The original pony car, the Ford Mustang is one of the most recognized nameplates in motoring history. Motoring enthusiasts and abstainers are both instantly able to recognise the iconic silhouette of the Ford sports car. The Ford Mustang was pivotal in creating a genre of sports cars that still continues to this day, sprouting competition in the way of the Camaro, Challenger, and Firebird. Across the waters, the Japanese followed suit with the likes of the Toyota Celica (and later the Supra) and Datsun 240Z.
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The Mustang has been the backbone of the Ford model lineup since 1964 and sold over a million units in its first two years. In 2018, Ford celebrated the 10-millionth Ford Mustang. While sales figures have fluctuated with the economic turn-downs, fuel crises, and SUV revolution, the Mustang continues to sell exceptionally well and is South Africa's best-selling sports car.
About the Ford Mustang
The Ford Mustang is now in its sixth generation. Still, South Africa wasn't invited to the party until right-hand-drive Mustangs were officially manufactured with the sixth and current generation. Launched in December 2014 for the 2015 model year, the Ford Mustang seemed rather expensive at the time but has proven to be a value-for-money offering with the new price only increasing by 20.34% over the last six years (Ford Mustang GT Fastback Auto).
The sixth-generation (S550) Mustang was initially offered in both fastback coupé and convertible format and offered with either a 5.0-litre V8 or a 2.3-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder EcoBoost engine. The coupé was offered in either a six-speed manual or six-speed SelectShift automatic. All the convertibles were automatic.
2019 saw the S550 Mustang receive a facelift that saw revisions to the power output to yield more power and saw the switch from a 6-speed auto to a 1-speed automatic gearbox to aid fuel economy. While the 2.3-litre offering was also revised, this engine offering was later dropped from the lineup, leaving only the V8 model. It took with it the manual gearbox with only the limited edition Bullit and Mach 1 variants with a manual six-speed option.
The 2019 update also saw revisions to the suspension, steering, front bumper, headlights and bonnet and saw the addition of a 12-inch driver info display to complement the SYNC3 infotainment system.
Buying a used Ford Mustang
The Ford Mustang is not what you would call a practical car and while it does offer rear seats, ingress and egress are typical of that of a sports coupé and the rear bench is best used only for short trips. You will need to acknowledge that the Mustang is a sports car and that with that comes the inherent compromises in comfort and convenience.
One cannot expect amazing fuel consumption, especially from the V8 model but on the open road, a steady throttle will yield acceptable figures.
Our biggest criticism with early S550 Mustangs was the overall finish of the vehicle. While rather robust, early models would often have unsightly panel gaps and poorly fitting interior trim pieces that wouldn't line up. While a minor criticism, it was regarded as unacceptable at the time for a brand new vehicle. Should you be shopping for an early model, don't be too alarmed at the fact that the boot lid or bonnet doesn't line up perfectly. This is most noticeable at the front where the leading edge of the bonnet meets the bumper and at the rear corners of the boot lid.
Related: The best official Ford Mustang offers AutoTrader found advertised in 2020
Mechanically, the Ford Mustang should not present any problems if it has been maintained correctly. Some reports of a drivetrain vibration exist with most rectified either with a driveshaft rebalance, replacement of the driveshaft bearing or switching tyres.
There have only been a few minor recalls for the recalibration of sensors and adjustment of locking mechanisms. The most critical recall was of that of the coolant hoses with the 2.3-litre EcoBoost. These models were recalled in the wake of the Kuga fires as a preventative measure although no Mustangs were reported to have suffered a similar fate. Facelifted models have considerably fewer recalls with the most common fault being a faulty gear selector display.
