STIG

Went to north of the border over the weekend and rented this car. Actually I reserved a Kia Rio but they gave me this for extra 15$. It was a pretty good deal, I thought. Besides, I was actually really interested in this car because a lot of press compared this to the E92 M3.

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/16/2...w-m3-tie-game/

Here goes my short review.

It actually was an impressive car. It sounded very good, fit and finish is much improved than the one I drove last year (2008MY), and the handling was actually pretty decent. A little bit slow to response to your inputs but I guess it's ok. Downshifts are quick and smooth.

After driving that car, I still think M3 30k premium over the 5.0 is still well justified. Even though, these two cars still have pretty much identical stats, you can't really put a price on the refinements and precisions that M3 has over the stang. It was sort of like comparing the sledgehammer to the razor blade. They both will get the job done but how they go about doing the job is completely different. I, for one, much prefer the precision of the surgical blades to that of a sledgehammer.

Hope you enjoy the pictures.








British Columbia was really beautiful.



Here is what I have waiting for me at home.

mikez

But the sledge hammer is a bigger chunk of metal

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

Gotta love the "Five-Oh" lol

PhilipMSPT

iTrader: (5)

For the Mustang to be compared to the M3: that's impressive.

And although the performance isn't as refined, it does attract a lot of attention and debate, as well as to save a "few" bucks.

It really goes to show how well Ford has been able to change and challenge people's perception of the brand; their product line-up can please a whole lotta people.

It's finding its mojo, and it looks good...

Faymester

Stick with what you have at home.

HEWITT

iTrader: (2)

I personally hate mustangs and think they look ugly. Just my opinion though.

rdgdawg

For the practical driver, amazing how the new Mustangs ALWAYS enter the discussion....

Thx much for the review!!!

mmarshall

Thanks for the write-up.

I agree with you that, for an extra $15, as long as you didn't have to drive on snow or slick surfaces, where the typical high-powered American ponycar s**ks, the Mustang GT was a nicer drive than an econobox Kia Rio....though the Rio is not a bad car for its class.

I like the complete instrumentation in the Mustang.........gauges for oil pressure, volts, and engine-temperature. That is something that many vehicles today (in fact, most) lack....though you generally do find them in ponycars. I'd like to see them across the board.....but that probably won't happen, as it is simpler and cheaper to just use warning lights.

Did you try out the adjustable dash-light color control...or weren't you driving after dark? That feature is something that, until now, has been exclusive to the Mustang, but I understand some of the new versions of the upcoming Fiesta will also have it.

speedflex

And you're certainly entitled to it.

STIG

Gotta agree with that. Ford has been improving so much lately under the new CEO.

A few years back, a mustang would never made it to my short list. I thought it was a complete POS. Things have changed and it changed fast.

STIG

Thank you, sir.

I thought about trying those dash light color control for a second but I don't know where the button is and I don't really want to go through the trouble of finding it. It was kinda amusing when I read it on the reviews but didn't really interest me much.

STIG

I will be sure to do that, Fay

I drove my car as soon as I get back and I love it. Every time I push my car hard, it makes me appreciate it more and more. I sound like a stuck up whenever i say this (I really hate BMW fan boys) but I feel like BMW //M division still dominate this market segment.

STIG

It sure is very practical solution for the amount of $$$ you spend. There's no argument there. Very impressive product.

STIG

I never really thought the previous retro look good. But this one looks similar but a little more refined. I kinda like the look now.

IS-SV

Sweet, good at what it's supposed to do and has significant sales to prove it's success. Thanks for the short, concise, to the point writeup and comparison to M3.

Always nice to get perspective after significant mileage in a review by an experienced enthusiast (and owner of some truly premium performance machinery). Thanks!