2008 Ford Mustang GT Test Drive

It’s a Lot Like the 2007 GT with a Few New Features

Bottom line, the 2008 Mustang GT has power. If you’re not careful, you can easily find yourself fishtailing between lanes. This is old news for owners of most Mustangs. With 300 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque at its disposal (50 percent more power than the small-block 289-cubic-inch V-8 found in the classic 1964 1/2 Mustang) the GT is a true muscle car by today’s standards. On the open road, the rumble of the car’s exhaust makes for a confident driver. Best of all, the car really can pull through at a moments notice. I had one close call when an old lady pulled into my lane on the freeway, forcing me to complete an “evasive maneuver”. At 55 MPH, I shifted from fifth gear to fourth and put the pedal down. The wheels chirped and the old lady’s car appeared to be standing still, behind me of course. There’s no doubt about it. If it’s power you need, the GT has it covered.

Unfortunately, the Mustang GT also has a live-real axle. My colleague, Aaron Gold, commented on this feature last year in his review of the 2007 California Special GT Mustang. Aaron said, “The Mustang has a solid (or "live") rear axle, so a bump on one side affects the wheel on the other.” Well, some things never change. I found that the live-rear axle did impact the Mustang’s handling performance as well. Looking back, it also impacted the performance on my old 2001 GT. I’m not the first to mention this, so hopefully Ford will work this out in the next Mustang incarnation. With so much power beneath its wheels, it’s a bummer the car can’t handle as well as some other sports cars on the market.

Okay, maybe I’m biased, but I truly liked the 2008 Mustang GT. The car still has power, it still has appeal, and it’s still fun to drive. Best of all, there are a ton of options you can buy to make it even better. My only complaints are the continued use of a live-rear axle and the price of the car. Let’s face it; $33,280 (the price of my test car) is not cheap by any standard. Then again, it does provide a viable option for enthusiasts who want a performance Mustang but aren’t able to pay more than $40,000 for a Shelby GT500.

What really impacts the value of the GT Mustang, in my opinion, is the performance we now have in the 4.0L V6 Mustang. With 210 hp at its disposal, it has power, it has looks, and it’s cheaper in price. In addition, it’s cheaper to insure, gets slightly better gas mileage (I managed to get two extra days of driving time out of a V6 Mustang's tank before having to fill up), and you can get plenty of add-on options at the dealer level while still keeping within a reasonable spending budget. That said, the V6 is not a GT. Enthusiasts, such as myself, know the two cars were created with different purposes. The V6 is designed to be more economical and consumer friendly. The GT is designed to be a performance machine. If it’s performance and power you seek, look to the Mustang GT. If power is nice, but you’re looking for an overall ride, consider the V6.

What I Liked About the Mustang GT:

• It’s fast
  
• Exhaust note is amazing
  
• It looks great
  
• Strangers immediately assume you have a fast car
  
• Add-on accessories are readily available
  
• You don’t have to worry about how you’re going to upgrade it to make it look like a GT
  

What I Didn’t Like:

• The live-rear axle has a negative impact on the overall ride
  
• I got about 14 MPG and gas isn’t cheap
  
• There’s no easy way to connect an Ipod unless you buy an additional accessory
  
• The backseat is still cramped, for both kids and adults
  
• Very Little Trunk Space
  

Who should buy the 2008 Mustang GT:

Drivers looking for a performance car with plenty of power and good looks

Who should not buy the 2008 Mustang GT:

Drivers on a tight budget or those looking for an economical ride

• Body style: Coupe-Passenger Sports Car
  
• Seating capacity: 4
  
• Base Price: $25,840 Deluxe Coupe GT/$27,020 Premium Coupe GT/$30,665 Deluxe Convertible GT/$31,845 Premium Convertible GT
  
• Model tested/price: 2008 Premium GT Coupe/ $33,280
  
• Base engine: 4.6L 3V OHC V8 Engine
  
• Optional engine: None
  
• Premium fuel required? No
  
• Transmission: 5-speed manual/automatic
  
• Driveline: Front engine, rear-wheel-drive
  
• EPA fuel economy estimates: 15 MPG city/23 MPG highway
  
• Where built: United States
  
• Standard safety equipment: Front airbags, side-air bags, ABS traction control, Securilock, remote keyless entry, Anti-lock brakes
  
• Optional safety equipment: Active Anti-Theft System
  
• Major standard features: 17-inch aluminum wheels, front fog lamps, stainless
  steel dual exhaust, split fold rear seat
• Major options: 18-inch premium aluminum wheels, DVD-based navigation system, Power seats/windows/mirrors, heated seats, ambient lighting, interior upgrade package, California Special package
  
• Warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles bumper-to-bumper, 5 years/60,000 miles powertrain
  
• Roadside assistance/free maintenance: 5 years/60,000 miles roadside assistance
  

Best rivals:

• 2008 4.0L Mustang
  
• 2008 Shelby GT