2008 Ford Mustang Convertible Test Drive

Ford's Convertible Aces Safety Tests

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Many people say Ford’s 2008 Mustang Convertible is the safest drop top model the company has ever made. In fact, the 2008 Ford Mustang Convertible received a perfect five star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). With a base price of $24,075 ($33,920 as tested), the 2008 Ford Mustang Convertible costs $4,825 more than the base coupe ($19,250). Is this open-air pony car worth the extra money? Read on. EPA fuel economy 15/16 MPG city, 23/24 MPG highway.

Convertibles and the Ford Mustang go hand in hand. In fact, some say the first Mustang to ever roll off the assembly line was a convertible. Regardless, one thing is certain: The 2008 Ford Mustang Convertible looks sharp. The Mustang I tested featured a 4.0 liter V6 engine, the V6 Pony Package ($750), Pony tape stripes, a 5-speed automatic transmission ($995), and a Vapor Metallic paint job. My first impression was that the car looked like it would be fun to drive. Not only that, but the car’s exterior and interior features reminded me of classic Mustangs from the ‘60s.

Ford has made only minor changes to the Mustang for 2008. Seat-mounted side-impact airbags, optional in previous years, are now standard, and HID headlights are optional. Also new: an optional interior ambient lighting feature which illuminates the front and rear-foot wells and front-cup holders with any one of seven colors: red, orange, blue, indigo, violet, green and yellow.

Base Mustangs come with a surprisingly quick 4.0 liter V6 engine, which produces 210 hp, while the GT gets a 4.6 liter V8 which cranks out an impressive 300 hp. Be prepared to pay more for insurance if you opt for the GT, but don't worry about fuel costs: EPA fuel economy estimates for the V8 are just one MPG less than the V6 model. Still, the V6 provides more than enough power to keep things exciting, and it's a great way to save a few bucks on your Mustang convertible.

On the inside, the 2008 Convertible Mustang features retro styling such as rounded air vents and a polished six gauge instrument panel. The seats are positioned low, which makes it feel like you’re hugging the road. My test car had leather seats ($695), which is included at no additional charge with the Premium package. It also featured MyColor instrument panel lighting which allows you to mix and match your instrument lighting at the touch of a button as well, as leather wrapped steering wheel. Both features are part of the interior upgrade package, a bargain at $460.

My test car also featured heated seats ($575), a DVD based navigation system ($1,995), and Sirius satellite radio ($195) with 6 months of free service. The heated seats are nice on cool nights with the top down. It’s too bad you have to pay extra for them. Here in Los Angeles the navigation system is well worth the price; those of you in smaller cities might find this to be an expensive add-on and a waste of money.

As for the backseat, I wouldn’t recommend putting your friends or family back there. Although I noticed a slight improvement over previous Mustang generations, it’s still cramped. And trunk space, well, there’s enough room for a weekend getaway, but forget packing for an extended stay.

My favorite interior feature was the instrument alert system. When I began to run low on gas, the system alerted me with an audible beep. Talk about taking the guess work out of fill ups!

The best thing about the 2008 Mustang Convertible is the driving experience. On the open road the V6 engine kept things exciting. With 210 hp at my disposal, the car was quick to accelerate and provided plenty of power for freeway driving. As for interior noise, I found the car to be relatively quiet with the top up or down. Yes, the engine does hum a bit, but this is a sports car after all; a little engine noise is to be expected. The Mustang felt stiff and rattle-free, not bad for a convertible. Best of all, my girlfriend was able to maintain her hairdo as we drove down the 101 freeway. Wind turbulence was minimal and we were able to converse at normal levels while driving at highway speeds.

That said, there are a few things Ford could improve upon. Over-the-shoulder blind spots are a big problem with the top up, and the rear window is small and didn’t provide a clear view of the road behind or beside the car. When changing lanes, I had to rely solely on my mirrors. While this is a characteristic of most convertibles, I still found it to be an annoyance. With the top down, visibility isn't a problem, but getting the top down can be. The power folding top itself is great, but I found the latches above the driver and passenger visors difficult to unlatch and even more difficult to re-latch when I put the top up.

In all, the 2008 Ford Mustang Convertible won me over. It’s fun to drive, the price is reasonable, and it’s good looking. Bottom line, there’s nothing like cruising with the top down while listening to your favorite tunes.

In relation to other convertibles on the market, the Mustang provides plenty of value and appeal. With a starting price of $24,075, top down driving is within reach for most buyers. Just be prepared to ride in a bare bones machine if you purchase the base convertible. If you want all the creature comforts, plan to spend between $27,000 and $34,000. Other convertibles in the Mustang’s price range include the Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder and Chrysler's redesigned Sebring convertible.

With the exception of a few blind spots and spotty convertible latches, I really liked the 2008 Convertible Mustang. In fact, I didn’t want to give it back when my week long review was over. Ford has created a winner this time around. It’s not perfect, but it’s a step closer to perfection.