Topic: 2011 Ford Mustang GT; Day 1

[sacrat]

I wonder why Ford feels they have to give these away? 

Jaeger

Latest Canadian GDP shows cars sales way down since about April. Should be seeing lots of incentives soon from everyone. GM has some big ones now...

[sacrat]

Two days into the test and no comment on the engine yet ? What gives Wing...?

[aknutson]

... oh and for those too insecure to drive an MX-5, wow... I feel sorry for you -- you're definitely missing out on one of the most enjoyable (and attainable) driving experiences out there all because of silly hang-ups.  Of course, it's those people who probably think ladies still lust after chest-hair and big mustaches too.   

I think I saw a picture of an MX-5 towing one of the floats at PRIDE in TO last weekend, lol. 

[greengs]

There has been a lot of hype over how great a deal the V6 is... and granted in base trim, I suppose it is.  However, as we've discussed, other cars, like a Genesis Coupe, can be had for about the same money.  Priced out an '06 or '07 350Z or G35 coupe lately?  Low $20's are easy for good low mileage cars.  I think I'd rather one of those than a V6 'Stang.  Interestingly, as long as there's a V8 Stang available, the V6 version -- no matter how good it is (and I do believe it is a great effort from Ford) will never be 'bad ass'.  It'll always be the little sister to the muscular GT and Shelby siblings. 

You can buy a Gen coupe 2.0T for the same money but you're giving up ~ 90hp.  With the rebates Ford has going now the 300 hp V6 model can't really be touched by anything on the market.  Hyundai doesn't give you an option to buy a V6 Gen coupe in more basic version and you can't really compare used cars to new ones. 

I agree that 400 hp has never been so cheap to buy ($35K+ tax) currently.  That's an awsome deal. 

[Jaeger]

There has been a lot of hype over how great a deal the V6 is... and granted in base trim, I suppose it is.  However, as we've discussed, other cars, like a Genesis Coupe, can be had for about the same money.  Priced out an '06 or '07 350Z or G35 coupe lately?  Low $20's are easy for good low mileage cars.  I think I'd rather one of those than a V6 'Stang.  Interestingly, as long as there's a V8 Stang available, the V6 version -- no matter how good it is (and I do believe it is a great effort from Ford) will never be 'bad ass'.  It'll always be the little sister to the muscular GT and Shelby siblings. 

Agreed.  I wonder how many base stripper V6 models are realistically available anyway?  It's the oldest trick in the book to advertise a base model with a super-low price that no dealer ever has in stock.  But they'll have plenty of the better equipped and more profit-laden models, though. 

Still, with Ford practically giving them away with deep discounts and incentives, the Mustang likely represents the bang-for-the-buck king in terms dollars-per-horsepower. Still makes me wonder why, if it is such a compelling car and such at strong value at MSRP (as it appears to me to be) does Ford feel they practically have to pay people to get one?  I don't see Hyundai pushing a fire sale on the Genesis Coupe.

Jaeger

[wing]

Actually they are $19,999 for a Genesis Coupe right now.

[aknutson]

Actually they are $19,999 for a Genesis Coupe right now.

Where do you see that? I just went to the Hyundai Canada website and it's still $24,495+ delivery for the base model.

[wing]

http://hyundaicanada.com/Pages/specialoffer/SalesPromotions.aspx

[aknutson]

Wow, that's an incredible price for the Genesis Coupe, although it's a cash incentive so you have to have the money in your pocket...even still it's a lot of car for the $$$.

[Ex-airbalancer]

Wow, that's an incredible price for the Genesis Coupe, although it's a cash incentive so you have to have the money in your pocket...even still it's a lot of car for the $$$.

Banks & Credit Unions have a lot of money to loan out

[butterflyjack]

 Wing...You mentioned that this GT has a six speed with the skip-shift feature...
 Ugh..ugh..ugh...
    Does this mean..I'm tooling around town..chillin'  . Motivatin' from the light from first to....whoops...fourth?  Ten MPH in fourth?   This is not a far fetched scenarion...Unlike many you of guys, I mostly prefer the nice, smooth, mechanical feel of unhurried shifts at low RPM's while driving at least ninety percent of the time..There's something deep down satisfying to feel the steely snick of the gears.
  How does one accomplish this in fourth gear at 10 MPH...?
  Do you have to drive this thing like your pants are on fire all the time to avoid this wonderful "skip-shift" feature?  I know they use it to artificially inflate their MPG figures...but...I really dislike this "feature"..How does one eliminate it?

        Simcerely   the Old Dragonfly

[wing]

dragonfly if you lazily shift from 1st to 2nd at anything below 3000 rpm you will not be forced into 4th, if you rev her out a bit in first you'll end up in 4th.  It really is not a big deal the car has TONS of power and the skip-shift is placed appropriately to not really annoy you.  From what I understand the skip shift on corvettes was a big deal because it would catch you out in parking lots and such, the mustang does not.

[aknutson]

I love how it says on the page re financing at "0%" financing - "7.73% EFFECTIVE FINANCE RATE"

What does the effective finance rate mean, the buyer still pays 0% right? It's typically a fixed-term contract for that rate.

[Jaeger]

Genesis Coupe for under 20k?  Makes me wish I were in the market for one.

Jaeger

[D70]

"Which would I rather have — the Mazda MX-5 I drove last week or this week’s Ford Mustang GT? Well, for myself it would be hard to say as I already have dedicated vehicles for track and street. But for around town, there’s no question that the MX-5 delivers fun AND legal driving with a drop top for added adventure. The Mustang has power and attitude going for it, but unless I was going to take it to the track to stretch it legs, it isn’t much more than a cruiser where perhaps (gasp) the V6 may be enough."

  Well, well well.

I suppose there is good reason that Miata / MX5 / Eunos is the number one selling roadster of all time.

Its also quicker than a S2000, 911, 928, supercharged XJR and Z06 on a slalom track where Mustangs seldom venture.

see the videos

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iugxUZvIH7A

http://www.youtube.com/user/c2100#p/a/u/1/wIGKtF62pM8

http://www.flickr.com/photos/d70w7/4618449929/in/set-72157624086884670/

[wing]

Quicker than an S2000, corvette, 911 hahahahaha

Auto-x is ALL driver, come on out to Ottawa I can guarantee no (non-boosted) miata is faster than 4 of the S2000's that show up regularly.  Even boosted Miata's have a tough time! 

With your theory the Mustang is faster than Miata's here were the times from Sunday's auto-x.

Code: [Select]

Pos. Pos. Class # Driver Car Model Raw Time Diff. From 1st
1 1 A 25 Eric J Subaru Impreza STI 57.27 0 0
2m 1 B 1 Kevin S Nissan 240SX 58.488 1.218 1.218
4 3 A 132 Alain H Subaru Impreza 59.159 0.106 1.889
5 2 B 61 Bryan O Honda S2000 59.537 0.378 2.267
6 4 A 77 Steven F Honda S2000 59.856 0.319 2.586
7 1 C 48 Ralph K BMW 325i 60.271 0.415 3.001
8 2 C 250 Phil B BMW 325 60.285 0.014 3.015
9 3 C 915 Shawn B BMW 325i 60.449 0.164 3.179
10 5 A 88 Steve H Merkur XR4Ti 60.499 0.05 3.229
11 3 B 21 Stephen B Acura Integra 60.569 0.12 3.299
12 4 C 115 Peter M MINI Cooper S 60.627 0.058 3.357
14 7 A 106 Norman V Honda S2000 60.682 0.005 3.412
15 8 A 42 Chris A Honda S2000 60.784 0.102 3.514
16 9 A 206 Maxime V Honda S2000 61.149 0.365 3.879
17 10 A 33 Bruce J Formula Vee 61.168 0.019 3.898
19 4 B 165 Ian F Acura Integra GS 61.576 0.385 4.306
20 1 D 444 Jamie L Acura RSX Base 61.591 0.015 4.321
22 5 C 54 Luc B BMW 328is 61.977 0.064 4.707
24 6 B 72 Alex P Nissan Pulsar GTi-R 62.145 0 4.875
25 13 A 207 Colin F Chevy Corvette 62.235 0.09 4.965
27 6 C 737 James B Ford Mustang 62.55 0.194 5.28
28 2 D 116 Patrick S Mazda 3 62.638 0.088 5.368
29 15 A 216 Gilbert T Mitusubushi EVO X 62.639 0.001 5.369
30 16 A 311 Nicolas S BMW M3 62.757 0.118 5.487
31 7 C 916 Chris B Subaru Impreza TS 62.848 0.091 5.578
32 3 D 81 Denis M BMW 328is 62.891 0.043 5.621
33 7 B 187 David C Honda S2000 62.971 0.08 5.701
34 4 D 63 Adam B Nissan SER Spec-V 62.991 0.02 5.721
35 8 B 125 Rob S Mazda Miata 63.025 0.034 5.755
36 8 C 52 John H BMW 318is 63.225 0.2 5.955
37 5 D 171 Gilles P MINI Cooper S 63.394 0.169 6.124
38 17 A 270 Jeff A Mazdaspeed Miata 63.483 0.089 6.213
39 9 B 60 Chris M Honda S2000 63.6 0.117 6.33
40 10 B 68 Wayne T Mazda Miata 63.883 0.283 6.613
41 18 A 86 Jordan W Subaru Impreza STI 63.927 0.044 6.657
42 9 C 135 Marc L Toyota Celica GTS 64.038 0.111 6.768
43 6 D 251 Marc R Mitsubushi Lancer Ralliart 64.158 0.12 6.888
44 11 B 18 Alexxi C Subaru Forester 64.413 0.255 7.143
45 7 D 65 Karin K Honda Civic Si 64.444 0.031 7.174
46 19 A 321 Gary R Mitsubishi Evo X 64.494 0.05 7.224
47 10 C 105 Michael C Mazda Miata 64.499 0.005 7.229
48m 8 D 43 Jeremy M Honda Civic 64.907 0.408 7.637
49 12 B 10 Miguel M Subaru Impreza WRX 65.38 0.473 8.11
50 9 D 74 Scott P Subaru Impreza WRX 65.567 0.187 8.297
51 20 A 188 Phil H Mazda Miata 65.642 0.075 8.372
52 13 B 326 Aaron G Acura RSX-S 65.696 0.054 8.426
53m 11 C 7 Henry Z Toyota MR2 65.734 0.038 8.464
54 14 B 104 Mark C BMW M3 65.781 0.047 8.511
55m 15 B 111 Etienne R Mazda MP3 66.001 0.22 8.731
56 16 B 333 Sebastien R Nissan Pulsar gti-r 66.064 0.063 8.794
57 12 C 40 Allen T Subaru Impreza 2.5i 66.091 0.27 8.821
58 21 A 11 Tim G Datsun 240Z 66.118 0.027 8.848
59 10 D 80 Narvin D HYUNDAI TIBURON 66.176 0.058 8.906
60 11 D 204 Brendan S Toyota Celica GT-S 66.189 0.013 8.919
61 1 E 120 Christophe L Hyundai Tiburon GT 66.522 0.333 9.252
62 22 A 252 Cory R Honda Civic Si 66.546 0.024 9.276
63 13 C 159 Serge T BMW 330i 66.557 0.011 9.287
64 12 D 218 Tim A Subaru Impreza WRX 66.566 0.009 9.296
65 23 A 64 William P Mazda Miata 66.592 0.026 9.322
66 13 D 222 Chris G Hyundai Coupe 2.0 GT 66.722 0.13 9.452
67 14 D 194 Devin C Honda Civic 67.001 0.279 9.731
68 2 E 101 Timothy B Ford Focus 67.019 0.018 9.749
69 15 D 71 Perry C Subaru Legacy gt wagon 67.157 0.138 9.887
70 16 D 51 Richard K Subaru WRX 67.212 0.055 9.942
71 3 E 107 Philip C Mazda 3 67.277 0.065 10.007
72 14 C 102 Barthelemy D Subaru WRX 67.28 0.003 10.01
73 4 E 117 Nigel M Dodge Caliber 67.583 0.303 10.313
74 15 C 121 Caroline P Celica GTS 67.721 0.138 10.451
75 24 A 221 Lesia M Corvette Z06 67.731 0.01 10.461
76 17 D 177 David C Honda Civic 67.956 0.225 10.686
77 17 B 8 Dan A Pontiac Solstice 68.133 0.177 10.863
78 16 C 50 Steve K Mazda Miata 68.211 0.078 10.941
79 18 D 99 Tomas D Subaru Impreza ISW 68.241 0.03 10.971
80 19 D 59 Barbora D BMW 330i 68.352 0.111 11.082
81 20 D 259 Richard G Mazda Mazdaspeed Protege 68.433 0.081 11.163
82 5 E 819 Roch L Acura integra 68.64 0.207 11.37
83m 21 D 242 Marc B BMW 330i 68.807 0.167 11.537
84m 22 D 5 Slobodan S Honda Civic Sedan Si 69.083 0.276 11.813
85 25 A 22 John M Corvette Z06 69.104 0.021 11.834
86 23 D 199 Tibor D Subaru Impreza ISW 70.395 1.291 13.125
87 6 E 157 Nick B Mazda 3 GT 70.444 0.049 13.174
88 7 E 173 Iain W Ford Thunderbird 71.236 0.792 13.966
89 18 B 200 Naomi Y Honda S2000 73.332 2.096 16.062
90 8 E 108 Jessica B Toyota Yaris 74.722 1.39 17.452


[greengs]

Genesis Coupe for under 20k?  Makes me wish I were in the market for one.

Jaeger

Makes me wonder if the car is really that bad that they can't sell it without applying close to 20% discount to it 

[Jaeger]

Genesis Coupe for under 20k?  Makes me wish I were in the market for one.

Jaeger

Makes me wonder if the car is really that bad that they can't sell it without applying close to 20% discount to it 

If so, the same theory would apply to the Mustang, wouldn't it??

Jaeger

[Mozeby]

"Its also quicker than a S2000, 911, 928, supercharged XJR and Z06 on a slalom track where Mustangs seldom venture."

It's also a place where 99.99% of people will never venture.  Who cares?  That's like pointing out that the Mustang has a bigger glove box than a Miata.  Of course a Miata (sorry MX-5) is quicker in a slalom.  A short, narrow car will weave through cones much easier than a wider, longer one. 

[TopGun]

Makes me wonder if the car is really that bad that they can't sell it without applying close to 20% discount to it 

Only applies to Domestic products.