Ford Mustang GT (2017 spec)
Discussion
Yesterday I finally picked up my new daily - a 2017-spec Mustang GT Fastback Manual with Custom Pack, in Grabber Blue. My 35th birthday present to myself.
It's 2017-spec but brand new registered this week. Spec with the custom pack includes - silver 19" wheels, heated/cooled seats, climate, cruise, plus it has the Sync 3 system which gives DAB audio, Nav and Apple Carplay for Spotify etc, which all works really well. It took less than a minute to have my phone paired, and have the apps displayed on the screen.
Oh, and it of course has the 5.0 litre Coyote V8.
Some rather bad photos taken after I drove it back to work yesterday...
I bought this without driving one here in the UK - I did rent a Mustang Convertible over in Miami a couple of years ago, but that was a rental-spec four pot with an auto box. In fairness, in the two days I had it, it was fantastic, so couldn't wait to drive this one.
First impressions are all good. It's a big car, with loads of space inside (handy for me at 6ft5), the rear seats seem actually usable for little people on short journeys. You settle in to the cabin very quickly, and it's really easy to get comfortable. Once you're all in, dip the clutch and press the starter button - I like the fact that you press and hold it while the starter motor turns, not like those you just tap and then the car handles the start procedure. Pressing and holding the starter button while the engine fires makes it a much more visceral experience.
The engine fires up and sounds very deep... It's not overly loud, which depending on your viewpoint can be good or bad. Many would prefer it to be louder, but it makes a lovely noise, and is capable of creeping round fairly inconspicuously for a huge bright-blue car. I'm going to live with it for a while, then investigate a cat-back maybe around Christmas
The (manual) gearbox feels lovely, with a short stubby lever, short throw and tight gate. It's very precise, but then every Ford I've ever driven has had a good gearbox.
Driving? I haven't really driven it enough yet to know... That's what this weekend is for
Will update in due course....
Jon
It's 2017-spec but brand new registered this week. Spec with the custom pack includes - silver 19" wheels, heated/cooled seats, climate, cruise, plus it has the Sync 3 system which gives DAB audio, Nav and Apple Carplay for Spotify etc, which all works really well. It took less than a minute to have my phone paired, and have the apps displayed on the screen.
Oh, and it of course has the 5.0 litre Coyote V8.
Some rather bad photos taken after I drove it back to work yesterday...
I bought this without driving one here in the UK - I did rent a Mustang Convertible over in Miami a couple of years ago, but that was a rental-spec four pot with an auto box. In fairness, in the two days I had it, it was fantastic, so couldn't wait to drive this one.
First impressions are all good. It's a big car, with loads of space inside (handy for me at 6ft5), the rear seats seem actually usable for little people on short journeys. You settle in to the cabin very quickly, and it's really easy to get comfortable. Once you're all in, dip the clutch and press the starter button - I like the fact that you press and hold it while the starter motor turns, not like those you just tap and then the car handles the start procedure. Pressing and holding the starter button while the engine fires makes it a much more visceral experience.
The engine fires up and sounds very deep... It's not overly loud, which depending on your viewpoint can be good or bad. Many would prefer it to be louder, but it makes a lovely noise, and is capable of creeping round fairly inconspicuously for a huge bright-blue car. I'm going to live with it for a while, then investigate a cat-back maybe around Christmas
The (manual) gearbox feels lovely, with a short stubby lever, short throw and tight gate. It's very precise, but then every Ford I've ever driven has had a good gearbox.
Driving? I haven't really driven it enough yet to know... That's what this weekend is for
Will update in due course....
Jon
I took her for a bit of a run last night, heading down to the 'Farmer, Butcher, Chef' restaurant at the Goodwood Hotel, a nice run down on the twisties through Frensham, Hindhead, Fernhurst, Midhurst and into Goodwood. I managed to open the taps a bit for the first time as well.
The Mustang drives really well, and UK roads aren't a problem for it at all. It rides bumps pretty well thanks to its long wheelbase, and the tyres in the dry at least, seem to provide decent grip - I'll re-assess that no doubt when it rains.
Coming home, we came the long way round of A27 and A3 up to the Hogs Back, and then back to Farnborough - just to give it a long run on a dual carriageway.
Bits that aren't so brilliant:
- Headlights aren't that fantastic - on an unlit A3 at night, they're bad compared with the LED lamps in my old MINI
- Driving at night, the Sync 3 screen is quite bright, need to find a way to turn it off if possible - dimming the dash lights helped.
So not much going against it as yet... Still all good
The Mustang drives really well, and UK roads aren't a problem for it at all. It rides bumps pretty well thanks to its long wheelbase, and the tyres in the dry at least, seem to provide decent grip - I'll re-assess that no doubt when it rains.
Coming home, we came the long way round of A27 and A3 up to the Hogs Back, and then back to Farnborough - just to give it a long run on a dual carriageway.
Bits that aren't so brilliant:
- Headlights aren't that fantastic - on an unlit A3 at night, they're bad compared with the LED lamps in my old MINI
- Driving at night, the Sync 3 screen is quite bright, need to find a way to turn it off if possible - dimming the dash lights helped.
So not much going against it as yet... Still all good
300bhp/ton said:
Glad you are enjoying it.
I wonder how many anti American car people have a different view now there is a RHD Mustang.
I like the fact you say UK roads aren't a problem for it. Especially considering the grief I get on here for even uttering the word Camaro...
I was more referring to our surfaces, than the size. I mean if you can get a modern Rolls/Bentley/FFRR down our roads, you can get anything down them. I wonder how many anti American car people have a different view now there is a RHD Mustang.
I like the fact you say UK roads aren't a problem for it. Especially considering the grief I get on here for even uttering the word Camaro...
But on the size front, if it can whistle down roads like this, it'll go anywhere. https://goo.gl/wKzTuC - I'd avoid London width restriction posts though
But it handles our pot holes, sunken drains, and random lumps of asphalt missing with aplomb.
croyde said:
Dare we ask OP what did you pay for yours?
It was just under £37k... I probably could have got a better deal by shopping around, but Grabber Blue cars were thin on the ground, not every dealer network had one available.I don't normally take out finance on cars, but they had this on a 0% offer, so was daft not to.
Facian said:
I did wonder if this was the one I'd seen around Farnham this summer, but as you've picked it up very recently I'll assume not and it's just a coincidence (also i think that's a '67 plate if i remember rightly!).
Lovely car, hopefully see (hear) it around!
Nope, not me - I only collected this on Tuesday Lovely car, hopefully see (hear) it around!
I'm on in Farnborough, so you might well see (or hear) me trundling about.
Facian said:
I could just google it, but what's the difference between '17 spec and new cars? Anything worth worrying with?
As above, they've had a front end makeover, which you either love or hate! There are four custom packs to choose from with various options in, and magnaride suspension is an option. The facelift cars have around 30hp more, and have a new noisier exhaust with four tailpipes. There's also a new 10 speed auto box.Lots of the bits on the new car are very nice, but they're now up to £46k (or more) with a few options, and deals aren't so readily available.
Personally, I prefer really dials to the LCD screen, and I actually prefer the look of the 2017 car. An exhaust can be easily added, and more power can be liberated should you wish!
Six week update...
The Mustang has had a quiet couple of weeks, as I've been driving my classic Mini around Europe, but was nice to get back into a proper sized car and turn on those heated seats.
Unfortunately a couple of issues have arisen which need to be addressed.
1. Headlights - with the clocks going back, and nights drawing in, it has become more noticeable just how poor the headlights are. Having done a bit of research, Ford fit low output 25W HID/Xenon bulbs on EU cars to avoid having to fit headlamp self-levellers and washers. In the US these aren't a requirement, so US cars get 35W headlamps as standard. I doubt Ford UK will be interested/able to sort that, so it might have to be a DIY.
2. Headlights again. Off side unit is continually full of water - filed as a warranty claim (see photo below).
3. Tyres - people have said how bad the standard fit tyres are, but yeeeee God, I never expected them to be THIS bad. They literally have no grip at all on anything other than a perfectly dry surface, which again is wonderful at this time of year.
Other than that, I think we're all good. Have a couple of journeys to do this weekend, and I'm looking forward to covering some miles.
Do need an upgraded exhaust still though
The Mustang has had a quiet couple of weeks, as I've been driving my classic Mini around Europe, but was nice to get back into a proper sized car and turn on those heated seats.
Unfortunately a couple of issues have arisen which need to be addressed.
1. Headlights - with the clocks going back, and nights drawing in, it has become more noticeable just how poor the headlights are. Having done a bit of research, Ford fit low output 25W HID/Xenon bulbs on EU cars to avoid having to fit headlamp self-levellers and washers. In the US these aren't a requirement, so US cars get 35W headlamps as standard. I doubt Ford UK will be interested/able to sort that, so it might have to be a DIY.
2. Headlights again. Off side unit is continually full of water - filed as a warranty claim (see photo below).
3. Tyres - people have said how bad the standard fit tyres are, but yeeeee God, I never expected them to be THIS bad. They literally have no grip at all on anything other than a perfectly dry surface, which again is wonderful at this time of year.
Other than that, I think we're all good. Have a couple of journeys to do this weekend, and I'm looking forward to covering some miles.
Do need an upgraded exhaust still though
croyde said:
I was amazed at how bad the tyres were. Should be able to sue Ford for that if you crashed. Unfit for purpose and the manufacterers Pirelli do state not to be used below 7c !!??
It's something I'll be raising with them on Friday when it goes in... On one hand being able to slide it so ridiculously easily is great, but I would like some confidence that they'll cling on when I really need them to.Yesterday was a really good day, and confirmed I've definitely bought the right car (for me). A drive up to the NEC and back for the Classic Motor show...
I set off relatively late at around 9am, and did the rather dull M3 > M25 > M40 route, stopping at Beaconsfield for fuel and coffee en route. It was a beautiful bright morning, and the M40 was total bliss, relatively quiet, slightly damp but not wet.
The Mustang showed was a great GT car is really is. The mileage count on the trip computer was going up faster than the time elapsed, and covering 1.5 miles a minute is where it feels really happy. A return of 25mpg was I think genuinely good considering the pace.
The journey there was stress free, but the journey home was even better.
In typical Sunday afternoon style, the M40 was slow moving, the M25 according to Google maps was a car park. After getting through a bit of traffic, I dived down the A404, then came back home through Bracknell, with the Industrial Area detour.
The car had ticked over 1000 miles, it was a warm dry afternoon, the roads had dried out, and the Mustang really came alive. The tyres bit into the tarmac, I was blipping the throttle on downshifts coming up to roundabouts, getting the power down early exiting them, and generally really enjoying the drive.
By the time I got home, the car smelled like it had been given a bit of a workout
In other news it's going back in again tomorrow to have the watery headlight replaced.
I set off relatively late at around 9am, and did the rather dull M3 > M25 > M40 route, stopping at Beaconsfield for fuel and coffee en route. It was a beautiful bright morning, and the M40 was total bliss, relatively quiet, slightly damp but not wet.
The Mustang showed was a great GT car is really is. The mileage count on the trip computer was going up faster than the time elapsed, and covering 1.5 miles a minute is where it feels really happy. A return of 25mpg was I think genuinely good considering the pace.
The journey there was stress free, but the journey home was even better.
In typical Sunday afternoon style, the M40 was slow moving, the M25 according to Google maps was a car park. After getting through a bit of traffic, I dived down the A404, then came back home through Bracknell, with the Industrial Area detour.
The car had ticked over 1000 miles, it was a warm dry afternoon, the roads had dried out, and the Mustang really came alive. The tyres bit into the tarmac, I was blipping the throttle on downshifts coming up to roundabouts, getting the power down early exiting them, and generally really enjoying the drive.
By the time I got home, the car smelled like it had been given a bit of a workout
In other news it's going back in again tomorrow to have the watery headlight replaced.
RC1807 said:
<7C is the typical operating widnwo for winter (M&S) tyres, hence Pirelli's comment. I wouldn't want a RWD V8 in the Winter without winter boots on, TBH.
Yup, understood. It's going to be 15/16 degrees here though this week, so I don't think its yet time for them... I'm more inclined at the minute to change the P-Zeros to something better now, then sort out a spare set of wheels and Winters in the next couple of weeks so they're ready to go on when it starts getting properly cold.Yesterday I finally had the tyres sorted... I've bought a new spare set of wheels, and had them fitted with a set of Bridgestone A005 cross climate tyres. They're available in the OE size 255/40/19 and 275/40/19.
They ranked quite poorly in a German auto bild test, but that's because they marked them down for snow ability - which I'm really not concerned about. In the wet/dry tests they came out on top, and being cross climate, they don't mind the cold and wet together.
This morning was a revelation... 9 degrees out and very damp, and they bit into the tarmac really well. I could actually use the throttle in Sports+ mode without spinning up the rears constantly. They also seem quieter than the Pirellis.
So that's me sorted for Winter....
They ranked quite poorly in a German auto bild test, but that's because they marked them down for snow ability - which I'm really not concerned about. In the wet/dry tests they came out on top, and being cross climate, they don't mind the cold and wet together.
This morning was a revelation... 9 degrees out and very damp, and they bit into the tarmac really well. I could actually use the throttle in Sports+ mode without spinning up the rears constantly. They also seem quieter than the Pirellis.
So that's me sorted for Winter....
cologne2792 said:
After 30 years of driving Capris the Mustang is the only new car I'd actually want to own - obviously in manual V8 form.
I doubt I'll ever be likely to afford one but they're the only car I see on the road that makes me smile.
It's incredible the number of people who give it a warm welcome... I thought I'd get a lot more 'save the planet' comments, but people genuinely love the Mustang, and everywhere I take it, people want to talk about it.I doubt I'll ever be likely to afford one but they're the only car I see on the road that makes me smile.
Mr Tidy said:
Dr Interceptor, I love your Mustang! 
Hopefully I may see it about some time as I'm just up the road in Sandhurst. I always use the A404 to get to and from the M40 - it's usually far less painful than going near the M25!
I'm on car numbers 27 & 28 and both are straight 6 petrol N/A manuals - only 6 of mine have been FWD, and none of those lasted long! (No 4WD in that count either).
Now BMW don't make any N/A petrol 6s (or much with a manual box) the only new car I would want is a manual V8 Mustang - I just need to find the budget.
Is there any other new car on sale in the UK with an N/A petrol engine with more than 4 cylinders, a manual box and RWD - I can't think of one!
Cheers Hopefully I may see it about some time as I'm just up the road in Sandhurst. I always use the A404 to get to and from the M40 - it's usually far less painful than going near the M25!
I'm on car numbers 27 & 28 and both are straight 6 petrol N/A manuals - only 6 of mine have been FWD, and none of those lasted long! (No 4WD in that count either).
Now BMW don't make any N/A petrol 6s (or much with a manual box) the only new car I would want is a manual V8 Mustang - I just need to find the budget.
Is there any other new car on sale in the UK with an N/A petrol engine with more than 4 cylinders, a manual box and RWD - I can't think of one!
I live and work in Farnborough, so don't get out much but do occasionally venture in your direction, so you never know.I did spot a red 2016 Mustang this morning on the way into work, we exchanged a passing wave/acknowledgement.
Good point on the N/A Manual big engined petrol cars, there certainly aren't many. The F-Type mentioned above is supercharged, so is out, so it really is just the manual Porsche GT3, Morgan, 370Z and a small handful of others.
Bridgestones still continue to be spot on, very pleased with them so far.
Another great drive out yesterday.
Farnborough to Hertford to buy pellet fuel for the Traeger grill, then on to Swindon to meet a friend for lunch, then back home via the back roads.
I filled up when leaving Hertford, and reset the trip... So below is the trip readout from the journey from Hertford to Swindon, then back to Farnborough.
Saw some great Mustangs out and about - in particular one coming back round the M25 near the M40... Dark blue 16 Plate GT with a lot of mods, looked very nice.
In other news,I think I've decided on a stripe design, and will look into getting that done in the new year. I've ordered a spare wheel from a place in the US, they have one that fits over the Brembo's, and comes with a jacking kit etc. I've also ordered a kit to upgrade the headlights, and change the front sidelights to LED, best to do all that at the same time as its a bumper off job.
Farnborough to Hertford to buy pellet fuel for the Traeger grill, then on to Swindon to meet a friend for lunch, then back home via the back roads.
I filled up when leaving Hertford, and reset the trip... So below is the trip readout from the journey from Hertford to Swindon, then back to Farnborough.
Saw some great Mustangs out and about - in particular one coming back round the M25 near the M40... Dark blue 16 Plate GT with a lot of mods, looked very nice.
In other news,I think I've decided on a stripe design, and will look into getting that done in the new year. I've ordered a spare wheel from a place in the US, they have one that fits over the Brembo's, and comes with a jacking kit etc. I've also ordered a kit to upgrade the headlights, and change the front sidelights to LED, best to do all that at the same time as its a bumper off job.
Frosty start this morning, arrived at work at 8am and the temperature gauge was still showing -2.
I miss not having a heated front screen and mirrors, and the heated seats take a while to warm up.
Bridgestone cross climates were again fantastic, not even a hint of wheel slip on the white untreated roads near work.
I miss not having a heated front screen and mirrors, and the heated seats take a while to warm up.
Bridgestone cross climates were again fantastic, not even a hint of wheel slip on the white untreated roads near work.
This week, Thursday the 20th, I was due to fly to Faro for a bit of winter sun, and to escape Christmas. I was booked on the 06:30 flight out of LGW with EasyJet.
3am Thursday morning, my flight was cancelled due to something to do with drones at Gatwick. No bother, I quickly rebooked onto the 08:00 flight with BA, all good!
When I got to LGW, it was clear things weren’t good. We actually boarded the 8am BA flight at around 10am, then sat on the plane until at 1:30 they gave up and cancelled it.
With Gatwick totally ballsed up, i drove back to Farnborough. Looking online there literally no flight options, so with my suitcase still in the Mustang, I booked a ferry, and fooked off.
I caught the overnight sleeper to Le Harve, arriving around 08:30 Friday morning.
A delay at the French port due to the douanes wanting to inspect every car and passport meant I didn’t leave Le Harve till 10:30 Friday morning, and the weather in France was shocking all day.
Poor visibility, coupled with an hour of traffic at Bordeaux meant I gave in the towel last night at San Sebastián, after only 540 odd miles.
Today I set off with 1195 km to do to get to my pad in Portugal, near Lagos. I left around 6am, and as I dropped out the mountains and the sun rose, it was a clear day.
Toe down all the way, only dropping below the ton for traffic, sitting at 110-120 most of the way, I pulled up outside the villa at 2:45 Portuguese time.
Below is the trip from Le Harve, nearly 1300 miles, in a bit over 17 hours.
I’ll post more pics of the trip when I’m back to the UK in the new year!
Merry Christmas all
3am Thursday morning, my flight was cancelled due to something to do with drones at Gatwick. No bother, I quickly rebooked onto the 08:00 flight with BA, all good!
When I got to LGW, it was clear things weren’t good. We actually boarded the 8am BA flight at around 10am, then sat on the plane until at 1:30 they gave up and cancelled it.
With Gatwick totally ballsed up, i drove back to Farnborough. Looking online there literally no flight options, so with my suitcase still in the Mustang, I booked a ferry, and fooked off.
I caught the overnight sleeper to Le Harve, arriving around 08:30 Friday morning.
A delay at the French port due to the douanes wanting to inspect every car and passport meant I didn’t leave Le Harve till 10:30 Friday morning, and the weather in France was shocking all day.
Poor visibility, coupled with an hour of traffic at Bordeaux meant I gave in the towel last night at San Sebastián, after only 540 odd miles.
Today I set off with 1195 km to do to get to my pad in Portugal, near Lagos. I left around 6am, and as I dropped out the mountains and the sun rose, it was a clear day.
Toe down all the way, only dropping below the ton for traffic, sitting at 110-120 most of the way, I pulled up outside the villa at 2:45 Portuguese time.
Below is the trip from Le Harve, nearly 1300 miles, in a bit over 17 hours.
I’ll post more pics of the trip when I’m back to the UK in the new year!
Merry Christmas all
MuscleSaloon said:
Dr Interceptor said:
I've ordered a spare wheel from a place in the US, they have one that fits over the Brembo's, and comes with a jacking kit etc.
I know there's been a few discussions on these but may I ask where you ordered it from and at what price ?Wish I had it on this trip, but it has arrived now at home, so is waiting for me when I get back.
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