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1999-2004 Ford Mustang Review

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The 2004 Ford Mustang GT is essentially the same since the 1999 model year. The only changes since then is an enlarged, but still fake, hood scoop. The Mustang is based on the ancient Fox platform that debuted in the 1970s. The most radical change came in 1994, which saw the introduction of the most modern Mustang yet. The model changeover in 1999 was mostly cosmetic in nature, but reliability was somewhat improved, along with a jump in power from 225 hp to 260 hp in the V8-powered GT.
With the demise of the Camaro and Firebird, the Mustang GT remains the most affordable V8 sports car in the market. To finally capitalize on this market dominance, Ford is going to give the next Mustang the chassis it deserves. The 2005 retro-styled Mustang will have the same chassis as the Thunderbird and Lincoln LS, but still powered by the current engines. Until then, however, Ford has released special editions of the current Mustang to give it a final farewell. The Centennial edition comes in black, with special badging, while the 40th Anniversary edition comes with special paint color, decals and badging.
Standard equipment on all Mustangs includes air conditioning, power windows and door locks, tilt-steering column, a floor console, remote keyless entry system and interval windshield wipers. Reclining cloth front bucket seats are standard, as are 50/50 split-folding rear seatbacks on coupe models. A six-way power driver's seat is available, as are leather-trimmed bucket seats.
GT comes with a 4.6-liter V8 with single overhead cams and two-valve heads rated at 260 hp at 5250 rpm and 302 lbs.-ft. of torque at 4000 rpm. To manage all that power, the GT is equipped with gas-pressure shocks with unique model calibrations, P245/45R17 performance tires on 17-inch alloy painted wheels, a Traction Loc rear axle, ABS and traction control. GTs come with sport bucket seats and fog lamps. Mustang GT uses the Tremec five-speed manual gearbox with a tall fifth gear for improved fuel economy.
GT and Convertible models offer a Premium package ($2585) with leather seating surfaces, the MACH 460 stereo with in-dash 6-CD changer, and ABS and traction control. Convertible models with Premium trim come standard with an automatic transmission.
Convertibles feature a power top with a scratch-resistant glass rear window. A black semi-hard boot protects the top and provides a slick top-down appearance. New safety features for 2003 include a new A-pillar, headliners, sun visors and a revised D-ring seat belt attachment, all designed to offer better head protection in the event of an impact. The firing strategy on both driver and passenger side air bags has been updated. Standard safety equipment includes safety belts with pretensioners to tighten the lap belt and shoulder belts in the first moments of a crash. Energy-management retractors gradually slacken the safety belt if necessary to help reduce the force of the belt on the occupant's chest. 2003 Mustangs get anchors in the rear to implement the LATCH child safety-seat system.
The Mustang has good, reclining bucket seats with plenty of travel. The seats are fairly full yet supportive, a good compromise, and you don't slide around. Seatbelts are attached to the seat frames so they move with the seats. The interior is cozy, with enough seat-track length to accommodate tall drivers and just enough elbowroom to keep from feeling cramped. The footwell is comfortable, but wide enough that it's difficult to brace your knees in corners. Your right leg has to stretch too far to reach the console, although your left foot can be jammed on a good dead pedal. Convertibles and coupes offer about the same space in the front seats. The back seat is small, with only enough room for small objects or kids. Convertibles offer less hip and shoulder room than coupes, but about the same headroom and legroom. The trunk is small with an even smaller opening. Coupes hold just under 11 cubic feet worth of cargo, while convertibles hold just 7.7 cubic feet. A split fold-down rear seat is standard on all models and handy for hauling cargo. A glow-in-the-dark safety latch has been added inside the trunks of all Mustang models designed to prevent kids getting locked in the trunks. The federal government gives the Mustang a five-star rating for front passenger safety, its highest. Only the two frontal air bags are available, however, there are no side air bags. Leather upholstery is standard in the Premium GT, optional in some other models. Running horses embossed on the upper portions of the seat backrests recall the deluxe pony interior of the mid-1960s.
On the freeway, the firm suspension transmitted the undulations, and later on a different surface we could feel side-to-side jouncing, but the unsteadiness was relatively benign, especially considering how happy the car made us.
With the top down, the engine sounds so good, so deep and thunderous, it might be the most enjoyable thing about the car. With the Camaro/Firebird gone, they just don't make them like this any more. With a lot of high-performance cars, you have to be going fast to feel the joy, but with the Mustang, even 2000 rpm is fun. Such a broad range of enjoyment adds to the already high value of the car.
Mustang GT's 4.6-liter overhead-cam modular V8 is rated at 260 horsepower at 5250 rpm and 302 pounds-feet of torque at 4000 rpm. In first or second gear, upshifting at a modest 4000 rpm, the motor feels and sounds very satisfying. In fifth gear, 2000 rpm is 75 mph, and the engine doesn't loaf at that speed, it rumbles. No engine we can think of sounds and feels like it's doing more at such low rpm. Not working hard, just doing more. The torque provides steady, smooth acceleration, and the throttle response to blips is wonderful, with an easy heel-and-toe pedal position. The only small problem was throttle control at 5 mph in parking lots, as it tended to snatch.
The gearbox gets very high marks. Because the top speed in second gear is 70 mph, most corners are second or third gear, so you find yourself downshifting a lot. You can drop hard into second, with a beautiful racy blip, and it's great stuff, smooth and solid, inspiring confidence. The GT's leather gearshift knob has the perfect shape for a firm grip.
In corners, the Mustang likes to be muscled, but it doesn't have to be. It's brutish, but still goes where you point it without a struggle. Our route was along Southern California's twisty Ortega Highway, east from Capistrano to Lake Elsinore, a classic sports car drive with enough of a mountain to climb that we used the brakes a lot. No problems with fade when driving at an aggressive pace, using the brakes frequently. The Bosch traction control system works at all speeds: Whenever wheelspin is detected, the system retards ignition timing, cuts fuel flow, and activates the brakes at one or both drive wheels, in that order. The driver can turn the system off with a console switch.

1999-2004 Ford Mustang Road Test

Consumer Guide® is the only online source for comprehensive used-vehicle reviews. Our automotive editors evaluate a vehicle in ten important categories: acceleration, fuel economy, ride quality, handling, quietness, controls, front-seat room, rear-seat room, cargo volume, and overall value. The Consumer Guide® 1999-2004 Ford Mustang road test gives consumers a quick snapshot of a vehicle's performance with pros, cons, and numeric ratings. Finally, we summarize the road test with our exclusive "Value for the Money."

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