2005 Mustang GT: In The Autoblog Garage Day 5
This is it. This is goodbye. I've had some tough departures before but seeing the Mustang GT roll away was devestating. The lasting impression the Mustang left with me wasn't that it was this amazing sports car, which it was, but it was a car I could love driving to work every day without sacrificing any comfort or convenience.
As far as performance the Mustang meets almost all my needs. I would still prefer slightly
stronger brakes for such a large and powerful car. But that was the only nitpick here. The shifting was such a joy and
the acceleration so engaging that, if this was my own car, I wouldnt pine for testing others as much as I do now.
Another aspect of driving it every day I failed to mention before were the doors and riding height. In other sports cars like the GTO the doors are so heavy and long theyre an effort to slam shut and others like the S2000 are hard to get in and out of. Neither of those issues occurred here. My fianc?found the Mustang to be her favorite sports car as a passenger for those two reasons as well, although she did think the engine was too loud, a comment that brought a mischievous smile to my face.
By far this car gets more looks than anything else Ive been in. Only the Chrysler 300C sparked similar interest. But having the only Mustang GT Ive seen in the city threw up attention beacons to other drivers, pedestrians and just about anyone in the vicinity. Lots of friends and coworkers said it was the only Ford theyve seen in a long time, or ever, they would consider buying. I didnt find one person who spoke poorly of the design when they saw it in the flesh. My only thought of improvement is the fairly bland back end. Also why is a middle brake light actually required? Here it really destroys the flow of the design and the other brake lights take up such a huge portion of the back anyway. I doubt anyone would not notice the regular brake lights when lit.
So yes, I do see some flaws with the all-new Mustang but they are few and very far between. Would I recommend it to anyone with $25,000 in their pocket? I already have.
Stay tuned. Were not done with the Mustang GT quite yet. Tomorrow well post an image gallery of the test Mustang.
Read about Day 0.5, Day 1, Day 2, Day 3 and Day 4 in the Mustang.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jason 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
But the GAS MILEAGE... that just kills me. I drive a big giant gas guzzling truck and it gets better numbers in mixed driving by at least 3mpg than that Mustang.
I can't even begin to speculate what makes it so bad.
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David Thomas 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
It depends where you live I think with regards to "mixed driving". When I say I live in the city I mean it. Chicago is as stop and go as it gets. My escort gets less than 20 mpg including city driving. when I lived in S. Florida it got 30 mpg with mixed driving.
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David Thomas 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
Sticker says 17/25
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SGV 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
I think the big question here is: Are you buying one?
Reagrding fuel economy. I live in SoFla, I do mixed driving in a SVT Focus. And I get 25 mpg consistently during the summer (A/C on 100% of the time) and about 28 during the not-as-hot season. Ii Have been thinking of getting a bigger car but I would hate to give up fuel economy.
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David Thomas 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
There are three reasons why I will not be buying a new mustang (yet)
1. I drive a new test car every week and my significant other has an SUV to haul the dog and everything else. And I still have my old car to serve in emergencies.
2. We live in the city and *gasp* actually don't have a garage. So until we move to the burbs I wouldn't be getting any car I "wanted" in good condition.
3. I'd probably wait for a cobra or boss version. I even like the Saleen but the price there is too high.
If I was in the market for a new car a black on black GT would be on order.
SGV in S. Florida this will be a great car. I grew up in Boca. Although I don't think you'd get anymore room out of the Mustang over the Focus.
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Jason 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
David:
I live in high altitude Colorado where almost every engine struggles for air. Mixed driving for me is almost always 20-50mph rush hour traffic.
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wonko 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
Why the middle brake light? Because some states (Oregon, for example) require one by law on new vehicles.
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David Thomas 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
Wonko,
I know it's a law I'm just questioning the logic. How is the puny middle light shown above going to make a difference when the regular brake lights are 10 times it's size? Could you miss these brake lights? I'd understand if it was at the top of the rear glass but on the back it doesn't do any additional good.
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KT 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
Re: Gas Mileage...I get a new company car every 6-12 months. The gas mileage gets better as the engine is "broken in". I currently have a Lincoln Aviator (4.6 DOHC)and it gets close to 17mpg around town right now (21k miles). However, it was 12-13mpg when I first took delivery. At about 15k miles is when you'll start getting the true mpg.
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David Thomas 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
Despite KT's email address he is correct, engines do improve mileage wise over time and have a break-in period. I've never heard hard and fast how many miles are needed (i'd guess they vary per vehicle) but 10,000 would be the least I'd guess at. Also when I mentioned mileage originally I believe I did mention the under 3,000 miles on the car for this reason. Maybe I didn't make it clear enough.
KT if you have some actual figures from your company on break in miles please share. Also tell someone I'd prefer a Boss from SVT for this mustang incarnation instead of a Cobra. Or both.
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David Thomas 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
for good desktop images go to www.seriouswheels.com
lots to choose from
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KW 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
From what I've heard the center high mounted stop light or CHMSL was designed to get the attention of a following motorist who is peering through you window to observe traffic ahead of you. The light -in most cases- illuminates before the main stop lamps. In theory it will catch the eye sooner and when viewed in conjuction with the other stop lights, creates a triangle effect of sorts. The lights became law after testing on taxi cabs.
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Eric Rice 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
Third brake lights showed up here in California in 1985, and I'm not sure if it was a Nader safety thing or just a visibility issue.
Great review guys. I have admired this car for months, and they are starting to show up in my neighborhood. I might just have to sniff my way to the Ford dealership. Gas mileage be damned! I want horsepower!
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Blue Plate 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
The Third Brake Light, or CHMSL, is **required** by federal law.
That's why you don't see **any** cars with out them.
It's sometimes called the "Libby Light", after Sen. Elizabeth Dole, who wrote the rule when she was Reagan's Secretary of Transportation.
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KT 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
If I had that info (engine break-in)I'd share it with you. All I can share is my personal experience with new cars. I'll be taking delivery of a new one in a couple of weeks and I'll try to keep track of it and let you know.
BTW, great site! It's on my daily viewing list. Keep it going!
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KT 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
Also, I agree on the Boss vs Cobra thought. With the cars retro-styling it just seems a better fit to have a Boss version. Maybe put the new Cammer crate engine in it?
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David Thomas 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
http://www.autoblog.com/entry/1234000527020771/
Gallery is now online
KT-Thanks for the kind words. What color did you order by chance
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Arnie 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
Where is the Mustang assembled and how much of the content is actually made in USA? Does anybody know? Ford.com is rather short on info like that.
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KT 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
Sorry..I may have been misleading..my new vehicle is not a Stang (another Aviator). We can't get one as a company car until next year (I'm thinking convertible). The Stang is being built at the Auto Alliance plant in Detroit. Don't have a clue to the content question. But I would guess it is 60-70% if not more.
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