Rental experience with V6 convertible

[jakoye]

Took a trip down to California for Thanksgiving and at the airport, got offered a Mustang V6 convertible. I figured it would be a good way to get an extended test drive, so I took it. My overall impressions: WOW!

What impressed me most about the car was its pure willingness to just GO. The acceleration was smooth and quick and the exhaust throaty. And this was on a V6! I can't imagine what the V8 would be like. This car just BEGS you to drive fast, which I did as much as I was able to. I didn't really get to test the suspension very hard, as most of my driving was on interstates, but it seemed pretty solid.

Bad points include the cheap, plasticky interior (this car was the basic V6 model, without the IUP) and how the seats don't return to their position when you let someone in the back. I was also fairly unimpressed with the Shaker 500. The sound was good, but loading/unloading CDs was a pain in the arse. There's got to be a better way of doing it!

The trunk was smaller than I thought it would be and the back seats are tiny, but I won't be buying mine for either of those things. I'm gonna buy mine because it's the most affordable way to fall in love with the thrill of driving a fast, sweet-looking car. I was hooked before, just from the styling alone and the driving experiences I've read about on these boards, but now I am completely and irretrievably in love with the new 'Stang. There is no doubt I'm getting one of these bad boys for myself.

 

[66Satellite]

Yeah, I saw that Hertz had a ton of those on the lot at the San Jose airport. I rented a Charger cause I needed a bigger back seat. Charger was very impressive--too bad the rental Mustangs and Chargers don't have V8s...

 

[jakoye]

Yeah, I saw that Hertz had a ton of those on the lot at the San Jose airport. I rented a Charger cause I needed a bigger back seat. Charger was very impressive--too bad the rental Mustangs and Chargers don't have V8s...

Yeah, the Charger with its 4 doors and "normal-sized" backseats is the more practical buy... but when it comes to looks, the Mustang is leagues ahead in my book. Still, if I had a family and a bit more cash to spend, I can't say that I wouldn't consider the Charger. I'd probably be more likely to go for something like the 300 though. Just like the styling better.

As for renting V8s, ha ha... I don't think the rental companies want their drivers to have that much power. Seriously, that V6 did more than I expected it to. I am gonna get so many tickets with my V8!

 

[Mickey21]

I was also fairly unimpressed with the Shaker 500. The sound was good, but loading/unloading CDs was a pain in the arse. There's got to be a better way of doing it!

Are you sure it was a Shaker 500 (ala Shaker 500 badge on Stereo or in Dash CD changer)? The Shaker 500 is an optional stereo upgrade which most rental car companies wont add. I rented a V6 Windveil Blue one in Omaha on a business trip and it surely didnt have the Shaker 500 option (Hertz). Not sure about your area, but just a thought... A friend of mine has the Shaker 500 and I think it has plenty of power for it's size... Just curious...

 

[jakoye]

Are you sure it was a Shaker 500 (ala Shaker 500 badge on Stereo or in Dash CD changer)? The Shaker 500 is an optional stereo upgrade which most rental car companies wont add. I rented a V6 Windveil Blue one in Omaha on a business trip and it surely didnt have the Shaker 500 option (Hertz). Not sure about your area, but just a thought... A friend of mine has the Shaker 500 and I think it has plenty of power for it's size... Just curious...

Yeah, it was definitely the Shaker 500. And like I said, the sound itself was fine. Covered the inevitable noises from a convertible very nicely! But the interface was simply ghetto.

Also, it's kind of weird to have the old style gauges in the dash, but a modern-looking (if a bit plain) stereo in the center. They don't match up well. Also, the auto shifter was CHEAP! It looked like it could be easily broken. I also didn't like the lack of an indicator in the dash as to which gear you were in. Sometimes it was hard to tell just by looking at the shifter.

But those are all quibbles. I love this car. I'll just get mine with the stock stereo and put something of my own in. I wonder if ANY car stereo company makes a "vintage-looking" stereo?

 

[199]

yo, whats the deal how come you both have the same Avatar jakoye and Mickey21(i know its off topic) but its confusing, at first i thought you were talking to your self until i relized the username/nicname

by the way i think shaker 500 sounds good the problems are the skiping and pausing of cds, scratching the cds, etc.. ford should have use a proper brand such as Bose, Pioneer, Blaupunkt, Clarion, Sony, JVC, Kenwood basicly any proper company.

 

[lethaljay]

V6!!!

 

[The Fang]

I rented one so I could have a test drive. The frickin ford place here in tally would not let me test drive one. So they lost a sale and I will not recomend them to anybody now. morons
I was very pleased with the rental. Before I could get a hundred yards from the Hertz rental place I was sold. the next day I went and purchased mine.
I figured in the cost of the rental as part of the cost of the car.
Yip those non memory seats do suk big time.

 

[jakoye]

yo, whats the deal how come you both have the same Avatar jakoye and Mickey21(i know its off topic) but its confusing, at first i thought you were talking to your self until i relized the username/nicname

AFAIK, I had it first. I'm gonna have to change it now that Mickey's co-opted it!

 

[jakoye]

V6!!!

Yeah, I was seriously surprised at the V6's rapid acceleration. Even so, though I thought I was gonna get a V6 in the past, I'm pretty sure I'll step up to the GT now. There's too many things it has that the V6 doesn't (TLOK, dual exhaust, the power of course).

90 more horses... it's gonna be hell for my passengers!