jord79
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jul 26, 2015
- Threads
- 69
- Messages
- 969
- Reaction score
- 179
- Location
- West Yorkshire
- Vehicle(s)
- 2016 Mustang GT
- Thread starter
- #1
I know a few people have already done this but having read a few I feel compelled to do the same and thought it might be an idea for others to post theirs in the same place, so I decided to start this. (Moderators, please move this if I've missed an existing thread that already covers this!).
My Reason for buying the New Mustang is that I have been a petrol head with a penchant for American Muscle for 20+ years now and the availability of the Mustang in RHD and with a modern chassis meant that it was finally a viable and practical option for a car to use every day.
At heart, I would love a classic muscle car, but I know if I had one I would want to drive it all the time and would resent having to drive a lesser car on a daily basis. Having a classic as a daily driver would be just the wrong side of practical and not fair on the car - so on balance the S550 just made sense.
Starting with the exterior; the car does look great and is of it's time but I can't help but feel it lacks a little something to make it stand out as a muscle car. I have to say I still prefer the first incarnation of the S197 for looks, though the rear end of the S550 is, to some extent, an improvement in my view. Either an addition of a B pilar, a redesigned rear quarter light/C pillar that is more akin to the '69 model would do it for me. The 'vert has an appearance more like this, but alas was not an option for me. The nose of the vehicle does feel a little bit rounded for my liking and again a more bluff design would have just made it for me.
The biggest disappointment to the exterior however is the (lack of) choice of wheels. - I understand that this is down to the compulsory Performance Pack and that other wheels might not be compatible with those huge Brembo brakes. Wheels with a bit more depth and fewer spokes would have been preferable. those big multi-spoke black wheels remind me of something from an old train and feel a bit more 'steam punk' than 'muscle car'.
Stepping inside and this is where the S550 really does stand out to me. Some of the materials are a bit 'budget' in appearance and the hand brake is on the 'wrong' side but Ford have really nailed it here with the design. Even though I love the classics, I think this could be the best interior the Mustang has ever seen - certainly since the original. I also think that the interior trumps the other modern muscle cars which have become a bit fussy and over styled which doesn't suit their exteriors. The S197 did have a nice touch in that it had a classic typeface on the dials. I don't think this would necessarily suit the S550, but the standard Ford font used is a little bit uninspiring.
Firing up the 5.0 V8 is a pleasant experience and the tone sounds good for a modern motor. However, that lovely V8 burble does seem to disappear a bit when you start to drive the vehicle. For me (and most V8 owners) an after market exhaust is a must - just as soon as I have the funds - to bring some sound out of the motor. I paid close to £35k and have sacrificed fuel economy for an engine that sounds as good as it feels and I'm just not getting that with the stock exhaust. Speaking of the feel of the Coyote V8, this is another area I can't help but be a little underwhelmed - it doesn't feel to pull as hard as I expected from a 410hp 5.0 V8, but maybe some of that is down to the setup of the chassis and drivetrain? Even with all the suspension upgrades over the US base model, the car is still a little wallowy and with the addition, in my case, of the auto 'box maybe some of the grunt is absorbed?
I don't mind that the car retains some of it's wallow as I think this is characteristic of the Mustang. And to be perfectly honest, I would have been happy to have had the suspension and brake setup of the US base model. There are those that would say they don't know why anyone would want 'crappier' suspension and brakes (By the way, that is the wrong way to put it - for the base setup to be 'crappier' the PP arrangement has to first be 'crap') but in my case there are three reasons why I would prefer the base set up. 1) more comfortable everyday use. 2) better choice of wheels (maybe) and 3) a more 'entertaining' drive at least where the suspension is concerned.
There is a part of me that would like it to be a little easier to get the rear end break loose though the reality of this probably isn't as 'fun' as it is in my head!
Finally, it is time I admitted that the service from Ford is appalling. I've been in denial up until now. TO date I've had the following issues:
Paint defect
Door alignement defect
Passenger window defect
Wiper blades smearing
Transmission 'clunk'
'pony' projector lamp defect
I had the paint done under warranty and the wipers replaced but the transmission issue is still being 'looked into' and the dealership currently don't have an authorised bodyshop (which has been the case for at least a couple of months) to look at the door alignment. They are adamant that the window issue is related to the door alignment and that it will be cured along with the adjustment to the door but I beg to differ - we shall see what the outcome is in, I don't know, several months I expect!
Even with all the general and personal negatives taken into account, I would still have to give the car 9/10 overall. I wouldn't take an M3/M4 over it, or even a genuine supercar like a Ferrari or Lamborghini simply because they aren't my thing. I could be tempted with an AMG C63 though and would take a V8 Dodge Challenger over it if it was available in RHD and at a comparable price tag.
The reaction from other people is something I'm still getting used to! You can't get out of the car in a public place without getting looks. comments or drawn into conversation with complete strangers. And my friends and colleagues have stopped asking how I am in favour of how the car is! It can be a little embarrassing at times, and I try to avoid eye contact with the drivers in queuing traffic - but generally it is a pleasant experience!
My Reason for buying the New Mustang is that I have been a petrol head with a penchant for American Muscle for 20+ years now and the availability of the Mustang in RHD and with a modern chassis meant that it was finally a viable and practical option for a car to use every day.
At heart, I would love a classic muscle car, but I know if I had one I would want to drive it all the time and would resent having to drive a lesser car on a daily basis. Having a classic as a daily driver would be just the wrong side of practical and not fair on the car - so on balance the S550 just made sense.
Starting with the exterior; the car does look great and is of it's time but I can't help but feel it lacks a little something to make it stand out as a muscle car. I have to say I still prefer the first incarnation of the S197 for looks, though the rear end of the S550 is, to some extent, an improvement in my view. Either an addition of a B pilar, a redesigned rear quarter light/C pillar that is more akin to the '69 model would do it for me. The 'vert has an appearance more like this, but alas was not an option for me. The nose of the vehicle does feel a little bit rounded for my liking and again a more bluff design would have just made it for me.
The biggest disappointment to the exterior however is the (lack of) choice of wheels. - I understand that this is down to the compulsory Performance Pack and that other wheels might not be compatible with those huge Brembo brakes. Wheels with a bit more depth and fewer spokes would have been preferable. those big multi-spoke black wheels remind me of something from an old train and feel a bit more 'steam punk' than 'muscle car'.
Stepping inside and this is where the S550 really does stand out to me. Some of the materials are a bit 'budget' in appearance and the hand brake is on the 'wrong' side but Ford have really nailed it here with the design. Even though I love the classics, I think this could be the best interior the Mustang has ever seen - certainly since the original. I also think that the interior trumps the other modern muscle cars which have become a bit fussy and over styled which doesn't suit their exteriors. The S197 did have a nice touch in that it had a classic typeface on the dials. I don't think this would necessarily suit the S550, but the standard Ford font used is a little bit uninspiring.
Firing up the 5.0 V8 is a pleasant experience and the tone sounds good for a modern motor. However, that lovely V8 burble does seem to disappear a bit when you start to drive the vehicle. For me (and most V8 owners) an after market exhaust is a must - just as soon as I have the funds - to bring some sound out of the motor. I paid close to £35k and have sacrificed fuel economy for an engine that sounds as good as it feels and I'm just not getting that with the stock exhaust. Speaking of the feel of the Coyote V8, this is another area I can't help but be a little underwhelmed - it doesn't feel to pull as hard as I expected from a 410hp 5.0 V8, but maybe some of that is down to the setup of the chassis and drivetrain? Even with all the suspension upgrades over the US base model, the car is still a little wallowy and with the addition, in my case, of the auto 'box maybe some of the grunt is absorbed?
I don't mind that the car retains some of it's wallow as I think this is characteristic of the Mustang. And to be perfectly honest, I would have been happy to have had the suspension and brake setup of the US base model. There are those that would say they don't know why anyone would want 'crappier' suspension and brakes (By the way, that is the wrong way to put it - for the base setup to be 'crappier' the PP arrangement has to first be 'crap') but in my case there are three reasons why I would prefer the base set up. 1) more comfortable everyday use. 2) better choice of wheels (maybe) and 3) a more 'entertaining' drive at least where the suspension is concerned.
There is a part of me that would like it to be a little easier to get the rear end break loose though the reality of this probably isn't as 'fun' as it is in my head!
Finally, it is time I admitted that the service from Ford is appalling. I've been in denial up until now. TO date I've had the following issues:
Paint defect
Door alignement defect
Passenger window defect
Wiper blades smearing
Transmission 'clunk'
'pony' projector lamp defect
I had the paint done under warranty and the wipers replaced but the transmission issue is still being 'looked into' and the dealership currently don't have an authorised bodyshop (which has been the case for at least a couple of months) to look at the door alignment. They are adamant that the window issue is related to the door alignment and that it will be cured along with the adjustment to the door but I beg to differ - we shall see what the outcome is in, I don't know, several months I expect!
Even with all the general and personal negatives taken into account, I would still have to give the car 9/10 overall. I wouldn't take an M3/M4 over it, or even a genuine supercar like a Ferrari or Lamborghini simply because they aren't my thing. I could be tempted with an AMG C63 though and would take a V8 Dodge Challenger over it if it was available in RHD and at a comparable price tag.
The reaction from other people is something I'm still getting used to! You can't get out of the car in a public place without getting looks. comments or drawn into conversation with complete strangers. And my friends and colleagues have stopped asking how I am in favour of how the car is! It can be a little embarrassing at times, and I try to avoid eye contact with the drivers in queuing traffic - but generally it is a pleasant experience!
Sponsored
