MotorMouths

Whereas it used to be relegated to “save up for the V-8” status, the 2011 Ford Mustang V6 now stands tall as one of the best performance coupe bargains on the market.

For 2011, the Ford Mustang pony prances with its head high because two new engines are available and feels smaller, lighter and slightly more agile than the Camaro and Challenger.

For fun in the sun, it’s hard to beat the convertible Mustang. It holds its own with the Camaro and Challenger performance-wise, while simultaneously being the best all-around daily driver of the three.

In the case of this new engine, it has found the perfect body in which to spend its days, making the 2011 Mustang V6 the best factory V6 Mustang ever, and one heck of a performance car value.

The best part of the new V-6 Ford Mustang? That you can get over 300 hp for so little money.

Ford completes its years-long Mustang makeover with superb new V6 and V8 engines and 6-speed transmissions. Accompanying chassis tweaks and new electronics confirm the Mustang as a mainstream sportster for adults.

The Ford Mustang isn’t on par with those legendary sports cars, but it delivers performance that’s so close, and grins to match, for nearly half the price that a GT can’t be overlooked by anyone with a performance-oriented heartbeat.

For driving enthusiasts of all ages, the 2011 Ford Mustang GT continues to represent the quintessential American sport coupe. The last two model years have proven a major leap forward the areas of performance, styling and interior design.

I’ve never been in a car that so detests low speeds. And that includes a variety of super-exotic models with bodacious engines of 500-plus horsepower. The Ford Mustang 5.0 GT literally growls in city traffic, as if it’s absolutely irritated by first and second gears.

The 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 is a unique combination of massive pace and pleasant on-track demeanor, wrapped up in a gorgeous package.

It’s not as if Ford Motor needed any more ego strokes this year, but the Boss 302 is a very good car. In fact, if there’s ever been a factory Mustang that comports itself as well as this car, I will do Werner Herzog one better and eat both of my shoes.

I’m not sold on all the visual updates, and the interior needs work; so does the coupe’s crashworthiness. But the Mustang still combines scrappy fun with everyday livability.