Ford Mustang GT Convertible review
We go topless in the California Special edition of the Ford Mustang GT
By Shahzad Sheikh
Click below to watch the video of the Ford Mustang GT Convertible review
I’ve previously tested the Ford Mustang 2.3 Ecoboost – read the review here – and the GT V8 – read that review here – both in coupe form. So as part of the process of completing the set, here’s our go in the Convertible.
Although the set is still not complete, because I haven’t tested the Shelby GT350 – c’mon guys, lemme have a go!
Anyway, back to this car, and it’s essentially a close mate to its coupe sibling. I still can’t quite get comfortable in the seat, the 6-speed auto is best utilised with the paddleshifts, particularly when you’re on it and the engine note could be a little more visceral and menacing.
Other than that, it’s a fine fusion of muscle car meets sportscar with a greater bias towards the later, which is what is clearly making it such a sales success in Europe (it’s the best selling sportscar in Germany, ahead of the Audi TT and even the Porsche 911!).
It charges, it goes, it stops and with a little bit of coaxing for the front end, it handles well too. The big story with this convertible though – which drops thanks to electric power after you pull and twist a couple of roof clamps – is that it’s solid.
In the old Mustang, you still got a fair bit of scuttle shake with the roof down. So I brought this car to one of the most demanding roads we have in the UAE, drop the top, opened the side windows, and chucked it hard through those mountain twisties mixing it with the masters of the hills – goats and old Lexus LS400 road rods.
And this thing was as tight as Jabba the Hutt in human-sized spandex! There was not a shimmy, nor a shake, and a bracing strut under the bonnet – with California Special stamped on it – ensured that the drop-top Mustang was poise-perfect throughout the run.
Ah the California special – what’s that all about then? Will it’s a heritage thing, and what it translate to is a bit of tastier trim with black bits and spoilers, nice wheels, decals and leather and suede seat trim as well as the badges. Since it’s no more extra money over both the equivalent coupe and convertible versions of the Mustang, I recommend you go for it.
So what is the price? For this car in the pictures, you’d be paying AED215,000 ($59k) – which as mentioned is the same as the non-California version. In one of my previous videos I did say to wait a year or so to see if the normalising of demand would settle prices down – no chance.
They’re still the same. So if you want a Mustang just go for it. Whilst we’re here, the V8 range starts at AED165,000 ($45k) for the base Auto, there, is a manual, but it’s better specced and starts at AED185,000 ($50k). A coupe GT with the same spec is AED195,000 ($53k).
You can get a convertible in 2.3 Ecoboost at AED205,000 ($56k) – coupe auto is AED180,000 ($49k) and manual coupe version is AED170,000 ($46k).
The V6 convertible is AED159,000 ($43k), the coupe auto is AED139,000 ($38k) and the coupe manual is AED121,950 ($33k).
Even when you don’t find yourself on a nice bit of tortuous tarmac, but in good Middle East winter weather, there is something very special about cruising around in a convertible Ford Mustang with some old-skool rock n’ roll on the radio. Highly recommended!
2016 Ford Mustang GT Convertible – The Spec
Price: AED215,000 ($59k)
Engine: 5.0-litre V8, 435bhp @ 6500rpm, 400lb ft @ 4250rpm
Performance: 0-100kph 4.9secs, 280kph, 9.4L/100km
Transmission: 6-speed auto, rear-wheel drive
Weight: 1770kg
