The Best Mustang Ever

[Unit 5302]

I read somebody claiming the '05 Mustang is the best Mustang ever. I beg to differ, and I submit that the 1987-1993 Mustang was the best ever. I would wager that the old 1987-1988 Mustang GT would oust the new version in several categories.

The Fox was lighter, more versatile, less expensive, offered better fuel economy (my personal testing of 2x87GT, 88GT, 01GT and an 02GT compared), had more character, easier to modify, probably more reliable, IMHO looks better, and is just plain more fun to drive.

I've driven a 1 owner 69 Mach 1 428CJ with the toploader, and other Mustangs from 1974, 1978, 1979, 1982, 1985, 1994, and 1995 along with my 77, 87, 3-88's, 01 and 02.

I can honestly say, I don't care if the new Mustang has 300hp in GT trim or that it's "more refined" or that it looks like an imitation of the first and second generation cars. It doesn't capture the feel or the heart of them, and that's what is the most important to me.

I don't have quite enough poll options so I'll break out the years as I see them below.

1965-1966
1967-1968
1969-1970
1971-1973
1974-1978
1979-1982
1983-1984
1985-1986
1987-1993
1994-1998
1999-2004
2005+

I choose the 1987-1988 Ford Mustang GT Hatchback.

[mustangman65_79]

looks 64-66

fun and best 87-93


but I want a 65 and a 79, hince my screen name-lol

[KiltedBanshees93GT]

I'm going to go with Kaspar and say that the classics have the looks category, but then again they have 40 years of history to draw on,
For looks, 64-70, followed by the 05 and then the "four eyes" of the early 80's (Not to mention chrome...remember chrome?)
For general performance and versatility the 89-93's have it from the factory, but I'm not going to measure the 05 against them overall until the 05 has 10-15 years worth of aftermarket parts. (besides, I havent even seen an 05 in person, much less driven one
For seat of the pants fun, I'm going to go with the late foxes too, my 66 is fun, but it just feels too squirrley [sp] when you get on it. At least with the current setup.
I think the 05 series may have the potential to be the best, but for me, its still too early. Its got the looks, it has a good performance / potential, but I guess my biggest reservation is how "tinker friendly" it is/will be.

Just my .02
J

[Dark_5.0]

I tried an 01 cobra and it was a pos.

I have owned several 87-93 mustangs, I currently own a Black 90' coupe and it will rip off a mid 12 on slicks and get 23 mpg on the highway.

87-93 hands down- Performance parts are cheap and abundant and they have a great muscle car look and feel. The new stangs look like a chick car to me.

[cenok is family]

do i even need to comment? i've owned a total of 6 cars since i've been 16 (im now 20). 70 chevelle, 87 t-top GT, 90 LX 5.0 droptop, 92 GT, and now i have an 88 coupe im converting to V8 along with my 94 mazda 626 daily driver. 4 out of 6 cars have been fox's. 87-93 all the way baby!

[andy669]

I'd have to agree with the 87-88's. I remember when the 89's came out, and while they were rated the same in terms of horsepower and torque, they seemed like dogs compared to the speed density cars.

The foxes were rattle traps compared to the newer cars, but in 10 years (or sooner) I think the foxes are going to be 'the ones to have'.

My kids will be driving in 6 years. I am already collecting parts and am actively searching for a good shell to build them a black GT. Its going to have a stock hood, stock ground effects, stock turbines, lowered just a little. I'm going to build a mild little Factory Stock combo for it with an AOD. Should make 300 at the wheels. In 6 years the 88 will be 22 years old, and I think it will be the coolest classic car to have.

Andy

[Ieatcamaros]

I like the looks of the 67-68 stangs. But the best mustangs ever to date are the 87-93's. As everyone else said, bang for the buck, easy to modify and they got the looks to back it up. I think a black notch with no wing, 4inch cowl hood, tinted windows and shiny draglites is the sh*t.

[DaTank]

87-93 for me, but I like the looks of the 05. I would get one if I had the money, but my money is going into my 01. That's my first love.
Brad

[blue00gt]

I'll have to reserve judgement on the '05 until I drive one. I've owned an '84 LX 5.0, '87 LX 5.0, '79 Pace Car (still have), and a '00 GT (still have).
I would have to choose the '87-93 as well. It may have something to do with when I grew up, but I've always loved those cars. Especially the LX because it's kind of a sleeper if people don't know what they're dealing with.

[Rev]

It's obvious what my choice is from my sig.

Rev

[Unit 5302]

Originally Posted by Rev

It's obvious what my choice is from my sig.

Rev

Well, we've at least got one vote in favor of a different generation than the 87-93 cars.

It seems pretty apparent to me that so far the 87-93 cars have a landslide victory in the works on this thread.

10 votes for 87-93
1 vote for 65-66

[69fastback]

69 428 cj is the most fun would never use my car for a daily driver though. Can't say anything about an 05 until I have driven one. Other than it looks great and captures more or what a mustang should be than any of the fox bodys.

[Mustang Brandon]

the best stang ever is mine with an unlimited budget

[MidNiteBlu 5.0]

I couldnt choose LOL. when im rich im going to have 1 from every major redesign

looks wise - 67/68 Fastback

fun factor/price/performance is definently the 87-93

Having owned my '89 and ridden in my dads '66 and '69 the '89 is definently a more tossable and liveable car, however especially with my dads 69 mach 1 428, you just cant beat the torque.

I love the '05s and there have been alot of really good reviews about them so far but my judgement will have to wait until I drive one.

I also have a soft spot for a 03/04 Mach 1

[aar0s]

i love the looks of the 05 but anyone that tells me that the price "is not that bad" is out of his mind (27000 for 72 mo.= 360+per mo + ins) not to mention that mods will be alot more than for a fox.

love my 88 vert
love to own a 69 mach 1

[rbohm]

personally i like ALL mustangs, yes even the mustang ll's. my favorite is the 65-66 coupes, then the fastbacks through 70, then, based on what i have read, the 05 stang. it is well built, and comfortable, reasonably fast(the gt model). the new stang is everything the early cars were, and much much more.

[xxxBlakexxx]

This is a great, yet unfair question. There is little doubt that the '05 Mustang is the best ever if you consider the engineering involved. No other stang can touch it as far as performance, comfort, and handling. It is the best stang ever.

If you rate each Mustang subjectively based on the year it was produced, that is even harder. Cars like a '68 GT 350/500 come to mind or even the 87-93's as others have already stated.

If I could own Five Mustangs, they would be:

- 1968 Shelby
- 1971 Mach 1
- 1993 Triple White Vert
- 2000 GT Vert
- 2005

[The Deuce]

The 05 is being called the best ever because it finally drives like a 25k car should, has 300hp, and is fast in a straight line. Thanks to the 3 link panhard bar susp, it handles well too.

I've driven one, and drove my 97 GT right after and can tell you they are two totally different cars.

Yes, the Fox body cars can be faster and are lighter, etc. But stock for stock, as a DD, the 2005 GT is the best Mustang they've ever made.

I love my solid axle and the fox susp, because it feels mean. But those days are over, since most people want liveable cars. That's what killed the F-bodies. They were too hard to drive everyday. I for one am glad the car can still get it done, and that it will be useable enough that "regular" (read not us) people will like it too.

[lx mike]

Another vote for the 87-93 but i will agree that the speed density cars run stronger than the mass air cars.

[Stang_Crazy]

I say 87-93 but I may be biased.