2005 Ford Mustang GT Convertible

It's hard to miss admiring glances when you're behind the wheel of the new Mustang GT. Even those who don't necessarily care for its heritage-inspired attributes recognize the icon on sight--and with General Motors' Camaro and Firebird long gone, there's nothing quite like it.

Lowering the top of the 2005 Mustang GT doesn't mean lowering performance--that's good news for al fresco advocates. The extra six inches of wheelbase gives the car a road-ready look and a more classic dash-to-axle perspective in keeping with the Mustang's 1960s roots. The added length and structure does pile on some pounds--nearly 200 of them--but the new three-valve iteration of Ford's modular 4.6-liter SOHC V-8, with 40 more ponies than last year's two-valve version, makes up for the added girth.

These six inches are also put to good use in the Mustang's cabin. Ergonomics are improved, and the firm front buckets are generously sized; legs can stretch out and knees needn't be wedged against the dash, unlike in last year's Mustang. In theory, the Mustang convertible is a four-passenger car, but gymnastics might be needed for climbing in back. There's enough headroom for a six-footer, though tucking and folding the lower appendages into the tiny rear seat footwells requires negotiation with those riding up front. Trunk space, while better than the outgoing drop-top's, is still skimpy compared with that of other four-seat convertibles like the Chrysler Sebring and Toyota Camry Solara. It's skimpier still if the $1295 optional Shaker 1000 audio system is ordered, which comes with a computer-monitor-sized trunk-mounted subwoofer. (The audio system's performance was unimpressive--especially when compared with some of the excellent DVD audio systems now on the market.)

Top up, the fabric roof seals well and looks fabulous--something we can't say for all the Mustang's ragtop rivals. Shut either door with the glass up, and the pane will drop slightly to ease closing effort and rise to the closed position to make a sufficient seal. The view out the good-size glass back window, with fewer blind spots, is better than in most convertibles. Wind noise is not a factor at highway speeds, though the GT convertible is far noisier inside than a coupe because there's fabric instead of steel between you and the motorboat-like V-8 rumble out the dual pipes. Undo the two header latches, press the switch above the rearview mirror, and the side windows and top motor down in about 15 seconds.

Stoplight to stoplight, the GT Convertible has got game. The rumbling 300-horse 4.6-liter V-8 doesn't do much for the element of surprise, but it won't fail to deliver on its performance promise, either. In a straight line at least, the Mustang GT Convertible runs with some cars costing twice as much. Its 5.2-second 0-to-60 performance is on par with that of the Maserati Spyder, BMW 645Ci, and Audi S4 Cabriolets--and for a milquetoast Chrysler Sebring or Toyota Camry Solara convertible price.