new member - first mustang

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Apr 4, 2007 | 10:26 AM

ftlv6

Thread Starter

Joined: Apr 2007

Posts: 3

From: FL

new member - first mustang

Greetings all, from a long-time import driver.

As an older dude I've had the privilege of owning some fun cars... a couple of original Mini's (late 60's) an Austin Healy Sprite and Triumph Spitfire (early 70's) a VW bus with a huge sunroof and an MGB ( early 80's) and an MR2 MKI (late 80's). As you can see, I've never been a muscle-car guy. I've liked tight little sports cars that you wear (although, guilty-pleasure confession: I have always liked the SOUND of pavement-ripping V8's).

For the past 15 years I've been raising kids and driving a Corolla and a mini-van... (don't ask). With kids ready to start driving, it was time to have some fun again, so of course I went straight to the MX5 Miata, no-brainer, right? A world-class sports car in my budget, the mid-$20k's. After the test-drive, two things became clear: First, with south-florida traffic at insane levels now my 'stick' days were over, I wanted an automatic. And second, when I pushed that Miata hard into an exit ramp expecting it to stick like a go-cart, like the MR2, the back end started to loosen and I had to lift a bit ... hmm. Back to the drawing board with one constant; it had to be a convertible. And there was one other nagging issue. No back seat. Although I wanted a "fun car" I decided that I was not quite ready to abandon the kids.

I hadn't really given a Mustang a second-glance because I always though it was this big American muscle-brain car. Besides, I figured it's $30k-plus!! I had never priced or considered the V6. I started doing research, then the test drive simply blew me away. No, the V6 is not a muscle-car, but it has some kick, and the handling was surprisingly VERY tight (pony-package, good tires). There were these incredibly comfortable rear seats, convertible, more metal around me (for feeling safer while driving through the "hummer canyons" down here), great handling, and all for a mid-20's price? I was hooked!!!

Don't get me wrong, the Miata is a VERY cool car, especially with the power-retractable-hard-top, and the Mustang has a solid rear axle compared to all-independent, etc, etc, all I know is, my butt doesn't lie... When car "A" starts to slide as I push it, and car "B" sticks like glue, I'm done researching, it's time to shop.

There were not many V6/Convertible/Auto models on the lots, but I did find a couple, and eventually found a nice one (see attached) with a few more features than I originally wanted, but I'm definitely in love now!

Anyhow, that's my story. Looking forward to getting a lot of help from you folks that really know about these beasts.

Now for my post-purchase buyer's-remorse issues, mostly relating to safety:
1. ABS isn't standard - (come on folks, this is the 21st century, right?)
2. Side airbags - (The dealers order these things with $800 stereos but without a $300 feature that could keep you from dying?)
3. How about some kind of basic rollover protection, like mini-roll-bars behind the rear headrests or something?
4. Storage - It would be nice to have more inside the cabin.
5. What about a lockable glovebox, especially on a ragtop?

Other than that, I'm feelin' pretty good!

cheers!

V6/Premium/Convertible/Pony --- Redfire/Parchment

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