Going to buy a 2011 Mustang

[callahan318]

And I was wondering- what level of interior I should get?

Are there strong differences in interior types?

I knw the leather vs non-leather differences but I am thinking over overall quality.

I am really looking at the GT premium coupe with the 401A package.

Thoughts?

Oh and of course a manual transmission and 3.73s in the rear with the candy apple metalic paint.

 

[cdutchess78]

I wouldnt upgrade gears as you can buy them cheaper and install yourself for less along with getting 4.10' instead.When I bought my 2009 gt,i opted out of the shaker system in order to buy a much cheaper system that sounds 10 times better.why spend $1000 on something you can get 10 times better for $500 in aftermarket? Guess thats why i didnt buy mycolor as well.lol.just my thoughts. Did I mention im slightly jealous of you being able to get the new 5.0?

 

[killr3v]

+1. Get the base model with the 6 spd and then go aftermarket for gears and the like!

 

[dascoyne]

Rapid Spec 401A is the Premium Trim. The seats have the accent stripe but that's not the only difference. Also there are pony emblems in the door interiors. The instrument panel is covered with dark, textured aluminum and the shifter is aluminum.

Looks nice. I have it on my 2010. For a DD you ought to get it.

 

[19COBRA93]

The shaker 1000 sounds damn near as good as anything you could add yourself for the $500 you mentioned. Plus It's all factory stuff with a warranty. Same with the gears. For a $395 option that's guaranteed not to whine, and will be covered under warranty, it's a pretty decent deal. If you're considering going 4.10 or something though, then obviously opt out of the gear choice, as you'll have to have those done after the fact anyway.

 

[GrnBullitt08]

Yeah dont pay for the upgrade in gears....just buy it and put a set of 4.10s in it.

 

[D98GT]

I imagine the 3.73s in the six speed could hold one over for a while. Once you break down the amount of the added radio and such, you are only paying a few extra dollars a month to ride in comfort. You are paying for a new car so why not add all of the extras that you might want?

 

[Weou09]

Town and Country Ford has a red one with gunmetal rims and 3.73 with shaker 1000 for 34,196. I am considering trading in my car BIG TIME!

 

[Torch Red GT]

Get it fully loaded

 

[Dr Detail]

Get the factory installed 3.73 gears. I drove a 5.0 manual and the car hauls with that gear.

 

[Greg Hazlett]

I would think with the power/power band of the 5.0's the 373's would be the best all around gear; I don't know where everyone else is getting gears installed but the price from the factory is very reasonable....gears are anywhere from $140-160, some vendors charge shipping and gears are not light and then to pay someone to install them is $150 and up....then you have to buy the fluid and the associated parts that go along with a gear swap so my recommendation is to get them on the car from the factory.

 

[3vs197]

along with getting 4.10' instead

4.10's are too much in the new trans. unless you like hitting fifth before the quarter go right ahead. 3.73's on the new trans is equivalent to 4.10's in the 3650. 3.73's are almost too much as it sits.

 

[Bullitt3478]

I have 373 stock in my Bullit and I love them.Too much highway driving for 410's.373's and almost 25 mpg on the interstate...Im good.But the new tranny maybe different.

 

[19COBRA93]

4.10's are too much in the new trans. unless you like hitting fifth before the quarter go right ahead. 3.73's on the new trans is equivalent to 4.10's in the 3650. 3.73's are almost too much as it sits.

You've obviously not driven an '11. I have, and the 3.73's still feel like 3.73's or even 3.55's because of the extra RPM capability of the engine. IMO, the '11 needs 4.10's. The '11 has a real nice power band from 4k-7k, get a gear that gets you up into that and stays there.

And also, it apparently hasn't been discussed enough, 5th gear is the 1:1 in the '11, so gearing it to go into 5th in the quarter is no big deal at all. It's not the typical 5th you're used to. It's a smooth shift just like 2-3. If you're worried about missing a gear, or too many shifts, then get an auto.

 

[3vs197]

y not just put 4.88's in the 11' then? and yes there is a problem with shifting too much. the fastest shifting possible on a street driven car is about .1 seconds. and when u have to shift into fifth, there is another .1 seconds of not accelerating. its not needed to go through more than 4 forward gears in a quarter in a car like this. your wasting your time.

 

[callahan318]

You've obviously not driven an '11. I have, and the 3.73's still feel like 3.73's or even 3.55's because of the extra RPM capability of the engine. IMO, the '11 needs 4.10's. The '11 has a real nice power band from 4k-7k, get a gear that gets you up into that and stays there.

And also, it apparently hasn't been discussed enough, 5th gear is the 1:1 in the '11, so gearing it to go into 5th in the quarter is no big deal at all. It's not the typical 5th you're used to. It's a smooth shift just like 2-3. If you're worried about missing a gear, or too many shifts, then get an auto.

Sounds good.

Here is my big disclaimer...I do not plan on doing any drag racing. Just want to have some fun with the car.

 

[19COBRA93]

y not just put 4.88's in the 11' then? and yes there is a problem with shifting too much. the fastest shifting possible on a street driven car is about .1 seconds. and when u have to shift into fifth, there is another .1 seconds of not accelerating. its not needed to go through more than 4 forward gears in a quarter in a car like this. your wasting your time.

Then slap a 2 speed powerglide in there and be done. You're all caught up on the .1, but don't realize the gains you'll get from launching with the lower gear and staying in the sweet RPM all the way down the track.

 

[19COBRA93]

Sounds good.

Here is my big disclaimer...I do not plan on doing any drag racing. Just want to have some fun with the car.

Still get the 3.73 option then. It's a sweet gear for the street, for the track, for cuising, for whatever you want to do with the car, it'll work well.

 

[Greg Hazlett]

/\ agreed.

 

[3vs197]

but don't realize the gains you'll get from launching with the lower gear and staying in the sweet RPM all the way down the track.

well thats exaggerating a bit dont you think, a powerglide? 4 gears is enough, 5 is not necessary. and it will be in the powerband just fine with the 3.31's. some of you act like these engines have a powerband of 7 rpm's and u need insane gears to do anything, which isnt true. but what do i know. i dont have experience racing people and then just changing gears, several times mind you and viewing the results with my own eyes.