American Traditions, Hot Rods, and Horses; Desert blast in a 2013 Mustang

"DIYautoFTW" (diyautoftw)
02/21/2014 at 07:07 • Filed to: None

The Mustang is among those rare vehicles that are integrated into a country's identity and folklore. It is one of the few that can be identified by pretty much everyone, not just car enthusiasts. It is so engrained in our psyches that just the name "Mustang" conjures images of neon diners, snarling cars flying through the air, and the sound of booming V8s echoing through the night. It is also one of the few iconic cars that is actually affordable to the common man. It is not like Ferrari in Italy where everyone has their merchandise but nobody can buy the actual car. Everyone knows someone with a Mustang, and even the previous generations haven't been hit with classic car inflation like many muscle cars. Almost anyone can pretend to be Steve McQueen.

So when I was browsing through the car rental site for my upcoming trip with my wife to Phoenix, which would include a blast through the desert and up the mountains into Sedona, there was only once choice that made any type of sense, a Mustang Convertible. Compared to a Nissan Altima or Chevy Malibu picking the Mustang seems obvious, but for a car guy there is still some trepidation. It is a "secretary special" V6 version after all. For a car forged in the era of big displacement V8s the V6 versions have a stigma as being soft wannabes. A car for poseurs who want the look but can't afford the real deal. So as the shiny Oxford White 2013 Mustang rolled up to the rental counter I could feel the envious glances of the sad sacks packing their kids into the Hyundai Accents they foolishly wasted their money on. But I wasn't as giddy as I thought I would be and could thank years of people looking down their noses at these cars for that. Thankfully over the next few days and several hundred miles driving this thing this "Hero car" as Clarkson put it would change my mind.

Thankfully Ford has really turned their game around over the past couple years, even within this 5th generation of their most iconic car whose production started almost 50 years ago. In 2010 the exterior of the S197 mustang was significantly refreshed, but it still had the 4.0L SOHC V6 which made a depressing 210 Hp. The car's handling was as underwhelming as its engine. Thankfully in 2011 Ford updated the suspension, added an LSD, and installed a DOHC aluminum 3.7L V6 which makes 305 Hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. To put that into perspective, that is more horsepower than any of the "non-special edition" Mustang V8s up to this point. Even the legendary 5.0 from the Fox body generation only broke 300Hp after some aftermarket massaging. This is no longer the neglected step brother of old, like the SN-95 V6 Mustang whose horrid wheel gap and overbite front bumper made it look like a totally different car when placed next to a Terminator. I was thankful for the beefier engine, since straight line acceleration is one of the classic Mustang attributes. The car wasn't a rocket around town but had plenty of pick-up to drive aggressively. Some of the missed potential may be due to the transmission which never wanted to go over three grand unless I was on a freeway on ramp. There is a "sport" mode which made no discernable difference. Oddly the manual gear selection is done with a button on the side of the shift lever. Most manual shifting autos at least try to imitate some type of manual action to simulate the fun part of manual driving, often by pushing the shifter up or down or using F1 style paddle shifters which would be out of place on a Mustang. Those buttons made it as fun as turning on your rear defroster, that is if they actually worked. My guess is they turn sport mode and manual shifting off for rental cars to protect them from hooners which is understandable but disappointing. The throaty V8 burble that is the Mustang trademark is absent but the engine doesn't sound bad, you can tell it was toned down for the broader customer base of the V6. An aftermarket exhaust would fix that.
not my photo

The first night we went to the "Los Wild Nights" Hot Rod show and Pinup contest. Not wanting to be "that guy" I parked past where the pavement ended next to some regular commuter cars. There were some beautiful cars there, mostly hotrods. It was cool go to a car show associated with that so-cal rockabilly/kustom scene which isn't as present in Detroit. I always liked reading the "Car Kulture Delux" magazines since I was in high school, and low Detroit iron from the first half of the last century with a Mexican blanket over the seats normally captures my attention more than a modern exotic. Most of the people there wore black car club T-shirts and were heavily tatted, and it was a friendly and diverse crowd. One of the few places you'll see someone with a Mohawk drinking beers with a James Dean look-alike.

Of course many of the cars had interesting back stories. A particularly well done hotrod was started over 50 years ago by the owners father and grandfather. It was recently finished, only a month before his grandfather passed. Unlike many situations like this where the car is completed posthumously, his grandfather actually got to see and drive it before he departed. An example of how cars can be so much more than machines or modes of transportation. This is a breathing piece of art that created memories and brought family together.

We left the parking lot to the walled off courtyard for the concert and pin-up show. The outdoor furniture there seemed way too classy for the strip club that the courtyard was attached too. Several beautiful ladies with colorful dresses and equally colorful tattoos graced the stage for the contest. I stupidly left my camera in the car by this point. Most were from the group pinup angels which raises money for the troops overseas, you can check out their website here: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! They seemed like a fun group of gals, but I was glad I already had my own pinup to take home. Afterward several rockabilly bands took the stage and got the place moving. It was a good crowd and everyone was enjoying themselves. The whole greaser, Kustom scene may seem odd to some people but these different subcultures make being a car enthusiast fun. We are passionate about same thing, and its expressed in ways as diverse as we are.

The current mustang also does a fantastic job of combining the old with the new and is one of the best retro-inspired designs currently out there. It is instantly recognizable as a Mustang both in the details like the tail-lights and the rear fender crease as well as it's overall "attitude". However it doesn't seem derivative at all, it stands on its own as a very good looking modern car design. This is especially true after the 2010 refresh which for the exterior was more of a revolution. The clunkiness carried over from the third and fourth generation was gone and the lines and details were polished. The panel gaps closed and the surfacing became more refined. It no longer seems like Ford is chasing the Europeans as far as exterior fit and finish and design sophistication. It also does the DRL and accent lighting right. While Lexus has chinzy LEDs that look like they could've been bought at pep boys, the red glow of the taillight trim and white headlight bars are subtle and actually look good. While the V8 version is brutishly handsome the V6 looks like a welterweight, no longer a 98 pound weakling.

The next morning we started off on our trip to Sedona. The two convertibles I've owned previously (69' Midget and 90' Miata) are of different eras when it comes to top design. On the Mustang you have to undo two levers up front and push a button and it retracts automatically. It works great, and the top is well insulated and has real glass in the back. There is no automatic convertible top cover that conceals the folded top like many modern European cars have, and it doesn't need it. It's a convertible mustang for christsakes, its not that pretentious. Feeling the warm morning Phoenix sun cruising under a canopy of palm trees the Mustang felt like the perfect place to be.

Not my pic

We blasted out of Phoenix down Highway 60 where I had some time to take stock of the interior. I was slightly put off by the large flat plastic panel in which the last generation Ford switchgear is nestled but quickly got used to it. The previous Mustang I drove was an SN-95 (4th gen) who's interior felt like being in a plastic blow molded playhouse and had a shifter throw about a foot long. This interior is miles from that but could use a refresh to catch up with Ford's new offerings. The panel gaps near the bottom of the IP were big enough that it looks like it would flip open to reveal an ashtray. And there oddly isn't a real place to rest your right elbow on the center console, just a square of plastic that is softer than the surrounding panels. An actual arm-rest would've been nice for long cruises. The gage cluster is obviously inspired by the classic mustangs with its deep hooded speedo and tach which look really good. A screen in between the binnacles lets you pull from a surprisingly deep well of information, showing info like intake and trans temp as well as the standard MPG and range. It has all the bells and whistles you could ask for and despite my niggling gripes, was a nice place to be. It felt good holding the leather wrapped steering wheel, looking up from the jewel like gages and seeing the long hood pointing straight towards the horizon.

As we turned onto 89 and headed up the mountain the tall saguaro cacti turned into brambly trees. The temperature dropped 10 degrees and the grass turned a ghostly yellow. The Mustang had plenty of passing power, even going uphill. It also felt surprisingly good road holding wise. This would come in handy because once we got into the mountains we'd hit the best road I've ever driven on. Highway 89 is a two lane road that takes you up 4000 feet into the mountains. There are too many curves to count, most of them banked, and literally cling to the side of the mountain often with a deadly drop just past the guardrail. The scenery looks down into the valley and is breathtaking, although you rarely have enough time in between turns to look. It was here I found the biggest surprise about the new Mustang, it is actually fun in the curves.

I had a blast flying from turn to turn. The Mustang feels surprisingly neutral with little body roll. The seats run out of bolstering before the car felt like its going to start leaning. During the drive we passed a couple Dodge Avengers poking along cautiously. I had flashbacks to driving one to big Sky Montana and how terrifying it was. The avenger had tons of body roll, and its weight would shift suddenly and unpredictably. Awful handling combined with zero feedback made it horrific to drive up that mountain. I felt lucky to have a capable partner in the Mustang. The only part that didn't want to play was the transmission, which found the highest possible gear and stayed there. I put it in sport mode and tapped frantically at the shift button but it was futile. The engine lolled lazily under 2000 RPM while the rest of the car hustled around the bends. There was torque on hand but not enough to fully exploit the situation. If the car was a manual it would have been perfect.

On the downhill portions, gravity was a much stronger motivator than the power train. It was here that I really appreciated the brakes. They were linear and strong, no evidence of fade even though they were working hard. In a lesser car this road would seem treacherous, constant blind turns, craggy rocks on one side, sheer cliffs on the other. Some of the turns are banked so much you can feel oncoming trucks leaning over you. But the Mustang inspires confidence and you are encouraged to keep pushing it. The lazy transmission and my wife giving me the "look" kept me from really wringing it out. The V6 felt like it had plenty of power in this situation, while the 400+ hp of the GT would increase the potential for loosing control and shortly after, dismemberment. I may have been having a "size of the ship vs. motion of the ocean" moment, but I was having too much fun to care.

We had lunch in Prescott and took another break in Jerome. It seems like the only buildings in Phoenix are under 20 years old and are attached to strip malls, so it was nice to see some actual historical buildings in Arizona. Both towns were fairly touristy, with lots of shops selling turquoise jewelry and Indian "artifacts" but we were glad to have checked them out. Jerome was particularly neat, an old mining town built into the side of the mountain. We stopped at the Merkin wine store, whose name means "pubic wig". This would be odd if it wasn't owned by the singer from Tool. There were a lot of nice cars in Jerome, and plenty of bikes, people stopping after enjoying the drive.

On the final stretch into Sedona my thoughts turned to actually buying one of these. There were many nice cars out that day, and I did some daydreaming about how the drive would've been in my Miata or my old M5, but there is something that just feels right about driving a Mustang through the desert, with actual mustangs running free through the scenery alongside you. Its big nose sucking in the dry air, the surprisingly colorful landscape flying past. It obviously would be at home on Woodward Ave. but the athleticism in the mountains convinced me it would fit in anywhere. There are a lot of cars that would've been faster and more fun on Highway 89 but not many that have over 300 Hp, start in the low $20s and look as iconic.

That night we drove up a hill by the airport where we could watch the sun set across the alien landscape of red cliffs and plateaus. Situations like this give you a sense of your place in the world. People awkwardly held tablets to record the natural light show on a landscape that took eons to create, you think about the people that stood gawking in the same spot back before the words Arizona, America, or the English language even existed.

In the comparatively minute sliver of time the automobile has existed there are only a handful of vehicles that have been built across actual human generations. That can possess a rich history full of stories and traditions to draw from. You can drive a car your grandfather owned and buy a modern version that exists for the same purpose and has the same mystique that drew him in decades ago. The Mustang is one of those vehicles. Through most of my adult life the only new Mustangs that caught my attention were the high dollar special editions, the Terminators or Shelby versions. Finally the base versions of the Mustang fully possess the spirit of the original; a great looking, fast, affordable muscle car. One I dreamt of purchasing to carry out those Mustang traditions, which include burning some rubber just like Grandpa used to do.

DISCUSSION (65)

Bullitt417 > DIYautoFTW
02/21/2014 at 07:35

Great Story and fantastic write-up. All and all, it seems like you had a great trip that was made even more memorable by the Mustang. I think the reality is that the Mustang is designed to be a car its owners enjoy. Whether that means road trips, autocross, or drag racing, it forms a bond with the driver that can't be beaten. Sure there are more capable and focused cars, but to have a jack of all trades as good as the Mustang, just makes for lots of memories. I know that is why I bought my GT!

Tom McParland > DIYautoFTW
02/21/2014 at 07:41

Hey great writeup! It seems that the entire story was on the front page. FYI, I did a moderator edit and just added a space after your first paragraph that fixed it. Again well done!

Slow4o > DIYautoFTW
02/21/2014 at 07:48

I'm about to go to sleep after a twelve hour shift and I open this up. As much as I want to right now, I'll have to read it when I wake up, but I'm a sucker for mustang stories.

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > DIYautoFTW
02/21/2014 at 09:05

My guess is they turn sport mode and manual shifting off for rental cars to protect them from hooners which is understandable but disappointing.

Avis doesn't. And I've had a few '11-'13 Mustangs in my travel time last two years or so.

I had an '11 Mustang V6 fastback in Houston for two weeks. The Mustang makes sense in places where the roads are straight and the gas is cheap.

I had a '12 V6 droptop in El Paso for a month. I had made friends with the guy at the Avis counter, so they put that one aside for me. The 375 loop across Franklin mountains was quite fun in the Mustang, and it is surprisingly good around tighter corners (I got a talking to by a Border Patrol officer who thought I had a seizure when the car drifted around a corner)

The '13 fastback was in South Florida. Again, beautiful place for a white Mustang.

Although I have a bone to pick with you on one thing...

If the car was a manual it would have been perfect.

No, no, no, no, and no. As someone who darn near bought a new '13 manual V6 fastback, the gearbox was just awful. It's overly notchy, recalcitrant (It refused to go into first after it was warmed up on the test drive, with the dealer rep in the passenger seat), and reminds me of the box on my 2003.5 Infiniti G35 (which I thought was great, until I drove my first BMW). It flat ruins the car. Clutch is fine, however. If Ford fixed the gearbox (example of a good Ford gearbox operation is the Focus ST), and put better tires on it, it would then be a far better car.

SirPoopyPants > DIYautoFTW
02/21/2014 at 09:50

Kinja'd!!!

dwaynemcgintysdrunkfactchecker > DIYautoFTW
02/21/2014 at 09:57

Id rather be flying across the desert in a TWA.

Hey Julie > DIYautoFTW
02/21/2014 at 10:06

Owns a v6 SN-95, cries, hates you

FoxFive0 > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
02/21/2014 at 10:08

I bought a '13 V6 with the manual, and it does take some getting used to. I thought it was notchy and difficult at first, but I think I've learned how to work around its quirks. I've read on forums that an aftermarket shifter, or even just a shifter bracket to replace the stock rubber/steel bracket can make a world of difference.

'Stangy Leg > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
02/21/2014 at 10:10

I hate to be that one guy who defends his own car in what seems to be complete bias, but I really do disagree.

My experience driving stick is basically limited to few Mazdas, but I can tell you that to live with day to day, while the V6's tranny isn't great, it certainly isn't bad. I think the high gear ratio more of a problem to be honest.

It takes time to get used to, I remember complaining about it at first. In traffic its ok and once you are used to it, you can really find the sweets spots of when/how fast to shift, when to heel and toe (everytime from 3rd to 2nd :P) Taking your time between shifts makes it feel smooth as well.

dogisbadob > DIYautoFTW
02/21/2014 at 10:10

Awesome writeup

gla2yyz > DIYautoFTW
02/21/2014 at 10:10

In November, my wife and I rented a black Mustang V6 convertible from the San Francisco International Avis for our honeymoon. Drove down US1 to LA and then through the desert to Vegas. Throughout the entire trip I can't say I would have had any more fun if it had the V8. I know I would have enjoyed the power on the odd occasion and would have LOVED the exhaust note but I certainly didn't miss it. I still had plenty of shove and could do burnouts whenever it suited me. And top down on a warm afternoon on US1 south of Big Sur in no real rush? It doesn't matter what convertible you're in, life doesn't get much better!

pedal-force > DIYautoFTW
02/21/2014 at 10:12

Excellent story. I got a free upgrade to a convertible 2012 V6 Mustang on my honeymoon (because honeymoon) at Disney World, and it was a lot of fun. I grew up Chevy, but with the Focus (which I've also rented, nice car) and the Mustang, my hatred is softening. The V6 Mustang is a great car, and I was never really wishing I had more power. 300+ to the rear wheels feels just fine.

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > 'Stangy Leg
02/21/2014 at 10:14

If there was any bias, it's that I wanted to like the Mustang. I wanted to love it so I could buy it.

But it let me down. I learned to drive on a manual VW, have driven manual Nissans, BMWs, VWs, MBs, and Fords (other than the Mustang). I really wanted to show Ford there is a market for sticks, and it let me down.

Perhaps the manual on the GT is more to my liking, but I know Ford is far more capable of building a car that doesn't fight the driver. I really wish it didn't, because Ford has built an otherwise very good GT car with the Mustang.

Matticus > DIYautoFTW
02/21/2014 at 10:15

Great write-up, man! I splurged on a '13 Mustang V6 convertible for my trip to Los Angeles last fall, which was one of the most (surprisingly) satisfying car rental experiences I've ever had. Even though most of the trip was spent in gridlock on the 405, a side trip on a clear evening driving down Mulholland Drive was the highlight of the last year for me. I had no idea an auto V6 could be that much fun.

'Stangy Leg > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
02/21/2014 at 10:24

Pretty sure its the same MT-86 that is in both (GT & V6 of this gen) so we can hope for a better one in the new mustang :)

Iamopenlyjudgingyou > 'Stangy Leg
02/21/2014 at 10:26

At this point I disregard all reviews of gearboxes and clutch action. Magazines, blogs, professional reviewers....automatically go on ignore.

"I drove car a for an hour\week and I could not get used to the shifter\clutch!! Car b's gearbox\clutch is much better."

Once you get used the action or the takeup, it becomes transparent.

Perhaps if I were taking my car to the strip or competing for time I would care more but I don't.

mdensch > DIYautoFTW
02/21/2014 at 10:28

Mine's a '13 V-6 but with the 6-speed manual and Performance Package. I had an '11 with automatic and this is a much different car. (And you can definitely feel the difference in sport mode.)

Kinja'd!!!

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > DIYautoFTW
02/21/2014 at 10:34

Nice writeup and a good read. Having owned two Mustangs over the years ('93 LX5.0 and '06 V6 'vert) I can say the base car is now worth owning if you don't want to pony up (get it?) for the V8. Forget the chauvinistic bullshit about the "secretaries' car" - the V6 has plenty of power for its intended demographic (maybe too much?) and is a huge improvement over the crappy 4.0 I had in my '06. If you have to tinker, a CAI, exhaust and a tune will get you in the neighborhood of 330-340hp, and the insurance guy will never know. Combined with the nice interior in the car now it's one I'd consider if I'm ever in the market for a fun car again. And next year's car has IRS for better ride and handling. Win.

Meatcoma > DIYautoFTW
02/21/2014 at 10:34

Great write-up. One thing tho -

The throaty V8 burble that is the Mustang trademark is absent but the engine doesn't sound bad, you can tell it was toned down for the broader customer base of the V6. An aftermarket exhaust would fix that.

Nah, it will not. I have never heard a V6 sound anything like a V8. There is a discernible twang to a V6 that a V8 does not have. At least not in any soundbite/video I have ever heard. If anyone has, please give me proof(video or soundbite) and specs as I have a V6 Camaro that I will spend the money on.

92LX302 > Meatcoma
02/21/2014 at 10:38

2011+ V6 with the Roush exhaust kit doesn't sound half-bad. Nobody will mistake it for a V8, but better than stock as far as a V6 can sound.

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > FoxFive0
02/21/2014 at 10:43

I have issues with the resolution being "Replace stock part with this aftermarket part". Those kinds of things shouldn't be necessary on a good car from the factory.

And to be sure, that's my only complaint with the Mustang. Other than that, I love it. It's just so sad that the autobox makes the car more livable than the manual box. Perhaps the GT's gearbox is better, but it really let me down, since I know Ford is capable of doing good transmissions (Focus ST for one)

FoxFive0 > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
02/21/2014 at 11:01

I'm pretty sure the V6 and GT's share the same gearbox, but have different ratios. I think the transmission may have been a cost-saving measure since they are made in China, while the engine and final assembly are in Ohio and Michigan respectively.

Meatcoma > 92LX302
02/21/2014 at 11:02

Of course - 2010 Camaro lol but I'll still look it up.

sgtyukon > DIYautoFTW
02/21/2014 at 11:03

You're telling me you reserved a Mustang convertible from a car rental company and they gave you a Mustang convertible? How did you manage that? What's the secret? Whenever I reserve a Mustang convertible, I always get a Chrysler 200. Consequently, I don't do that anymore. In fact, I don't think I've ever gotten anything but a substitute (I call them "Or Similars")for any car I reserved from any rental car company anywhere or any time.

glimbo > FoxFive0
02/21/2014 at 11:07

I also purchased a '13 V6 with the manual, however I rectified the shifter shortcomings, by buying a Hurst shortshifter and installing it myself. It is a relatively easy install and makes a tremendous difference in shift quality.

I hoon, therefore I am > DIYautoFTW
02/21/2014 at 11:24

Did you make the run up 89A to Flag? That's a pretty good, quick drive. Then the 40 to Holbrook, down to Payson, and to Lake Roosevelt. From there you can run Tortilla Flat down to AJ, arguably the best drive in the greater Phoenix area. Alternatively, you could head south from Sedona and take the 260 over to Payson - it features a bunch more twisties than the 40.

Man, this makes me want to take a weekend drive! I'll have to do so once I get the suspension done in the E24...

89stang1 > DIYautoFTW
02/21/2014 at 11:25

Not bad! good looking mustang well i am into mustangs owning many, still i gotta say you should have took a V8 ...nice pics

vxxsc > DIYautoFTW
02/21/2014 at 11:25

Great write up! I've had the V6 mustang convertible as a rental car, but I have to say it was a pretty horrendous. Power was good.. That was about it. Handling was pretty mediocore, basically no feedback, interior was terrible and overall it felt like I was driving a pile of rusted nails. Not really much quality in the car, but I suppose that's how they offer it so cheaply. Even closing the doors inspired no confidence in the car.

bill19696 > DIYautoFTW
02/21/2014 at 11:32

[IMG]

Kinja'd!!!

[/IMG]

bill19696 > bill19696
02/21/2014 at 11:40

I have a 2013 V6 with the Performance Package, Recaro seats, Roush springs and some obvious aftermarket striping to resemble the GT500. This car has truly unbelievable performance and value for the price.

Handling overall is excellent and I would bet it could hang with an M3 in the twisties. There is some body roll on the stock springs that can be addressed with some performance springs. Steering feel is a little numb but is accurate.

The manual transmission has a bit to be desired, but is functional.

Motor Trend was able to achieve a 0-60 time of 5.3 with this car, which I think is accurate.

Interior is much better than it used to be. It's simple and functional. The plastics on the dash is excellent in my opinion. However the plastics on the console and doors has much to be desired.

I drive this thing in Minnesota in winter. We just had 12" of snow last night. I throw on some blizzaks and 100 lbs in the trunk and it is fully acceptable to drive, although I will definitely buy a winter beater next year.

All in all, I like it very much. It's fast, turns heads and is probably THE BEST performance value out there.

MEESTALUBBA > DIYautoFTW
02/21/2014 at 11:41

my last two rentals were v6 mustang convertibles in honolulu and L.A. i had just as much fun crusing around as anything else. glad i didnt get an econobox.

92LX302 > Meatcoma
02/21/2014 at 11:43

Yeah I know. The Roush exhaust is pretty much a straight-through design, should be similar to the SLP LM2.

rocknroll_jeph > DIYautoFTW
02/21/2014 at 11:44

That was a good write up with nice pics too! I recently have driven the same rental car without the convertible top. I had booked a car and when I went to pick it up they asked me if, for 18$ more I would like to upgrade. I was about to say no until they said it was a Mustang. Well I've got a soft spot for them so I said yes. Just a few months before that I had rented a 2012 Mustang GT from Hertz for 2 weeks. I do like how the technology is better in the 2013. I liked the info in the center screen and the option of selectable gear changes with the sports mode that mine had. That is one thing that I thought the GT was lacking. Additionally, just a few weeks before renting the V6 Mustang, I just had bought a 2011 V6 Camaro. After daily driving my Camaro for a few weeks and then getting in the Mustang there were some very big differences. The engine in the Ford doesn't seem as ready and snappy as the Chevy, my Camaro has so much grunt in the low RPMs and it feels like a bigger engine than it is, but the Ford is just not as refined or ready to pull. Getting on the highways was almost like a chore, and when the pushed into high RPMs, the noise isn't as sexy as the GT or my Camaro. Also as much as I like the design of the Mustang's interior, it just looked dull compared the the Camaro, and I can't stand Ford Sync. After 3 or 4 rental Fords I am starting to understand how to use it with my iphone, but it is more trouble that I would have liked. The system Chevy uses isn't much better either, and I think the sound quality is better in my Hyundai Tiburon than in the Camaro. With the Mustangs, especially the V6 (probably because of the tires), they don't feel as secure to drive as my car. Specifically when going over bumps or potholes while turning, the back end on the Mustang is very loose, the suspension defiantly isn't refined without IRS. In both Mustangs that was very noticeable and really disappointing. However, when I was in the GT I took it from Las Vegas to LA. It was during winter and going over the pass (name forgotten...) it started to snow pretty heavy. The GT was really confidence inspiring and I didn't see the traction control light up once during the storm. I was passing most other traffic and the car didn't slide or get loose once.

I also liked the interior customization options in the Mustangs. I had fun changing all the dials, foot wells and interior LED colors, the V6 Ford is the best on gas and had a very nice info computer that was fun to play with as well as selectable gears, the 5.0 GT was a blast to drive and looks great (Blue with white stripes, fog lights in the grill, ohhh yeah...) It was more than 6 months between driving the GT and buying my car, and to me the Camaro feels just as powerful and ready to get up and go as the GT, as well as having a better transmission. I always love to row my own, but in all the auto cars I have driven, the Camaro is the best one I have ever used. (Except for a Ferrari 430, but I only drove that 10 min and didn't really get a feel for it so maybe Chevy out did the Italians...?)

Anyway, I think all the cars have great qualities, I am happy to live in a world where with in the course of a few months I can drive some of my dream cars and even own one as well. I was always a Mustang fan, by the way, but my Chevy seems to fit me best, I can wait to rent a new Mustang in a few years to see the difference.

DirtyBird > DIYautoFTW
02/21/2014 at 11:59

Owned a 2013 v6 for just over a year and an aftermarket muffler makes a world of difference, had fun hooning around southern california in it. and i thought the auto in them was awesome. nothing quite like putting your foot down and feeling it drop 2 gears readline then shift (at which point if you were on the highway your doing a few over the limit pretty quick. also have to watch your speed cause it creeps up without you knowing it)

srouxd162 > Meatcoma
02/21/2014 at 12:03

I have the Corsa axle-back on mine. Very nice sound. Kind of "european" in it's tone.

http://v6mustangperformance.com/modifications/…

Meatcoma > srouxd162
02/21/2014 at 12:06

Still got that V6 twang, not saying it's bad but nowhere near a V8.

brian > DIYautoFTW
02/21/2014 at 12:12

Had to sign up just to comment on this. Last may, I did the exact same trip, in the exact same car. Same color too.

I have the exact same pictures as you also. 89a was an amazing road. I didn't get to see much scenery as I had to focus on the road. Sedona is a great place, and Jerome was amazing. Stopped in both towns for beer/snacks. I have the same picture of that building in Jerome that was pillaged (I cant remember what it was anymore), and also the picture of the view flanked with the mountains on both sides.

This reminded me of my trip. Great fun.

CobraJoe > Meatcoma
02/21/2014 at 12:26

Personal thought: Who cares if it sounds like a V8?

V6s can sound great. Different, but great. So why try and make it sound like something it isnt?

M54B30 > DIYautoFTW
02/21/2014 at 12:56

I rented an identical one in San Antonio for a week from Dollar. I liked it, but found the auto transmission's programming to be just terrible.

Art > DIYautoFTW
02/21/2014 at 13:06

I owned a 2011 5.0 and I can say that in stock form the 2011-2014 mustang 5.0s are so quite that you hardly hear the exhaust at all. Of course that was quickly fix with a roush axle back and now the car sounds glorious.

Although you choose the worst possible mustang in theory a v6, auto transmission and convertible, the v6 is no longer a chicks/secretary car. The car is faster than almost anything out there short of a v8 and if well equipped of course. The best v6 would probably be the manual, coupe with 3.73s capable of running high 13s in the quarter mile. The convertible you chose is probably a low 14s car, still pretty capable considering an FRS is lucky to break into the low 15s. So in terms of performance the v6 is great.

I would still never own a v6 mustang simply because the heart of a mustang lays in the basics, one of which is missing in a v6 car, a v8 of course. Of course that's all the BS that we car enthusiasts take into consideration, but the general public wants other things. In which case, the v6 mustang makes perfect sense.

Art > 92LX302
02/21/2014 at 13:12

I agree, it doesn't sound bad maybe a bit tiny but still sounds aggressive unlike the camaro v6 which sounds like one of those grass trimmers. At least that's how my friends v6 camaro sounds with an after market exhaust. If I was him I would rather just keep the car stock, and quiet.

92LX302 > Art
02/21/2014 at 13:21

Yeah, it's hard to get a V6 sounding good. I'm used to loud engine (Longtubes, O/R X-Pipe, Flowmasters on my cammed Fox + my dad's similar set-up on his '11 GT), and it pisses me off I can't make my DD Ranger sounds good.

JellyBeanDonuts > DIYautoFTW
02/21/2014 at 13:28

Nice write-up. I just got back from a trip to SoCal to get out of this awesome MI winter. Also rented a V6 Mustang convertible, and had a very similar impression. Plenty of power and a fun car, but that transmission was frustrating. Even my wife was wishing for a manual. You take better pictures than I do.

Kinja'd!!!

foxbody > DIYautoFTW
02/21/2014 at 13:30

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

*As long as you don't exceed 120 mph

Road Rebel > DIYautoFTW
02/21/2014 at 13:34

Great and well written story. I agree the automatic is not very good, although on both the rentals I have had the "sport" mode worked. The first rental I had was a 2011 hard top, the shifter on that went straight back for PRND321, so you would shift similar to an Art Carr shifter. On the 2014 convertible I had that style shifter was replaced with the stupid buttons on the side of the shifter, they worked, but were by no means fun or easy to use. Ford should have either kept the old style shifter or gone to paddles for sport mode.

My biggest complaint though was the abysmal gear ratio in the base rental version. The new V6 has a lot of power once you get it spinning, but the gear ratios were wide and long. The 2011, must have had a different ratio than the 2014 as the 2014 didn't pop out of second until somewhere between 90 and 100MPH, the 2011 would pop out of second at around 70. The whole time I had both of them I was wishing for a manual with a 3.73 rear end. I think that would have really made the car work well at any speed.

Also having driven both I can attest that while the convertible does a commendable job holding the road it does not inspire the same confidence that the hardtop does. The hard top is more tossable and the additional stiffness is very noticeable especially when the road gets a little choppy. When taking a hard turn and encountering less than ideal tarmac the convertible would chatter and move about whereas the hard top would stay planted.

DIYautoFTW > I hoon, therefore I am
02/21/2014 at 14:04

We did after staying in Sedona but it starting pouring/hailing really bad which made us and everyone else take it slow. Was kindof a bummer but we had perfect weather on the way up.

DIYautoFTW > Tom McParland
02/21/2014 at 14:04

Thanks!

DIYautoFTW > rocknroll_jeph
02/21/2014 at 14:07

Nice, I ended up buying a GT a couple months ago, it would be cool to do a side by side with the Camaro. It does get a little squirrely if you hit a bump mid corner, I may have to look into the aftermarket to see if there is a fix.

But yea i've been pleasantly surprised by how well it drives in the snow with the proper tires.

DIYautoFTW > vxxsc
02/21/2014 at 14:13

I bought a GT a couple months ago. As an NVH engineer, the mustang is horrible for door closure noise (something companies often put a lot of work into believe it or not). Then I remember the 5.0 and quickly move on :)

DIYautoFTW > brian
02/21/2014 at 14:14

Nice! It was an awesome drive, I hope I have the opportunity to do it again.

Andrew T. Maness > DIYautoFTW
02/21/2014 at 14:17

Well written article man. I did the same drive, in the same car, with my girlfriend last spring. How much of the highway did you drive with the top down? We did a good chunk of it before she complained about being cold, even with the heat on...typical.

Blue2010SRT > Meatcoma
02/21/2014 at 14:46

Try here maybe? Although I'm sure you already have...

Meatcoma > Blue2010SRT
02/21/2014 at 14:49

Yep been a member since I bought my car. Thanks though.

Blue2010SRT > Meatcoma
02/21/2014 at 16:05

I figured if you were enough of an enthusiast to be a jalop, you would probably already have searched out & joined a dedicated forum, but you never know, so I gave it a shot. :)

Meatcoma > Blue2010SRT
02/21/2014 at 16:13

no worries. no harm, no foul.

srouxd162 > Meatcoma
02/21/2014 at 16:19

No I hear you, and I really miss the sound of my slow ass old 2V GT, but at least it's a good sounding V6 and not the rattly truck engine from the old V6 Mustangs.

j > DIYautoFTW
02/21/2014 at 18:55

Great road. 89 from the Canadian border it wonders, disappears and then reappears. I touches some of the greatest views in the country, Yellowstone, the Grand Tetons, around the Grand Canyon. The ride from Flagstaff through Sedona, Prescott and to Phoenix is something you shouldn't rush. Doing it in a roadster would beat being couped in my TT. But it is simply hours to be savored.

bill19696 > DIYautoFTW
02/21/2014 at 18:55

The manual transmission has a bit to be desired, but is functional.

Motor Trend was able to achieve a 0-60 time of 5.3 with this car, which I think is accurate.

Interior is much better than it used to be. It's simple and functional. The plastics on the dash is excellent in my opinion. However the plastics on the console and doors has much to be desired.

All in all, I like it very much. It's fast, turns heads and is probably THE BEST performance value out there. Today 11:40am

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Winklovic > DIYautoFTW
02/21/2014 at 19:23

Great article. I'll be in AZ in three weeks for my 13th visit. This story has me even more stoked.

DIYautoFTW > Bullitt417
02/21/2014 at 19:28

Its why I bought a GT too haha :) Got it a few months ago, loving it so far.

DIYautoFTW > Winklovic
02/21/2014 at 19:30

Nice! Definitely take that drive up to Sedona if you have a chance. If you have a fun car to drive even better.

DIYautoFTW > Andrew T. Maness
02/21/2014 at 19:33

Thanks! we did pretty much all of it with the top down, I just had to turn the heat on once we got up in altitude. Not so much on the way back as it was freezing rain and hail. Not as much fun.

rocknroll_jeph > DIYautoFTW
02/21/2014 at 21:26

Hope you like the GT. I probably would have bought a Mustang, but where I live the only legally imported American muscle car is the V6 Camaro, after 4 months, I have no regrets! Maybe I'll get a GT to keep in the US when my other car dies!

HijoDePuta > DIYautoFTW
02/22/2014 at 05:06

On our last trip to the Big Island of Hawaii, I spotted one of these sitting in the lot at the rental car company, and went inside to get my much cheaper Altima coupe. As luck would have it, they were out of the Altima, and the guy asked if there was something else I would like. I asked for the Mustang convertible as a joke, and he agreed! It helps to be on the last flight in to Kona at 10:30 on a Sunday night. :) Plus, most car rental agency personnel in Hawaii are very laid back, especially if you don't act like the assholes from NY, and complain loudly about the slow service, like the guy who walked in with me. I know the drill. They are on Island Time. They did not have his giant SUV either. He left in a Kia SUV, the dumb ass (I see this happen every single time we go there. Just be ready to wait, and listen to their stories, and don't rush them. I have received massive upgrades or discounts every single time, because I could care less how slow they are, and I will chat with them all they want. This applies almost any place in Hawaii).
There are lots of great roads on the Big Island, including the one where you turn left out of the airport heading to the Waikoloa Beach Resort, which was our destination. If you have ever watched the Hawaiian Iron Man competition, they love to show the portion of the bike race on this stretch of road, because it passes through a desert, and one of the hottest sections of the course. That is where people start to pass out. But in a rented Mustang V6 on a nice night, it is a blast to drive. Our bags mostly ended up in the back seat, but I did not care.
I drove that car like I stole it the entire time I was there. Fuck the gas prices (I ended up spending about $200 in gas at Costco). I looked for the curviest and most deserted route to any place we went. It is definitely the most fun I have ever had in a rental car. My wife is terrified of convertibles, but even she had fun when I let her drive it for a while. She pointed out that with the top down, it even seemed faster than my BMW. I did not have the heart to tell her that it was way faster than my e46 330ci, and the top being down had nothing to do with it.
I would not want to own one, but I will damn sure rent one again.

Bullitt417 > DIYautoFTW
02/23/2014 at 15:13

Congrats on the purchase and enjoy her!