Question about performance options on 2009 model.
08-27-2010, 06:11 PM
#11
3rd Gear Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: WI
Posts: 773
I must say that riding in my friend's Mustang and reading all about the performance mods and drag strip adventures in this section of MustanForums has really given me a lot of respect for the V6 Mustang as a serious performance car.
I'm old enough to remember the 1980s, when anything less than a V8 Mustang was pretty much just a nice looking car without a lot of potential. My friend's V6 however, even with the automatic transmission, and even with the added weight of a convertible top, really has a whole bunch of low-end torque.
And it's so solid and sure-footed compared to the pony cars of yore! How Ford was able to put together a convertible with such a lack of squeaks and rattles and such a lack of chassis flex is truly beyond me.
I am now convinced that the V6 S197 is such a good car that the V8 is just plain overkill. Why pay extra and get poorer fuel economy when the base engine is this good?
I'm old enough to remember the 1980s, when anything less than a V8 Mustang was pretty much just a nice looking car without a lot of potential. My friend's V6 however, even with the automatic transmission, and even with the added weight of a convertible top, really has a whole bunch of low-end torque.
And it's so solid and sure-footed compared to the pony cars of yore! How Ford was able to put together a convertible with such a lack of squeaks and rattles and such a lack of chassis flex is truly beyond me.
I am now convinced that the V6 S197 is such a good car that the V8 is just plain overkill. Why pay extra and get poorer fuel economy when the base engine is this good?
08-27-2010, 07:29 PM
#12
6th Gear Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Acworth, GA
Posts: 12,260
I must say that riding in my friend's Mustang and reading all about the performance mods and drag strip adventures in this section of MustanForums has really given me a lot of respect for the V6 Mustang as a serious performance car.
I'm old enough to remember the 1980s, when anything less than a V8 Mustang was pretty much just a nice looking car without a lot of potential. My friend's V6 however, even with the automatic transmission, and even with the added weight of a convertible top, really has a whole bunch of low-end torque.
And it's so solid and sure-footed compared to the pony cars of yore! How Ford was able to put together a convertible with such a lack of squeaks and rattles and such a lack of chassis flex is truly beyond me.
I am now convinced that the V6 S197 is such a good car that the V8 is just plain overkill. Why pay extra and get poorer fuel economy when the base engine is this good?
I'm old enough to remember the 1980s, when anything less than a V8 Mustang was pretty much just a nice looking car without a lot of potential. My friend's V6 however, even with the automatic transmission, and even with the added weight of a convertible top, really has a whole bunch of low-end torque.
And it's so solid and sure-footed compared to the pony cars of yore! How Ford was able to put together a convertible with such a lack of squeaks and rattles and such a lack of chassis flex is truly beyond me.
I am now convinced that the V6 S197 is such a good car that the V8 is just plain overkill. Why pay extra and get poorer fuel economy when the base engine is this good?
08-27-2010, 08:20 PM
#13
5th Gear Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Ohio
Posts: 2,228
08-27-2010, 10:02 PM
#14
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: California
Posts: 7
I'm pretty sure my friend's car doesn't have the fog lamps in the grille. So she's got a Premium. Darned nice car.
Regarding this assertion that a V6 with $8000 worth of mods is faster than a GT and cheaper: I don't doubt it, but I'm sure you're aware that here in California, things aren't so simple, due to our smog inspections and maintenance program.
Regarding this assertion that a V6 with $8000 worth of mods is faster than a GT and cheaper: I don't doubt it, but I'm sure you're aware that here in California, things aren't so simple, due to our smog inspections and maintenance program.
08-28-2010, 04:20 AM
#15
1st Gear Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Washington
Posts: 117
I'm pretty sure my friend's car doesn't have the fog lamps in the grille. So she's got a Premium. Darned nice car.
Regarding this assertion that a V6 with $8000 worth of mods is faster than a GT and cheaper: I don't doubt it, but I'm sure you're aware that here in California, things aren't so simple, due to our smog inspections and maintenance program.
Regarding this assertion that a V6 with $8000 worth of mods is faster than a GT and cheaper: I don't doubt it, but I'm sure you're aware that here in California, things aren't so simple, due to our smog inspections and maintenance program.
And for all of you outside of California, watch out! If the federal Big Government types have their way you'll all be forced to suffer the same fate, and that clock is ticking...
08-28-2010, 11:47 AM
#16
Cut & Paste Expert
Join Date: May 2007
Location: NW Arkansas
Posts: 13,322
Her VIN # would tell us miles about what she bought.
I suspect the salesman (woman) told her whatever
it took to get a sale just short of straight out lying to her...
There is no HP increased option from the factory for the 09 V6.
Does it have running ponies on the front fenders?
How bout a spoiler?
I suspect the salesman (woman) told her whatever
it took to get a sale just short of straight out lying to her...
There is no HP increased option from the factory for the 09 V6.
Does it have running ponies on the front fenders?
How bout a spoiler?
08-28-2010, 02:55 PM
#17
6th Gear Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Acworth, GA
Posts: 12,260
The 2010 4.0 and 4.6 at the local dealerships have identical window stickers for mpg. 17city/24hwy.
08-28-2010, 05:25 PM
#18
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: California
Posts: 7
I am further embarrassed to admit that I can't, off the top of my head, recall whether there are running ponies on the fenders or a spoiler out back.
Regarding fuel economy and performance, I'm sure I'm not the first person here to say this, but I am just utterly blown away by the fact that the 2011 V6 has over 300HP and gets over 30MPG. How is that even possible!? My Focus doesn't even get 30MPG!
Regarding fuel economy and performance, I'm sure I'm not the first person here to say this, but I am just utterly blown away by the fact that the 2011 V6 has over 300HP and gets over 30MPG. How is that even possible!? My Focus doesn't even get 30MPG!
08-28-2010, 06:14 PM
#19
6th Gear Member
My '07 GT with 3.55's gets maybe 1-2 MPG less than the g/f's '06 V6 Pony with 3.33's cruising highway (and we've put a lot of pump-to-pump highway miles on both). Trust me, after driving her V6 and my GT, I can't imagine how you can think the GT is "overkill" other than the fact that they are like night and day.
I agree that the dealer gave her a line of BS. There's nothing from the factory and there's not much aftermarket performance-wise other than a CAI & custom tune (a GOOD custom tune; not that canned crap from SCT or Diablo). Exhaust work is useless unless you're talking headers or unless you think 1-3 RWHP is worth the trouble. There are a few nickle and dime mods including free-up HP (UDP's, aluminum DS, weight loss, etc) but not much more unless you go FI.
I agree that the dealer gave her a line of BS. There's nothing from the factory and there's not much aftermarket performance-wise other than a CAI & custom tune (a GOOD custom tune; not that canned crap from SCT or Diablo). Exhaust work is useless unless you're talking headers or unless you think 1-3 RWHP is worth the trouble. There are a few nickle and dime mods including free-up HP (UDP's, aluminum DS, weight loss, etc) but not much more unless you go FI.
08-28-2010, 06:15 PM
#20
6th Gear Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Acworth, GA
Posts: 12,260
My '07 GT with 3.55's gets maybe 1-2 MPG less than the g/f's '06 V6 Pony with 3.33's cruising highway (and we've put a lot of pump-to-pump highway miles on both). Trust me, after driving her V6 and my GT, I can't imagine how you can think the GT is "overkill" other than the fact that they are like night and day.
There's not much performance-wise other than a CAI & custom tune (a GOOD custom tune; not that canned crap from SCT or Diablo). Exhaust work is useless unless you're talking headers or unless you think 1-3 RWHP is worth the trouble. There are a few nickle and dime mods including free-up HP (UDP's, aluminum DS, weight loss, etc) but not much more unless you go FI.
There's not much performance-wise other than a CAI & custom tune (a GOOD custom tune; not that canned crap from SCT or Diablo). Exhaust work is useless unless you're talking headers or unless you think 1-3 RWHP is worth the trouble. There are a few nickle and dime mods including free-up HP (UDP's, aluminum DS, weight loss, etc) but not much more unless you go FI.
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