It's a well-worn discussion that's not likely to end soon. Can you build a better performance machine from aftermarket parts than the factory can deliver on its own?
In most cases the answer is yes, after all, an individual owner knows exactly the kind of car he wants while the manufacturer has to build something that will appeal to the masses. But is that the case with the 2010 Ford Mustang?
We recently tested a Mustang GT built with the full catalog of Ford Racing Performance Parts to find out how much potential is really there. Care to guess if it's a better deal than just buying a Shelby GT500 instead?
Follow Up Test: 2010 Ford Mustang GT by Ford Racing Performance Parts
bankerdanny says:
08:40 AM, 07/29/09
This was quite possibly the most unreadable article I have ever seen on IL.
Spare me the flashback crap and just write the damn article about the car. When I want a work of fiction I'll buy a book.
tcd223 says:
09:04 AM, 07/29/09
+1 Bankerdanny
Oldham, leave the narrative writing to the professionals. Be a journalist and tell me what you thought of the car, not some fictitious account from an uncertain future.
redliner says:
09:18 AM, 07/29/09
^^agree^^
alman08 says:
11:19 AM, 07/29/09
"The manufacturer provided Edmunds this vehicle for the purposes of evaluation.", and must be now saying WTF did we just do to ourselves??
tcd223 says:
11:30 AM, 07/29/09
Upon a second read through, its not that bad. Are the movie rights available? I smell a great made-for-TV mustang special.
crowb says:
12:29 PM, 07/29/09
Well I thought it was a cool idea. Sometimes auto review writing can be so formulaic. I found it be well done and entertaining.
greenpony says:
01:06 PM, 07/29/09
Agree with crowb. Yeah, it took me a couple paragraphs before the "huh?" faded, but I thought it was pretty original and creative.
desmolicious says:
01:24 PM, 07/29/09
Bottom line, the Shelby GT500 is an insane deal, and building this FRP version from a base GT proves it. Turn key the Shelby makes over 120hp more at the wheels etc etc.
THAT is going to be the collector's car.
kingkhalas says:
02:48 PM, 07/29/09
Nice to know it's better to buy the Shelby instead of doing it yourself.
It's a question many people would be wondering.
hondacura4 says:
03:23 PM, 07/29/09
"zero to 60 mph in just 5 seconds flat (4.7 seconds with 1 foot of rollout) like on a drag strip) and it ran the quarter-mile in 13.2 seconds at 107.4 mph."
Is it me or should the base Mustang GT be putting out these acceleration numbers WITHOUT a supercharger? Given the presence of the Mustangs direct rival (the Camaro) the Mustang lineup should be like this:
- 3.7 DOHC V6 305hp/270ftlbs 6MT/6AT
- 5.0 DOHC V8 420hp/370ftlbs 6MT/6AT
- 5.4 DOHC Supercharged V8 w/aluminum block to save weight. Current output is more than competitive.
Although I know the potential is there, I've never been impressed with the Ford's supercharged 4.6 as it should make at LEAST 450hp from Ford and provide better acceleration numbers.
inlinesix says:
09:24 PM, 07/29/09
This $40k Mustang with upgrades:
67.1 mph slalom
stopping from 60 in 119 feet
0-60 in 5 sec
A stock $40k 335i sedan:
60-0 stop in 112 feet
slalom at 69.2 mph
0-60 in 4.9 sec