Went to the Ford dealer today...

[TachyonS14]

To check out the new 05’ mustangs. And I must say, they look a lot better in person. They only had 2 auto V6's on the lot because the GT's go like hotcakes (or so I'm told )

Anyway, me and my friend sat inside and I really like the upgraded interior over the previous model. There are some pretty plasticy parts, but I could live with it. One thing I really liked were the seats, even though they were the base cloth ones. The backseat is very similar to the 240's, meaning hardly any space. Also I liked how well equipped the car came for the base price of 19k. And, the car they had there had the 500 watt stereo and it was REALLY nice. My friend who has a bunch of JL audio stuff was very impressed, and I believe GT models can get a 1k watt system.

So, me and my friend are checking out some more stuff and the sales guy asked if we wanted to test drive, so of course we said yes. Took it out, and the car got up pretty dang nice for being a V6 auto with 3 people total in the car. Also, I was very surprised by how quick the shifts were, it was quite nice I checked out the specs and saw that the V6 only makes like 210 hp out of that 4.0 liter. I find that to be pretty pathetic but while driving the car, it felt like it had a lot more. Maybe it was the torque, I don't know but it felt very capable and with an auto no less. And after the test drive, my friend is really considering buying one. Even the V6 model!

Cliff notes: Really impressed with the interior (for a ford), liked the auto transmission, and the engine even though it has low hp numbers (V6), moves very well. Also, I liked how many options it came with stock.

[Mr1der]

you should find a 5 speed GT to test then

I wish they would've given it IRS like the original plan was though

[BadMojo]

I wish they would've given it IRS like the original plan was though

Yeah, that's pretty disappointing. I love the way they sell it as a "feature" instead of a crappy cost cutting measure. Nissan does the same with the fabulous beam axle on the Sentra.

This *is* the 21st century, right?

There's a cool looking '05 Mustang at a dealer near my parent's place. I might try to take a quick up close look at it on Sunday.

The GT does look like an awesome bargain, performance-wise, and I really like the styling. The car looks a little chunkier than I would like, especially from the back, but it's still a 100x better than recent Mustang offerings as far as styling goes, IMO.

[nsrZ32]

I've driven a GT mustang and I must say, they're a cool car. I like the looks but the power output leaves you wanting. I'll have to drive the cobra or something when they come out. My brother wants to buy one so maybe I'll get to make one decently fast. lol

[Thrwnsprkz]

My buddy is accually looking to trade in his 98 Accord for one. Since our friend works at the dealer they went down to test drive an auto V6, but it was sold earlier that day... (I told him to wait for a GT neway)

[UncleBen]

There are a couple GT's running around town, decent looking car's. I wouldn't own one of I had to pay for it, rather have something else like a 350z or a used Camaro SS, haha. Thats just me though.

[gniknave]

Mustang is nice, but just remember, eventually the Driver Returns On Foot

[NSR_s30]

The other day a guy brought one up to work. It was a auto v6 one, bu it looked pretty cool. Had like a light blue paint job, looked sharp. Gauges were all retro and even the gas filler door on the back just like the Stangs back in the day. It's nice.

[SmithSR]

My old boss, (now [again] my customer) bought the 11th one built. Black GT 5spd, we've been on the phone with Baer trying to find brakes and H&R trying to get springs, of which were shown at SEMA with the "we'll have it to market within the month" usual BS. We took off Toyo T1S and put on 285/40-18 BFG KDW.. something or other

he said last night the car was slow and wouldn't pull on an STI on the freeway. His foxbody is faster, but his foxbody has 400rwhp.

As far as solid axle is concerned.. you youngins do a google search on "Ford 9 inch" while not in use on the 05 stang, is still considered one of the strongest rear ends(THE strongest in it's size) ever devised, used from everything to some of the best off road rock crawlers and mud boggers to any number of endless serious drag race applications, and everything in between. If you've ever picked up an issue of Hot Rod, you've seen the term "narrowed 9", tubbed, with Mickey Thompsons"

[574-240sx]

A few weeks ago our local Ford dealer got in 5 GTs 5-speeds. My friends, friends dad, and me went and test drove one. My friends dad let us all drive it. The only thing i didn't like was the shifter. It is a great car though, thought I would never say that . After we beat that one, my friends dad ended up placing a order for one.

[Mr1der]

yeah...the 9 inch is found in damn near all street rods...and a lot of times you'll see them in GM drag cars

it's supposed to have a really good suspension for a live axle car though.

the Ford 8.5 is a tough mother as well though.

[w1ngzer0]

Mustang is nice, but just remember, eventually the Driver Returns On Foot

lol to true. But depends on the vehicle. My friend grandpa has had his ford truck for 25 years and never had any "major" problems. Just the normal maintance. With the way prices are with imports and how cheap it is to modify a domestic i just might convert

[Mr1der]

the newer stuff isn't that cheap though...

granted, I haven't priced mods on the OHC Ford V8's....the 302 is still cheap as hell though as is the Chevy SB.

[Altiman94]

I was out car shoppin last night, friend told me the ford dealer had a 97 gs-r they got in on trade and had a good price on it. IN the show room was a new gt mustang and a ford gt. The gt was sold on ebay to a local bidder for 225,000. Both are cool cars.

[Mr1der]

yikes...

guess the GT can't meet the demand....

It's supposed to list about 100k cheaper...

[HIM12514]

I saw an '05 in the wal-mart parking lot here. Not sure if it was a gt or not but it looked pretty nice. And I got to see them load a '05 stang and the new gt. It was very nice I got a whole roll of the gt. Will post pics if I get unlazy.

[MinisterofDOOM]

Ford got the looks right, and screwed the pooch on everything else. Power to displacement is just plain terrible, no excuses, not even "it's to keep it afordable." Seems like you'd have to TRY to make those engines make that little power. The solid rear axle is also disgusting. I am very aware of the strength of the 9 inch Ford. But this is not an application where that strength is of any bebefit to the car. Especially since you could probably put toothpicks under there and they'd still hold up under what little power the car makes.

Seems to me that in a "sports car" you would want a "sporty" feel. But with very little power for the size of the engines, and handling that is not only not as good technologically as it should have been, but also poor for the equipment in use, you can't get anything that really earns the title "sporty." Sure its affordable, and its pretty comfy and it comes well equipped. But you know what? That's NOT what sports cars are all about. The fact that my mothers big four door sedan makes far more power with a smaller engine and can outdo the mustang nearly all around means that the Mustang is a piece. If I had 19k, I'd go buy a 2003 Maxima and spend all day showing '05 Mustang owners what a real performance car can do. With four doors and five people inside.

[KDashy]

If you like low horsepower per liter numbers, you should see the '05 Ford Taurus, 3.0 V6 155 horsepower. Imports had these numbers 15 years ago.

My friend had one as a rental, it was horrible.

[MinisterofDOOM]

Yes the taurus is bad. And I know that imports had these numbers 15 years ago. My 3.0 liter 93 Max makes only 160. But that was 11 years ago. And its a LUXURY car. The Taurus is a family sedan. These numbers are ok in those cars. It's not ok in a sports car.

I HATE Tauruses (Tauri?). My roommate's family has three Tauri, one Tempo (akh...perhaps the worst Ford ever) one Escort and a 80's Ranger. Every single one of those is a peice of FoMoCo Garbage. With the Tauruses making that low power, just imagine what the little four cylindar Escort is making...I'd rather walk.

[Jesda]

To Ford's credit, the european Focus, Mazda 6, Mazda 3, and new Volvos are excellent cars. Even the much-hated Escort became a very reliable (and reasonably powerful around town) small car from the late 90s onward. I drove an Escort wagon as a rental back in the late 90s, and was pleasantly surprised with how easily that little box could get moving. The Escort/Tracer were the darlings of CR surveys.

Nissan is getting 340hp out of 4.5 liters NA, and Ford is getting 300 out of 4.6. Those arent exactly terrible numbers.The Mustang's 4.6, unlike the M45/Q45's higher-compression 4.5, also runs on regular unleaded gasoline. The Mustang GT also manages to achieve 25mpg on the highway, versus 23 mpg for the M45.

I know its an apple to oranges comparison, and I understand the complaint from an engineering perspective, but in terms of overall execution, Ford seems to have done quite well -- adding value to the whole equation.

[MinisterofDOOM]

Yeah, good point. In my anti-Ford rants, I seem to always forget what a big Mazda fan I am. I think the 6 is a great car, and its about time someone made a decent looking four cylindar wagon, so the three is good by my book as well. Just stay away from the Taurus and Ranger and you'll be safe...oh, yeah, and avoid the anal Probe...yech! Just buy an MX6, it looks better but is basically identical.

[Jesda]

*puke* The Taurus. It cant die soon enough! I cant believe the current generation has until 2008!

[Nismo_Freak]

2.4 - 155 - 64.6 hp / L4.6 - 300 - 65.2 hp / L

Doesn't say much for that arguement now does it.

[MinisterofDOOM]

No, but those are both very bad examples. The KA24 was never known for its horsepower, its a stroker, torque engine. How about:

3.5 - 265= 75.7 hp/liter OR3.5 - 287= 82 hp/liter OR4.5 - 340=75.5 hp/ liter

THAT says a LOT for my argument.

[Jesda]

Im not much into the HP/liter comparison other than from an engineering standpoint. Some of the best engines from GM include the torquey 6.0L V8 and unbreakable 3.8L V6.

[TachyonS14]

I agree that the power doesn't seem that good, but It felt fine while driving it. Also, you have to look at the price of the car and you understand why it doesn't have IRS and more hp. I think for the price, the car is a steal.

[Looneybomber]

Why compare hp/L when that really doesn't give you an impression on how a car drives or how quick it is. I'll use an example from my world.CBR600rr 110rwhp/0.6L=183.3rwhp/L Yet the R6 won the AMA championship this with a lower hp/L

It's not the HP/L to be concerned about, its the width of your powerband. If you only make power in a narrow band what good does that do ya? If you can pull hard from 1600-6000rpms as apposed to 3500-7000 you are a lot better off. More fun to drive around town and will have better road manners. By no means am I saying a mustang GT is a race car. Neither is any other car you buy from the factory. They are all sporty street cars that must last as long as the warrenty is in affect; atleast that's the company's idea.

[Mr1der]

5.3= 385 = 72.6 hp p litre.

hell, the GM 5.7 managed a meager 320 with the Ram Air on the Camaros...

besides, we're only talking about the GT Model (it's only gonna be the Mid Range car )

[Looneybomber]

5.3= 385 = 72.6 hp p litre.

hell, the GM 5.7 managed a meager 320 with the Ram Air on the Camaros...

besides, we're only talking about the GT Model (it's only gonna be the Mid Range car )

Hey but they did make 345ft lbs. The mustang too makes more torque than HP. Still though, for the money they're a really good car!