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The day I became a XR8TD parent!
A drive in a GT convertible is a reminder that the Mustang is a throwback to another era. I had a new PINK CD and discovered the MACH speed-sensitive sound system is fantastic with the top down. But no CD would be just fine with the wonderful rumble of the exhaust outback. It was early and damp when I pulled onto the freeway from the dealership, and I made the Mustang fishtail on the on-ramp, just to get started with a smile. The point is, it can. On the freeway, the firm suspension transmitted the undulations, and later on a different surface I could feel side-to-side jouncing, but the unsteadiness was relatively benign, especially considering how happy the car made me. With the top down, the engine sounds so good, so deep and thunderous, it might be the most enjoyable thing about the car. With the Camaro/Firebird gone, they just don't make them like this any more. With a lot of high-performance cars, you have to be going fast to feel the joy, but with the Mustang, even 2000 rpm is fun. The Mustang GT's 4.6-liter overhead-cam modular V8 is rated at 260 horsepower at 5250 rpm and 302 pounds-feet of torque at 4000 rpm. In first or second gear, upshifting at a modest 4000 rpm, the motor feels and sounds very satisfying. In fifth gear, 2000 rpm is 75 mph, and the engine doesn't loaf at that speed, it rumbles. No engine sounds and feels like it's doing more at such low rpm. Not working hard, just doing more. The torque provides steady, smooth acceleration, and the throttle response to blips is wonderful, with an easy heel-and-toe pedal position. The manual gets high marks. Because the top speed in second gear is 70 mph, most corners are second or third gear, so you find yourself downshifting a lot. You can drop hard into second, with a beautiful racy blip, and it's great stuff, smooth and solid, inspiring confidence. The GT's leather gearshift knob has the perfect shape for a firm grip. The Mustang likes to be muscled, but it doesn't have to be. It's brutish, but still goes where and when without a struggle. Under the sun or stars, it doesn't get any better than this. GiddyUp! | |||||||||||||||||||||||
