Finally took a test drive today

[haknslash]

So I've been primarily a lurker on this forum for over a year. Not having a Mustang I had little to say and just observed and reading posts on here. Long story short I had surgery several months ago and I'm slowly but nicely recovering. During my time of healing I had plenty to read on and watch reviews of the mustang to hold me over until I was healthy enough to drive again. Fast forward a few months and today I had half the day off work and on my way home I said screw it and pulled into the Ford dealership. Talked to a salesman who also owned a 15 vert GT so he was already well versed in mustangs. I really wanted to see a guard color stand in person but they only had a handful there but no guard or magnetic. I tell him I'd like to take a test drive to see what the car is all about.

We take a silver GT premium out and first thing is the interior is really nice! I had heard some people complain in reviews that the plastic is still hard in some places but man, coming from my 2010 F150 FX2 the hard plastic is nowhere near as bad as it is on my truck. Ford definitely stepped their game up! We sit there in the parking lot with the car running so I begin to fiddle around with the features, switches etc and then we head off on the drive. I'm 38 years old and it's been a long time since I've driven a stick shift. Last time I had one was when I owned a decently modded 2004 Dodge Neon SRT4, so a little over a decade ago. Hey, having a family meant no fun cars or big boy toys for me but now that my daughter is older I can finally get something fun for myself again . Always, I was a little rusty at shifting and the clutch was very light which made it a little more difficult to get used to but after a few miles things went smoother. Power and sound are great in this car. I know eventually I'll get an exhaust (really like the Stainless Works with H-pipe) but it wasn't nearly as bad as I imagined because some people say the car is too quiet. I thought it had good tone and growl and allows you to drive it hard without pissing off everyone and attracting the cops. After testing acceleration we drive to some nice curvy roads where I can get a good idea for the cars handling. Now keep in mind I'm used to driving a big ass crew cab truck, so anything is going to feel sporty by comparison, but I was really blown away how nice the car handled. Even over rough road surfaces and cresting turns the car neve gave a sense of being rattled from its direction. It was nothing I remember from riding in friends fox bodies during high school in the 90's! Very solid feeling and this wasn't even the PP package which I can only assume handles even sportier. For my city and highway driving the GT is all I need and don't care for the track focused PP stuff. Well that's not entirely true as I do like the gauges with the PP and the big brakes but I don't like black wheels and the track focused goodies are overkill for my street and non-DD needs. I'm more interested in back road blasts and cruising so I think the GT will be plenty.

All in all I walked away really impressed with the car. I looked all of the stangs over real close on the lot and none of them seemed to suffer from panel fit issues. Driving the car today just reaffirmed that come Feb when I pay off my truck that I'll be looking real hard to buy a new GT premium. Guard is my first color choice and even though they didn't have a guard mustang on the lot they did at least have I think a Taurus that was guard and the color looks real nice. Only time I've seen a guard mustang was on the interstate but man it looked so nice! Magnetic is my second color choice with Ruby red being my third. I doubt I'm going to find a local car spec'd out with options I want so more than likely I'll have to order it. Salesman told me it takes about 6-8 weeks after ordering. Is this a fairly accurate timeline from time of placing an order? I am looking for a 2016 GT premium, ebony interior, black painted roof, spoiler delete, 400A, rear bumper sensors and sitting on the 19" dark aluminum wheels.

You guys have a great car and hopefully soon I can join the group with my first ever mustang! I've always loved the fox body 5.0's growing up but I never pulled the trigger on them because I always felt they were real cheap on the inside. Hell it was the 90's so everything felt cheap but now the mustang finally feels and looks refined enough that I'd definitely love to have one in my garage. Sorry for the long rant that was a bit all over the place but just wanted to say I finally drove one and Ford hit a home run in my opinion!

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[drabon74]

Your dealer should be able to find you one with a regional search. Welcome to the forum!
I ordered my car and the wait was pure torture!

 

[73MachI]

Salesman told me it takes about 6-8 weeks after ordering. Is this a fairly accurate timeline from time of placing an order?

Yep, 6-8 weeks.

Great post, thanks!

 

[Chameleon]

Sounds right on the timeframe. If you can't wait, you should be able to find a low mile on on a lot. Guard is great, good luck.

 

[haknslash]

Glad to hear that's accurate info regarding ordering. I've been searching around on a few local lots within a few hundred miles but having a hard time finding one with black roof, 19's and rear sensors. No all the vehicles I've owned I've never ordered one and I really don't mind it since it will give me time to order and wait while I make the last few payments on my truck.

I couldn't wipe the grin off my face after leaving the dealerships. It made riding in my truck that much worse though but I won't sell or trade her in. She's been a good truck and it will continue to be my daily to keep the miles off the new ride. My wife isn't too thrilled about me wanting to get the stangs because I've waffled back and forth for months between this car and a 2015 or 2016 Mercedes Benz C class sport. I know, I know total polar opposite cars but as nice as the MB is I just can't see the sense in owning two sedans in our family plus my crew cab truck (she drives a newer Altima). So I told her I'd rather have something sporty for me and still have the big truck for family space and shit. She says no red car regardless of what I choose lol. I gotta say though that ruby red looks really nice in person!

 

[CommyO]

Don't get a Mercedes. Your wife may want one to look classy or whatever which is probably why she doesn't want you to get the stang but the cost for maintenance and parts for Mercedes is ridiculous and if you want to keep it for a long time, forget about it.

If I were you I'd consider the PP since it's great value and all the other options and features since you may order instead of buying off the lot.
Welcome to the forum.

 

[113]

Welcome. You're right about Guard, it's an amazing color. Depending on the light it can look dark green, magnetic, or black. I have received nothing but compliments on the color; as you don't see many dark green cars driving around anymore.

6-8 for delivery on a '16 sounds about right. Once the car actually gets built at Flat Rock delivery to the dealership is usually quite quick (if there are no QC holds); we're talking like 2-3 weeks.

 

[Rough Hollow Man]

"Anticipation is the key to seduction", from a popular movie.

 

[haknslash]

Don't get a Mercedes. Your wife may want one to look classy or whatever which is probably why she doesn't want you to get the stang but the cost for maintenance and parts for Mercedes is ridiculous and if you want to keep it for a long time, forget about it.

If I were you I'd consider the PP since it's great value and all the other options and features since you may order instead of buying off the lot.
Welcome to the forum.

My wife just doesn't want me to have a Mustang because she doesn't care for the stigma of having a "muscle car". She doesn't care for any of them because she thinks we're all . She had no part in me looking at the Benz. That was all me because I love that interior a lot. Hard for anyone not to like it IMO but the wife was more onboard since it's a sedan (practical). But I explained to her that after giving it some thought there is no need for us to have 3 sedans, if you include my crew cab. The mustang won't be my DD anyways so I see no need to sacrificing fun to practicality and that's the way I'm pitching it to her . Just like my many motorcycles I've owned over the years, she'll just have to get over it (hope she doesn't read that :headbonk::lol.


In regards tot he PP, I'm not totally opposed to buying one but there are some things I like and some things I don't. I'm a fan of the upgraded brakes, 3.73, center gauges, strut bar, suspension and other goodies. But I don't really care for wheel options or the faux engine turned effect on the dash. If it came with different wheels and the brushed effect dash like on the GT then it would be a no-brainer for me. If I run across a killer deal on a PP then of course all bets are off! ;) I know that sounds nit picky but I just don't want to buy a car and not like the wheels so have to spend another grand or so on new wheels and tires but the dash I'd have to learn to live with and I just don't like how the engine turned effect looks. Kind of like when you see obvious fake carbon fiber, it just doesn't really work with me and it would be annoying I know. So I'd either have to learn to live with staring at that or sell/trade for a GT dash which is a hassle I don't really want to go through. Believe me I've tried to justify getting the PP but for my needs I just don't see the point.

Anyways I stopped by my local Ford dealer last night only because they had a GT Premium in guard with the 19's. I'd never spend a dime at this particular dealer because I used to work there as a teenager and was fired for buying a Chevy. Long story short they refused to sell my the (at the time) latest model Ford Ranger in that baby blue color. I remember it was the first year they offered the stepside bed. They said they wouldn't give me my employee discount unless it was a leftover which was total BS so I went down the road to the local Chevy dealer and bought a step side S10. Came into work the next week and was fired lol. I hated the idea of even pulling into their lot but it was after hours and as I drove by I spotted a guard GT sitting there with the 19's. I pulled in to admire the color and car. This one doesn't have the black roof though plus it was an auto but I loved the color and the wheels look a lot better in person that some of the images I've seen. The color of the car really changes as I walked around it. It went from light green to nearly black or graphite colored. Pretty cool and kind of understated which I like a lot.

 

[haknslash]

Question: Do these cars come standard with cruise control or is the only way to have cruise control is to buy the Adaptive Cruise w/ crash mitigation and rain sensing wiper option? I don't really care for rain sensing wipers or crash mitigation stuff but I wouldn't mind having standard cruise control. I don't see it listed on the standard equipment.

 

[Ilovemyv8]

I have cruise control without the adaptive option. It is the only option I do not have on a non pp version.

 

[haknslash]

Ok so I take it that it's standard equipment but just not listed. Good to know. I forgot to check when I took the test drive so thanks for confirming.

 

[Pakman]

Question: Do these cars come standard with cruise control or is the only way to have cruise control is to buy the Adaptive Cruise w/ crash mitigation and rain sensing wiper option? I don't really care for rain sensing wipers or crash mitigation stuff but I wouldn't mind having standard cruise control. I don't see it listed on the standard equipment.

It comes with standard cruise control. I avoided getting the adaptive version because it deletes the lower fangs on GT's.

Oh and you should show your wife the ruby red. I don't think I've met a person who doesnt like it once they see it in person. It doesn't scream for attention like the yellow, orange, or even normal red. But its sporty, mature, and classy at the same time.

 

[Ilovemyv8]

Most ford dealers around here have websites to shop the vehicles. You can pull up the window stickers to see what is on them.

 

[haknslash]

It comes with standard cruise control. I avoided getting the adaptive version because it deletes the lower fangs on GT's.

Oh and you should show your wife the ruby red. I don't think I've met a person who doesnt like it once they see it in person. It doesn't scream for attention like the yellow, orange, or even normal red. But its sporty, mature, and classy at the same time.

I tried showing her the ruby red but she hates any shade of red lol. Us being big Bama fans you'd think she be down for it but nope. I dig the ruby red but something about the front just doesn't work for me on that color. but every other angle I love it. Just not as high on it as the guard, at least not at the moment. It's a tough choice between guard, magnetic and Ruby red for me and I waffle all the time over them

I'm glad you explained why I've been seeing weird lower grills on some GT's. There is actually a video on YouTube of a guy complaining about his quality control on his GT because he doesn't have the lower fangs. I bet he doesn't realize he bought a car with adaptive CC. Here I was seeing the same thing on some GTs and was wondering if there was some QC issues like they were installing random grills lol. Eases my mind on ordering now because I was worried I'd get stuck with IMO the ugly lower grill.

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