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Login to post Forums » Grassroots Motorsports » Help me pick a new car! '12 MS3 or '12 V6 Mustang Base

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Dec. 23, 2011 7:38 p.m. clutchsmoke Reader

They're within $1k of each other. They both handle great. Both would make great daily drivers that would see some HPDE and AutoX. One is much less practical than the other. Their gas mileage is pretty close (Fuelly says 23-26 avg for MS3, 25-26 avg for V6 Mustang).

MS3 Pros: Boost is fun! Practical Good handling Nice interior Slight sleeper factor I can get it for invoice without any hassle

Cons: FWD Turbo (something to keep in mind i.e. cooldown etc.) Not too much aftermarket (though I suppose it doesn't need much) Shift feel could be better Not as good looking as Mustang The red interior accents aren't a turnoff, but not attractive looking either Front end is a little weird, but I like it for the most part

V6 Mustang Base Pros: RWD Styling More of a cockpit feel Pretty cool V6 that sounds great Cheap plentiful aftermarket (can really make it handle with a couple mods) Excellent trans as far as shifter feel/throw So far seems reliable

Cons: A little heavier than MS3 Less practical (but that's expected of a coupe) Need to upgrade wheels (maybe not a con?)

Anything I'm missing? I'll probably keep the car at least 6 years. I'm leaning towards the Mustang as I much prefer the driving dynamics of RWD. This will most likely be my only car in the Chicago suburbs. Though I might keep my Civic around for a winterbeater.

HALP!
Dec. 23, 2011 7:50 p.m. Curmudgeon SuperDork

I think I'd go Mustang since you like RWD. Just don't disable the speed limiter.
Dec. 23, 2011 8:02 p.m. RexSeven SuperDork

The motor mounts on the MS3 suck and contribute to many of its downsides (sloppy shifter, slightly sloppy steering, wheel hop). Shifter feel on the MS3 can be much-improved easily by adding solid shifter bushings, a better rear motor mount, and better transmission fluid. I went with TWM Motorsports bushings/Custom Performance Engineering RMM/Motul fluid on my '07 MS3. If you go that route, budget $200 and about 1hr.-1hr. 30min. of time.

MS3 doesn't have nearly the same aftermarket as the Mustang, but there are plenty of companies that make quality parts for it:

www.awrracing.com
www.cobbtuning.com
www.corksport.com
www.cp-e.com
www.streetunit.com

I like my MS3 a lot, but to be honest, I miss having RWD in a daily driver. I am seriously considering trading it in next year, and the 2013 Mustang V-6 with the factory Performance Package is on my shopping list (I liked it when I test-drove it). I'm also looking into the '13 Genesis Coupe with the 271hp 2.0T and the Scionbaru FRBRSZ.
Dec. 23, 2011 8:03 p.m. corytate HalfDork

spend a bit more for a gt=]
Dec. 23, 2011 8:59 p.m. jstein77 Dork

The GT is $10K higher. For $24K, the V-6 'Stang with the performance package is a hell of a bargain.
Dec. 23, 2011 9:19 p.m. Woody SuperDork

The Mazda is probably a better car, but I've always wondered what you could accomplish if you properly modified a modern V6 Mustang. I know which thread I'd pay more attention to...
Dec. 23, 2011 9:40 p.m. nderwater SuperDork

Have you compared insurance quotes for both cars? I take it you've driven them both - could you elaborate on your driving impressions?
Dec. 23, 2011 10:18 p.m. pigeon Dork

Just don't remove the speed limiter on the V6 'stang and run 135 in it
Dec. 23, 2011 10:37 p.m. Brett_Murphy Dork

Please to be explaining the handling of the Mustang with mods.

I test drove a Mazdaspeed3 and it made me giggle. The pull from 30-70 was fantastic, and it felt really well planted.

I've not driven a Mustang, but I'm starting to question as to why that is.
Dec. 23, 2011 11:19 p.m. z31maniac SuperDork

Owned a '10 Speed 3 for a year, loved it. Practical, fun GREAT road trip car. Crap mileage when driving it fun though, can get decent mileage if you stay out of boost.

Seems like a really odd pair of cars to be comparing.

One thing would be to check on insurance, ill bet the mustang is 50% more.
Dec. 24, 2011 9:06 a.m. Javelin SuperDork

z31maniac wrote:

One thing would be to check on insurance, ill bet the mustang is 50% more.

And I bet the V6 Mustang is 50% less than the turbo sport compact.
Dec. 24, 2011 9:07 a.m. Twin_Cam SuperDork

If we're talking about a new MS3, hell no. I wouldn't drive a car that looked like that even if it could lap an F1 around a track. A first-generation MS3, though, now THAT is a sweet car, and it's good-looking, too.

So, Mustang. 305 hp for $24K? I seriously wish I had money for a new car right now. I would definitely leave the speed limiter in, though!
Dec. 24, 2011 9:30 a.m. aussiesmg SuperDork

Or request the V8 driveshaft.
Dec. 24, 2011 9:37 a.m. Javelin SuperDork

The optional V6 Performance Package includes the following:

• Strut-tower brace
• Larger front sway bar and SVT rear sway bar
• Unique front springs
• Unique front and rear calipers with performance friction pads
• 19" painted aluminum wheels
• 255/40R19 summer-only tires
• Unique stability control calibration
• Gloss black side mirrors
• 3.31 rear-axle

No GT driveshaft, but still worth it!
Dec. 24, 2011 11:28 a.m. mguar Reader

z31maniac wrote:

Owned a '10 Speed 3 for a year, loved it. Practical, fun GREAT road trip car. Crap mileage when driving it fun though, can get decent mileage if you stay out of boost.

Seems like a really odd pair of cars to be comparing.

One thing would be to check on insurance, ill bet the mustang is 50% more.

You'd be wrong.. Insurance for the V6 Mustang is very affordable.. (not so for the V8) 300 hp 6 speed gear box 31 MPG on the highway I'd pop for the handling package (it cuts mileage down to 29 MPG ) With Fords new found attention to reliability and high owner loyalty that's gonna be a affordable car.. Snow days, leave it home drive the rust bucket..
Dec. 24, 2011 11:35 a.m. mndsm SuperDork

I'm biased. I've had my 07 ms3 for going on 5 years now. As far as aftermarket, it IS out there. That list up top is pretty complete, with people offering nearly anything you can think of from those companies. Cobb is getting back into the hard part market after a couple year absence due to MS3 owners being d-bags, And CPE and Streetunit have been turning out quality parts for a number of years. Hotchkis, Cobb, Tripoint offer RSB's for the car, which is a must. I know squat about the v6 mustang, but it is on my short list.

Also, the ms3 doesn't grenade at 135...or 150. Or so..i've...uhh...been told. Yeah, been told.
Dec. 24, 2011 11:38 a.m. aussiesmg SuperDork

How often have you had it at those speeds?

Just wondering how you know that.
Dec. 24, 2011 11:56 a.m. mndsm SuperDork

Um.... once or twice? I did it once shortly after I got it.... I have a bad habit of pinning cars and holding on. Then there was the other time I needed to make a pass on a whole line of cars.....
Dec. 24, 2011 12:12 p.m. aussiesmg SuperDork

he he, I knew I liked you
Dec. 24, 2011 12:22 p.m. DWNSHFT Reader

Six years is a goodly long while to keep a car. One nice thing about the functionality of the wagon is that it can stay with you if your life needs change. As in, wow, you find the right girl and get married. The wagon is good for moving into the new place. And a car seat fits in the back (I checked). It's unfortunate to have to sell a good car that you like and want to keep, just because it no longer fits your needs. While I planned to keep it for another ten years, I'm selling my truck since I bought an Outback to haul the car seat.

David
Dec. 24, 2011 12:31 p.m. Aeromoto Reader

I'd never get in hock for a V-6 Mustang. About 6 payments in after the newness charm has worn off, You'll be saying "I coulda had a V8" for 4.5 years of more payments.
Dec. 24, 2011 12:34 p.m. mndsm SuperDork

Yeah, other than the fact that I have Star Specs and some serious swaybars in it, my ms3 retains 100% of the functionality of any normal 4 door hatch/miniwagen, but at ludicrous speed. Part of the reason I didn't dump it when the boy arrived.
Dec. 24, 2011 2:55 p.m. RexSeven SuperDork

mndsm wrote:

Also, the ms3 doesn't grenade at 135...or 150. Or so..i've...uhh...been told. Yeah, been told.

I can vouch for this. With facts and figures, of course. Yeah, facts and figures, that's right...

Aeromoto wrote:

I'd never get in hock for a V-6 Mustang. About 6 payments in after the newness charm has worn off, You'll be saying "I coulda had a V8" for 4.5 years of more payments.

Have you driven a 2011+ V-6 Mustang? They aren't at all the jokes they used to be. In terms of straight-line speed the Performance Pack. V-6 is about a wash with the MS3 and off by 2/10 sec. of the 05-10 Mustang GT in both 0-60 and the 1/4 mile. There are already ECU tuners out there that can give you a street-legal 350-375hp and there's one V-8 S197 Mustang owner here who has said that a stock-ish V-6 driver in his club can wax the GT guys on a road course.

Could I have a V-8? Sure. I could also have to live with the much higher monthly payments and insurance and lower gas mileage if I buy new. IMHO it's also going to be a while before used 2011+ GT prices are going to be GRM cheap- the Coyote V-8 is a big improvement over the Modular V-8 and the new V-6 is a quantum leap over the old Essex and Cologne-derived V-6s.

However, I would spring for the factory Performance Package or at least the 3.31 rear end and roll your own suspension. The regular V-6 Mustang's performance suffers quite a bit with the softer suspension and higher rear-end gearing.
Dec. 24, 2011 3:26 p.m. mguar Reader

In reply to Aeromoto:

300 Horsepower in the Mustang will be an extremely pleasant surprise.. It will kick older V8 mustangs all over the playground..
I suppose you could hold out for the 650 HP mustang Shelby GT500 But that's north of $70,000 by the time dealer mark-up is added.. The V6 Mustang? less than 1/2 the price.. I'd hate to even try to calculate the insurance difference.
Dec. 24, 2011 3:29 p.m. 92CelicaHalfTrac SuperDork

Doesn't the 3.31 rear end make that scary driveshaft spin even faster? Or do i have that backwards?

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