Is there a vehicle that comes close to being a Mustang in size, that goes, stops, turns, at least as well as a Mustang...but sits a bit higher off the ground?
I currently own an 06 Mustang and getting in and out is literally a pain. Vehicles that I am considering are: Subaru Forester (like the seat height and available manual transmission), a Nissan, Ford, or Chevy/GMC mid-sized pickup. Unfortunately, none of the trucks are available with a manual AND a V6 engine.
Perhaps a lightly used compact sedan? A Focus or Fiesta?
Why not lift the mustang? I mean, gotta be strut spacers or something available, and some taller tires.....
Like they do with miatas and paco spacers?
Cactus
HalfDork
12/7/20 9:40 p.m.
Crown vic? It's not too hard to put in a better modular v8 and whatever trans speaks to you. It'll handle as well as any of the ragged out mustangs I've driven.
Sample of midly lifted Mustang (could be even more mild)
If the driving experience is good enough the pain of ingress/egress is always worth it. I am 68 and really arthritic, and I climb down into my X1/9 every chance I get to go for a drive. I may need a pulley system to get out soon, but still worth it.
Goes, stops turns as well as a 2006 Mustang is not really that big of threshold. No threshold at all if that Mustang is a V6.
Seems that your biggest requirement is manual trans. You say V6 and manual but modern 4 cyls are pretty powerful.
For 2006 the Mustang offered:
4.6L V8 at 300 hp
4.0L V6 at 210 hp
dps214
HalfDork
12/7/20 10:07 p.m.
Fiesta ST. Maybe a touch down on power but it's torquey and geared short and feels fast. Will absolutely blow the mustang out of the water on everything else. And a fairly high and upright seating position. Focus ST if you need a bit more room or that last little bit of perofrmance. Maybe something like a GTI if budget is less of a concern and you want something a bit more classy.
You could get a Colorado with a 5 speed and 5 cylinder. Rare, but existant.
A Forester XT seems to tick your boxes, but they scare me.
VW Golf Alltrack is a lifted golf. I enjoyed the driving dynamics, but I've not been in a 4.0L S197 to compare.
ShawnG
UltimaDork
12/7/20 11:25 p.m.
In reply to Mike (Forum Supporter) :
More water leaks than a Mustang.
A MINI Countryman or Paceman in Cooper "S" guise would be taller than the Mustang and offer good handling and power. Both can be found with manual transmissions. Countryman is available new, but a Paceman would have to be found used.
ShawnG said:
In reply to Mike (Forum Supporter) :
More water leaks than a Mustang.
I have owned several SSR's and never a leak to be found. They are great trucklets, but the convertible top failures and repairs kill any usability as a daily.
The manual with the 6.o is the one to have but man are they hard to find and most manuals were ordered bottom basement in spec.
Easy to get in and out of but the doors are suprizinly large so parking is a pain.
How about the fastest new Toyota off the dealer showrooms from 2006 -2012 w/ a 0-60 time of 6.5 seconds?
Sadly, no manual trans offered with this V6 but a good ride height.
STM317
UberDork
12/8/20 9:41 a.m.
SRT-8 seems like the Mustang of SUVs to me
In reply to John Welsh :
we just bougth one and it still cracks me up. 2009 black v6
Similar year X3s could be had with manual. 2005ish
STM317 said:
SRT-8 seems like the Mustang of SUVs to me
I wouldn't mind having one of these just because of the ridiculous factor.
The newest gen can actually tow a reasonable trailer, but used ones are still a bit too much and I don't know if I'm ready to gut the Miata and turn it into a pure HPDE toy.
Not sure if it stops as good as a Mustang, but this would be just as fun IMO.
