The 2018 Ford Mustang 5.0 Convertible. Photo: Scotty Reiss
Yes, you do need a ragtop. And you deserve to have fun.
Ahhh, Mustang. You’ve had our hearts on fire for so long. But you make picking among your different versions a tough choice. Do I go for the amply-powered EcoBoost or the completely over the top 5.0? Hard top or convertible? And, how big of a difference is there?
Not long ago I was able to get into both models and test them back to back. It was no less than stunning how completely capable and satisfying the EcoBoost, which has a smaller engine, only 310 horsepower, was compared to the Mustang GT 5.0’s 460 horsepower. It was a simple choice: unless performance track driving is a regular pastime, the EcoBoost is the way to go.
Then I was invited to come to Monticello Motor Club to test drive the 5.0 on the track for the day. Unfortunately, bad weather cut our drive short and I was only able to take the 5.0 around the track a couple of times, and despite the wet weather, it was a blast, sticking to the corners and taking off like a rocket on the straightaways. It was only a little fun.
I left the event feeling like I needed to give the 5.0 another look. So, I took a week long test drive and as a bonus, also got to test out life with the Mustang convertible. This, too, was really eyeopening. I discovered a lot about the Mustang that I hadn’t anticipated.
Further Reading: Your kids can build their own Mustang GT!
Putting in the car seats was easy The kids asked for a couple of extra spins around the neighborhood.; Photo: Scotty Reiss
Who This Car is For
- Fans of powerful sports cars and their natural attributes (a loud engine, curious strangers, a less ‘relaxed’ drive experience)
- Drivers who are comfortable with getting in and out of a low-to-the-ground car
- Buyers who want a sporty drive experience
- Buyers who love a convertible
- Buyers who only occasionally have back seat passengers
- Drivers who love track driving and performance driving; this is a great car for track-driving fans
- Drivers who often drive alone; the 5.0 engine is more fun for you that it is for your passengers
The 2018 Mustang 5.0 with the top up. Photo: Scotty Reiss
What This Car Costs
- Base price, which includes heated and cooled seats, V8 6-speed manual transmission, drive modes and ambient lighting, $44,855
- Add automatic 10-speed engine, $1,595
- 12” LCD customizable driver information screen, ambient lighting, touch screen navigation and heated steering wheel, $2,200
- Safety package, which includes adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitor, lane keep assist, adaptive headlights, rain sensing wipers, pre-crash detection and pedestrian detection, $1,000
- Performance exhaust valves, $895
- GT performance package with a rear spoiler and enhanced performance features, add $3995 (this was not on the model we tested)
- Price of the model we drove including delivery, about $49,995
Three versions of the speedometer: normal (top) sport mode (center) and drag strip(bottom)
First, That Engine! The GT 5.0 Delivers Giggles and a Few Thrills
The 5.0 introduces itself with a low rumble that gives you an idea of what’s in store. But then, the Mustang GT 5.0 has several drive modes that let you amp up the power from simply great to over the top.
The default mode is comfort mode and it can be set to ‘quiet.’ This means you can pull out of your driveway and out of the neighborhood without people complaining about your car. But once out of earshot of complainers, you can pop the car into sport+, track or drag strip mode. Each adds a bit more growl and muscle to the experience.
During my test drive I couldn’t resist popping the car into sport or track mode almost every time I got behind the wheel. I loved the sound of the engine and listening to it do its work as I shifted through the gears. The model I drove was a 6 speed manual which I found to be completely easy to manage and fun to drive.
Further Reading: How does the EcoBoost stack up against the GT?
View from the cockpit in the 2018 Mustang 5.0. Photo: Scotty Reiss
The 5.0 Manual Experience: How Driving a Sports Car Should Be
There’s something about a manual: you’re closer to the road and to the car; you are in charge of the stages of engine power as well as how that power propels the car through curves and over hills. And, it’s physical: you put your whole mind and body into driving.
But drivers around the globe are getting away from the love of a stick shift (and we get it; automatic is easier and more accommodating). There are even quite a few sports cars that don’t offer a manual option. Thankfully the Mustang GT is not one of them. This car is one that demands to be driven in manual.
The clutch has an easy springiness to it and the gear shift feels great in your hand. The knob on the shifter is inspired by the original, a miniature cue-ball that fits right into your palm, easy to grab for shifting and a pleasant place to rest your hand between shifts. And, being in a manual means there isn’t a moment that you don’t forget that you’re driving a sports car.
You’re greeted with a light show when starting up the Mustang. Don’t you love the pink gauges? Photo: Scotty Reiss
Customization is King in the Mustang GT— You Can Make this Car Truly Your own
It’s pretty clear that Mustang’s designers and engineers had fun designing this car. Just press the Mustang button and you can assemble the engine, suspension and steering experiences you like best.
As you select different power modes, the drivers information screen changes, too; the default mode displays two round gauges showing speedometer and tachometer, which measures engine speed. But shift into sport mode and the tachometer becomes a hook-shaped gauge along the top of the cluster with the speedometer still displayed in a round gauge on the right. Shift into track or drag strip mode and the tachometer is displayed as a linear gauge across the top of the screen; the speed is displayed as a digital number on the right side of the screen. In both these modes also have a shift indicator that lights up as the engine speed increases. It starts off as a green line above the tachometer and as you get closer to the shift point, yellow lights are added, then orange (and then, I’d assume, red, but I never let it go that high).
This idea extends to the interior’s look too: you can set the color palette of the instrument panel and ambient lighting to make the entire experience exactly what you want. Just click the Mustang button and on the center driver’s information screen you can set the colors you want, or make your own by selecting the color wheel and picking the hues you want see. I chose pink and orange; my gauges displayed pink, orange and white, an the interior lights in the door handles, foot wells and cup holders were all pink, too. This made the car really feel like it was mine.
Further Reading: Dear Mustang: I love you.
Everyone gave the Mustang GT a thumbs up. Photo: Scotty Reiss
OK, Enough About the Engine. This is a Convertible After all!
When the weather is great, putting the top down is irresistible. But the weather isn’t always great. And, a convertible isn’t always convenient. I owned a convertible for years and rarely put the top down. The top took a bit of work to get up and down. The black upholstery heated up and made me sweat. It was loud and could make conversation difficult. And the wind tangled my hair. Even with a hat and pony tail my hair could get tangled and, then, I’d have hat hair and a pony tail ridge in my hair, not always a great look.
I’m not sure if Ford’s engineers took all this into consideration, but they solved most of these problems and more.
First, the top was easy to put up or down. Really easy. Pull the handle and twist it, then push the button and it opens and stows in one easy motion (and does not eat up the trunk space!). And takes only a few seconds. Put the top up the same way: push the button and it extends back in place; just turn the handle to lock it down. Here’s a video that shows how it works.
Among the quietening factors is a fully-sized overhead console; its width and shape made riding with the top down comfortable and quiet. Photo: Scotty Reiss
A Quiet Ride With the Top Down? Yes!
Then, when driving with the top down, the cabin was relatively quiet. That was a shocker. I spent a morning cruising around the Catskills with my friend Mary and we caught up on everything, having a great conversation and enjoying the summer morning. The wind wasn’t overly hair-tangling or loud. Keeping the wind at bay is a bulkhead at the top of the windshield where the convertible latch, the convertible top retractor button, the interior lights and the rear view mirror are housed.
The control center in the Mustang. Bottom row, from left to right starter button, emergency flashers, traction control, steering wheel mode and drive mode. And seat cooling and heating, just above. Photo: Scotty Reiss
Heated and Cooled Seats: A Must, and Thankfully, Standard Equipment
One feature I really loved was the Mustang GT’s we drove had heated and cooled seats. We used both of them on our drive: it was cool when we first set out so we turned on the seat heaters; later when the sun heated things up we turned on the coolers. I used the coolers a lot during my test drive and appreciated not sweating even on black leather seats. I think heated and cooled seats are a must in a convertible.
#MustangHairDon’tCare Photo: Scotty Reiss
Minimal Hair Tangling. YAY
Last, I found that driving in town at speeds under 40 MPH that the hair-whipping was minimal. I still had a hair elastic at the ready, but it was nice to not need it. On the highway I put my hair in a pony tail and it was just fine. I didn’t even feel I needed a hat, though I wore one to keep the sun off my face.
This is brilliant the passenger seat tilts forward so I could put my handbag on the floor behind it; a hook is also great for hanging a bag. Photo: Scotty Reiss
The Perfect Place to Put My Purse, Plus a Bonus
This is a brilliant detail: On the back of each seat is a tab that lets you tilt the seat forward. I could reach it from the drivers seat and push the passenger seat forward to put my handbag on the floor behind it. This was great when riding with the top down; I didn’t have to risk a stranger walking by and reaching in and grabbing my bag. On the floor behind the seat it was perfectly safe.
Also on the back of the seat is a hook for a bag or a coat. We LOVE this feature! This means your handbag is never far away and always accessible.
Rear leg room is bigger than it looks, though I had to move the drivers seat up quite a bit. Photo: Scotty Reiss
Rear Seats Are Roomier Than You Think—And Fun for Toddlers in Car Seats!
This was good news to my daughter. She’s 5’9 and reluctantly hopped into the back seat. She was surprised at how comfortable the seat was, largely due to the bucket shape of the seats. She settled in and was comfortable on a short ride on the highway.
Later that day we installed two toddler car seats for a ride through the neighborhood. With the top down the seats were easy to install using the Mustang’s seatbelts; I pushed the driver and passenger seats forward and had plenty of room to maneuver the car seat and seat belt. [If I were driving a toddler regularly in this car I’d always put the top down to install the seat; that made it easier than installation in many other cars.] We first tried to install the seats using the LATCH system, but the car seat latches were hard to find under the rear seat’s upholstery, so we gave up and used the seat belts (either are fine and perfectly safe). And then we went for a ride. The look of exhilaration on the kids faces was priceless. They didn’t want to get out of the car (would you?).
That 5.0 designation lets everyone know what’s under the hood of this car. Photo: Scotty Reiss
Get Ready for Conversations with Strangers. Everyone Loves to Talk About This Car!
I think maybe the most flattering thing about driving the GT for the week was the head-nods, thumbs-ups and ‘niiiiiice’ comments I got all week. People commented on the color, a Royal Crimson that reminds me of Cherry Coke, their memory of having a Mustang, their love of a stick shift. Every where I went it was a conversation starter. I imagine the EcoBoost model would be the same, though I think I got a few more head-nods from the rumble of the 5.0. And maybe a few more grins of my own.
Welcome! The Mustang’s puddle light is a nice greeting when it’s dark out. Photo: Scotty Reiss
What We Loved
- The easy-peasy retractable top
- Not overly noisy even with the top down, so it was easy to have a conversation
- Not overly windy with the top down
- That engine! Holy wow
- The back seat was roomier than you’d think
- A large trunk that isn’t taken up by the top
- Heated and cooled seats – and they are standard!
- The fun to drive manual transmission
- Drive modes that really change the personality of the car
- Customizable lighting schemes
- Meeting new friends and bonding over this car
Badass starts with the front end of the 2018 Mustang 5.0 convertible. Photo: Scotty Reiss
What You Need to Know
- MPG: don’t ask if you don’t really want to know (17 MPG city/24 highway)
- This is a sports car and it can take some getting used to getting in and out of it
- Premium fuel recommended for best performance
- Seating for 4 but more comfortable for 2
- Ford will not pay for your speeding tickets, so be careful!
Yes, It Has a Radio and Yes, We Listened to It!
Truthfully, most buyers of this car don’t think about the radio as a premium feature; they prefer to listen to the engine. If you know us, you know we think differently. We did crank up the Tunes and this is what we listened to!
Mustang Lovers – Win a Mustang Swag Bag!
We are giving away a Mustang embossed black 3/4 zip shirt, a limited edition collectors plaque and GT model kit, as well as some select Girls Guide to Cars swag. Enter to win below!
Contest Rules: Participants can enter to win a Mustang Swag Bag by submitting qualifying entries via RaffleCopter before midnight, September 15, 2018. No purchase necessary to enter. A single prize of one Mustang Swag bag will be given away. Prize has an approximate value of $100, is not exchangeable for cash or other items; the assignment of the prize is at the discretion of A Girls Guide to Cars. A single winner will be chosen at random from among valid entries. Contest open only to US residents 18 or older. Winner will be notified by email or direct message by September 20, 2018. If a chosen winner fails to respond to notification within seven (7) days that winner will be disqualified and a new winner will be chosen. Winners must provide a valid US shipping address, not a PO Box, for prize shipment and may be asked to provide other information to verify qualification for this contest. This contest is not supported, hosted or endorsed by Ford. Prize is provided by A Girls Guide to Cars and may arrive in alternative packaging and may not include original paperwork. Void where prohibited and subject to applicable law.
Disclosure: Ford provided the Mustang GT for this test drive. All opinions, and the giveaway, are our own.
Scotty Reiss
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Such a beautiful car. The features are wonderful. Mustang is terrific and I like that there is Customizable lighting schemes. I have always loved Mustangs!
Owning a Mustang was a dream of mine as a teenager! I would be popular! Everyone would like me so I would let them ride in the car with me. Mustangs are awesome and I would be awesome too! I could go on and on about this car and my dreams, but I have to go eat dinner now.
My sister has a convertible car and we love to go driving around in the nice weather.
I love Mustangs because the cars are gorgeous and have great sounding engines!
I would probably choose EcoBoost.
This car looks so sporty and trendy. I really would love to have it!
my husband lovea his 2006 mustang GT!
This car is amazing and such a beautiful color.
I wish I could afford a new car. Any car at this point would be great.
I doubt I could afford it. It looks really nice and I would love to have one just there is no way.
Love the convertible, I never had one but my parents had one when I was young.
I miss my convertible Mustang so much! Unfortunately it stayed in the shop more than it did in my driveway so I finally had to give it up. They are such beautiful cars and a dream to drive.
I love mustangs. In 1985 earned a free leased one from selling Shaklee. It was red and beautiful.
My uncle used to ride me around in his Mustang when I was younger. He used me as his “chick” magnet. Girls would always comment on his little niece in his cool car. Those were the days.
I love convertibles because the feel of the air in my hair feels so good.
I would choose the EcoBoost.
My first car was a red and white 1976 Mustang Ghia. So many great memories of that car and I still love the style of the current Mustangs.
I love convertibles because they make me feel so free.
I would love the EcoBoost.
NICE read! ???????????? Now can I have one? LOL
my dad had an original 64 and 1/2 convertible. I tried talking him into keeping it for when I was ready to drive but sadly it was stolen. Still have dreams of that amazing car!
I have a lot of great memories in my friends convertible mustang!!
I love mustangs because they’re classy looking. My brother has one.
I am not certain what you mean when you say “in this story”, but I love a convertible because it is sexy! 🙂 They make you feel like you are a part of the natural world.
The color of this mustang is amazing!!! Love it
Mustang was my first car when I was 15 years old I loved it would love to have one again it was a beautiful red
pretty cars
This is a beautiful car.
My first car was a 1968 Mustang! I have never haqd a car I loved more! This new one has me drooling 🙂
And what is cooler than a convertible? Not much.
That is one spectacular auto! Wow!
Gorgeous car!
I love a convertible! Great to just let the fresh air flow!
This is a great looking car and it looks awesome in black as well as maroon!
I would chose the Eco Boost!
I love that mustangs are classic styling but have lots of power to handle the road
I love that convertibles let you feel like you are outside while you are driving and feel the air and really see nature around you
I would choose the ecoboost engine
I’ve never been into Mustangs but this is a stunning car. The color is really amazing.
I love Mustangs because they are such nice & sporty cars!
What a dream! Such a beautiful car.
Nice car!
That is a great car.
I would choose EcoBoost.
I love mustangs because there fast and amazing looking cars.
I’ve never owned a convertible. I love the idea of driving one on a fabulous fall day.
Such a beautiful car!
What a beautiful Mustang, I love the new style! My dad has always been a big fan, and has a 2003 Cobra. I would love to win this for him!
I’ve had cars with heated seats before, but never cooling seats!
Looks awesome!
I have always loved mustangs because they are sharp looking cars.
I love convertible cars because I love feeling the wind whip threw my hair. I love the free feeling.
My favorite mustangs are from the late 60’s early 70’s. When my husband was stationed in Calif. before he went to Vietnam we used to dream about owning one. The lines are great on them.
My first car was a Corvair convertible so it was alway near a dear to my heart have a convertible.
I would love the EcoBoast.
I like the idea that you get pushed back into your seat without having to shift with the EcoBoost, although I do like to shift my car.
The color is beautiful! I have always wanted a mustang!!
A convertible makes me feel free! Love the wind blowing through my hair!
I would like to GT!
I love convertibles because the wind blowing through your hair with the top down gives you a feeling of freedom, the sky is the limit!
I love mustangs they are so classic and never go out of style! my parents had one when they were kids
I love Mustangs because they are such nice & sporty cars!
I love Mustangs because they are classic.
I think I would love a convertible because they look like fun.
I would choose an Ecoboost.
The prices seem pretty reasonable. Out of my budget, but reasonable.
I’d love to drive a convertible on a fabulous fall day!
I’d probably choose Ecoboost!
I’d choose the Ecoboost
I like that mustangs havent really made much change in the looks of the vehicle over the years, always will be classy.
I like convertibles beacuse they look cool and classy
I really am not sure what i would choose between ecoboost or gt
Nice
I would choose the EcoBoost.
It’s my husband who’s mad about the Mustang convertible. Every time we see one on the road (which is often) he points it out. It came out when he was in college and he always dreamt of one.
Our love of convertibles goes back to when we were in our teens. My hand me down car was a Pontiac convertible and we went through two tops on it. Now my little ones only want to ride in one.
Eco Boost
Sharp looking car — looks like you are having a blast! Convertibles are always fun in the summer.
In my area a Mustang was probably every teenager’s dream car who I knew. That’s why I love mustang.
very nice car
Oh my goodness, my husband has been a true Mustang fan for many, many years. His all time favorite Mustang dream would be a 69 Mach -1 428 Super Cobra Jet in an awesome color of blue that he and I have always loved.
I think that my hubby would choose the eco boost engine but I would have to check with him on that. He has to have a car that he can work on himself. (he’s great to have around for that kind of stuff, been working on cars since the age of nine)
My husband just shared a fact about Mustangs with me just now, he said the original Mustang emblem was suppose to be facing the other way. When they made the mold for it, it was reversed.
You cannot beat a nice convertible car because it makes cruising down the road on a beautiful any day just that much more enjoyable to me.
My husband need a new Chevy truck real bad, he has a 2001 Chevy S-10 right now that is slowly turning into a big rust bucket thanks to all the salt they use on the roads during the winter months around here in Illinois. Hoping and praying that the right used truck will come along for him to buy someday soon.
I love mustangs because they are sleek and fast. My first car was a mustang and it was so fun to drive.
My dad had a canary yellow convertible mustang when I was a kid.
I love convertibles becase they are fun to ride in !
I would probably choose ecoboost if I could afford to buy this it sounds more affordable.
I love the color.
Why a convertible? Because there’s really something to be said about the wind in your hair…
Very Sweet Beautiful car.
i would choose the gt!
I love mustangs! I used to hang out at the track with the boyz where they raced their foxbody (I hope to own one someday!). I, after 20 years of dreaming of a mustang, got one for myself – 2013 Mustang GT Premium (customized my ambient lighting to be pink lol) – it’s a 6 speed stick as well. Black on black on black. It is beautiful and I love driving it!!!!
I’ve never had a convertible but I love the windows down at all times so I bet I would enjoy a convertible.
I would choose the 5.0 of course! Gotta love power!
I had a 64.5 Mustang and miss it every day. I bought it myself. It was everything I could have wanted and more.
My dad had a Corvette, it was a convertible and truly an amazing, powerful and beautiful car. I love convertibles for looks and well, how cool they are!
I would probably choose the EcoBoost, but it would be a hard decision
I would choose the Eco Boost. I love Mustangs and owned a 1969 one once!
I love Mustangs as they are some of the best cars ever built. They run so smooth and always have that sleek look to them.