HeelnToe

An old friend of mine just dropped in to show off his new Mustang. Naturally, we swapped driving each others cars.

I expected: heavy clutch, loose suspension, tons of torque, neck-snapping power, vague steering, etc., etc. How wrong I was!

First off, it's very comfy with nice visibility. It didn't take long to find a nice driving position. Good wheel, shifter, and pedal placement. Heck, I could even heel-and-tow the dang thing, which was surprising for a car I'd been driving for all of 30 seconds.

The retro dash I could do without. Cute and clever, yes, but not easy to read. I actually gave up after awhile and just prayed I was under the speed limit. I'm sure you get used to it.

Nice, NICE engine sound. Obviously totally different than an 8, but a nice, deep, throaty rumble. Not obnoxious whatsoever - just sporty and pleasant. Just enough to make you smile when you get into the throttle and tempt you to do it over and over, lol.

The acceleration is very good, but not neck-snapping like I expected. It's progressive and linear, and not the torque-monster I feared. Very controllable, easy to play with, and not intimidating when simply backing out of a parking lot. It just pushes, harder and harder, with a nice soundtrack accompanying it. It doesn't feel THAT much faster than an 8, though I realize it is.

I didn't like the shifter though. It's very vague with long throws. It works, and I'm sure you get used to it, but I'm used to the snick-snick shifter of the 8. Still, the clutch was light, and the throws are lighter that the 8, so it's not so bad.

The handling was good, much tighter than I expected. I wouldn't call it "nimble," but it's predictable, almost tossable, and definately amusing to play with. I never felt like it might get away from me (though I wasn't pushing that hard). No slop to the suspension.

Probably the biggest surprise was how good the thing looked. At least in black. I've seen pictures, and a few on the road, and didn't like the retro look all that much. But up close in person, this thing looked great... very clean lines, very muscular, and almost similar to a Z in some ways - but without the Z's overdone gangsta-wannabe look.

Overall, I was seriously impressed and surprised. For anyone looking for a fun RWD car, it's definately worth a test drive. Definately not the crude muscle car I expected.

Oh, he liked the 8 too. Typical comments you'd expect: it feels lighter and more nimble, shifter is more precise though notchier, slow at first but builds speed quickly, slightly better ride, but more body roll. Different, but fun too.

dos

Wow, nice rims!!

poolsidenaz

I am so glad you likened the appearance to be a bit 350Z'ish. The other day a mustang was coming toward me from the other direction. I was thinking it had a 350z'ish look to it as well and was stunned that I drew that similarity. Now I don't feel so odd for having that thought.

Nice write up and thank you for the share.

V_for_velocity

Good post. Thanks for taking the time.

124Spider

Thanks; nice report!

Although I prefer driving a nimble little car, I do love the sound of an American V-8 engine. When working the course at an autocross, when a Corvette, Camaro or Mustang rumbles by, everyone smiles. :p

No More Oldsmobiles

Good review.

I like the new looks. Much cleaner and sharper, especially when kept shiny.

But in a car like this, I'd rather have neck-snapping crudeness than the other refinements.

BlueEyes

nice write up. I am taking one out at Mosport in two weeks, I think, maybe three. My buddy just got it and we're going for a lapping day. I'll try to give a review of it's track abilities.

HeelnToe

LOL, I think test driving the Evo ruined it for me... everything else seems so... mediocre, acceleration-wise now. If it wasn't for that bench-mark, maybe I'd have been more omigod! about it

He also apparently lowered his 'Stang with Eibach springs, so I dunno what a stock car feels like. This one was definately very choppy over bumps and dips, making you want to slow down when it got rough. The 8 rarely feels that way, as it seems to slither over any road surface like a panther

On the track though, his car would be fantastic methinks. Very nicely controlled.

Note to self: do NOT write off cars until you drive them yourself, lol. I can't get over how wrong I was about the car. Makes me afraid to drive a Z, lol...

What a nice way to spend a saturday afternoon! Always nice when test drives come knocking on YOUR door!

NVMYGT

Very nice review ...but what did your friend have to say about the 8?

HeelnToe

Oh, he liked the 8 too. Typical comments you'd expect: it feels lighter and more nimble, shifter is more precise though notchier, slow at first but builds speed quickly, slightly better ride, but more body roll. Different, but fun too.

He really liked it, and asked a ton of intelligent questions about the rotary... some of which stumped me, like "if it doesn't have a crankshaft, does it have an oil pan that something dips and slaps down into to get oiled?"

I stood there with a deer-in-headlights look, lol. I never thought about that...

TODreamer

Please ask him which rims those are.

good write up.... I have test drove the 05 'stang as well and felt pretty much the same way you did. I was shocked... I had all kinds assumptions of before testing it and was pretty much wrong... just plain and simply WRONG :D

you pretty much summed up the shifter quite well... I was interacting with it and while I thought it was adequate I couldnt put my finger on the slight (ever so slight) perturbance i was feeling with it.... and you said it... "vague".... my sentiments exactly.

all in all its a really really nice machine. I've heard others say that this model will be able to get ford new customers they never could have attracted in the past... before I was like "I'm sure " ... but now I definitely believe it.

Moostafa29

I must be blind, because the only similarities I notice are they are both coupes and fast. Good write up though!

poolsidenaz

I can't figure it out either. Something about the hood lines viewing from the front I think. Cuz I've only thought it once and it was a straight on view of the front. :o Hey I'm not the only one atleast

bmcc49er

My neighbor has the black GT also. I am seeing the new Mustang all over the place which is the only downside to me but the black in person is a sweet looking car and like you said the sound it puts out is great. I hate the dash but i wouldn't mind having it in my garage. Only thing i have noticed for me personally is the car just doesn't look as good in the other colors. The black really makes it standout.
Buuuttt, I just got back from a 400 roundtrip with my 8 and wouldn't trade it no way. Just a joy to drive and very comfortable the whole trip. This car is just plain fun to drive everywhere be it the country twisties or the 4 lane highways. I admire what the turbocharged boxes can do but for me personally they leave a real empty feeling in the looks and comfort dept. and i could never keep my foot out of a Evo. The 8 is the ultimate cruiser with plenty of power, comfort and looks. Its good to get home from a trip in most cars. In the 8 I wanted to have another 100 miles to go

Ike

I just don't get why Ford doesn't put a shorter throw in the Mustangs, even a higher dollar big HP car like the SVT Cobra has a spongy very long throw shifter. I mean it's not like it would cost them much money if any to shorten the shifts and tighten it up a bit.

rotten42

well they are going for that retro feel. :D

Speed-ER doc

There's a lot of stuff they could do, but there is so much aftermarket support for these cars that I think they would rather keep prices low and let folks customize their own cars.

That's my next step....the MGW short-throw shifter.

Thetitanium8

One of the guys I work with has a fully loaded silver GT. As always it sounds great. I think the front of the car looks good I just dont like the back end of it. The back end sits to high for my taste. If it were lowered a little bit I think it would look better. Overall I am impressed with the cars overall performance.

apotocki

What he said.

and

I'm really like the stang from the rear wheels forward but having a hard time liking the rear styling.
I did stop in the Ford dealership last week and look at a White/Blue stripe Roush GT.......now that one looked sharp.

BlueEyes

How do you like me now! I like the backend much more in this form.

apotocki

Ahhh...much better. But, at alittle more additional cost!!!!

NgoRX8

iTrader: (1)

Yea, I don't dig to back as much as the front. But Mustang GTs are still nice.

Motortrend had a section comparing an 05' Mustang GT Convertible and 350z Roadster. 350z came out the sports car, Mustang GT came out the Icon.
I would say they do look similar.

griffj10

Great review of the GT. I considered one when I got my 8. There were no GT's around at the time so I would have to wait even to test drive. I owned one a long time ago and within 2 years the paint and interior had turned to crap. That memory of disappointment drove me away from Ford. Also, I know that by the end of the year everyone and their grandma will have a mustang. Hell, there will be tons of the V6's for rent at Budget. Unless you know what you are looking at, the V6 looks just like the GT. The 8 is a rare car in these parts and my Shinka is really one of a kind compared to what the Mustangs will be in 6 months.

Thetitanium8

Much better :D

TODreamer

I think the back looks great