C&D tests an '05 Mustang V6

[351CJ]

Feb Issue of Car & Driver.

V6 with Premium Pkg ABS+TC, IUP & side airbags = MSRP $22,890.

What they liked.
0-60 = 6.9 sec
1/4 = 15.3 @ 91 MPH.
They were surprised at how fast it was in a straight line, not that much slower than a 99-04 GT auto.
Styling & overall package.
The shifter lever look and feel
Auto trannie shifted very well, especially at WOT
The price - said that it's only a few grand more than Chevy Cobalt, implying that a V6 Mustang is a much better deal.

What they didn't like:
Crappy skid pad # of .79 G - they blamed the tires
Mediocre 70 - 0 stopping distance of 189' again blamed it on the tires
V6 engine is noisy and unrefined
Steering too light & fast
Rear axle shuder
Gages hard to read
Fuel economy gage (IUP) with up and down arrows is stupid

 

[hotmustang331]

My dads 5spd 00 V6 trapped 87MPH..I call that a good improvement.....96-98GT owners LOOK OUT for this car, a freegin 6 is trapping as high as your V8s, jeeze what is the world coming to. I semi raced a 96-98 GT once in the 00 and it was VERY close, he pulled maybe a 3/4 -1 car on me from around 15-20 to 55 or 60MPH.

 

[Ernad]

15's no that bad for a car that should sell for high teens

 

[hp2k5]

Feb Issue of Car & Driver.

V6 with Premium Pkg ABS+TC, IUP & side airbags = MSRP $22,890.

What they liked.
0-60 = 6.9 sec
1/4 = 15.3 @ 91 MPH.
They were surprised at how fast it was in a straight line, not that much slower than a 99-04 GT auto.
Styling & overall package.
The shifter lever look and feel
Auto trannie shifted very well, especially at WOT
The price - said that it's only a few grand more than Chevy Cobalt, implying that a V6 Mustang is a much better deal.

What they didn't like:
Crappy skid pad # of .79 G - they blamed the tires
Mediocre 70 - 0 stopping distance of 189' again blamed it on the tires
V6 engine is noisy and unrefined
Steering too light & fast
Rear axle shuder
Gages hard to read
Fuel economy gage (IUP) with up and down arrows is stupid

With a good tune and some minor performance adjustments that little V6 could definately give the 99-04 GTs a run.

 

[Zedoc]

What they didn't like:
Crappy skid pad # of .79 G - they blamed the tires


Steering too light & fast

I like light and fast steering. Remember one finger power steering? That's how the '60s cars steered. I thought it was one of the more endearing features.

Crappy skid pad numbers? That's not crappy skid pad numbers. It might not be a Lotis Elise but it's a lot better than it used to be.

 

[05'StangLover]

great times with an auto-trans

 

[BlackArtemis]

I still can't believe that C&D could only pull a 15.1 in a 99+ auto GT, the 99+ v6 can hit that.

 

[351CJ]

I still can't believe that C&D could only pull a 15.1 in a 99+ auto GT, the 99+ v6 can hit that.

Let me see your time slip.

The only way a 99-04 V6 with auto trannie will make 15.1 is if the track runs down hill and you have a good tail wind.

 

[Florida Bob]

I agree that the gauges are hard to read during the daytime.

 

[flyboy_323]

I thought that that the 99-04 GT's are well into the 14s. My 95 GT should be able to pull a high 14 ideal conditions, a good driver, and a 5 spd when it was stock. A 99 should be quite a bit faster.

 

[BlackArtemis]

Let me see your time slip.

The only way a 99-04 V6 with auto trannie will make 15.1 is if the track runs down hill and you have a good tail wind.

I own a GT

 

[Mike00GT]

With a good tune and some minor performance adjustments that little V6 could definately give the 99-04 GTs a run.

It would take more than just a tune, and minor work to make up a 50hp and 60 lb.-ft. gap. jmo

 

[Bobbys97R]

I have a 95 GT VERT stock 5sp and I could pull 15.1 all night and it was ricer slow LOL anyways thats not bad for a 6ER

 

[hp2k5]

It would take more than just a tune, and minor work to make up a 50hp and 60 lb.-ft. gap. jmo

I didn't say beat the GT ... Just give the 99 to 04 Auto 4-Speed GTs a good run

 

[Mike00GT]

I didn't say beat the GT ... Just give the 99 to 04 Auto 4-Speed GTs a good run

 

[5-SpeedStallion]

Let me see your time slip.

The only way a 99-04 V6 with auto trannie will make 15.1 is if the track runs down hill and you have a good tail wind.

The auto 6 couldn't do a 15.1, but the C&D did a 15.1@90-91 with a 5-speed 99 V6 when it came out.

 

[BlackArtemis]

The auto 6 couldn't do a 15.1, but the C&D did a 15.1@90-91 with a 5-speed 99 V6 when it came out.

Which shows their 15.1 in an auto GT is sad. THe auto gt is around 14.3-.5 in a good are and good driver. That means a .7-1.0 difference in speed a small tune is not going to give it a run for it's money.

 

[Mustang5L5]

I still can't believe that C&D could only pull a 15.1 in a 99+ auto GT, the 99+ v6 can hit that.

I have personally witnessed a '02 GT Automatic run a 14.2 Bone Stock.

C&D times have never impressed me. I bet a bettr driver could prob pull a 14.9 out of the '05 V6.

 

[jadesville]

I have personally witnessed a '02 GT Automatic run a 14.2 Bone Stock.

C&D times have never impressed me. I bet a bettr driver could prob pull a 14.9 out of the '05 V6.

I've seen it not once, not twice, but multiple times.

Those are some pretty damn good numbers for the V6.

 

[JonJon]

With a good tune and some minor performance adjustments that little V6 could definately give the 99-04 GTs a run.