Thread: 2010 FORD Mustang GT

Originally Posted by snoopy0812

haha you're welcome sorry it was so long winded.

Actually it was very informative. As was the review where the Gen-Coupe lost out to the V8 Mustang in every performance category tested (MPG not included). I’ve lost a basis because of it and I will at least test drive a V8 model this weekend.

It's good to know that you say "performance category" because the Genesis does have a better ride, better handling (in my opinion at least) and more tune-ability. But if you have no plans what-so-ever of making it a race car and are more partial to domestic styling (because your opinion of what looks nice matters most in this case) then I'd rather see someone driving a Mustang than a Challenger or Camero.

Originally Posted by Xavier6162

Actually it was very informative. As was the review where the Gen-Coupe lost out to the V8 Mustang in every performance category tested (MPG not included). I’ve lost a basis because of it and I will at least test drive a V8 model this weekend.

you really can't compare a v6 to a v8...completely difference class. thats like saying a honda civic can't compete with a v6 trans am in performance. Dollar for dollar, pound for pound, gen coupe beats out the mustang nonetheless...

I agree with you. You should not compare the V8 with the V6. The guys over at the Mustang sites laminate how their car (V8) beat the Gen Coupe in the 0-60, ¼ mile, 0-100, skip pad,…and that thingy they do around the orange cones. They would dare compare their V6 with the 3.8. The Mustang V6 is comparable, speed performance wise to the Gen 2.0.

I built a Ford Mustang GT to the same standards (equipment) to the 3.8 Track and ended up with a $38,XXX estimate.

I will test drive one this week end and post my “Opinion” here. Be warned, I am very honest and it might unintentionally offend.

Well I did it. I test drove the Mustang GT this past Saturday and then a used BMW 335i this past Sunday. And as I promised, here is a shot review:

2010 Mustang GT – This was there premium model with all the same features as the Gen GT or Track Model (including NAV and windowed Roof). Cost - $39,500 MSRP.


Interior

….looks plain/ boring by photo. In person the quality really stands out. Fit and finish, for a Ford, was exceptional. The leather seats looked custom made and appeared to me as thick as the actually cow’s hid. I mean thick as you’ll find on those $2,000+ riding saddles.

The gage cluster is simple but well done and believe it or not, look rather expensive. Do yourself a favorite, go see a Premium GT. You’ll love the interior.

The back seat was like a pocket...or like sitting in a hand. Very comfortable. Much more than the Gen Coup. And not meant for an adult. I’m 5’7” and rather fat (a different story for another time) and I was very content with the back seat. Provided that a child was sitting in the front with the front seat pulled up. Otherwise there is no leg room. And If I sat bolt up my head would impact the headliner.

My 9 year old daughter had to sit behind me because she could not fit behind the salesman. There was only 2 fingers width between the back of the salesman seat and the back seat. Not even enough for a baby.

As nice and comfortable as the back seat was it was actually quite a joke. Perhaps put there only for marketing purposes. Although my daughter loved that back seat and comment about it several times during the test drive. Eventually I had to silence her when she started comparing the Mustang GT premium seat to the Gen Coupe. Cause there really is not comparison.

Ride –

Exactly as I thought. The car looks heavy because it is heavy. And loud…the engine that is. Sporty ride. But it’s hard to see how the GT out handled the Gen. It behaved exactly like a muscle car. Perhaps pushing it would reveal just how spunky the Gen Killing handling could be but…The roaring engine (during normal driving) ding was scaring my daughter so I was looking for an early end.

We did find a long open road and open it up…despite my daughter’s protests. Well I’m sure this car is fast. Trotted and tested to be faster than the Gen Coup. Perhaps if it weren’t as loud and heavy and a tad smoother with it’s auto shifting transmission it’d feel faster. But there was nothing there to tell me why this car out performed the Gen Coup in “Every Performance” category from breaking to handling to clocked speeds.

Conclusion – Higher quality interior than the Gen Coup. Better fit and Finish also. Back seat is more comfortable for wee passenger (5’7’” and under) and you don’t get bounced.

Note of the back seats – My daughter and co-worker (separated) test drives thought the Gen’s back seat was extremely uncomfortable. So much so my 5’2” co-worker refused a second test drive (3.8 to a 2.0 Test) and decided to just wait for my return. And my daughter stated that she did not like riding in the back seat of the Gen (3.8 and 2.0 Base models) because the car kept bouncing her out of the seat. I take my daughter on test drive because she’d had never complain about ride experiences…until the Gen Coupe. Oh well, if I get it I’m sure she learn to like it.

Overall, the ride experience (for those in the front seat) is more pleasurable and fun in the Gen Coupe.

Now for the BMW 335i

2007 BMW 335i Coupe – I don’t know what all the features were. Especially since without actually ordering one, it is damn near impossible to by a BMW that isn’t already loaded with things you’ll never need….except LSD. But this one didn’t have A NAV system. Still had working SAT radio and a working BMW Help function that is similar On-Star. I’m sure with a BMW, everyone gets to use it at least twice. Once to test if it works (and it does) and again when your fuel pump dies just when you need to be somewhere else.

Certified Pre-Owed Cost $33,900 Internet cost, $36,500 You’s a Sucker Walk in Cost. (19K miles on the clock)

Let me say first off that I did not want to test drive this car because I felt it would be a waste of time. But I’m glade I did. I was told, and I’m sure you all heard, Never buy a BMW that is out of warranty” …and that quote is from BMW owners.

A Certified Pre-Owed BMW cost more, naturally, than Non-Certified because you are buying an extra two years or 50,000 mile coverage on top of the standard 4 years and 50,000 miles. That means your maintenance is covered for 5 years or up to 100,000 miles. It’s only 5 years and not 6 because the car must be at least 1 year old to qualify.

This sucks if you just happen to buy a used 2009 model. I’m sure like most dealerships, extended warranties are offered…for an arm, leg and your virginity, Which means for BMW most people don’t qualify…ugh...I mean don’t want it or can’t afford it. So there Certified Pre-Owed program is the Bomb. Fives years or 100,000 miles and pay for nothing…cept tires.

Now back on subject-

Interior

….Like the GT looks plain/ boring by photo. In person the quality really stands out. Fit and finish is a standard that few cars can ever achieve. The interior is simple but amazing. Fit and finish is what you’d expect at this price and something you’d expect to continue to impress for many, many years. Wow…it is very hard to impress me. And my daughter was blow away. I tried very hard not to notice the interior’s quality because I didn’t want to seem excited in front of the salesman. I’ll never win any acting awards that’s for sure. All I wanted to do was molest the interior. I do however believe that the leather seats in the Mustang GT were a TAD better. Or maybe it appeared a TAD better because of the age difference.

If you think that BMW owners are mostly stuck-up conservative Republicans who listen to AM radio talk show hosts like Rush Limbaugh, Doctor Laura Schlessinger, Sean Hannity, Glenn Beck, and Michael Savage, then why would they include a kick-ass 480 Watt 13 speaker premium sound system on such a car? What an outrageous waste. Although the Black Eyed Peas, “Boom, Boom, Boom” at volume “was dupe yo!” and had the rear and side view mirrors visibly vibrating with no speaker distortions.

Anyway

The Ride –

Holy Shit. Can I say Shit here? I don’t curse but I can’t find a more appropriate word. Why did I test drive this car?

The car has two drive modes. Holy Shit normal mode and What the Fuck sport mode (moderator please feel free edit – I just could help it). There is a reason that this 300 HP 3500lbs car does 0-60 in less than 5 seconds…while in the automatic mode.

It’s them tiny twin turbo producing 300 ft lbs of torque at only 1,400 RPM all the way to red line. I don’t know what the car does in sport mode, but the sport mode feels as if it increases boost and pins you to your seat like you are on a catapult. My daughter was weeeee-ing the whole trip. She wasn’t scare at all. Not a lot of noise and a very, very smooth acceleration. It was a very enjoyable fun ride. The Mini Cooper S (last year) was the last time we’d had that much fun driving a car. My daughter loved the back seat more than all the cars we driven to date. What a ride.

Conclusion – Any conclusion comparing a new Ford Mustang and Gen Coupe to the used BMW 335i is absolutely unfair. But since the price is close I did it anyway.

The BMW by far has the best/highest quality interior than the Gen Coup and Mustang GT. And for what you paid new for a BMW it better. It was also better handling, faster, easier and more fun to drive. The back seat it felt more like a sedan than a coup.

One of the things I’ve hunted for, and I know the aftermarket Tuners would never try to accomplish, is a way to make the Gen – Coupe a little more punchy with about another 40 horses and 50-70 ft pounds of torque with a small turbo. I think the Gen Coupe would be perfect at about 330-350 HP and 300 lbs of torque. But I think they (tuners) prefer to cater to individuals looking for a 400+ HP setup. A setup that requires too much attention (maintenance and drivability) and distracts from daily driving fun. Oh well…as long as there is a market for it than bless their hearts.

But there is also bigger market for the performance I’m looking for which is why cars like the BMW 335i does so well. It is prefect out of the box without the need to spend thousands to get it to break that magical 5 second mark. I had plan on spending just that to get my Gen-Coup up to that mark. But after all is said and done, I’d end up spending enough for a fairly new BMW 335i but without all the excessive noise from after market intake (noisy), plus exhaust (loud), plus header (too damn loud - What!)…then add turbo chatter (WTF!!!).

No decisions yet. I’ll wait to see what the Tuners do over the next few months. I’ll make a decision by June 2010. Just in time to see what the 2011 Gen-Coupe changes will be. Right now I’m leaning towards the Gen-Coupe. But who knows what will change between now and then. If I’m prepared to pay $35K pulse for a Gen-Coup with mods or a straight up un-molested BMW 335i will depend on the aftermarket players and their tuning results.

With such a well done review it's hard to know where to start. First off I'd like to agree with you that the BMW is in a different league than the Gen Coupe or the Mustang, honestly.. it's just better. My sister drives a 330ic (supercharged and chipped) that puts out over 400whp and and torque, and it's well manered enough for a daily driver (with her two kids) but strong enough for the autobahn. I'm pretty sure a 400whp GenCoupe would just spin in cirlces convulsively while telling Mustangs and Camero's to eat rice.

I've never driven a 2010 Mustang GT but my time at Ford let me drive a 2008 GT/CS, and I agree with your daughter, it's scary. They are rough and unrefined, but thats what they are best at.

As to your point about a small turbo to add a couple of extra ponies to the Gen Coupe, you could always spec out your own turbo, something small so it's quick to spool.