The 2011+ Mustang Thread

[a_Username]

The bottom line is this: Ford is done messing around. With the release of the 2011 Mustang GT 5.0 there are no more "Yeah, but..." reasons to buy any other pony car. Only serious Mopar-philes would choose the drastically more expensive and substantially worse Dodge Challenger SRT-8 over the Mustang GT. Aside from looks, we can't think of a single area where the similarly priced but slightly more expensive Chevy Camaro SS beats the Mustang. Speed, handling, soundtrack, brakes, interior (the GT is actually creeping into Audi levels of interior sophistication – look at those seats!), fit and finish – you name it, the Mustang's the superior sports car.

Speaking of Audi, the 5.0 makes the 354-hp S5 look like an overpriced slowpoke. We've driven both cars in anger and the 2011 Mustang GT is not only faster, but is actually rear-wheel drive, not a FWD platform fitted with quattro all-wheel drive. Want us to go even further? We'd prefer the Mustang GT to a BMW 650i. Sure, the BMW has dash leather and... iDrive. But (again), the GT makes more power (the 650i manages 360 hp), handles better and is quieter unless you're really belting the throttle. Also, Sync's a whole lot better than iDrive, even the much improved new iDrive. Not only that, but the GT's new 5.0-liter V8 engine is in another league than (previous) competitors like the Nissan 370Z and Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8. Getting the point? In 2011, the Mustang GT is the car to beat. Welcome back, 5.0.

Lol at the Challenger comment. But honestly, they act like the GT completely blows the SS out of the water. A tenth of a second isn't a slaughter. But then again, it is actually nice to see that they're giving American made vehicles compliments instead of 370z and Audis.

[fazm]

like others have stated, theres more to a car than how it accelerates and how it corners

[bpmurr]

I found one thing interesting in every article. People bust on the solid rear axle but in every first test they say it handles and rides better than the Camaro's IRS.

[DeathChill]

Originally Posted by bpmurr

I found one thing interesting in every article. People bust on the solid rear axle but in every first test they say it handles and rides better than the Camaro's IRS.

Yep, hopefully Chevy's listening and does something about it!

I also agree that there is more to a car than acceleration and handling, but after all this time of hearing how much faster the '11 GT was going to be I am honestly kind of disappointed to see only a tenth improvement on the '10 SS' numbers.

EDIT: Also, very impressed with the V6's numbers. Stepping close to the '10 GT's toes!

[Sawyer]

I am impressed. But more imperessed with the V6.

[The_Blur]

Originally Posted by a_Username

Lol at the Challenger comment. But honestly, they act like the GT completely blows the SS out of the water. A tenth of a second isn't a slaughter. But then again, it is actually nice to see that they're giving American made vehicles compliments instead of 370z and Audis.

The article clearly blasts the Challenger for its underwhelming performance in contrast to the head-to-head Camaro-Mustang battle. They then proceed to identify that the tested Mustang beat the Camaro in every tested category. That's even fair. Identifying the issue of price is really a tough pill to swallow. Of course, GM has appropriate responses to this:

• The Camaro has a longer warranty.
• The comparision is roughly a tie between a 2011 Mustang GT and a 2010 Camaro SS.
• GM has not yet released 2011 improvements for the Camaro, so there is still time to beat this Mustang.

This Mustang is a great improvement over the 2010 model. Ford did well there. This is not an outright, undisputed win. It is close enough to fall behind very quickly. Let's also be honest with ourselves. When we go to the track, how many of us are racing stock? These numbers are a starting point, but they don't represent the performance of our comrades at the track. We'll all be beating these numbers.

[ULTRAZLS1]

Like I have been saying till I turned blue.

When the camaro was spanking the mustang we got responses like "well we expected more with 426 hp" or dumb shit like "the mustang is only a couple ticks slower to 60"

Now we have cars that are damn near identical in strait line performance and it is the end all be all of sports cars.

I dont know why this is the case....but it sure isnt fair to the camaro.

[a_Username]

Originally Posted by DeathChill

Yep, hopefully Chevy's listening and does something about it!

I also agree that there is more to a car than acceleration and handling, but after all this time of hearing how much faster the '11 GT was going to be I am honestly kind of disappointed to see only a tenth improvement on the '10 SS' numbers.

I doubt this new GM will just roll over and let the mustang continue on unanswered. Perhaps this is the reason why they haven't released any new info on the 2011 SS... Maybe they're just waiting to see what the competition brings so they can capitalize on the situation.

[ULTRAZLS1]

Originally Posted by The_Blur

The article clearly blasts the Challenger for its underwhelming performance in contrast to the head-to-head Camaro-Mustang battle. They then proceed to identify that the tested Mustang beat the Camaro in every tested category. That's even fair. Identifying the issue of price is really a tough pill to swallow. Of course, GM has appropriate responses to this:

• The Camaro has a longer warranty.
• The comparision is roughly a tie between a 2011 Mustang GT and a 2010 Camaro SS.
• GM has not yet released 2011 improvements for the Camaro, so there is still time to beat this Mustang.

This Mustang is a great improvement over the 2010 model. Ford did well there. This is not an outright, undisputed win. It is close enough to fall behind very quickly. Let's also be honest with ourselves. When we go to the track, how many of us are racing stock? These numbers are a starting point, but they don't represent the performance of our comrades at the track. We'll all be beating these numbers.

And I dont want to say it to start a war.

But which one has a 6.2 under the hood that is a cam swap away from nearly 500rwhp?

[a_Username]

Originally Posted by ULTRAZLS1

Like I have been saying till I turned blue.

When the camaro was spanking the mustang we got responses like "well we expected more with 426 hp" or dumb shit like "the mustang is only a couple ticks slower to 60"

Now we have cars that are damn near identical in strait line performance and it is the end all be all of sports cars.

I dont know why this is the case....but it sure isnt fair to the camaro.

Of course we COULD say that we expected more than a 12.8 out of the said underrated 434 HP.

[ViperTomcat]

Originally Posted by ULTRAZLS1

And I dont want to say it to start a war.

But which one has a 6.2 under the hood that is a cam swap away from nearly 500rwhp?

Pick up 100+ HP from just a cam swap?

What happens when the Mustang mods out and widens the gap?

Lord I love competition! I'm just wanting Dodge to step up and fess up on which engine is going into the SRT.

If its the 6.4L with 490 HP (which is what one informer has reported)..then this is going to get much more interesting ..really fast.

[TheClassicCarKid]

Originally Posted by a_Username

Of course we COULD say that we expected more than a 12.8 out of the said underrated 434 HP.

[ViperTomcat]

Originally Posted by a_Username

Of course we COULD say that we expected more than a 12.8 out of the said underrated 434 HP.

I'd like to see what it could do with something other than the 235's. My guess is that with drag radials or even just larger street tires..you'll see 12.5's and below with no changes to the powertrain.

[a_Username]

Originally Posted by ViperTomcat

Pick up 100+ HP from just a cam swap?

What happens when the Mustang mods out and widens the gap?

Lord I love competition! I'm just wanting Dodge to step up and fess up on which engine is going into the SRT.

If its the 6.4L with 490 HP (which is what one informer has reported)..then this is going to get much more interesting ..really fast.

I think it has already been discussed, to death I might add, that the 5.0 is nearly tapped out from a N/A standpoint. So saying this, swapping out N/A parts on both SS and GT, would obviously put the SS in the lead.

Can you link me to this 490 HP 6.4L leak?