How the Autoblog staff would configure a 2018 Ford Mustang

We're a performance-minded bunch of enthusiasts here at the Autoblog headquarters. So our interest in naturally piqued when something as important as a new Ford Mustang rolls into our collective consciousness. Now that the Blue Oval has launched the online configurator for the latest 'Stang, we decided to have some fun and pretend to spend some money.

The range of our choices – EcoBoost four or 5.0-liter V8; coupe or convertible – spans much further than choosing colors, though those are all over the rainbow, too. Take a look at our own creations, and have some fun with your own.

The Ruby Red paint is a must (unless Ford brings back Competition Orange), as is the Performance pack. That nets you some sweet 19-inch black wheels and summer tires, Brembo brakes, upgraded suspension, Torsen limited slip with a 3.73 axle ratio, and a few other extras. I added the Magnetic Ride from the GT350 as a bonus. I deleted the rear spoiler (because the car looks way better with less clutter) and kept the chrome badging. Inside, I added the option package with SYNC 3, automatic climate control, and a few USB ports. Extras, yes, but I still want to be comfortable in a car like this. The total price is $44,974.

I went with the tried-and-true Mustang V8 with the manual transmission. I love the sound this engine makes and the gearbox is solid, too. I'd take one in gray with black wheels. Nice and stealthy. I selected more than $4,500 worth of options, so my fastback ends up at $40,580, which isn't cheap. Features like the black accent package and active performance exhaust are worth it. I kept the interior simple: cloth, though Sync and satellite radio are among the included features. Love that Silver Arrow dashboard overlay, which is also standard.

Ford made some subtle tweaks to the Mustang's exterior design for 2018, and I think it presents well. You certainly have to look closely, though. Regardless, this is a car I'd be psyched to drive every day.

I wouldn't normally choose a red car, but somehow I think it works very well on the 2018 Ford Mustang. I chose the appropriately named Race Red hue, added a blackout package, and deleted the rear spoiler. I only want stripes if it's a Shelby, and this isn't.

I chose the 5.0-liter V8 engine and, of course, a six-speed manual transmission. The GT Performance Package and the MagneRide Damping system are must-have options, and I left everything else as standard for a total out-the-door price of $43,685.

I viewed this build as a theoretical replacement for my 2007 Grabber Orange Mustang GT convertible. (Not that it needs replacing.) So I couldn't pass up Fury Orange, and I stuck with a convertible – even though the coupe looks best. I don't want to race the thing, just tool around in it, so I'm happy enough with the EcoBoost. Its 310 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque are plenty, especially since I'm used to 300 hp and 320 pound-feet from my old 4.6-liter V8. I'll miss that V8 sound, but oh well. 

Skipped the fender "eyebrow"-type stripes - those seemed weird. But speaking from experience, the car would look better with stripes/accents to dial back the orange intensity. So I might take it to a theoretical custom shop for silver or light-gray stripes. (My '07 has black GT stripes. Silver is a sharper combo.) 

Yes on Equipment Group 200A but no on 201A and its color-accented interior. (Again, with orange, you can have too much of a good thing.) And I skipped the LSD and chassis goodies in the EcoBoost Performance Package. Ditto the Magneride damping system. A lot of this gear would be wasted on my shuddery old Mustang; obviously I haven't driven the new model yet, but I'm doubtful of the cost/benefit equation of spending $4,000 on performance parts for a convertible. Let's just spec this thing as a cruiser.

BLIS is a good idea for a convertible's top-up blind spots, It's just a guess, but leather-and-alacantara sounded nice. The stock wheels look great to me. And I skipped the Shaker stereo system. The one in my '07 is unimpressive. I'd rather have the top down and hear the car, the birds and the wind. For a total price of $40,185, this is a heck of a nice cruiser.

I chose the EcoBoost, because I don’t need a ton of power in order to have fun, and at $37,580 out the door, I can save some cash over the GT. If I’m going to be taking this car on long drives to the northern part of the state repeatedly throughout the summer, I’d rather save the fuel than have the ability to do a sick burnout the two times I’ll actually have the desire to do it. What I do want is engagement, and a car that responds to my inputs. That’s why I opted for the manual transmission and the performance package (I’ll have to spend another couple grand for second set of wheels and winter tires, though). Michigan roads are terrible, so MagneRide it is.

I don’t do well in the heat, so I went with the Premium trim for the cooled seats. The eight-inch touchscreen and Apple CarPlay are a bonus. Adaptive cruise control is also something I really find useful on those long highway drives. Finally, I opted for the $395 Royal Crimson paint. It’s dark, pleasing, kind of subtle, and although I don’t really want to stand out (hello, officer!), I’m hoping my Mustang won’t look like the majority on the road.

I tried to be somewhat realistic about my choice of Mustang, and also show that there's performance to be had for less money. See, for me the Mustang GT is starting to get a little pricey at about $35,000. And throw in my prerequisite of the performance package, it becomes outright expensive at just under $40,000.

So I decided to go with the Mustang EcoBoost. It's still fast enough to have fun, especially with 350 pound-feet of torque. And with a base price of $26,485, there's still breathing room under $30,000 for the $2,000 performance package, which adds a 3.55 limited slip rear end, sportier suspension, better brakes, and stickier tires. I also added the infotainment package, since I like to have good speakers and Apple CarPlay. All-in-all, the car came to a hair over 30 grand, which could come down with a bit of haggling at the dealer.