There is nothing more rewarding to some, than dropping the roof and heading in to the yonder, especially in a Mustang. However,  it is also true that nothing is more cliché than 2 blokes on Oxford St, in an open top Mustang. It is so close to the 2022 Mardi gras as makes no never mind, so perhaps apart from being quaintly cliché, it is also apropos.

Many think of Yank Tanks as fulsomely bosomed, with the drinking habits of a drag queen and the road manners of Liam Gallagher on a bender. Actually, that’s pretty accurate.

Even though Ford has chucked everything they have at Mustang over the last 7 years, she is showing her age.

Let me explain:

I can imagine the arse-kicking over in Dearborn when that 2-star letter landed in the CEO’s inbox. Incandescent, the soporific CEO pressed his powder-wigged flunkies into immediate action, and driver aids are added. Fitting a 7-year-old Mustang design with a couple of tasty tech goodies is like refitting Tara with a lift and disco lights. Although it brought the coupé’s 2-star ANCAP rating up to 3-stars, the drop top remaining untested.

Let me set the scene:

Above: This Week – 2022 Ford Mustang 2.3 High Performance Convertible Review

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ABOVE: 2022 Ford Mustang 2.3 High Performance Convertible-YELLOW. Full Review

Let me set the scene:

For several years, the world has been on shuffle. We’ve lurched from natural disaster to plague and back again, in no particular order. The east coast of Australia has had the water-bomb from hell sitting over it for a week. We’ve gone from a mediocre summer, to flooding rains of biblical proportions.

The worst flooding on record is of course, the perfect time to load the boys into a topless sports car for a weekend away. And so, begins our journey:

A half an hour out of town, the heavens opened. It is surprising how little rain comes in at high speed, but alas one has to stop to raise the roof. Quicker than you can say, “boufant coiffure”, the roof and windows were up but the driver’s side rear window hadn’t properly seated itself, leaving a 10mm gap at the seal with the door window. We had to lower it, then raise it again, assisting the last 10mm by gripping and pulling with a firm tug. That is something you expect to have to do in a moody 1967 Mustang, not a 2021 example.

The Trip

With 4-up, the back seaters bitched 90% of the way. We rotated every 20 minutes to avoid DVT, and the boot was like a state school hat rack. Had we asked too much of the Mustang?

Then there is the 2.3 turbo-4 which quite the surprise. 236kw/448nm from and engine less than half the size of the 339KW /556Nm 5.0L V8 sister tells the real story. It his half the size but has 2/3 of the power.

There is mysterious button on the steering with the mark of a stallion which houses a custom driving mode. Pulling the 10-speed auto gear selector all the way back selects “sport”. Further modes are available at the flick of an inconveniently placed toggle at the base of the centre stack. They’re a little fiddly, and we found these levers shouldn’t be fettled at highway speed.  Furthermore, they can be accidentally toggled when using the trinket tray set just below them. While the steering resistance selection isn’t important, accidentally turning traction control off could be lead to catastrophe.

This insouciance presents itself elsewhere too. When the roof is lowered, its gubbins are visible within the bodywork. There are nasty plakky covers tossed into the boot, but who can be bothered? They’re difficult to fit and must be removed again when the roof goes up. What a kerfuffle.

We each took a turn having a steer, where touchy brakes provided no end of squeals from the back seat.

I’ve always thought that a ragtop was rather like high-speed camping. With the roof closed, nature is kept at a respectful distance, while still making itself known. Opening up the cabin to the full marvel of the world provides a freedom not found any other way. If you really wish to take in the full experience, roll the windows down, where there is surprisingly little turbulence.

The joy of gliding through the hills, one tumbling over the next, can’t be overstated. The smells of the sea, the jasmine, the wisteria, and unending fields of freshly cut gras, create a heady atmosphere.

We took 4 tall lads and all their gear, and headed off. Here’s what they thought of Mustang:

Casper:

It is a nice-looking thing. The chassis feels old-school, and I like it. The 10-speed auto is soft and smooth in normal mode, but snaps to attention once in sport, Sport+, and track modes.

Seat heating and cooling is great in extreme weather, and while I’ve driven roof down in winter, the heat of a mid-summer day is no picnic.

Ethan:

The New Mustangs remind me of the very old Mustangs. Some of those in-between models were a travesty, with no right to wear the Stallion badge.

The V8 is what we all want, but the 4 cylinder is what we all should have. It has the power or a Subaru WRX STI, which is plenty.

I’m big on good sound, and the brochure says B&O promises much. I was a little less impressed, and it is certainly nowhere near as sensational as the brilliant B&O setup in Puma, another of Ford’s offerings.

Max:

I love it, for all its faults. The rear window situation was not ideal and is something you couldn’t live with. Assuming that is easily fixed, we turn to the killer looks. It is stunning, especially in the bright yellow.

The cabin feels retro, and although it comfortable for the front seaters, is cramped for those in the back. It lacks the luxury feel of the Europeans, but that misses the point. There are very few convertibles under $100,000, and even fewer offering both 4, and 8-cylinder options.

Alan:

Handling is best described as leisurely. In tight, fast bends, the 2.3 turbo and its fabulous 10-speed are brilliant. Whether it is my imagination or not, cornering feels better with the roof up.

Mustang convertible is a tourer at home on the open road. It is joyous and with the addition of driver and safety aids, has improved markedly since launch. I’m mindful of the age, and the absence of Blind Spot monitor might put some buyers off.

Mustang continues to dominate its sector even though other sports cars handle better. Tough bumps send a shudder through the body, but that is all part of the experience. It may sound like there have been a plethora of negatives, but for me, the positives outweigh the rest.

The drivetrain is far better than in previous generations, and I spent as much time with the roof down as the weather allowed.

Conclusion:

Our trip to the cabins was one of mixed emotions.

The looks say it all, but the cabin has always been a bit of a letdown, and its retro look now just looks old.

Handling in the ragtop is average, but highway touring is superb.

I’ve done roadtrips in the early model of this generation, and it was 100% fun. Read about the 2016 trip HERE.

Read about the V8 Coupe Road Trip HERE

It depends on what your requirements are. If you want a comfortable cruiser, you’re going to be happy, but if a hot hatch-like handler is your bent, you need to move on.

Price: Ranges from $51,690 to $83,365 plus onroads

Engine: 2.3 turbo 4 cyl

Trans: 10-speed auto

Econ: 9.6L/100k

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