CD Article: 2008 Ford Mustang Bullitt

[CD_Editor]

Test Drive:


The Mustang Bullitt pays homage to the 1968 Mustang GT 390 in the 1968 film "Bullitt", except that this one "handles, stops and comes with a warranty," says Assistant Editor Jil McIntosh. "I think Steve McQueen would have approved."
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[Mitlov]

Cooler than the modern Shelby Mustangs.

There, somebody had to say it.

[rrocket]

Geez...steep price.  For the same money you could get a new STI,  What would you buy??

[ovr50]

As the former owner of a 2001 Mustang Bullitt, and also a 2007 Mustang GT/CS, I have to say that this new Bullitt Mustang should be superior in just about every way to the 2001 edition. The new (in 2005) Mustang GT is just a far superior car to the predecessors. The extra 15hp over the regular V8 Mustang is nice, plus I understand the suspension is nicely tweeked in the new Bullitt. Supposedly the exhaust burble is greater than the stock GT also. I have seen several of the new ones here on dealer's lots, and I do find the car rather "plain" looking.

The pricing is really not bad as I understand that you can buy under the Ford Family pricing which gets the price down into the low $30s (I'll have to check that for accuracy later). These cars are not an easy sell these days, except to the Mustang faithful (although only 700 copies in Canada should all find a home, but it won't be young ppl buying them, more like ppl over 50). The Bullitt has a built-in fan club in IMBOC (International Mustang Bullitt Owners Club), a very active web-based club that is into all things Bullitt, including complete tracking of the owners of each serial numbered car. It's a good club.

I don't think these types of cars compete with the likes of the STi; I don't think they are the same buyer. Which would I take? The new Bullitt.

[carcrazy]

Geez...steep price.  For the same money you could get a new STI,  What would you buy??

An Evo ?!

[rrocket]

Which would I take? The new Bullitt.

Wow...that's crazy talk.  I mean...for $39K you'd take a Mustang?...Wow...

[inco]

Uh.....   Actually I'd rather have a V-8 - and not get bonked.  Does that make me a bad person?

STi is a great performer and appeals to a lot of people, but a good old bad ass rumblin V8 brings back those great memories. Kinda hard to understand if you've never had them! 

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Bullit here too. There are a few of the previous version roaming Fredericton, they sound awesome and look very cool to me.

[Rupert]

Can any profits be made producing these now?

[ovr50]

Which would I take? The new Bullitt.

Wow...that's crazy talk.  I mean...for $39K you'd take a Mustang?...Wow...

No, not crazy, just my preference. I happen to like that kind of car, should that make me "crazy"? NO different than owning a turboed Supra, our own choices/preferences are just that - "ours". Your choice may vary, and that's fine - just don't impose your values on me.

[Demosthenes X]

  It'd be pretty boring if we all drove the same car. 

[johngenx]

If you want a pony car, this wins, hands down.  The new Challenger and Camaro have "newness" but the Bullitt is pure old-school awesomeness.  As close to the original as you can buy and get new car warranty.  Steve is smiling...

[ovr50]

Just noted that the deep-discount "Ford Family Pricing" expired Sept 2. The Bullitt could have been bought in the very low $30s during under that pricing, but the regular MSRP of about $36 or so is now in effect.

[Vmango]

Price as tested - $43,019

That's a lot of coin for a mustang GT. To each their own, but if I was going the Mustang route I'd get the base GT and put that money towards a supercharger kit. Better yet, buy a used 05, 06, and do the same.

At about 40K+ this price starts putting the Stang is the realm of stiff competition. You'd truly have to be a Mustang fan (not just a muscle car fan) to think about it. I mean, you can get a fully loaded G8 GT for this price, a fully loaded STI, a 135, etc - lots of better different choices.

[evil_twin]

Pretty cool package, but also expensive. I agree with Vman that the better route would likely be to just buy a standard mustang GT and mod it yourself. 

Ford sure charges a pretty penny for these 'special edition' versions.  (For example, the Shelby GT which really is nothing more than an exhaust, intake, and a couple cosmetic bits).  Although in this case, with the limited-slip rear axle, it's a little easier to stomach.

You can't really compare this car with an STi and the like since NOBODY (of sane mind, at least) would be cross-shopping the two.  Ford will sell everyone of the 700 it sends here...mostly to the 50+ crowd, and I'm sure they'll be more than happy with their purchase.

I'd choose the STi too FWIW.

[rrocket]

but a good old bad ass rumblin V8 brings back those great memories. Kinda hard to understand if you've never had them! 

I had a 1987 GT, a 1988 LX, and a 1994 Mustang GT.  Each of them was modded.  One of them was supercharged.  I know what you're talking about.  But the STi is just a better car.  And AWD is a nice bonus.  I guess the Mustang is a better car if you are nostalgic about such things....

I like the Mustang too...but like someone else said...getting past the $40K mark,....there are a lot of better choices.  If this was was low 30's?  It would be a great value.  But it's not...

[inco]

For sure - no arguments here. It does almost everything better, but it doesn't have a history and doesn't evoke those memories and it kinda sounds funny compared to Bullitts. 

[rrocket]

For sure - no arguments here. It does almost everything better, but it doesn't have a history and doesn't evoke those memories and it kinda sounds funny compared to Bullitts. 

Yea..that's the one thing I absolutely hate about the STi...is that tractor-engine sound.....Bleh.  I'd be the only STi owner on the planet to put a quieter exhaust on it...LOL

[Giant Dwarf]

Huh... it's interesting how the age split is really coming into effect here.  The (ahem) Over-fifties, would choose the old-school Stang, while the rest of us (even the current and past Stang owners!) would choose an alternate.  I really like the new Mustang too (the sound of EvilTwin's car is amazing), but having a sophisticated, modern, do-everything, all-year car wins for me. 

I don't agree that nobody would ever cross-shop the two.  For some of us, a fun performance car between $X and $Y is enough to at least warrant consideration.  I test drove and seriously considered a new Mustang before picking up the MX5.

[inco]

Absolutely true GD. If I was looking for two cars and wanted performance in the mix it would be the Subie for work and the Bullitt for weekend play. Best of both worlds, but for me the B would have to be a second car regardless. Need something that does more better - hmm maybe something like an Acadia.