1999 Ford Mustang GT

Easing behind the wheel of a Mustang GT, pushing the clutch pedal to the floor, twisting the key, and dipping into the throaty V-8-blipping the throttle at least once more than necessary-is one of those purely adolescent exercises, resurrecting from the past just about every instance of driving any great V-8 Mustang, including the first time. Hearing that authoritive, barking exhaust note will make anyone feel 17 years old again. My first time? I was behind the wheel of my friend's '65 GT that he and his father lovingly restored when we were in high school. Giddy? You bet, and anxious to see what all the fuss was about. Then, as now, you drop the clutch, lay rubber, bark the tires in second and third, and run it up to triple digits on every straight piece of road you can find. Yesterday and today, the Mustang GT has an attitude.

This time, our chrome-yellow '99 tester (base priced at $20,870) was outfitted with what I consider $2270 in essential options: 17-inch alloy wheels with high-performance rubber, black leather sport bucket seats, stereo upgrade, all-speed traction control (defeatable), and convenience package. The grand total, including destination was a reasonable $23,665.

Significant engine tuning on the '99 4.6-liter modular V-8 has lessened our "all bark, no bite" criticism of Mustangs since '94. At the dragstrip, the '99 GT's performance numbers, though great for a Mustang, are still not tops in this muscular crowd. Yet, 0-60 mph in 5.4 seconds and a 14.0-second/100.2-mph quarter-mile run is as good or better than any stock Mustang we've ever tested, Cobra or not. Slalom and skidpad figures closed in on those of the more sophisticated (and expensive!) Cobra at 66.8 mph and 0.86 g, respectively, with the independent rear suspended Cobra turning in 67.8 mph and 0.88 g. Viewed in this way, the SVT superpony seems hardly worth the extra $7000.

Around town, you'll find the Mustang GT easy to drive and just the right size for urban parking spaces. On a challenging drive through the mountains or backroads, the Mustang's tidy dimensions, precise steering, and torquey 4.6-liter V-8 make it one of the easiest cars to place on line; even at the edge of the tires' limits when the "fun button" has deactivated the traction control.

Practically synonymous to the name, the Ford Mustang began the "ponycar" category. In August 1964, MT said of the then-new car: "Barreling over winding mountain roads was great fun with the car's good road manners, precise steering, and instant throttle response." Today, 35 years later, the Mustang still fulfills its original purpose by remaining a no-nonsense, affordable, fun-to-drive, two-door coupe or convertible with an optional V-8 and sporting GT package. We're glad to report some things never change.