There's some mis-inforamtion on this thread... LOL

The price difference between the 2012 V6 Base and V6 Premium is actually only $4,000 ($22,310 vs 26,310).

The price difference between the 2012 V6 Base and V8 Base is actually only $7,400 (22,310 vs 29,710).

10 grand, nope. But $7,400, probably. And, you get the 5.0 V8, the larger wheels/tires, the upgraded suspension, and the V8 rumble!

I'm not sure about the 2012's, but on the 2013's the performance package is only available on the V6's at the premium level.

The price difference on the 2013's between the V6 Base and V6 Premium stayed the same at $4,000, but for the 4 grand get you the following upgrades:

Leather Seats
Six-way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat
Shaker Audio System with iPod Input
Sirius Satellite Radio
SYNC with AppLink
Ambient Lighting
Four-gauge Cluster with 4.2" LCD Message Center
Track Apps
MyColor
Universal Garage Door Opener
Electrochromic Auto-dimming Rear View Mirror
Aluminum Styled Accents
Bright Clutch, Brake, and Accelerator Pedals
Bright Chrome Door Speaker Surround
17" Machined-Aluminum Wheels with Painted Pockets

I'd pay 4 grand for that! That's a lot more than "leather seats, Sirius radio, cheap stripes and a wimpy spoiler".

 

^ Hey.. Now. This V6 has more to offer than the V8 out of my previous Nissan Titan.

 

The V-6 Performance Package is available on the base model coupes, and for 2013+, is now available with the automatic as well as the manual.

 

OK, wasn't sure about that. Ford had the performance package not available on the Base V6 on their website where you compare models. My bad.

 

That's weird. You can build a base model with the Performance Package.

OP: I recommend a test-drive of both the non-Performance Package V-6 and the Performance Package V-6 (if you can find one). Even if you wind up not buying the V-6PP*, it will give you a preview of the car your V-6 could be like. I wasn't terribly impressed with the regular V-6 models. The suspension is too soft and acceleration is OK, not great. They are a nice starting point for mods, though. 3.31 or 3.73 gears are a must- the 4.10 gas savers are the main culprit in holding the acceleration back and a few folks here report they are getting 30mpg hwy on 3.31 gears anyway.

The V-6PP really wakes up the chassis- I think Ford has a legit claim to call it a sports car. It's about as fast in a straight line as the 05-10 GTs. As others mentioned here, the 3.7L is a screamer. It doesn't really come alive until you get past 4,000rpm when it switches to the angry cams. On the other hand, the V-6 handles really well for a 3,500lb car using a stick axle. It's very neutral and grippy and doesn't get too upset over bumps. Someone here corner-weighted one and it has a 52%/48% front-rear weight ratio. It's still underdampened and the steering needs more feel, but otherwise it's a hoot to chuck around.

 

4.10s are gas savers? And the main culprit in holding the acceleration back? I've never heard that before.

You are probably talking about the stock 2.73s - now those are highway gears for fuel economy. 4.10s are very low gears that give you more acceleration and higher RPMs at highway speeds, thus less MPGs.

 

D'oh! You're right. I messed those up! OP: Strike what I said about those gears and reverse them!

 

I have the stock 2:73 gears on mine however on the 2011+ V6 mustangs they now come with the 8.8 rear and LSD.
I have to admit the 2:73 is not that bad. Its still a bit of a dog off the line but you get killer top end..... Im thinking of swapping out for a 3:73 soon for some autocrossing....

 

If you switch from 2.73s to 3.73s you will lose the 31 MPGs and probably get the same mileage as the 5.0 GT.

And if you are going to get the same mileage as a 5.0 GT, you might as well bought one IMO. Especially since you can get a new 2012 Base 5.0 GT for $26,000 with the X-Plan and after the $2,500 worth of rebates currently being offered.

 

Is that correct (about $23.5k)? The last quote I got was about $24.5k and that was with the competitive trade bonus ($750). I thought that was about the best they could do, but I wanted to see if I could sell my current car that is leased to somebody and make a couple grand. But now it sounds like selling a leased car is a headache and I may have to pay sales tax and fees on it too. I was about to jump on that deal I was offered last week this week, but it seems the salesman I was talking to no longer works there so now I have to talk to someone else and hope they offer at least as good of a deal. Another issue is I wonder if I should check out some Mustangs a little closer as this place is a good 2 hour drive and I have yet to even test drive the new V6's or the new 5.0. They only have automatics around my area right now.