Holiday Rental
Discussion
Just got back from the States. On the suggestion of someone in P&P I rented a 'stang 'vert. Shame it was only a V6 but it was a good fun car and even coped quite well with 2 weeks of luggage and a baby seat! Amercan baby seats are really bad. Should have dragged our own over.
Only thing that really bugged me was the locked angle of the front head rests. Otherwise I really enjoyed it!
Only thing that really bugged me was the locked angle of the front head rests. Otherwise I really enjoyed it!
Hi Olf,
Just did the same (though I have an '07 GT/CS here too
Interesting comment regarding the baby seat. I take it you just rented one from Hertz? They're not great, but I used a Greco with the Latch system (I have family in the US so didn't need to hire a seat with Hertz) and found it alot more secure than using the belt. So much so, I bought a Latch seat back with me, just for use in the Mustang!
I also had a V6 rental, but a coupe. It was alot better than I thought it would be, but having driven my GT/CS since returning, realise it's dog slow by comparison
Just did the same (though I have an '07 GT/CS here too
Interesting comment regarding the baby seat. I take it you just rented one from Hertz? They're not great, but I used a Greco with the Latch system (I have family in the US so didn't need to hire a seat with Hertz) and found it alot more secure than using the belt. So much so, I bought a Latch seat back with me, just for use in the Mustang!
I also had a V6 rental, but a coupe. It was alot better than I thought it would be, but having driven my GT/CS since returning, realise it's dog slow by comparison
Stig said:
Hi Olf,
Just did the same (though I have an '07 GT/CS here too
Interesting comment regarding the baby seat. I take it you just rented one from Hertz? They're not great, but I used a Greco with the Latch system (I have family in the US so didn't need to hire a seat with Hertz) and found it alot more secure than using the belt. So much so, I bought a Latch seat back with me, just for use in the Mustang!
I also had a V6 rental, but a coupe. It was alot better than I thought it would be, but having driven my GT/CS since returning, realise it's dog slow by comparison
Hi Stig. He is was the Greco but we decided against the latch base thing. It didn't seem quite right so we used the belt like you would in the UK without isofix. It was fine in the end. Especially if the weather was good and the roof was down - much easier to get bub in and out. She seemed to really like topless motoring as well!Just did the same (though I have an '07 GT/CS here too
Interesting comment regarding the baby seat. I take it you just rented one from Hertz? They're not great, but I used a Greco with the Latch system (I have family in the US so didn't need to hire a seat with Hertz) and found it alot more secure than using the belt. So much so, I bought a Latch seat back with me, just for use in the Mustang!
I also had a V6 rental, but a coupe. It was alot better than I thought it would be, but having driven my GT/CS since returning, realise it's dog slow by comparison
I don't know what power that V6 was but it felt pretty gutless really. Lots of noise but no real go. Getting back into my 330d felt a lot quicker.
I should have gone for the Shelby!
Olf said:
Oh dear. 4.0l V6 pushing out, wait for it, 210hp.
Oh dear. Do you think thats on 87 RON fuel?
No wonder it felt slow.
It should be giving at least 300.
It's the V8 that comes with 300. Until you modify it (like mine), then it's a good deal more!Oh dear. Do you think thats on 87 RON fuel?
No wonder it felt slow.
It should be giving at least 300.
The seats are alot more secure with Latch. As you say, it's the US equivalent of Isofix. Belt fixing is far too sloppy by comparison. Besides, the seat (a safety 1st job that will last until he's about 7) only cost £40!
not really 
Olf said:
Oh dear. 4.0l V6 pushing out, wait for it, 210hp.
Oh dear. Do you think thats on 87 RON fuel?
No wonder it felt slow.
It should be giving at least 300.
Ah, that explains it. Just hired a bright orange V6 convertible for a few days, surprised how slow it was considering the noise. Didn't realise it was only 210 BHP! Nicer than the Hyundai Sonata that Avis tried to sell me as an upgrade though!Oh dear. Do you think thats on 87 RON fuel?
No wonder it felt slow.
It should be giving at least 300.
Back in both 2003 & 2004 we visited California and rented a v6 convertible. I'm not sure what bhp it had.....probably around 190 I think, but mated to the auto gearbox it certainly wasn't fast. But, it was a friendly old thing and sounded nice (not as nice as a V8 of course). Blimmin' comfy too with almost no wind buffeting. We even did a couple of evening drives with the roof down.
Seeing as both trips involved the iconic Highway 1, it seemed only appropriate to travel in an American automotive icon. Ours looked pretty much like this (although this is a GT).
Seeing as both trips involved the iconic Highway 1, it seemed only appropriate to travel in an American automotive icon. Ours looked pretty much like this (although this is a GT).
The US engines are tuned for longevity and low down torque. You know it wasn't so long ago that the European Ford 2.9 V6 only put out 150bhp. People think that the Americans can't get power out of their engines but the fact is it's in the tune and the fact they have to distance them from the output of the V8 and the fact that Americans like their tiorque making big capacity engines the weapon of choice. Oddly enough, if they want a gutless screamer, they can buy a Honda, same as we can.
The Mustang V6 produces 240 Pounds Per Foot @ 3,500 RPM but weighs 1500kg so it's not going to be a ball of fire but when you give it some stick, the performance isn't so slow as you think: Top speed : 113 mph(electronically limited)
0-60 mph : 6.6 sec.(manual), 6.9 sec.(auto)
0-¼ mile : 15.0 sec @ 92.1 mph(manual), 15.3 sec @ 91.0 mph(auto)
which (in a straight line at least)is Civic Type R and ST territory although these figures don't say anything about how those speeds are achieved or smoothnness and refinement.
Sure, the Stang's torque is little better than a Focus ST's twin variable-cam timing which extracts 236lb ft of torque @ just 1,600rpm but that still takes 2.5 litres and a turbo and variable cam timing. The ST tips the scales at 1,317kg so has an advantage in that respect and is built to handle whereas the base Mustang isn't. Only one problem there - the V6 Mustang can be bought for $18000 which is the equivalent (before importing) of less than £10000. The Mustang V8 can be had in the US for $24000....
Anyway, be honest, the Mustang isn't simply about performance:
The Mustang V6 produces 240 Pounds Per Foot @ 3,500 RPM but weighs 1500kg so it's not going to be a ball of fire but when you give it some stick, the performance isn't so slow as you think: Top speed : 113 mph(electronically limited)
0-60 mph : 6.6 sec.(manual), 6.9 sec.(auto)
0-¼ mile : 15.0 sec @ 92.1 mph(manual), 15.3 sec @ 91.0 mph(auto)
which (in a straight line at least)is Civic Type R and ST territory although these figures don't say anything about how those speeds are achieved or smoothnness and refinement.
Sure, the Stang's torque is little better than a Focus ST's twin variable-cam timing which extracts 236lb ft of torque @ just 1,600rpm but that still takes 2.5 litres and a turbo and variable cam timing. The ST tips the scales at 1,317kg so has an advantage in that respect and is built to handle whereas the base Mustang isn't. Only one problem there - the V6 Mustang can be bought for $18000 which is the equivalent (before importing) of less than £10000. The Mustang V8 can be had in the US for $24000....
Anyway, be honest, the Mustang isn't simply about performance:
LuS1fer said:
The US engines are tuned for longevity and low down torque. You know it wasn't so long ago that the European Ford 2.9 V6 only put out 150bhp. People think that the Americans can't get power out of their engines but the fact is it's in the tune and the fact they have to distance them from the output of the V8 and the fact that Americans like their torque making big capacity engines the weapon of choice. Oddly enough, if they want a gutless screamer, they can buy a Honda, same as we can.
The V6 Mustang can be bought for $18000 which is the equivalent (before importing) of less than £10000. The Mustang V8 can be had in the US for $24000....
I agree with the comment about looks and character, but...The V6 Mustang can be bought for $18000 which is the equivalent (before importing) of less than £10000. The Mustang V8 can be had in the US for $24000....
I struggle to agree that the power output is anything less than disappointing for a 4 litre. Low down torque? But the Ford 2.5 you compared it with makes the same torque at half the engine speed! The Ford 2.9 V6 example must be 20 years old now. In their later form, they put out much more than 150 BHP
American tune for longevity / maintenance? I didn't check the Mustang, but I was surprised that the current Pontiac Grand Prix has a recommended oil change interval of 3000 miles, and everything else pretty much the same as the European norm?
Regarding cost, you mentioned "before importing", but that's the whole problem. I don't disagree that the Mustang is good value, but not as good as £10K makes it sound. The devil is in the importing unfortunately
I also rented a standard Mustang (not convertible)to travel from Los Angeles to San Francisco and back. I did not mind the fact that the car was pretty slow (though automatics are certainly not a favourite of mine) but I certainly gained an understanding regarding why Europeans do not buy American cars. Putting aside the fact that I felt pretty small and lost in the driver's seat (I am 6ft 3!) the way the car handled reminded me a 1980's BMW 3 series (and for those of you old enough to remember, you know what that means)...not once did I turn the wheel without needing to go back and correct the weight transfer (and it may be my driving but I have a fair amount of trackday mileage on a respectable number of sports cars). At some point I tried to discover if it was just the bad feedback and if traction was actually better than it felt, round a tight bend...the suspension's oscillation, the tire screaming and the under steer convinved me it was not...this is a car exclusively for US Highways and a good level of comfort but don t make the mistake of conusing the -retro- sporty look with performance...I think Corvette were dreaming when they were planning on getting a share of 911 sales in Europe (and the result proves that)...nevertheless it was a fitting car for the trip and the company more than made up for it.
mercurius said:
I also rented a standard Mustang (not convertible)to travel from Los Angeles to San Francisco and back. I did not mind the fact that the car was pretty slow (though automatics are certainly not a favourite of mine) but I certainly gained an understanding regarding why Europeans do not buy American cars. Putting aside the fact that I felt pretty small and lost in the driver's seat (I am 6ft 3!) the way the car handled reminded me a 1980's BMW 3 series (and for those of you old enough to remember, you know what that means)...not once did I turn the wheel without needing to go back and correct the weight transfer (and it may be my driving but I have a fair amount of trackday mileage on a respectable number of sports cars). At some point I tried to discover if it was just the bad feedback and if traction was actually better than it felt, round a tight bend...the suspension's oscillation, the tire screaming and the under steer convinved me it was not...this is a car exclusively for US Highways and a good level of comfort but don t make the mistake of conusing the -retro- sporty look with performance...I think Corvette were dreaming when they were planning on getting a share of 911 sales in Europe (and the result proves that)...nevertheless it was a fitting car for the trip and the company more than made up for it.
All very true but the standard Mustang is a V6 built for peanuts which has soft boulevard suspension and not even a rear anti-roll bar. The front sway bar is about as stiff as a piece of cotton. Hire companies may well be instrumental in encouraging a set-up that doesn't encourage a good thrashing. The cars also have the limiter and low-spec cheaper tyres. These cars are Mustang bread and butter sales mainly for 16 year olds and secretaries. Try a Roush Mustang and report back because there really is no comparison.... at all (or is The Stig completely wrong...) I have a problem the other way, I keep driving comparably banal yet not particularly cheap European cars (let's not forget the V6 Mustang sells for the equivalent of about £8000 so in essence is about Citroen C3 money) and can't understand why anyone would buy them at all because they're all fwd understeering asthmatic dross. I drive a Mazda 5 too and although it's supposed to be the best of it's breed but it will never inspire any emotion from anyone, however hard you thrash it.
I think there you have an unreasonable expectation of what is a base economy car just because it looks like a Mustang but as I've strived to point out on another thread, compare it to something comparable in cost and please don't write off the US industry based on a hire Mustang or I'll have to start writing off the Elise on the basis of the MGF.
LuS1fer said:
I think there you have an unreasonable expectation of what is a base economy car just because it looks like a Mustang but as I've strived to point out on another thread, compare it to something comparable in cost and please don't write off the US industry based on a hire Mustang or I'll have to start writing off the Elise on the basis of the MGF.
what he said ^the GT and the V6 are totally different drives in every way.
Hertz usually rent Mustangs (IIRC, Ford used to own Hertz). Shelby GT/Hs will be thin on the ground. The coupes have now been replaced with convertibles too, the coupes were sold to Ford dealers who then started selling them onto the public.
Still, you should be able to rent a non-Shelby through Hertz, although it's unlikely to be a V8.
Still, you should be able to rent a non-Shelby through Hertz, although it's unlikely to be a V8.
Gassing Station | Mustangs | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff