Ok, it’s time to bring out the big one. We all know that the Mustang was revamped for 2005, and the GTO has been available for a little over a year now. It’s time for the comparison.

Ok, it’s time to bring out the big one. We all know that the Mustang was revamped for 2005, and the GTO has been available for a little over a year now. It’s time for the comparison.

Overall: Mustang

Here’s why. It just looks cooler. I’ll admit that for some time I’ve always wanted a ‘69 fastback, and I think just about everyone does. And I’ve also had Steve McQueen Bullitt-like fantasies, just as many people did long before I was born. So yeah, I’m a biased judge. We could put it this way: Biased Advantage: Mustang. Despite the bias (which is also, believe it or not, legitimate in motives) I still think that the Mustang is a superior deal. Time to break it down:

Styling: Advantage Mustang
The mustang wins on this one, hands down. Designers borrowed all the cool elements from the original years and put them into this year’s car. It has the 4 round headlamps. It has the short rear deck and the long hood. It has the gas-cap-mimicking badge on the trunk. It has a teardrop shaped canopy. And yet, it looks clean and new. I love the look of it, and it is easily distinguishable on the road. Ford
designed a winner here.

The same, tragically, cannot be said for the GTO. It lacks any defining characteristics. It lost all of the design cues that made the original cool. Granted, the mustang has a clear advantage in this respect. There are very distinct model years through which the car progressed without ever being totally discontinued. However, the GTO has no such history to build on – only the original runs of the car. But while this seems like a reasonable excuse, it is still a weak one. There is no reason that they couldn’t look backwards for unique design cues. There really is no excuse for making a rounded GTO when the original had defined lines.

Another factor that is worth mentioning, but on a personal pet peeve basis, is engine styling. I respect a good looking or well-designed engine, so the last thing I want to see when I open a hood is a plastic or metal engine cover. Listen Detroit, engines are cool, don’t cover them up. Plus, it’s added weight and makes service a pain in the ass.

Performance: Tie
Unfortunately the handling cannot be determined by me at this point. I’ve read good things about both but never in a direct comparison and I haven’t actually had the opportunity to drive either car, but I can at least examine the numbers.

I’m going to have to say that the LS1 engine takes the engine cake. It’s hard to beat it on HP or fuel economy, which is really an amazing feat. The Chevy engineers really know how to make one hell of an engine. Of course, GM has the benefit of borrowing from the Corvette, a luxury Ford lacks because they produce no comparable model.

However based on these numbers it’s hard not to give the performance angle to the Mustang. Despite making fewer HP, it’s slightly faster than the GTO, and from what I’ve read in reviews the handling is far better than what had been anticipated.

In either case I’m calling this one a draw because I haven’t driven either and the handling component can be as important if not more important than the numbers.

Price: Advantage Mustang
The bang for buck factor goes hands down to the 2005 mustang. The V-6 model, pushing 246 hp can be purchased for less than 20k and the V-8 GT goes for around 25000 if you want one reasonably well equipped. However, the GTO goes for a much higher 33000. Given the difference or similarity (depending on how you look at it) in performance, the Mustang is the better value.

Concluding Remarks

While I’m partial to the Mustang, it’s the better car. I’d sell my soul to get one (hear that Ford?). Granted, I’m not saying the GTO isn’t capable of giving the ‘Stang a run for its money. I know there’s a new 2005 model on the way with more HP and better styling, though really, didn’t we all hate the faux-hood scoops on the previous model year of Mustang? The LS-2 engine is naturally aspirated and will have no use for them, so they should disappear. I will still venture that it doesn’t look enough like the older GTO, but it’s an improvement.
They have got to make that grille wider.

Your Thoughts

I kept this short for a reason. I’ve said that I’m obviously biased and haven’t had the chance to drive either. If you have and have any thoughts in either direction, feel free to post them. I plan on driving both at some point (expect some reviews) and will look to confirm or deny any viewer reports. Let us know what you think, after all, this is the place to do so.