Even as a child, while my younger sisters loved dressing their dolls or playing house, I found such activities boring. I was more of a tomboy, staying outdoors with anything that had wheels, from roller skates to bikes and later, motorcycles. As I grew older, I especially loved fast cars and convertibles like the Ford Mustang.
I’m not alone in my love affair with the Mustang, as demonstrated by the fact that more than nine million of them have been sold since Ford first started producing these iconic cars. A few weeks ago I was thrilled to drive a brighter-than-sunshine, radiant orange 2015 Ford Mustang around town. It wasn’t the GT or the V8 engine model, but it still rode like a pony should with its 2.3 L EcoBoost engine producing 310 bhp.
I knew one thing for sure: No one could miss seeing me drive by in this bright orange 2-door Fastback, including law officers. This knowledge made me drive a lot closer to the speed limit than I was otherwise tempted to do. Other than feeling slightly self-conscious, since I’m way past the age when drawing attention to my car is exciting, I loved every minute spent in the Mustang. In fact, I found excuses to drive to the store or run to the cleaners several times a day, along with various other chores that I normally might have tried to add onto my obliging husband’s to-do list.
Thanks to its HID projector headlamps, LED fog and tail lamps, sequential rear turn signals, dual exhaust system with bright tips, rear spoiler and diffuser, and integrated spotter mirrors, the Mustang screamed for attention even if it wasn’t so brightly colored.
The lower, wider stance and sleeker profile and three-dimensional tail lights give a new, sportier look to the Mustang. Active grille shutters make the EcoBoost engine even more efficient since they reduce drag at high speeds, and can close off the grille to send air around the car instead of through the engine. The 2015 Mustang also has new suspension systems that help with curve control and overall handling.
With its ceramic-colored leather-trimmed seats and 6-way cooled driver/passenger seats (heated too but when it’s summertime in Texas forget that feature) with dual-zone electronic climate control, ambient lighting, tilt/telescope steering column, center console with armrest, SYNC with MyFord touch, selective drive modes, rear view camera, remote keyless entry, interior trunk release, premium sound system and easy fuel capless filler, this Mustang exuded comfort and style.
Base price for the 2015 EcoBoost Premium Fastback Mustang was an affordable $29,300, but the manufacturer had added options that brought the total (plus destination charges) to $37,790. These included Shaker Pro Audi System with HD 12-speaker system; 6-speed SelectShift automatic transmission, enhanced security package, adaptive cruise control, EcoBoost performance package (making it really difficult to stay under speed limits) reverse park assist, 19-inch Ebony Black painted aluminum wheels (that looked really great), and a voice activated navigation system.
Estimated mileage has improved since my first Mustang, with 21 mpg in town and 32 on the highway for an average of 25 mpg.
Jo Ann Holt is a journalist and car columnist based in Dallas and a member of Texas Automobile Writers Association (TAWA).
