When the Coyote 5.0 made its debut in the 2011 Mustang, everything changed. No, the car wasn't as nimble as an MX5, but for the first time ever there was a good boulevard cruiser that didn't feel insanely out of place at the first sight of a corner. I was all set to name the 2011 Mustang 5.0 "The Best Mustang ever built." That all changed when I got my hands on a 2008 GT500 though...
The 2008 GT500 isn't insanely fast by any means, but its supercharged 32 valve 5.4 liter V8 makes quite a lot of power, and more than substantial torque off idle. This V8 is based off the 5.4L Triton V8 found in many Ford trucks, which explains the torque off idle. What it doesn't explain is how happy the engine is to rev. The GT500 throttle response is worlds better than the Coyote 5.0, it revs faster, feels more natural, and it pulls like a freight train. This is a heavy car, but any gear, any RPM, you can put your foot down and just go. Remember how I said Mustangs had a charm about them that made you forgive their flaws? This car packs a supercharged gut punch of charm that makes you completely forget the cheap interior and bad handling characteristics. If this engine was wrapped in a respectable chassis, it would be one of the best cars in the world. It pains me to think that, because once upon a time you could have that basic engine in the heroic Ford GT, but the newly released GT turned its back on the passionate supercharged V8 in lieu of an Ecoboost V6 that's as un-supercar like as can be.
Back to the Mustang though, because it does have some flaws. While it isn't ugly, its very bland and generic to look at. The exhaust is also so quiet that its impossible to hear over the sound of the blower. Ford produces one of the best exhaust notes out there, let us hear it instead of muffling it to make it quieter than a stock Mustang GT.
Though the new Mustang 5.0 is a more well balanced car overall, the GT500 is a far better at being a true mustang. Hop in the GT500 and the car practically begs you to drag race away from every stoplight, the 5.0 is just too refined, too polite, and after feeling the intoxicating character of the 5.4L, the 5.0 is just too boring. A mustang should be big, loud, in your face, and it should shrug off its better handling competitors because it just doesn't care. Your mother always told you to be yourself, and with that in mind Ford: let the Mustang be a Mustang, don't force it into European clothing and take away its American characteristics. You have the Focus ST to be European, give us back our classic American Mustang. My advice to anyone who want's a brand new Mustang, but want's the classic Mustang charm: buy a Dodge Challenger, because right now the Mustang is having an identity crisis.
The 2008 GT500 isn't insanely fast by any means, but its supercharged 32 valve 5.4 liter V8 makes quite a lot of power, and more than substantial torque off idle. This V8 is based off the 5.4L Triton V8 found in many Ford trucks, which explains the torque off idle. What it doesn't explain is how happy the engine is to rev. The GT500 throttle response is worlds better than the Coyote 5.0, it revs faster, feels more natural, and it pulls like a freight train. This is a heavy car, but any gear, any RPM, you can put your foot down and just go. Remember how I said Mustangs had a charm about them that made you forgive their flaws? This car packs a supercharged gut punch of charm that makes you completely forget the cheap interior and bad handling characteristics. If this engine was wrapped in a respectable chassis, it would be one of the best cars in the world. It pains me to think that, because once upon a time you could have that basic engine in the heroic Ford GT, but the newly released GT turned its back on the passionate supercharged V8 in lieu of an Ecoboost V6 that's as un-supercar like as can be.
Back to the Mustang though, because it does have some flaws. While it isn't ugly, its very bland and generic to look at. The exhaust is also so quiet that its impossible to hear over the sound of the blower. Ford produces one of the best exhaust notes out there, let us hear it instead of muffling it to make it quieter than a stock Mustang GT.
Though the new Mustang 5.0 is a more well balanced car overall, the GT500 is a far better at being a true mustang. Hop in the GT500 and the car practically begs you to drag race away from every stoplight, the 5.0 is just too refined, too polite, and after feeling the intoxicating character of the 5.4L, the 5.0 is just too boring. A mustang should be big, loud, in your face, and it should shrug off its better handling competitors because it just doesn't care. Your mother always told you to be yourself, and with that in mind Ford: let the Mustang be a Mustang, don't force it into European clothing and take away its American characteristics. You have the Focus ST to be European, give us back our classic American Mustang. My advice to anyone who want's a brand new Mustang, but want's the classic Mustang charm: buy a Dodge Challenger, because right now the Mustang is having an identity crisis.
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