5 Reasons Why I Don't Want A Mustang GT Over my V6 #blogpost
You all probably think I’m crazy, but this is the truth. After owning my 2016 v6 Mustang for a year, my amateur view of the car world shifted. I used to think that only certain cars can be considered “enthusiasts cars”. I based all my proof on brochure statistics, but you should never pass judgment on a car based on numbers alone.
The S550 v6 has grown on me, and every time I take it out for a drive, my want for a GT fades out. So, here are my reasons for not wanting a Mustang GT.
1: Balance
The mustang has always been the best bang for your buck horsepower car around. This all comes at a cost. While the GT now has an independent rear suspension, that doesn’t change the fact that it’s a boxer in a hurdling race. Sure the boxer hits hard and is considerably agile, but the actual track and field athletes are far better suited for the race.
The v6 on the other hand is lighter and more nimble. Rather than buying a whipple and hitting the drag strip, this car is better suited for track days and auto cross. Still, the v6 still has plenty of power stock for some trouble…
2: Useable Power
This is a fairly common term in the car world. It can almost sound like an excuse for slow cars, but I genuinely feel it in my car. I can push the car harder, and actually use all of the power in a regular drive (And yes, I can still do smokey burnouts).
The car still has its limits. I’ve accidentally broken traction multiple times (the most unexpected in 2nd gear at 40 mph…), and the car can still feel like a handful on the tighter twisty roads I usually drive on.
The v6 can be thrashed more with little consequence. A GT on the other hand isn’t as friendly in this regard…
3: It's Not Unique
In the U.S, modified mustang GT’s are very common. Even on the internet there are thousands of guys who think they’re clever for making a “5.0” or “coyote” pun as a user name. It’s popular for a reason, but a bagged GT with a muffler delete isn’t special.
Alternatively, how many clean modified v6 Mustangs have you seen at a car meet or heard of? It’s an unusual project that goes against the mustang norm. That raises curiosity. What’s this guy got up his sleve?
In the end, I have a lot more respect for a boosted v6 mustang than a GT with its mufflers chopped off (even if it sounds godly).
4: Pushing Power (Useable Power cont.)
Plenty amateur car guys think power is everything, saying “500 hp Is nothing bro!” (I thought that for a long time, so don’t get offended). Then there are experienced car guys who actually enjoy high powered cars. When you start dumping money into a GT to make it fast, you limit how much you can use your car. There’s no way that you can fully enjoy a supercharged 700 whp mustang while using all of its horsepower (and not shredding its tires) on the street.
The v6 has just as many modifications available, yet allows for gains that stay in the “sweet spot” of power. The craziest power v6 I’ve found has ~1000 horsepower (from 1320), and more relatable builds push up to 500 whp. For a RWD daily driven car that’s plenty.
5: The Shelby GT350
If I bought a v8 mustang, it would probably be the GT350. It fits what I value in cars. It has great balance, a unique motor, and actually turns! It’s base price is ~50 grand, or just 5 grand more than a premium GT.
If you think the price difference makes this point invalid, consider this. The extra money you pay for the GT350 includes “upgrades” that you would apply to a vanilla GT to make it barely keep up. Additionally, you get an amazing new motor built for the car’s intended application. There’s also part of a “Shelby tax”, but that’s insignificant in the grand scheme of things.
In the end, opinions on the mustang lineup depend on what consumers look for. Are you a former Mazda speed 3 owner who loves turbo fours? Have an eco boost. Do you want N/A power with a great chassis? Get a v6. Do you drag race? Here’s a v8!
Plenty of people have driven v6 mustangs and called them trash, and it just didn’t fit what they wanted from a mustang. This is a concept that not many people wrap their heads around. If you think a car is bad (if you’ve actually DRIVEN it), you’re just not the target consumer.
In the end, I love my v6, and look forward to many more years with it.
Thanks for reading!
Comments
If I ever got a Mustang or Camaro, it would have to have a V8. It’s as simple as that. I’ve driven my friend’s ‘15 Camaro RS. It’s great fun but, for me, it lacks the same grunt and beautiful sound that the SS has. As for driving a 6 cylinder car, my M3 suits me just fine. But a muscle car (or pony car, whichever term you fancy) needs a V8. That’s just my preference, though.
Totally understandable but why not go for the Ecoboost then?
Definitely the first I’ve heard this opinion. Being part of a mustang only club that has everything from a 90’ 5.0 to a s197 boss 302 and s550 EB, I’ve never wished to make less power? (13’ basic bolt on 5.0) with the exception of the rare rain in SoCal that is. Even then I just consider that drift weather haha. I guess I could see the V6 as a more comfortable daily driver but I can’t imagine the pros going past that?
Oh wait, I remember another pro, gas money!
This is pathetic. I’m sorry, if you buy a Mustang, the GT is the base option. I’ve owned two, the v8’s are the only ones that matter. Don’t want a v8, they’re plenty of 2 door accords for sale. Ijs
Very well put, I am one of those guys that have Turbo Charged the 3.7. I hear all the time “you should have just gotten a V8.” I wanted to have a unique car and boosting my 2012 3.7 accomplished that goal. My current numbers are 460WHP and 470 Torque using a Mustang Dyno.
My question is that why can’t V8 lovers respect other people’s rides. I love my 2002 V6
I respect your reasons and also understand some of them, but saying its “unique because of there are more v8’s then v6’s” or because “you can use all of your horses” sounds like an excuse to me.
I personally drive an E91 335i with ~380 hp (Vishnu tuned) and Its not possible to use the whole power very often, though would the 330i or 325i or even a 320i the better car or the better choice? I personally think not. And just because I can’t use the whole power everytime, it doesn’t mean that i can “enjoy” my car that much. Thats not what makes an enjoyable or fun car. If its that what makes you enjoy it more, than its okay, but I
think there is more too it, than just usabel power.
I also like that you can say “Hey, its not a V8, but it still is a nice car, because…”, but I can not aggree all your reasons. ;)
No gt or v6, 4cyl ecoboost 4 life😂
My first car was an 85 lx 2.3 at first I was thinking v8 swap, then I fell in love with it threw a gt wing on it and kept it clean and started thinking about just turbo ing the 2.3 sadly life didn’t work out quite like I wanted. Still miss that car. (Oh and FYI girls did not care what size the engine was if you know what I mean ;)
Completely see your point but you go for a mustang for its v8. If i wanted some balance instead, a mustang is the last car id go for. Youve got the best handling variant of a car that doesnt really handle simply because you like mustangs