for DD use?
For Winter / snow, what are folks running?
If the speed limiter is defused, is there a known mph for which the drive shaft is rated to?
Is there an aftermarket option to add the the bit of aluminum wheel / dash trim that comes with the premium package that doesn't look 'tacked' on?
Anyone have this car/package near St Louis? I'd like to meet and take a look at in person, go for a ride with lunch at my expense, gift card, whatever ... I really need to see/ride in the car in person, there's none at dealerships here.
ALL - I'm undecided on colors ... if you have this car, please post up a pic. The build your own on Ford's site seems off and there's not a lot of quality pics I've found via googling.
Thanks ... I was on this forum awhile back when I was kicking the tires on this decision. Went with the Lotus, but now I'm back for the best all-around swiss army knife car out there. Better front / rear balance than the V8, lighter, and hey, any real road course driver only needs 300 HP, right ;-)
I'm a track day instructor so I still want a car that's road course capable now and then, but also need to add in a healthy dose of reality since I'm combining a track car and DD car into one.
After pounding the internet, reading everything, the jury is in and I'll be ordering the 2012 with the performance package, base model otherwise ... the less things with wires, the better IMO.
I've concluded the V6 Mustang w/ Perf Pack is the best bang for the buck performer out there.
Some Q's ... I'm a 100% Ford newbie, so go easy on the flame thrower ;-)
What's this suspension like for DD use?
For Winter / snow, what are folks running?
If the speed limiter is defused, is there a known mph for which the drive shaft is rated to?
Is there an aftermarket option to add the the bit of aluminum wheel / dash trim that comes with the premium package that doesn't look 'tacked' on?
Anyone have this car/package near St Louis? I'd like to meet and take a look at in person, go for a ride with lunch at my expense, gift card, whatever ... I really need to see/ride in the car in person, there's none at dealerships here.
ALL - I'm undecided on colors ... if you have this car, please post up a pic. The build your own on Ford's site seems off and there's not a lot of quality pics I've found via googling.
Thanks ... I was on this forum awhile back when I was kicking the tires on this decision. Went with the Lotus, but now I'm back for the best all-around swiss army knife car out there. Better front / rear balance than the V8, lighter, and hey, any real road course driver only needs 300 HP, right ;-)
07-05-2011, 07:34 AM
#4
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: NC
Posts: 212
Heres mine: Red Candy with tan interior,, base model with stripe, spoiler, PP, and thats it.
Funny enough, I traded a 2007 GTI for mine
I have only had it a few weeks, so interested in the responses to this thread too.
Funny enough, I traded a 2007 GTI for mine
I have only had it a few weeks, so interested in the responses to this thread too.
07-05-2011, 08:04 AM
#5
2nd Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Near the Arch
Posts: 159
Really looking forward to feedback from road course addicts on the Perf Pack.
07-05-2011, 08:29 AM
#6
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: NY
Posts: 157
Some Q's ... I'm a 100% Ford newbie, so go easy on the flame thrower ;-)
What's this suspension like for DD use?
For Winter / snow, what are folks running?
If the speed limiter is defused, is there a known mph for which the drive shaft is rated to?
Is there an aftermarket option to add the the bit of aluminum wheel / dash trim that comes with the premium package that doesn't look 'tacked' on?
I just got it so I haven't had to figure out a situation for the snow yet, I will prob just get a beater.
I believe the drive shaft was rated right around the 114 that the engine was governed at and that was the reason for the limit. I could be wrong about this though. Could always pick up a one piece aluminum from shaft masters.
I have seen people selling off their aluminum trim kits on the forums and ebay. I am pretty sure there are also aftermarket kits as well but I don't know about their quality.
All in all I've been pretty happy with my Mustang so far, and I am coming an 06 GTI as well, the wife took that when her old car died so it's still around.
07-05-2011, 11:51 AM
#8
3rd Gear Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 917
I have a 2000 V6 auto that I drove all winter in Wisconsin, I used General Tire Altimax tires all the way around in winter. It handled fine in the snow and ice. I preferred it over our front wheel drive Celica with Good Year Eagles. My 16 yr old son drove it last winter with no problems, btw it does not have ABS or traction control.
I drove a V6 performance package manual in the snow before I bought my 2012, it was pretty good even with the summer only 19" tires.
I bought my 2012 V6 with the 17" inch rims and all season tires, they are in the garage waiting for snow. I have 18" 255x45 Nittos on the car now. If the all season are too slick for winter, I'll toss them and go back to the Altimax.
The 2012 V6 is really tame up to 4,000 RPM, driving in the snow was easy, and I had no problem down shifting without locking up the rear. Weight balance is very good with the light V6 and the manual trans. The 2012s handle much much better than the 2000s!! I doubt it will corner like your Lotus, but I have 190,000 miles on the 2000, it looks and drives like new. I've never had a problem with the car and it still averages 27 mpg.
I drove a V6 performance package manual in the snow before I bought my 2012, it was pretty good even with the summer only 19" tires.
I bought my 2012 V6 with the 17" inch rims and all season tires, they are in the garage waiting for snow. I have 18" 255x45 Nittos on the car now. If the all season are too slick for winter, I'll toss them and go back to the Altimax.
The 2012 V6 is really tame up to 4,000 RPM, driving in the snow was easy, and I had no problem down shifting without locking up the rear. Weight balance is very good with the light V6 and the manual trans. The 2012s handle much much better than the 2000s!! I doubt it will corner like your Lotus, but I have 190,000 miles on the 2000, it looks and drives like new. I've never had a problem with the car and it still averages 27 mpg.
07-05-2011, 06:24 PM
#9
2nd Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Near the Arch
Posts: 159
I bought my 2012 V6 with the 17" inch rims and all season tires, they are in the garage waiting for snow ... The 2012 V6 is really tame up to 4,000 RPM, driving in the snow was easy, and I had no problem down shifting without locking up the rear. Weight balance is very good with the light V6 and the manual trans.
[QUOTE=TruMac;7606626]I have a '12 V6 with the PP. DD wise the suspension on the PP is good. I live and work in a city and drive our horrible roads daily and its no issue. I haven't had it on a track yet so I can't speak to that aspect of it but for spirited daily driving I give it a thumbs up. [/Q siUOTE] Perfect, thank you sir!
I believe the drive shaft was rated right around the 114 that the engine was governed at and that was the reason for the limit. I could be wrong about this though. Could always pick up a one piece aluminum from shaft masters.
I have seen people selling off their aluminum trim kits on the forums and ebay. I am pretty sure there are also aftermarket kits as well but I don't know about their quality.
I have seen people selling off their aluminum trim kits on the forums and ebay. I am pretty sure there are also aftermarket kits as well but I don't know about their quality.
Semper fi on the fellow GTI owners ... the original "giant killer."
07-07-2011, 06:12 PM
#10
1st Gear Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 87
300 HP is more than enough for anyone with any real talent on a road coarse. Obviously if your quarter mileing you want more, but for a road coarse it should be plenty.
I have a 2010 Convertible which has the 4.0 PP and runs out with 210 HP. It is plenty peppy when called on but it's not my "Go Fast" anyway. The only problem I have noticed is the brakes heat up REAL quick, so you will probably want to upgrade those. I haven't driven one of the new V-6's and I know it has 305 HP at the crank, but I run my 1990 Corvette at the autocross and it's running 310 HP on the ground, which generates more than enough speed for fun and excitment.
Yet the stangr rides much smoother, and gets good gas mileage, so for a Daily Driver it makes a great ride. I'm a Die Hard Vetter as it has been my dream car since I was a little boy, but the Mustang is a tight second, I think you will fall in love quickly with your new Pony.
I have a 2010 Convertible which has the 4.0 PP and runs out with 210 HP. It is plenty peppy when called on but it's not my "Go Fast" anyway. The only problem I have noticed is the brakes heat up REAL quick, so you will probably want to upgrade those. I haven't driven one of the new V-6's and I know it has 305 HP at the crank, but I run my 1990 Corvette at the autocross and it's running 310 HP on the ground, which generates more than enough speed for fun and excitment.
Yet the stangr rides much smoother, and gets good gas mileage, so for a Daily Driver it makes a great ride. I'm a Die Hard Vetter as it has been my dream car since I was a little boy, but the Mustang is a tight second, I think you will fall in love quickly with your new Pony.