Easy to live with
Part of Mustang's successful existence has stemmed from how easy a car it is to live with every day, and Ford's focused on keeping it this way. It's relatively easy to get into and out of, and offers reasonable headroom with the top up. Wind noise, though sometimes intrusive, is kept down, and with the top stored at 110 km/h you can carry on a conversation. The heater keeps you and a passenger warm until about 7 degrees without heavy clothing.

The NHTSA has awarded the Mustang convertible a five-star safety rating.

Mustang is notably easy to see out of too, as convertibles go. The rear seats aren't terrible once occupants settle in, and trunk space is certainly better than many topless rides in the price-range, though limited nonetheless. It's also the safest convertible on the road, which is nice if you're into safety.

Just a tad too small
Despite being a fairly large machine, Mustang fails to generate a roomy feeling for front-seat occupants of above-average size, and the last generation car feels bigger inside and easier to board. Knee and arm room were only adequate for your 5"10, 200 lb. correspondent.

Galloping along
Mustang is tuned more for a leisurely drive down the main-strip than a blast through the twisties, and although the suspension and steering aren't quite responsive enough to qualify it as a truly nimble sports car, they do make it supremely easy to drive and comfortable.

With the solid rear axle and re-enforced convertible body, there's a jiggly feel to the chassis, and the rear end can be a bit of a handful. Hit some mid-corner bumps, and it can get messier than an overturned poutine on a shag carpet. Thing is, the solid axle setup is tough- and puts power down really, really well with minimal fuss in a straight line. It's more than happy to play when your right boot gets heavy.

Add a slick but commanding clutch and shifter combo which require just a bit of effort, and you'll find Mustang's controls are all easy to operate, with an emphasis on the ones that control power delivery. A bit rough and ragged, sure, but that's what this car is all about.

Owning your very own Pony?
No other car near this price captures the style, sound and spirit of performance driving so well. Cruise with a few friends on board, the top down, the stereo up and the engine snarling along, and you'll discover a fundamentally magical experience.

There are many an automaker ready to relieve you of about $45,000 if you're looking for an expressive and fun to drive machine. Where the Mustang stands out is in its ability to put on a hell of a show, while including a dose of American automotive history right in the MSRP. That's hard to put a price on.


Total average mileage (observed): 14L / 100km



Very safe, creates a magical experience, comfortable to use every day, fantastic engine



Stereo system can cause a few interior panels to buzz, low-tech rear axle doesn't like bumps



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Photo Credit : Justin Pritchard