Discussion
Anyone had a current Mustang ?
I drove one in the states, was only the V6 but it felt a bit like a Capri injection, felt quite "old" in that it smelt like old cars did, revving it induced a rock down its length and the handling was quite retro but by no means as tragic as most people seem to think at reasonably sensible road speeds.
My question is, has anyone any UK experience as the missus wants one, I would want a V8, possibly a supercharged one, preferably without the Dogs Dinner treatment a lot get, body kit, vents, daft wheels stripes, Eleanor style lamps etc etc.
I know some look down their nose at them, but I can see why she wants one, they are just so damn cool, all the mummies at school have Range Rover Sport diesels, I am sure they are lovely but so predictable.
I drove one in the states, was only the V6 but it felt a bit like a Capri injection, felt quite "old" in that it smelt like old cars did, revving it induced a rock down its length and the handling was quite retro but by no means as tragic as most people seem to think at reasonably sensible road speeds.
My question is, has anyone any UK experience as the missus wants one, I would want a V8, possibly a supercharged one, preferably without the Dogs Dinner treatment a lot get, body kit, vents, daft wheels stripes, Eleanor style lamps etc etc.
I know some look down their nose at them, but I can see why she wants one, they are just so damn cool, all the mummies at school have Range Rover Sport diesels, I am sure they are lovely but so predictable.
Mmm. I don't know about smell... but my modern Mustang (2005) doesn't smell like an old Capri.
Yes, forget the V6... unless you are just looking for a cheap(ish) to run cruiser.
The V8 GT is the one to get. Plenty of grunt for our roads, even in unsupercharged form. People that have never driven one envisage the stock suspension to be bad... but it's actually very good considering the live rear axle. It's supposedly the best live rear axle setup in the industry. But spend a little bit more on the suspension, and the Mustang can be made to handle so good, that most would look underneath in disbelief that there is a live axle still in place.
The sound is intoxicating. Especially after a good set of pipes are swapped in. It will have you grinning from ear to ear!
The trick with modding is to not go too far over the top. Loads of Mustang's going around with heavy looking bodykits. It just ruins the lines of the car. I've taken the typical 'hot rodder' route with my cars looks. Uprated / lowered suspension, big brakes, big wheels (but not shiny bling) and a big bulge in the hood (bonnet). A few mild mods under the hood takes the power to around 330 hp / 340 lb/ft. Find a 5-speed if you can. Auto's are ok, but there's nothing like stirring that Tremec transmission whilst hunting for the redline. Oh yes, that's another thing. The engine loves to rev, no lazy old motor in this new Mustang. It flies towards the redline with no tailing off of power.
Here's mine...
Cheers
Dazza
Yes, forget the V6... unless you are just looking for a cheap(ish) to run cruiser.
The V8 GT is the one to get. Plenty of grunt for our roads, even in unsupercharged form. People that have never driven one envisage the stock suspension to be bad... but it's actually very good considering the live rear axle. It's supposedly the best live rear axle setup in the industry. But spend a little bit more on the suspension, and the Mustang can be made to handle so good, that most would look underneath in disbelief that there is a live axle still in place.
The sound is intoxicating. Especially after a good set of pipes are swapped in. It will have you grinning from ear to ear!
The trick with modding is to not go too far over the top. Loads of Mustang's going around with heavy looking bodykits. It just ruins the lines of the car. I've taken the typical 'hot rodder' route with my cars looks. Uprated / lowered suspension, big brakes, big wheels (but not shiny bling) and a big bulge in the hood (bonnet). A few mild mods under the hood takes the power to around 330 hp / 340 lb/ft. Find a 5-speed if you can. Auto's are ok, but there's nothing like stirring that Tremec transmission whilst hunting for the redline. Oh yes, that's another thing. The engine loves to rev, no lazy old motor in this new Mustang. It flies towards the redline with no tailing off of power.
Here's mine...
Cheers
Dazza
I have a blown V8 too.
The V6 is very much an entry level cruiser, despite the 210hp 4.0 V6 which, incidentally, can trace itself back to the 2.8 litre capri engine. The V6 has no rear sway bar and a smaller back axle and front brakes than the V8 and uses the conventional T5 5 speed box. The "Pony Pack", recognisable bt small foglights and grille trim has the V8 suspension.
The Premium trim level is pretty much "de rigeur" as the base hire cars have lots of plastic and a plastic steering wheel too because they're cheap in the US. The 2005-on Mustang has been remarkably problem free but get one with a proper SVA conversion as the electrical system is a sophisticated piece of kit that doesn't take kindly to being cut and shut.
I used to think like you about stick-on addenda but they really add to the looks. I think stripes suit them but may have been "overdone" to a large degree.
It's a great car, old school but more than competent, especially when modded a bit.
The V6 is very much an entry level cruiser, despite the 210hp 4.0 V6 which, incidentally, can trace itself back to the 2.8 litre capri engine. The V6 has no rear sway bar and a smaller back axle and front brakes than the V8 and uses the conventional T5 5 speed box. The "Pony Pack", recognisable bt small foglights and grille trim has the V8 suspension.
The Premium trim level is pretty much "de rigeur" as the base hire cars have lots of plastic and a plastic steering wheel too because they're cheap in the US. The 2005-on Mustang has been remarkably problem free but get one with a proper SVA conversion as the electrical system is a sophisticated piece of kit that doesn't take kindly to being cut and shut.
I used to think like you about stick-on addenda but they really add to the looks. I think stripes suit them but may have been "overdone" to a large degree.
It's a great car, old school but more than competent, especially when modded a bit.
Oh, and the other thing is interiors.
That V6 that you had was likely to have the base interior. Bottom of the range hi-fi, basic instruments and no leather or aluminum trim.
Find a GT with the 'Premium' interior. It will either have the 'Shaker 500' hi-fi, or the 'Shaker 1000'. 'Shaker' being the operative word here... the bass in a Mustang, 500 or 1000 is superb. The 500 has two 8" subs in the doors, the 1000 has two extra 10" subs in the boot. Mine has got the Shaker 500, and to be honest it is plenty loud and bassy. A brilliant stock sound system. In my opinion, the Shaker 1000 just adds excess weight to the car.
With the Premium package you get extra instrumentation, 'My Color' - change the instrumentation colours up to 125 hues. Aluminum trim and other brightwork, leather seats, steering wheel, shifter, etc. It's a much nicer place to be compared to a base interior.
Even better, if you can afford to buy the new 2010 model, the interior quality has been improved a hell of a lot. The interior on the 2010 is on par with a high quality European car now.
So, are you looking for second hand... or new?
Cheers
Dazza
That V6 that you had was likely to have the base interior. Bottom of the range hi-fi, basic instruments and no leather or aluminum trim.
Find a GT with the 'Premium' interior. It will either have the 'Shaker 500' hi-fi, or the 'Shaker 1000'. 'Shaker' being the operative word here... the bass in a Mustang, 500 or 1000 is superb. The 500 has two 8" subs in the doors, the 1000 has two extra 10" subs in the boot. Mine has got the Shaker 500, and to be honest it is plenty loud and bassy. A brilliant stock sound system. In my opinion, the Shaker 1000 just adds excess weight to the car.
With the Premium package you get extra instrumentation, 'My Color' - change the instrumentation colours up to 125 hues. Aluminum trim and other brightwork, leather seats, steering wheel, shifter, etc. It's a much nicer place to be compared to a base interior.
Even better, if you can afford to buy the new 2010 model, the interior quality has been improved a hell of a lot. The interior on the 2010 is on par with a high quality European car now.
So, are you looking for second hand... or new?
Cheers
Dazza
Edited by zektor on Friday 18th September 22:31
Wont be for a little while, but am interested to see whether its viable as a day to day car, th eone in the pictures is about spot on, what I mean about the styling is that all elements are kind of ok, but not all on the same car, less is more sometimes.
I dont use my car so we can replace that (Saab), keep the Galaxy we bought last year and her daft old Fiat 500 and then she has the full set of cars she wants, at least a Mustang fits in with my ideas of a decent car.
What is the insurance like, I pay £460 on a remapped Saab 9-3 ?
The Saab does about 22 mpg knocking about, am thinking a V8 about 18 ? supercharged one less ?
Are they reliable, I am expecting so being fairly tried and tested and not overly complicated (yet still modern !)
How much would we need to spend for a V8, somewhere between 12 and 15 grand ?
I dont use my car so we can replace that (Saab), keep the Galaxy we bought last year and her daft old Fiat 500 and then she has the full set of cars she wants, at least a Mustang fits in with my ideas of a decent car.
What is the insurance like, I pay £460 on a remapped Saab 9-3 ?
The Saab does about 22 mpg knocking about, am thinking a V8 about 18 ? supercharged one less ?
Are they reliable, I am expecting so being fairly tried and tested and not overly complicated (yet still modern !)
How much would we need to spend for a V8, somewhere between 12 and 15 grand ?
This is mine
Outside:-
Inside:-
I have been using it as my daily driver since I bought it (over three months ago) and I can't get enough of it it's a fantastic car it really is (yes I'm really that impartial
)
Mine is a Stock 4.6 litre V8 the only aftermarket mods being the JBA axle back exhausts and Ford Racing Springs - it's an auto too for reference. Day to day I get around 20 mpg - but that depends on how much lead I put in my right shoe before I drive it
, on a long run on the motorway I get around 30mpg @70mph using the cruise control.
Insurance, well I'm 25, have 5 years protected NCB and one fault claim on my insurance, and have it insured fully comp for 12,500 miles per year and it costs me £700 - basically the same as a Focus ST (if I got it Mountuned) was going to cost me (my previous car).
Reliability is pretty good on these cars, as previously mentioned most issues come with the SVA lighting conversion - if it hasn't been done properly it can take out the high side outputs on the Smart Junction Box (SJB).
Price depends on age a V8 one will come in at the top of your budget, you should get a V6 for the lower end if you look hard.
Matt
Outside:-
Inside:-
I have been using it as my daily driver since I bought it (over three months ago) and I can't get enough of it it's a fantastic car it really is (yes I'm really that impartial
)Mine is a Stock 4.6 litre V8 the only aftermarket mods being the JBA axle back exhausts and Ford Racing Springs - it's an auto too for reference. Day to day I get around 20 mpg - but that depends on how much lead I put in my right shoe before I drive it
, on a long run on the motorway I get around 30mpg @70mph using the cruise control.Insurance, well I'm 25, have 5 years protected NCB and one fault claim on my insurance, and have it insured fully comp for 12,500 miles per year and it costs me £700 - basically the same as a Focus ST (if I got it Mountuned) was going to cost me (my previous car).
Reliability is pretty good on these cars, as previously mentioned most issues come with the SVA lighting conversion - if it hasn't been done properly it can take out the high side outputs on the Smart Junction Box (SJB).
Price depends on age a V8 one will come in at the top of your budget, you should get a V6 for the lower end if you look hard.
Matt
Edited by mattmoxon on Friday 18th September 23:54
J4CKO said:
Wont be for a little while, but am interested to see whether its viable as a day to day car, th eone in the pictures is about spot on, what I mean about the styling is that all elements are kind of ok, but not all on the same car, less is more sometimes.
I dont use my car so we can replace that (Saab), keep the Galaxy we bought last year and her daft old Fiat 500 and then she has the full set of cars she wants, at least a Mustang fits in with my ideas of a decent car.
What is the insurance like, I pay £460 on a remapped Saab 9-3 ?
The Saab does about 22 mpg knocking about, am thinking a V8 about 18 ? supercharged one less ?
Are they reliable, I am expecting so being fairly tried and tested and not overly complicated (yet still modern !)
How much would we need to spend for a V8, somewhere between 12 and 15 grand ?
Depending on age etc, the insurance should be under £500 pa and it's only £190 VEL (or whatever the new rate is).I dont use my car so we can replace that (Saab), keep the Galaxy we bought last year and her daft old Fiat 500 and then she has the full set of cars she wants, at least a Mustang fits in with my ideas of a decent car.
What is the insurance like, I pay £460 on a remapped Saab 9-3 ?
The Saab does about 22 mpg knocking about, am thinking a V8 about 18 ? supercharged one less ?
Are they reliable, I am expecting so being fairly tried and tested and not overly complicated (yet still modern !)
How much would we need to spend for a V8, somewhere between 12 and 15 grand ?
I have a supercharged V8 and get around 22-24 knocking about but this does seem to vary from car to car. Mine has been the same pre and post supercharger but mine uses a Vortech centrifugal supercharger which tend to draw less power than screw types but equally provide a turbo-like power delivery.
Used prices vary and depend on demand and the exchange rate. At preasent, £15k for a V8 is about the minimum as a new one is currently £34k from an importer.
Interesting that you should mention the Capri 
I'm a Capri boy at heart, having owned a number (the last about 4 years ago, yet another 2.8i) and YES, this is the nearest thing to a modern day version. They really do share the same DNA.
I concur with everything the guys have said and love mine to bits.
I'm a Capri boy at heart, having owned a number (the last about 4 years ago, yet another 2.8i) and YES, this is the nearest thing to a modern day version. They really do share the same DNA.
I concur with everything the guys have said and love mine to bits.
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