Mustang vs. Mustang GT
 

Hey, I've been looking into getting a used Mustang and I'm really trying to keep it under 10,000. Im trying to decide whether or not to go for the GT. I like the fact that the GT makes alot more power than the the standerd mustang but it comes with a bigger price tag and an engine that drinks up a bit more gas. Im going to be using it as a daily driver so I don't want something thats really going to drink it up, but I dont want something underpowered either. I was thinking that if I didn't go with the GT it would leave me with more money to work on the engine.

I really can't make up my mind and wanted to know what your guys opinions were. And yes I did a search.

GT or bust. Everything else will leave you wanting more and feeling inferior. I know from experience..

In my opinion having anything other than a V8 Mustang isn't the full Mustang experience. Go for the GT, you'll like the power when you need it.

How much worse is it on gas?

If you are worried about the Gas buy a prius if you want a car that will perform buy a V8 Mustang plain and simple you cant have both one will suffer for the other. If you are worried about gas milage dont buy any car that has anything larger then a 4 cyl IMO

I don't know what its like with the 04 or previous models but our 08GT/CS with the 300hp 4.6 got 29mpg on a 500km highway trip and that was not driving like an old man at all. Highway speed averaged 115km/h and the terrain changed from straight away prairies to up and down curvy mountain roads and some very hard acceleration while passing in the mountains. I have no idea what it averages around town.

Go with the GT or go home lol

Well it wasn't so much that im worried about getting a car thats good on gas. I know if I buy a mustang its not goin to give me great gas mileage, it was more of a thing of is the GT alot worse than the standerd mustang. I am leaning more towards the GT but I don't want to get some thing im going to regret buying as a daily driver.

Gt at a minimum or bust. The 6 is not that much better than the gt on gas:tup No offence to the 6 gang:tup

The GT may be the way to go but there a lot more V6 out there and they are still fun to drive and fix up . I'm on my third mustang and it does happen to be a V6 so find something you really like , can afford and have fun. The V8 may have made the mustang name but it has been the V6 that has kept it alive for the majority of mustang lovers .

I vote for the GT. I can get 26mpg on the highway (w/ long tube headers, chip, intake). I think the v6 has to work harder than the v8, therefore killing some of the mpg. Plus, i feel the v8 is stronger and more reliable. just my 2c. But if someone gave me a v6 mustang, I wouldn't complain at all!

I drive an 89 5.0L and 60bux will give me 300 - 400kms depending on how hard I hammer it. 15mins at wot will give me 1/2tank from full.

One thing I would consider is this... how much modding do u really want to do?
If u buy a GT that would be it aside from exhaust and intake as your daily driver. for while at least.

If you buy a V6 your gunna save on gas, initial cost, and insurance. Then if your serious about performance you can build the shortblock properly, have the top end done and eventually get yourself a turbo kit with all the supporting hardware. You'll be smokin anyone with a mildly modified V8 as well as getting the benefits of the insurance rate and gas milage if you keep your foot out of it.

it's either save now and power later or have it all at once with a continual bill.

but enough of our opinions... go test drive both and make your decisions.

Gas is cheap these days. It's not like it was last summer. Enjoy it while it lasts :chacha:

Those that degrade the V6 Mustang do not know what they are talking about and many of the detractors have never driven the S197 V6. The V6 as it comes off the showroom floor goes 0 to 60 mph in 6.7 seconds and the GT does it in 6 seconds, not much of a difference. The average mpg on three trips I have made from Edmonton to Vancouver is 31 mpg. No mustang GT gets 31 mpg nor do they come close. You also have to ask if you want to pay an additional $10-15000.00 for the same experience. Don't let others tell you that the V6 is a girly mustang, thats a load of crap also. The other factor is that unless you are on a race track were are you going to use all the power of V6 never mind the GT. The V6 has lots of power. If I offended the V8 crowd to bad, so sad. Everyone is allowed their opinion and I have mine. The key point Dan is that in a free country you are allowed to make your own choices. I state this because I finally had to lay a harrassment complaint against a co-worker last year for his continual blatant viewpoint about the V6.

alright well thanx alot for the feedback guys, I do plan on testing out both cars before making my decision, but generally a quick test drive doens't say enough.

Do you have a particular year you would like.I think you can get a '99 GT for around 10,000,or with a few more bucks,you can get up to a '02 GT.
They is plenty out there,they are pretty darn good on fuel,descent power,have a descent rumble sound,are in farely descent shape,and most are well taken care of these days....and don't forget air conditionning LOL!!

Nothing wrong with the 6 in my book. The latest gen 8 does 0-60 in 5.3 1/4 in 13.9-Road&Track.
Motor Trend 0-60 in 5.2 1/4 in 13.7. When I took my 05gt to Winkler Man I averaged 31-32 mpg doing the posted speed limit of 110 kmph. The difference between the 6 and 8 is closer in mpg than most would think. It kind of like the Ford Ranger (2008) with the 4.0L engine, believe it or not it gets only 1-2 mpg better than the Triton 5.4 in the F-150. Personally I buy the V-8 because of the syphony of sound coming out the back end and the 140+ mph I can attain on the back roads of S Alberta. Like you said buy what ever floats your boat:tup

Took the words right outta my mouth.

I'm with Ray Spencer, the S197 V6 cars work really good, and don't get near the respect they deserve, hence my licence plate.."NO RSPKT". However, with a $ 10,000 limit, you are pretty much limited to the sn95/new edge cars. Good luck with your decision.

Snakebite I guess I stand somewhat correct on the miles per gallon issue. Did not realize that it could be that close as there are a few GT owners in Edmonton that have suggested to me that all they are seeing is 26 mpg. I believe Roddy said it right that the s197 V6 does not get the respect that it deserves. I have indicated on other forums that have posted the same question that if the majority of GT owners in Canada and the United States got together and indicated to Ford Corporate that only the Mustang GT should be built and "known" as the mustang, the GT owners would be in for a dismal response. What Ford has realized over the years is that 70% of mustang customer group owns the V6. If we take a trip down mustang history (and I have the book) the original concept for the mustang was to build aa an affordable sporty family car that the average person could enjoy and "afford" to buy. Thank you Lee Iacocca I bow to your greatness and your staff for bringing out the original mustang concept car.

Good to know that you have quite the steady sound on your GT Snakebite I have a similar sound with my Dual Magnaflow System on the V6. P.S. I was thinking of getting a decal placed on my driver's door that says "Nothing to Prove."

I`m a big dummy, I forgot the m in symphony:banghead:

Don`t put the decal on the door whatever you do. When it fades or you get bored with it it might wreck the paint when you peel it off. If I were you I would put it on the back window, easy on easy off:tup Oh please note I do not look down on the 6 again for the umteenth time I just prefer the 8.:chacha: My preference for the 8 tops the V-10 ie M5, Lambo`s, Viper`s and the V-12 ie Ferrari`s Benz`s. If I had something to prove I would not drive a Mustang but instead it would be a Ferrari 430 Scuderia. No one knows I drive a Mustang because mine is always in the garage. Anyhow please enjoy your Mustang and don`t let this issue bother you as life is short:wiggle:

Just trying to defend the V6 Snakebite. I would never put the decal on the door I was just trying to make a point. Your right life is to short to argue the point but everyone should be allowed to choose whatever floats there boat without a being analyzed for their decision. I can't wait for the weather to get better so I can fire up the stang and get moving down the road.

Bahahaha oh man. Is this for real???

I didn't think people bugged you V6 guys that much. :laughhard

What ever happened to just say well come outside and I will show you want a V6 can do or better yet just punching the dude in the mouth...LOL

Do you have a video/soundclip? Or does it sound like this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcivP...eature=related

Because that sounds NOTHING like a V8.

My wife and I have two mustangs a 06 V6 and a 07 GT. Her car is fast and snappy of the line and I think produces more power at the low RPM range first. My GT seems to need to be over 2500 -3000 rpm before she really takes off. But then at the higher end the GT takes over. Now when were not spinning the tires and driving normally the Gt seems to squeeze out a little better mileage on the Highway but the V6 seems a little better in the city. And you know what ... side by side NOBODY who isnt a mustang freak like us here can tell the difference!!!

Here is what a V8 sounds like

YouTube - 2006 Mustang GT w/ Magnaflow Magnapacks & Off-Road X-Pipe

You can have all the sound bites you want. Some owners like an agressive sound others do not. If you think a agressive sound bite is going to make me or any other V6 owner run out with our tongues dragging to the nearest Ford dealership to buy a GT you better think again. The key point I was trying to make is that both mustangs are powerful models. Some people have a need for power and others have a need for a great abundance of power. To dish the V6 because it does not have the same powerbase as the V8 is simply not right. The thing to ask yourself were in our traffic ticket issuing world is anyone going to use the power of the GT? If I get the chance in the future I will be buying another V6. I don't go out of my way to bash the GT Mustang as I think it is another great mustang however the majority of GT owners do not have the same view of the V6. To get respect you have to give respect....crapping on the V6 just shows a disrespect. People that buys mustangs are allowed to make a choice I made mine and like it. I can only assume the GT owner's like their choice and good for them. Why we can't see ourselves as part of the mustang family without all the "I am better the you because I have this and that" is a lot of unnecessary crap! End of story.

Well said. Ford makes a V6 and a V8 Mustang for a reason. I'd never buy the V6 personally just like many others, while many other people prefer the V6. To each his own, all that matters is its a Mustang.

Yes I do agree and I actually own a V6 firebird that I am going to start a rebuild on this weekend and hopefully be done some time in the next year or so. I dont dislike the V6 Just not for me is all. I know the V6 actually has more power now then my 87 5.0 Gt had when it was new so yeah they have respect. And were you ask can you use the power of a GT any where you want too just dont get caught or hurt anyone in the process I say..

Who is crapping on the V6? Most of us (if not all) have driven one at some point in our lives and made the conscious decision to purchase a V8 over the V6 (Or Both). We weighed the Pros and Cons of each. Gas mileage, Insurance, Resale, Performance, Aftermarket, Etc. So we are entitled to our opinion. Accept that.

You're the one who compared your V6 exhaust to a GT500 not me. That's why I posted the sound clip. In my opinion your exhaust most likely sounds slightly better than a honda with a fart cannon. It has the buzzy raspy fart like sound. Some people love that. I have friends that rock various makes/models and enjoy that kind of thing. I respect them. I don't judge people on what they drive but rather on their character. A chill guy with a passion for his turbo honda civic is a lot nicer to hang out with than a douchebag who can't stop gizzing over his BMW M3.

Don't try to spoon feed us your on why the V6 should be put on a pedestal beside the V8 because they are both powerful models. It's simply not true. I don't put my car beside a GT500. I know where I sit on the totem pole and and have enough self confidence to accept that.

With all that said. I'm sure you're still a cool guy and you definitely have passion for your car. So don't get so defensive. Your car looks great :tup

New s197 V6 is like buying that fox V8 with some new bells and whistles.

who said anything about a quick test drive? take that thing out and tell the salesman your not commin back for an hr at least.

with the 10grand idea I would suggest u get yourself into a nice 95 5.0L at you'll see the power u want with price u need.

NRC Canada Fuel Consuption Guide
 

Dan,

The NRC site is a good source of information on fuel consumption Compare Vehicles


The annual cost of driving also differs from the insurance ratings so don't forget that your driving record, age, and make, model & age of vehicle will dictate your cost of insurance which may be more of an impact than gas consumption.

95 buxs a month gets me everything with roadstar plus... funny how losing your license just means that the next time u insure your premiums are gunna be cheaper..lol

When you say you want a GT, what year are you looking for? 94-95 GT has the 5.0L, and then there is the 96-98 GT witch has the 4.6L, then there is also the 99-04, and then of course the S197 05 and up.

I have a 94GT when it was bone stock I got MAX 325 K's to a tank no matter what I did, or how I drove it!!!
But the interior is sweet!!!, I sunk thousands of dollars into it and now it being 511 RWHP I can sometimes hit 400+ K's to a tank, but my worst so far is 128 k's a tank LOL all cars can be a pig if you make them, and mine likes to drink ;)

I just bought an 09 Mustang v6 and it has all the bells and whistles that can come with it, and it cost 32 000. I understand your looking for somthing at around 10 000 and your concern is power and fuel usage between the two. But the V6 can put me back in my seat pretty good, and i get around 450Kms for every 60 litres. My first car was a 73' cutlass supreme with a 455, not a great power plant, but it still could move, and i would rather have the feel and Spite of the V6 pony i just purchased, dont get me wrong I did drive my cousins 02 svt cobra and it was unreal, but to be realistic for the everyday driver a V6 will do just fine. ?????? AGREE????

I hafta break in on this conversation..A restraining order ?????? ..you are serious ?

There is a major difference between the two cars because they *are* different and it just isn't about how many cylinders it has..The GT has a much more solid feel to us. My wife thinks a car is to go from a to b. Period. When we went out shopping Mustangs ..actually V6 mustangs.. after driving the 6 (both in gt and 'vert version) the salesman had us take out an 8..even she noticed the difference and she talked me up.....not only the sound but how it felt riding down the road..because it is heavier and has a different suspension. It is not how fast you can get to 60 or pick up....it is how it feels to you...

It was mentioned earlier, if you love the v6, Great !! it only gives me one more car to wave at going down the road.

My Grandma used to say that folks have different tastes ..that is why there is more than one book in the library.

Will winter ever stop ???

Depends on what mustang you want,...anything under 94 didn`t have to be a GT to be a V8. Personally I like the old LX`s better then the GT models,.... same horsepower. All the new ones after 93 had to by the GT if you wanted the V8.

Yeah it's all about personal preference. I drove a friend's 05GT, and i gotta say it's quite addictive... want more power now!!
but my 06V6 is also good too :)

I agree with everyone who says you need to test drive them. You don't feel a car just by looking at it.