2009 FORD MUSTANG GT COUPE Test Drive

2009 Ford Mustang GT Coupe – “America’s Favorite Pony Car”

The Ford Mustang coupe continues as America’s favorite Pony car and celebrates 45-years in production. The latest GT performance coupe is fun and thrilling to drive, comes well equipped and is priced right at just $27,020.00. It is the ‘biggest bang for the buck’.

 

The Mustang GT is sporty and spry from any angle: a menacing shark-like nose with trapezoidal jeweled headlamps behind clear lens imparts an attitude not seen since the ’67 model, the signature aluminum power-dome hood and short rear deck, dual exhaust tips, swept-back A-pillars, side C-scoops, flared fenders, lower rocker panels, while short overhangs and 18X8in. wheels, anchor the design to the ground and give it visual motion. The rear spoiler helps increase downforce at high speeds.

 

The retro-modern looks give an indication of what lies under the skin and ready to unleash all of its power and performance. A bulging aluminum hood covers the GT’s 4.6 liter, all-aluminum, SOHC, 3-valve per cylinder, variable camshaft timing, V8 engine that cranks out an abundant 300hp at 5,750rpm and 320lb.ft. of torque at 4,500rpm.

 

Power is transferred to the rear wheels via a standard Tremec 3650 5-speed manual transmission or a 5-speed automatic transmission. Equipped with the 5-speed manual 3:55 gears, a limited-slip differential and shod with the optional 18X8in. aluminum wheels wrapped with BF Goodrich 235/50ZR18in. g-Force T/A’s, the GT can blast out to 60mph from a standstill in just 5.3sec. Faster than any $27,000.00 sport coupe.

 

Under the stiff, unitized steel frame and chassis is Mustang’s unique suspension system.
Up front is an independent setup with reverse-L links, MacPherson struts and a 34mm tubular stabilizer bar. The unique rear features a 3-link solid axle with coil springs, gas-charged monoshocks, Panhard rod and 20mm solid stabilizer bar. Utilizing the precision of the power-assisted rack & pinion steering system enables the Mustang GT to quickly go where you point it to go. Turn-in is quick and sharp, while the rear setup keeps the wheels solidly planted on the ground when exiting sharp curves at high speed. There is virtually no roll during high-speed cornering. Behind the wheel is similar to being on a roller-coaster, you feel as if you are riding on rails all of the time. The standard traction control system helps to keep the drive-wheels turning, enhancing your control during spirited driving.

 

Quickly and safely slowing the Mustang GT down from speed are the larges brakes ever in a GT. Up front are 12.4in. vented discs clamped down with 43mm, floating dual-piston aluminum calipers. The 11.8in. vented rear discs are clamped with single-piston 43mm floating iron calipers. Standard ABS lets to keep the brakes from locking up when applying the brakes hard on slick road surfaces.

 

It is a real thrill ride while cornering as you can easily let the rear slide out when you increase speed on exits, and so rock solid during high-speed straight-line driving.
The interior only increases the fun and enjoyment of owning a new Mustang GT.

 

The frameless front doors open wide for easy entry and exit. The ribbed, high-back bucket seats are comfortable and supportive. The aluminum-topped shifter is set in the right place and fun to use. Aluminum-faced foot pedals with rubber inserts help during fast footwork.

 

The sporty, leather-wrapped, tilting, 3-spoke steering wheel feels great in your hands, but I would like to see a telescopic feature to give the best possible reach and angle for even better steering-wheel control. The T-shaped instrument panel features new charcoal aluminum trim plates to give it a darker look, while the four, chrome-ring air-vents aligned vertically across the dash, precisely in line with the big chrome-ringed instrument cluster gauges. The dashboard eye-lash is now covered with hand-cut and sewn leather giving the interior a new elegant feel. The steering wheel has 3-spokes with the center hub marked by the horse and tricolor bars logo, echoing the design of the ’67 Mustang. The center console features dual-cup-holder and a deep storage bin with a soft top to rest your elbow.

 

Also inside is Mustang’s industry-first ‘MyColor’ color-configurable instrument cluster offering the ultimate in personalization. Mustang owners can mix and match more than 125 color backgrounds to suit your mood, personality, etc. Ford also lets owners color outside the lines with an optional interior ambient light package. This unique feature offers the option of illuminating the front and rear footwells and front cup-holders with anyone of seven colors-red, orange, blue, indigo, violet, green and yellow.

 

Standard equipment include an auxiliary audio input jack, Mustang signature door entry sill plates, one-touch power down/up windows, power mirrors, keyless entry, 6-way power-adjustable driver seat, 60/40 split-rear bench seat, power locks, heated rear window, interval wipers/washers, A/C, cruise-control, dual map lamps, dual vanity mirrors, self-dimming rearview mirror, Shaker 500 audio system with AM-FM-6X CD player, MP3 and 6-speakers.

 

Options include Shaker 1000 audio system with 10in. subwoofer, active anti-theft alarm, heated seats, 3.55 ratio limited slip differential, SIRIUS satellite radio, and DVD based navigation system.

Standard safety features include front/rear crumple zones, steel beams in each door, driver/front passenger airbags, driver/front passenger side airbags, and front/rear 3-point safety belts with load limiters and pretensioners up front.

 

For the past 22 straight years, the Ford Mustang has been America’s number one selling sporty coupe and with this latest high-performing Mustang GT, the streak should continue for a long time as the Ford Mustang GT is the least expensive way to truly enjoy the fun and excitement that only a sports car can give to its owner.

COPYRIGHT:2008:HARVEY SCHWARTZ

Price

MSRP: $28,725
Invoice: $26,333

Type: Midsize Coupe
Where Built: United States
EPA Class: Subcompact Cars

Dimensions

Exterior
Length: 187.6 in. Width: 74 in.
Height: 54.5 in. Wheel Base: 107.1 in.
Curb Weight: 3356 lbs.
Interior
Front Head Room: 38.6 in. Front Hip Room: 53.6 in.
Front Shoulder Room: 55.4 in. Rear Head Room: 35 in.
Rear Shoulder Room: 53.3 in. Rear Hip Room: 46.8 in.
Front Leg Room: 42.7 in. Rear Leg Room: 31 in.
Luggage Capacity: 13 cu. ft. Maximum Seating: 4

Performance Data

Base Number of Cylinders: 8 Base Engine Size: 4.6 liters
Base Engine Type: V8 Horsepower: 300 hp
Max Horsepower: 5750 rpm Torque: 320 ft-lbs.
Max Torque: 4500 rpm Maximum Towing Capacity: 1000 lbs.
Drive Type: RWD Turning Circle: 37.7 ft.
0-60mph: 5.5 seconds

Fuel Data

Fuel Tank Capacity: 16 gal.
EPA Mileage Estimates: (City/Highway)
Manual: 15 mpg / 23 mpg Automatic: : 15 mpg / 22 mpg
Range in Miles: (City/Highway)
Automatic: 240 mi. / 352 mi. Manual: 240 mi. / 368 mi.