TIME TO SAY GOODBYE
The time has come for Jason to part ways with the Mustang, so this month he reflects on some of the highlights of his time with the car
QUICK SPEC 5.0-litre Mustang GT ■ Steeda axle-back exhaust, induction kit and H-pipe ■ RTR diffuser ■ MAP remap ■ Steeda IRS bushes, lowering springs, engine brace, K-brace, front and rear anti-roll bars ■ Carbon fibre deck lid ■ Velgen VF5 alloys ■ Steeda discs and Hawk pads
Three-hundred-and-fourdays, 28,000 miles, three track days, three trips to Santa Pod, and a 2000-mile round trip to St Tropez – these have been just some of the highlights I’ve enjoyed with the V8 Mustang. And now, after almost three years of ownership, it’s time to move on.
With all of the upheaval of the last 12 months, owning two cars and having the Mustang as a weekend toy doesn’t really stack up. This all started after my daily (a Suzuki Jimny) was sold.
The conundrum then was whether to get myself a runabout (a three-year-old Fiesta STLine was in the running) or go down to one car that was going to accommodate my camera gear and still have the option to do the odd track day and have some fun in.
Apologies in advance but I didn’t stick with the Blue Oval, instead choosing the Bavarian M-division with a low-mileage M2. The Mustang was taken in as part-exchange and the offer was pretty much what you’d expect to see it up for on a dealer’s forecourt.
Mustangs, standard or modified, have retained their values incredibly well; to only lose 20 per cent of the initial purchase price over three years and with 28,000 miles on the clock is amazing.
Owning a muscle car has proved a brilliantly rewarding experience; the Mustang scene is full of amazing people, and I can guarantee that very few of the cars are the same – everyone puts their own stamp on these cars.
I’ve mentioned some of the highlights above, but events-wise it’s been a busy three years… Well, 2018 and 2019 were. Last year I still managed 9000 miles in the car, but the buzz of being part of the 55th anniversary celebrations at Ford HQ in Dunton and Mustang Madness in Belgium were dates that will stick with me forever.
As you’ll know from the last few years of reading this mag, the car has gone through various stages of mods; the power has been tweaked with a remap, but generally it’s all been about improving the handling.
The Velgen VF 5 lightweight wheels are the best addition, which make the car’s stance (with Steeda’s linear springs) look so good.
Plus, suspension, anti-roll bar and bracing upgrades have all helped make the car feel much more balanced, performing like a proper sports GT should.
Out of the box, the car is a comfy but wallowy American cruiser. There’s nothing wrong with that if it’s what you want. But for an enthusiast owner, add these upgrades along with an axle-back exhaust and H-pipe, and you have a car that sounds and performs as good as it looks.
The six-speed auto ‘box is excellent. It doesn’t have the rapid shifts of the M2’s fancy DCT affair, but it suits the Mustang well. And with that V8 burble in Sport mode, the noise is just magical.
Running costs were better than expected too; it averaged 22mpg in its life, didn’t miss a beat in terms of running, and the only issue was the GPS sensor, which was replaced under warranty. Plus, these cars come kitted with everything – navigation, heated and aircooled seats, electric gadgets, cruise control and the words ‘ground speed’ on the speedo. What more could you ask for?
I’m sad to see the beast go, and it has officially been the longest I’ve ever owned a car. That’s testament to the car itself and the various Mustang clubs too.
On that note, I’d like to say a special thanks to SMUK, MOCGB and Mustangs Unleashed for the support and advice plus the continued friendship of members.
I’d also like to take the opportunity to thank Robbie and John at Steeda UK – whose help and knowledge transformed the Mustang into real sports car – and to Dave at GT101, who fitted most of the upgrades to the car.
I’d say farewell, but I’ll still be snapping for Fast Ford and attending shows. But for the time being I’ll be in the black BMW parked up out the back. For now, at least, but who knows what I’ll be driving in the future..?