Are we cylinder snobs?

bluecar · Sep 15, 2009

I glanced upon this in a Sunday newspaper:

Says the author: .........But there is a Mustang pecking order that intrudes on fantasy. My Mustang convertible was equipped with Ford's decent but decidedly workaday 210-horsepower, 4-liter V-6 engine. I liked it, and I suppose most ordinary drivers would like it as well. But Mustang aficionados sneer at the car.

To many Mustang lovers, a Mustang that isn't a Mustang GT with a big, romping 4.6-liter, 315-horsepower V-8 engine and a robust, baritone exhaust note isn't really a Mustang. And please don't try telling them that you are driving the V-6 because you are concerned about the environment and are trying to save fuel, which neither the Mustang V-6 nor the V-8 does a particularly good job of anyway. They will laugh at you.

"That's not even a GT!" another motorist shouted. "You stylin' and profilin' in junk!"

Well, the Mustang Premium V-6 convertible isn't junk. It's a fun car, an enjoyable car, one that supports the fantasy of open-air motoring in acceptable fashion...........

Here's the rest of the article:

Warren Brown - Dream Machine vs. New York Nightmare - washingtonpost.com

The whole thing is fun to read and just thought you'd enjoy. BTW I'm guilty. I tell my nephews and friends to count the tailpipes!

autumn_again · Sep 15, 2009

the tail pipe thing wouldn't work for me. my exhaust is dumped right after the axle hah.

i bought a gt because the power, the sound, and the feel. you don't get those things on a 6 banger. ive never heard a 6 banger exhaust sound good out of a mustang. i've heard fully worked 6 bangers that sounded decent, but still nothing like a nice v8.

the aggressiveness of the power with the gts are nice. you stomp on the gas and you feel all the weight transfer. my friend who has a car which is pretty close to being as fast as mine, says mine feels a ****load faster because of how the power is. its just in your face.

i grew up with v8s. my parents had a few mark vii when i was younger, then a 97 town car with a 4.6, and my brother has a 98 town car with a v8. these are all luxury style cars, but you still hear the v8. now you get in a 4 banger and start it up you can't even hear the thing running. i love the sound of my car. have the radio off half the time i'm driving.

i almost bought a 6 banger for my first mustang, but i knew exactly what i was going to be doing with it, and that a 6 banger would just put me so far away from my goal. so i started with my 94gt and got hooked.

rd · Sep 15, 2009

Yep, I like my V8, rear wheel drive, stick shift Mustang. Gets 25 mpg on occasion. But I bought it for the 315 ponies under the hood.

Wahoo!

40th GT · Sep 15, 2009

Yeah if the v6 model produces the same horsepower/torque numbers and was reasonably priced I would consider buying it.
But that would never happen because then GTs will be obsolete.

J.Cagle · Sep 15, 2009

I started with a v6 stang a while back. It looked like a gt, but when asked at the gas stations and such by other people "is that thing fast?" I would sadly say " no, its just a 6cylinder" and theyd just say "oh" and walk away. Now, I drive a completely stock 05 gt and get compliments on it everywhere I go. I couldnt stand driving the 6cyl. It was depressing,lol. Also it got way less mpg than my gt. I know I am guilty of looking down on a 6cyl mustang just the same as most.

cusp · Sep 15, 2009

Snobs? Naw. Cars are supposed to have V8s in them. The whole time I was growing up, it seemed very strange to see a car with less than a V8 under the hood. Unless it was a VW. But those were just odd anyway. Mom's car was, Dad's was, Grandma and Grandpa's were as were my 1, 3,and 5th cars. My 2nd was a 4 banger and the 4th was a V6. Tried them others now I am back to the tried and true V8 with rear wheel drive. Its just feels right.

racerraj · Sep 16, 2009

As long as it has plenty of power it's all good! Well, plenty of power and a V8 so it has that true V8 sound!

The Buick GNX was a nice ride and FAST. But... only a V6

oh9mustang · Sep 16, 2009

I don't know why the even make a V6 Mustang. What Ford should do is offer , as a beginning motor, a 4.6 that has 210 hp, but sounds like a V8. Even the Fox Cobra had 140 hp, but sounded good. Mustang has never been a finished product out of the showroom, Mustang has always been a platform that the owner makes his/her own. V6 mustang is not quite as bad as the 4 cylinder mustang but it's close. I guess the reason for the V6 is cost. But I would rather drive a older V8 than a new V6 anyday.

Mpov · Sep 16, 2009

Plenty of great performance cars have V6's, and plenty of V6's make more HP than the stock V8 on the GT. The problem isn't a V6 per se, it's the underpowered, gas guzzling antiquated V6 that Ford uses in the Mustang that's the problem. It turns the stock V6 Mustang into a poser car. My brother was in California a few weeks ago and rented a Mustang convertible. I just had to tell him that it is a completely different car than my V8, lest he think that my car drives the same.

Maybe after the Coyote is introduced next year a V6 upgrade will follow.

DarkFireGT · Sep 16, 2009

oh9mustang said:
I don't know why the even make a V6 Mustang. What Ford should do is offer , as a beginning motor, a 4.6 that has 210 hp, but sounds like a V8. Even the Fox Cobra had 140 hp, but sounded good. Mustang has never been a finished product out of the showroom, Mustang has always been a platform that the owner makes his/her own. V6 mustang is not quite as bad as the 4 cylinder mustang but it's close. I guess the reason for the V6 is cost. But I would rather drive a older V8 than a new V6 anyday.

Because it keeps the brand going. People buy the V6's for affordability, safety (don't want their kids in a V8), insurance, etc... Some people just like the look and don't give a crap about the performance. The V6 performs well for what it is. I wouldn't own one, but I have no problem with those that do. They just help keep the pony alive.

Mpov said:
Plenty of great performance cars have V6's, and plenty of V6's make more HP than the stock V8 on the GT. The problem isn't a V6 per se, it's the underpowered, gas guzzling antiquated V6 that Ford uses in the Mustang that's the problem. It turns the stock V6 Mustang into a poser car. My brother was in California a few weeks ago and rented a Mustang convertible. I just had to tell him that it is a completely different car than my V8, lest he think that my car drives the same.

Maybe after the Coyote is introduced next year a V6 upgrade will follow.

I always find it funny that V6 owners will say they bought it for the better gas mileage. After my mods, I usually get better MPG than them. That V6 is terrible on gas mileage, and mine does darn good after modding.

GT Dave · Sep 16, 2009

If my 9 year old daughter sees a guy driving a 6 cylinder Mustang she yells "girls car" out the window at the driver.
I wonder where she came up with that?

stangdude2000 · Sep 16, 2009

My first/previous car was a brand new 2000 V6 mustang. I bought it as I was getting my license. My dad wouldn't allow me to get a V8 - he lost his brother when they were teens/early 20s in a drag racing accident in a new 69 Z/28 Camaro. The whole "it's my money" arguement didn't work either - he had an effective counter with "you are living under my roof." Not to mention, I wouldn't have been able to afford a brand new GT at the time. I would've had to have bought a used one with less warranty which means more money goes into repairs (theoretically). I'm sure there are many situations similar to mine. At my high school, there were two other new Mustangs - both V6's - given to the classmates as gifts from their parents. The V6 just makes sense for the masses.

I got my new GT because I wanted a faster car. If I had the option between identically fast mustangs with say the rumored twin turbo six or the V8, I still would've picked the 8 cylinder because the sound makes such a huge difference in the experience. I'm beginning to shop for a new car and if I don't stick with a Mustang, I still have a V8 requirement.

TheVat · Sep 16, 2009

I would say most of GT owners are cyl snobs, some more some less. I respect the 4.0 because it is actually quite torquey off the line. It does fall on it's face above 50+ 5th gear when you want to pass, but don't want or need it to drop to 4th or 3rd. In my opinion, they sound pretty good when stock, not so when an axelback or dual is put on. Too much drone. When I look at other stangs, my eyes glance at the wheels, fogs, faux gas cap, rocker panels, emblems, rear facia, and for twin pipes. The 4.6 3V just makes a sound that no other engine can duplicate. Its linear/smooth power delivery is also quite satisfying. Like some above posts, I wouldn't mind 210 horses if it sounded like mine does. The V6 is still a great car and if it weren't for them, the upgraded models would not exist.

tr7driver · Sep 16, 2009

I almost bought a V6. At the time I bought mine (fall of 06) there were a lot of them on used car lots at pretty good discounts for a new body style. Every Ford salesman told me they came back and were “traded up” for a GT. I had one V6 all picked out, and then I drove a GT for comparison and never looked back. Saying that, I think the V6 has it place in the market and is a good value, especially if you are "insurance challenged" or an inexperienced driver. Look what Ford did to the new Taurus. I think it would be good to have a super V6 as an option slotted between the base V6 and the GT. It could generate some buzz for the stang and may bring more younger drivers into the Ford fold.

But since I got 8 I'll flaunt 8.

oh9mustang · Sep 16, 2009

Dark Fire
Please go back and actually read my post.
I said the V6 was because of Cost. I also said that Ford could build a 210 hp V8 Version to keep 16 year old parents happy, and the Fox Cobra was only 140 hp but it sounded good, A 16.5 second Cobra, That was awful.

LunaticFringe · Sep 16, 2009

I got my 07 GT partly cause I am a bit of a gearhead lunatic and like the sound and feel of the V8 but that's just my preference and I also like the aesthetics of the car and would be happy with a V6 if that was what I ended up with.

My first car was a 1967 Mustang with straight six and it was probably the funnest car I ever owned.

If you have a GT and look down on and deride someone with a V6 I can only imagine how you must feel yourself when you see someone with a really built GT or Roush or GT500 or 427R, etc. etc. I mean, lets face it, if you're in a stock GT you're closer to the bottom than the top.

autumn_again · Sep 16, 2009

LunaticFringe said:
I got my 07 GT partly cause I am a bit of a gearhead lunatic and like the sound and feel of the V8 but that's just my preference and I also like the aesthetics of the car and would be happy with a V6 if that was what I ended up with.

My first car was a 1967 Mustang with straight six and it was probably the funnest car I ever owned.

If you have a GT and look down on and deride someone with a V6 I can only imagine how you must feel yourself when you see someone with a really built GT or Roush or GT500 or 427R, etc. etc. I mean, lets face it, if you're in a stock GT you're closer to the bottom than the top.

eh the roush to me is just an overpriced body kit. yes it comes with bigger brakes, yes suspension upgrades, but with the money between a regular gt, vs the price of a roush, why not just get a gt and modify it to kick a roush's ass?

and i'm aware some roush models come with blowers, but its still the 3v 4.6 liter. its not a diff engine like the v6 and gt.

and oh9, like dark said, its not just about cost. alot of people dont give two sh¡ts what motor is in their car. they like the looks of the car.

you have to look at the other cars that were around that time period that are similar. the 5.0 was a good motor in its time, even when it was down to 150 horsepower or whatever in the early 80s. look at the power of other cars in its class from that time.

if ford came out with a 210 horsepower v8 now adays they would get laughed at. most gm v6's have close to 300 hp stock. bigger motor with less performance? dont see the good end of that deal.

oh9mustang · Sep 16, 2009

autumn_again
I'm guessing you wouldn't mind a 4 door mustang either. It's really not the HP it's the sound and the fact that it is a V8. I just wouldn't drive a V6 or even look at one. If you think a V6 looks like a GT, well go right ahead.
I didn't say Ford should ONLY have a 210 hp V8 , just a 210 hp V8 instead of a V6 , that would make parents happy and the car wouldn't sound like a bunch of tin cans being dragged behind the car.
Lets see, In 1981 Mustang had a 120Hp V8 and Camaro had a 190 HP 350 Z28.
Yea that's pretty comparable for the period.

Vulcan420 · Sep 16, 2009

My only point was that I like what I like for me but dont put anyone down for not getting the same and unless you are at the very top there is always someone else got something better it seems.

oh9mustang · Sep 16, 2009

Vulcan420
You can like whatever you wish to like. Even a V6. Go right ahead. If you feel like someone is putting you "down " for having a V6, well maybe that's you. I could care less if you drove a V6 or a 4 cylinder Mustang. I would just point and laugh. And you said "My only point was that I like what I like for me" Just were did you make a point? Your only point was nothing.
This is the only post you made.
If you like V6 , or chevy's, or trucks, or station wagons. Go right ahead, But having them excepted in the V8 Mustang world would be a little different. And if some don't have a stance, I would say, get on the other side of the fence.

Are we cylinder snobs?

bluecar

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autumn_again

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rd

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J.Cagle

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cusp

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racerraj

oh9mustang

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Mpov

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DarkFireGT

Playing with my wife's really makes me want one.

GT Dave

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tr7driver

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