Red Rex

iTrader: (1)

Holy $&%# that thing pulls strong. Got into a white GT base from the local Ford dealer and took it for a spin. Looks very nice in person, even in white.

The inside: was actually really good. I honestly forgot that I was sitting in the base GT halfway through the drive. All the ***** and buttons feel great and very attached. They've all got that great "click" feeling so you know you actually pressed/turned it, but not too rough. Seats were pretty comfy, just could've used more support on the lower sides. Head room was good (I'm 6'3'') and the build quality was definitely there. Aside from not having the glossy material on the center console and leather, the interior is pretty much similar quality as the RX8's. Everything felt solid.

The drive: first off, great clutch. Very similar to the RX8's in that its very linear and has a lot of feel to it. Never came close to stalling once. Pedals were a little close together but I adjusted my seat hastily so my seating position wasn't perfect. Shifter has very close throws (again, very similar to the RX8). Very sporty feel but never mis-shifted. Brakes were great. Had good initial bite and great feel to them (weren't even the Brembo upgrades).

The engine: awesome. It looks MASSIVE in the engine bay. Like its not the car's stock engine. On initial driving it felt like a typical V8. Lots of low down torque and effortless to drive around town. Then I got on it. The first 5K RPM were normal. Very predictable for a V8. You know you're hauling *** but the flat torque curve kinda kills the feeling. Then the VCT kicked in. It woke the engine up a bit which was nice but not uber impressive. Then 6K happened. Has a very noticeable kick to it like a VTEC Honda engine, but not as intruding. Now this thing is screaming. Shifting through the gears is deceptively easy in the car and in no time we're doing 100. Big time fun. The engine acts like a big V8 down low, but up top it has the characteristics of a turbo car. Amazing engine, easy to use down low and incredible top end.

Suspension is a touchy subject. Going from an RX8 to any Mustang is going to be a downgrade in handling and feel, so I tried to be optimistic. The Mustang does feel a bit more detached from the steering wheel when you're driving it. It turns in and sticks to the road with no problem so the handling is there, but the steering is very light and just doesn't feel as connected. Apart from that there's not a whole lot of difference. I mean you can argue about the live axle and extra 600 lbs all day, it never crossed my mind during the drive once. You really don't feel hindered by that stuff while you drive. Takes bumps great (something the old Mustang's simply did not), and the handling was impressive.

Over-all it was a superb drive. Makes me rethink keeping my RX8 big time. Its just a really well balanced car. Powerful, but good mpg. Handles great, but not uncomfortable. Sounds mean, but not harsh. Truly an amazing car and how Ford can afford to sell them at the price they do is beyond me. Not even the dealer mark-ups that the Camaro had.

BTW this is coming from a GM guy who wouldn't give Mustang's the time of day a year ago.

ASH8

LIVE Axle...YUK...what is it like Over Continuous BUMPS???

Did you take it on twisty roads??

tza0001

iTrader: (2)

Sounds like you had some fun! You make me want to test drive one of these too

RufusVonStorm

Great review, this is the most awesome car/engine package Ford has made in a long time!

Downside: it's still not a vette

8 Maniac

iTrader: (1)

Good thing they didn't price it like one

I've really been wanting to get in one to test it out but haven't managed to get around to it yet. Definitely sounds like a blast, even if it doesn't have the best handling.

Red Rex

iTrader: (1)

The roads here are in pretty crappy condition but it doesn't seem to matter. The car is technically pretty heavy so I'm sure that helps keep it planted.

Yes the dealership had a great road planned out for test drives. Everything from stop and go traffic to twisty back roads to the open highway. Car performed great. I still can't believe I like a Mustang. Especially since I HATED the 2006 GT that I drove a while ago.

Cam

iTrader: (1)

Looks like it handles pretty well to me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOwSP...layer_embedded

77mjd

I test drove one a few weeks ago, and damn...I was impressed. Mine was the base 5.0, brembo upgrade with 19s, 6MT. Seriously considering one right now...pretty much agree 100% with OP. My 8 has 96k on it so it's time to move on and since the 16x won't be out anytime soon it's probably gonna be the Mustang for me (this after swearing a couple of years ago I'd never buy a domestic car) Of course way in the back of my mind there is still the option of looking for a dirt cheap used '09 R3.

I think the hardest thing to get used to with the Mustang would be looking out over the huge hood...and OP definitely had it right...that V-8 looks absolutely HUGE, almost as if is doesn't even belong in there, as opposed to having the hood of my 8 open and have people asking "Where IS the engine?"

bonestockrotary

it's a Modular 5.0. all modular motors are freakin wide as ****. my brother has a fox body and we pulled up next to a new mustang and compared engines. it's REDICULOUS. it's like comparing the 4.6L from the newer ones to the old 289.

R1Cky

the new 5.0 are sick, they can run 10's N/A, shoot even the new SHO's are pretty darn fast for such a heavy car. Ford has been stepping their game lately.

Red Rex

iTrader: (1)

I'm not so certain on the aftermarket. A Ford employee who worked on the 5.0 says there isn't a whole lot of room for improvement. It comes with a CAI from the factory and all the tuning they used on the 4.6 went into the 5.0. Yeah you can slap a supercharger on them, but you can supercharge anything. I'd actually think twice about FI with that 11:1 compression ratio. Not that the car even needs much more power. I swear going onto that on-ramp I was on the throttle for the same amount of time as I usually am for the RX8 and was at 100 in the 5.0 whereas I'd be at 65 maybe 70 in the 8. Really easy to drive fast. And that 5.0 didn't even have the performance package from the factory (more aggressive ratios out back and better tires). Careful getting into a 5.0, your 8 will feel like a Civic for the rest of the day.

Oh BTW 2011 is supposed to be the last year of the GT500. The Boss is coming back.

rx 8speciale

iTrader: (3)

sold im getting one soon!!!!

RufusVonStorm

http://www.fordvehicles.com/cars/mus...12mustangboss/

Woo-hoo!!

RX8_R3

But it still looks like a mustang. Good luck finding it in a parking lot!! They're everywhere.
But I agree, the bang for the buck (and power) is great.

8 Maniac

iTrader: (1)

I used to really hate mustangs and that was one of the reasons... way too common. Now that they're a pretty damn good car, why shouldn't the be popular? Can't really say anything too bad about them because you get a lot for your money. They'll probably still sell mostly because of the name, but they've definitely made a car good enough to deserve that popularity.

Dream20B

iTrader: (1)

**** son, we lost another one!

Detrich

american muscle vs. rx-8 isn't even really a fair comparison or apples to apples. a more fair comparison might be if u said u test drove a mustang 5.0 vs. corvette...

if u drive a mustang and actually think it's a better car than the rx-8, then you obviously don't know what the rx-8 is about and should immediate switch cars before ppl start flaming u on this forum... lol

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

The numbers are impressive like the Camaro but driving my friends brand new SS reminded me of how important the interior of a car is. But if I had to pick a Mustang I would pick the newest gen, they are impressive but the interior is still not for me.

8 Maniac

iTrader: (1)

I never quite understood that logic. While I understand that their primary focus point is slightly different, these aren't completely different types of cars. They're both performance based cars and are not strictly limited to using their strong points. Plenty of people enjoy dragging the 8 and the newer mustangs are more than track worthy. I'm not sure why you think a corvette is a good comparison... if you wanted to stick with american, the challenger or camaro would be the more obvious options, even if they aren't quite as good now.

I understand that comparing a miata to a giant diesel truck is not a good comparision, but when we're talking about 2 performance oriented cars in relatively close price ranges, it's not really that far fetched of a comparison.

77mjd

And maybe me too, but I'll be totally honest...if the 16x was already out or about to come out, that's what I'd be getting but since there is not even a concrete concept yet or any specs or time line, it's not gonna be anytime soon, so it's probably time to move on for my next car. I bought my '04 new so I'm out of patience. When is the next major auto show? I'll probably hold out till at least then to see if Mazda shows anything new for the rotary...otherwise it'll probably be the Mustang.

Red Rex

iTrader: (1)

IMO all's fair when it comes to similar price tags. They're both sports cars, whichever company can give me the more enjoyable car for the same amount of money wins.

If you think an RX8 vs 5.0 doesn't make sense why are you suggesting a 5.0 against a vette?

Again, I used to HATE Mustangs. And I've actually driven them. My first car had Mustang hardware in it. This new 5.0 really does defy all those bad things you "know" about Mustangs like a crappy interior or useless suspension. Yeah, the RX8 does feel a bit better on twisty roads. Notice I said a bit better. The 5.0 blows away the RX8 in straight line performance. The RX8 does not blow away the 5.0 in handling. I know it sounds completely backwards from the norm of the car universe, but go drive one and you'll see. Given the choice of a brand new R3 or a 5.0, easily the 5.0. Just my 2 cents.

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

Yeah price is the main thing. But we are talking performance only here. I doubt anyone thinks the Mustang compares to the M3 in all aspects.

Psylence

Sorry, this is 2010 and frankly I'm tired of ancient regressive tech being used on new cars. Live axle suspensions only belong in ONE PLACE: Pickup trucks.

But its cool if other people want to be sellouts just so they can have OMG HORSEPOWER.

dillsrotary

Do you know why they left it a live axle? There is a reason.

Psylence

Cost. Possibly weight.

Doesn't matter to me WHY they did it, it only matters that they did. A live axle rear end sets the ultimate limits of a car, ANY car, lower than an IRS model.

Do not want.