Mustang GT roadtrip

[JST]

Originally Posted by robg

Wow- very cool. Wish my dad had that kind of taste in cars! I'd love a Mustang GT one day

Yeah, my parents have been Mustang partisans for a while. My mom got a 64 as her first car, and over the years they've had...maybe a dozen? They've had some clunkers, like a Mustang II coupe and an automatic Fox body GT, but they've also had some pretty good ones--one of the first Fox body convertibles (a 1984, I think?), a 1987 GT convertible with a stick, 97, 99, and 05 GT convertibles, a 2011 V6 6M that was...not as good as a V8, but kind of interesting, and now this current one that is kind of a beast.

[robg]

Originally Posted by JST

Yeah, my parents have been Mustang partisans for a while. My mom got a 64 as her first car, and over the years they've had...maybe a dozen? They've had some clunkers, like a Mustang II coupe and an automatic Fox body GT, but they've also had some pretty good ones--one of the first Fox body convertibles (a 1984, I think?), a 1987 GT convertible with a stick, 97, 99, and 05 GT convertibles, a 2011 V6 6M that was...not as good as a V8, but kind of interesting, and now this current one that is kind of a beast.

That’s dedication - even a Mustang II!

[wdc330i]

This explains while Josh is always flirting with Fords.

[robg]

Also even among mustang enthusiasts, having owned every generation from the beginning must be pretty rare. Maybe Ford will want to some sort of marketing piece with them in exchange for a free car


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[Josh (PA)]

It doesn't seem like you'd swap the boxster for it? If you had to pick one, which would it be and why? #askingforafriend.

[JST]

Originally Posted by Josh (PA)

It doesn't seem like und like you'd swap the boxster for it? If you had to pick one, which would it be and why? #askingforafriend.

The Boxster is a nicer car to drive, period full stop. It handles better, has better steering feel, and is just...smooth.

The Mustang is none of that. It's big and feels even bigger. Its suspension is stiff but the chassis is a little flexible, meaning you feel the car shudder over bumps. It has a lot of driveline mass, too, so it requires effort to drive smoothly, without lashing.

But the Mustang is a more dramatic car to drive. It's loud and fast and feels even faster than it is. You have to judicious in your throttle inputs...or don't, and the car gets goofy and sideways. It's fun.

Of course, the Mustang also has four seats, which means you can take the kids with you. And the kids think it's hilarious fun.

Bottom line, as an every day car the Boxster is better. It's also the car I'd pick to take to the track. If I had to have only one car and I could make a 2 seater work, I'd get the Boxster.

The Mustang might be the better choice as a 3rd car, though, particularly if you have kids. It's not as rewarding, in a chassis and handling sense, but it's a fun toy. If you aren't going to the track, and don't have access to canyon roads, and don't need to commute in it, the Mustang might be the right car.

[wdc330i]

My 12-year-old son doesn't understand at all why we have the Boxster. What's the point, he asks, when my 240 is both fun and practical (and not too attention grabbing.) He understands the utility and comfort of the SUV. He has only contempt for the Boxster.

Of course, all this is because he doesn't drive...

Edit: I think he would approve of the Mustang.

[kognito]

Originally Posted by JST

The Mustang is none of that. It's big and feels even bigger. Its suspension is stiff but the chassis is a little flexible, meaning you feel the car shudder over bumps. It has a lot of driveline mass, too, so it requires effort to drive smoothly, without lashing.

If you said it, I might have missed it. What year is your folks Mustang?

Independent rear?

I have driven a few newer Mustangs (rentals) but have not yet driven one with the independent rear end

[JST]

Originally Posted by kognito

If you said it, I might have missed it. What year is your folks Mustang?

Independent rear?

I have driven a few newer Mustangs (rentals) but have not yet driven one with the independent rear end

Yes, it's a 2017, so it has the IRS. The IRS helps--there's none of the weird axle hop over bumps that older Mustangs had. But it's still unmistakably a Mustang, for good and bad.

I've driven a couple of lower spec rental Mustangs, and the GT is a lot nicer.

[Josh (PA)]

Thanks for the thoughts, it aligns well with what I expected.

I've only had experience with a smurf blue rental 4 cyl auto in Florida last year. It was very much as you described... felt huge, made lots of noises and moved around a-lot. I'd be interested to see how much better the GT with a manual could be.

It is a very appealing layout, but I'm not sure I would be happy with the execution.