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2005 Ford Mustang Driving Impressions
by Larry Carley copyright 2005
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by Larry Carley copyright 2005
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A couple of times a year, I attend driving events where I rub shoulders with "real" automotive journalists who know how to count cup holders and criticize anything that fails to meet their personal standards of excellence. Since I write mostly about technical subjects, I sometimes feel like a fish out of water at these kind of events. Even so, I enjoy the opportunity to drive the cars and peek under the hoods to see what kind of things technicians will be working on a few years down the road.
When I look at a car, I get an immediate gut reaction to it. With the 2005 Mustang, it was love at first sight. The retro styling is right on and captures the essence of the classic 1965-68 fastback Mustangs. I've owned several Mustangs over the years, including a red 1968 similar to the one below (wish I'd never sold it!).
..2005..vs..1968..
I got my chance to test drive the new Mustangs at the 2005 Midwest Automotive Media Assn. (MAMA) Spring Collection Rally. The annual press event was held at Road America race track in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. There were over 80 new cars, trucks and SUVs from various vehicle manufacturers both import and domestic for us to test drive on the track, off-road and on the highway. As soon as the event started, I jumped into a 2005 Mustang GT 5-speed and headed out on the track. We were allowed to make one hot lap around the track before returning to the pits to switch vehicles with another driver.
The Mustang felt as good on the track as it looks. The 300 horsepower from the 4.6L 24-valve DOHC V8 provided all the punch one would expect from a retro muscle car. Steering and braking were predictable, and the car felt strong as I banged through the gears. The live axle rear wheel drive kicked out as expected on the turns, allowing me to power slide on the sharper turns.
After the first two turns, there is a long stretch of track where you can accelerate into triple digits before braking for a sharp 90 degree turn to the left. The Mustang easily hit 115 mph before I had to back off (this was as fast as a BMW 545i that I drove later in the day).
After the Mustang GT coupe 5-speed, I drove a Mustang GT with an automatic and a convertible Mustang with an automatic. The automatic versions are okay, but not as fun as the stick. Both automatics that I drove downshifted rather harshly when I floored the throttle, making the power transition anything but smooth on the race track.
I also took a Mustang convertible for a spin on the highway. The convertible was surprisingly quiet with the top up, and I noticed no body flex, rattles or squeaks. The V8 provided plenty of passing power and the ride was smooth and comfortable for a sporty car.
Would I buy one? You bet I would, but I would wait until Ford comes out with the supercharged Mustang Shelby 500 GT model in 2006/2007.
2005 Mustang Tech Specs:
Engine: 4.6L V8 with 300 horsepower at 5750 rpm, and 320 ft. lbs. of torque at 4500 rpm
Transmission: 5 Speed Manual or automatic with rear-wheel drive (3.31 final drive ratio)
Fuel Economy City/Hwy: 17 / 25 mpg
Fuel tank capacity: 16 gallons
Brakes: four wheel disc brakes
Wheels: 17 inch
Curb Weight: 3450 lbs. (manual), 3500 lbs. (automatic)
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As fun as the Mustangs were to drive, the highlight of the trip for me was getting to make a hot lap in a 2005 Ford GT. This is the remake of the legendary 1965-67 Ford GT 40 that won the LeMans race in France. The Ford GT is a limited production (4500 copies) supercar that recasts the basic look and feel of the original GT 40. The suggested list price is a mere $143,345, but dealers are getting as much as $250,000 apiece for one of these cars. The supercharged 5.4L DOHC V8 blasts out 550 horsepower and is capable of pushing this car through a quarter mile in the mid to low 11s depending on weather and traction. Top speed is supposed to be 200 mph.
On the race track, you're one with this machine. You can zoom from zero to 100 mph in less than 8 seconds, and bring it back down to a dead stop in less than the length of a football field. There was a Ford engineer in the passenger seat next to me, so I couldn't get too crazy. Even so, I did manage to hit 135 mph in on the long straight with ease before braking hard for the sharp left turn. This is a FAST car that provides more thrills in one lap than a day of riding roller coasters at Six Flags amusement park. Just watch your head getting in and out, though, because the doors have huge overhangs that can scalp the unwary.
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