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I'm at 100k miles on my 3rd V6 5-Spd Mustang that I bought new (1994, 1998, & current 2004 ... over 320k miles total). I'll be needing a new car late this year / early next year and the 2010 Mustang still has the pathetic 210 HP 4.0 V6 that was sourced from the Explorer and is based on a 70's design block that 1st appeared in the imported Mercury Capri. Yes this is a little better than the 193 HP 3.9L I've got in my current car, but not by much.
Am I jealous of the Camaro's state of the art V6 borrowed from a 40k+ Caddy ?? You bet !!
After reading last week that the MT version will get 17/29 MPG on regular unleaded plus it comes with Limited Slip Differential & True Dual Exhaust w/ X-Pipe as STANDARD equipment I'm thinking Chevy may just convert this life-long FORD MAN !!
I modded both my '98 & '04, adding comfort & performance enhancing features N/A from the factory including Dual Exhuast and Limited Slip Differential. These two key features I can no longer live without and still to this day I would have to ADD these to a 2010 V6 Mustang.
Why don't I just buy a V8 GT ?? I drive 400 miles a week ... 60-70% of this on the interstate w/ cruise set at 75 MPH. The only time I miss a V8 is when I'm out on 2-lane road and I want to pass in a short zone, otherwise the V6 is almost as much fun as a V8 with the added comfort & performance features. If I want V8 power, I can take my '69 Mustang (351W 4-Spd) or '67 Fairlane (HO 5.0L / C6 AT) to get my torque fix.
Why don't I just buy an econobox as a daily driver ?? Ever since I bought the '94, I've been hooked on RWD and Manual Transmission ... when not on the interstate I like to play a bit.
I could just buy another V6 / 5-Speed Mustang and mod it like I did the other two. But why, when I can buy a similar car at a similar price from Chevy that I will be quite pleased with out of the box that has 44% more HP / 14% more torque and gets 3 MPG better on the highway. Add the 3 gallon larger gas tank and it has a range of 323/551 miles vs. 272/416 for the Mustang (27% more average). And to think it does this carting around an extra 400 lbs. !! The weight difference is probably the only thing "Camaro vs. Mustang" that bothers me ... how much better yet would the Camaro be if it did not weigh 11% more ??
Durring my normal work week commute, my '04 gets 27-28 MPG (EPA rating was 20/29) on ethanol free 93 Octane Premium (using an SCT flash tuner program). The new Camaro "state of the art engine control" will automatically compensate for better fuel so if it gets 29 MPG with the more conservative EPA ratings on 10% ethanol 87 Octane, what's it capable of on the GOOD STUFF ??
I'm guessing low to mid 30's which is exactly what I got driving my son's 2700 lb. 4-door Cavalier (2002 w/115HP 2.2L) for most of last Summer !! Was this fun ?? Hell no ... but I sure dreamed of a car that combined the Mustang FUN with that Cavalier's frugality and range !! Chevy just made my dream come true ... someone please poke me, are you sure I'm not still dreaming ??
Doug
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