Ultra short review:the Mustang 5.0
#1
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: SF
Posts: 6,467
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Ultra short review:the Mustang 5.0
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.
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.
Last edited by STIG; 06-28-10 at 06:29 PM.
#4
Cycle Savant
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...
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...
Trending Topics
#8
Lexus Fanatic
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.
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.
#10
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: SF
Posts: 6,467
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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...
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...
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.
#11
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: SF
Posts: 6,467
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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.
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.
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.
#12
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: SF
Posts: 6,467
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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.
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.
#13
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: SF
Posts: 6,467
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
#14
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: SF
Posts: 6,467
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
#15
Lexus Fanatic
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!
Always nice to get perspective after significant mileage in a review by an experienced enthusiast (and owner of some truly premium performance machinery). Thanks!