2005 Ford Mustang: Tester's Comments
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2005 Ford Mustang ▼
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- MSRP: $19,215 -$30,745
- Invoice: $17,773 -$28,110
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Find out what the Consumer Guide Automotive testers had to say about the 2005 Ford Mustang. See if the 2005 Ford Mustang is right for you.
Vehicle Evaluated
| Make/Model: | 2005 Ford Mustang |
|---|---|
| Trim Level: | Base Premium |
| Arrival Date: | 04/21/2005 |
| Engine: | sohc V6 |
| Bodystyle | 2-door convertible |
| Transmission: | 5-speed automatic |
| 4WD/AWD: | No |
| Base Price: | 24,695 |
| Price as Tested: | 28,695 |
| Mileage at Beginning of Test: | 1655 |
| Mileage at End of Test: | 2129 |
| Total Measured Miles: | 474 |
| Total Fuel Used: | 24.801 gals. |
| Consumer Guide Fuel Economy: | 19.11 mpg (what's this?) |
| Problems During Test: | None |
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Major Options
5-speed Auto. Transmission, Anti-Theft System, Interior Upgrade Pkg., Wheel Locking Kit, Front Seat Side Airbags, ABS, Convertible Boot Cover, Leather Trimmed Seats
From the Back Seat
Kirk Bell
At $29K for our automatic-equipped V6 convertible, I'd much rather have a $25K GT coupe with a stick. But that's just me--someone who likes cars.
Rick Cotta
I'd argue that the V6 is a much better value than we rate it. For most uses, even with automatic transmission, it provides more-than-adequate acceleration, making it a little difficult to justify the GT's $5000 premium.
Vehicle Evaluated
| Make/Model: | 2005 Ford Mustang |
|---|---|
| Trim Level: | Base Premium |
| Arrival Date: | 03/14/2005 |
| Engine: | sohc V6 |
| Bodystyle | 2-door coupe |
| Transmission: | 5-speed automatic |
| 4WD/AWD: | No |
| Base Price: | 19,370 |
| Price as Tested: | 23,185 |
| Mileage at Beginning of Test: | 3132 |
| Mileage at End of Test: | 3787 |
| Total Measured Miles: | 655 |
| Total Fuel Used: | 32.043 gals. |
| Consumer Guide Fuel Economy: | 20.44 mpg (what's this?) |
| Problems During Test: | None |
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Major Options
5-speed Auto. Transmission, Active Anti-Theft System, Interior Upgrade Pkg., Exterior Sport Appearance Pkg. (Rear Decklid Spoiler), Wheel Locking Kit, Front Seat Side Airbags, Anti-Lock Brakes, Traction Control
From the Back Seat
Mark Bilek
With a tested price of just $23,000 this V6 Mustang remains an excellent value in a fun-to-drive package. I'd like Ford to work on a manual gate for the auto shifter and perhaps a little more engine isolation, but otherwise this is the first Mustang in nearly 10 years that I would recommend to anyone.
Rick Cotta
Ford expects the V6/automatic combination to be the most popular, and I can see why. Power is sufficient and mileage acceptable, making this a good choice for style-conscious buyers on a budget.
Vehicle Evaluated
| Make/Model: | 2005 Ford Mustang |
|---|---|
| Trim Level: | GT Premium |
| Arrival Date: | 01/03/2005 |
| Engine: | sohc V8 |
| Bodystyle | 2-door coupe |
| Transmission: | 5-speed automatic |
| 4WD/AWD: | No |
| Base Price: | 25,705 |
| Price as Tested: | 28,195 |
| Mileage at Beginning of Test: | 5102 |
| Mileage at End of Test: | 5357 |
| Total Measured Miles: | 255 |
| Total Fuel Used: | 17.109 gals. |
| Consumer Guide Fuel Economy: | 14.85 mpg (what's this?) |
| Problems During Test: | None |
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Major Options
5-speed Automatic Transmission, Interior Upgrade Pkg., Wheel Locking Kit, Front Seat Side Sirbags
From the Back Seat
Damon Bell
The new Mustang GT hits so many emotional hot buttons that it is easy to overlook its shortfalls in materials and refinement.
Rick Cotta
Though it seems sacrilegious to put an automatic on such a sporty car, I have to admit it suffered little--if any--loss in performance. Automatic kicks down fairly quickly, and in concert with the GT's strong torque, provides exhilarating acceleration at all speeds.
Tom Appel
At last, a Mustang worthy of the name.
Vehicle Evaluated
| Make/Model: | 2005 Ford Mustang |
|---|---|
| Trim Level: | GT Premium |
| Arrival Date: | 06/09/2005 |
| Engine: | sohc V8 |
| Bodystyle | 2-door convertible |
| Transmission: | 5-speed manual |
| 4WD/AWD: | No |
| Base Price: | 30,550 |
| Price as Tested: | 34,080 |
| Mileage at Beginning of Test: | 4316 |
| Mileage at End of Test: | 5026 |
| Total Measured Miles: | 710 |
| Total Fuel Used: | 40.928 gals. |
| Consumer Guide Fuel Economy: | 17.35 mpg (what's this?) |
| Problems During Test: | None |
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Major Options
Black Convertible Roof, Shaker Audio System, Active Anti-theft System, Interior Color Accent Pkg. (Crimson Red Floormats), Interior Upgrade Pkg., Wheel Locking Kit, Front Seat Side Airbags, Convertible Boot Cover, 17-inch Bright Machined Cast Aluminum
From the Back Seat
Chuck Giametta
Ouch. A really nice car, and a great Mustang. But the $34,000-plus sticker of our test car gets you into an S2000, Z3 2.5i or 350Z Roadster--genuine sports cars. On the other hand, if you're looking for 4 seats, V8 muscle, a decent ride, and the latest head-turning styling, a Mustang GT convertible with the 5-speed manual is, somewhat by default, the place to go.
John Biel
Tricked out with almost $3000 worth of options (most of that total devoted to audio and appearance goodies), this test car topped $34,000 delivered. That kind of money would buy a near-luxury-class car with lots more quality, refinement, and rear-seat room, so this particular car wasn't the best advertisement for Mustang value. If you can live without some of the frou-frou, the lively Mustang GT convertible becomes a better deal.
Mark Bilek
The Mustang GT convertible is a wonderful summer car. Its rides smoothly enough and goes when you need it to. Sadly, the $34,000 price of entry is a little steep. Though there aren't many other "liveable" convertibles with this much performance at that price point.
Rick Cotta
$32,000 will buy you a very nice Mustang GT convertible. Sure, the back seat is nearly useless and the trunk isn't large either, but this kind of style and performance can't be found anywhere else at anything near this price.
Vehicle Evaluated
| Make/Model: | 2005 Ford Mustang |
|---|---|
| Trim Level: | GT Premium |
| Arrival Date: | 12/08/2004 |
| Engine: | sohc V8 |
| Bodystyle | 2-door coupe |
| Transmission: | 5-speed manual |
| 4WD/AWD: | No |
| Base Price: | 25,705 |
| Price as Tested: | 27,200 |
| Mileage at Beginning of Test: | 3559 |
| Mileage at End of Test: | 4199 |
| Total Measured Miles: | 640 |
| Total Fuel Used: | 39.373 gals. |
| Consumer Guide Fuel Economy: | 16.25 mpg (what's this?) |
| Problems During Test: | None |
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Major Options
Interior Upgrade Pkg., Wheel Locking Kit, Front Seat Side Air Bags.
From the Back Seat
John Biel
The GT's great get-up-and-go, vastly improved shift action in manual-transmission models, and evocative looks add up to a fun and affordable package. One impressed onlooker who asked this driver about the car guessed it to cost more than it really does, and we've heard of others making that same mistake.
Kirk Bell
At $27,000 as delivered, the Mustang starts to make the STIs and Evos of the world look overpriced. The GTO looks a little overpriced, too, but what that car needs is a passionate retro design like the Mustang. I've never lusted after a Mustang, but Ford has done retro right this time and I could see myself owning this one.
Rick Cotta
Mustangs have never been a practical purchase. But if emotion overwhelms your sensibilities, the new model is significantly improved over the old, and there's little here that disappoints. While the GT is not quite the performance bargain it used to be, the extra money buys a better car.
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