MacGuffin
Forum Addict
- Joined
- Mar 29, 2008
- Messages
- 8,329
- Location
- Wilhelmshaven, Germany
- Car(s)
- '17 Ford Mustang GT Fastback
Now the elephant in the room, we keep being told by all the Europeans that Mustangs are unrefined and Americans can't do good interiors. So as a German what is your perspective on interior quality and refinement vs similar euro stuff?
Well, as I already wrote above, I wouldn't have bought the previous generation Mustang. I have to agree that it was cheaply made and technology-wise far behind the European competition.
I chose the S550 because
a) They finally got around to give it independent rear suspension
b) The interior is actually quite nice with the premium package and
c) I simply love the way it looks (if you ask me, it's the best-looking Mustang ever)
Having said that, you always have to keep in mind that the Mustang GT costs about half of what you'd have to pay for a comparable German coup?, a BMW M4 for instance. If I remember correctly, the M4 costs around 79,000 Euros without any extras and if you add up all the options the Mustang has with the performance pack and the premium package, you'll easily pay 90,000 - for a 3-series with a 6-cylinder engine and the image of a kebab shop. I paid 44,000 for the Mustang and got 50 years of automobile history and heritage.
It's really an offer I couldn't refuse.
The hardcore BMW and Audi fans will probably still find enough things to criticize and carp about but frankly all you have to say is: "Hello? 44,000 Euros for a naturally aspirated V8 with 5 liters of displacement and 421 HP!" and they shut up very quickly :lol:
Personally I think the overall quality of the S550 is quite good. You know you won people over when all they find to criticize is that the Mustang doesn't have a hood lifter but just a "poverty stick"
On the inside everything is fine. There's no noises, no rattling, no fizzing, no creaking, nothing. I had rentals from BMW and Mercedes that made more noises, not to mention the abysmal build quality of the Jaguar XJ-L. Also, I simply love the way the Mustang interior is designed. And with the premium package you have enough leather and upscale plastics to overlook the fact that some plastic is still cheaply made. Frankly I don't care about that because the interior looks brilliant in my opinion. It doesn't have the sterile and aseptic feeling of Audi or BMW interiors, it shows that it was designed with love and 50 years of automobile heritage. All the small details (I posted pics of some of them above) and the fact that Ford placed more than a hundred Pony symbols all over the car - most of them hidden in places where you won't ever find them - show the devotion and passion Ford has put into this car. It all makes it such a nice place to be in. You simply feel special and you realize you're not a part of the flock who basically drive all the same cars with only minor differences in detail.
The ride is stiff but not uncomfortable. Tire noises are quite loud, depending on the road surface but that might have to do with the Pirellis. It gets loud inside on the Autobahn above 160 km/h, which is still a comfy cruising speed. Above it, the wind noises increase and the engine is always present with its loud roar, especially when you rev it high. It's fun, though. It's not like in one of those big Audi or BMW diesels where you can still drive 250 kph with one hand at the wheel. You have to use both hands and sometimes the Mustang becomes slightly unstable at higher speeds - but never uncontrollable. It just adds a lot of thrill and raises your pulse.
I wouldn't wanna drive at high speeds with the 'stang for more than half an hour, though. It's not made for that. The highlight is to cruise leisurely and from time to time shift down and give it the beans. Produces a giggle every time and you never get the grim look on your face Audi or BMW drivers wear when they pass you by You simply enjoy the drive, no matter how fast you go and letting someone pass is easy because I'm having fun at any speed.
Another nice thing is the public reactions you get with the Mustang. You'll get many thumbs up from pedestrians and other drivers and it's completely normal that the guy next to you at the petrol station or the girl at the drive-in tell you "Nice car". You won't get that in many other cars.
Does that answer your question?
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