Getting ready to pull the trigger in the next few weeks on a new Mustang - after 6 months or so of contemplation (and getting a few finances squared away). Can I share with you fellas my dilema?

Found and drove a nice V6 Premium Pony (manual). Kona Blue (black interior) with the 18's. Glass roof. Has more of that classic look to it. 2.73 rear. My eye has always been caught by this look and color, with the occasional fear that it might look blurple in some conditions. Test drove it with that glass roof, and it was really cool (us Washingtonian's need all the light we can get sometimes).

Today I test drove a Gray (black interior) V6 Premium MCA with Perf Pkg (manual). Mean looking with those 19's, and cool in a more contemporary, agressive way. Solid roof. 3.31 rear of course. I felt like I was in that Mustang commercial racing through the streets. Spooked at how fast those tires might wear down though.

Well, call me silly, but I figure if I'm going to drop a few bucks, I might as well get some good test drives in for comparisons. Taken about a half-dozen drives in mostly manuals. What's interesting (call me crazy if you need to), but I've found the 2.73 in a manual actually a little more drivable. Has anyone else noticed that? Am I nuts?

It will be my daily driver (40 miles round trip on freeways). will stay in the garage on the days there is slush or the threat of snow.

Anyway, decisions decisions... Thoughts anyone?

 

I agree that the tall gearing feels better day to day. It's more relaxing somehow. But when I stir the box on 3.31 s it goes like a scalded cat.

 

i test drove a 2.73 before i got mine (3.31)
i've been driving manual for awhile now (4 cars)
two of my old cars had lighter flywheel put in, one thing you gotta do in these mustang you gotta shift slower. funny thing they already have a relatively short throw shifter but the rpm are hanging in the high side too long. if you want a comfortable ride you just gotta shift slower and easy on the last inch of clutch engagement

buy the one you won't have any regrets when you drive out of that dealership

 

This made me laugh out loud. Thank you.

 

These Stangs, both old and new, seem much peppier in a manual unless you improve the shift points and throttle response with a CAI & custom tune, or even just the tune.

IMO, you should test drive the GT. The fuel mileage diff is minimal and you'll get more wood than most national parks.

 

oh wow, I lolled hard!

On another note. The GT would be awesome, but seeing as you mentionned you needed to get some finances in order, maybe you should stick with the V6?

Otherwise test drive the GT and drive the two different 6s again, and ask yourself which one you would feel more at home in.

However seems to me like the kona blue with the glass roof is the better option. You clearly seemed to prefer the feel of the 2.73 gears and you also seemed to really appreciate the extra light. Little psychological compforts like these can go a long way towards long term appreciation.

 

Thanks Upsh1ft. Yep, only want a v6, so thanks for clueing in on that. Finances aren't technically an issue. Just was trying to exercise some self discipline.

Thanks for your take on the matter. My gut is telling me both would be fine sitting in the garage, but that the "experience" of the blue one with the glass top and the 2.73 might be the better choice for me (sat and starred at pictures of both all evening). My plan as of now (and assuming they are still there in a couple weeks), is to see what sort of deal's I can get on either one, and the dilema might have a relatively easy resolution. ...maybe. :-)

 

They both sound really nice. If the car is going to be a daily driver, the 2.73's will squeeze out a bit more MPG. And it sounds like you're totally into the glass roof. And Kona blue is a nice color.... Sounds like you've already made up your mind

 

I test drove the '11 V6 and GT and basically concluded that the GT was more fun, but that the V6 was plenty of fun and the better choice for me. I was willing to spend around $30,000 after x-plan corporate pricing and figured I could get a fully loaded top of the line V6 or a fairly base GT. I am in my mid-30's, so racing and whatnot are not of primary concern to me. The V6 was plenty powerful, fun to drive and with all of the fixin's it is super sweet! Leather interior, Sync, MCA Edition, I love my V6 after just a few months.

I am running the Bama 93 Race Tune, a K&N drop in filter and plant to upgrade to 3.73's, the Ford Racing Suspension package, and upgraded brakes as time and money allow.

 

I've got the 2.73's with M/T and these gears are just fine off the line.

The only time I can see where the 3.31's (or lower) are any real benefit is when going through a sharp turn where you downshift into 2nd and then power out of the turn. Here I feel the 2.73's are a bit doggy and a higher numerical rear gear would help.

If I did any autocrossing / road racing, the 2.73's would definitely have to go.

But instead I do a lot of highway driving and I like being under 2k RPM's at 75 MPH and this engine has enough power to do so. If Ford would have spaced the gears out a bit more on this 6 spd box so it was double O.D. (5th=0.70 & 6th=0.57), the 3.31's could be the "best of both worlds" rear gear ratio.

Doug