Just picked mine up 2 weeks ago. I agree, they did a great job with this one. Had a 95 Mustang from 97-2000 and really missed her. I was expecting to get those butterflies in my stomach i used to get from driving my 95. I can honestly say this car brought back those butterflies and much, much more. Great job on this one Ford!!!
First of all I have this exact same car and options and daily drive it even in New England weather with 6 inches of snow, never ever been stuck with michelin xice3 winter tires. This car is fantastic in the snow, I have it with a 93 octane race tune and traction control tuned off 24/7 and no problems with the manual. Tired of hearing people say it's not ideal for winter absolute ignorance. I bought a second set of Brembo rims off Ebay for about $400 oem Ford TPS set off Amazon for like $100 and the snow tires to have one set of wheels for summer with michelin pilot sports and another set for winter. Why drive a boring car in the winter when you can enjoy the mustang all year round.
I got the 13 GT with California Special package. It also has the Nav with Shaker Pro. Deep Impact Blue with Silver CS stripes and of course, 6 speed manual trans. This is the 7th Mustang I've owned and probably one of my favorites (excluding the 2010 GT500 I still own). Just love it!!!
Steve thanks for your reply. I'm just surprised the company that lends these cars out to the press would release one with improper tires. Keep up the good work. At least you commented the car had summer tires.
Well, I have a 2011 5.0 which is optioned basically the same as this Mustang. I have not driven it in about 3 weeks and generally use the pickup this time of year anyway. That 15/26 rating is questionable at best. I actually got caught in a snow storm with it by accident last year, and it was not so good...LOL! Even with the traction control on doing 20 mph was scary!
Sometimes when you order cars 2 months in advance you roll the dice. Early December can be suitable here for such cars and then again, it can be questionable. I really wanted to get this test-drive in seeing as how the Mustang and I have been strangers for the past couple of years. Don't blame Ford. They gave me a GT that I requested...I did not know in advance it was going to have the Brembo brake package. We'll give it another try next year, but I still hope viewers find the review useful
My stang has the brembo package with the 19s. I replaced both the wheels and tires with 20s (mickey thompson z rated - better tires and lighter/nicer rims) for the same price as it would have cost to replace just the pirellis.. so be sure to shop around when it comes time to replace tires - many are over priced because you're paying for a name.
It will however finally have a independent rear. And hopefully proper paddle shifters in it's automatic incarnation. A toggle switch is a blatant insult.
The Pirelli Pzeros suck at cold/cool temperatures, even when it is in the 50's. I put all-seasons for daily driving here in the midwest, and it makes a world of difference.
How come the 2011-12 GT models were rated at 17/26 & this 2013 GT with the same motor is only rated at 15/26? The fuel ratings were lowered in the 2007-2008 area already, so I wonder why this one is lower? Prior to 2008, that 17/26 mpg would have been rated at 19/28. Thanks & great review as always.
love my '12 mustang gt. daily driven and cross country (literally VA to WA), it hasn't given me problems. although some winter/snow tires are due to replace the all season pirellis whenever the northwest gets blanketed by snow.
great review.. Always loved mustangs. In 1996 i bought a new '96 GT manual, which only had 210 hp, SOHC 4.6L V8. I have a 99 C5 Hardtop with only 24k miles which is in near showroom condition. I know its comparing apples to oranges but I would love a 13-14 GT manual. Maybe in 3 years when my C5 is paid off ill get into a clean unmodified one
Ford has done a good job tweaking this 5.0. It now snaps your neck back with the 331 gears. And the motor is strong. They need to work on mpg. Have a v8 capable of dropping to 6 and 4 cylinder. That would be awsome. 4 cylinder for hwy cruising. 6 for commuting and full 8 for shits and giggles. They just need to work on driver dynamics. Wondering if i should pick up a 2013-2014 or wait for the new 2015 stang.
We'll, for nearly the past 50 years it's always been that way. Mustang has always been a bit different from the other 2. But for argument's sake, the Camaro is an Australian sports car chasis so if anything, the Camaro is the one that's most departed from its pure "Muscle Car" roots.
That's a tough one, but I would go with the Mustang V6 only if it had the Track Pack with a 6 speed manual & also all the bells & whistles like navigation, leather ect ect... Now if the Focus ST were RWD or AWD, I would take that over a V6 Mustang no matter what mods it had. If the Mustang V6 didn't have all the features I mentioned above, I would take the Focus ST though. Just my opinion.
Check out my response above, but yes, occasionally a sports car sneaks into my schedule on the fringe of winter. You can get decent weather herenow, just not this time.
Steve, you should give a memo to auto manufacturers. You're based in Upstate New York; thus, they should give you crossovers and SUVs in the winter and vehicles like the Mustang, sports cars, and any rear wheel drive vehicle in the summer. Give 'em that memo, okay? However, I'd dig to have that Mustang with the 5.0 V8. There is an automatic available (6 speed, but no paddles shifters -- need to put those, Ford), but why? I'd take it with the manual.
well i live in north east pa where it is below freezing consistently from late October until early march. with snow raid and ice. i drive my mustang over 20,000 miles a year and that is without abs or traction control. and usually not the best tires. i have no problem.
I'm getting my first car and it's gonna be a New Mustang, the thing is im still debating to either get a 2014 V6 Premuin OR a GT, is it really worth getting a v6 for a better MPG???
Challenge, they're both nice cars. I own a 2013 GT, but have rented and driven the 305-hp 3.7L V-6 base version, which is an absolute screamer. To put it into perspective, the current V-6 makes as much horsepower and nearly as much torque as the Mustang Cobra of the 1996-1998 era. After owning an older, less-efficient Mustang for many years, I was stunned how good the gas mileage is with the 2013 GT. If you drive sensibly, and use your manual trans well, your mileage can consistently be in the 20s. Pure HW driving, 24-25 mpg easy. Far as power goes, the 5.0L Coyote Motor is a monster. By accident the other day, I did a long burnout in 3rd gear, at about 35 mph. Needed to get out of there quickly and somewhat unexpectedly, so punched it - and promptly laid a half-a-block long strip of hot rubber on the tarmac. Glad no cops were around...
...And another thing - a solid rear is best for the drag strip and acceleration in general. I wonder why all dragsters have solid rears? Boy, they must be stupid, right? Even the 660+ horsepower, $65,000 '13 Shelby has a solid rear. And ya know what? It beats the IRS-equipped ZL1 (CTS-V in a bad suit) around almost every road course - until the Shelby destroys it's mediocre brakes anyway. I hope Ford gives people the option for a solid rear alongside the IRS for '15.
Sigh.... It's a great car but the solid rear axel is a bit of a downer, the new Camaro track pack is leaps and bounds taster than this is around willow springs
Florida, USA.. lol, I got my '14 Gt for that price. Most of them have the premium pack already which tacks 5k on which is useless imo(unless you want navi/mysync/those lame things lol)
Don't people get tired of talking about the solid rear axle?? Let me clue you people in on something... IT IS A MUSTANG - IT HAS HAD A SOLID REAR AXLE FOR 45 YEARS - MUSTANG AND SOLID REAR AXLE ARE SYNONYMOUS. Jeez. I don't know what the hell people are going to talk about when it gets IRS for the '15 model... Probably complain about the lack of a solid rear axle - don't laugh - just wait - you'll hear it. People always gotta bitch about something...
Why would you test this car with improper tires? Really stupid Steve in my opinion. Under 39 F you are taking your chances with those tires. I would have expected you or Ford would have been wiser, Disappointed Steve.
The mustang is a disgrace. Sorry ford fans, but the camaro and challenger feels more like a muscle car. Stright line performance only!. This is more like a sports car with a muscle car name.
I honestly don't know why you don't get more views. You're so professional. Much better then any other reviewer out there.
Just picked mine up 2 weeks ago. I agree, they did a great job with this one. Had a 95 Mustang from 97-2000 and really missed her. I was expecting to get those butterflies in my stomach i used to get from driving my 95. I can honestly say this car brought back those butterflies and much, much more. Great job on this one Ford!!!
Do you still have it? I bought mine 10years ago!
Love this style more than the current one.
the front is just so beautiful ...
First of all I have this exact same car and options and daily drive it even in New England weather with 6 inches of snow, never ever been stuck with michelin xice3 winter tires. This car is fantastic in the snow, I have it with a 93 octane race tune and traction control tuned off 24/7 and no problems with the manual. Tired of hearing people say it's not ideal for winter absolute ignorance. I bought a second set of Brembo rims off Ebay for about $400 oem Ford TPS set off Amazon for like $100 and the snow tires to have one set of wheels for summer with michelin pilot sports and another set for winter. Why drive a boring car in the winter when you can enjoy the mustang all year round.
Kara, I'm in new england as well and just got a 13 GT with the brembos. Do you run 19 inch snows?
it's more or less if you know how to drive in snow and can handle it without throwing all the power down via WOT lmaooo
Premium package does not include the nav, but does include sync and shaker 500.
I got the 13 GT with California Special package. It also has the Nav with Shaker Pro. Deep Impact Blue with Silver CS stripes and of course, 6 speed manual trans. This is the 7th Mustang I've owned and probably one of my favorites (excluding the 2010 GT500 I still own). Just love it!!!
Lucky bastard. Give me one lol
Steve thanks for your reply. I'm just surprised the company that lends these cars out to the press would release one with improper tires. Keep up the good work. At least you commented the car had summer tires.
If I'm going to get a Mustang, I'm going to get it big! Like the 2014 Mustang GT Premium CS.
Well, I have a 2011 5.0 which is optioned basically the same as this Mustang. I have not driven it in about 3 weeks and generally use the pickup this time of year anyway. That 15/26 rating is questionable at best. I actually got caught in a snow storm with it by accident last year, and it was not so good...LOL! Even with the traction control on doing 20 mph was scary!
Sometimes when you order cars 2 months in advance you roll the dice. Early December can be suitable here for such cars and then again, it can be questionable. I really wanted to get this test-drive in seeing as how the Mustang and I have been strangers for the past couple of years. Don't blame Ford. They gave me a GT that I requested...I did not know in advance it was going to have the Brembo brake package. We'll give it another try next year, but I still hope viewers find the review useful
Thanks for this review! definitely gave me a better information package than any other video i've watched!
My stang has the brembo package with the 19s. I replaced both the wheels and tires with 20s (mickey thompson z rated - better tires and lighter/nicer rims) for the same price as it would have cost to replace just the pirellis.. so be sure to shop around when it comes time to replace tires - many are over priced because you're paying for a name.
It will however finally have a independent rear. And hopefully proper paddle shifters in it's automatic incarnation. A toggle switch is a blatant insult.
The Pirelli Pzeros suck at cold/cool temperatures, even when it is in the 50's. I put all-seasons for daily driving here in the midwest, and it makes a world of difference.
Ford Mustang's are my favorite American muscle cars
How come the 2011-12 GT models were rated at 17/26 & this 2013 GT with the same motor is only rated at 15/26? The fuel ratings were lowered in the 2007-2008 area already, so I wonder why this one is lower? Prior to 2008, that 17/26 mpg would have been rated at 19/28. Thanks & great review as always.
love my '12 mustang gt. daily driven and cross country (literally VA to WA), it hasn't given me problems. although some winter/snow tires are due to replace the all season pirellis whenever the northwest gets blanketed by snow.
great review.. Always loved mustangs. In 1996 i bought a new '96 GT manual, which only had 210 hp, SOHC 4.6L V8. I have a 99 C5 Hardtop with only 24k miles which is in near showroom condition. I know its comparing apples to oranges but I would love a 13-14 GT manual. Maybe in 3 years when my C5 is paid off ill get into a clean unmodified one
Ford has done a good job tweaking this 5.0. It now snaps your neck back with the 331 gears. And the motor is strong. They need to work on mpg. Have a v8 capable of dropping to 6 and 4 cylinder. That would be awsome. 4 cylinder for hwy cruising. 6 for commuting and full 8 for shits and giggles. They just need to work on driver dynamics. Wondering if i should pick up a 2013-2014 or wait for the new 2015 stang.
I plan on getting a stock GT around 30000 and just upgrading parts I want myself
Best value: Base Gt w/ track pack/Recaros.. Comes in at around 35k. ^^
As always great review Steve.
Of course, I'm talking about the next gen DUE in 2014. The Evos look-alike. And yes, there are insider renderings and anticipated images everywhere.
We'll, for nearly the past 50 years it's always been that way. Mustang has always been a bit different from the other 2. But for argument's sake, the Camaro is an Australian sports car chasis so if anything, the Camaro is the one that's most departed from its pure "Muscle Car" roots.
Can you guys include the real world avg MPG you got ?
That's a tough one, but I would go with the Mustang V6 only if it had the Track Pack with a 6 speed manual & also all the bells & whistles like navigation, leather ect ect... Now if the Focus ST were RWD or AWD, I would take that over a V6 Mustang no matter what mods it had. If the Mustang V6 didn't have all the features I mentioned above, I would take the Focus ST though. Just my opinion.
Check out my response above, but yes, occasionally a sports car sneaks into my schedule on the fringe of winter. You can get decent weather herenow, just not this time.
Steve, you should give a memo to auto manufacturers. You're based in Upstate New York; thus, they should give you crossovers and SUVs in the winter and vehicles like the Mustang, sports cars, and any rear wheel drive vehicle in the summer. Give 'em that memo, okay? However, I'd dig to have that Mustang with the 5.0 V8. There is an automatic available (6 speed, but no paddles shifters -- need to put those, Ford), but why? I'd take it with the manual.
That screen nav comes if you add electronic package, so it aint come with premium package.
Totally awesome car! It's raw short coming make it fantastic! $42 large is tough though!
well i live in north east pa where it is below freezing consistently from late October until early march. with snow raid and ice. i drive my mustang over 20,000 miles a year and that is without abs or traction control. and usually not the best tires. i have no problem.
That's exactly my car. very soon I will upload a review of it. Black GT/CS convertible.
Rumors suggest the Boss 351 will be making a return with the new body style in 2014/2015.
Love the mustang, best out of today's American muscle cars in my opinion.
I love this car!
mustang v6 track pack or focus st?
Should I get this or a 2015 Ecoboost?
NC Styles what did you end up getting
Have you seen the predicted look of the '14? Big departure.
I'm getting my first car and it's gonna be a New Mustang, the thing is im still debating to either get a 2014 V6 Premuin OR a GT, is it really worth getting a v6 for a better MPG???
Challenge, they're both nice cars. I own a 2013 GT, but have rented and driven the 305-hp 3.7L V-6 base version, which is an absolute screamer. To put it into perspective, the current V-6 makes as much horsepower and nearly as much torque as the Mustang Cobra of the 1996-1998 era. After owning an older, less-efficient Mustang for many years, I was stunned how good the gas mileage is with the 2013 GT. If you drive sensibly, and use your manual trans well, your mileage can consistently be in the 20s. Pure HW driving, 24-25 mpg easy. Far as power goes, the 5.0L Coyote Motor is a monster. By accident the other day, I did a long burnout in 3rd gear, at about 35 mph. Needed to get out of there quickly and somewhat unexpectedly, so punched it - and promptly laid a half-a-block long strip of hot rubber on the tarmac. Glad no cops were around...
Never been a mustang fan but this one looks ok.
I meant "options it had", not mods.
no traction control?
It doesn't have a solid rear axle. It has a live rear axle.
True dat.
steve has reviewed thousands of cars in his life, how many have you? thats what i thought dont call him stupid
good review
...And another thing - a solid rear is best for the drag strip and acceleration in general. I wonder why all dragsters have solid rears? Boy, they must be stupid, right? Even the 660+ horsepower, $65,000 '13 Shelby has a solid rear. And ya know what? It beats the IRS-equipped ZL1 (CTS-V in a bad suit) around almost every road course - until the Shelby destroys it's mediocre brakes anyway. I hope Ford gives people the option for a solid rear alongside the IRS for '15.
Sigh.... It's a great car but the solid rear axel is a bit of a downer, the new Camaro track pack is leaps and bounds taster than this is around willow springs
Florida, USA.. lol, I got my '14 Gt for that price. Most of them have the premium pack already which tacks 5k on which is useless imo(unless you want navi/mysync/those lame things lol)
Don't people get tired of talking about the solid rear axle?? Let me clue you people in on something... IT IS A MUSTANG - IT HAS HAD A SOLID REAR AXLE FOR 45 YEARS - MUSTANG AND SOLID REAR AXLE ARE SYNONYMOUS. Jeez. I don't know what the hell people are going to talk about when it gets IRS for the '15 model... Probably complain about the lack of a solid rear axle - don't laugh - just wait - you'll hear it. People always gotta bitch about something...
Gotcha
Wings are for Dodge Neons. (glued to the trunk lid) lol
I love it!!!
I am a certified accident investigator. I know what I am talking about. I am more than qualified to respond, how about you? I thought so?
Both are slower, but that's not the best reason to buy a car just laying it out there!
those tires are only 170 a tire not over 300!!!
Currently retail for $365 per tire at TireRack.com.
Wow those must be different tires then mine. I got mine from American Muscle.
www.americanmuscle.com/pirelli-pzero-245-45-19.html
Looks like the difference, if I remember correctly, is that mine had run flats.
finally yesssssssss thankssssssssss
This is a drivers car
Love this color. Much better than that new ruby red crap.
what about the boss
This is Ruby Red
It is red candy. I looked it up. I have a ruby red 2014 LOVE that color
nice
You dont a car like this for willow springs....you mod the shit out of it and destroy more expensive cars from street light to street light.
eh muito mais bonito que o camaro...
calm down
Really? 42 large for a fully optioned 5.0 Mustang? Uh uh no way!
Just googled and vommited
Why LOL both slower
chillax
❤❤❤❤❤
Why would you test this car with improper tires? Really stupid Steve in my opinion. Under 39 F you are taking your chances with those tires. I would have expected you or Ford would have been wiser, Disappointed Steve.
The mustang is a disgrace. Sorry ford fans, but the camaro and challenger feels more like a muscle car. Stright line performance only!. This is more like a sports car with a muscle car name.
FU
The six speed manual transmission is junk
I found this review very useful, don't buy a mustang.
no traction control?
Yes they do
I love it!!!