2005 Ford Mustang First Drive

As for the GT’s V8, Ford claims that the 2005 Ford Mustang engine (aluminum) weighs 75 pounds less than the 2004 engine. That’s important, because the new Mustang is a heavy critter, weighing in at 3,483 lbs, around 200 lbs. or so heavier than the previous version. The metal diet also includes the long, sloping hood: it’s aluminum, perhaps to provide weight savings. Stopping all that weight are standard four-wheel disc brakes than have, according to Ford, the biggest rotors and stiffest calipers ever fitted to a mainstream Mustang. The GT gets 12.4-inch ventilated front brake discs on GT models, and V-6 Mustangs get 11.4-inch ventilated rotors. There’s also an optional four-channel anti-lock braking system.

But really, stopping is just so boring when you can fly with your mane in the wind. The tough thing is to find a car that’s comparable both in performance, body style and price. Consider the 2004 Pontiac GTO -- by way of comparison, the 2005 Mustang GT is lighter than the 2004 Pontiac GTO, and costs around $5,000 less – and though you do get 40 more horsepower from a 5.7 liter V8 with the GTO, and the GTO has an independent rear suspension -- it would still be very interesting to cross-shop the two. The 2005 GTO is much more robust beast, however -- with a horsepower rating up to 400. In and of itself, however, Ford’s claim that the new Mustangs are better performing and more efficient is easy to agree with after a day behind the wheel of the new GT model and a week spent driving the old version.