It took some decades for Ford to wake up to the fact that us Brits might like to look like Frank Bullitt once in a while, but it finally delivered in 2015 when it launched the first right-hand-drive Mustang.
It was available in full-fat 5.0 V8 GT and economy-oriented 2.3T Ecoboost forms and clothed in a choice of coupé (called Fastback) and convertible bodies. Six-speed manual and automatic gearboxes were offered. Today, on the used market, transmission numbers are split 50/50, but the V8 easily outnumbers the 2.3T. Ditto Fastbacks compared with the convertible.
Bullitt fanciers go for the 5.0 V8 GT manual, which has the requisite number of cylinders and goes harder and sounds better. The gearshift feels heavy and nicely mechanical, too.
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The downside is economy of around 20mpg at best. Here the 2.3T Ecoboost has the edge, with a figure that’s around 10mpg better. Fortunately, this smaller engine is also decently quick, with 0-62mph coming up in 5.8sec compared with the V8’s 4.8sec. Not only that but it’s also a more willing and flexible engine than the larger motor. In short, it’s a great everyday Mustang.
It’s cheaper, too, with early used Ecoboosts starting at around £19,000, whereas the cheapest 5.0 V8 we found was £22,000, although that’s still a great price. The fact is, as the Mustang settles down, values are beginning to soften for both engines. They’re not falling off a cliff – the model is still too desirable for that and great value compared with the European opposition – but now is a good time to buy.
Standard kit included 19in alloys, xenon headlights, LED tail-lights, dual-zone climate control and an 8.0in touchscreen. The optional Custom Pack added heated and cooled front seats, rear parking sensors (it’s a big car, so these are useful) and uprated sound and navigation systems.
The 2018 facelift brought a sharper nose and lower bonnet line, LED headlights and more power for the V8 (up from 410bhp to 443bhp). The six-speed auto ’box was swapped for a 10-speed while the manual gained rev-matching tech for smoother and faster downshifts accompanied by a very Bullitt-like blip of the engine.
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I cannot imagine the mindset
I cannot imagine the mindset of a person deciding to buy a 4 cylinder Mustang.
'I am appealed by the idea of some earthy Americana. But I don't want the earthy Americana.'
My colleague claims nearer
Where do you get this rubbish
Where do you get this rubbish about the V8 fuel consumption? Driven sensibly they will average a surprisingly decent figure. My previous 2016 Mustang averaged 26 mpg over 22,000 miles, and the 2019 has improved this a fraction. The average is helped by the motorway where over 30 is easy. The first gen car was less powerful, but feels faster as Ford gave the later cars stupidly long gearing. Magnetic ride on the second gen cars is worth having, the stereo on the later car is awful. But where else do you get a V8, a soft top and a manual box? Neither car has had any reliability issues.
Its also worth pointing out that late first gen coupes were under £40k so the road tax is MUCH cheaper