Mustang GT Impressions

[WarrENDeatH]

So, a week or so I joined the board, and posted a thread (one that was well received from the community) about my thoughts/wants on a Mustang. Finally, the Fiancee and I went in, looked and drove one. Here are my thoughts, feel free to discuss!

It didn't help it took about 10 minutes before sales people even approached us. He seemed bored, and didn't really want to help. Regardless, I made immediate mention of my interest in the Mustang GT. I told him the absolutes were black and manual (batmobile). So he pulled around a used (darnit) Mustang GT. It was a black manual, beyond that it was bare boned with 28k miles. They still wanted about 29k for it. So, that was a bit ridiculous to me. Regardless, I started it up and took it on about a 25 minute test drive.

First things first, some people have made mention of the exhaust. Some have said it just isn't loud enough. I'm half deaf, and the exhaust was more than enough. Perhaps I'm used to the bland four cylinder but damn, this thing was ready to go. I revved it a bit, and immediately my fiancée turned to me and said, "We are going to die in this, aren't we?" I smiled. HELL YES.

The one thing I wasn't an immediate fan of was the base interior. It felt bland, cheap and just wasn't appealing to look at. The base seats are fine, but the dashboard was ugly, too reminiscent of my fiancée's Ford Fu*ckus.

Beyond that, the only other interior complaint was the steering wheel. Just not a fan of it.

Driving it was an absolute pleasure. Maybe it was the power, or surprising lightness on its feet. It felt pretty balanced, despite being front heavy. The manual was surprisingly crisp, and engaging. I haven't touched a manual in about two years, and didn't miss a beat. It isn't a Honda manual, and nothing is but it felt relatively smooth. The immense power put a smile on my face immediately. The back end LOVED to dance. If I pushed it, it got squirrely and my fiancée grabbed everything for dear life.

Unfortunately, I only brought it above 60 three times in the test run. I just didn't find enough opportunities. That, and I didn't find enough corners to push it on.

Overall, my impressions are as followed.

1. I'm not sure I could go with the base interior. It felt like it was missing a note or two. The premium interior immediately makes this cars value skyrocket for me.

2. Some people have complained about this thing lacking power. I'm not sure how. I've driven an M3, M4, M235 and a few other sports cars. This felt right in line with the power of an M4, just lacked a bit of that refinement.

3. I didn't get enough time with the handling, but it felt pretty agile for being a giant boat.

4. This car has solidified its spot on my go to, when I am ready to buy a car. Which, based on the new job, and settlement will be in the next three months or so.

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[ktp1598]

I would say rent one for a week or so but it seems no one ever rents a manual. The more I drive mine, the more I love it!

 

[StoplightWarrior]

Yea, the premium interior is a must if you're gonna be spending a lot of time behind the wheel - I opted for the savings with the base because I rarely drive it, and I was going to be focusing more on speed than anything else.

 

[TruBlu16GT]

I don't normally do impressions, but I'll give it the old college try!

RRRRRrrrrrr! VROOOM! Chik-Chik! REEEP! VROOOOOM!!! EEERRRCH!! VROOM!

 

[WhiteyDog]

Yea, the premium interior is a must if you're gonna be spending a lot of time behind the wheel - I opted for the savings with the base because I rarely drive it, and I was going to be focusing more on speed than anything else.

Pretty much the same for me. I knew this thing would be a toy that I wanted to mod and cruise/raise h*ll with on the weekends. The money I saved on the premium package was spent on aftermarket goodies. I tell my girlfriend I gotta do my part to help the economy by buying stuff for it, she just rolls her eyes. Girlfriends, . . . . . .huh.

 

[Clump]

OP mentioned the steering wheel. I changed mine to the GT-350 wheel and it's the best thing I've done to my car. Paid $310 for it from LMR and 30 minutes total to install. Huge improvement over stock.

 

[16 GT MM/Auto]

... it was bare boned with 28k miles. They still wanted about 29k for it.

If it was a '15 base GT and no options, KBB says $28,830 is a fair price.

If it was a '16 base GT and no options, KBB says $28,640 is a fir price.

Certified are a bit more.

First things first, some people have made mention of the exhaust. Some have said it just isn't loud enough. I'm half deaf, and the exhaust was more than enough.

Agreed. I first drove a '15 GT before getting my '16, it had an aftermarket exhaust and it was way too loud.

The one thing I wasn't an immediate fan of was the base interior.

I didn't car about the interior as much as the base did not come with the toggles and the Premium sound.

Driving it was an absolute pleasure.

No arguments there.

Some people have complained about this thing lacking power. I'm not sure how.

They must have had all the nannies on.

 

[113]

2. Some people have complained about this thing lacking power. I'm not sure how. I've driven an M3, M4, M235 and a few other sports cars. This felt right in line with the power of an M4, just lacked a bit of that refinement.

I thought the exact same thing up until I took it to the track on Friday and was surrounded by Shelby's. Yeah I was keeping up with the Vette's (not surprising ;)) but on the straightaways was just being left in the dust by cars with blowers. 450-475 to the wheels would be perfect to just keep the distance manageable.

On the street the power is great. 9 times out of 10 it's more than enough.

 

[Roman]

I test drove a GT with the Perf Pack today; my first time riding in/driving an S550. I was immediately greeted by a sales person. I told him I wanted to check out the Perf Pack and I wanted to see Lightning Blue in person We chatted as we walked through the lot and he brought me straight to a Premium Perf Pack. For comparison, I looked at the Base as well and was sold by the premium. It really looked top notch.

We went for a 10 mile test drive. He drove us on and off the lot but I drove the rest. My impressions: The clutch is buttery smooth. I haven't driven stick in 8 years and I was just fine with the initial launch and the 1-2 shift. Power in spades. Smooth shifts (note, my experience has only been on Ford vehicles). Easy to get into Reverse. I loved it. We were in a suburban area so I didn't get it out of 4th, but at 30mph in 4th, I had a ton of power on tap. Didn't glance at the Tach to see where I was. I liked the exhaust note...perhaps a tiny bit quiet for my tastes, but not as quiet as I thought it would be after reading these forums.

We went to the other lot and they had a few lightning blue Mustangs. I'm sold on the color. They had a grabber blue and although nice, it's not for me.

There was no pressure to buy. The sales person was fine with me tooling around as I saw fit. I'll be in a financial position next year to buy. It's going to be a long wait. I was grinning from ear to ear when I got home and was so excited it rubbed off on my wife. I can't wait!

 

[StoplightWarrior]

Pretty much the same for me. I knew this thing would be a toy that I wanted to mod and cruise/raise h*ll with on the weekends. The money I saved on the premium package was spent on aftermarket goodies. I tell my girlfriend I gotta do my part to help the economy by buying stuff for it, she just rolls her eyes. Girlfriends, . . . . . .huh.

Nice. I figure, I spent $30k for a base auto GT - then I've put about 10k in mods into it now (blower, engine parts, exhaust, wheels/tires, few other things).

Next i'll do some suspension for about $2k, and brakes for about the same...I'll have a pretty insane car for the price of a well optioned Camaro, or about $10k less than a base c7!

 

[Meraki Autoworks]

If you're going to be behind the wheel of your Mustang a lot.. Premium helps A LOT, and if you want to be even more fancy.. Recaro Seats.. Love them..

You'll get sick of the stock exhaust at some point.. Need to let the v8 ROAR!

-Josh

 

[16 GT MM/Auto]

I test drove a GT with the Perf Pack today ... We went for a 10 mile test drive ... We went to the other lot ... There was no pressure to buy. The sales person was fine with me tooling around as I saw fit. I'll be in a financial position next year to buy ...

Wow, I can't believe the salesman spent all that time with someone and allowed that many miles to be put on a car who wasn't ready to buy. Maybe just sit in the car and listen to the radio, but that's about it.

450-475 to the wheels would be perfect to just keep the distance manageable ...

Ford already has a Mustang that does that, it's called the GT 350.

If you're going to be behind the wheel of your Mustang a lot.. Premium helps A LOT, and if you want to be even more fancy.. Recaro Seats.. Love them..

I plan on being in this car a lot (great fun to drive) and for that reason alone I wouldn't look at a car with Recaro seats.

You'll get sick of the stock exhaust at some point.. Need to let the v8 ROAR!

I had one test drive behind the wheel of a barely used GT with a modded exhaust, took it right back to the dealer and said I wasn't interested. The stock one I bought somewhere else has more than enough roar!

 

[BmacIL]

Wow, I can't believe the salesman spent all that time with someone and allowed that many miles to be put on a car who wasn't ready to buy. Maybe just sit in the car and listen to the radio, but that's about it.



Ford already has a Mustang that does that, it's called the GT 350.



I plan on being in this car a lot (great fun to drive) and for that reason alone I wouldn't look at a car with Recaro seats.

I had one test drive behind the wheel of a barely used GT with a modded exhaust, took it right back to the dealer and said I wasn't interested. The stock one I bought somewhere else has more than enough roar!

All you're hearing is induction noise from in front of you. Take that sound tube off and it'll get fairly quiet.

 

[Hashbrownn]

you can spend $40k and get a base mustang + super charger... or get a fully loaded GT.
I went with a loaded GT, since this is my fun DD. Premium + Premier trim + Performace pkg was my minimum option requirement. Everything else was just cherry on top.
Premium option, and Premier trim makes the interior so much nicer to be in everyday.
Performance pack resolved my complaint of soft suspension.
I do agree that this car is loud enough, a lot of induction noise. It's louder inside than outside, and I'm OK with that. I'm not trying to collect complaints at the country club.
Do look into Performance Package if you are wanting a Manual 6spd.
Best of luck on your search for a new Steed! :ford:

 

[16 GT MM/Auto]

All you're hearing is induction noise from in front of you. Take that sound tube off and it'll get fairly quiet.

Are you sure?

I've been driving 5.0's since the early 80's (more recently a 12 GT and a 13 GT), it sounds like the actual exhaust is what I'm hearing.

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