2011+ Mustang GT 5.0

[OC335sedan]

Guys,

I know the new 2011+ Mustang GT is "just a Ford", but I'm considering getting one in the near future. I'm looking at a 2011 GT premium, 6MT with the Brembo package and 3.73 rear end.

I've gotten a couple short test drives in them so far, but wondering if any of you who have gotten to drive the new GT can share your impressions?

Also, just as a note, I'm coming from a 135i, and have also owned two 335 sedans, 2 C5 Z06's, and some older Mustang 5.0's in the past (never owned an M3, at least not yet).

Thanks!

[mPlasticDesign]

Originally Posted by OC335sedan

Guys,

I know the new 2011+ Mustang GT is "just a Ford", but I'm considering getting one in the near future. I'm looking at a 2011 GT premium, 6MT with the Brembo package and 3.73 rear end.

I've gotten a couple short test drives in them so far, but wondering if any of you who have gotten to drive the new GT can share your impressions?

Also, just as a note, I'm coming from a 135i, and have also owned two 335 sedans, 2 C5 Z06's, and some older Mustang 5.0's in the past (never owned an M3, at least not yet).

Thanks!

I've driven one. It's nothing to sneeze at.

I have a feeling you will have better luck here:

http://www.mustangevolution.com/forum/

http://mustangforums.com/forum/index.php

http://www.moddedmustangs.com/forums/

http://www.stangnet.com/mustang-forums/

http://www.allfordmustangs.com/forums/

http://mustangboards.com/

http://mustangforums.com/

this is just a fraction of the Mustang boards out there. I can't believe how many there are...

[frenchM3dreamer]

and there are a few complete reviews on here as well

[Dave07997S]

Originally Posted by OC335sedan

Guys,

I know the new 2011+ Mustang GT is "just a Ford", but I'm considering getting one in the near future. I'm looking at a 2011 GT premium, 6MT with the Brembo package and 3.73 rear end.

I've gotten a couple short test drives in them so far, but wondering if any of you who have gotten to drive the new GT can share your impressions?

Also, just as a note, I'm coming from a 135i, and have also owned two 335 sedans, 2 C5 Z06's, and some older Mustang 5.0's in the past (never owned an M3, at least not yet).

Thanks!

I love Mustangs and was considering one before my 2011 M3. The issue I have with the Mustang ,and you may to considering as you have owned a 335i as well as a 135i, is the lack of refinement with the interior (yes even the 2010+ Mustang). It kills me they have premium materials on the dash but the doorpanels are as if you are in a 2005-2011 Ford Focus. Notice I didn't say the 2012 Focus (as they actually have a better build quality on the inside than the Mustang), but the previous generation.

The 5.0L powerplant is wonderful. Its rev happy, refined, and makes prodigious torque. I feel its a $40k engine in a $25k car, thats my main gripe with the car. Not to mention the lack of an IRS, even though Ford has done wonders with the live axle and I am totally sick of the retro theme.

The 2014 Mustang is the one to get, Ford will address most of these concerns.

Dave

[OC335sedan]

Thanks for your comments! I've sat in a new GT Premium 3-4 times and haven't yet found fault with the interior quality. Granted, the non-leather interior ones look horrible, but I've been pleasantly surprised when looking at the leather seats/steering wheel/dash on the premium model. Guess I didn't really take note of the door panels.

Appreciate your review...

[boostedM]

Torqueeeeee Nice car. I like em

[Motif]

I can't speak for a regular Stang but my Shelby is tits so far. If i was to buy a regular coyote then i would look at Mustang RTR.

[Herknav]

I wasn't considering a Mustang until I sat in the 12 Boss... now it sits next to my '10 E90 M....

[Black Gold]

The differences between the 5.0 and M3 were immediately apparent to me on a quick test drive.

My observations

-stang had very light steering
-stang was easier to drive smoothly bc of more linear clutch
-stang was faster and had a much torquier motor, but it still is rev happy
-the stang was very unsettled feeling, especially when going over rough pavement
-the m3 is much more confidence inspriring when driving fast
-the stang did not handle as well as the m3, although im sure with a good driver it could be driven as fast on a smooth track

Overall, the overboosted electric steering and wobbly feeling of the solid rear axle on real world roads made me dislike the car, although it had some excellent qualities as well.

If you drive one and dont notice these issues, go for it. Its a monster car with tons of easy power options.

[mmm def]

drove one, liked a lot. Decided to spend a couple more $ and picked up a CPO M3. For the $, new..the Mustang is tough to beat.

[I M STIG]

I did a review of the GT against my M3 and my brother's C6 Corvette last summer for my site: http://rawautos.com/2011/10/the-2011...a-2009-bmw-m3/

The GT is a hell of a car.

[I M STIG]

Originally Posted by KennyPowers

The differences between the 5.0 and M3 were immediately apparent to me on a quick test drive.

My observations

-stang had very light steering
-stang was easier to drive smoothly bc of more linear clutch
-stang was faster and had a much torquier motor, but it still is rev happy
-the stang was very unsettled feeling, especially when going over rough pavement
-the m3 is much more confidence inspriring when driving fast
-the stang did not handle as well as the m3, although im sure with a good driver it could be driven as fast on a smooth track

Overall, the overboosted electric steering and wobbly feeling of the solid rear axle on real world roads made me dislike the car, although it had some excellent qualities as well.

If you drive one and dont notice these issues, go for it. Its a monster car with tons of easy power options.

This is mostly very true. Owning an M3 and having ringed the 5-0.. it doesn't handle as well initially, but with some time learning and developing with it, you can make it do almost spot on what you can with an M3.

[Moo]

Wait for the next generation Mustang (MY2014/2015). New M3 will be out also by then...

[Sean Alexander]

I know it's supposed to be faster, but I've raced two (responsibly, save the lectures please) '11 Mustang 5.0 coupes, one auto, one manual. My car is an '11 E90 M3 DCT, no sunroof, no folding seats, the only non-cosmetic mod is a Macht Schnell intake w/ scoops. My car has the OEM Conti 3's with 9,800 miles on it.

In both instances I pulled and then held over two car lengths on the Mustangs through 100 mph. At no point did I get the impression they were going to close the gap, let-alone come around me. In other words, both victories were convincing...and felt great! Once the gaps were established, we always seemed to keep accelerating at about the same rate through the rest of the race, except a slight extension of the gap over the manual Mustang when he shifted.

The launch area was not prepped in either race, both were on standard asphalt, possibly a little dirty, but still what I'd call good/normal traction. I was using MDM in A-5 because it seems to get out of the hole best that way, with just a roll-in to the throttle, if I mat it too quickly, the rear tires will light-up too much and the DSC intervention becomes too aggressive. The quick roll-into the throttle in A-5 + MDM mode seems to give great launches every time on a non-dragstrip surface.

[Nine]

Numbers aside, I've heard great things from people who have rented these cars from Hertz or Enterprise, while on vacation.