MrAngry

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 **** 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.

Read more on The Mustang Source blog.

TripleBlack14

I consider myself a Mustang guy in the sense that I've wanted one since I saw the '64 when I was 12 years old, and now 50 years later, I own one.

And part of me likes the idea that the Mustang was the first pony car in the 60's, and the first retro in 2005. Everyone else has been playing follow the leader for the last half century.

But that doesn't mean I don't get whiplash when I see a well done Camaro or Challenger of any vintage.....or any other muscle car or exotic for that matter.

I'm embarrassed to admit that despite the generation I'm from, I've never owned a muscle car until now. I was always an armchair gearhead. I could talk the talk but couldn't walk the walk. Now I can do both.

A few weeks ago, just days after I took delivery of my GT, I attended a car show as a spectator, and when I left I found myself at a light with a brand new Camaro in front of me and a late model 'vette beside me. No displays of testosterone....just silent nods of approval and smiles from all three drivers. It was a proverbial Zen moment.

Cool cars are cool cars, period. Those folks who insulate themselves in their brand of choice, swearing that they'd rather have their eyes gouged out before they own a Ford, or a Chevy, or a Mopar, just don't get it.

It's all good.

Tom

jsimmons

Old guys (like us) feel that way - a cool car is a cool car, regardless of what name is on the fender. My dad owned Chrysler and GM products when I was a kid, but Fords have always been my thing (my brother likes Audis - go figure ).

I prefer Fords, but like you, I can appreciate a nice car regardless of the brand. I don't get some of the modern trends in show cars, but even though a car might have doo-dahs and blinking/pulsing lights, if it's well done, I will stand a stare for a bit. IMHO, an otherwise well-executed muscle car doesn't need the glitz (and I'll stare at those a bit longer).

I like the retro Camaros and Challengers, but not as much as I like my Mustangs (I've owned several since 1974). I prefer the 2010-12 model years because they look modern and like Mustangs. I don't get the 2015 car at all.

My only complaint with late-model cars is that after you see one or two at a show, nobody shows anything that's truly cool (a Whipple is only cool on the first one you see - after that, it's "like the last one"). And what good is nitrous without being able to see a killer fogger setup?

I miss the old days when you would go to a car show and be surprised and in awe of pretty much every car on display.

CiniZter

nice read

laserred38

Mike what blog do you write for? I have a 2014 GT on order, that happens to be Silver and has the TP too! We gotta meet up for some pics/cruises...where you located?

NC14GT

I think the older guys (I'm almost 60 ) appreciate the ability to own any sweet ride over owning a particular brand. I always loved and owned muscle and sports cars, and fine German cars as well (see my prior family photo before the Ford). To stick with one manufacturer is really missing out. With today's green enviroNazis trying to take away the internal combustion engine I truly appreciate driving American muscle now, more than ever (you noticed which car I still own of the three back then). I hope I can continue to do so for another 20+ years.

wanted33

Even growing up I appreciated the car, not the brand. The old Chevy 409's, Ford 390's, and Chrysler with those brutal Hemi's. Of course I could only look. Even at a the price of $3300 for a Chevelle 396 was a monsterous hurdle I couldn't get over. I still have the same opinion, and as said a cool car is a cool car no matter who made the thing. I do have my favorites of course, but that doesn't stop me from showing appreciation for what the other guy did to make his car looks nice. That being said we looked at the Camaro, the Challenger, but the Mustang (which was actually my first choice, but it's the Wifey that had the ultimate say so as it's her car) fit, and felt so much better. Been very happy with that choice.

NickMac14

I understand what you're saying, but I have a different take. To me it's more like with baseball. I love baseball and have since I was a kid. I am a die-hard Red Sox fan, and as such I "hate" the Yankees! Sure I can appreciate Derek Jeter and any good player or team. But my heart is always with the Red Sox. If they aren't playing well I hope they can improve with some new players or trades. I also love Fords and Mustangs in particular. I've owned Escorts, an F250, and now a beautiful Mustang. When Ford went with the Fox body I didn't care for the style. It was like lean years for the Red Sox. Right now I'm basking in the glow of the Red Sox being the World Series champs, and I love the current Mustang style. When a Chevy or Dodge muscle car has better power or handling than the Mustangs I can admire their performance. But I would never own one. I'd rather hope Ford improves the Mustang and wait. Or I'd buy my beloved Mustang and make some aftermarket modifications to get the performance where I wanted it to be. I'll never be a Yankee fan or own a Chevy...I'd rather die first! But, that's just me. To each his own.

Getportfolio

I saw one of those SS Camaros today in bright yellow. He heard my exhaust and went running for the hills.

Autobots...,RETREAT!!!!

kcoTiger

I've seen a couple of the new ones...no one in them is ever all that interested in looking me in the eyes when I pull up next to them. Go figure.

White2010

Really? Rental cars put down .94g on the skid pad do they? Not any rental car I've ever driven.

I'm so tired of the bashing of the Mustang suspension especially from the so called media experts. The crappy handling V6 Mustang still turned in better road course times than the much hyped Scion FR-S with all its comparisons to Porsche and such nonsense as that.

Can the handling of the Mustang be improved over the stock performance levels? You bet it can and so can the suspension performance of just about any car you can go out and buy. But the reality is that from the factory the Mustang is still a better handling car than the majority of the cars on the road around it. I always get a kick out of it when some joe tard tries to hang with my Mustang through some S curves in his 4 banger Camry or Altima and he soon finds out that his mundane little passenger sedan is exactly that.

By the way for 35 grand and 400 hp you could have easily opted for a used Vette and not had to complain about the Mustang suspension.


PS It's a nice stang.

MrAngry

laserred38 - I'm in the East Bay.

White2010 - You being tired of people bashing the Mustang suspension is fine, but understand that there's a reason they're doing this. Out of the factory a stock V6 and GT car is set up so every Tom, Dick and Harry who rents one at the airport can drive it and not get killed. The spring rates are soft and the stock shocks are "decent" at best. No one is saying the Mustang is a bad car, but you know as well as I do, that many Mustang owners tout their cars to be the greatest thing since the wheel.

Me, I'm just being realistic about what the car actually is (again, I bought one). As for me being a so called media expert - hell, if you think you're more qualified to write about cars then I am, then go ahead. Just don't be surprised when people jump down your throat for writing honest opinions that they sometimes don't want to hear.

laserred38

Nice buddy I'm in San Leandro. I should have my car in a couple weeks. We need to cruise! I know a couple other S197 guys in the area. I'd love to take my car to Laguna Seca - it's my favorite/home track!

MrAngry

I'll be at Sears on the 29th and then maybe Laguna on Thurs. if time allows.

laserred38

Nice. Can't wait to have my car so we can meet up!

Stevedotmil

I love this post. These are all the same reasons that I bought my car. I could have very well bought an M3 with the same performance, different strengths and weaknesses, for WAY more money but less aftermarket options and support within my financial ability. So here I am, car I love, pricepoint I love, memories that I will always have. Well done.

DarrenGT

Good points. I would agree with you on many of them. Never had a mustang before. My last sports car was a Camaro, so i naturally wanted a new generation SS when they finally came out, until i sat in one.

My first mustang experience came from a 'rental' convertible used for a road trip up the coast of BC. Sold me.

evobeaner

On youtube under the drive channel there is a video with his 5.0 after cortex racing did his suspension.

evobeaner

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sour...ssX8psLxCQpGIg

roadracingmustang

I consider myself a car guy too. That said I figured all car guys should own a Z06 Corvette sometime in their life so a few years back I found a decent deal on one and had to have it. It was a 2003 with 43K on the clock. It felt a little stiff on the shift and my inner self was telling me to walk away but that car guy in me just couldn't do it. It turned out to have a bad pilot bearing or more like a disintegrated one. I ended up replacing the entire clutch assembly and the torque tube. (I got a deal on a new in the box torque tube) Besides that I was bit twice the first week of ownership with the locking steering wheel syndrome. Then on numerous occasions the fuel gauge would stop working. If I hadn't been able to do all the work myself the parts and labor on the clutch repair would have been around $5000 at the dealer. At the end of the day I decided GM cars were not for me.

I had a 69 Mustang when I was a teen that took everything I dished out. I loved it from the day I got it and hated to see it go. At age 50 I bought a 99 Mustang GT and still have it. I have made half the suspension mods on it and it handles like it's on rails. Last year I bought a 2013 GT and I like it for daily driving but like the other Ford Mustangs they require modifications to make them handle like I would like. For now and probably for a long time to come I will just use the newer car for a driver and not mod it.