2013 Mustang GT: The Perfect Purchase?

Let’s get one thing straight – I am not a “Mustang Guy”. I don’t own anything with a Ford logo on it, I don’t prance around spewing accolades to that horse on the grill, and I sure as hell don’t take part in what is perhaps the stupidest of automotive conversations: Ford versus Chevy. At heart, I’m a “Car Guy”, and that means appreciating everything that sits on four wheels, regardless of the manufacturer. If that’s not clear enough, I’ll have you know that aside from the 2013 Mustang GT that sits in my garage, there are also two Dodges and a Chevy — so there.

Before we get into the meat and potatoes of why I spent my moola on a Mustang, let me say this. As a journalist I have access to the best cars money can buy. I’ve driven all manner of Porsches and Ferraris, gone grocery shopping in the cheapest Hyundai, and have even had the chance to jump behind the wheel of a Bugatti Veyron or two. These automobiles have taught me two things: first, I’ve got the greatest job in the world, and second, driving all these different cars over the years has taught me exactly what I didn’t want in an automobile.

All car buyers, regardless of income level, have certain criteria their vehicles must meet before purchase. My car needed to be American-made, under $35,000 new, have over 400 horsepower, and have huge aftermarket support. The Chevrolet Camaro was a nice car with superior suspension to the Mustang, but it’s got shit visibility and at 6’4” / 245 lbs., I simply didn’t fit well inside the cabin. The Challenger looks great and has good power, but it is Rosie O’Donnell big and handles like a tugboat. That left the Mustang. It’s a car that rides around on a rental car chassis, but that, in the right hands, can be made into something wonderful.

I bought my Mustang back in 2013. It was a special-order car: a 300A base-model GT clad in Ingot Silver paint with three options – the Track Pack, Recaro seats and no spoiler … I hate those things. This was a car that would see split duty as a daily driver and track rat. Prior to my purchase I’d driven a track pack GT at a press day at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca where I’d fallen in love with the Coyote V8. The track pack suspension was competent enough; the Brembo brakes did a decent job of hauling this 3,800-lb chubby-chub to a halt, and to top it off, my rubenesque frame fit beautifully in the cabin.

In short, the Mustang was the car I “needed” to buy, not the car I “wanted” to buy – there’s a big difference. In a perfect world I’d have a C6 Z06 in my garage; however, since that’s not the case, a Mustang resides there.

Thus far I’ve got around 8,000 miles on the clock, have had zero problems, and have truly grown to love this car. I’ve romped on racetracks all over Northern California, taken it on a 1,000-mile road trip, and I blitz my favorite back roads as often as I can.

Far too often, people get caught up in the automotive hype around new cars before they perform the proper due-diligence. The current S197-generation Ford Mustang is a wonderful car that packs in great value for your dollar, with its big performance and beautiful exterior sheet metal.

Times, however, are changing, and at the end of this year we’ll be treated to the new Mustang, which I’m sure will be great, but don’t discount the S197, as it’s a car that works well on so many levels and that now, can be had for deeply discounted prices in new or used condition.

If you take one thing away from this post, let it be this: before purchasing a Mustang (or any car for that matter) do your homework and be honest with yourself about why you’re buying this car. If it fits your needs, then awesome. If not, no worries as there are loads of alternatives. As for me, purchasing my Mustang was the best decision I’ve made in quite some time.