The Chick Car Diaries

"Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To" (murdersofa)
02/14/2016 at 13:08 • Filed to: mustang

My 2005 V6 convertible automatic Mustang has gotten me more undeserving “secretary car” and “chick car” and “that’s the gayest thing I’ve ever seen” comments than my ‘91 Miata ever did. Despite all of this, I’m rather pleased with my purchase. Here are some pros/cons to an 11 year old base model Mustang.

The Good:

Quiet, smooth ride. Handling is good enough for daily driving. Doesn’t wallow or feel floaty. Transmission shifts smooth (most of the time) and the engine is able to keep up with pretty much any Average Joe-mobile on an on-ramp (my dad’s 2012 Taurus SEL has the same supposed 0-60 time as my car). I feel safe driving it. Speaker system with the addition of a small sub in the back and a Pioneer head unit sounds fantastic. Someone made a shorty antenna, which looks way better than the stock flagpole. Very little road noise.

The Bad:

The seats are getting progressively less comfortable the more I have the car. Base model cloth FTL. The fuel economy is pretty garbage (18mpg is my highest so far). Visibility in any direction is a joke. The seating position means I have to have my knees crammed against the dash just to see much over the hood, which means I can’t recline the seat as much as I’d like. Everything rattles. Friggin EVERYTHING. RATTLES. Lol 11 year old Ford. The exhaust resonates at 3000rpm and shakes everything for some reason. Someone replaced the cool “spinner” hubcaps with ones that have a stupid blue oval on them. The car has been tuned in the past, and poorly. Throttle response is almost undrivably aggressive, and getting it re-tuned is gonna be around $400-600.

That’s a decent set of “bad” but a lot of that are just compromises that have to be made when choosing a me-too muscle car instead of a toyota camry (or the car I was cross-shopping it with, a 2004 SeVille STS). Still, it’s the quickest car I’ve owned and while I am satisfied with it for now I still look forward to being able to afford its eventual replacement.

DISCUSSION (36)

Sam > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
02/14/2016 at 13:13

My Miata would get me chick/hairdresser car comments. Then I would see that they’re standing next to a Honda Civic. Not that I would actually care even if they were standing next to a P1 or something.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > Sam
02/14/2016 at 13:15

All the people who make comments about it drive older, slower, less feature-having cars (90s civics, preludes, trucks, etc.). Also Mr Regular was right about the Miata. It works on girls. My girlfriend loves it, and I’ve actually had people hit on me using my car as a way to start a conversation. It’s bizarre. The Mustang just gets me “oh, neat” from non-car people and “lol gay” from car people.

Sam > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
02/14/2016 at 13:18

A Miata is so happy and approachable. specially compared to all the angry and ‘buff’ cars that self-prolcaimed ‘manly-men’ drive. Girls really love it, plus it’s easy to look like a race car driver if they go for a ride. My personal favorite move is kicking out the tail incredibly far doing a u-turn.

Steve in Manhattan > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
02/14/2016 at 13:18

The top goes down? I’m in.

Right after I graduated law school in ‘97, I rented a V6 auto Mustang convertible and drove around to clear my head. Dewey Beach DE, Ocean City MD - no matter how cold it got, I kept the top down and the heat on as necessary. What a great little car.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > Sam
02/14/2016 at 13:19

I am not brave enough for such shenanigans after wrecking the Miata once already just during normal driving.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > Steve in Manhattan
02/14/2016 at 13:21

Convertibles are their own set of compromises and conflicts. I love being able to drop the top and go for a cruise through downtown Wichita, but chasing any leaks that happen, seals, extra noise, those are all a bit of a pain. Of course, a setup this new is far freer of many of those concerns, but I still have some issues with bits of it not folding up right and things like that.

Sam > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
02/14/2016 at 13:21

Haha, just find the nearest 6 lane road. It’s super easy and controllable, as long as conditions are clear. I mean, just look at how fun this is (though I would never do it if there were cars right ahead, like in the clip) -

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > Sam
02/14/2016 at 13:23

Cops. Cops everywhere. Not sure the Miata has the power to get the wheels loose like that, though. I know the Mustang can’t do that.

Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
02/14/2016 at 13:23

mmm that Miata

Sam > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
02/14/2016 at 13:27

You use your eyes, man. And if they say anything, just tell them you lost control and slid, but managed to recover.

And my NB had the power. Yours is a 1.8, right?

Steve in Manhattan > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
02/14/2016 at 13:29

True - every one I’ve ever driven was either a rental or belonged to someone else.

And what’s this hating on something with a base engine and a slushbox? I often wonder (just yesterday, in fact) whether, if I had to buy a car for myself only (SigOther can’t drive stick) if I’d go for a 6M. I’ve often thought Boxster with whatever DSG box they have, or maybe a C30 with an automatic. On the other hand, the desire to order a Mustang GT with a stick, specced exactly the way I’d like it, is still strong. However, this is extremely unlikely to happen. I live in a big city and subsist on a steady diet of rental cars.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > Sam
02/14/2016 at 13:30

Nope. 1991 1.6 with a fluid LSD. And currently in the shop getting a custom alignment, then off to the body shop. I’m spending way too much on a high mileage salvage title Miata :/

Bman76 (no it doesn't need a WS6 hood) M. Arch > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
02/14/2016 at 13:34

I’ve always found it funny that my ‘02 TA gets better mileage than my sister’s ‘06 Mustang V6.

Sam > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
02/14/2016 at 13:34

But it’s a Miata, so the first sunny day on a twisty road will make it all worth it.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > Steve in Manhattan
02/14/2016 at 13:34

I feel like the base Mustang gets so much hate because Average Joe (and me, two months ago) can’t tell the difference between a $ base model and a $$$ GT, so someone who bought $$$ GT feels a bit cheapened by the fact that $ V6 model looks so similar, cost so much less, and is so much slower.

Personally, I like the V6/auto combination. Good for mindless commuting, and not powerful enough to get me into (too much) trouble, though it’s still rather easy to hit very illegal speeds. I looked at getting a GT but for the cost of one of those I could get a C5 Corvette, and honestly who wouldn’t have the Vette?

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > Bman76 (no it doesn't need a WS6 hood) M. Arch
02/14/2016 at 13:34

The corvette I posted gets far better fuel economy than my stang. It’s sad.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > Sam
02/14/2016 at 13:35

Twisty road? I live in Kansas.

Bman76 (no it doesn't need a WS6 hood) M. Arch > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
02/14/2016 at 13:39

Oh yeah, base Corvettes are mileage champs. Aerodynamic and lightweight. Does your Mustang have comical levels of sidewall flex?

PS9 > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
02/14/2016 at 13:44

V6 Stang? Miatas? Vettes???

...

WHAT IS GOING HERE, I WANT THE MURDERSOFA PILOT BACK

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > Bman76 (no it doesn't need a WS6 hood) M. Arch
02/14/2016 at 13:44

Actually no. It feels rather nice. The 50/50 weight distribution probably helps spread it out. Not near as bad as the Buick had on stock 15" wheels with like seven inches of soft-ass sidewall.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > PS9
02/14/2016 at 13:49

Oh, yeah. That’s still kicking around somewhere.

Kinja'd!!!

No shortage of issues, though. Rear hubs, inner tie rods, and a bad cv shaft. And every single warning light is on the dash.

Steve in Manhattan > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
02/14/2016 at 13:54

I wouldn’t have the Vette. The new Stingray, maybe, but if I wanted a car of that sort I’d get a Viper SRT or a GT-R. Or maybe an XKR? Whatever, I’d be spoiled for choice. But if I had to pick a car right now? I’ll get back to you by the summer.

Chariotoflove > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
02/14/2016 at 13:59

That engine tune may be most of the reason for the bad mpg. Fix that and get a seat cushion of some sort, and life will be so much better. But regardless, convertible for the win!

Sam > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
02/14/2016 at 14:05

From a quick Google search, there’s McDowell Road near Kansas City and Thunder Road near Wichita.

Not a ton of choice, but still good looking roads.

PorkchoPlissken > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
02/14/2016 at 14:11

That’s because Miata has tow hook!

V8Demon - Prefers Autos for drag racing. Fite me! > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
02/14/2016 at 14:28

18 mpg?

My supercharged GT consistently gets 27 on the highway. With 3.73 gears no less.

The stock V6 should NEVER reresonatee/drone.

Did someone install an aftermarket tune on this car? I wish you were closer so I could take a look at this thing.

ranwhenparked > Bman76 (no it doesn't need a WS6 hood) M. Arch
02/14/2016 at 14:29

Those 4.0 sixes were total boat anchors. This was still the era when the smaller engines existed primarily for rental fleets and to shame people into buying the GT.

ranwhenparked > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
02/14/2016 at 14:31

Somebody should make a car that looks like a convertible with the top up, but with a solid metal roof and no C-pillar, for the illusion of open air driving. You know, something with a top that’s hard, call it a tophard or something.

Jayhawk Jake > Sam
02/14/2016 at 15:21

Thunder road is shit. It’s got like two curves and neither are low speed. Kansas City is 3 hours away.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > V8Demon - Prefers Autos for drag racing. Fite me!
02/14/2016 at 17:02

It hits some sort of resonant frequency that vibrates. I suspect exhaust shenanigains have happened, but it’s super quiet so I dunno what could have been done. As far as a tune goes, I have no way to verify and I don’t know anyone else with a V6 S197 to compare throttle response and such to, but it’s impossible to not be jerky when taking off from a start unless you want to GOTTAGOFAST

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > PorkchoPlissken
02/14/2016 at 17:03

TWO OF THEM :D

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > Sam
02/14/2016 at 17:03

Thunder road is a gentle curve at 45mph, and KS City is a 3 hour drive for one or two remotely twisty roads. The best I can get is under-construction developments but those have 30mph speed limits and curbs.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > Chariotoflove
02/14/2016 at 17:05

GT seats would be nice but the price is just 100 percent not worth it for a car like this. I might get the “performance appearance package” which is a nicer wheel and shifter (my shifter is kinda broken and my wheel is worn flat in spots) if I find myself with too much money

Chariotoflove > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
02/14/2016 at 18:14

Too much money, haha! Good one. Nah, I was thinking cheaper seat covers, not new seats. Sometimes that helps with cheap seats depending on what’s wrong with them.

Sam > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
02/14/2016 at 19:41

Well, looks like your only option is cruisin’ down the highway or through the city with the top down. Not as fun as twisties, but still satisfying.

Your boy, BJR > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
02/15/2016 at 01:49

Even better for when you slide it into a pole!