Test Drove a 2015 Mustang 5.0 GT Auto and my 2014 IS350 AWD Back to Back
11-13-14, 11:43 AM
#1
Pole Position
Thread Starter
Test Drove a 2015 Mustang 5.0 GT Auto and my 2014 IS350 AWD Back to Back
On my way home from Costco I saw that a brand new Black 2015 Mustang GT 50th Anniversary edition sitting on the lot at the local Ford Dealer. It was pretty late and pitch dark so it was hard to see all the visual details, but here's my review after a spirited test drive.
First impression: Chrome everywhere in the cockpit...it's actually shocking (in bad way) how much chrome is in your face coming from the IS especially from the gauge surrounds. The chrome around the cup holders was also overdone in my opinion. The driving position for me at 6’0” was really bad. I felt like my line of sight was just below the top of the windshield and the seat wouldn't go any lower and was nearly touching the rear seat already. This by itself was a deal breaker for me.
Driving: A disclaimer….I immediately put the car into track mode and S shifting mode (this was an Auto Trans unfortunately) and went paddles only (when it let me) for the entire test drive. The paddles also fell like cheap plastic with ridges on them (in comparison to the awesome paddles on the ISF and nice ones on the IS 350). Track Mode also turns the traction control off which was a little sketchy since it was FREEZING and there was quite a bit of power. Strangely the rear didn’t want to break loose unless you really hammered it. The car felt much more powerful than the IS 350 (more like the ISF), but much heavier and kind of heaving side to side when you tossed it in the twisties by my home. The track mode kept the revs for each gear pretty high and it sounded nice even with the windows up. I hated the auto trans because it kept shifting for me at odd times and then bounced back and forth between gears resulting in a hell of a chugging sensation while just cruising. Almost like I was learning how to drive a stick again and really sucked at getting the gear right.
I’d love to test drive a stick but honestly the best part of the test drive was pulling back into the lot…seeing my IS350 and the ride back home.
Anyone else driven the new 5.0?
TL DR - 5.0 felt powerful but heavy, Auto Trans Sucked, Chrome EVERYWHERE, bad seating position if you are 6 ft+, glad I have an IS 350.
First impression: Chrome everywhere in the cockpit...it's actually shocking (in bad way) how much chrome is in your face coming from the IS especially from the gauge surrounds. The chrome around the cup holders was also overdone in my opinion. The driving position for me at 6’0” was really bad. I felt like my line of sight was just below the top of the windshield and the seat wouldn't go any lower and was nearly touching the rear seat already. This by itself was a deal breaker for me.
Driving: A disclaimer….I immediately put the car into track mode and S shifting mode (this was an Auto Trans unfortunately) and went paddles only (when it let me) for the entire test drive. The paddles also fell like cheap plastic with ridges on them (in comparison to the awesome paddles on the ISF and nice ones on the IS 350). Track Mode also turns the traction control off which was a little sketchy since it was FREEZING and there was quite a bit of power. Strangely the rear didn’t want to break loose unless you really hammered it. The car felt much more powerful than the IS 350 (more like the ISF), but much heavier and kind of heaving side to side when you tossed it in the twisties by my home. The track mode kept the revs for each gear pretty high and it sounded nice even with the windows up. I hated the auto trans because it kept shifting for me at odd times and then bounced back and forth between gears resulting in a hell of a chugging sensation while just cruising. Almost like I was learning how to drive a stick again and really sucked at getting the gear right.
I’d love to test drive a stick but honestly the best part of the test drive was pulling back into the lot…seeing my IS350 and the ride back home.
Anyone else driven the new 5.0?
TL DR - 5.0 felt powerful but heavy, Auto Trans Sucked, Chrome EVERYWHERE, bad seating position if you are 6 ft+, glad I have an IS 350.
11-14-14, 02:41 PM
#4
Lexus Fanatic
Comparing a Mustang and an IS is really a silly comparison. Very different cars for very different markets.
11-14-14, 02:56 PM
#6
Pole Position
Thread Starter
Just for clarification the Mustang I drove was an auto trans because it was the only 2015 on the lot and the first one they were allocated. It already had about 160 miles on it before I put about 10 hard miles on it. 
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post