Test drove a new '06 Pony Package V6

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
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Stopped by the Ford dealership friday afternoon to pick up a couple parts for my 5.0. As i was leaving, i decided to check out the red '06 GT vert in the showroom. A salesman saw me doing so and jumped on me right away.

I wasn't really interested in a new car, but i decided to play along with him asking him if he had any '06 GT coupes yet. He did, but they are automatic. I stated that i wanted a 5-spd and began to leave but then he said he had something I might like.

So he brings me around back and shows me a '06 V6 with the new Pony Package and in that new Tungsten color. I gotta admit, not a bad looking ride. Ford's little tweaks made it look so much better than the base V6. The grill looked great as did the bullitt wheels. I like how Ford went back to the running pony emblem as the center cap for the V6 bullitt wheels instead of the Ford emblem on the Gt bullitt wheels. Only thing i didn't care for was the ENORMOUS 5" tall running pony emblems on the fender. They just looked TOO big

I was about to say "It looks nice, but i could never drive a V6 Mustang" when he litterally threw me the keys and said, wanna drive it?

Anyway not a bad little ride. I've already driven an '05 GT and you guys all have 05+ Mustangs so no need to tell you how they drive. It was a fun little ride and we did get a lot of attention to which the salesman tried to use to sell me on it. He also claimed with gas prices the little V6 would be a smart buy.

As nice as it was, I'm a V8 guy. At the end of the ride i handed the keys back to him and gave him my number and told me to call him when a 5-spd GT came in.
 
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I've seen some Pony's around here but didn't notice a 5" Pony on the fender. Is that included in the Pony package, or did the dealer perhaps add that?

He also claimed with gas prices the little V6 would be a smart buy.

The V6 isn't much better on gas than the V8. If that was the decision maker for me, I wouldn't go with the V6 simply for the gas savings.
 
I own an '05 V6 T5 tranny coupe and must say I luv the 29 miles per gallon and the cheaper insurance and traded in my '01 GT 5-spd. for it and have not regretted it. I like the idea that I can put shorty or long tube headers in myself in an afternoon without having to lift up the engine, or the fact all of the GT aftermarket chassis/suspension fit mine too. In a few short years this 'grocery-getter sleeper' will have woken up sufficiently to surprise a lot of folks as hi-po parts are going to be in abundance for my little steed. So, all you GT folks don't fall asleep at the wheel cuz if you do you might find me taking the advantage to show what the 4.0 L is capable of!!! Don't get me wrong the GT is nice, but for me the V6 is nicer and yes I could have afforded a GT if I wanted one. Peace out and long live the 'Stang!!!
 
stanmckinney said:
The 2005 V6 has more power than many GTs of the past.


Is that something Ford has been using in marketing the 05+ V6's....because the salesman said the same thing to me.

Sure it may have more HP that the 1984 Mustang GT, but that was 21 years ago! :D

Chances are that if you pull next to an '84 GT on the road...it's not pushing the stock 180HP anymore.

Anyway i'm not trying to knock the V6. I said it was an enjoyable car to drive. For me personally, Mustang = V8 torque and throaty sound. That's what sold me on owning a Mustang 6 years ago. The extra insurance and added fuel costs are well worth it to me as it puts a smile on my face every time i roast the tires into 2nd gear.
 
Mustang5L5 said:
Is that something Ford has been using in marketing the 05+ V6's....because the salesman said the same thing to me.

Sure it may have more HP that the 1984 Mustang GT, but that was 21 years ago! :D

Chances are that if you pull next to an '84 GT on the road...it's not pushing the stock 180HP anymore.

Anyway i'm not trying to knock the V6. I said it was an enjoyable car to drive. For me personally, Mustang = V8 torque and throaty sound. That's what sold me on owning a Mustang 6 years ago. The extra insurance and added fuel costs are well worth it to me as it puts a smile on my face every time i roast the tires into 2nd gear.

I agree.

I test drove a white V6 fully loaded...standard trans with the red and black leather...but couldn't quite get myself to commit. They told me I couldn't get a GT till november 06 or some bull so I was going to just buy a v6. I'm kinda glad I didn't I saw four on my way to work today (All v6, all older women). That's the biggest quantity of the new body style I've seen off the lot. I'm lucky to see a single GT a week...might go for a couple without seeing one.

I do have to say, though, there is a young girl with a redfire mustang, black stripes, UGLY a** 20"s, and a crap exhaust. I'm not glad when I see that one. But thats what some people do with good cars. :shrug:
 
Mustang5L5 said:
Is that something Ford has been using in marketing the 05+ V6's....because the salesman said the same thing to me.

Sure it may have more HP that the 1984 Mustang GT, but that was 21 years ago! :D

Chances are that if you pull next to an '84 GT on the road...it's not pushing the stock 180HP anymore.

Anyway i'm not trying to knock the V6. I said it was an enjoyable car to drive. For me personally, Mustang = V8 torque and throaty sound. That's what sold me on owning a Mustang 6 years ago. The extra insurance and added fuel costs are well worth it to me as it puts a smile on my face every time i roast the tires into 2nd gear.
.

If you remember the '87-'91 (?) Mustang V8's were rated at 225 hp then they had to change the hp ratings (in '92-'93?) due to a new power rating system and then it brought the power down to 210 (the exact same as the '05-'06 V6). The torque curves are different, but that can be remedied along the way.
 
MCMustangMan said:
.

If you remember the '87-'91 (?) Mustang V8's were rated at 225 hp then they had to change the hp ratings (in '92-'93?) due to a new power rating system and then it brought the power down to 210 (the exact same as the '05-'06 V6). The torque curves are different, but that can be remedied along the way.

It was 1993. Ford rated the 87-92 5.0 at 225HP, and rated the '93 at 205HP. The '93 runs the same motor as the 87-92, except ford changed how they rated the HP. They still dyno about 190-200HP at the wheels which is about 225HP.

They still have 300 ft-lbs of torque and will run mid to low 14's in good running condition with a good driver.
 
Ford has used that statement in marketing. It also is true. Period. The 2005 Mustang V6 is a great car. So is the V8. Why can't we all get along. Let's pick on Chevy lovers not each other.
 
Mustang5L5 said:
Only thing i didn't care for was the ENORMOUS 5" tall running pony emblems on the fender. They just looked TOO big



Anyway not a bad little ride.
. He also claimed with gas prices the little V6 would be a smart buy.

As nice as it was, I'm a V8 guy. At the end of the ride i handed the keys back to him and gave him my number and told me to call him when a 5-spd GT came in.

thanks for the nice little review, i love my V-6s. and i agree those side emblems are too big.
i dont do highway driving so i dont see a big difference in the gas savings.
i am glad you gave the v-6 a chance.