Overview:
This week’s car is the 2001 Ford Mustang special edition with a Bullitt badge. Ok, if you were going to the movies in the 1960’s and 70’s you’ll likely remember actor Steve McQueen, born 1930 and died 1980.
Some of his world famous movies include The Magnificent Seven (1960), The Great Escape (1963), Nevada Smith (1966), The Thomas Crown Affair (1968), Le Mans (1971), Papillon (1973). Another memorable movie, for me, was “Bullitt” (1968) and the exciting authentic celebrated car chase. McQueen was an expert automobile and motorcycle racer, and did his own stunt driving as he propelled a high-performance Mustang GT around and over San Francisco\’s fabled hills at speeds up to 115 miles an hour. As with so many fans of McQueen, he was a special kind of guy to me in the images he helped to create.
Ford did a good job of recreating the feeling, sights and sounds of those famous performance scenes in Bullitt. This car will grow on you, even if it comes in only one color, Pursuit Green, which is the color of the car in the movie.
Handling & Performance:
Fantastic. This car will take you back in time and the sound of the exhaust is priceless for those who love the era of the big block performance cars of the 1960’s. It is built to turn you every way but lose, and blow you away with impressive power and handling.
Styling:
If you love the Mustang you will quickly warm up to this classic nostalgic version.
Fit and Finish:
For those of you who have driven or ridden in the original 1967 GT you’ll especially appreciate today’s technology that has made this remake a solid and decided improvement over the older version.
Conveniences:
Relative to early Mustangs that were very basic, this model is far and away well equipped.
Cost:
The Bullitt Badge and touches make this model slightly more expensive than other Mustangs.
Consumer Recommendation:
If you are 50 or older and are into classic cars, grab one of these while the price is right. You can park it next to your Prowler and PT Cruiser that you paid twice the window sticker because you waited too long to decide. As a performance car, this Mustang compares closest to the Camaro, but of all the competition listed, I liked the Eclipse equally as much, but for different reasons. The Bullitt is unique and really sets itself apart from all the competition. Nice job Ford. I’m looking forward to reviewing the T-Bird, coming soon.
The Competition:
Acura Integra $19,400-24,450, Chevrolet Camaro $17,305-28,980, Honda Prelude $23,600-26,100, Mitsubishi Eclipse $17,987-25,407, Toyota Celica $16,985-21,455, Volkswagen GTI $19,275-22,900.
Good News:
Something different in today’s world, real fast, sounds hot and gets twice the mileage as the 1967 version.
Bad News:
You’ll catch yourself driving entirely too fast.
Standard Equipment:
4.6 liter V8 engine, 5-speed manual transmission, dual air bags, ABS, antitheft system, remote keyless entry, power rack and pinion steering, air conditioning, dual power mirrors, unique instrument cluster, split folding rear seat, power windows and door locks, tilt steering wheel, leather wrapped wheel.
Gas Stats:
18 City and 25 Highway MPG.
Pricing:
MSRP $26,230
