Hey all, new forum member here. Looking to do some research before buying a Mustang. I'm still about 12 to 18 months away from making the purchase, but it's never too soon to start reading and learning what I can. I currently drive a 2003 Mercury Marauder, but want to take it out of daily driver duty to keep it looking sharp and keep the miles down. To that end, I think one of the new S197 Mustangs would make an excellent daily driver, and would look sharp stabled next to the big Marauder.

I'm tempted by the V6 simply because the price for the car is great and I'd save quite a bit on insurance. That said, the V8 really calls to me, and ultimately I suspect love of torque will win out over practicality.[sm=icon_rock.gif]

 

Welcome to the forums. Marauders are pretty nice. I wouldn't mind one. I say get a V8, you will be very upset that your 4 door is faster then your stang if you don't. Have fun and good luck!

 

I'm going to jump on this topic before it gets blown out of proportion with the V8 ****** swingers and the V6 diehards of the site.

Check with your insurance company and see what the REAL difference in insurance is with identical coverage on both. For some it's a deciding factor because there is a big difference, for some it's a small difference so it's not a factor at all. Gas mileage is about the same between the two cars so it's not really an issue.

If the cost of the car (both payments and total cost of ownership that includes insurance) is affordable for you. Go with the GT. Don't be a V6 chastising himself/herself cos you coulda got a V8 and then dump a bunch of money into the V6 because you want to be 'as fast as' a GT and had saved on the V6 for mods. It would cost you more than the difference in the price of the cars to mod that V6 to be as fast as a GT than to just get the GT to begin with.

At the same time don't be a jerk to those that did go with a V6 because they really couldn't afford the V8.

Do what makes financial sense to you by running the REAL numbers and being realistic about what your gut is telling you. "ultimately I suspect love of torque will win out over practicality"

 

Thanks for the welcome and advice, guys. Absolutely agree with checking insurance costs and such, and will definitely do so when the time gets closer to make a purchase. I love V8s, which is why I drive one now. Would _really_ love a V8 with a manual transmission in a car that weighs 700 - 800 pounds less than my barge. Don't get me wrong, I love big cars, but I really dig the smaller and lighter Mustangs as well.

All of that said, I've been pretty impressed by what I've seen of the V6s so far. No, I have not driven one yet, but 210 horses is what my '97 Thunderbird LX Sport was putting out so I think I have a rough idea of what to expect. For ~$20k that's pretty attractive. So absolutely no hostility from me to the V6 crowd if I decide to go for the V8. It'll just come down to how much I feel like paying when the time comes. As mentioned previously, my Mustang will be a daily driver. I want something that looks good, handles reasonably well, is at least moderately powerful (which I think the V6 is) and doesn't break the bank. But, honestly, that's why I'm here: to learn more about what people's impressions are of both models before I have to make a decision.

Thanks for the feedback!

 

V8[sm=closed.gif]

 

Go with a V8 !!

 

welcome, if you get a v6 you will get way better gas mileage.

 

Mileage is something I'm going to consider. One thing I also like about the V6 Mustangs is that they don't have the driving lights in the grill (pony package not withstanding). I really like the looks of those mesh grill inserts from SS Inserts. Especially on a silver V6, I think they look really sharp.