Always been a Mustang fan, and this excites me like no other. A 'conventional' Mustang GT that goes 0-60 in less than 4 seconds, 460 horsepower, what's not to like.
Bought my 18' base model GT a month ago for $28.5k (plus taxes/tags/GAP) w/ military discount and trading in a Ford discount. Was sitting on the dealership lot for 6 months and they just wanted to get rid of it. 23 miles on it....guess everyone wants a premium, but for that discount I'll buy my own leather seats and Sync 3 hub from eBay salvage part sellers.
There was a time when one would choose a manual over an auto because one wanted the sportier and faster car. Nowadays choosing a manual is a conscious choice of a slower car. But in an era of over engineered machines, that have 360 degrees nanies watching over and acting in the place of the driver(soon driverless car), and 0 degrees of emotions and involvement, (my opinion), a manual really is the only good choice if one wants to really the rewards that driving can give. I drive an audi S3 and boy do i miss my previous cars (multiple STI's, SVT Cobras, Audi S4m6)
I too grew up driving manuals, and I too bought an S3 because the STI is now slow and overpriced. I to missed the enjoyment of rowing through the gears scooting around town. Then I got the S3 on a track, and so should you! lol
Other car review techs need lessons from you Forrest! I'm so tired of hearing them explain why they won't hit it hard because they respect that someone will buy "this" car so I won't drive it hard. Thanks for the multiple examples of how the car behaves at WOT! I really like the true zero to 60 pull!
Such a huge upgrade from the 2008 GT California special my one friend had. My only thing is I don't care how good the automatic is, I hope they keep improving the manuals too.
Unfortunately automatics are kinda boring. Id rather be slower and have fun then be a tenth of a second faster on autopilot. Unless you race for a living that 10th is meaningless.
You could have mentioned...the 2018 Performance Package model - now allows you to option for the 10-speed "Automatic"; 15 - 17 GT - PP did not allow you to order an automatic! Whether you think the Track rated Performance Pack "should" be sold with an automatic... that's a personal decision. The way I figure it - as a paying customer, you should be able to get whatever floats your boat... Golden Rule applies - if you got the gold, then its your decision on how to spend it.
...The only real reason I stepped in was to explain why the new 2018 GT-PP can allow you to use the 'remote start'... goes to the fact that an automatic does not have a direct connection from engine - thru transmission, to the rear tires. The torque converter allows the engine to start, idle - without danger of "unintended acceleration". Can't use (at least not safely) 'remote start' on a manual equipped car; ... mainly because, with a manual transmission car - "most" drivers put the car in either 1st gear or reverse when they leave the car in Park or park on a hill, etc. If you used the remote start feature, while the transmission is in gear; the direct engagement - could or would be dangerous, when the engine started. I wasn't sure how you would take the observation? Sometime, when comments or advice is offered - people take it either as an insult or "sharp-shooting"...trying to harass the site owner/Poster. Definitely NOT my intention!
I'll admit, I am a little bit more than just merely curious about why a Mustang GT/PP does not qualify as being track rated? I guess we need to define what Track rated/HD means? Is a GT350 track rated? What about a GT350R, Corvette GS, Z06, Camaro ZL1, LE1? Do we agree that few mass produced, passenger cars are ready to come off the dealers show room floor, ready to win at a "track day" event at the local track, but neither are most of the 2-seater, ego enhancers you see at the track - in stock configuration. That being said... the HD radiator, cooling and braking enhancements, upgraded differential, ... etc. are a good deal better than the regular grocery - getter, you might find at your local Hertz, Enterprise or company car, leased people mover. What more would you say would be needed, as a minimum upgrade to make the basic platform worthy of claiming to have a "Track Package"...as Ford claims in their advertising?
Well let's not pretend the old 6 speed auto was capable of track duty, sure it had paddle shifters however it couldn't up shift or down down quick enough for track duty. The 10 speed was designed to function on par with a DCT and in fact may even better many DCT's.
Maybe...that's why Ford worked with GM to develop the new 10-speed automatic transmission...? Using a 10-speed, automatic (which can be programmed to "consistently", under complicated/stressful conditions, shift faster, than the average human driver)...it takes a whole lot of years, of making a lot of mistakes, destroying a lot of cars... to train a human operator to drive at the peak-levels which modern cars are capable of achieving. Even worse - is the danger of so many young drivers, on city streets, freeways - never acquiring the "instinctive reactions" needed to get best performance out of 400 - 500 hp cars!...So, we set the stage for the necessity of building a better (automatic) transmission - letting the driver keep his hands, and mind, focused on the road. So, yeah - automatic transmissions are becoming the 'preferred' - by car makers - method of regulating car performance on the road! Still...given a superior driver and seeking ultimate car control over "all conditions", good, bad, on-road, on-track or off-road - I still would give the edge to a manual shifting, experienced driver. Sometime, you need overrule the programed, responses which are part of the limits of an automatic....at least - until the engineers can put an "AI" artificial intelligence (brain) in car transmission - which would allow it learn how to think and drive, to match changing conditions. ....'nuff said about that?... Manual transmissions still have a place...in track cars and/or when you have the skills and really want to "Drive" your car!
Fantastic review, thank you. An '18 PP1 Auto with MagneRide and the active exhaust......in Orange Fury, black roof. That's my dream Mustang, right there. Thanks again for a great review :)
Looks hot hot hot hot hot! Any of ya'll think the side badging needs just a little bit more decoration? 5.0 is just so subtle for the badness that is a Mustang GT. Like a Silver Mustang or something.
I have a 22 GT auto. Awesome car. Commute in it everyday. I also have a Boss 302. More fun than the GT, but the 10 spd auto GT is much better to drive daily in my opinion.
I agree! ... I have never liked Black wheels, on a street driven car - it just seems kind'a lazy (black wheels) when there are so many chrome, polished/anodized aluminum ... mag wheels out there, which can make your "Pop", as you drive down the boulevard! But, that's the way the factory "Style Guru's" have dictated sporty cars 'should' look. On the other hand...in real life, you have to play the hand you are given; at least - until you can find something better! I still like the factory PP (performance pack)gloss black wheels (when they are clean - fresh after a through "detailing session" over the weekend - then you have drive around with them...they get covered in brake dust - oh so quick). When you have the GT/PP Bembo brakes... it hard to find good looking wheels...which don't require using 'spacers' to fit over those 6-piston calipers - so you keep looking - hoping to find a after market supplier who "gets it". I am almost tempted to get the gloss Silver/nickle PP optional - but to justify swapping for the exact same wheels (just in a different color - I need to fool myself that its 'somehow' a performance upgrade! Problem is - they have the same specs. If they were 19x10, 20x11 - or lighter weight...anything! - then I would buy them in a hot, New York minute! ...Maybe, once the 2018 GT/PP/L2 (Level 2) models hit the streets next spring... I'll be tempted to justify at least getting the wider, 'square' front/rear wheel setup to install on the earlier 2015 - 2017 GT/PP - they are 'supposed' to be 19x10 or 19x11 - front and rear or maybe staggered 19x 10 front , 19x11 rear?...We'll wait and see ... maybe they'll come in Gloss silver/nickle - if true,..then we got's us some - Gravy!
If one wants a quick car, order the 10 spd auto w/3.55 gears option, in a base car and the active exhaust. Then buy your own lighter 18" wheels, lighter non-runflat tires and lighter minor suspension upgrades will get you better performance for far less coin. Or better yet, get some lighter exhaust and muffs.
I have absolutely nothing against the automatic transmission. Why I prefer the manual is that I feel more connected to the car. It enhances the driving experience instead of just mashing the gas pedal and going. I don't care if the auto is faster. I don't care if it produces better mileage. The manual provides more fun. A more pure driving experience. It's hard to explain the feeling.
A great video there about the Ford Mustang GT, I enjoyed it! Just a question though, what was that Wheel-Spin between Gear-Changes.... is this common with the Mustang, or Performance Cars in general?
Small detail but i think they should have made the start button red. Makes it stand out more than the many other silver buttons. Not sure if its done in the Gt350 but defeinitely something Ford should look into
Really cool review! About 3 weeks ago I was just about to buy a '18 mustang Gt (sports package) but after leaving the dealer and doing more research, I realized that the car I was so close to buying didn't even have the oil and battery gauges in the middle of the dashboard. And according to the sells person it was a "fully loaded, sports package mustang". After watching your review, and you mentioning that this specific car also didn't come with the "active valve exhaust control system" or the "magnetic shocks" I'm feeling really skeptical about walking into a dealer and choosing a car out of fear that some specific functions will be missing. When buying this specific model, what are some of the things I should ask for, or better said, what are the things I should look out for to ensure I am getting everything I want and random things aren't missing? I must say, that after buying 4 new cars from the dealer, this has to be the trickiest one. Most other models (Nissan, Civic, and Toyota) are a direct "base model, luxury, or sports, w/ or w/o navigation system). Thanks in advance.
Awesome review. 👍 subbed. I'm planning to review one for my channel. It's a premium but not a 401a (it's 400a) car, so it doesn't have the digital cluster. It does have active exhaust though. Do you have any tips or advice for talking dealers into letting you review their cars? I called today and they sounded excited, but had to ask the general manager. They didn't call me back. I think I'll just show up tomorrow in my Shelby and see if they take more seriously.
It is a 2 plate state but you can have the plate on the front dash to get around it Or have those automatic frames that slide under the front bumper but yes I have the plates being screwed on like that
We are a two plate state, but we don't have to get the plates screwed into the car. Just simply put the plate in the window. Yet, I have NEVER had a front plate on my C6 corvette SN95 Mustang or my s550 stang in all these years. I get no issues from cops here in Dallas
the612wizard: It's an excuse to pull you over and that I am not okay with. What if I had 1 or 2 beers (NOT drunk), and it ends up as a sobriety stop. No thank you. Regarding a license plate on the front dash, why not leave a machete up there as well. ;-)
Wrong Squatting in the rear suspension does exactly the opposite of that. It takes the force that would push the tires into the ground and transfers that into the shocks.
I honestly think Ford fudged up this time. The shelby was always supposed to stand out. Both look and sound unique, yet the 2018 GT could pass as one 9/10 times while passing by. With the 2018 GT350 being the last production year for a while, I hoped for different.
Live in the UK. Just bought a new 2020 Mustang GT PP1 with magna ride and every extra in gorgeous lucid red with black pack. 65th birthday present. After 25 years of boring bland soulless German cars including AMG's I have finally seen the light. And its my first manual for years and God it's fun. Stuff the auto. Learn to drive instead!
Hey Matt, I've just been looking at protecting a Bullitt with Xpel over here in the UK. It's pricey....but sounds like a worthwhile investment. Just wondering if they managed to get the drawings for the Bullitt, or did they just use a 19' GT for the panel templates?
I think this new GT is hurting GT350 values. This car is faster for 1/2 the price. I've seen GT350s start to drop and there are almost 500 GT350s for sale. I like the GT350, but I am taking another look at the GT.
Which package gives the digital dash? And can you start your car with the key fob? Looking for an automatic. Been driving a stick for 8 years. Ready to be lazy again.
honestly american automakers have been really competitive these last few years that i might buy this new mustang 2018 with the 460 at the crank. Imports these days seem to just keep sitting on their crown for over a decade without much improvement or discontinue their potential sport vehicles, and lack innovation. Meanwhile , ford not only pulls in huge numbers, but also fixed their suspension problem as well.
I get the "active exhaust" provides you with 4 modes: quiet, normal, sport, track". What if I don't opt for this? Would my (only) exhaust mode be "sport"? How loud is the volume, compared to the 4 modes found in AE?
Damn that thing hooks and books.Im a camaro guy and would take a yellow 16 or 17 SS over this all day but this is still a nice car and I honestly think the 25hp boost and 10 speed can very well put it infront of the auto ss but I just seen a video and the manual SS is faster then the 2018 manual gt.But after seeing this and hearing people talking about the 18 gt with 10 speed running 12 flats to 11.9s on radials tells me the SS auto is gonna be fucked to the new 18 GT auto.Tis Tis..shame for us chevy lovers but hey what can you do the 16 and up camaro ss is all the power I would ever need but its nice to see Ford also putting in serious work.Shows the companies still have passion.
9284vr yellow on a camaro SS looks good.Now on a VW beetle yea that's weird.Everyone has their own opinion and your out of your mind if you think yellow on a camaro ss looks dumb lol but hey like I said your opinion.Yellow 1le with black hood is amazing.
To each their own but I associate yellow vehicles with hydro trucks and like I said, tulips and a color only girls like-my girlfriend loves yellow. Although black is a hard color to keep clean, I have now owned 2 black cars in a row-the rare 5 speed 79 Porsche 928 (front engine V8) and now a 6 speed Mustang fastback GT Premium with 20" wheels and Roush mufflers. They both looked/look mean but sexy. As to Camaros, I once owned a beautiful blue 78 Z28 and while I did not say yellow is dumb, it just does not equal mean/tough but I guess it might attract females.
I finally got to see one in person the other day, brand new orange fury performance pack at the back of a dealership and honestly I was hoping to like it more in person. I felt the same as with seeing pictures of it. It's not that it's that bad, it's more just different not really better to me; I'd still own one, but was hoping when I saw one in person that I could say Wow that looks good, but sadly still eh it's fine. Also, the 10 speed paddle response still seems kinda slow from now a couple videos I've seen. I'd expect it to be pretty much instant like a zf 8 speed, but it still seemed like press release and then shift; not bad but was expecting it to be more instant. I'm also always curious with reviews like this of literal brand new cars, how are u aloud to rip on it like that? A literal brand new car getting ripped on right away; I never understand that, good review though
Why can I never find the 2018 mustangs with the LED Gauge cluster when I look for them on sale at dealerships. Super cool but I can never find them on 2018 gt's at any of the dealerships near me
