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Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site watrose.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!watnot!watrose!tohaapanen
From: tohaapanen@watrose.UUCP (Tom Haapanen)
Newsgroups: net.auto
Subject: Re: First impressions: Mustang GT [long]
Message-ID: <7806@watrose.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 5-Feb-86 00:08:27 EST
Article-I.D.: watrose.7806
Posted: Wed Feb  5 00:08:27 1986
Date-Received: Wed, 5-Feb-86 04:54:38 EST
References: <503@eneevax.UUCP>
Reply-To: tohaapanen@watrose.UUCP (Tom Haapanen)
Organization: U of Waterloo, Ontario
Lines: 70

No flames, just a comparison...

>1986 Mustang GT 3-door hatchback; silver exterior, red interior; A/C, premium
>sound system, power windows, power door locks & convenience group, rear-window
>defogger, tinted glass, sunroof (all options except two-tone paint, auto-trans,
>and engine block heater); 5.0 L SFI V8 (sequential injection, tuned-intake,
>true-dual low-restriction stainless steel tuned exhaust, EEC-IV control)
>
>Price: ~12,600 (base sticker ~10,500., sugg. price ~13,600)

1986 VW GTI 3-door hatchback; red exterior, grey interior; sunroof,
power steering, cruise control; 1.8L KE-Jetronic

Price: ~8,800 (base 8,900, list 9,500)  [prices in US$]

>Mileage: Expect 17 typical.

Mileage: After two weeks, trip computer says 8.8 L/100 km ~= 26 mpg (US).
And that's driving hard.

>Caveats: upshift light (hah!) doesn't work.

Works on the GTI.  Using it, I managed to get 39 mpg (!) around town.
At that point the pussyfooting is getting ridiculous though.

>Overall impressions: unbelievable what 285 ft-lbs of torque can do in a
>sub-compact.  Handling is a bit tail-happy; otherwise neutral.

Subcompact!?!?  According to the EPA, the GTI is a *compact*.  The
Mustang weighs probably 50% more, although it's true that it probably
has a lot less interior room.  Two 6'1" adults sit comfortably in the
back seat of the GTI.

>Acceleration: 0-60 in 6.7 sec.

Ah, well, ah, the GTI is only barely into the single digits...

>..., premium unleaded, ...

I didn't think that the Mustang's fuel injection could take advantage
of higher octane ratings.  Am I wrong?  Or were you intending to
advance your ignition timing?

>Handling: Goodyear Eagles don't seem to be up to par with this car.  Back end
>is too easy to cut loose around turns.  The lateral forces just build up
>and give out all at once...

The GTI is very contollable on the limits.  The Pirelli P600's
supplied with the car are very good, if not quite up to the standards
of the Eagle VR 'S'.  But the weight of the car may have something to
do with it too...

>..(for you Wabbit owners who are more curious about this feeling...

With my superior traction and lighter car, I could probably tie a new
Mustang at a stoplight grand prix.  Check out the 0-40 mph acceleration
times...  The skidpad figures might make interesting reading too!

>Steering: much tighter than any other power steering I've ever driven.  Makes
>my T-bird feel like a boat.  Responds instantly.

Try the GTI sometime.  Feels just like driving a non-assisted
rack-and-pinion steering.

				   \tom haapanen
				   watmath!watrose!haapanen
I'm all lost in the Supermarket
I can no longer shop happily
I came in here for that special offer
Guaranteed personality				 (c) The Clash, 1979