Topic: Test Drive: 2013 Ford Mustang Boss 302

[Snowman]

The Boss 302 is a serious contender and considering the budget constraints is a clear winner for Ford in my mind.  I'm looking forward to the new world platform with the IFS and what special editions it will spawn. 

[opg210]

Great looking car and a lot of straight line performance...however I can't erase from my memory the last time I drove a Mustang and was exposed to that "mid-corner bump" issue. It really does get your heart in your throat if you're moving at all. I'd say enjoy it at the drag strip, if you take this out for a thrashing on a twisty road that's not smooth, you'll have some stories to tell!

Back when I was a kid I remember buying a R&T magazine with the new 302 Mustang GT on the cover (prob late 70's/early 80's) and I remember the 302 had about 175 hp.  Nice to see progress like that! Though thinking back, the negative comments about the car seem familiar...not for me but good to see things with character.

you need to see this (keeping in mind this is a GT, not a Boss 302 version):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOwSPccbzl4

OK you got me to watch an 11 minute video at work...impressive though, thanks. That is pretty amazing. My comment about the handling in the bumps still stands (like when Pobst says in the high speed kink "try that in the Mustang and you'll be off the road") but what a performance. I'd only ever buy an M3 if I had a handy track to use it on, but I'd be p*ssed if I did and then saw this video. And despite the quirks, if I were track driving I'd take the machine that didn't understeer as much.

A great value compared to the legend.

[Car Guy]

Back when I was a kid I remember buying a R&T magazine with the new 302 Mustang GT on the cover (prob late 70's/early 80's) and I remember the 302 had about 175 hp.  Nice to see progress like that! Though thinking back, the negative comments about the car seem familiar...not for me but good to see things with character.

Yup!  1983 Mustang GT.  175 horses out of a 4bbl 302 (almost)  Mine was Race Red with a black stripe, 5 speed, TRX Wheels and Tires and a sound that couldn't be beat.  The burble on the downshifts was down right spine tingling.  My girlfriend used to use it to car pool to work with a bunch of guys.  They always wanted to know how fast it would go.  It was fast for it's day, but it doesn't compare to my 2011 GT 5.0. (Candy Red Metallic Tint, 6 Speed Manual, Upgraded Interior, Nav...pretty full load)  Ya, it's not a Boss or a Shelby, but I still like it.  It's plenty fast enough for me!

[nlm]

That's a few times now I've read/heard of the brakes being softer than expected. What would it take to upgrade the brakes to what it ought to provide on the track?

[Fobroader]

That's a few times now I've read/heard of the brakes being softer than expected. What would it take to upgrade the brakes to what it ought to provide on the track?

Probably the first, stainless steel brake lines.

[nlm]

you need to see this (keeping in mind this is a GT, not a Boss 302 version):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOwSPccbzl4

Notice how he used his own/same steering wheel in both cars? I wonder if it had something to do with sensors providing some kind of data?

Interesting b/c that same driver thought the Camaro ZL1 was better balanced, had better brakes, suspension and preferable overall than either the 302 or the GT500. He also thought both the 302 and GT500 were soft in the braking department.

I love the comment in this article about how that live-rear axle is part of the character of the Mustang implying some heritage  whether it was intentionally designed that way or not (as we have read in the past the live-rear axle was justified by Ford to keep costs down and due to requests from the mod/track community complaining about how a IRS would be weaker). In this world of standardized comparisons somethings unique character, even between muscle cars, is often overlooked.

[jyarkony]

i agree, the Boss 302 is so appealing...even though it is a little pricier than the already solid GT, it still has that allure to it.

i mean, how can you listen to this and NOT want to buy it?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtmsTYuu65g

we did one of these too: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agPhq5vOQJ0&feature=plcp

just a quickie...

[Soram6275]

Having all the "bells and whistles" (ie. stripes, spoilers, etc.) is nice....I'm a meat and patatoes guy, a Joe Friday "just the facts" driver. That is why always liked the Bullitt Mustang when it was out. The ultimate "bang for your buck" 'stang.
Do wish they would bring it back....BUT if they don't...well...suppose I could learn to love this "evil" twin.
Oh yea....no maybe's about it.   

I agree.  I wish they made a new Bullitt.  I would seriously consider that for my next car.  I loved the last Bullitt.  It looked amazing and is one of the very few cars that actually looks good in green - great I would say.  It was so minimalist - amazing!  Ford, bring back the Bullitt!

[nlm]

Only b/c I raised the ZL1 vs GT500 in this thread (and I don't recall if Autos.ca ever did their own comparo) but this msn.ca reviewer had some different thoughts of the Zl1 vs GT500 show down than MT's test driver, namely the GT500 had better brakes but more understeer:

http://autos.ca.msn.com/reviews/2013/comparison-2013-chevrolet-camaro-zl1-vs-ford-shelby-gt500

[jyarkony]

Only b/c I raised the ZL1 vs GT500 in this thread (and I don't recall if Autos.ca ever did their own comparo) but this msn.ca reviewer had some different thoughts of the Zl1 vs GT500 show down than MT's test driver, namely the GT500 had better brakes but more understeer:

http://autos.ca.msn.com/reviews/2013/comparison-2013-chevrolet-camaro-zl1-vs-ford-shelby-gt500

We never did a Comparo of these two cars, but I really like the counterpoint in there--the Shelby has some serious mojo and allure that goes beyond its abilities. That being said, I'd pocket the change and stick with a Boss. It's plenty enough excitement for me, and opens the door to greater exploration of my own driving limits on a track because it's more drivable.