Hey guys. Mustang newbie here, but long time fan of the long line of ponies. I am finally going for the 2011 5.0 GT.

I am going for a test drive tomorrow, and had a few questions about the 5.0.

1. I just got rid of my Audi S4 (4.2L V8). More problems than worth keeping it. My S4 put down about 340hp and 309 lb/ft torque, pretty quick. If I'm not mistaken, the GT puts out 412hp and 390 lb/ft torque. I have been driving a manual transmission for seven years, however, I have never driven a car with this much power. How will it be driving this compared to the S4? Is it an easy car to drive?

2. With the right tires on, how will this handle my New Jersey winters?

3. How reliable are they? I had so many problems with my S4 (mostly electronic), but I just want a trouble free car.

Any help is appreciated guys. I am so excited about joining the Mustang family.

 

It's a very easy car to drive. It's very smooth and, to be honest, it doesn't feel as fast as it is. I have the 3.73 gears and 2nd and 3rd gear are a lot of fun. That's where I really feel the difference.
Nobody knows how trouble free these engines are but I had no trouble with my 2007 and haven't heard of many issues with the 2010's and 2011s.
Good luck with your purchase.

 

thanks for your help!

 

Probably better than any RWD cars that most of us had 10+ years ago, but still not as good as FWD or AWD obviously.

If you are going to drive it in the winter up north, I'd recommend that you get a set of smaller 17" wheels with thinner snow tires to pop on it for the second half of December, January, and February.

Not only will they handle a LOT better than any all season tire in the ice, snow, and slush, but you won't be putting the salt on your 'good' rims and will keep the miles and wear off of your 'good' tires for the summer.

 

Sounds a little like me. I traded a BMW 330 because it broke constantly. When you get to learn the service advisors' hobbies and habits and get invites to join them on their personal time on weekends - that's good people and all, but should I really be in a dealership service department often enough to establish those kinds of bonds? With a BMW, I did.

I went from a 220 hp 330 to a 412 hp GT. It's very, very easy to drive sensibly. If you want to go a little gonzo, it'll do that too.

It may not have the carving "feel" to the steering, but I have two real sports cars for shenanigans. I needed a better all-arounder for a daily driver. The 5.0 mustang GT has proven so far to be very easy to live with day to day. No regrets. I do not miss my BMW one bit.

 

Man you guys are awesome thanks for your help.

I don't think I've ever been so excited to get a car before, and I know I'm going to love driving it every second!

 

I stepped out of an '05 convertible vette with the 3LE option. I have to say the stang really impressed me. The only things that could make it better are super chargers (available) and the heads up display. My C6 had so many electrical gremlins that I would have been an idiot not to get my 5.0 at the price I negotiated.