A big thank you to Stephen Cadillac for giving me some time with this 2017 Mustang GT!
After driving the 2015 Camaro and the 2020 Mustang EcoBoost, I'm glad I finally got the chance to get into this 2017 Mustang GT. They're all priced around $30k, and it's a common dilemma. Though, it seems that a lot of people leave the EcoBoost out of the equation, in favor of the V8.
Magnetic Metallic Gray looks excellent on this fastback, and maybe even lets it blend in a little better than it otherwise would. Though, there's not too much else about it that will keep the cops from watching you a little more carefully than others. It has the distinct mustang body shape, with a tastefully aggressive front grill that houses the silver mustang logo. And from the rear, you've got the three-to-a-side red-stripe taillights, with the big "GT" resting in between, all sitting above an absolutely wonderful sounding dual-exhaust.
Hopping into the back seat, it's definitely a little cramped. I had an inch or two in front of my knees, at 5'7", with the driver's seat set for me as well. Let's be real though, you're not buying a Mustang for the space. The back seats are pretty soft and comfortable, and the space is usable enough for short trips.
Jumping into the front seat, there are quite a few buttons, but they're laid out neatly in the center dash, around a small infotainment screen. I appreciate the buttons, rather than a bunch of stuff buried in the infotainment. The Ford Racing shifter looks simple, but solid. There are lots of blacks and grays around the cabin, with a tastefully done silver Mustang logo in the center of the of the steering wheel. Overall, it feels like a very tame and classy spot to be in. Until you start it up.
Clutch in, brake down, push button start. There's that wonderful sound that you can only get from the V8. I enjoyed the 2020 Mustang EcoBoost HPP, but this is not the same car. This one sounds like a beautiful beast, and the heavy clutch and solid shifter won't tell you anything different.
The 5.0L V8, 435-hp, and 400 ft-lb of torque can get this 3700 lb car moving in a hurry. The gearbox takes some muscle - which is the way it should be - and I'm really enjoying shifting this manual. It responds well if you step on it, sounds great if you rev it out a bit, and I don't have any issues with rev hang.
Throwing it into a corner, the heavy steering takes some muscle, but it handles it alright. The back tires stay solidly connected to the ground, and there's not really any noticeable body roll, but the turning radius feels a little bit wider than I'd hoped for. It doesn't handle as well as the Camaro, and even the EcoBoost seemed to handle better. Not a deal-breaker, but definitely worth noting.
Bluetooth, backup camera, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Ford's SYNC 3 system, a nice selection of different gauges and charts between the tach and the speedometer, push-button start.
If you're looking at a Mustang, or looking at American muscle, this car is always in the conversation, and there is very good reason for it. While 15 mpg city/25 highway on premium isn't ideal, and the 2-door style isn't practical enough for everyone, the rest of the car is just a blast. Punchy, very fun to shift, and the sound of car angels, what's not to love?
If you're looking for a comfortable daily, with some decent tech, and you don't need back seats too often, I'd take a closer look at the EcoBoost Mustang. The lighter clutch is nice in traffic, it's much quieter, gets better fuel economy, still packs plenty of punch, and you can upgrade to the Premium package and still come in cheaper than the base level GT. But if you want something a bit beastlier, with a nice heavy clutch, a very solid shifting experience, and you just can't give up that beautiful V8 sound, the GT is an absolute winner.
