2003 Ford Mustang Review

The 1969-70 Ford Mustang Mach I fastback coupe with its sloping rear roofline was the high-performance leader in the second-generation Mustang line. So it figures that nostalgia-oriented Ford would offer a 2003 Mach I coupe with some features of the original model.

Perhaps the most-remembered old Mach I feature is its signature "shaker'' hood scoop, also found on the 2003 model. Put atop the engine, it protrudes through a hole in the hood and channels air to the V-8 for more power and torque. Remarkably, the new scoop is made on the same tooling as the original Mach I scoop.

The old Mach I could be had with 300-375 horsepower, while the new model's specially built dual-overhead/camshaft V-8 generates 305 horsepower. The 2003 Mach I's other high-performance features include a lowered sport suspension for sharp handling and beefed up brakes for short stopping distances. The super-wide tires are superior to those on the original Mach I, but the nouveau "Magnum 500'' wheels don't look as cool as the original chromed steel Mag 500s.

Ford offers a modern version of the 1950s two-seat Thunderbird and sold a 2001 Mustang reminiscent of the 1968 Mustang used in the 1960s movie "Bullitt,'' starring car buff Steve McQueen. There also was a race-style Mustang with no back seat offered several years ago.

Why all the special Mustangs? Partly to keep up interest in the current-generation Mustang, which is getting old. The next-generation Mustang doesn't arrive until 2004 as a 2005 model.

Also, special Mustangs can help Ford take advantage of the fact that General Motors has dropped the rival Chevrolet Camaro and Pontiac Firebird.

The $28,370 Mach I slots between the 260-horsepower $23,345 Mustang GT Deluxe coupe and the ferocious $33,125 Cobra coupe with its supercharged 390-horsepower V-8. The Mach I price seems fair, considering that an original Mach I in top shape is valued at $31,100.

The 4.6-liter 32-valve V-8 delivers a prodigious amount of neck-snapping torque. But it's so smooth that it doesn't cause the scoop to shake a lot, as did the much rougher V-8s in the original Mach I. In fact, the hood hardly moves; it only twitches during hard acceleration.

The main thing, though, is that many baby boomers--and young fans of colorful 1960s muscle cars--know about the special hood on the 1969-70 Mach I. The current model also has old Mach I features, such as bodyside scoops and rear roof pillars that give the roofline a "subtle throwback appearance.''

There's an air dam extension under the front bumper to enhance the low-to-the-ground look. And a low gloss black stripe runs the length of the lower body sides just above the rocker panel moldings to also visually lower the car. This 151-mph car could use its rear spoiler for increased stability at high speeds, if a race track can be found.

The Mach I supportive seats look like they're from a 1970 Mach I, and are trimmed in a one-of-a-kind ''comfort weave'' black leather reminiscent of the material unique to the original "Mach.'' There are "unique retro-look'' gauges, although their small numbers often are hard to read quickly. That's one retro touch the new Mach I could do without.

A $295 Interior Upgrade option package contains stainless steel pedals and an aluminum gear shifter ball, which looks good but is cold to the touch in winter until the heater warms the interior.

The Mach I does 0-60 mph in a scalding 5.3 seconds, and has a special exhaust system that provides the sound of a rumbling muscle car V-8. But fourth gear is needed for quick moves in traffic because fifth gear is an overdrive gear for relaxed highway cruising.

The drivetrain is noisy when cruising in fourth gear, so one must constantly shift from fifth to fourth gear and back up again to fifth in off-rush-hour Chicago area expressway traffic. Fifth gear drops engine revs by about 1,500 rpm, which considerably quiets things.

That top gear also helps highway fuel economy, which is an estimated 25 mpg (or 17 in the city) with the manual gearbox. Figures with the $815 beefed-up four-speed automatic are 17 and 23.

The solidly built 3,465-pound Mach I is the most fun with the slick manual transmission because you can let the V-8 "rev out'' in lower gears. The clutch is stiff and has a long throw, but that's expected in a muscle car. And the beefed-up V-8 has so much torque a driver can move out in second gear and promptly shift to fourth gear in town without engine protest.

The fairly heavy steering is quick, and a standard traction control system helps keep this rear-drive car stable on slippery roads. The suspension provides a supple ride, especially considering that it lacks an independent rear suspension like the Cobra. However, the ride occasionally gets jerky because of the stiff suspension and fairly short 101.3-inch wheelbase.

The Mach I is easy to enter and leave, with decent room up front. However, long doors make it difficult--and sometimes impossible--to get in and out in tight spots, and the steering wheel should be farther from the driver. The rear seat is best suited to children, as has been the case since the first Mustang hit the road in early 1964.

The generally quiet interior has lots of hard plastic, but no Mustang has had an interior that looks upscale. It's just never been that kind of car. Climate and sound system controls are rather small, but at least aren't tiny. There's an old-style pull-out headlight control, but a Mach 460 six-disc in-dash CD changer audio system is standard.

The decent-size trunk lid lifts high on struts, which don't eat into cargo space. And rear seatbacks flip forward to allow more stuff to be carried--with a moderately large pass-through opening between the trunk and rear-seat area.

Aging muscle car fans never thought they'd see another Mustang Mach I, but it's surely back--with a big bang.


FORD MUSTANG MACH I
Prices:
$28,370

Likes:
Fast. Good handling. Nifty retro features.

Dislikes:
Stiff clutch. Small rear seat. Small gauges. Long doors awkward in tight spots.