5 Reasons Why I Don't Want A Mustang GT Over my V6 #blogpost

Updated: 10 Oct 2024

You all probably think I’m crazy, but this is the truth. After owning my 2016 v6 Mustang for a year, my amateur view of the car world shifted. I used to think that only certain cars can be considered “enthusiasts cars”. I based all my proof on brochure statistics, but you should never pass judgment on a car based on numbers alone.

The S550 v6 has grown on me, and every time I take it out for a drive, my want for a GT fades out. So, here are my reasons for not wanting a Mustang GT.

1: Balance

The mustang has always been the best bang for your buck horsepower car around. This all comes at a cost. While the GT now has an independent rear suspension, that doesn’t change the fact that it’s a boxer in a hurdling race. Sure the boxer hits hard and is considerably agile, but the actual track and field athletes are far better suited for the race.

The v6 on the other hand is lighter and more nimble. Rather than buying a whipple and hitting the drag strip, this car is better suited for track days and auto cross. Still, the v6 still has plenty of power stock for some trouble…

2: Useable Power

This is a fairly common term in the car world. It can almost sound like an excuse for slow cars, but I genuinely feel it in my car. I can push the car harder, and actually use all of the power in a regular drive (And yes, I can still do smokey burnouts).

The car still has its limits. I’ve accidentally broken traction multiple times (the most unexpected in 2nd gear at 40 mph…), and the car can still feel like a handful on the tighter twisty roads I usually drive on.

The v6 can be thrashed more with little consequence. A GT on the other hand isn’t as friendly in this regard…

3: It's Not Unique

In the U.S, modified mustang GT’s are very common. Even on the internet there are thousands of guys who think they’re clever for making a “5.0” or “coyote” pun as a user name. It’s popular for a reason, but a bagged GT with a muffler delete isn’t special.

Alternatively, how many clean modified v6 Mustangs have you seen at a car meet or heard of? It’s an unusual project that goes against the mustang norm. That raises curiosity. What’s this guy got up his sleve?
In the end, I have a lot more respect for a boosted v6 mustang than a GT with its mufflers chopped off (even if it sounds godly).

4: Pushing Power (Useable Power cont.)

Plenty amateur car guys think power is everything, saying “500 hp Is nothing bro!” (I thought that for a long time, so don’t get offended). Then there are experienced car guys who actually enjoy high powered cars. When you start dumping money into a GT to make it fast, you limit how much you can use your car. There’s no way that you can fully enjoy a supercharged 700 whp mustang while using all of its horsepower (and not shredding its tires) on the street.

The v6 has just as many modifications available, yet allows for gains that stay in the “sweet spot” of power. The craziest power v6 I’ve found has ~1000 horsepower (from 1320), and more relatable builds push up to 500 whp. For a RWD daily driven car that’s plenty.

5: The Shelby GT350

If I bought a v8 mustang, it would probably be the GT350. It fits what I value in cars. It has great balance, a unique motor, and actually turns! It’s base price is ~50 grand, or just 5 grand more than a premium GT.

If you think the price difference makes this point invalid, consider this. The extra money you pay for the GT350 includes “upgrades” that you would apply to a vanilla GT to make it barely keep up. Additionally, you get an amazing new motor built for the car’s intended application. There’s also part of a “Shelby tax”, but that’s insignificant in the grand scheme of things.

In the end, opinions on the mustang lineup depend on what consumers look for. Are you a former Mazda speed 3 owner who loves turbo fours? Have an eco boost. Do you want N/A power with a great chassis? Get a v6. Do you drag race? Here’s a v8!

Plenty of people have driven v6 mustangs and called them trash, and it just didn’t fit what they wanted from a mustang. This is a concept that not many people wrap their heads around. If you think a car is bad (if you’ve actually DRIVEN it), you’re just not the target consumer.

In the end, I love my v6, and look forward to many more years with it.

#realcar

Thanks for reading!

Comments

This article made me question your sanity, but then again i suppose Ford needs people like you to buy their v6s

It’s more of a thought provoking article. Rather than preaching to the choir, it’s a different perspective.

Unusable power? Spinning tires is how you use it!

The only thing I got out of this was the author desperately trying to come to terms with buyer’s remorse.

I don’t have remorse for getting a brand new 2016 car.

This is my reason

I firmly believe if they had the 3.5 Ecoboost in the Stang the V8 would be dead.

I have a 96 3.8l and at the time I would have chose a V8 and the only reason i settled for a V6 was because i was 16 and in high school and i only had about $1500 to spend. Looking back on it, ive had it for almost 2 years now with no reliability issues and pretty good mpg and for someone who is broke and in high school, its perfect. In my case its pretty slow but with a 5 speed its plenty fun to drive and i personally love V6s. I still love V8s obviously but if i had to choose between the two, unless i was able to afford a GT350, it would be kinda hard to choose. Good post, im going to show this to people to justify my desicion.

Well I really recognize that not all the people want a powerful and torqueful Mustang,I like it ¿why can’t be exists people like you who prefer to start with a balanced car instead of having as a 1st car a powerful car without finishing crashing???