I test drove a Mustang GT today

"4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30" (4muddyfeet) 02/27/2016 at 15:32 • Filed to: None

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It was the dealer demo, a convertible automatic without the Custom Pack (a salesman crashed a Ruby Red manual fastback GT just two days ago while on a test drive - it’s all they’ve got left). This is almost the opposite of the spec my dad is looking for, but without wanting to put too finer point on it; The car was excellent.

Being a silly Brit, I’ve had very little experience of the Ford Mustang. I am relegated to viewing them through the porthole of my computer screen or squeaking as an import drives past me. I know to most of you in the US any Mustang is just a Mustang, common as muck, but the 2015 is the first model offered in the UK in RHD with a full dealership warranty, making it a truly interesting prospect. Since I can remember my dad has had ‘a bit of a thing’ for the Mustang. He has considered importing in the past, and has probably bi-annually restarted his obsession by hunting AutoTrader for weeks on end for any decent examples, but ultimately never biting the bullet. With dealerships now taking deliveries and a waiting list of up to 12 months, he’s probably left it a little bit late, but bite the bullet he did and organised a test drive for this morning. I tagged along, because of course I did.

We took it out for a good 40 minutes, with him driving on the way out and myself driving on the way back. OK, so the autobox is lazy in anything other than Race Mode, but my old man wants the manual so that’s that problem fixed, but I was actually surprised by the rest of the car. Ignoring the engine (America has always done engines rather well), the interior was fine, albeit plasticy in parts with questionably affixed interior door handles, the steering wheel is good, the seats are comfortable, the instrument cluster is clear and well positioned, flip past Comfort mode and the handling is responsive with fair feedback and a quite nicely weighted feel, the 6 pot Brembos are excellent, the interior visibility isn’t awful, Ford SYNC3 works, and that’s all you can ask of it. - all round the car feels GOOD and absolutely destroys the stereotype oft associated with the Mustangs of previous generations.

I’m under the impression that this car is absolutely one of the best bargains going on the UK market, even with a tax, import duty and standard spec inflated £38k price tag, nothing can really come close to it. I’m damn sure my dad is convinced too.

So after years of toying with the idea, this actually looks like it’s happening. He wants the fastback manual GT in Guard Green (apparently now unavailable?) or Magnetic Grey with Ceramic leather and the Custom pack with the Nickel alloys (see above for lookey-likey), but doesn’t really want to wait 9-12 months for delivery. The other option is he takes a cancellation, the best of which is available in May; a Magnetic Grey fastback manual GT with Ebony leather, Shaker Pro only instead of the full Custom pack, and black alloys and black bonnet stripes like this:

He thinks the black alloys look cheap and tatty, but I thought the bonnet stripes might help tie in them into to the grey paintjob? After that he just has to deal with a lack of climate-active seats, the wrong colour leather and some missing exterior trim. Your opinions on which decision to make are welcome. He is genuinely torn between desire and getting the car with the spec and colour he actually wants.

Oh, and he said he’d insure me on it too. Can’t complain really.

Leon711 > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 02/27/2016 at 15:40

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I want to love it so much, but I don’t. Just something off about it.

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > Leon711 02/27/2016 at 15:43

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You’d probably hate it IRL then, I think it looks better in pictures than in the flesh.

Leon711 > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 02/27/2016 at 15:47

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I saw a bright orange example at Pistonheads Sunday Service at Goodwood in December (when I met opponaut RWS motorsport, no organ harvesting took place) the rear is the worst part for me.

I like the front.

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > Leon711 02/27/2016 at 15:49

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Is it the slopey discoloured light fascia at the back or the proportions that put you off? Admittedly I didn’t really inspect the back on the fastback today as we were in the convertible.

Leon711 > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 02/27/2016 at 15:51

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A little of column A, a little of column B.

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > Leon711 02/27/2016 at 15:53

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Oh well, my dad's happy with it.

Jayhawk Jake > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 02/27/2016 at 15:53

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I think the convertible is hideous. The coupe looks good.

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > Jayhawk Jake 02/27/2016 at 15:56

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I’m not sure I agree with hideous, but the coupe definitely looks nicer, especially it’s side profile.

Jayhawk Jake > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 02/27/2016 at 16:03

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The rear quarter view is my favorite on mine

Leon711 > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 02/27/2016 at 16:06

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Maybe part of me wants it to be smaller, lighter, V6 and named Capri.

It’s easily the best looking Ford right now. Just not my thing.

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > Leon711 02/27/2016 at 16:17

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That sounds distinctly British dear boy!

None > Leon711 02/27/2016 at 16:31

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This, totally, except then drop the GT 350 V8 in it.

Chariotoflove > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 02/27/2016 at 16:34

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My opinion is that he should order exactly what he wants and wait for it. He's waited all these years for his dream car. No reason not to wait just a little longer and get it exactly right. Then he will have years to enjoy his choice. And lucky you getting to use it!

Chariotoflove > Jayhawk Jake 02/27/2016 at 16:35

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See, I like the rag top a little better.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 02/27/2016 at 16:43

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Nice! Glad to see an opinion of the pony from across the pond. ^_^

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > Chariotoflove 02/27/2016 at 16:44

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I 80% agree. The other 20% is me being selfish and wanting to drive it sooner. I’m going to another dealership tomorrow to see what their cancellation list is like, and if there’s nothing suitable I’ll just recommend he orders it.

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 02/27/2016 at 16:46

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It’ll be nice to drive it properly without a salesman crammed into the back seat! Fingers crossed he buys it.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 02/27/2016 at 17:11

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Been without it his whole life, spending that kind of money, might as well just order exactly what he wants. An extra few months isn’t going to be the end of the world.

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > AMGtech - now with more recalls! 02/27/2016 at 17:16

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Too true. I’m going to spend some time with him on the US configurator before he takes a punt on it, he’s only really considered the few colour and exterior spec options that he’s physically seen, I just want him to make sure it's all perfect. The UK configurator is severely limited.

Cé hé sin > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 02/27/2016 at 18:04

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That’s the max CO2 model isn’t it? If I was to buy one of those the road tax would be €2,350 pa and the insurance wouldn’t bear thinking about. Neither would the resale value..

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > Cé hé sin 02/27/2016 at 18:10

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It is. £550p/a over here and insurance for my dad and I (63 & 29, both with a good driving history) is sub-£400 which I was really surprised at. There is a slight benefit that it can be taxed monthly now, so while it’s off the road over winter he will be saving around £50 a month with it being SORN. €2,350 is crazy money, absolutely not worth it unless you don't care about money.

Conan > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 02/27/2016 at 19:42

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Definitely should be a manual. I hope he gets it (for your sake and his). Guard looks great. I direct school bus traffic after school (the kids can’t do it due to the litigious nature of our country) and I see this parent drive one to pick up his 9th grader every day. One of the few high school students to truly look happy to have his parent drive him home.

Chasaboo > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 02/27/2016 at 20:03

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Cross shopping this car with the new Camaro SS.

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > Chasaboo 02/27/2016 at 20:08

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We don’t get the Camaro in any guise over here, nor the Challenger. The Pony is our only American muscle.

wiffleballtony > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 02/27/2016 at 22:52

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Haha yes. Good goooooodd.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 03/01/2016 at 16:13

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Having missed this thread - so, you’ve given up on convincing the old man to go Alfa?

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 03/01/2016 at 16:27

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Yup, since the Mustang has been available it's all he's really thought about getting. Anyway it is now done, and the order has been made, so at least he'll be quiet again until closer to the delivery date.