I just test drove my cousins 2004 Mustang V6 with 15K on it. They also have a 99' and said the 04' was much better. Then I looked it up and saw the V6 stang had 200 hp for 2004 vs. the previous 190hp. So i'm thinking this car might be fun to drive, right? WRONG!
The test drive:

I start the car and it actually sounds agressive, very V8 like burble. Then I put it in gear and the slush box is horrid. I can't even feel the "gates" and it jolts into drive. Then I took off gently and noticed the tranny made the same annoying whine as my 89' Grand Marquis in 1st gear. Then the biggest dissapointment was when I got on the gas. Not only was it powerless but noisy and the engine kinda vibrated towards its low 5200rpm redline. It couldn't even chirp tires! I put a marker on the road to compare the stang to the LSS. The stang went by the marker at 42mph, my LSS went by the same marker at over 60mph!
The only good things of this car is the brakes, it can stop very fast, and I've heard it attracts the ladies.
What a dissapointing car. :(

now step into an 05...i wanna know all about it

I rode in a 96 3.8 Mustang years back and it wasn't impressive, so I can see where your coming from. I personally believe there is only one stang in production worth purchasing: Cobra.

yes... ford 3.8 <gm 3.8

My sister has an 04 Mustang with a 3.8. It has no problem spinning the tires and has v8 like performance. A properly running 3800 still is more fun to drive but her Mustang, at 4600 miles, isnt a slouch.

Yes the transmission does make that whining noise in 1st too LOL. Started at about 500 miles. My buddy'* 84 LTD did the same thing at 150k.

That said, I could never see myself owning a Mustang. No room and Bonneys still have more power.

See the Bonneville Cardomain link...page 3...for pics of the Stang.

oops. Mustang pics start on page 4.

I would also add that before hers broke in...it was a dog. NO Power at all. We drove it gentle for the first 1000 miles, didnt really start running strong until about 2k. 1st oil change was at 2500 miles. We noticed performance really starting to pick up about then. It actually feels like an older (mid 80s) v8. I know that todays v8'* could probably run circles around it though.

I'll let you know tomorrow. I was looking at the 05 they just got in at the local Ford dealer the other night and one of the old salesmen was there and told me to stop back in "Monday" evening since he'* covering the late shift alone. Said I can take it out for a 1 hour 'test' drive since "You seem to think the 3800 has gut'* -you won't after you test the 4.0!" I asked how it compared to the old GT 4.6 and the LX 3.8 of last year and he said there is no comparison. Plus the way the car takes to the highway and twisty curves, he said there is no comparison. Straight line acceleration is only slightly less than the old 4.6L.
Guess I'll find out tomorrow night.
Should be interesting. I'm mainly interested in seeing if it really isn't a let down. Will kick it down a couple times, but I don't want to be caught hot-rodding it to death -they come easy and soon in Fords.

Hey Prescott PM if you do wanna test drive an 05 Mustang to see what they're all about. Dokmo Ford in Northfield has one sitting on their lot that I have seen the last couple times that i've been through there.

I didn't get to test drive it, but I got to sit in an '05 GT. Very comfortable.
Hopefully I'll have my '88 T-LX Custom on the road soon. Used to have an N/A 2.3 w/automatic, now it has a tubocharged 2.3 and a 5-speed manual.
The best mustang by far though: 1968 Shelby GT500-KR convertible in highlander green

V6 Mustangs have never impressed me. V8 Mustangs haven't ever really impressed me much either. Although my friend has a '94 Mustang GT (5.0) 5 Speed, and although its not really fast, its a high 14 second car because it has mods, and it really is a fun car to drive. I drove it around the parking lot at the career center we go to, and I was really suprised. It practically shifted itself too, REALLY easy to shift, touch the shifter and it basically falls into the next gear. It does some good doughnuts too...

Shawn