[drhinsd]

Hi everyone - this is my first post. I am ordering a 2006 coupe, pony package, premium interior, leather, etc today. It is a V6 automatic. I'd like others opinions on ride quality - freeway noise level (from outside) and on engine power. I have a 1994 Explorer with a V6 (same size 4.0) and automatic 4 speed. The power is okay but a little sluggish up hills and the ride is kind of harsh. The transmission has always shifted harder than I like - but the truck is still mine and still gets me to work. I'm hoping that that the mustang will have better acceleration and a smoother shifting transmission and hopefully a ride not as stiff (like a truck). The dealer barely let me me drive it and I didn't want to step on it because traiffic was everywhere and slow going. I didn't go on the freeway. I love the styling inside and out - I don't love the added plastic or composite engine parts. That concerns me a little. I never thought I'd ever see an engine with a non metal intake and valve covers - but that car has some kind of plastic for both.
Anyway - anyone that already owns the V6 automatic for 2005 or 2006 - please give me some feedback on your opinion of the overall ride, engine acceleration and transmission shifting. Also - for those with cars that have some miles on them - is the transmission shifting harder and last for those with more miles - have you had to do more repairs than you expected? The extended warrantee is 2,000.00 for the 84 month 100k Ford warrantee and that is expensive, but maybe worth it if this car has a tendancy to fail.
Thanks to everyone for your advice.

[Crazy001]

I've had my mustang since January. It's a V6, with the automatic. For the most part, I've been very impressed. The 4.0 has plenty of power for this car, and the 5 speed auto is a really smooth shifting tranny. This car always seems to find the right gear to accelerate strongly, in almost any speed. I love it, and I'd definitely recommend it.

[drhinsd]

Originally Posted by Crazy001

I've had my mustang since January. It's a V6, with the automatic. For the most part, I've been very impressed. The 4.0 has plenty of power for this car, and the 5 speed auto is a really smooth shifting tranny. This car always seems to find the right gear to accelerate strongly, in almost any speed. I love it, and I'd definitely recommend it.

Thank you for the input would you mind a few more questions: how many miles do you have on the car so far and - do you have the shaker 500 audio system? I'm getting that option as part of the premium interior upgrade and I'm a little concerned about the posts I've seen of it skipping and ejecting CDs. I prefer listing to CDs instead of the radio and if it skips and ejects CDs while new - that will really be disappointing.

[dtwwest]

I have had my V6 Premium since last December and agree with Crazy on the power and transmission performance. I enjoy manually shifting 1-2-3-D from a dead stop.
Sounds close to a manual 4 speed.

The ride to me is very good. Not a luxuary car ride but I wouldn't want that in a Mustang. As my wife says. "It is fun to drive and the sucker will fly."

My Shaker 500 will occasionally skip and eject a CD. It's not enough to be bothersome and not worth taking the chance that I end up with a rattling dash. I would think that Ford would have resolved this problem for 06 since it has been known for so long.

[PonyPride]

I have had my '06 V6 for a month now. It has 350 miles on it and is a Vert. I would recommend the interior upgrade package to dress up the interior and get rid of the plactic feel. It also adds the color door inserts and the classy rocker panel trim. The accceleration is find and the trans is very smooth. I sometimes which I had the GT power, but where I live and the driving I do (mostly local) there is not opportunity to open it up. I had it out on a back road yesterday and got it up to 65 in a hurry.

The Vert seals squeek a little with the top up. My Shaker 500 has been fine and sounds pretty good. I just wish it has 8 speakers instead of 6 to get the midrange sound. The fit and finish on the car is very good. I have the leather interior and would recommend it over cloth. Also, another thing to consider is that the insurance wll be higher on a GT. I have a perfect driving record (knock on wood) and the GT would have cost me another $350.00 in premiums per year.

[Crazy001]

Originally Posted by drhinsd

Thank you for the input would you mind a few more questions: how many miles do you have on the car so far and - do you have the shaker 500 audio system? I'm getting that option as part of the premium interior upgrade and I'm a little concerned about the posts I've seen of it skipping and ejecting CDs. I prefer listing to CDs instead of the radio and if it skips and ejects CDs while new - that will really be disappointing.

Currently, I have 12,600 miles on mine, and she's running strong with no mechanical issues. I've had a few quality issues, but nothing major that the dealer couldn't fix. My car was built in 10/04, so it was really early in the model year, and i think they've resolved most issues that were found. I have the Shaker 500 system, and I love it. I've never been one for really loud music, but the sound quality is very good for a stock system, and it's got really great low end, due to the subs in the doors. It has ejected a CD or skipped every once and awhile, but it's not common enough for me to complain about. They supposedly resolved the issue earlier this year, so you probably won't have any issues with it.

For the money, you can't beat it.