While getting my first oil change in my F150, I was walking the lot looking at the new cars. I noticed the 2010 Mustangs, especailly a White GT. It had a 5 speed auto, upgraded wheels and back up camera; MSRP about $34,000.00. As a past owner of Mustangs, an 02 5.0 LX 5 speed notchback and an 04 GT, I have a spot in my heart for them. I was so tempted to ask to take a test drive, but didn't want to bother the salesman or take time away from a possible sale so I didn't.

Low and behold, the Finance Manager saw me and came out with the keys saying " Hey Paul, you want to take it for a spin". When we took off, I was very conservative with my driving. He advised me "give it some gas, punch it. I have the traction control on" He also told me he took it out and took off the TC, "no problems lighting them up"

Here are my thoughts.

Exterior:
Minor changes over the pervious model, seems a littler rounder and muscular. I realy like the upgraded wheels. Overall a good update.

Interior:
High quality materials, especailly the leather seats. It was on par with my 09 Lariat, but felt cramped. The back seats were pretty much a joke and not for adults. Everything felt tight and well put together.

Engine:
Before my 09 Lariat, I owned a 06 IS 350, so I will compare it to my old Lexus. This car is fast. My seat of the pants guess would be 0-60 in the low 5 seconds and 1/4 mile mid to high 13.'s. It felt a little quicker then the IS. What really makes the difference is the SWEET sounds the engine makes. The exhaust has a nice rumble upon start up, and just gets better the more you gun it. You can also hear the engine sucking air when giving it some gas. Again, the engine sounds terrific compared to the non sounds the Lexus made.

All in all it is a very nice update and feel it is Fords best effort in the Mustang to date. Will they sell for 30K+? I hope so.

 

I belive the 0-60 times was like 4.6. My 07 GT ran the 1/4 mile in the mid 13's with a manual tranny. The 2010's have 15 more hp, so with an automatic, it should be in the high 13's, depends on the launch. The fastest I've seen a stock 06 GT run the 1/4 in was 13.01 with lots of pratice and good track conditions. This is awesome considering my 68 mustang GT fastback with a 428 CJ, 4-speed and 30 gears in a ford 9" posi ran the 1/4 in mid to low 14's. To be fair to the 68, traction was a major problem as it had the stock suspension and factory tire size. It spun through 2 and 1/2 gears before it grabbed. The 428 is a torque monster. The new mustangs run awesome, handle great and look cool. I got to test drive an 08 shelby GT/500, that was the fastest mustang I ever drove or rode in, it was a beast. Ford is comming out with a new family of V-8 engines called the coyoty family. The 4.6 will be replaced by a 400 hp 5.0, 4 valve, push rod engine, a smaller version of the 6.2. The base mustang will be getting a 345 hp ecco-boost 3.5 V-6. Mustangs future is very interesting. To top it off, the newer more powerfull engines will get better mpg than the engines they replace. Jack Roush has been experimenting with a 7.0 version of the 6.2, it makes 800 hp on E-85.

 

I meant to say that my 68 had 30 gears, I don't know how that smiley face got there.

 

I don't know whats going on, my 68 had three ninty gears. My computer won't print the nine, it just leaves a smiley face.

 

Here is a sweet test drive clip of a '10 GT by a dealer, they also have clips going over the interior and exterior compared to the '09s. Aside from the exterior the '10 GT's are pretty much a '08-'09 Bullitt and YES they are extremely fast. Tested 0-60's are 4.9-5.0 and quarters are in the mid 13's.

YouTube - 2010 FORD MUSTANG GT ROAD TEST in CHATTANOOGA @ MTN VIEW

I am hoping to swing by a dealer Saturday and see if any '10s are in yet.

 

I just thought you were really happy about the gears or something...LOL!

The new Mustangs are fantastic cars. I can't wait to see some head to head stuff between the GT500, the Challenger SRT-8, and the Camaro SS. My favorite is the Kona blue color. I had an '86 GT I bought brand new and it was a great car and actually got really good mileage as well. Props to Ford for keeping it around and not going the route that GM did with the Camaro or Mopar with pretty much everything.

 

Thr mustang is like a flag ship for ford, it's been a round 45 years. It's an american icon. With the new coyoty V-8's, the 5.0 starting out at 400 hp and the 345 hp ecco-boost
3.5 V-6, the mustangs future looks bright. I guess the 5.0 coyoty with push rods and 4 valves per cylinder is getting back to the basics. It's the little brother of the 6.2 going into the F-150 raptor.

 

Im not crazy about the styling of the '10s. I dont doubt that they are very nice cars that perform very, very well; but I just cant get past the styling.

 

I must addmitt, I like the looks of the 05-09 better. I just figured the 2010's haven't grown on me yet as there not a whole lot different. The shelby version still looks like the bomb.

 

That's a funny statement considering that speculation was made that the Ford Probe was to replace the Mustang. The new stangs are just fabulous.

Tim

 

You know I hadn't thought about that until you mentioned it. I remember that being in Car and Driver or Motor Trend years ago. I sure am glad they were wrong!

 

Coyote speculation is all DOHC, not pushrods. The 6.2 is an OHC engine, why would they do pushrods?

 

You know, the Probe was way ahead of it's time (detroit). If a similar car were to be introduced today, it may have a chance of survival. But, Ford has learned the hard way a few times NOT to unveil and NOT to advertise a replacement car before the model to be replaced has ended it's run.

For instance, the Contour was actually a decent car for the market it was intended for.

The Probe could have survived.

The 500 was a very nice car but Ford found out quick just how loyal Taurus owners were. Bottom line, build what you want, call it a Taurus.

Tim

 

The biggest problem is consumer perception. A lot of people think that American cars are still inferior in terms of quality, reliability and fuel economy.
In recent years the domestics have really worked to improve quality and fuel economy and you could say they have caught up and have even surpassed the Japanese in some aspects, yet people still flock to Camrys and Accords because the old perceptions still remain.

 

I don't know if the coyote will be a push rod engine, it's been rumored that it will, but I don't know. Doesn't the 6.2 have push rods?