With all the hoopla over the new 2011 V6 Mustang, the 2010 version tends to be pushed off the map, but I chose one over a 2011 anyway! Sure, it has less horsepower, and supposedly worse fuel economy ratings, but I liked the fact that the 4.0 Explorer-sourced SOHC engine is a stout performer that's been around long enough to have proven itself. Opening the hood, it's almost shocking to see that the spark plugs, wires, air filter, oil filter, alternator, belt and other components are within easy reach and that the engine fits into the bay with plenty of room to spare. Ok, so the motor mounts look like they were designed as an afterthought by a grammar-school wanna-be engineer, but they hold it where it needs to be!
The ease-of-maintenance, coupled with the 4.0 engine's solid reputation coaxed me in...along with the fact that the car came with a generous rebate in addition to the A-plan price since it was a "leftover" 2010 model. I've had the car for a few months now and it's showing just over 3600 miles on the clock, so I've had plenty of time to live with it in day-to-day driving.
First off, I opted for a total base model...no tacky stripes or spoilers...just a "Plane Jane" silver car with a black interior. I'd add my own styling touches later! I got the 5-speed manual transmission and all the other standard features, including AM/FM CD stereo, cruise control, power windows and locks, etc. Far from being a stripped-down commuter, it came in priced at $19,605 out the door.
How is it? Well, here's what I've noticed and experienced:
Right off the bat, it had to go back to the dealer for an alignment. It was so far off that you could SEE the front wheels towed out and cambered in at the top. It made the car "darty" at any speed over 45mph, and the dealer corrected it right away.
With the alignment set to spec, the front end stayed where pointed, but the car becomes a REAL handful at freeway speeds (anything over 55mph). The back end is extremely light and the car tends to swerve a LOT if any input at all is given to the steering wheel. I contacted an aftermarket suspension supplier about stiffer rear springs, and was told that the 2010 Mustang is known for this problem, but springs won't cure the problem. Turns out, Ford must have skipped wind tunnel testing and the result is that the air forms a pocket over the decklid, effectively "lifting" the rear of the car at freeway speeds and making it almost dangerously skittish. After a while, you DO get used to it, and driving with the windows rolled down helps stabilize it a LITTLE, and makes it recover slightly faster, but it's like driving on ice all the time.
Next up comes observed fuel economy. Since I bought the car, I've only used Sunoco fuel, and always from the same local station. At first, it averaged 23mpg in combined city and freeway driving, but that fell off to 18mpg when I installed a "drop in" K&N air filter. I've since removed the K&N filter and reinstalled the stock one, since the aftermarket filter also caused the car to be sluggish off the line, although top end power and intake sound were both a bit better. Now, the car tends to hover around 21mpg for a city/freeway average.
At 2171 miles, I drained the factory installed oil and removed the factory filter, originally intending to install a WIX filter along with Motorcraft Synthetic Blend 5W-30 oil. The WIX filter appeared to be filled with a fine metal powder, and would not thread on, so I installed a new Motorcraft filter that I had also purchased instead. No problems with the Motorcraft filter purchased from the dealer, so I bought several more.
With the break-in period pretty well passed, I've stepped into the throttle harder and brought the RPMs up higher between shifts, and the car does perform pretty well for what it is! I like that the 2010 V6 Mustang is a one-year-only deal, being the only year the 4.0 will be installed in the new body style, and the car is comfortable and pleasant to drive on a day-to-day basis (just stay on your toes at freeway speeds!!).
Before purchasing this car, I also test-drove the 2010 Camaro V6 with a manual transmission, and a 2010 Challenger SE with a V6 and automatic (good luck finding a stick shift V6 Challenger, even though it's advertised as being available!!). The Camaro performed the best, hands-down, and the Challenger drove like a dream, but felt like a barge as far as acceleration and handling were concerned. Probably the Challenger would be the best everyday car of the three, but in the end, the Mustang won out on price...coming in at almost $7500 less than my best deal on a Camaro, and $8850 less than what I could get a Challenger SE for!
A side note here is that my FIRST choice for a new car was a 2010 Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V, not something normally considered to be in the same class as the three new Detroit Pony Cars, but availability proved to be an issue...just none left in Michigan by time I was ready to buy! I test drove a demo model and was floored by it's outstanding performance and value-per-dollar, but I didn't want that particular car because it had a bunch of HARD miles on it, I'm sure!
So, am I happy with the new 2010 Mustang over my preferred Sentra? Well...the Mustang could never be the performer that the Sentra is, but it's comfy, classy and is one beautiful looking automobile! Driving it is kind of like dating a supermodel...it's a total knockout in the looks department, but she comes with issues and baggage that need constant attention...although anyone that sees the two of you together is sure that you've got it made! My Mustang is a beauty, and I love it for what it is...but when that lucky lottery number comes in, it's going to get a hot little 2011 Nissan sibling...even if I have to drive to California to get one!!
Am I happy with my purchase? Yes! It's a great car that catches everyone's eye and should prove reliable for many years to come(I hope!). I bought it to replace my 1995 Taurus SHO which was literally falling apart, and it's doing the job nicely! If it lasts 15 years like the SHO did, I'll be stoked! So far, it's off to a great start!!
The ease-of-maintenance, coupled with the 4.0 engine's solid reputation coaxed me in...along with the fact that the car came with a generous rebate in addition to the A-plan price since it was a "leftover" 2010 model. I've had the car for a few months now and it's showing just over 3600 miles on the clock, so I've had plenty of time to live with it in day-to-day driving.
First off, I opted for a total base model...no tacky stripes or spoilers...just a "Plane Jane" silver car with a black interior. I'd add my own styling touches later! I got the 5-speed manual transmission and all the other standard features, including AM/FM CD stereo, cruise control, power windows and locks, etc. Far from being a stripped-down commuter, it came in priced at $19,605 out the door.
How is it? Well, here's what I've noticed and experienced:
Right off the bat, it had to go back to the dealer for an alignment. It was so far off that you could SEE the front wheels towed out and cambered in at the top. It made the car "darty" at any speed over 45mph, and the dealer corrected it right away.
With the alignment set to spec, the front end stayed where pointed, but the car becomes a REAL handful at freeway speeds (anything over 55mph). The back end is extremely light and the car tends to swerve a LOT if any input at all is given to the steering wheel. I contacted an aftermarket suspension supplier about stiffer rear springs, and was told that the 2010 Mustang is known for this problem, but springs won't cure the problem. Turns out, Ford must have skipped wind tunnel testing and the result is that the air forms a pocket over the decklid, effectively "lifting" the rear of the car at freeway speeds and making it almost dangerously skittish. After a while, you DO get used to it, and driving with the windows rolled down helps stabilize it a LITTLE, and makes it recover slightly faster, but it's like driving on ice all the time.
Next up comes observed fuel economy. Since I bought the car, I've only used Sunoco fuel, and always from the same local station. At first, it averaged 23mpg in combined city and freeway driving, but that fell off to 18mpg when I installed a "drop in" K&N air filter. I've since removed the K&N filter and reinstalled the stock one, since the aftermarket filter also caused the car to be sluggish off the line, although top end power and intake sound were both a bit better. Now, the car tends to hover around 21mpg for a city/freeway average.
At 2171 miles, I drained the factory installed oil and removed the factory filter, originally intending to install a WIX filter along with Motorcraft Synthetic Blend 5W-30 oil. The WIX filter appeared to be filled with a fine metal powder, and would not thread on, so I installed a new Motorcraft filter that I had also purchased instead. No problems with the Motorcraft filter purchased from the dealer, so I bought several more.
With the break-in period pretty well passed, I've stepped into the throttle harder and brought the RPMs up higher between shifts, and the car does perform pretty well for what it is! I like that the 2010 V6 Mustang is a one-year-only deal, being the only year the 4.0 will be installed in the new body style, and the car is comfortable and pleasant to drive on a day-to-day basis (just stay on your toes at freeway speeds!!).
Before purchasing this car, I also test-drove the 2010 Camaro V6 with a manual transmission, and a 2010 Challenger SE with a V6 and automatic (good luck finding a stick shift V6 Challenger, even though it's advertised as being available!!). The Camaro performed the best, hands-down, and the Challenger drove like a dream, but felt like a barge as far as acceleration and handling were concerned. Probably the Challenger would be the best everyday car of the three, but in the end, the Mustang won out on price...coming in at almost $7500 less than my best deal on a Camaro, and $8850 less than what I could get a Challenger SE for!
A side note here is that my FIRST choice for a new car was a 2010 Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V, not something normally considered to be in the same class as the three new Detroit Pony Cars, but availability proved to be an issue...just none left in Michigan by time I was ready to buy! I test drove a demo model and was floored by it's outstanding performance and value-per-dollar, but I didn't want that particular car because it had a bunch of HARD miles on it, I'm sure!
So, am I happy with the new 2010 Mustang over my preferred Sentra? Well...the Mustang could never be the performer that the Sentra is, but it's comfy, classy and is one beautiful looking automobile! Driving it is kind of like dating a supermodel...it's a total knockout in the looks department, but she comes with issues and baggage that need constant attention...although anyone that sees the two of you together is sure that you've got it made! My Mustang is a beauty, and I love it for what it is...but when that lucky lottery number comes in, it's going to get a hot little 2011 Nissan sibling...even if I have to drive to California to get one!!
Am I happy with my purchase? Yes! It's a great car that catches everyone's eye and should prove reliable for many years to come(I hope!). I bought it to replace my 1995 Taurus SHO which was literally falling apart, and it's doing the job nicely! If it lasts 15 years like the SHO did, I'll be stoked! So far, it's off to a great start!!
