"Bryan doesn't drive a 1M" (bryantakespictures)
06/20/2016 at 13:33 • Filed to: mustang
5
21|
"Bryan doesn't drive a 1M" (bryantakespictures)
06/20/2016 at 13:33 • Filed to: mustang | 5
| 21 |
First, here’s my brief Mustang background: Before I could drive, I got a ride in a Fox body and thought it was the fastest thing ever. Later, I got to ride in my uncle’s 2005 GT and thought it was pretty fast. I’ve since rented a V6 Mustang three times over the last 10 years, the most recent being last week.
I tolerated the previous Mustangs, because I knew just how much their automatic transmissions and not-so-great V6's (not the more recent 300hp one) were holding them back. Without the V8, it’s really hard to forgive the terrible interior, visibility, and ride and the mediocre handling and acceleration. They were still fun as rental cars go, but I was always happy to return to whatever car I owned at the time.
I think the latest Mustang is one of the best looking cars you can buy at any price. And 300hp in the V6 is nothing to sneeze at, so I figured I’d give it another shot. What else was I going to do, rent a Malibu?
Exterior 9/10
Every single time I returned to the car, I was excited to get in and drive it again. Even in dense Philadelphia traffic. However...
Interior 4/10
Not my photo, not my car
The non-premium interior is a big improvement over the previous car, but if it’s not crap, it’s crap-adjacent. That infotainment area up top is some of the laziest design I’ve ever seen. Also I could not get the seats into a comfortable position after a silly amount of time trying. But hey, fake carbon fiber!
Acceleration 6/10
Not slow, by any means, but it doesn’t feel viscerally fast like some other 300hp cars. Sport mode helps by making the gas pedal more responsive, but the whole thing just feels kind of mushy.
Sound 6/10
Nice, for a V6. Before hearing the latest Camaro V6, I’d even say it was exceptional, but I can’t claim that anymore.
Handling 7/10
Good, with good steering. Only real reason it’s not higher is because I’ve test driven the track pack and it is a little better than this.
Ride 5/10
Not great, and exacerbated by driving on horrible roads and even cobblestone in Philadelphia.
Conclusion
A huge improvement over previous Mustangs and if it wasn’t so beautiful, it would simply be a great, fun car. The V6 is a fantastic engine. It revs quickly, sounds nice, and has decent power/economy. Ford puts this engine at the bottom of the Mustang food chain, but it deserves to be showcased in a car where it would get the respect it deserves. That will never happen, though, because Ecoboost has taken over. Not necessarily a bad thing, but sad for one of the best V6's I’ve ever driven.
WiscoProud
> Bryan doesn't drive a 1M
06/20/2016 at 13:40 |
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I find it interesting that a 300hp V6 is the “base” engine. That’s not much less than what the 350z was putting out.
Milky
> WiscoProud
06/20/2016 at 13:44 |
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Well the Mustang also weighs more and its a decade later.
Steve in Manhattan
> Bryan doesn't drive a 1M
06/20/2016 at 13:49 |
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No - I would have asked for this review. Rented a V6 convertible Mustang maybe 18 years ago - it was a fine way to spend a long weekend.
The Dummy Gummy
> Bryan doesn't drive a 1M
06/20/2016 at 13:50 |
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You forgot your body count number. How many pedestrians have you hit?
Future next gen S2000 owner
> The Dummy Gummy
06/20/2016 at 14:05 |
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All of them.
duurtlang
> Bryan doesn't drive a 1M
06/20/2016 at 14:21 |
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I want to rent a Mustang during my first trip to the US (mid to late July; pickup location Boston). I don’t want to be given an Accord due to the ‘or similar’ caveat. What would be the best option?
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WiscoProud
> Milky
06/20/2016 at 14:27 |
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Actually looking the listed curb weights on wiki, they seem to overlap. The heaviest mustang is heavier than the 350z, but they’re closer than you might think. You mentioned its a decade later. That's my point, its crazy how far engine tech is coming, 300hp v6 engines are the base motor.
Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
> duurtlang
06/20/2016 at 14:32 |
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Have you checked out Turo.com? Should be able to find something interesting through that.
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Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
> Bryan doesn't drive a 1M
06/20/2016 at 14:34 |
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If you have driven the Camaro too, how do they compare in your opinion. I really enjoyed the Camaro rental I had. It was a proper hoon machine and the paddle shifters were actually fun to use. But mostly it was the sound. I just kept downshifting all the time for the obnoxious growl. Sure it was heavy but it didn’t feel like it was over 4000 pounds, chevy did that suspension right!
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Bryan doesn't drive a 1M
> The Dummy Gummy
06/20/2016 at 14:36 |
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Tons of pedestrians tried to get hit. Driving in Philadelphia was a treat.
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Bryan doesn't drive a 1M
> Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
06/20/2016 at 14:39 |
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Comparing the previous gen Camaro and the previous gen Mustang (both auto V6 rental cars), the Camaro was way more fun. Turn in was faster, and it felt more tail-happy. Haven’t tried the latest Camaro, though.
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duurtlang
> Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
06/20/2016 at 14:40 |
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Airbnb for cars? Interesting, thanks! Any experience renting there?
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Bryan doesn't drive a 1M
> duurtlang
06/20/2016 at 14:41 |
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The Mustangs are pretty common, so you should be fine. There seems to be a Camaros or similar option and a Challengers or similar option too sometimes, so I don’t know what “or similar” even means. If it helps, I went through Budget and got the car I asked for.
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Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
> duurtlang
06/20/2016 at 14:52 |
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Exactly how I describe it to people, so you know how it works then. I rented a mini cooper s from there in California once. It was great to actually get a manual for a rental and have it for so cheap. That specific car had some issues like bald tires and leaking oil but it made it through the trip without blowing up. I have an upcoming rental this 4th of july holiday for a Scion FRS. Should be another fun manual to try out! That car seems a bit nicer and newer so I think it will be a little more reliable.
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The Dummy Gummy
> Bryan doesn't drive a 1M
06/20/2016 at 14:54 |
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Ah. Did you avoid them throwing batteries at you?
Pistol Whipped Cream
> Bryan doesn't drive a 1M
06/20/2016 at 15:24 |
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I’ve rented both from Hertz (previous gen) and overall enjoyed the Mustang more. It was a bit (very little bit) easier to see out of. Just my preference...
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Milky
> WiscoProud
06/20/2016 at 15:26 |
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I like your positivity but the Z’s “base” engine put out 300hp in 2006. Yea $27k then is a bit more now but I dont think many people find a 300hp v6 crazy today.
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WiscoProud
> Milky
06/20/2016 at 16:17 |
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I'm still stuck in the 90s and 00s where the performance cars only had 220hp. All this new fangled technology still has me amazed.
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Milky
> WiscoProud
06/20/2016 at 16:57 |
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My car’s is engine is from ‘97 and it only has 215hp from a V6, so I feel you. I actually get upset about MPG’s though. Like how every new car is considerably faster while getting the same or better mileage.
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Bryan doesn't drive a 1M
> The Dummy Gummy
06/20/2016 at 17:06 |
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Didn’t see that happening, but that would have been upsetting.
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WiscoProud
> Milky
06/20/2016 at 17:47 |
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Yeah, that's what kills me too. I have a whopping 235hp in my land cruiser (320 torques) and get about 15-15.5mpg on my commute. I almost get angry when I see the power and mileage on new pickups.