27th Nov 2010, 12:45
I owned not one, but THREE V-8 Mustangs before switching to the 4.0 for my last one. I don't miss the harsher ride, higher fuel cost and higher insurance. I could drive a Mercedes if I chose to, and I live in a very upscale suburb. I just have no need or desire for things I don't need or use. I like the Mustang styling. Engines are never seen anyway. All our friends think it IS a V-8. And I think it is the V-8 owner who has issues with hostility. No one should get that worked up over what engine a car has!!
27th Nov 2010, 13:45
I date a psychologist myself, and hear none of these profound car observations. I have been around quite a few in social settings. When the comment drifts off briefly on automobiles, it is typically about a new Mercedes or Infiniti they own. Unless they have a group of car enthusiasts as patients with muscle cars, it's so unlikely to gather this information. It's likely a personal opinion formed from their own experience. Makes a good read however.
What I have heard however, is that if someone has a true passion for anything positive (in my case I love the car hobby), they will find myself with less likelihood as a patient. That also applies to any other positive outlet as well.
I have never heard the V8 or V6 debate that's for sure.
28th Nov 2010, 08:13
I am not a psychologist, but here's my take on why someone would spend 50000-80000 on a classic true big block car. Baby boomers have a dream car that they always wanted. In my car club, we have member stories. A neighbor driving a car by when they were walking to school. Or a car they couldn't buy when in school or started a family. I waited 40 years to own my latest. A real deal, not a clone replica or tribute car. It's pride and a sense of accomplishment from very hard work. You can buy a lookalike or a plain jane 6 cylinder, but it's never the same. I have the exact car exact options and even the color combination I wanted. Then I get to drive and show my car. I have won a number of trophies over the years with nice cars, but never took the really big plunge.
You only live once. It's really cool to know some of my friends had the chance, even if it was brief, and a couple recently passed. I went to a funeral; all sports cars, 1954 to present, including my last buddy's rare car behind the hearse. Maybe the psychologist's viewpoint may be enlightened by a real owners observation. People have dreams, and it's great to fulfill them some day. It's not just money. What gas costs or tires, it's much more.
29th Nov 2010, 06:56
It's nice to have a car where it's more than dollar and cents.
The writer liked the V8.
29th Nov 2010, 08:24
Things are getting rather too personal in here, so I'm disabling new comments on this review.
Ford presumably sells both V6 and V8 Mustangs because there's a market for both, and that's been the case for decades. Some people want a Mustang that's faster than most cars on the road (the V6), and some people want a really fast Mustang (the V8). You know which camp you fall into, so buy what works for you.
Steven Jackson, CSDO Media Limited.
27th Nov 2010, 12:21
Again, you shouldn't even be looking at Mustangs if you are concerned with the price of insurance...
If that is all the incentive you need to sacrifice the performance package the GT offers, then you missed the point of owning a true sports car.
And why would your friends think your Mustang is a V8? Did you tell them that? Do they know nothing about cars? Maybe a little of both? This would lead me to believe you really wish it was a V8, as you probably let them believe it is one. Wait until the newest V6 Mustangs start popping up with "5.0's" on the fenders again, just like the old Fox body 4 cylinder car owners used to do. It'll happen sure enough. Of course base Mustang owners are never the jealous ones right? Whens the last time you saw a Mustang GT with the standard badging from a V6 on the fenders? Yeah, thought so!