Kurt_W
11-18-2011, 04:27 PM
For when the standard rental econobox is no longer interesting:
http://crx2wrx.smugmug.com/photos/i-Hzqf3QM/0/L/i-Hzqf3QM-L.jpg
I've had the opportunity to spend this week in Houston so I decided I would take advantage of the large rental fleet the various companies keep at Bush International Airport by picking out something interesting. Previous rentals from IAH have included a 10 Mazda 6 2.5l (nice car, kinda ugly,) 10 Mazda 2 5dr (nice but slow,) xx Hyundai Accent (seriously?,) and a 11 Chevy Malibu (big, slow and boring.)
Anyhow this time I picked out a 2011 Ford Mustang GT with I believe the Shaker package.
I've been very impressed with Ford's cars lately and the MGT has been on the short list of cars I've wanted to drive. I got the opportunity to take a short drive in a Chevy Camaro SS earlier this year and while I liked the styling the complete lack of headroom killed any desire for me. I haven't had a chance to drive a Challenger though but it really isn't on my interest list.
Impressions on the Mustang:
Looks: Exterior wise I believe the current Mustang is the best looking Mustang to date. The first new retro was decent looking but not great. As this one has the Shaker package it has a cowl glued to the hood as well as side louvers over the rear windows, a large wing and ground affects. with the exception of the side louvers, which look good but obstruct your view, it looks great. The interior is plain but the seats (leather in this one) are quite comfortable with lots of adjustability. There is plenty of headroom (2-3" extra for me) and legroom is good. The steering wheel has tilt adjustment but no telescopic which was a disappointment. The trunk is large as well.
Driveability: Being as I'm stuck in central Houston I haven't had a chance to run the car hard except in straight lines on the highway. Regular driving manners are very good; the ride is firm but not abusive which is good considering many of Houston's streets are not in the best shape. The car drives sedately when little throttle is used but when pushed it responds rapidly and accelerates quickly.
Steering is tight (adjustable between Sport, Standard and Comfort modes) and it feels very stable. That said it is a physically large vehicle with a substantial turning radius which makes it a bit of a handful in some of the tight parking garages.
Cool stuff: Lots of power from an engine that sounds sweet.
Adjustable gauges and interior lighting: you can change the color of the gauges and lighting to a bunch of different colors including green, red, navy blue, ice blue, white, orange, purple or up to three custom colors. the gauge rings can be adjusted separate from the backing and the interior lights can be adjusted separate from both. The down side is that none of the radio buttons change color and maintain a bluish white regardless of the other settings. The door sills also light up when the doors are open.
Fuel economy: I wasn't expecting much here...overall lifetime fuel economy at 11k was a computer calculated 20.7 mpg. However the fuel economy I have observed in the ~100 miles I have put on it in heavy slow traffic is ~11.8 mpg. It creeps up as long as I'm moving but honestly, it took 20 miles to drive a little under 2 miles yesterday...you can't win there.
Final impression: Very cool car. If I was in the market for a pony car I would give serious consideration to this generation 5.0 MGT. I would love to get a chance to play with one around home with some interesting roads. The fuel economy is however a turn off on a long term vehicle so I might considering looking at the v6 model as well (I know, blasphemy!)
http://crx2wrx.smugmug.com/photos/i-Hzqf3QM/0/L/i-Hzqf3QM-L.jpg
I've had the opportunity to spend this week in Houston so I decided I would take advantage of the large rental fleet the various companies keep at Bush International Airport by picking out something interesting. Previous rentals from IAH have included a 10 Mazda 6 2.5l (nice car, kinda ugly,) 10 Mazda 2 5dr (nice but slow,) xx Hyundai Accent (seriously?,) and a 11 Chevy Malibu (big, slow and boring.)
Anyhow this time I picked out a 2011 Ford Mustang GT with I believe the Shaker package.
I've been very impressed with Ford's cars lately and the MGT has been on the short list of cars I've wanted to drive. I got the opportunity to take a short drive in a Chevy Camaro SS earlier this year and while I liked the styling the complete lack of headroom killed any desire for me. I haven't had a chance to drive a Challenger though but it really isn't on my interest list.
Impressions on the Mustang:
Looks: Exterior wise I believe the current Mustang is the best looking Mustang to date. The first new retro was decent looking but not great. As this one has the Shaker package it has a cowl glued to the hood as well as side louvers over the rear windows, a large wing and ground affects. with the exception of the side louvers, which look good but obstruct your view, it looks great. The interior is plain but the seats (leather in this one) are quite comfortable with lots of adjustability. There is plenty of headroom (2-3" extra for me) and legroom is good. The steering wheel has tilt adjustment but no telescopic which was a disappointment. The trunk is large as well.
Driveability: Being as I'm stuck in central Houston I haven't had a chance to run the car hard except in straight lines on the highway. Regular driving manners are very good; the ride is firm but not abusive which is good considering many of Houston's streets are not in the best shape. The car drives sedately when little throttle is used but when pushed it responds rapidly and accelerates quickly.
Steering is tight (adjustable between Sport, Standard and Comfort modes) and it feels very stable. That said it is a physically large vehicle with a substantial turning radius which makes it a bit of a handful in some of the tight parking garages.
Cool stuff: Lots of power from an engine that sounds sweet.
Adjustable gauges and interior lighting: you can change the color of the gauges and lighting to a bunch of different colors including green, red, navy blue, ice blue, white, orange, purple or up to three custom colors. the gauge rings can be adjusted separate from the backing and the interior lights can be adjusted separate from both. The down side is that none of the radio buttons change color and maintain a bluish white regardless of the other settings. The door sills also light up when the doors are open.
Fuel economy: I wasn't expecting much here...overall lifetime fuel economy at 11k was a computer calculated 20.7 mpg. However the fuel economy I have observed in the ~100 miles I have put on it in heavy slow traffic is ~11.8 mpg. It creeps up as long as I'm moving but honestly, it took 20 miles to drive a little under 2 miles yesterday...you can't win there.
Final impression: Very cool car. If I was in the market for a pony car I would give serious consideration to this generation 5.0 MGT. I would love to get a chance to play with one around home with some interesting roads. The fuel economy is however a turn off on a long term vehicle so I might considering looking at the v6 model as well (I know, blasphemy!)