2006 Ford Mustang GT Convertible Published 1/05/2006

I'm thankful I'm not a true journalist. I don't have to pretend to be unbiased. I admit, I have always loved the Mustang. She was my first mistress, the first used car for a 16 year old with a new license. By the time I was graduating college she was rough, having experienced more than any car should ever endure. But I still remember the Mustang of my youth. Sure, I traded her off for a Pinto station wagon but that's another story leading up to how I became an automotive writer. The bottom line is the Ford Mustang holds more memories, for more people than any other car of our generation.

So yes, I am a fan of the new 2006 Ford Mustang GT Convertible. Since I've already spent considerable seat time in this new generation Mustang, I knew I would love the convertible even more. As fortune would have it, the day it was delivered was right before several inches of snow made travel difficult for some. I remembered how my old Mustang had no traction in bad weather and I expected the worse from this new generation of rear wheel drive, high horsepower pony car. I was shocked at how well the balanced architecture and traction control worked together to provide a truly all weather car, stable even on snow packed roads.

But the 2006 Ford Mustang Convertible is a car that begs to go topless and it was only a couple of days until I could retract the power top and cruise to Dave and Busters near the Kansas Speedway. Dave and Busters, with almost 60,000 square feet of food, froth and fun is one of those eye-popping entertainment establishments that make the area around the Speedway so exciting. It's young, bright, and bold and there is nothing like arriving in a Mustang GT Convertible.

On the way back, the double insulated top provided a remarkably quiet interior even at highway speeds. Twice, I took the convertible through a power car wash and never once did I spot a drip or a leak. While the convertible top retracts into a virtual boot, Ford offers an optional convertible boot cover most likely designed by someone on serious recreational drugs. Multiple steps spelled out in the accompanying schematic should warn you that the reward is not worth the frustration unless you are the reigning Tetris champion up for a new challenge.

Mustang is a versatile vehicle with the entry level set about $20,000 to play. The base V-6 powered coupe is an outstanding buy but many of us lust for more pony power provided by the GT or a drop top convertible, either which will set you back another $5K. Combine the extra power of the GT and the versatility of the convertible and you have a manufacturers suggested retail price (MSRP) of about $30,000. My ultimate dream machine topped out at $36,235 all of the toys.

While my test car was equipped with the optional 5-speed automatic transmission, I personally would have preferred the standard Tremec 5-speed manual. Of course I would have to fight the urge to lay rubber at every stop sign because while I may be getting old at least I'm still immature. Which brings me to the real challenge for Ford regarding the Mustang. Manufacturers love nostalgia sales but they really can't build a business case on aging muscle car owners in their 40's and 50's. They must attract young buyers who not only dictate fashions now but will still be buying cars for another 40-50 years.

Ford is banking that the same values that excited baby boomers still resonate with this new generation. Sexy compact styling, big bold engines and bulletproof reliability are always in style. This 2006 Ford Mustang GT Convertible is the best yet. It will compete with any import on any level, as the quality and price to fun factor is simply phenomenal. In the old days of muscle, tire smoking power was enough. This new Mustang can handle the curves as well as the hole-shots. It is a complete package, a classic for any generation.

Judging from the kids in my neighborhood and the import drivers I left in the dust, I think it will attract young buyers for exactly the same reasons I've been a Mustang fan for these many years.

2006 Ford Mustang GT Convertible

4.6 L 3V OHC V8 Engine
300 horsepower 320 lb. ft. Torque

MSRP as tested $36,235

17/23 MPG

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