Vehicle Tested
| 2010 Ford Mustang Convertible
Base Price: $28,995
At-Tested Price: $32,825
Built in Flat Rick, Michigan.
Options
Rapid Spec Package 202A
Premium Trim Package
Comfort Group
Heated Seats
6-Way Power Passenger Seat
Electrochromatic Mirror with Compass
Engine: 4.0-Liter V6
Transmission: 5-Speed Automatic
DriveWheels: Rear-Wheel Drive
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For decades Ford Mustang has been the pony-car king. Its fastback two-door styling and thumping V8 resonate with American buyers in what can only be described as an infatuation. Recently Chevrolet and Dodge have joined the fray with the Chevrolet Camaro and Dodge Challenger. To combat this challenge, FoMoCo has revamped the Mustang for 2010, giving it new styling, freshened interior bits, and more power.
Three trim levels are offered, Base, GT and Shelby GT500. All are available as two-door coupes or two-door convertibles. Both coupes and convertibles seat four on front buckets and a two-place rear bench seat. Convertible models get a power-operated fabric top with glass rear window.
The Base comes with a 210-horsepower 4.0-liter V6. GT gets a 315-horsepower 4.6-liter V8. Shelby GT500 gets a supercharged 5.4-liter V8 that makes 540 horsepower. All come with rear-wheel drive. The Base comes standard with a five-speed manual transmission. Standard on the GT and GT500 is a six-speed manual. Optional on the Base and GT is a five-speed automatic. The GT500 is not available with an automatic transmission.
Standard safety equipment includes antilock four-wheel disc brakes, stability control, post-crash alert, tire-pressure monitor, and dual-front and front-side airbags. Curtain airbags are not offered. Optional is a rear-view camera.
The Base two-door coupe lists for $20,995 and the Base convertible lists for $25,995. Included are air conditioning, tilt steering wheel, cruise control, center console, split-folding rear seat on coupes, power mirrors, power windows, keyless entry, AM/FM/CD player with digital-media player connection, variable-intermittent wipers, rear defogger, floormats, theft-deterrent system, 215/60R17 tires, and alloy wheels.
GT coupe lists for $27,995, while the GT convertible starts at $32,995. GT adds to the Base aluminum interior trim, automatic headlights, rear spoiler, fog lights, and 235/50WR18 front and 245/45WR18 rear tires.
The Shelby GT500 is available in limited numbers and retails for $46,325. It adds to the GT limited-slip differential, uprated brakes, leather and alcantara-wrapped steering wheel, AM/FM radio with in-dash six-disc CD/MP3 changer, sport suspension, and
255/40ZR19 front and 285/35ZR19 rear tires.
A Premuim Package is available on the Base and GT. It adds leather-wrapped steering wheel, leather upholstery (GT only) six-way power driver seat with lumbar adjustment, aluminum interior trim (Base only), upgraded sound system, satellite radio, Bluetooth cell-phone link, SYNC, iPod adapter. Newly optional on the manual-transmission GT Premium coupes is "Trackpack", which adds limited-slip differential, uprated brakes, sport suspension, 19-inch wheels, and a special antiskid system.
Options include navigation system with real-time traffic updates, glass roof, remote engine start, HID headlamps, and custom wheels. Also available are a number of interior and exterior trim pieces. All Mustangs are built in Flat Rock, Michigan, and carry a destination charge of $850.
Get up and Go With 210-horsepower on tap, the V6 is overmatched by Mustang's 3500-pound curb weight. There's decent punch from a standstill, but passing power is unimpressive. Thankfully, the five-speed automatic reacts quickly to throttle stabs and downshifts promptly.
[Note: Ford has an all-new V6 on tap for 2011 that will deliver more than 300 horsepower, so stay tuned!]
The GT doesn't feel as quick as the larger-engined Camaro SS, but it is still plenty fast. Ford suggests a 0-60 mph time of 5.5 seconds and that seems about right--plenty fast for acceleration junkies.
Obviously, the limited-edition Shelby GT500 is the choice for hard-core enthusiasts. The engine has ample power in any situation and blasts from 0-60 mph in about 4.5 seconds. The lusty engine provides plenty of torque for low-speed passing bursts and cruises effortlessly at triple-digit speeds.
Surprisingly, the Mustang isn't the fuel hog you might expect. EPA ratings with the 4.0-liter V6 and 5-speed automatic are 16 mpg city and 24 mpg highway. That's comparable with other V6-powered sports cars. Both the Base and GT run fine on regular-grade gasoline, the Shelby GT500 requires premium-grade fuel.
In daily driving expect to average about 18 mpg. If your commute consists of strictly city driving you might see economy dip below 15 mpg, though. Straight highway driving yields about 22 mpg.
On the Road If your looking for a silky and quiet ride or refinement from the suspension, the Mustang probably isn't for you. Even the more softly sprung Base model rides with more firmness than you'd expect. While never harsh, the Base doesn't have the bump absorption to keep the ride from growing busy.
On smooth roads, the GT's ride is firm. On badly broken or washboard roads, the ride borders on rough. It's not so hard that it's unbearable, but it's certainly not for everyone.
A result of the firm ride are excellent road manners. Any Mustang is easy to drive fast, and, true to its heritage the Mustang holds the road like a sports car. The tried-and-true solid rear axle can get upset by bumps in fast corners, but is a cost-effective and compact solution that's more than adequate in most situations. Enthusiasts might wish for a more-costly independent rear suspension, but the truth is, the Mustang's solid rear axle gets the job done and is a lot more reliable--especially when it's funneling the the V8's 300 horsepower to the road.
The steering has a nice heft that's perfect for a sports car and provides appropriate feedback in aggressive driving. Brakes provide plenty of stopping power, and unlike some sports cars are easy to modulate in stop-and-go traffic.
Behind the Wheel Mustang's interior features a retro theme that includes chrome-bezel gauges and a dual-cowl dashboard reminiscent of the original Mustang. The overall design makes for mostly functional controls and switchgear. However, using the console-mounted cupholders makes shifting the manual transmission difficult. While the interior looks appealing, some materials disappoint--especially on the base model. Luckily, there are dress-up packages available.
The front bucket seats are both comfortable and supportive, but the low seating position and high beltline make for a somewhat claustrophobic feeling and hurt outward visibility--that's not unusual in this class. Head and leg room are quite good--especially given the Mustang's sports-car intentions. An upright driving position makes getting in and out a lot easier than in some other, low-slung sports cars.
Seating in the rear isn't nearly as hospitable as the front. There's little head and leg room and the rear seats are deeply contoured, making the back seat best suited for children. That's probably best as getting in and out is a bit challenging for those without a gymnastic background.
The trunk is large compared to other sports coupes and features a wide opening and non-intrusive hinges. Still, its 13.1 cubic feet of storage space isn't large when compared to more functional hatchbacks. As least the coupe offers split-folding rear seats that help expand cargo-carrying capacity. Interior storage is sparse and there are no door-mounted map pockets.
Value for the Money Being a Mustang, Ford's pony car has a reputation to defend and a legend to live up to. The latest generation fulfills the mission of the original without sacrificing quality, comfort, or price. If you're a performance fan or a value-conscious shopper, Mustang just may be the car for you.
At an as-tested price of $32,825, the Ford Mustang convertible is an solid value. Sure the car has some faults and isn't for everyone. However, the Mustang hits a home run with its retro-themed styling and the drop top makes is a summer-fun mobile.
Specifications, 2010 Ford Mustang Premium
| Dimensions
| 2-door convertible
| Engine
| OHC V6
| Wheelbase, in.
| 107.1
| Size, liters/cu. in.
| 4.0 / 245
| Length, in.
| 188.1
| Horsepower @ rpm
| 210 @ 5300
| Width, in.
| 73.9
| Torque (lb.-ft.) @ rpm
| 240 @ 3500
| Height, in.
| 56.1
| Transmission
| 5-Speed Automatic
| Weight, lbs.
| 3581
| EPA Estimates, mpg
| 16 city / 24 highway
| Cargo Capacity, cu. ft.
| 9.6
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| Fuel Capacity, gals.
| 16.0
| Manufacturer's Warranty
| Seating Capacity
| 4
| Bumper-to-Bumper
| 3 years / 36,000 miles
| Front Head Room, in.
| 38.8
| Powertrain
| 5 years / 60,000 miles
| Front Leg Room, in.
| 42.4
| Corrosion
| 5 years / Unlimited miles
| Second-Row Head Room, in.
| 36.5
| Free Roadside Assistance
| 5 years / 60,000 miles
| Second-Row Leg Room, in.
| 29.8
| Free Scheduled Maintenance
| None
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