Whitehorse10

On the way to the gym today I stopped by the Ford dealer because I knew they had a few of both the V6 and GT 2011 models in. I was more interested in driving the V6 although I have to say that the visual appearance of the 5.0 engine in the engine bay is much improved over the 4.6 engine bay.

At any rate, the salesman gave me the keys to a blue V6 premium with a leather interior and we took it out for a spin. For those of you looking for some radical difference in driving experience from the 4.0 engine, I'm sorry to say, you're going to be disappointed. For just everyday normal driving yourself around town you will find that the car performs very much like the 4.0 and feels very much like it aside from the fact that the 3.7 drivetrain is extremely smooth running and refined. The inclusion of the dual exhaust did not bring with it a throaty growl. The car is in fact quieter than the 4.0 single exhaust, at least it seemed that way to me.

Now for the good stuff, when you put your foot in the throttle the car really shines. I had read that the new V6 had a tall torque band and the car held its power until the high end. They weren't kidding around. Right around 4 thousand rpm you better be hanging on because the car bears it's teeth, plants you in your seat and takes off for "hellyeahville". I had a grin from ear to ear as the little 3.7 demostrated what it was really capable of. Trust me, it's capable. It's capable like a mu**er f**ker.

The handling is quite good too despite comments to the contrary from Car and Driver. It is easily as good as my 2010 V6 and I know that mine is using the suspension that once underpinned the GT. In keeping with the improvements Ford has made, the cabin is quiet at cruising speed and the electric steering felt more precise than the conventional power steering set up in my car. The car is an all around improvement and the 3.7 is even a better looking engine in the engine bay with it's large cam covers. Ford is going to sell the crap out of these things and in a year or so, one of them will be mine.

lostnight

Thanks for your impressions. Was it an automatic? And did it have the 3.31?

Whitehorse10

It was the automatic. I don't know what the gearing was and I forgot to ask or check the invoice. The price tag was 29,080.

svastano

I paid 10K less than that for my 07 brand new. Only 8500 miles on mine if I want more power X-charger here I come for that price tag!

Whitehorse10

The car was loaded. The 2011 V6 next to it with an automatic was 24K. I bought my 2010 as a program car for 18K but you know you aren't going to pay that for a brand new car.

I don't know of any other car company making a 300 hp, 31 mpg sports car that can be bought for under 25K brand new. If you opt for the stick you can get it for under 24K.

lostnight

The one I ordered is about 25,200. Glad to hear it hauls. I had fun in my '05 4.0 today (on my way home from work) passing traffic that was moving too slow. Normally I'm going at a mellow pace, 0-5 mph over the speed limit in rush hour traffic. But someone in a white Cavalier with no traffic in front of him was creeping along about 10 mph under the limit, one lane each way. Briefly it opened up to 2 lanes. I made the pass, the '05 still feels fast to me in a fun way.

How was the throttle response on the 2011, was it instantaneous, or was there a slight delay like on the 4.0s?

Whitehorse10

I didn't notice any significant difference in the throttle response between the 2011 and my own car.

2005Redfire6

+1 to the 4.0 being fun.

alfaromeo

I believe the gear ratio is 2.73 because that is the only option for v6 automatic. 3.31 is available only for manual trans.

kevinmalec

Thanks for the info!

I am assuming the stock 2011 V6 looks nothing like the one on the Ford commercial??!!

On the commercial, the 2011 V6 had a very agressive looking hood and black rims.......