Nothing so far, other onl-ine reports suggest that the GT is pretty reliable. As noted in a 2005 review the leather is slightly creasing, but I have never had leather before, and it isn't getting any worse, so I am ok with it.
This car rocks and the convertible styling is in a class of its own - beautiful. Fantastic performance and I love the sound of the V8. With the top down on a sunny day it is a joy to drive. I have to watch my speed though - it is soooo smooth that it catches me out sometimes and I would really like to keep my license..
The front seats are roomy and comfortable, but the back is tight, but liveable on a short trip or for teenagers - my son and his friends love riding in it. I didn't buy it for 4 people or for hauling big loads - I have a silverado pickup for that (so I don't really have a Chevy or Ford bias).
Sound system is good - I got the 500W system. The CD's take a few moments to change though. I got the Mycolor upgrade with the interior upgrade package. It is cool to be able to change colors on dash lights - 125 to choose from on a color mixer. Worth the money for the upgrade for sure.
Handles great. I would like it about an inch or so lower though for looks and stance.
As far as pricing, paid about 10% under list, which I was happy with as Ford earned its profit on this vehicle. Locally, you can get a real deal on the sixes too, but I wanted the V8.
For a blend of retro and modern into a well engineered packaged sports car, I don't think you can go wrong with the latest mustang and there isn't much else (if anything) available at the price.
Lets see if you still feel that way when you go trade the car in. My friend learned the hard way with his 2005 Mustang GT how much FORD backs their cars. HE bought the car for 32 thousand and when he went to trade it in with only 6 thousand miles they only wanted to give him 20 grand (and that was the FORD dealer). He eventually traded the car in for a 2006 Nissan Maxima and that car is more luxurous, faster, and more fun to drive then the mustang was.
All new cars depreciate. That's a given, and the fact that the market is flooded with new stangs doesn't help their value much.
Hey buddy, what was your friend doing buying a Mustang in the first place if within the year he goes out and trades it in for a vehicle that's not even close to being in the same class?
Everyone knows that new vehicles lose their value after you drive them off the lot and if he had any common sense, he would have tried to sell it privately to get more bang for his buck.
The Maxima is a family grocery getter, not a sleek and stylish Mustang. I think what your friend learned the hard way was how not to lose money and actually buy the right car that suits his style the first time!
As for the person that wrote the Mustang review, I have one too and absolutely love it and please don't worry about comments like what this guy had to say!
Its true that cars do depreciate a bit, but they should not depreciate by 13K if they are only a year old. This is common for American cars and its no wonder why people buy imports.
You lose a few thousand (like $2,000) driving off the lot. Then you lose 20% off the price by the end of year 1 and like 17.5% off the new total at the end of year 2. So its understandable to lose 13k off a new car when you go to trade it in. And that's also the reason for the used car buying tip: when buying a late model car, buy one that is two years old (won't depreciate as badly after 2 years) and has under 20k miles.
I bought a 05 Scion TC for about 20K with extended warranty and gap insurance. I went to the dealership to trade it (The car had about 18K miles) in for a G35 coupe and the Infiniti dealer gave me about 16K and I got cash back from the extended warranty. So I didn't lose anything. The imports just hold better values then domestic, its not even close.
Most American cars lose value extremely fast. I bought an Escalade and it dropped around $15,000 a little after a year. I sold it pp and got around 7000 more than the dealer would give me. I went and bought a Lexus LX470 which can't be any better.
Yes, the Maxima is a very adequate automobile (but I would disagree with quicker, at least acceleration for sure). It will reliably carry 4 in relative comfort. One of my employees has one in fact and loves it. However, I don't believe anyone has written a song about one (please correct me if I am wrong). The Mustang evokes a certain sense of passion. You love it or you hate it. I happen to love it. And as for fun to drive, a nice sunny Sunday afternoon with the top down in the Georgia Mountains blasting up the twisties - well let's say that there are worse ways to spend the day than with the top down approaching redline with the V8 snarl in your ears.
Drive what you enjoy, and understand what you buy. I stand by my original review of the Mustang, and absolutely recommend it for the right person. It is gorgeous and it still rocks!
The new Mustang is vastly superior to the Japanese and German competition, but lags behind the New Pontiac GTO. The base GTO comes standard with a 400 hp V8 while the base Mustang comes with a pokey V6. As far as predicting future collectibility, GTO's from the 60's command a much higher price than a Mustang of the same vintage. Nice try, Ford, but no cigar!
If your friend lost $13,000 on his trade, he isn't a very good negotiator. Kelly Blue Book shows about $6,000 depreciation for a one year old Mustang which is about standard. Cars. com has a depreciation guide and there is nothing unusual about the depreciation over a five year period for Mustangs when compared to other cars.
Your friend is quite the negotiator! First he pays too much for the car, then he trades it in right away. OMG, he paid 12k to drive a car for one year. Leases were made for guys like that, you know the ones who are poor money managers.
Why is it you can never read anything good about an American brand without some Japanese import buyer trying to justify his purchase of a camry, accord or maxima?
Last time I checked, this was a customer feedback/experience board, not a message board for fanboys. All these unrelated fanboy related replies should be removed.
I love Ford Mustangs and have driven a 2005 GT with the auto transmission.
The car feels like it is built very solidly, and rides very smoothly and quietly for a sports car.
I would like to point out to folks that a Mustang is for a certain type of individual. They are for people who love cars and who like to be seen in them. They are not for individuals who brag about great gas mileage, or about how much trunk space they have in their car.
The 2005 Ford Mustang is of course rear wheel drive and thus shouldn't be driven in the winter in snowy area's (I am aware that the car has traction control, but that's not very helpful in heavy snow).
If you are the type of person who trades a Mustang in for a Nissan Maxima, then you are not the right individual for a Mustang.
By the way, the accelaration of the 2005 Mustang is excellent, and there is no Stock Nissan Maxima that will out run a 2005 V8 GT Mustang! First of all the Maxima 3.5 VQ series engine is an excellent little motor however, it is hard pressed to run sub 6 sec 0-60 mph runs in a Maxima. Even the 350Z in stock form would be hard pressed to out un a GT with the 5 speed manual.
So the new Mustang has excellent retro styling, with a great sounding modular 4.6 liter 24 valve V8, with handling that will outrun any front wheel drive family sedan!
The resale value is about average for american cars, and anybody who trades in a one year old car will lose money whether the car is american or an import. My advice for those individuals trying to maintain value in their mustang is to buy a GT, and if you can afford it, buy the convertible. Look at resale prices for older V8 powered mustangs with low miles on them, and you will see that Mustangs hold their value quite well. The V6 Mustang is a good affordable sporty car, but a true Mustang has a V8 ladies and gentleman.
I currently own a 1990 5.0 LX with 58,000 miles on it, and it runs strong and is extremely reliable. People still look at it when it drives by, which is a lot more than can be said of any Nissan Maxima that is a few years old.
If you love to drive cars, you can't go wrong with buying any low mileage V8 Mustang from 1987 onward. They are fast, reliable toys (yes they are not practical transportation) which are a blast to own and drive. They are a living legend, and the 2005-06 models continue this tradition with refinement never before seen in any american muscle car.
I saw a Nissan Maxima really dust a new Mustang GT. It was right after I saw a herd of pigs flying over.
Just a note on resale value of American vehicles. In January of this year (2006) I sold my 2001 Dodge Dakota Sport pickup for $943 less than it was purchased for in October of 2000. Try that with a Toyota or Nissan. Yes, it was low mileage and in mint condition, but nevertheless, that is hardly ANY depreciation in 5 years of use.