After an enlightening conversation with the wife over Stampie's Saab, she decided to enable me. Now I'm thinking about Mustangs.
In approximate order of importance:
So what options or packages should I be looking for? We are seeing options for ~$20-25K, is that about right in this berked up economy? What else should I be aware of?
In reply to Mr_Asa :
I've been intrigued by the 3.7L V6 that made 300 hp and 30 mpg.
There was a track pack option offered on the V6.
Id go with grabber blue just because it's iconic.
In reply to John Welsh :
The V6 is nice, but I worry that I'd try to modify it too much? Not that I wouldn't also have that problem with the Ecoboost...
Was it just called the Track Pack?
At my last job I traveled a lot and I'd often get a rental Mustang. Many of them were grabber blue. I do love that color. The dark green is nice as well. Basically anything but grey. Berk grey.
I dunno.. I bought a 21 GT PP manual. I think it porpoises too much. 460hp is good but doesn't make the pin you in the seat until 4k. The 5 spd with single OD isn't horrible but not great. IRS is just ok. Really needs either the metal inserts for the stock bushings, poly, or just go metal. Don't worry, there is already plenty of nvh. The stock summer only pirellis suck. I love the 3.73 torsen even if the torsen when cold stays locked and chirps the inner tire when turning. I get about 20mpg in mixed driving cruising at 80 on the parkway.
I have one. It's my daily driver and I really like it. Convertibles are kind of scarce right now, at least in my area. I see a few of the fastbacks for sale.
In reply to Mr_Asa :
Heated seats and Florida?
Am I missing something. You planning to move north?
In reply to Snowdoggie (Forum Supporter) :
Manual trans convertibles seem to be even scarcer. This then certainly increase the chance that when the right car comes along, it will be the wrong color. So, in preparation of this wrong color, I wonder if a few hundred dollars worth of color stripes might be enough to offset your disdain for "the grays"? Sample:
In reply to John Welsh :
We have an S197 V6 six-speed that we use as a track car. It's reliable, and cheap, and to be honest as much fun as my E36 M3 ever was on track.
I instructed in a sixth generation V6 six-speed, and it was really competent in stock form. The car didn't have the track pack, and was running the all-season 17 inch base tires. We ended up with a bit of manageable brake fade, but nothing that better pads wouldn't address.
A friend of mine is selling a 2018 Ecoboost convertible. Orange but automatic. 60K miles $24,000. Tuned for a bit more oomph and owned by enthusiasts who took very good care of it.
Indy - Guy said:In reply to Mr_Asa :
Heated seats and Florida?
Am I missing something. You planning to move north?
I like a warm butt. Don't judge me.
Fer sirius, periodically its nice when my back hurts. Also I run hot enough that it can be in the 40s out and with just the heated seats I can drive at interstate speeds in a short sleeve shirt with the seats on blast. The heated seats are also AC'd seats, which is a definite plus for Florida.
In reply to KyAllroad :
I'm not quite ready to pull the trigger, and I would like a manual, but I'll keep it in mind.
Mr_Asa said:Indy - Guy said:In reply to Mr_Asa :
Heated seats and Florida?
Am I missing something. You planning to move north?
I like a warm butt. Don't judge me.
Fer sirius, periodically its nice when my back hurts. Also I run hot enough that it can be in the 40s out and with just the heated seats I can drive at interstate speeds in a short sleeve shirt with the seats on blast. The heated seats are also AC'd seats, which is a definite plus for Florida.
Especially paired with convertible top down, heated seats ROCK. Even when it's relatively warm.
Which one is the sixth gen? I counted on my fingers and came up with SN95 but that can't be right.
Pete. (l33t FS) said:Which one is the sixth gen? I counted on my fingers and came up with SN95 but that can't be right.
It depends what you consider to be the generations, but it seems this discussion is about the current model, the S550.
A coworker had a coupe for a while. It was a manual car. He did the ford performance pack, which was a gt350 air box and ford performance tune. He said he had a big problem with IATs. Within a couple miles of driving he said he would start to see around 200* IATs and the car would be down noticeably on power. He went to a larger intercooler and they would normally stay within 10*s of ambient. He also put on different charge pipes.
With the mods he ran a best of 13.4 at 101 on the stock street tires in the Texas heat.
Engine started making awful noise and way down on power at 32K miles, Ford replaced engine under warranty. He sold it after and bought a 5th gen Camaro SS Convertible. He says he likes the camaro more, and this is coming from a mustang guy that has a blown S197.
84,000 on my Ecoboost Convertible with no problems. That's driving to work every day and an occasional autocross.
Just about as reliable as any Honda I have ever owned.
Pete. (l33t FS) said:Which one is the sixth gen? I counted on my fingers and came up with SN95 but that can't be right.
What Wikipedia lists as the Sixth gen. Not sure if that is generally accepted, but the math seems to work.
In reply to Mr_Asa :
15 and up. If your researching, youll probably have your best luck using S550, thats what I always hear the mustang guys using.
In reply to Mr_Asa :
True dat on the heated seats. My 06 HHR had them, didn't realize how much i needed them until I sold that car. Almost as good as a massage session, and when it does get cold they make being in the car comfy until the heat gets warm.
In reply to John Welsh :
The V6, manual transmission, and track pack was what I wanted, too, but together they are practically unicorns. That said, I personally would avoid the Eco-Boost and go with the V6 in a convertible. The 3.7 in a RWD configuration is probably THE most reliable engine in a " modern " Mustang. Oddly, the same engine in a FWD Ford is a bomb waiting to explode. (The water pump is situated differently in the FWD platforms.)
But then, I wouldn't mod the engine in a convertible, just get the V8.
BTW, I do own a V6, automatic transmission, Premium trim, Mustang convertible. Unfortunately, my budget dictated the 4 liter (Ranger) V6, and not the newer/better 3.7 liter engine.
Is there a Recaro seat option on the S550? Are they heated too?
Don’t discount the later S197’s. Everything you’re looking for with the 305 HP V6 except IRS. These are decent handling stick axle cars with the right tires, ride quality is good as well. I’m pretty sure heated seats came with the premium package but mine is a V8 so not 100% sure on the V6.
Edited to add: Everything in the 11GTCS stable at this time has heated seats with the exception of the company sled. That will be rectified in the next round. 11GTCS aging butt and back really appreciates heated seats when it’s cold. 
There's nothing wrong with any of the available engines but personally I'd want a V8. Not for the power so much as the sound.
I love heated seats. I'd been known to run them with the AC on. They feel good on my back.
APEowner said:There's nothing wrong with any of the available engines but personally I'd want a V8. Not for the power so much as the sound.
I love heated seats. I'd been known to run them with the AC on. They feel good on my back.
Our V6 has a Ford Performance exhaust, and an "Air Raid" intake. It makes great noises. Not V8 noises, but certainly nothing boring.
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