Why do you own a Mustang (or Mustangs)?

[Garfy]

I’ve loved cars since I was a little kid, something I picked up from my dad. I loved the Foxes and early SN95’s when I was in high school (not a New Edge design fan), as far as Mustangs go. Also loved Camaros. My first car I bought for myself was a Chevy Cavalier Z24, decent power for a V6 back in the day. From there, moved to an F body Camaro SS which I kept for a bit. Then a Monte Carlo SS (with the V8) before Chevy put those out to pasture.

Had to get out of gas guzzlers for a while due to a long commute for work, then my kids came along so it was on to 4 door sedans for me while they were little. Fall of 2019 I started looking at Camaro’s, Chargers, Challengers and Mustangs. It was time to get back to fun cars since the kids were getting older. I thought for sure I would end up in a Camaro, the visibility was pretty terrible and killed that car for me. The Challenger was cool but I didn’t like the way it handled, it felt like an old muscle car. The Charger was nice, I was leaning that direction for a while. Then I drove an S550. I had admired the design since it debuted, but had never actually driven one. I loved everything about it once I drove one.

I spent so much time in the Chevy world, I didn’t know a ton about the S550. I wanted something relatively inexpensive to dip my toes into the Ford world, so in January 2020 I bought a Triple Yellow V6. Loved the car, the color, the V6 had pretty good power. It didn’t take long for me to want the V8. Started looking for V8’s in late 2021/early 2022 then decided to just order one the way I wanted it. Almost 4 years later and I still love the car as much as the day I took delivery.

As to the OP’s final question, would I buy another one? Hell yeah I would. I’m a fan of the S650 too.

Sorry for the long story!

I'm assuming you bought a used 2020 because when I bought my 2020 the only options were either the Ecoboost 2.3L or the 5.0L GT; obviously I went with the GT (you just can't beat the exhaust sound of the V8, even without Active exhaust).

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[Slow Yote]

Multiple reasons, best platform for the money, best motor, tons of aftermarket support, best looking, best overall “muscle” car for the price.

 

[Garfy]

I'm on my 3rd Mustang, bought them all new, a 2011, 2012 and a 2018. The 2011 was a 5.0 manual, the 2012 was a V6 manual and the 2018 is a 5.0 automatic. I totaled the 2012 and then bought the V6; after a number of years I wanted the new improved 460 HP 5.0 so I bought the 2018. I got it in a automatic, as I hated the MT82 6-speed manual in both previous cars, this was a mistake as the 10R80 had a lot of design problems for the first 4 years. I will not buy another Mustang as now I hate the MT82 6-speed and the 10R80 automatic. You can't get a Tremec transmission in the GT, you have to buy something like a Dark Horse, or a used Mach 1, GT350, or GT500. I want a 6-speed Tremec in the GT and will not buy another Mustang until they offer that option.

It's interesting about the 10R80 as mine is a 2020 but haven't had any issues with it. If I want more spirited performance, then I dump the selector into S rather than D. In Drive it upshifts a little to soon and downshifts a little slower (have to hit the throttle further) but in S mode it shifts great both up/down shifts. You just have to make sure you NEVER touch the paddle shifters in S otherwise you're stuck in manual and it will never upshift automatically (yeah, I exceeded the redline and the PCM went into injector cut-off to protect the engine).

 

[bKennedy]

I have about 70K miles on mine and I hav

It's interesting about the 10R80 as mine is a 2020 but haven't had any issues with it. If I want more spirited performance, then I dump the selector into S rather than D. In Drive it upshifts a little to soon and downshifts a little slower (have to hit the throttle further) but in S mode it shifts great both up/down shifts. You just have to make sure you NEVER touch the paddle shifters in S otherwise you're stuck in manual and it will never upshift automatically (yeah, I exceeded the redline and the PCM went into injector cut-off to protect the engine).

I have about 70K miles on mine and have not had a problem yet, but I'm afraid to do any spirited driving with it; not that I did anything more than what you describe. I believe in August of 2022 they came out with the updated parts that fixed the problems they were having. The thought of having to spend around $7K to have it rebuilt scares the heck out of me. I figure if I baby it for another 2 years, I'll be ready for a new car.

 

[MAGS1]

I'm assuming you bought a used 2020 because when I bought my 2020 the only options were either the Ecoboost 2.3L or the 5.0L GT; obviously I went with the GT (you just can't beat the exhaust sound of the V8, even without Active exhaust).

I bought a used 2016 in 2020. The V6 went away after 2017

 

[Strokerswild]

I was brought home from the hospital in my parents' blue on blue '67 fastback, so you could say I was born into these cars.

The pisser is that my arrival forced that car to be traded for a Fairlane station wagon. Ugh. If they would have kept the Mustang, I'd likely have it today.

 

[LCK22GT]

I've had my eye on Mustangs ever since I was around 9 and my grandpa bought a 65 coupe, and then a couple years later a 67 fastback. That made a huge impression that lasted. But my first car I bought and owned was a 70 Camaro. Our neighbor was a GM exec. and knew I admired his car. After his 2 years were up with it, he gave me a good deal on it. Nice guy! Went through 15 years of mostly GM's and after a couple poor quality ones switched to Fords in the 90's.

My first Mustang was a 94 GT. I bought from an employee in lightly distressed conditon. He needed cash fast so I took it off his hands. I made all the repairs and did a lot of the typical bolt on mods. After a couple years the guy got his life together and asked if I would sell it back to him. I did for the same price I paid him.

In late 2024, 25 years later, I'm on the verge of retiring and on a whim started looking at Mustangs on auto trader. Saw the 22 I bought at a dealer an hour away. It was about the right budget for as much as I wanted to pay cash for, 15K miles, owned by an employee at the dealership. Took it for a test drive, loved it, made the deal. At first I thought man you just made a really rash decision. It's been almost two years now and I gotta say I'm thrilled to own this car.

 

[RowdyRam]

I'm on my 3rd Mustang but I've liked or loved them ever since I knew what they were. My appreciation took a large jump when a buddy in high school obtained a restored '68 with a 289. We ran around in it all the time "cruisin' for chicks." We even picked up 1 or 2!

Fast forward a few years and I had the chance to buy myself my first one - an '89 convertible 4cyl auto that was 2 years old. It was a turd that needed a lot of work but I loved that car and the time I spent in it. Traded it when I found out kids were on the way, but I missed it and wanted another one almost immediately.

Went 15 years then found a used '08 Cali Special convertible at a dealership close to my house...kept an eye on it for almost a month then went to drive it and found out it was a standard which nobody wants in Houston traffic. I traded my daily driver for it and ended up enjoying it more than any other vehicle I'd had up to that point. Life and priorities changed and after 3-4 years of ownership, I traded it for a (much) nicer car for my wife and I got a truck.

10 years later I was in a financial position that allowed me to have an extra vehicle so I found my current "leftover" 2022 in 2023. Bought it 1 day later and have enjoyed it more every time I drive it.

And that's why I own one - because I really enjoy the whole ownership experience. And it's not just the car, it's the history, the people you meet, the stories you hear and tell, and being part of all of that.

 

[Kachow]

Because sometimes when I take the 350 out a dude will give me a thumbs up or say “hell yeah”.

And the noise/feel at 8250 RPM. Pure ecstasy.

 

[Swtbabybilly]

Because it comes with a coyote! Short and sweet

 

[MachNroll]

Great responses! Keep them coming. I sense that some of y'all are at or near retirement what a great way to ride off into the sunset but on a Mustang!

 

[BullittBoy]

One word-Coyote. I love the motor. I have 3. 1 F150 with a Whipple which was my first Coyote, then I bought the 20 Bullitt as I wanted a manual car. I ended up hurting my Auto C5 that was my drag and drive car, so I sold it to a friend who is making it into a full-blown race car, so I recently bought a A10 Mach 1 to replace the C5. Just started setting it up. I'll keep the Bullitt NA but the Mach 1 will get boosted soon and make a nice 10second drag and drive car..

 

[Garfy]

I bought a used 2016 in 2020. The V6 went away after 2017

Sorry, I mistyped. I meant to say you bought a used one IN 2020, not a used 2020. :-)

 

[Unbridled5.0]

Both my parents had foxbody 5.0s when I was a kid in the 90s. I probably never stood a chance at resisting. The guy down the street from me growing up had a brand new teal 93 Cobra that he parked in his driveway. Some of my first boners came from that car creeping past my house. Then I grew up some and me and my high school/college friends bought Mustangs, Lightning, Vettes, Camaros etc in the early-mid 00's. One thing leads to another..

I'm 39 and on #5 right now. I've always had one since I was 18. Don't want to imagine life without one. They're the best sounding car on the planet, and also one of the most beautiful and exciting to drive. I will always keep at least one around.

 

[Garfy]

I have about 70K miles on mine and I hav

I have about 70K miles on mine and have not had a problem yet, but I'm afraid to do any spirited driving with it; not that I did anything more than what you describe. I believe in August of 2022 they came out with the updated parts that fixed the problems they were having. The thought of having to spend around $7K to have it rebuilt scares the heck out of me. I figure if I baby it for another 2 years, I'll be ready for a new car.

I think if the car is basically stock (not boosted, etc.) both the engine and transmission will fare well. Most of the stuff I've read regarding the engine (oil pump, etc.) seemed to be on modified ones. While I don't beat on mine much, I do get to the redline when passing semi-trucks, etc. or just to "blow out carbon" (I know, no such thing with today's gasoline) from time to time. I've yet to see anything from the exhaust when I do crank on it, not like my old '71 Mustang that you'd see grayish stuff in the mirror when I punched it before we went to completely unleaded gasoline.

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