Is the Pony Package worth it?

[jakoye]

I finally came to a decision regarding my car purchase. For a while I toyed around with the idea of getting a GT. I also considered the new Eclipse and a 350z, but I came back to the Mustang for its price, looks and value. And now I've decided to go with the V6. To me, 90 more horses just isn't worth $4K more.

So the question is whether to get this new Pony Package option on my V6. First off, it's $1,200 bucks. That seems a little steep. But then I look at what it gets you and maybe it's a good deal after all:

- Anti-Lock Brakes with Traction Control ($775 for that option on its own)
- 17" Wheels (doesn't seem to be an option for the V6 otherwise)
- Larger front stabilizer bar and a rear stabalizer bar (not otherwise avail. for V6)

With all these improvements, it seems like the package is a bit of a no-brainer. I don't really care about the other appearance items, but these handling improvements seem well worth the cost.

Opinions?

 

[shooterm1]

06 Mustang's new Pony Package option / it's $1,200 bucks.

- Anti-Lock Brakes with Traction Control ($775 for that option on its own)
- 17" Wheels (doesn't seem to be an option for the V6 otherwise)
- Larger front stabilizer bar and a rear stabalizer bar (not otherwise avail. for V6)

YES! / Yes! / & yes!!

go for it, absolutely!

 

[merlinsteele]

I guess I haven't factored in the other options, but it seemed to me that every car with the Pony Package was running around or over 24,000 bucks. I guess looking at it like you are, would be correct, about $4,000 more for the V8. I keep wanting to go ahead and get the V6 as well, and the Pony Package 'is' tempting me. I don't know... I just keep thinking, will I be kicking myself a couple of years from now, or sooner, for not waiting?
I DO like the gray or silver car with pony package, with the similar interior and bullitt wheels. Pretty sharp overall, IMHO.

 

[ChldsPlay]

Yeah, I think it's worth it. I wish I had ordered mine with it. I got the ABS anyway, and now I want the wheels. Those 2 alone are worth the $$. Throw in the sway bar and the nice emblems, and it's a good deal. The only reason I didn't want it was because I really don't like the grille at all. But now I realize I could have just replaced it with the standard V6 grille.

 

[Pliskin]

Its no where near -JUST- 90hp for a GT. There are a lot more factors to consider when comparing the GT and Pony Package. The GT isn't just the same V6 with some more hp...its a V8. Those two extra cylinders to make a difference. Trust me. There's a lot more to consider like I said. And if you're trying to convince yourself to do it, then it's not what you need to do. Make sense? Not saying you are or anything. And I'm just trying to be helpful.

 

[Roni]

The pony package does look sweet...

 

[The Fang]

The v6 gas mpg is 4 and 5 mpg more than the v8. imo that is worth it. compare the stickers and notice the standard 5 speed gets 1 mpg better than the automatics.

 

[jakoye]

I guess I haven't factored in the other options, but it seemed to me that every car with the Pony Package was running around or over 24,000 bucks. I guess looking at it like you are, would be correct, about $4,000 more for the V8. I keep wanting to go ahead and get the V6 as well, and the Pony Package 'is' tempting me. I don't know... I just keep thinking, will I be kicking myself a couple of years from now, or sooner, for not waiting?
I DO like the gray or silver car with pony package, with the similar interior and bullitt wheels. Pretty sharp overall, IMHO.

I understand your dilemma, Merlin, cause I've gone through it myself. But there's simply too many advantages to buying the V6 over the GT for me. Obviously the basic difference in sticker price is a factor. The significant difference in insurance rates is also something I've considered. One of the most important factors though is that I need a car NOW, not some vague time in the future. I can buy the V6 now, the GT... *maybe* next year sometime.

And where the decision point is reached is when I realize that I wouldn't know what to do with a car with 300 horses anyways. The fastest car I've ever had was a '85 300z and I just looked the specs up on that year and it only had 160 horses! Wow, it sure *felt* fast!

So I figure 210 from the V6 should be more than enough for my purposes. I'm not a street racer and have only gotten two tickets in my life, none in the last 13 years. It's not that I putt-putt along at the speed limit, I don't, but I'm also not trying to set any land speed records out on the freeway. I think that for the real-world driving that I actually do, the V6 will be more than enough for me.

Of course, I'll still admire those who buy and can afford the GT and coming Cobra. Those guys (and gals) definitely have my respect. Maybe one of these days I'll join them in horsepower Valhalla, but for now, it's six cylinders for me. And I'm more than okay with that!

Cheers!

 

[jakoye]

Its no where near -JUST- 90hp for a GT. There are a lot more factors to consider when comparing the GT and Pony Package. The GT isn't just the same V6 with some more hp...its a V8. Those two extra cylinders to make a difference. Trust me. There's a lot more to consider like I said. And if you're trying to convince yourself to do it, then it's not what you need to do. Make sense? Not saying you are or anything. And I'm just trying to be helpful.

Understand, Pliskin. And I have thought about the GT, a lot. But in the end, it just doesn't make sense for me from a financial point of view. $4k may not seem like much, but it's significant to me. Add on the fact that I plan on getting the Street Scene body kit and window tinting and that $4K difference becomes larger and larger.

I won't lie: I am most interested in the Mustang because of its looks. And the difference between the GT and the V6 in that area is minimal. I've read enough posts on this forum to know that there's almost a stigma to buying the V6, especially among guys, but I've never been one to bow to other people's perceptions of how I should act. Not saying that's what you're trying to do at all, but there is that element on this forum.

I choose the V6 with its puny rolleyes six cylinders and 210 horses and I think I'll be very happy with that choice. I've wanted a Mustang since I was a kid. Hell, they could put a 4-banger in there notnice and I'd still buy it ('course, I'd be a *little* disappointed at that!). But I think a V6 is "good enough" for me and the driving I do, so that's what I'm gonna get.

I look forward to posting pictures and impressions when that happens. Should be sometime in the next few weeks (work is *very* busy now, so I have to push it out a little).

Thanks for the response.

 

[jakoye]

Yeah, I think it's worth it. I wish I had ordered mine with it. I got the ABS anyway, and now I want the wheels. Those 2 alone are worth the $$. Throw in the sway bar and the nice emblems, and it's a good deal. The only reason I didn't want it was because I really don't like the grille at all. But now I realize I could have just replaced it with the standard V6 grille.

I'm a little uncomfortable with the grille as well. Mostly the silver line of metal (or is it plastic!) that connects the fog lights and forms the "corral" around the pony. I think it looks a little cheap.

But I think I've found a solution: I'm just gonna paint the pieces I don't like black, so they don't stick out as much. I *might* keep the corral around the pony, but the rest of it will have to go. It'll still be there of course, but it'll be a *lot* less noticeable blacked out.

I don't think I want the stripes... I already *know* it's a Mustang and don't need a sticker to tell me that! I also have never liked the stock rear spoiler, so I'm gonna see if I can delete that part. Probably not, as these "packages" usually don't allow the deletion of individual items (I see on the Ford website that there's a tape stripe delete option, but not spoiler delete option).

The 17" bullit wheels don't impress me all that much, but I do like them better than the stock 16" wheels. And hey, when it comes to wheels, size matters!

Slap that Street Scene body kit on there, tint the windows, maybe a new hood and damn that baby will look sweeeeet!

 

[merlinsteele]

I understand your dilemma, Merlin, cause I've gone through it myself. But there's simply too many advantages to buying the V6 over the GT for me. Obviously the basic difference in sticker price is a factor. The significant difference in insurance rates is also something I've considered. One of the most important factors though is that I need a car NOW, not some vague time in the future. I can buy the V6 now, the GT... *maybe* next year sometime.

And where the decision point is reached is when I realize that I wouldn't know what to do with a car with 300 horses anyways. The fastest car I've ever had was a '85 300z and I just looked the specs up on that year and it only had 160 horses! Wow, it sure *felt* fast!

So I figure 210 from the V6 should be more than enough for my purposes. I'm not a street racer and have only gotten two tickets in my life, none in the last 13 years. It's not that I putt-putt along at the speed limit, I don't, but I'm also not trying to set any land speed records out on the freeway. I think that for the real-world driving that I actually do, the V6 will be more than enough for me.

Of course, I'll still admire those who buy and can afford the GT and coming Cobra. Those guys (and gals) definitely have my respect. Maybe one of these days I'll join them in horsepower Valhalla, but for now, it's six cylinders for me. And I'm more than okay with that!

Cheers!

Well, I'm glad that at least Someone can make up their mind! AND be happy with it! I know I'm frustrating the salesmen that I see a lot, because around here they know me pretty well, but I just have to be happy with my purchase, even if it's only a 'measly' 20 grand or so.

And you Have made a good argument for going ahead and getting a V6, almost for me even! I think if I were smart, I'd go ahead and get a nice looking V6 myself! In fact, I let a good one get away, screaming yellow, with about all the other options that I like. But oh well, I'll continue waiting and watching, scheming behind closed doors, making up my mind about added aftermarket parts, then changing my mind later down the road! Believe it or not, waiting for the right time is kind of fun for me, for some strange reason.

 

[ChldsPlay]

Well I hope there is a spoiler delete options on the pony package. If there isn't, then I take back what I said about wishing I had. I could have got my Mustang about a month earlier, but it had a spoiler, and that was a deal breaker for me. I don't know why Ford is so damn spoiler happy that they want to throw it on all the damn cars. It's much better without it.

 

[Excepcion13]

I bought the Pony package and have no regrets! I LOVE the way it looks (posting pictures soon on V6 Tech) and handles. The larger front stabilizer bar in the front and the addition of the rear stabilizer bar make my car stick to curves, and I take them fast!

To echo some of the other posts, my 'tiny' 4.0L V6 provides plenty of power. I am slowly modding my car (mostly appearance now) but that is to get used to the added power incrementally. Otherwise, I would be a statistic!! Next mod--MAI (there are no true CAI for the V6 that I have seen) and a tune. After that, limited slip diffrential. Think I will stick with the 3.31 gears and keep my MPG good. However, L/S is a must IMO.

Are there faster cars out there? Of course! I talked to a 2.0L Toyota MR2 driver who has over 360 RWHP! I saw a 350Z supercharged with 460 HP. Who cares?!? I just want to be able to pass slow ass drivers who travel through the beltway looking lost, zoom along backroads as fast as I dare, spin my tires when the light turns green, and know that my car is described as 'beautiful' by everyone who sees it. However, the GT is an AWESOME car, and IS more than just .6L and 2 cyinders, but like others, I could not justify the extra $5-9K extra (depending on dealer mark-ups) for it at this stage in my life.

Oh, and 'hung' with a GT on the road yesterday. Behind him at a light, we both punched it, and I was like an annoying little brother who would just not go away!!! He was probably just being nice, though. Didn't want me to look bad with my girl in the car!!! However, I will have my GT500 in 2009 (Law School graduation present to myself), and I promise not to make fun of your 'puny' 4.6 N/A engine...

 

[nyyankee]

If you were looking at a 350Z then go for th GT or you will wish you did in time. Over the long haul the money should not matter. You can't take it with you when your gone.

 

[shooterm1]

In my opinion, Ford should have offered a Limited Slip Rear End option for the Pony Package.

It is the final piece in the puzzle ...

 

[Excepcion13]

In my opinion, Ford should have offered a Limited Slip Rear End option for the Pony Package.

It is the final piece in the puzzle ...

True.... I thought I DID have it. Imagine my surprise....

 

[jakoye]

In my opinion, Ford should have offered a Limited Slip Rear End option for the Pony Package.

It is the final piece in the puzzle ...

Does the GT come with a Limited Slip Differential standard? And if it does, do you know if it's fluid or mechanical-based?

Also, how much would it cost to get a differential installed in a V6? Seems like it would be some major money.

 

[Excepcion13]

I am pretty sure that some of the V6 Tech guys have had L/S put on. I think Scrming has a Ford TLOK. The parts themselves are not too expensive--anywhere from 250-500 depending on what you want. Labor in your area is anyone's guess. Here in NVA I have found it anywhere from $45-$100 and hour. The $45 is WAY out in the country, though... If I get everything put on at once, it will be worth it.

 

[Blu Angel]

I finally came to a decision regarding my car purchase. For a while I toyed around with the idea of getting a GT. I also considered the new Eclipse and a 350z, but I came back to the Mustang for its price, looks and value. And now I've decided to go with the V6. To me, 90 more horses just isn't worth $4K more.

So the question is whether to get this new Pony Package option on my V6. First off, it's $1,200 bucks. That seems a little steep. But then I look at what it gets you and maybe it's a good deal after all:

- Anti-Lock Brakes with Traction Control ($775 for that option on its own)
- 17" Wheels (doesn't seem to be an option for the V6 otherwise)
- Larger front stabilizer bar and a rear stabalizer bar (not otherwise avail. for V6)

With all these improvements, it seems like the package is a bit of a no-brainer. I don't really care about the other appearance items, but these handling improvements seem well worth the cost.

Opinions?

Today I saw my Mustang with Legend Lime with Cashmere interior I ordered. The Pony Package definitely finishes off the look. Those bullitt style 17" wheels are fabulous, the handling should approach the GT, and the additional smaller fogs just add a wonderful detail to the front grill. Personally, I like the rear spoiler but did DELETE the tape stripe option.

This coming from a tried and true GM fan!!!! This is the first ford vehicle in my family....both my son and daughter love the new Mustang. They'll both be driving it but somehow I think my son will get it most of the time!
Delivery scheduled for Nov 8, 2005

 

[jakoye]

Today I saw my Mustang with Legend Lime with Cashmere interior I ordered. The Pony Package definitely finishes off the look. Those bullitt style 17" wheels are fabulous, the handling should approach the GT, and the additional smaller fogs just add a wonderful detail to the front grill. Personally, I like the rear spoiler but did DELETE the tape stripe option.

This coming from a tried and true GM fan!!!! This is the first ford vehicle in my family....both my son and daughter love the new Mustang. They'll both be driving it but somehow I think my son will get it most of the time!
Delivery scheduled for Nov 8, 2005

Awesome, Blu.

Make sure you post some pictures when you get it.