ohioguy
Well-Known Member
- Thread starter
- #1
As the title suggests, thought I would capture my Mustang journey. To be clear I have not historically been a "Ford" or "Mustang" guy. In fact, the only Ford products that I have personally owned were a 1980 Ford Van with a 300 Straight Six / 3 speed manual and a 1991 Mercury Tracer Wagon 5spd. I am much more a "Mopar" Guy, but don't hold that against me 
So how does a self-proclaimed Mopar guy buy a Mustang?
Well, after 9+ years, my 2016 Charger SRT392 was getting a little long in the tooth. 255,000 trouble free miles, but it was time. I had the itch for something different after driving 2 Chargers as dailies for the last 17 years and a combined 460,000 miles. So I started searching for a car (not suv/truck) that had a 0-60 under 5 seconds, did the quarter in under 12.5, had parts that I could get at the average parts store without waiting/ordering them, and wasn't going to be over the top expensive to buy. Since I tend to drive a ton of miles, really didn't want the overhead of forced induction.
The Mustang came up #1 or #2 in nearly all of my comparisons. Plus I really liked the looks of the S650 and could get into a new Mustang for the price of some used alternatives. Mustang it was.
After my first test drive, I was underwhelmed. The car was quick but felt sooo different from my larger displacement and more aggressively geared Charger. I was on the fence and I had to change my expectations. It was a completely different driving experience - not better or worse - just different. I took my time, did my research, to figure out how to option out the best car for me.
My musts:
Auto (I drive too much in city traffic and I'm getting old lol)
401A Premium (Got me a lot of the creature features I have come to expect in my daily)
Active Exhaust (The 5.0L has always had one of the BEST stock exhaust notes and I have no idea how you can hear the car and NOT fall in love)
Performance Package (I wanted the big brakes and the more aggressive gearing; the upgraded suspension was a plus as well)
Upgraded Sound (I like a good stereo, but I'm not an audiophile)
Exterior must be BLACK
So the search began......It was a very challenging search given how late in the 2025 model year I was looking. I was struggling to find what I was looking for, and had just decided to expand my color options, when the dealer I was working with (Josh Davis @ Lebanon Ford) asked if I would consider a 2024 with all the options I wanted - but the colors he could offer were Atlas Blue, Carbonized Gray, and Silver. I liked the Gray, but was waffling a bit when he hit me with the good news.....there was a HUGE discount to take a new 2024 at the beginning of the 2026 model year!
So I drove 3 hours to the other side of Ohio to get the car it was love at first sight!
So how does a self-proclaimed Mopar guy buy a Mustang?
Well, after 9+ years, my 2016 Charger SRT392 was getting a little long in the tooth. 255,000 trouble free miles, but it was time. I had the itch for something different after driving 2 Chargers as dailies for the last 17 years and a combined 460,000 miles. So I started searching for a car (not suv/truck) that had a 0-60 under 5 seconds, did the quarter in under 12.5, had parts that I could get at the average parts store without waiting/ordering them, and wasn't going to be over the top expensive to buy. Since I tend to drive a ton of miles, really didn't want the overhead of forced induction.
The Mustang came up #1 or #2 in nearly all of my comparisons. Plus I really liked the looks of the S650 and could get into a new Mustang for the price of some used alternatives. Mustang it was.
After my first test drive, I was underwhelmed. The car was quick but felt sooo different from my larger displacement and more aggressively geared Charger. I was on the fence and I had to change my expectations. It was a completely different driving experience - not better or worse - just different. I took my time, did my research, to figure out how to option out the best car for me.
My musts:
Auto (I drive too much in city traffic and I'm getting old lol)
401A Premium (Got me a lot of the creature features I have come to expect in my daily)
Active Exhaust (The 5.0L has always had one of the BEST stock exhaust notes and I have no idea how you can hear the car and NOT fall in love)
Performance Package (I wanted the big brakes and the more aggressive gearing; the upgraded suspension was a plus as well)
Upgraded Sound (I like a good stereo, but I'm not an audiophile)
Exterior must be BLACK
So the search began......It was a very challenging search given how late in the 2025 model year I was looking. I was struggling to find what I was looking for, and had just decided to expand my color options, when the dealer I was working with (Josh Davis @ Lebanon Ford) asked if I would consider a 2024 with all the options I wanted - but the colors he could offer were Atlas Blue, Carbonized Gray, and Silver. I liked the Gray, but was waffling a bit when he hit me with the good news.....there was a HUGE discount to take a new 2024 at the beginning of the 2026 model year!
So I drove 3 hours to the other side of Ohio to get the car it was love at first sight!
Sponsored
. Thank goodness.......
Appreciate that!
Glenn
