December 2004 Car and Driver
Do You Remember Me?
Joined: January 29, 2004
Posts: 6,000
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Excellent review IMO. The trick is also to compare C&D times to C&D times. Basically, its as fast as a Mach 1 0-60, faster than a GTO, and can pull more g's than a 350z.
While I disagree with some of the negatives in the interior, I am pleased with how positive a review this was.
Thanks again for the scans!!!
While I disagree with some of the negatives in the interior, I am pleased with how positive a review this was.
Thanks again for the scans!!!
Thread Starter
Team Mustang Source
Joined: September 27, 2004
Posts: 964
Likes: 6
You're all welcome. I know there are people out there who can't get the articles yet and would appreciate reading them as well. It's the least I can do to help the site, plus it helps my addiction until I can put one in my garage! :worship:
Thank you all for making and keeping this The Best Mustang site going!
Thank you all for making and keeping this The Best Mustang site going!
Rather impressive, especially the behavior of the live axle. I may have to start perusing some crow recipes if the old buggy axle really does function this well as a 21st century suspension. Might have to line up a test ride down some lumpy back roads I know of.
Rest of the review is pretty much what I expected for the most part, aside from the somewhat long braking distances. Perhaps that was just the track they used or that particular day's weather conditions, we'll have to wait to see if this was but a performance data fluke or something more.
Sticks well too and I'll be interested to see what the bigger meats on the someday-to-come 18 inchers will be. They did find the all black interior somewhat somber, which I guess is so, but the red interior would jazz that up and the tan looks much lighter and classier yet.
The instruments seemed to have gone a bit more to the function follows form side of things, what with their storm drain binnacles and crowded retro-font numbers, with only a 140mph speedo on a 150mph car. Looks cool but perhaps takes a bit too much of a look to read in a jiffy? But overall, the ergonomics are so far ahead of the outgoing car that a few stylistic exuberances as this are certainly forgivable.
As for performance, perhaps some of what the 3V heads giveth, the extra 200+ lbs of road hugging weight taketh? Still, faster than the old warhorse being put out to pasture and liable to keep the Mach I drivers twitching nervously.
But as or more important than how fast the new mare goes is how the new mare goes fast -- very well. Seems like this equine is finally evolving beyond mere big track numbers and actually learning some dressage skills.
The cleaner, more sophisticated styling, devoid of juvenile gingerbread like J.C. Whitneyesque spoilers and dumbo-ear side scoops -- well, guess you do have to check a box to excise the former -- will greatly broaden the market beyond teenagers, trailer-park trash and those still emotionally mired in '68, much as the original's broad appeal to enthusiast, executive and eager teenager alike.
And this is just the first new foals off the trailer. Undoubtedly a long line of SE's, Cobras and innumerable aftermarket tuner versions will fill the corral in the near future.
Rest of the review is pretty much what I expected for the most part, aside from the somewhat long braking distances. Perhaps that was just the track they used or that particular day's weather conditions, we'll have to wait to see if this was but a performance data fluke or something more.
Sticks well too and I'll be interested to see what the bigger meats on the someday-to-come 18 inchers will be. They did find the all black interior somewhat somber, which I guess is so, but the red interior would jazz that up and the tan looks much lighter and classier yet.
The instruments seemed to have gone a bit more to the function follows form side of things, what with their storm drain binnacles and crowded retro-font numbers, with only a 140mph speedo on a 150mph car. Looks cool but perhaps takes a bit too much of a look to read in a jiffy? But overall, the ergonomics are so far ahead of the outgoing car that a few stylistic exuberances as this are certainly forgivable.
As for performance, perhaps some of what the 3V heads giveth, the extra 200+ lbs of road hugging weight taketh? Still, faster than the old warhorse being put out to pasture and liable to keep the Mach I drivers twitching nervously.
But as or more important than how fast the new mare goes is how the new mare goes fast -- very well. Seems like this equine is finally evolving beyond mere big track numbers and actually learning some dressage skills.
The cleaner, more sophisticated styling, devoid of juvenile gingerbread like J.C. Whitneyesque spoilers and dumbo-ear side scoops -- well, guess you do have to check a box to excise the former -- will greatly broaden the market beyond teenagers, trailer-park trash and those still emotionally mired in '68, much as the original's broad appeal to enthusiast, executive and eager teenager alike.
And this is just the first new foals off the trailer. Undoubtedly a long line of SE's, Cobras and innumerable aftermarket tuner versions will fill the corral in the near future.
Shelby GT350 Member
Joined: March 11, 2004
Posts: 2,146
Likes: 1
The review is about as positive as C&D ever gets on an American car. Really a very good review.
Their only complaints are:
1. Brakes - seems like a legitimate complaint. Stopping distances should be much better.
2. Dull interior - Subjective, I'm sure some people will love the charcoal interior and some will hate it.
3. Instrument Cluster - Again subjective, I'm lukewarm on it myself. I never really liked the ICs on the Gen 1 Mustangs 65 - 73. I can live with the '05 IC, but if I had my choice I would have done things differently.
Their only complaints are:
1. Brakes - seems like a legitimate complaint. Stopping distances should be much better.
2. Dull interior - Subjective, I'm sure some people will love the charcoal interior and some will hate it.
3. Instrument Cluster - Again subjective, I'm lukewarm on it myself. I never really liked the ICs on the Gen 1 Mustangs 65 - 73. I can live with the '05 IC, but if I had my choice I would have done things differently.
Team Mustang Source
Joined: February 1, 2004
Posts: 331
Likes: 0
From: Richmond, VA
"Which means that the only other pony-car poseur on the market - the costlier, slow-selling 350-horse Pontiac GTO - will be humbled at the drag strip by your lowly little Ford coupe. Be polite about it. Act surprised. But don't apologize."
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Member
Joined: November 17, 2004
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Well deserved Review !! The dealers here cannot keep them on the lots.
The Article on Jay Leno racing an M1A1 Abrams Tank with his one of a kind hand made by a Glass Artist
1792-cubic-inch V-12 AV-1790-5B Tank Engine powered Rod is a hoot as well !
The Article on Jay Leno racing an M1A1 Abrams Tank with his one of a kind hand made by a Glass Artist
1792-cubic-inch V-12 AV-1790-5B Tank Engine powered Rod is a hoot as well !