The only pony car left faces a bright future
written by Jim McCraw (print
this article)
Recently voted America's favorite car of all time, the
37-year-old Ford Mustang just seems to roll along like a
runaway freight train, headed for a certain future. Each
year brings new surprises and delights to about 200,000
new owners. The latest delight is the 2003 SVT Cobra.
This will be the last year of production for the Ford Mustang's
archrivals, the
Chevrolet Camaro and the
Pontiac Firebird. That means the Mustang, which created the ponycar in the
spring of 1964, will once again be alone in this segment
in 2003. With the new 2003 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra closing
in on 400 horsepower and the Camaro and Firebird bowing
out, the Mustang's future looks as bright as the sun.
Ford Mustang comes in two body styles, coupe and convertible.
Model year 2002 is characterized by a raft of minor changes
for the Ford Mustang and Ford Mustang GT models. The big
news is the addition of a brand-new 2003 Ford
Mustang SVT Cobra coupe and con-vertible with an amazing
70 horsepower and 70 foot-pounds of torque more than the
previous SVT Cobra.
Ford Mustang buyers can now choose among the base V6 coupe
($17,305) or V6 convertible ($22,745), the V8 GT coupe ($22,965)
or GT convertible ($27,220), the SVT Cobra coupe ($34,995)
or SVT Cobra convertible ($36,995). Ford Mustang base models
offer a choice of three packages: Standard, Deluxe ($605),
or Premium ($1720). GT and Convertible models are packaged
as Deluxe or Premium ($2585). SVT Cobras come with the kitchen
sink. In the base, GT and SVT Cobra models, there's quite
a bit of new equipment for 2002.
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Audiophiles have the option of a new, speed-sensitive,
Mach 1000 audio system with a six-disc in-dash CD changer.
The Mach 1000 system, an upgrade of the previous Mach 460
stereo in the Mustang, delivers 570 watts RMS (1,140 watts
peak power) with a 60-watt parametrically equalized amplifier,
six 85-watt sub-woofer amplifiers, four subwoofer speakers,
four midrange tweeters and two 10-inch, trunk-mounted, acoustic
suspension subwoofer enclosures. The 2002 Ford
Mustang also is available with an MP3 CD-player.
There's more. The popular V6 Mustang adds standard 16-inch
bright aluminum wheels with exposed lugs. There's a new,
updated Sport Appearance Group for V6 models, an overhead
storage net in the headliner on coupe models, new four-way
head restraints, optional Nudo leather seating surfaces,
and two new colors added: Satin Silver Clearcoat Metallic,
and Torch Red. Standard equipment on all Ford Mustangs includes
air conditioning, power windows and door locks, tilt-steering
column, a floor console, remote keyless entry system and
interval windshield wipers. Reclining cloth front bucket
seats are standard, as are 50/50 split-folding rear seatbacks
on coupe models. A six-way power driver's seat is available,
as are leather-trimmed bucket seats. Convertibles feature
a power top with a scratch-resistant glass rear window.
A black semi-hard boot protects the top and provides a slick
top-down appearance.
