I was relieved with
his choice of engine; fearing he’d opt for the standard 200 in.3 in-line
six putting out just 120 hp.
When I learned our test car had a V6 and not an eight, I had similar
reservations. But I needn’t have worried. The 4.0-liter engine pushes
the car from 0-to-60 mph in about 7.3 sec. And the 210-hp-rated
powerplant doesn’t sound anything like the old 289. Ford tuned the
exhaust on the convertible to emit a powerful-sounding roar that gets
heads turning when you accelerate.
The interior reminded me of the old pony car. Dash gages and
steering wheel mimic the design of yesteryear. But there are plenty of
modern features, including a big audio system, power six-way driver
seat, and a tilting steering wheel with a few sound system controls. I
thought the leather-trimmed bucket seats (a $695 option) were fine
for a sporty car, and tall people shouldn’t have a problem with head
clearance. But forget about rear-seat legroom. Only your dog will enjoy
it back there.
The top retracts when you hold a button after unhitching two
clamps. This is about a 20-sec process that worked flawlessly for us.
There’s an inside liner on the top that hides the support struts and
gives the top interior a finished look. The convertible top also has a
rear-window defroster which works a bit more slowly than that on a
typical hardtop.
Our test car carried a five-speed automatic which, unfortunately,
does not have a shift-gate feature. The old manual-shift Mustangs
had a quick second gear which seems to have gone by the wayside in
these modern cars. But we had no real complaints with the convertible’s
acceleration. It is not a head-snapping take-off — for that, consider
the Shelby GT or GT500 version. However, the convertible has
plenty of zip and moves through traffic with authority.
The ride is on the firm side. You’ll hear the car go over small bumps
but you probably won’t feel them. Bigger potholes are more noticeable,
but we chalk this up to trade-offs in body stiffness that arise in
convertibles. Likewise, there are quieter cars, but that should not be
a huge concern among potential buyers for whom the preferred mode
of travel is with the top down.
Those who factor crash ratings into their purchase plans might
note the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gives the Mustang
an overall acceptable rating for frontal offset crash, a good rating for
side impact, but a poor rating for rear crashes.
Our review vehicle had an EPA rating of 18/26 mpg. It carried options
that included ABS and traction control, heated seats, 17-in. castaluminum
wheels, satellite radio, a rear spoiler, and pin striping that
brought the MSRP up to $30,700. For that price, the convertible Mustang
can be a fun car for tooling around, particularly if the alternative
is a much more pricey European luxury car.
— Lee Teschler