[EldoFan]

I know in the pony car segment, the popular mentality has been "go big or go home" in terms of power (big block V8's vs. boat anchor V6's)....that's always been something that's kinda annoyed me IMO, but I was wondering if anyone thinks rising gas prices would sort of reverse the 'stigma' attached to V6 'Stang, Camaros & Firebirds??

I've seen 2 Mustang GT500's and a handful of GT's, but just an absolute plethora of V6 'Stangs (including one blue ragtop I always seem to follow to work at night....lol). I've seen more than a few plain jane F-bodies come out of the woodwork here as well......

 

[BrickTamland]

People forget these cars came with 6-cylinders from the start. They have always been part of the Mustang and Camaro powertrain options.

 

[Smaart Aas Saabr]

People forget these cars came with 6-cylinders from the start. They have always been part of the Mustang and Camaro powertrain options.

And the 6 cyl was always (particularly for Mustangs except when they came with 4-cyl) the most popular option by a wide margin. The V8's were just for crazy people like us.

 

[eurohazard]

Anyone remember the 4 cyl Camaros?

 

[genjy]

I've always been a fan of hi-po v6 coupes, especially if the v6 is boosted or high-revving.

I would have loved something like a 3.2L SHO SN95 Mustang or a 3800SC F-body Camaro.

You know what my favorite GM car is? The Buick Grand National. If the GN had a v8, then it just wouldn't be the same.

 

[FourOnTheFloor]

I drive a 3.4L V6 firebird and I love it!

My car is a great mix of practicality and performance. Honestly, between the heavy gas usage and expensive insurance, I couldn't afford a V8 pony car. I get 23 mpg and it will still fly around corners and pass anyone on the highway no problem. I have a 5 speed and the relatively small engine is fun to rev and play around with. Same great looks and handling minus the giant engine. My new dream car is a new V6 Camaro, especially with high gas prices.

 

[DuSpinnst]

V6's are fine in Pony cars. That is what is the big difference between Pony cars and Muscle cars in my book. The Pony car was about being smaller and not fast by brute force (just the look of fast). Muscle cars never look fast, but always are due to some engine on steroids.

 

[Firebird00]

I don't think gas prices will change the perception that tags along with V6 pony cars. Pony cars with V6s is like near-beer, and this comes from someone with a V6. Its just not the same, mind you driving badass Trans Ams and Corvettes has really spoiled me.

 

[Tone]

The last generation of F-bodies and Mustangs V6s were really underrated in my opinion, particularly the F-bodies (from what I've read).

The 3.8 made an honest 200 hp, which was better than the H.O. 305 that turned the third generation into some semblance of a performance car. It had less weight on the nose (better handling), go good FE and (I think) could be optioned with a suspension package that made for a nice, balanced car. I seem to remember that GM even considered putting together an autocross package for the V6 as the quicker turn in made for a better cone carver than the V8.

I have driven a last generation v6 Mustang and it was surprisingly lively.

I think the Camaro 3.6 has good potential to be a well rounded performance coupe ... perhaps a legitimate low-buck alternative to something like a BMW 3-series. Here's hoping!

 

[F14CRAZY]

The last generation of F-bodies and Mustangs V6s were really underrated in my opinion, particularly the F-bodies (from what I've read).

The 3.8 made an honest 200 hp, which was better than the H.O. 305 that turned the third generation into some semblance of a performance car. It had less weight on the nose (better handling), go good FE and (I think) could be optioned with a suspension package that made for a nice, balanced car. I seem to remember that GM even considered putting together an autocross package for the V6 as the quicker turn in made for a better cone carver than the V8.

I have driven a last generation v6 Mustang and it was surprisingly lively.

I think the Camaro 3.6 has good potential to be a well rounded performance coupe ... perhaps a legitimate low-buck alternative to something like a BMW 3-series. Here's hoping!

ah yes, the Pony Package on the Mustang and I think like the RS Camaro

 

[ksr]

As I get older, I find that I don't care so much about getting a V-8 and the most powerful options. I'd be happy with a decent-performing V-6 in a great-looking car.

The V-6 Camaro would be fine with me. Especially since the V-6 options on f-bodies have been a pretty strong performing alternative ever since they began using the 3.8 in the 4th gen cars.

 

[wescoent]

I think the Camaro 3.6 has good potential to be a well rounded performance coupe ... perhaps a legitimate low-buck alternative to something like a BMW 3-series. Here's hoping!

Except the 3-Series has tasteful styling, versus the "I WANT TO BE A CORVETTE!!!" look of the Camaro.

For anyone interested, Mustang is getting an aluminum DOHC V6 for MY2010. It will produce more power and be lighter than the current engine, which will result in a nicely balanced car.

For once, the V6 Mustang and V6 Camaro won't be cars to be ashamed of driving.

 

[BrickTamland]

You know what my favorite GM car is? The Buick Grand National. If the GN had a v8, then it just wouldn't be the same.

It would be a Regal with black trim.

 

[BigAls87Z28]

Except the 3-Series has tasteful styling, versus the "I WANT TO BE A CORVETTE!!!" look of the Camaro.

For anyone interested, Mustang is getting an aluminum DOHC V6 for MY2010. It will produce more power and be lighter than the current engine, which will result in a nicely balanced car.

For once, the V6 Mustang and V6 Camaro won't be cars to be ashamed of driving.

Camaro looks nothing like Camaro. Camaro has a different style because its a different car.

Mustang is getting an engine that makes more then 200hp!! whowahoao!

 

[Tone]

Camaro looks nothing like Camaro. !

I know this is a typo, but is seems almost philosphical!

I hope the advertising copywriter behind "Pontiac is Car" doesn't see this though, or this might very well be the new tagline for the launch advertising campaign!

 

[wescoent]

Camaro looks nothing like Camaro. Camaro has a different style because its a different car.

Mustang is getting an engine that makes more then 200hp!! whowahoao!

Well, I meant an overwrought super muscular style, less so than directly aping the Corvette.

It might be another story if they combined the front of a 67-69 Camaro with the back of the 1970 Camaro on the Kappa platform.

 

[red_rider]

I've always been a fan of hi-po v6 coupes, especially if the v6 is boosted or high-revving.

I would have loved something like a 3.2L SHO SN95 Mustang or a 3800SC F-body Camaro.

You know what my favorite GM car is? The Buick Grand National. If the GN had a v8, then it just wouldn't be the same.

I can respect that, however I remember from my parents from someone they knew who had one, that the v6 sounded not too fun, like a vacuum cleaner or something. I've never actually heard one in person so I can't verify, but I'm curious now. Maybe its just an acquired taste?

Anyway, it makes me wonder why GM didn't trickle the 3.8 turbo system into the later 3.8 S/C W-bodies and such. Don't get me wrong, I love the blower whine and low end grunt, but I'd still be curious if they would've gotten more than 240 hp, 280 lb-ft at a comparable cost and mpg.

 

[vcs2600]

~300HP V6 engines will kill this myth dead.

Also the pricing structure of future pony cars will put a much higher premium on the V8 model.

 

[MonteCarloSS86]

Camaro looks nothing like Camaro. Camaro has a different style because its a different car.

Mustang is getting an engine that makes more then 200hp!! whowahoao!

You do have to admit that the Camaro is sort of Corvette-inspired.

Even the second-gen Camaro was Corvette-inspired before they refreshed it. So that makes the Corvette- and Camaro-inspiration that much more complicated.

 

[doh]

In 1993, while at a GM Pro training event. The GM trainers were introducing the New F Bodies.

They asked what "We" thought was the target Demographics? I was the only one out of 40 people that said "Babyboomers that want Grocery getters, and Wanted one in thier teen years but could not afford one." They don't need "Stop light to stop light racers"

Mustang picked up on that, and maybe that is why they are still around today. While gas prices soar, it is the same demographic, "Iwanted one for years, I want to look cool, And I am not a street racer."