15th May 2009, 07:58
Never did I say that racing a Mustang would produce 27 mpg. Nor did I say that Mustangs are meant to be drag raced at every light.
Magazines are a poor resource because the journalists that do the testing run the car as hard as they can for performance numbers, therefore the cars mpg is way less than normal driving habits would warrant.
Okay, now... my mileage was based on cruising on the highway at around 70 mph, NOT racing and trying to get the most out of the car. There is a huge difference. I am merely stating that it is possible to get those numbers on the highway as I did. Did I get 27 mpg all the time? HECK NO!! Around town I probably got around 18 - 20 mpg if I was driving civilized.
You had major problems with your car if you averaged 11-15 mpg. Sorry, but I would have had it in the dealer shop so they could explain to me why a car rated at 16-24 was getting roughly half of that. I know the ratings are not the word of God, but they are never off by that much unless driving habits come into play, which the dealer mechanic would have told you... lighten up on the lead foot!!!
Every car I have had has exceeded the ratings including both of my 5.0 Mustangs. Okay, I am done explaining this.
13th May 2009, 10:57
Gee, Ford did all of that research and development to make a fuel system that is more economical and efficient only to get the same mileage? I don't think so. There is something wrong with your car if the FI version gets the same mileage as the carb version. Go back and check your precious C&D articles on the two different years and I bet they come up with much less on the older engine for mpg. I don't know why you'd be getting the same from both unless your driving habits are just so bad that you can't get any good mileage out of a V-8. I have no reason to make up the numbers I have gotten either, nor do the people on every forum that talk mileage and get into the mid 20's consistently with their old 5.0's even after 200,000 miles. I guess we can agree to disagree. As long as you are happy with less power good for you. I am sticking with V-8's in Mustangs for as long as they produce them.
Oh, they did try to get rid of the V-8 Mustang in the late 80's and go to a different platform. It was eventually called the Probe. Loyal Mustang enthusiasts couldn't stomach a front driver with less powerful engines offered over a rear drive V-8 car... the car the Mustang was born to be.