Mach 1 vs. '05 Mustang GT (from an owner's perspective)

I enjoyed your review of your new 05 GT. I actually went to the largest car dealer in the nation today to check out the new GT and see if I could swing a test drive. The dealer had 2 5-speed GTs; they wouldn't let me test drive it unless I sat down with them to "run some numbers". I found that funny because they also told me the cars are selling at sticker! What numbers are they talking about!?!?!? Anyway, here are my first reactions to the car (keep in mind I have not driven the new GT):

1.) Interior. Given all the hoopla about the new interior, I was disappointed quite frankly. The interior does LOOK awesome; I was just disappointed by all the hollow, thin, hard plastic that surrounded me. In fact, I prefer the touch and look of the materials used on the top of the dashboard on my '01 GT. Regardless, I could get over the interior for not being as nice as I expected. The seats are 100% better than the seats in my GT, but I do still like the Mach One/Cobra seats. I didn't feel there was much more room length-wise in the interior, but the interior did seem a tad wider and less cramped. I'm 6'3" / 220 and I'm still uncomfortable in the new car. In fact, I thought the pedal well and pedal placement was slightly more cramped in the new GT vs. my '01 GT.

2.) Interesting to note that the new GT's modular engine has a panel-shaped air filter vs. the cone/cylinder type in the older GTs. Cool looking intake manifold too!

3.) Does the new GT have a two-piece driveshaft? Looked like it.

4.) The car looks odd underneath, but probably only because I'm so used to looking at the bottom of older mustangs!

5.) My biggest gripe on the looks is probably the lack of a really "aggressive" look. Nothing the aftermarket can't fix though. Definitely agree on the wheels - they have gotta go! I'm still undecided on the look of the rear end.

Like I said, I haven't driven it yet but I do plan to. If the car drives head and shoulders better than the Mach One, my choice would be the new GT once prices settle down to more reasonable levels. But I have to say buying a leftover Mach One around $25,000 is very tempting! There are a ton of Cobras and Machs on dealer lots in the Columbus, OH area.

While I was a little disappointed with the aesthetics, I'm sure I'll want a new GT the first time I get waxed at the track with a bone stock 05!

why start off modding on someone else's work when you can just get the 05 GT and go from there?

I like how the new stang is improved performance wise!

"Running numbers" is a car salesman's game. They try to get you to sit down with them so they can pull your credit and try to dig you towards buying right then and there.

If you refuse, then they know you aren't a serious buyer at the moment and are therefore a possible future lead or, as most of them probably think of you, a waste of time.

This is irregardless of the fact that most car salesmen spend most of their time, as they call it, "smoking and joking," which really means they're f'ing around, looking busy, or taking a dealership car to buy coffee.