This is a heck of an enjoyable drive, and the miles melted away as the sunlight faded as I capped a weekend with a Sunday-night drive at dusk. I couldn't believe I clicked off 30 more miles after ostensibly filling up and planning to go home. Windows down, radio up--it's a rolling rock song and an ode to modern American muscle on wheels.
The Mustang feels and is lighter than the Camaro and the Dodge Challenger, making for a tighter ride and less roll through turns. The Ford's steering is a bit light, but the V6's power and exhaust note compensate for any shortcomings.
But as fun as this car is and as good as it looks, it's far from perfect. The six-speed is a bit notchy, and the tail end seems to come unsorted rather easily. Obviously it's a rear-wheel-drive coupe with a lot of power, but even over bumpy roads the back end seems to get frazzled.
Otherwise, this coupe is a great time. I'd spec mine out differently, but this upgraded powertrain combo far outstrips the old V6/five-speed pairing. Let's keep the pony-car wars going.
DIGITAL EDITOR ANDREW STOY: It's not often we get a base-model V6 Mustang in the fleet, albeit one with the V6 performance package consisting of upgraded wheels and tires and a different rear-axle ratio. Having driven base Mustangs of Cologne V6 vintage, I wasn't expecting much despite knowing quite a lot about the new 3.7-liter V6 used in this car. It was an instance of expectations being not so much exceeded as flattened, wadded up and tossed out the window.
I honestly prefer the V6 Mustang to the GT as far as a daily-driver is concerned. Granted, one has to look at them as two very different vehicles, one being a new Ford sports coupe and the other being a rip-snorting, high-horse muscle car (I know, pony car, but go with me here). The V6 Mustang, with its deliciously cammy, mechanical engine note is as European from the fan to the very back of the driveshaft as the GT is American. The gearbox, when it's not being recalled, is a thing of beauty with ratios perfectly placed for the engine's broad torque curve. And clutch action is nigh well perfect.
But then we get to the live rear axle, and that's where things fall apart. The Mustang is fine on the highway, and in mild cornering, but hit any kind of surface imperfection while turning and the feeling is disconcerting at best. The Mustang handles better than it feels like it handles, but it's not a confidence-inspiring drive on rough surfaces.
Thing is, I don't really care. I truly enjoyed the overall Mustang V6 driving experience. And I proved that two child seats fit in the back. For the as-tested price, the Mustang V6 is near the top of my list.
MOTORSPORTS EDITOR MAC MORRISON: Jumping from the 2012 Ford Mustang GT Premium convertible into this 2012 V6-powered coupe, certainly there is no comparison in driver satisfaction, but then you likely would expect nothing else. The V6, which Ford is proud to say is the first production engine to deliver more than 300 hp and exceed 30 mpg on the highway (31 mpg when equipped with an automatic transmission, 29 in the case of a manual gearbox), moves the Mustang down the road well, and it's fun to drive this coupe even without the impressive kick that comes standard with the V8 engine.
What you definitely want, however, is the optional performance package that includes uprated springs in front and larger antiroll bars front and rear. Even with it installed, the car rides choppy at times, especially on bumps. The rear end feels as if it needs some work; it will clunk and bang over uneven surfaces and does not feel well-planted, especially compared with the GT.
Actually, I'd like to back-to-back a V6 Mustang with and without the performance pack to get a sense of which setup is truly better for the real world. In particular, I'm not sold on this wheel and tire package. The performance pack gives you 255/40 19-inch tires and wheels to match, and I think it might be a little too much. I suspect the optional 235/50 18-inch tires will provide plenty of grip while helping smooth out the ride more to my liking.
2012 Ford Mustang V6 Coupe
Base Price: $22,995
As-Tested Price: $25,685
Drivetrain: 3.7-liter V6; RWD, six-speed manual
Output: 305 hp @ 6,500 rpm, 280 lb-ft @ 4,250 rpm
Curb Weight: 3,470 lb
Fuel Economy (EPA/AW): 22/21.1 mpg
Options: V6 performance package including 255/40R-19 summer tires, 3.31-ratio limited-slip axle, 19-inch mach/painted aluminum wheel and painted side mirrors ($1,995); sensing system/security package including antitheft system, wheel locking kit and reverse park assist ($695)
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