Piston Slap: The Aston Martin of Ford Mustangs?

Sajeev Mehta
by Sajeev Mehta

Bill writes:

I am considering adding a fourth car to my family fleet, and I’m seriously weighing the options between a new Ford Mustang GT coupe with a manual or a 2005-2008 (or so) Aston Martin DB9. This would be a car I would drive around 3,000 miles per year.

In anticipation of your first questions, my other cars are a 2004 Honda S2000 AP2, which I plan to keep forever, a 2013 VW Touareg VR6 and an utterly original 1991 Mercedes-Benz 420 SEL (W 126) with just 113k miles. I can afford, within reason, higher ownership costs associated with a luxury GT as long as the engine doesn’t have to come out of the car for service (like seemingly every Ferrari before the 360).

It looks like a DB9 coupe with under 30,000 miles can be had for around $45k or so. I’d love to find a manual gearbox but they are rare.

Please give me three good reasons why I should run to my local Ford dealer and find a ‘Stang. Or not. Thank you!

Sajeev answers:

Since you requested “three reasons” to find (or at least test drive) a new Mustang, let’s ensure you experience the “Aston Martin of Ford Mustangs” (AMFM):

  1. Performance: If a stock Mustang GT’s performance doesn’t impress, imagine your “AMFM” with:
    1. A tune that eliminates the looney throttle lag/torque management.
    2. Comparable make/model of tires found on an Aston.
    3. Fancy adjustable shocks from the likes of Koni. (Same logic as the tires)
  2. Interior design: Fans of S2000s and your German Iron certainly appreciate a well-constructed interior. I reckon the Mustang’s fit/finish is on par with a run-of-the-mill Mini Cooper. Consider an “AMFM” with cloth seats with the intention of aftermarket leather covers (better quality hides than factory) to narrow the interior quality gap.
  3. Money (time or real value of): New cars need little in terms of out-of-pocket repairs. Not so with a used Aston Martin. Factor the replacement cost of potential Aston-specific wear items (suspension items bashed senseless by potholes, failing electronics, general maintenance, etc.) and you’d be mighty foolish to avoid a test drive.

BAM SON! Now you got your reasons!

[Image: Aston Martin]

Send your queries to sajeev@thetruthaboutcars.com. Spare no details and ask for a speedy resolution if you’re in a hurry…but be realistic, and use your make/model specific forums instead of TTAC for more timely advice.

Sajeev Mehta
Sajeev Mehta

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  • Skotastic Skotastic on Feb 14, 2017

    I dunno - which do you value more: -exclusivity or functionality? The AM may not be a Ferrari, but no V12 exclusive luxury machine will be cheap to run. If I really wanted something emotional, I'd get something proper classic like vintage Alfa, or get something that is really easy to live with, like a Mustang. Just my 2 cents

  • Hoon Goon Hoon Goon on Feb 15, 2017

    Sounds like Bill is wanting a special car, which a Mustang is not. A DB9 would be a special car and a treat just to drive every so often.

  • ToolGuy This is the kind of thing you get when you give people faster internet.
  • ToolGuy North America is already the greatest country on the planet, and I have learned to be careful about what I wish for in terms of making changes. I mean, if Greenland wants to buy JDM vehicles, isn't that for the Danes to decide?
  • ToolGuy Once again my home did not catch on fire and my fire extinguisher(s) stayed in the closet, unused. I guess I threw my money away on fire extinguishers.(And by fire extinguishers I mean nuclear missiles.)
  • Carson D The UAW has succeeded in organizing a US VW plant before. There's a reason they don't teach history in the schools any longer. People wouldn't make the same mistakes.
  • B-BodyBuick84 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport of course, a 7 seater, 2.4 turbo-diesel I4 BOF SUV with Super-Select 4WD, centre and rear locking diffs standard of course.
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