Intrepid175

I've been waffling back and forth between the 5.0 and the Ecoboost. For me, there have been times when fuel economy has been a factor. I've been reading more and more testimony of the GT's getting the kind of mileage you're talking about and you know, if that proved true for me, I'd be thrilled. Then again, there are many that aren't coming close to those numbers. With gas prices being what they are, it's not really an issue. If they jump back up to what they were a few years ago, and they will sooner or later, it might become an issue.

Where you're getting 17-19, the Ecoboost might get 23-24. It doesn't sound like much but it adds up in the long run. Same for the freeway numbers. There's a guy on YouTube (MPGomatic?) that does mpg testing. He does an ~40 mile loop on the freeway in his area and got just over 30 mpg out of a stock GT. He did another run with an Ecoboost Mustang and got 36-37 mpg on a couple of runs using the cruise control and topped 40 mpg driving the car manually at 60 or so. Now most aren't going to drive a Mustang that sedately, ever, but it's nice to know the potential is there.

Beyond all that though, there's more to it than just the fuel economy. I'm still in the dreaming stage and what I want is the convertible. Using Ford's "build and price" thing, the GT is a full $7000 more than the Ecoboost with the same options. That's not exactly chump change for a lot of people, including me. Then there's the potential difference in what insurance costs are going to be. In my case, I've already talked to my insurance agent and doing a generic check, there was no significant difference in premiums between the two but they also wanted a VIN number to run with it and I obviously didn't have that. They warned me that the numbers may change a bit when I actually have a functional VIN so I'll worry about that when I'm actually ready to buy. We'll see. For now, the more I read, the more I'm leaning toward the GT, but it'll depend on how a number of things line up.

FWIW!

Mr. D

The V6 will be a great car! There is always someone faster out there... so get what makes sense to you & your wallet. For me I wouldn't use a convertible enough with heat, allergies, etc.... but others would!

Intrepid175

I totally agree. What gets me sometimes, is those who are so hard core about the "if it's not a V8, it's not a Mustang" mentality. You're not coming across that way in this conversation so I'm not pointing that at you but you know what I mean. Ford has sold a "lot" of Mustangs through the years without V8's in them and they were all fine cars for the most part.

As for the convertible, I grew up around them. Growing up in the 60's, my Dad would get hold of the old British sports cars like the MG's, Triumphs, and Austin Healy's. He'd fix em up, drive em for a while and sell em. Then find another one later on and start all over. His favorite was the TR3. I learned to drive a manual transmission in a 1967 MG Midget. Talk about a total blast to drive and the good part was, it wasn't that fast so I could "hotrod" around in it as a teenager without really having to worry about speeding too much. I've personally owned two convertibles, a 1988 Chrysler LeBaron and a 2004 Honda S2000. I've always wanted a Mustang ragtop and the 2015 redesign really has my eye so we'll see how it works out.

Derf00

That's because most engine tuners don't know squat about transmissions or transmission tuning. They can work on engine data logs and engine tune from those in their sleep but the transmission does have it's own software and subroutines. Just like a OBDII Scanner, not all of them read Transmission codes etc. Most tuners don't do anything with the transmission, they simply raise the transmission line pressure to make the shifting feel more firm and/or reduce the throttle lag (change the throttle tip-in) to make the transmission/car feel more responsive. They do nothing with the actual shift patterns etc.

My suggestion is to go to a transmission tuner specialist like Level ten. They specialize in building and tuning transmissions so, they actually adjust the transmission software itself.

-SHIFTY-

Stock 5.0 PP getting around 18.7 MPG steady.

I thought I had a pretty heavy foot but I guess I don't push mine as hard as others.

It's like any other vehicle you purchase. Get what fits your needs best.

Good luck!

mustlemn

Here is a good story on the subject.

If you are buying a new Ford Mustang on a budget, which is better: The V-6 or the Ecoboost Turbo?

347mav

I owned a 3.7 for a short time and I miss it. I'd certainly do a v6 again. As far as economy goes I think it's a little backwards they package they sell. They up charge for the i4 and call it eco but then add all the options that add weight and kill fuel economy... Both the v6 and i4 have power potential sure but if I wanted performance I'd save a little longer and go 5.0. Just my opinion.

mjb457

I am starting to see lease turn in 2015 Premium eco boost loaded $35500 when new now $22-$23k Deal or no Deal??

Daltonkk

If you're wanting all the amenities of the luxury interior and can't live without that stuff then of course you have to get the eb but with all of the nice interior your getting into the price tag of a GT. However if you're solely talking engine difference then depending on what your wanting. The Ecoboost is a newer engine and I'm a previous eb owner I loved the easy power you can make. If you're wanting to do some modding the eb will effectively give you the best power for money spent. However I didn't like the reliability and since you're talking daily driver I'd say v6 simply because the mustang has such a huge aftermarket you can still make a v6 pretty quick and to me they will be more reliable than a turbo 4cyl any day.