Topic: Test Drive: 2015 Ford Mustang V6

[Fobroader]

I don't get the concept of buying a MUSCLE car with the "least muscular" option available. V8 or nothing.

It's a pony car not a muscle car. Muscle cars were cars like the Chevelle intermediate with the 396 or 427 big block from the full size Impala.

Kinda of like a Challenger of today, which is in the Nimitz carrier weight class.

Yeah, I'd classify the Challenger as a muscle car. It's riding on a shortened full size Charger chassis and using the same engines.

I still have a soft spot for them for some weird reason.

I agree, saw an older SRT8 last weekend in plum crazy purple......very nice!!!

[Fobroader]

Although my father has yet to receive his ordered Hellcat (the roll out of this car has been horrid), I do have a chance to see his friend's car tomorrow.  What are the odds we go for a spin?  We live in Edmonton.... with frost heaves and rock everywhere....maybe he will start it up and I can sit in the driver's seat and pretend.  Or not.

Judging of the size of the pothole, think crater of a medium sized asteroid, I just avoided getting on to the Sherwood Park freeway, I would say maybe just sit in the seat and make vroom vroom noises........

[Kris78]

I don't get the concept of buying a MUSCLE car with the "least muscular" option available. V8 or nothing.

That works, but remember, there is a $12,000 jump up to the V8. Considering the V6 is just over $25k, that represents nearly a nearly %50 increase in price.

Yes, the V6 model suffers when compared to the V8. But at this price point, it is a great deal. It is around the same price as a Civic Coupe Si, and is cheaper than a base GTi, WRX, or Focus ST.

Kinda of like a Challenger of today, which is in the Nimitz carrier weight class.

Yeah, I'd classify the Challenger as a muscle car. It's riding on a shortened full size Charger chassis and using the same engines.

I still have a soft spot for them for some weird reason. 

I LOVE the Challenger. The R/T (yes, with the 5-speed auto) that I had for a weekend last summer was awesome.

I would definitely consider that a muscle car. Thing was freakin' huge. And quick. 

[tooscoops]

funny about the challenger... you talk about the r/t as muscle... but it is the second smallest engine available of the 4 choices...

if someone sees the 5.7 hemi in a "muscle car", is it still a cop out or is it ok? the v6 in that is similar in numbers to the mustang, but moves it slower due to size... so that's fine... but in this case is it "well, it's a v8, so it's fine", or do people think, "oh, it's the smallest of the v8's... you should pony up for the srt or hellcat for a real muscle car"?

[Fobroader]

funny about the challenger... you talk about the r/t as muscle... but it is the second smallest engine available of the 4 choices...

if someone sees the 5.7 hemi in a "muscle car", is it still a cop out or is it ok? the v6 in that is similar in numbers to the mustang, but moves it slower due to size... so that's fine... but in this case is it "well, it's a v8, so it's fine", or do people think, "oh, it's the smallest of the v8's... you should pony up for the srt or hellcat for a real muscle car"?

Very few have the cojones, or wallet, to daily drive a Hellcat, I would, f$%k yeah I would that would make every commute awesomely epic!! The SRT-8 is still expensive, probably not as huge of a seller as an R/T right?? The R/T is kind of the mainstream, volume model. Its a V8, with a manual tranny, feeding power to the rear wheels through a limited slip rear....doesn't sound like a cop out to me.

[whaddaiknow]

I don't get the concept of buying a MUSCLE car with the "least muscular" option available. V8 or nothing.

It's a pony car not a muscle car. Muscle cars were cars like the Chevelle intermediate with the 396 or 427 big block from the full size Impala.

I stand corrected.

- "Hey, dude, nice wheels! Is that the '15 Stang? 435HP?"
- "Nah, 435PP".
- "Woot?"
- "It's a pony, not a 'Stang, so 435P(ony)Power (about 300HP)"

You live, you learn. Now I know the conversion rate from Horse to Pony.
 

[Triple Bob]

So for us immigrants, what is the definition of a 'Muscle Car'?  Everyone seems to define it differently.  And I don't mean historically, what is the definition today?

[mmret]

I think its a bit anachronistic today. The only things I'd consider muscle cars today are the nameplates that were muscle cars way back when.

So Mustang Camaro Corvette Challenger Charger etc. Obviously they're all much more modern today and don't go as limp under cornering as their predecessors.

I would think that the Chryco stuff comes closest today to the muscle car of old.  Nobody ever accused Dodge of underpowering their "muscle car" line. But everything else might leave something to be desired.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

So for us immigrants, what is the definition of a 'Muscle Car'?  Everyone seems to define it differently.  And I don't mean historically, what is the definition today?

The classic definition is an intermediate car with the engine out of a full size car. Probably the best know would be the Chevelle with the 396in³ V8 out of the full size Impala. Here's a 1970 version.



These things were quick in a straight line, but couldn't corner and had absolutely dismal brakes.

Pony cars were much smaller, could corner and had much better brakes. They were used extensively in SCCA road racing. The original Z28 Camaro and Boss 302 Mustangs were likely the best of the breed.



There really aren't any cars today that fill the muscle car role. The Challenger would likely be closest, because it's basically a shortened Charger. Its handling and braking are far and away better than any of the old muscle cars though.

[mmret]

Ah okay. I forgot Pony car was a thing.

[Triple Bob]

I always thought pony car was a derogatory term, i.e. not the full 'thing'.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

I always thought pony car was a derogatory term, i.e. not the full 'thing'.

The term started as slang for the Mustang, then was used for the class as a whole once competitors from GM, Chrysler and AMC showed up.

Sent from my G3 using Tapatalk Pro

[rrocket]

I always thought pony car was a derogatory term, i.e. not the full 'thing'.

No, not at all.  The term pony car was given to muscle cars that could do more than just burn up the 1/4 mile.  Most of the pony cars ended up racing in the Can-Am series.


BTW...I heard a term on the BBC and I need you to tell me what it means.  They were looking at a fixed up car and said it was "Larry".  WTF does that mean?

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Here's a good article on the early years of the SCCA Trans Am series.

http://www.mustangandfords.com/features/1503-mustang-in-the-scca-trans-am-series-1966-1972/



Who said American cars can't do corners?

[Triple Bob]

I always thought pony car was a derogatory term, i.e. not the full 'thing'.

No, not at all.  The term pony car was given to muscle cars that could do more than just burn up the 1/4 mile.  Most of the pony cars ended up racing in the Can-Am series.


BTW...I heard a term on the BBC and I need you to tell me what it means.  They were looking at a fixed up car and said it was "Larry".  WTF does that mean?

No idea.

[HeliDriver]

I always thought pony car was a derogatory term, i.e. not the full 'thing'.

No, not at all.  The term pony car was given to muscle cars that could do more than just burn up the 1/4 mile.  Most of the pony cars ended up racing in the Can-Am series.


BTW...I heard a term on the BBC and I need you to tell me what it means.  They were looking at a fixed up car and said it was "Larry".  WTF does that mean?

See, spelling does matter.

http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/lairy

[initial_D]

Maybe Clarkson is a Larry (in his own mind)

[rrocket]

I always thought pony car was a derogatory term, i.e. not the full 'thing'.

No, not at all.  The term pony car was given to muscle cars that could do more than just burn up the 1/4 mile.  Most of the pony cars ended up racing in the Can-Am series.


BTW...I heard a term on the BBC and I need you to tell me what it means.  They were looking at a fixed up car and said it was "Larry".  WTF does that mean?

See, spelling does matter.

http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/lairy

Ahhh!!  That makes sense.  Thanks!  I though I was up to automotive lingo from watching my BBC USA car shows (in this case, Wheeler Dealers).  But that was a new one and had me puzzled.  I even re-wound it.  "Did he just say Larry??"   

Thanks!!

[HeliDriver]

^^ is that the show with the short, round guy who buys and sells the cars, and the tall, skinny guy who does all the work?

I've seen a couple of episodes and enjoyed it. Saw the Sierra Cosworth show and another one I can't remember. Some nice British coupe with an inline 6, IIRC. Maybe another Ford? I think it was white. 

[rrocket]

^^ is that the show with the short, round guy who buys and sells the cars, and the tall, skinny guy who does all the work?

I've seen a couple of episodes and enjoyed it. Saw the Sierra Cosworth show and another one I can't remember. Some nice British coupe with an inline 6, IIRC. Maybe another Ford? I think it was white. 

Yes!!  Re-runs every morning from 6-7am, with new episodes Wed@10pm.  I made a mistake...it's not BBC USA.  It's Velocity Channel.

http://www.velocity.com/tv-shows/wheeler-dealers/