10Best Cars: Best Muscle Car - 10 Best Cars

Ford Mustang GT

January 2006
 

The Mustang doesn't change for 2006, but how many changes are needed in a car that was one of last year's most successful launches? Some 170,000 Mustangs were bought last year by enthusiasts of all stripes who connected with the Mustang's combination of engaging retro styling, excellent performance, and low price.

The key to the Mustang's suspension legerdemain is an exceptionally solid platform. It's a foundation that helps make the most of a strut-and-live-axle setup, in ride as well as handling, and that's important when you're trying to maximize 300 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque. The Mustang's good road manners and plentiful grunt are crucial elements in this car's appeal, as is its price: 300 horsepower for well under $30,000 is very tough to beat. But how compelling would all of that be if it came wrapped in a ho-hum package? No worries. Ford's modern revival of the late-'60s Mustang is arguably the biggest styling home run the company has hit since the debut of the original Mustang at the 1964 New York World's Fair.

As with last year's 10Best program, the Mustang GT emerges as an unbeatable performance buy that also happens to look terrific. That distinction should continue until the Mustang GT is upstaged by the Shelby Cobra GT500 this spring.