2002 Ford Mustang Review

It's hard to picture a more iconic American convertible than a Ford Mustang, especially at this beguiling time of year. The Mustang offers the country's top-selling convertible. And both the Mustang GT convertible and coupe V-8 models continue to be among the hottest, affordable small sporty cars. The Mustang has a dated but refined platform. The car was last redone in 1999, when it got additional horsepower and styling more reminiscent of the original 1965 Mustang's.

The 2002 models have minor trim and package changes, along with larger (16-inch) wheels for the standard V-6 models. There's also a new killer $1,295 Mach 1000 sound system. Ford says the Mustang has "sports car heritage,'' although it never was a sports car. The first Mustang was a Ford Falcon economy model with slick coupe, fastback and convertible bodies and a large number of options that let buyers of all ages tailor it to their needs. The Mustang's retro nature and iconic status are appealing. The fastback body is long gone, but the car still has the seductive long hood/short rear styling, rear-wheel drive and upright seating of the first model, which got a high-performance version of its standard V-8 shortly after its introduction.

The current Mustang GT also has styling cues of 1960s Mustangs, such as a double-cowl dashboard, galloping horse emblem, simulated rear fender scoops and a large hood scoop. Never mind that those scoops are nonfunctional--the point is that they look good. Keeping the Mustang popular long has been a Ford mission. In fact, the Mustang has outlasted the archrival Chevrolet Camaro, which was introduced for 1967 but is being dropped this year. All Mustangs are well-equipped, although the build quality is average.

The first Mustang had a base six-cylinder engine, and the current 3.8-liter, 190-horsepower pushrod V-6 is fine for many buyers of the 2002 model. But the $23,220-$28,645 GT versions are more for car lovers than the $17,475-$25,585 V-6 coupe and convertible models. The GT has a sophisticated 4.6-liter overhead-camshaft V-8, which produces 260 horsepower. This high-revving engine is about the size of the first Mustang pushrod V-8 and seems more appropriate for the car.

It makes the GT very fast, but doesn't overpower the chassis or all-disc, anti-lock brake system. The steering is quick but needs a slightly sharper feel. The V-8 is placed far back in the chassis to enhance handling, which is good despite some skittishness in bumpy curves.

The standard, slick five-speed manual gearbox makes the GT more fun to drive, although it works with a rather stiff, long-throw clutch. The $815 four-speed automatic transmission operates smoothly. Fuel economy of the GT is an estimated 17-18 mpg in the city and 24-26 on the highway, with the manual transmission helping provide the higher figures. The brake pedal feels good, and the GT's firmer sport suspension provides a supple ride--although some bumps definitely can be felt.

I tested the GT convertible, which has a snug-fitting power top that lowers quickly and has a glass rear window. The interior is pretty quiet with the top raised, and wind buffeting isn't a problem at highway speeds when it's lowered. The Mustang GT coupe has a folding rear seatback to enlarge the cargo area, but the convertible lacks that feature.

Still, the trunk is fairly roomy for a small convertible and its lid has hydraulic struts, not space-eating manual hinges. However, the teeth-rattling Mach 1000 sound system eats up considerable trunk room. The view from the driver's seat is almost dominated by the large hood scoop, but that seat should move back a bit more and has power controls awkwardly put at the front of it. The interior is neatly styled, but contains lots of plastic.

There's decent room up front in the supportive seats, but the rear seat of both the coupe and convertible is only for children. The long doors can be a hassle in tight spots, and it's a chore to climb in and out of the rear seat. Gauges are small, but fairly easy to read. Controls and cupholders are conveniently placed. The glovebox is tiny, but the doors have small storage pockets and there is a deep console storage bin. The Mustang GT is far more sophisticated than the first Mustang high-performance models, but has the same carefree personality. With this car, it's still all about driving kicks.

FORD MUSTANG GT

Prices
$23,220-$28,645
Likes
Stylish. Fast. Fun to drive. Nice power top.
Dislikes
Cramped back seat. Long doors can be a hassle. Awkward power seat controls.