2010 Mustang GT Premium...My Road Test!!!

[Quixote88]

First off, let me tell you there are no pics with this review! My cousin/co-pilot took many photos with his phone, but the phone is now malfunctioning and he has not yet been able to retrieve the images! If he's able to retrieve the photos at a later time, I'll post them!

Let me tell you up front that I have many friends who work at dealerships... Some from my time working at a Saturn store, but most through networking over the years at car shows/events. One good friend is a VP for a major Ford network here in Jersey, and has let me take several cars over the last few years out for extended "Test Drives." He called to let me know that they received 4 Mustangs a couple days ago, including 3 GT's. He invited me to take a drive today. All I can say is: "Ahhhh, yeah!"

The GT Premium I was able to take out today had a Black over Charcoal Black Leather color combo. The tranny was the 5 spd. Manual (Of Course!). The car was equipped with the 19" Painted Wheel option. The other options on the car were: "Security" pkg., HID headlamps, "Comfort" pkg w/Heated Seats. The total MSRP with Destination Charge was $34,450!

My first impression of the car when it was pulled up for me was "Wow!" The new 2010 Mustang GT has a better stance than the outgoing model. The 19" wheels gave the car a mean but classy look, and the freshly detailed black paint glistened in the noon time sunshine. (All 3 GT models they received were black!) The 2010 'stang is not nearly as breathtaking as Chevy's 2010 Camaro, not by a long shot, but it is handsome.

The interior was a big step forward from the '09 model. All the gauges were easy to read, and the radio and HVAC controls were easy to reach. Now the materials may not be up to CTS levels, of course, but were comparable with the Malibu LTZ, which in this class is a good thing. The 'stang was equipped with the SYNC system, but I only used the sound system at the dealership. (I was interested in the "Drive!") The sound from the speakers was clear and dynamic for a factory system. The seats, though not as good as the last gen GTO, were much better than the last Mustang GT I had driven, an '08 model... Very supportive and the leather looked great.

On the Road: I pulled away from the dealership, which is located in a fairly busy suburban location, and the first thing I noticed was the feel of the clutch. It seemed perfectly weighted, not too heavy and was easily engaged. The clutch in the '08 GT, as well as the '06 I had previously driven, felt a little "clunky," as if it wasn't designed for use in a modern muscle/pony car. Shifts were crisp and precise... And you can "chirp" the wheels in second gear! Acceleration was immediate!!! But my real speed test would have to wait until I was able to get to a more secluded location... Just 10 minutes up the road!

After a little stop and go, where I was able to listen to the wonderful tune played through the Mustang's exhaust, I was able to get to a more rural setting. Out in this area I have driven countless classic muscle cars as well as just about every modern muscle/pony car. (Unfortunately, I was never successful in talking my buddy into letting me take the Ford GT they had! But I tried! Also, I haven't been able to get my hands on a ZR-1 either! None of the Chevy guys I know have had one. But I doubt I would have much success getting one of those anyway! ) But I was able to cajole an '07 Z-O6, but that's another story...

Two words to describe the first time I was able to slam the hammer to the floor: "Woo hoo!!!!" Now English majors may say "woo hoo" really aren't words, but most of them have never driven or felt the exhileration of a modern American muscle car. Acceleration felt very much like the last generation Trans Am. That is, your back side became friendly with and was immediately entrenched into the deepest part of the seat. Only the new Mustang felt much more composed than the dearly departed Pontiac. The ride was smooth for a pony car, much more so than the outgoing Mustang. This is the reasonably priced Mustang for which I've been waiting most of my adult life! Yes, the Shelby Mustangs are awesome... But so are their price tags!!! No, $34k isn't cheap, but it's fair for what you are getting.

I was able to take the car into very moderate twists and turns where the car performed smoothly. Anyone used to driving a true sports car may not be impressed with the steering. But since most of us drive in the real world, that's the standard I use. The Mustang's steering felt firm and precise for all your real world driving needs. I never felt as though I would lose control, no matter how hard I pushed her. (Now, because there may be some law enforcement officers reading this, I cannot confirm or deny that I was able to see how quickly the GT reached and how it handled at 130 mph ) The ride, though not up to '06 GTO standards, is impressively composed. One thing my cousin and I both noticed was how quiet the cabin was with the windows up while I was at a 70 mph cruising speed. I don't remember any V8 powered pony car ever being that quiet. No shakes or shimmies. One problem we both noticed, however, was that though the ride was smooth on even pavement, the car did experience a few unexpected jolts while riding over small dips and potholes. Now, it could've been because of the 19" wheels. But because of the otherwise smooth ride, the jolts were unexpected and they were not unlike hitting the same type of bumps in the Gen IV Camaro Z-28... A car that is inferior in almost every way to the 2010 Mustang GT, except for acceleration and fuel economy. (The LS1 is still impressive all these years later!)

After putting about 35 miles on her, it was time for me to take her back. The car had 200+/- miles on her when I picked her up. I came away from the drive thoroughly impressed. Simply put, the 2010 Mustang GT Premium is the best mainstream Mustang I've ever driven.

You may have noticed that I referenced the last generation GTO a couple times in my review. That is because in my opinion, the 2006 GTO is the Gold Standard of Muscle/Sport/Sporty/Pony cars in the $25k-$40k range. Before anyone throws a fit that the Goat and Mustang and 370Z and Genesis Coupe are all different types of cars, let me assure you, I know. Yes, the Infinity G Cars handle better than the Goat, and the WRX may be a hair quicker (Big maybe), but they are all performance cars. They all have strengths and weaknesses. (I've driven them all) I just want the reader to know what my preferences are. All too often I believe that is not disclosed. The acceleration of the '06 GTO is incredible. The power from the LS2 is AWESOME!!! The Goat's seats are the best I've ever experienced in a vehicle priced under $50k... And maybe the best at any price, period. Everything about the car's performance is first rate... And you can even take three adult friends comfortably along for the ride... Which is something I can't say for any other coupe in this price range.

Does the 2010 Mustang GT Premium match the GTO? Not quite, but it is impressive... Very impressive! If you're in the market for a performance/muscle car, the Mustang GT should be high on your list of "Must Drives." Now, I can't wait until I get to compare it to the 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS! That is the car that's supposed to pick up where the GTO left off... Thankfully, another buddy of mine was told his Camaro 2SS/RS should be at the dealership by the end of this week. (His personal car, not a dealership lot vehicle!) If I'm fortunate, he'll have it for the weekend and I'll be able to test it then.

Thank you for your time! Now get out there and drive!

[Speedjerk]

Great writeup! Thanks for your honest opinion. I can't wait to try some of these cars myself.

[Exploder]

Excellent review.

Though I can't help but ask: what's the mpg?

[big swede]

The Mustang gets better every year but almost $38,000 for a mainstream Mustang after taxes/title is getting to be a bit ridiculous.

[ausrutherford]

Originally Posted by big swede

The Mustang gets better every year but almost $38,000 for a mainstream Mustang after taxes/title is getting to be a bit ridiculous.

You can get one for 20K if you want.

[PA Dweller]

Originally Posted by big swede

The Mustang gets better every year but almost $38,000 for a mainstream Mustang after taxes/title is getting to be a bit ridiculous.

A loaded Camaro cost around $37k, it's a great car but is it really worth that much?

[Quixote88]

Originally Posted by Exploder

Excellent review.

Though I can't help but ask: what's the mpg?

I knew someone would ask me that! I have to be honest, I did not check the mileage. Not that it's not important, but I knew the way I was going to drive the car would not be conducive with getting good gas mileage for any car! If I had been able to borrow the car for an entire day, I would have checked the "real world" mileage for sure.