Thursday 30th March 2017

Ford Mustang GT: PH Fleet

Focus out and Mustang in as the fast Ford fleet experiment continues...

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Though you may have noticed it already, it's time to come clean on something of an obsession: I really, really like American cars. On PH you may have noticed the stories on Vipers, Shelbys, Camaros and Cadillacs are written by yours truly - the combination of V8s, manual gearboxes (in most cases) and genuine dynamic ability really, really appeals.

Want some tough guy?

So while we don't have a GT350, I was very excited about the arrival of the Mustang GT on the PH Fleet. Particularly as, against the majority of opinion, I wasn't overwhelmed by the Focus RS. Like the other fast Ford this car is ostensibly being shared with our colleagues at Autocar, but as long as I can afford the fuel it will be staying with us!

'Our' car, EF66 WEH, is a fastback V8 GT with a manual gearbox. A good start. On top of a list price of £36,345 this car has Lightning Blue paint (well worth the extra £595 I would say; it looks great), the Shaker Pro premium audio system at £795, climate controlled seats (so they're heated and cooled, as well as being super comfy as standard) for £495 and the £295 rear parking sensors. Given how limited the visibility already is, to make those sensors optional seems a little cheeky. It's hardly an extravagantly specced car though, the total price £38,525. For reference a 190hp Audi A5 2.0 TDI S Line is £38,290, and there are plenty more of those comparisons to follow!

Having arrived last Wednesday, the Mustang has been busy. It was used as transport to the Discovery launch (where 30mpg was achieved), it's been driven to and from the office (where something less than 30mpg was achieved) and then for a few days back at home in Suffolk (not even close to 30mpg). Fuel consumption will inevitably be a discussion point with this Mustang, so we'll be paying close attention; for what it's worth the trip computer average is still comfortably above the claimed 20.9mpg combined. Fingers crossed it stays that way!

Well of course we're excited by this

That V8 is such a core part of the appeal though that the money doesn't matter at the moment. To have an atmospheric big-cube V8 with a six-speed manual is such a rare privilege in 2017 that complaints seem a little churlish. It will burble along with the revs at idle, snarl through the mid-range and thunder through its upper reaches in full Bullitt style. The manual is the perfect accompaniment too, short and deliberate in its action but very satisfying to use.

In fact it's hard to concentrate on much else initially beyond the engine. When you do start to explore however, there are a few elements that have already proved irritating beyond the obvious predictable interior complaints (it's got a V8 for £36K; go buy the diesel Audi if you're that bothered). The variable steering weights seem unnecessary, none especially great but Normal the best compromise. SYNC3 is far better than SYNC2, but certain functions still require a bit too much screen prodding when buttons would have suited better. And the low-speed ride is pretty tough.

Despite those the view on the Mustang at the moment is a very positive one, its relaxed and easy-going demeanour welcome in a world of very, very serious cars. While in the early days there have been hints of the Mustang's lairier side too, which we'll aim to investigate in the coming months. No need for a drift mode with 420hp!

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FACT SHEET
Car: 2017 Ford Mustang GT
On fleet since: March 2017
Mileage: 3,833 (delivered on 3,251)
List price new: £36,345 (£38,525 as tested comprising £595 for Lightning Blue paint, £795 for Shaker Pro premium audio system with navigation, £495 for Climate controlled seats and £295 for reverse parking sensors)
Last month at a glance: Mustang arrives on fleet, scramble for key and fuel card begins

[Photos: Chris Teagles]

[Goatboy]

I shall definitely be getting one of these once they have been hammered with depreciation.

[snuffy]

I really like these.

If they strapped a couple of turbos on I'd be tempted.

[Fetchez la vache]

Article said:

certain functions still require a bit too much screen prodding when buttons would have suited better.

In fairness this can be aimed at *all* new cars.
Really gets on my tits.
Can't wait till we all revolt and they start to put buttons back...

[Centurion07]

Goatboy said:

I shall definitely be getting one of these once they have been hammered with depreciation.

You might be waiting a while.

• awaits inevitable "too big for UK roads/far better cars for the money/it's still a Ford" comments

ETA: "you can get XYZ secondhand with XYZ miles on for the same money".

Edited by Centurion07 on Thursday 30th March 13:28

[mac96]

Centurion07 said:

Goatboy said:

I shall definitely be getting one of these once they have been hammered with depreciation.

You might be waiting a while.

• awaits inevitable "too big for UK roads/far better cars for the money/it's still a Ford" comments

I'll get in first- its smaller cheaper and a damn sight more fun than an Audi A6, let alone an A7. Every drive is an event.

[RacerMike]

The wait for them is glacial at the moment. Good luck getting one in less than 12 months if you order.... Also, despite the modest gap in list price from the Focus to the Mustang, you're looking at well over £100 more per month for the Mustang. To put it into perspective you can get an M3/M4, or a new Cayman S for the same money as a Mustang. The Focus on the other hand, is a huge chunk less than that. It's a lot of money to blow just to have a V8.....

[great_kahn]

Goatboy said:

I shall definitely be getting one of these once they have been hammered with depreciation.

I wouldn't hold your breath waiting for a V8 bargain anytime soon. Unless petrol prices go thru the roof, these are never going collapse in value.

[Centurion07]

Wait time is around 6 months or so at the moment.

Where on earth can you get a new M3/M4 from, for the same money?!

[great_kahn]

snuffy said:

I really like these.

If they strapped a couple of turbos on I'd be tempted.

Turbo mustang? You bloody pagan.

Supercharger, ahem.

[anonymous-user]

As above, it's about 6 months or slightly less now apparently.

I waited nearly 18 months for mine, I've got a couple of annoying creaks and rattles, I've managed to fix them myself by turning up the stereo or keeping my foot on the floor.

[mac96]

A Cayman is not really an equivalent though is it? If you want a Cayman, you probably don't want a Mustang, and vice versa.

[kambites]

mac96 said:

A Cayman is not really an equivalent though is it? If you want a Cayman, you probably don't want a Mustang, and vice versa.

The M4 is probably a valid comparison though, if they're really the same price to lease.

Personally I'd prefer the Ford, but I suspect I'm in a minority there.

[Gibbo205]

Still enjoying mine, though I've probably chucked an easy 10k at it, wheels, KW suspension, 500HP mods, styling etc, but even then it owes me 45k and there is still no new car that offers so much performance and character for the price. The only issue I have the car randomly steers to the left when passing people on the pavement and if there is a crowd its hard work, I've got biceps the size of Arnie since owning this car to make sure it keeps going straight when passing pedestrians and crowds.








It is louder and sounds meaner than my neighbours 6.3l AMG, much to his disappointment. Great fun!

[Stig]

Good to see the GT on the PH fleet - and in (almost) the right colour. Loving mine (deep impact blue).

[mac96]

kambites said:

mac96 said:

A Cayman is not really an equivalent though is it? If you want a Cayman, you probably don't want a Mustang, and vice versa.

The M4 is probably a valid comparison though, if they're really the same price to lease.

Personally I'd prefer the Ford, but I suspect I'm in a minority there.

Agree totally and that was the choice I made- Mustang over M4. And I don't regret it at all!

When it comes to price people may forget options- the Mustang option list is a lot shorter than some others so the price for the spec you actually find you want looks even better value.

[kambites]

That's only true if the options list is shorter because it has more as standard, rather than being shorter because they don't actually offer as many features.

[Gibbo205]

kambites said:

The M4 is probably a valid comparison though, if they're really the same price to lease.

Personally I'd prefer the Ford, but I suspect I'm in a minority there.

I'd rather an E92 or E46 M3 over the current one, the engine has no soul and sounds poo. Though I got the E46 M3 sorted as thats my other car.

[mac96]

kambites said:

That's only true if the options list is shorter because it has more as standard, rather than being shorter because they don't actually offer as many features.

Ha ha! Logically you are of course right, and it doesn't do too badly on that score. What I really meant though was all those options that you never knew you wanted until you see them on the configurator!
I was playing with configuration of a Jaguar XPace this morning and it was frightening how much you could add on the alleged base price...easily 60% extra if you wanted a petrol option.

[kambites]

Yeah that's not a malady I suffer from; there's rarely more than a few hundred quid's worth of options I want on any car.

[MarJay]

Is this the second time in the last week that Pistonheads demonstrates it's inability to spell the word 'Lightning'?