In a Kelley Blue Book poll, readers voted the original Ford Mustang America's all-time favorite car. You'd be hard-pressed to find anyone that doesn't grin approvingly whenever a vintage 64 passes by, so it's no surprise that the current Mustang convertible—with its long hood, short deck, big engine and rear-wheel drive platform—adheres strongly to the original formula. Whether as a base model or in its tire-smoking GT trim, the Mustang promises to turn heads and elicit smiles wherever it goes.
Over the course of time, Ford engineers have continued to refine and tighten the car's chassis and improve its driving dynamics and horsepower ratings. As a result, the Mustang performs well, especially in GT trim, where its beefy tires, anti-slip regulation and 260-horsepower V8 make even short trips to the supermarket a thrill. The steering feel is taut and nicely weighted, responding immediately to driver input without delay and the brakes have good stopping power with little sign of fade after repeated use. The rear-wheel-drive setup does allow some fish-tailing in hard cornering and must be respected, especially when slippery road conditions exist.
Inside, the Mustang's dash mimics the original's twin cockpit theme. It's a clever design that adds to the car's nostalgic appeal. The bucket seats, though comfortable, lack side support and could use a bit more rearward travel to accommodate tall drivers. The optional power driver's seat does allow for height and angle adjustments, making it well worth the extra cost. The padded power top works well, but does require a bit of muscle to lock into place. The optional Mach 460 sound system has no problem overpowering the wind and sounds absolutely fantastic. We highly recommend this option if you love to listen to music with the top down.
