I’m bald, a bit large, money’s tight, I’m married with a kid and a
newborn and (as long as I’m driving the Mustang GT Convertible) it’s all
good. I feel like a mix of a mid-life-crisis, gold chain wearing,
comb-over Vegas dweller and youthful attention-getting bachelor from
South Beach… but only when driving the Mustang GT Convertible.
I wish to hell I had a manual.
As
it stands, the Mustang GT Convertible has got a lot going for it and is
currently the only pony car on the market with a convertible top; a
distinction that will most likely change late 2010 when GM hits back
with their Camaro Convertible (which I hear is being fast-tracked).
Kudos to Ford for keeping with the program and giving us convertible
Mustangs (on and off) for about 40 years.
Interior materials up
front are not too bad. I especially like the metal looking trim, thick
gear lever and gauges; however, every other plastic bit is hard, cheap
and loose fitting (especially the plastic components surrounding the
convertible top’s hold). Trunk space is okay and as it is a soft-top,
it takes little space when folded.
315 horsepower and 325 lbs
feet of torque is great – but not fantastic. That horsepower rating is
only 10 more ponies than a V6 Camaro. Still, the performance and sound
are addicting. There’s just enough on tap to scare passengers
(something I would never do). Depress the traction control, tap the
breaks (to engage the front brakes) and shove the right pedal down –
rear tires will light-up and burn.
Sweet.
I like the new front end – a lot. It does smack of the Challenger
and Camaro in the cropped looking headlights. All the same, it truly
looks like a Mustang. Some people like the taillights – I don’t.
Although, the trick, sequential LED taillights (which move one light to
another in the direction you indicate with the turn signal) are kind of
cool.
The overall shape of the Mustang coupe is unmistakable and
rather attractive. The convertible is bulky looking with the top up.
Top down, the driver either makes or breaks the image. In other words,
with Halle Berry driving – the convertible Mustang looks great. If
Rosie O'Donnell is behind the wheel – well, not so much.
Dynamically
and price-wise, the main competitor for the (approximately) 39K Mustang
GT Convertible is the Mini Cooper S Convertible (http://www.examiner.com/x-2102-Denver-Autos-Examiner~y2009m8d10-2009-Mini-Cooper-S-Convertible-Review-Part-1).
Both vehicles price closely when fully loaded, both are quick and both
provide lots of fun at the expense of utility. For cruising vast
expanses of highway and the sinuous tones of America’s finest – the
Mustang is the best choice. Cute, bubbly fun with the ability to carve
a canyon – the Mini comes out on top. 
As we (fellow automotive journalist, Roman Mica: https://www.examiner.com/x-2812-Road–Driver-Examiner)
were comparing the Mustang GT Convertible to a V6 Camaro, I got the
gist of what the topless pony was capable of. Despite the noticeable
cowl shake and solid rear axle (an old chestnut I can’t forget), the
Mustang GT Convertible accounted for itself admirably.
All is
well once you plop down inside the cushy seats and get a load of the
slick looking interior (take note GM and Chrysler). Steering is sharper
than the Mustang it replaces and other than slightly mushy brakes; the
Mustang GT Convertible is a fun driver’s car. I spent the whole day
chasing the Camaro all around the hills of Boulder, Colorado and
enjoyed every moment.
With the traction control off, (even with the auto-box) I got a few smoky sliding drifts on demand.
Steering
is better than the last generation’s GT Convertible. Yes, the body
quivers, cowl shakes and the nose is heavy. All the same, I felt more
connected than in the past and I simply LOVE the feel of the new
steering wheel.
0 to 60 times (at over a mile above sea level)
were about 6 seconds. I could knock off a few tenths with a manual and
a few more with a lighter hard top (the GT convertible weighs well
over 3,500 lbs). The Ford Mustang GT Convertible (with the 5-speed
auto) is faster than a 2010 Camaro V6 (with a 6-speed auto) – just.
If
you want a similar sensation and want to save some dough, I highly
recommend the ‘glass roof’ option which gives nearly as much light as
the convertible while maintaining body rigidity, security and space AND
the manual transmission! You get SO much more out of a Mustang with an
old-school manual.
So, for you midlife crisis types – or those
who are starved for attention (ANYONE who buys a convertible wants
attention) and for those who like the rumble of a V8, have a look at
the 2010 Ford Mustang GT Convertible.
It will make you feel mighty good.
Automotive media, racing, vehicle evaluation, wrecking yards, and car
sales are just a part of Nathan Adlen’s vehicular past. He writes out
of high octane passion! To read more reviews by Nathan Adlen or just to
enjoy more of excellent writing please visit him on at his examiner.com
page HERE. Photos by: N.D.
