I was e-mailing a source the other day explaining how Autoblog aspires to be an honest, open source of automotive
information and commentary. We take advertising, but it’s clearly labeled. And we’re open to advertising from every
manufacturer on the planet. There are no exclusive partnerships. We also don’t take those lavish long lead trips
offered to many auto journalists out there. Autoblog is sticking closer to newspaper ethics where we are allowed to
test a car for the week and basically get a full tank of gas and that’s it.
On a personal note I’m not a Ford or GM guy, or even a Mopar freak. I’ve never understood the rivalry. I just like
to drive good cars. Deliver me a Kia that rocks and I’ll write about it.
I say all this because I’m in love with the new Ford Mustang.
a ??%?%under my belt.
I know, I know I?ve only been driving it a day and most of that has been stop and go city traffic. But I?ve never
been in a Mustang that is so stellar. I?ve driven 1960s, 1980s and 1990s Mustangs and while they were fun cars they
always had trade-offs. The modern Mustangs always had brute strength but little refinement. Which is part of the allure
of the model I guess, but what?s wrong with having a nice ride to go with the muscle?
The new Mustang answers that question with one of the most solid bodies I?ve encountered in any American car of late
let alone one with sport handling and 300 horses under the hood. Ford?s crowning achievement besides the mind-numbing
acceleration is the ride. I?ve hit the same city bumps in every Autoblog test car and the Mustang handles them as well
as anything outside the luxury sedans. The only sports car or coupe that came close was the Mazda RX-8.
Match that pleasant everyday ride with a sweet transmission, shifter and appropriately stiff clutch and this car is
a dream to drive. Every gear allows a wide range of idle and acceleration with little fuss. I?m simply shocked at how
easy the car is to drive. With 300 hp I was expecting to have to hold on to the reins of this pony with all my might.
But instead, even sharp turns can be taken with one hand on the wheel if necessary. All this ease leads me to believe
wide-open driving will be a blast and I?ll be hitting the suburban trails soon enough.
As for the interior we?ll add more pictures in upcoming days but I wanted to include the color changing gauges that
everyone is talking about. It took me about two minutes to figure out how to adjust them but I really prefer the
daytime running white on black than any of the more outrageous hues.
Day 2,
Day 3,
Day 4 and
Day 5 are now up.
Side Note: It has come to my attention that more than one Autoblog reader finds the Autoblog Garage feature a bit
haphazard, some even use the word rambling. Feel free to make suggestions on how to improve these posts if you want to
see change. Otherwise I?m just going to keep rambling.