Ford Mustang Coupe

Wild Horses

The iconic Ford Mustang coupe gets a performance boost from a new limited-production Shelby GT model.

by Jim Gorzelany, ForbesAutos.com

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Few cars embody rugged all-American individualism like the Ford Mustang. And thanks to retro design cues and gutsy engines, the current version, which debuted in 2005, successfully captures the brawny coolness of the groundbreaking 1967 original.

The Mustang Coupe is available with a V6 or V8 engine, and five-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission. It is an excellent value, offering more style and performance than most vehicles in its price range. It seats four, but the backseat is cramped.

Besides the tiny rear seat, the Mustang Coupe's major drawbacks are its lack of sophistication (inherent in all muscle cars) and claustrophobic interior.

The 2005 redesign incorporated elements from the original ’60s Mustangs: a long hood, short trunk area, three-element tail lamps, side scoops and blacked-out front grille with a galloping-pony emblem. The interior has similar throwback appeal. But the redesign was more than skin-deep, with wheels pushed farther toward the corners of the car and a six-inch longer wheelbase, providing both better stability and additional passenger room.

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