DCAWD.com

The bottom line is this: Ford is done messing around. With the release of the 2011 Mustang GT 5.0 there are no more "Yeah, but..." reasons to buy any other pony car. Only serious Mopar-philes would choose the drastically more expensive and substantially worse Dodge Challenger SRT-8 over the Mustang GT. Aside from looks, we can't think of a single area where the similarly priced but slightly more expensive Chevy Camaro SS beats the Mustang. Speed, handling, soundtrack, brakes, interior (the GT is actually creeping into Audi levels of interior sophistication – look at those seats!), fit and finish – you name it, the Mustang's the superior sports car.

Speaking of Audi, the 5.0 makes the 354-hp S5 look like an overpriced slowpoke. We've driven both cars in anger and the 2011 Mustang GT is not only faster, but is actually rear-wheel drive, not a FWD platform fitted with Quattro all-wheel drive. Want us to go even further? We'd prefer the Mustang GT to a BMW 650i. Sure, the BMW has dash leather and... iDrive. But (again), the GT makes more power (the 650i manages 360 hp), handles better and is quieter unless you're really belting the throttle. Also, Sync's a whole lot better than iDrive, even the much improved new iDrive. Not only that, but the GT's new 5.0-liter V8 engine is in another league than (previous) competitors like the Nissan 370Z and Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8. Getting the point? In 2011, the Mustang GT is the car to beat. Welcome back, 5.0.

The 2011 Ford Mustang GT sports the very best solid rear axle in the world.

complacent wrote:

The 2011 Ford Mustang GT sports the very best solid rear axle in the world.

And there's where I stopped reading. I know it's a big weenie issue on my part. I'm sure it performs really well. I'm still a weenie and can't get behind the technology of a solid rear axle.

Also improved for 2011 is the GT's handling. 2010 was something of a breakout year for the Mustang, as Ford finally committed itself to building a Mustang that goes left and right as well as it goes straight. Not only is the 2011 Mustang GT happy to turn into a corner, once you're flirting around with the apex you won't find yourself making loads of corrections. Put another way, the suspension is able to handle whatever you throw at it, and the steering feel is good enough that you only have to measure and cut once. As far as the never ending live rear end vs. independent suspension argument goes, we're saying the following: The 2011 Ford Mustang GT sports the very best solid rear axle in the world. We'd rather have the best solid axle than a mediocre multi-point rear. Hint, hint, Chevy. 'Nuff said.

complacent wrote:you may very well be right. i'm aware that i'm being at least semi-irrational.

Mr Kleen wrote:but they like the V6 Genesis Coupe more

WRXWagon2112 wrote:I dunno. I tend to take everything AutoBlog says about Mustangs with a grain of salt. Whoever runs that site is seriously in love with the line. I've rarely seen any negative press from them WRT Mustangs. It may very well be that the new model is excellent. But skeptical Alan is still Skeptical.

--Alan

complacent wrote:Autoblog has pointed out that stat-for-stat, the 2011 GT is every bit as good as a new M3.

sirwilliam wrote:Unfortunately, as good as these specs are for the price, it is still cursed by one thing: being American. I am still not swayed on my views on American cars in general as far as quality of parts and reliability is concerned. I will still respect the car for what it can do, though.