The 2006 Ford Mustang has a smooth ride, a wide variety of customization options, and a vintage-inspired look.
The Ford Mustang is one of the most iconic vehicles ever made, and its recent overhaul brought new, retro styling, updated powertrain options, and new tech to the storied muscle car. The 2006 Mustang still rides high from that 2005 redesign, but gets a quieter interior and updated tech for the new model year.
The Mustang is offered as either a fastback coupe or as a convertible, and can be had with either a V6 or V8 engine. The V6 is a 4.0-liter unit that produces 210 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque. The 4.6-liter V8 in the Ford Mustang GT makes 300 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque. A five-speed manual transmission and rear-wheel drive are standard.
The Mustang competes against the Nissan 350Z, Hyundai Tiburon, Pontiac GTO, and Chrysler Sebring. It’s targeted at new-car buyers that want a classic American muscle car with the amenities of a modern vehicle.
The Mustang’s 2005 redesign brought it back to its roots. The latest Mustang style harkens back to a time when this Ford "pony car" was king of the road and nobody else had a clue. A long hood and elevated rear deck lid highlight its profile, while several other “Easter eggs” are scattered throughout the car’s interior and exterior.
Inside, the Mustang’s cabin is unashamed of its throwback intentions. The front seats are split into two distinct areas, and the driver’s side is dominated by an old-school three-spoke steering wheel, vintage-inspired round gauges, and a cockpit that would look much more at home in the 1960s than in 2006.
With this latest iteration, Ford has improved many of the previous-generation Mustang’s weaknesses. The V6 is an advanced engine that is flexible enough to stand up to a variety of situations, from hauling groceries around town to hauling tail through curvy mountain roads. The V8 features variable camshaft timing and electronic throttle control that help it save fuel and produce tremendous power.
Where previous Mustangs fell down at the first sign of a curve, the new car is much more composed and controlled. It’s got a longer wheelbase than previous models and the rear suspension is all-new, with coil springs and a three-link design (but still with a solid rear axle). The new setup reduces instability and the typical bouncy rear end over rough roads.
The Mustang has gotten bigger over the years, but Ford has managed to put that extra space to good use in the car’s interior. The front seats feature more leg, hip, and shoulder room than before. The front buckets are supportive and hold backsides firmly in place when driving spiritedly. The back seat, however, is not a good choice for anyone but children, and even car seats will be difficult to squeeze in.
Despite its lack of back-seat space, the Mustang at least offers a healthy dose of trunk space. Folding rear seats open the space up even further, but the convertible top cuts into the cargo area to a high degree.
The Mustang’s crash test scores leave more than a little to be desired. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rated it "acceptable" for moderate overlap front crashworthiness, but gave it a "poor" score for its head restraints and seats. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the Mustang five stars in frontal crash testing, four stars in side crash tests, and five stars for rollover resistance.
Standard safety features include front seatbelt pretensioners, front and rear ventilated disc brakes, an engine immobilizer, an emergency trunk release, and a passenger airbag occupant sensing system. Available features include an electronic brakeforce distribution system, four-wheel anti-lock brakes, fog lights, and electronic traction control.
The Mustang offers a low bar of entry to a true American sports car. The base model’s starting price of $19,115 buys a basic car with few amenities, but it’s still a Mustang and it still looks the part, even if it’s not the uprated GT trim. At the top end, the ‘Stang reaches an MSRP of nearly $30,000, but that money buys a Mustang convertible with a rowdy V8 engine. There’s really no way to go wrong with the Mustang, and the car’s recent improvements have made it more worthy of its price tag than ever before.
The Mustang V6 has fuel-economy ratings of 17/26/20 mpg city/hwy/combined with a manual transmission and 17/23/19 mpg with the available five-speed automatic. Those gas-mileage numbers shift to 15/23/18 mpg for the V8 model with a manual and 15/22/18 mpg for the V8 with the automatic transmission.
The car says it’s 272 of 400 California Edition on the dash, however, the trunk decal does not have the CE emblem, it looks like the reg horse emblem. Not sure if it was replaced or what happened to that emblem. How can we verify for sure if our car is a ca editon? 2006 4.0 v6 coupe
When lights are on, brake light does not work, when lights are off brake lights work
Has the cause for the 2006 Electrical problem (dead battery & alternator) in the 2006 Mustang been found????
I was an engine builder years ago, way before the automakers decided to screw up our cars with all this computer crap and interference piston/valve train designs. That said, with the 2006 Ford V6 is this this an interference-type engine? That is to say - if you bow a timing chain will the piston hit the valves and trash the head? I just bought one that's not running and need a place to start looking, if it has spark and is getting fuel. but still won't run. Thanks.
Okay, I have owned my 2006 Mustang since September of 2005. It was my first car, I still own it, and it is an every day driver. It has always been outside - never garage kept (I've lived in places where there was either no room in garage due to other cars or places without garages). In 2010, a light came on that said "Check Charging System" - had the battery & alternator checked out, everything was good - so I was told. A few months later the car completely dies on me. Jumping it wouldn't even work. Had the battery replaced to get it from where I was to a shop - was told that the alternator was bad - had it replaced. That lasted for a good while - until the same thing happened again during the Fall in 2012 - it died while it was running and in motion. Once again, the 'Stang left me stranded. Took it to a different shop this time, thinking I just got a bad alternator from the last shop. Replaced battery & alternator, once again. Just a little over a year later, in February of this year (2014) - on my birthday of all days - she does it again! Had a diagnostics test ran on it at the Ford Dealership in town - they were saying everything was good. Took it back to the same shop this time - they had a warranty on their parts. They replaced the alternator & battery for free, since the previous one went out. Here I am.. right at 6 months later - and that darn Ford is at it again! Over 3 weeks ago, the same thing happened. Took it back to the same shop - since the alternator from February was still under a new warranty - they tested the alternator & said it was good, but I had a bad battery. They replaced the battery, and I got the car back last Thursday morning. Had to run a few errands around town, but the first time it was in idle, the "Check Charging System" light came back on. I was hoping they just forgot to reset it - NOPE! Not that particular trip, but my following car ride, she gives out on me again - THE DAY I GOT IT BACK FROM THE SHOP! No one can seem to find out WHY this keeps happening - so my question is WHY DOES THIS KEEP HAPPENING????? And has anyone else had this problem??? Granted, she does have 137,000 miles on her now - BUT when it first started happening in 2010, the car had maybe 60-70,000 miles on it. Any answers are much appreciated!
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation
Audio System
Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front
Convenience Features
Center console: front console with storage · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls · Storage: door pockets
Driver Seat
Manual adjustments: 8
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Rear Seats
Type: split-bench
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: cloth
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside
Suspension
Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Suspension Classification: solid live axle · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheels: steel
Wheels
Wheel covers: full
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags
Audio System
Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: alloy · Steering wheel trim: leather and alloy
Convenience Features
Center console: front console with storage · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls · Storage: door pockets
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Manual adjustments: 8
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Rear Seats
Type: split-bench
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: cloth
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside
Suspension
Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Suspension Classification: solid live axle · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheels: alloy
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags
Audio System
6 disc in-dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · 1 subwoofer
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: alloy and leather · Steering wheel trim: leather and alloy
Convenience Features
Center console: front console with storage · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls · Storage: door pockets
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 6
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 4
Rear Seats
Type: split-bench
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: reclining · Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: sport · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: cloth
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside
Suspension
Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Suspension Classification: solid live axle · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Tires
Speed Rating: Z · Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheels: aluminum
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation
Audio System
Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front
Convenience Features
Center console: front console with storage · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls · Storage: door pockets
Driver Seat
Manual adjustments: 8
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Rear Seats
Type: bench
Roof
Convertible rear window: glass · Convertible roof: power
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside
Suspension
Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Suspension Classification: solid live axle · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheels: steel
Wheels
Wheel covers: full
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags
Audio System
Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: alloy and leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Center console: front console with storage · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls · Storage: door pockets
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Manual adjustments: 8
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Rear Seats
Type: bench
Roof
Convertible rear window: glass · Convertible roof: soft top
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: leather
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside
Suspension
Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Suspension Classification: solid live axle · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheels: painted aluminum
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags
Audio System
6 disc in-dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · 1 subwoofer
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: alloy · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Center console: front console with storage · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls · Storage: door pockets
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 6
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 4
Rear Seats
Type: bench
Roof
Convertible rear window: glass · Convertible roof: power
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: reclining · Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: leather
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside
Suspension
Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Suspension Classification: solid live axle · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Tires
Speed Rating: Z · Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheels: polished aluminum
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags
Audio System
Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: alloy and leather · Steering wheel trim: leather and alloy
Convenience Features
Center console: front console with storage · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls · Storage: door pockets
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 6
Drivetrain
Limited slip differential: rear
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 4
Rear Seats
Type: split-bench
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: reclining · Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: leather
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside
Suspension
Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Suspension Classification: solid live axle · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheels: alloy
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags
Audio System
6 disc in-dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · 1 subwoofer
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: alloy and leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Center console: front console with storage · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls · Storage: door pockets
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 6
Drivetrain
Limited slip differential: rear
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 4
Rear Seats
Type: split-bench
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: reclining · Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: sport bucket · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: leather
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside
Suspension
Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Suspension Classification: solid live axle · Stabilizer bar(s): rear
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheels: painted aluminum
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags
Audio System
Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: alloy and leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Center console: front console with storage · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls · Storage: door pockets
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 6
Drivetrain
Limited slip differential: rear
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 4
Rear Seats
Type: bench
Roof
Convertible rear window: glass · Convertible roof: soft top
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: reclining · Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: sport · Upholstery: cloth
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside
Suspension
Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Suspension Classification: solid live axle · Stabilizer bar(s): rear
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheels: painted aluminum
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags
Audio System
6 disc in-dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · 1 subwoofer
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: alloy and leather · Steering wheel trim: leather and alloy
Convenience Features
Center console: front console with storage · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls · Storage: door pockets
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 6
Drivetrain
Limited slip differential: rear
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 4
Rear Seats
Type: bench
Roof
Convertible rear window: glass · Convertible roof: power
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: reclining · Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: sport bucket · Upholstery: leather
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside
Suspension
Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Suspension Classification: solid live axle · Stabilizer bar(s): rear
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheels: painted aluminum
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent