Whether it’s the wind in your hair, the sun on your face or simply the experience of being out in the elements, convertibles fulfill a desire to feel like you’re living life to its fullest. In reality, convertible ownership is not always ideal. The sun scorches, your hair becomes mussed, wind buffeting is ever present, and let’s face it: the world doesn’t always smell sweet. But we’ve found people who own convertibles to be consummate romantics who believe that there’s more to life than being entombed in a silent, climate-controlled cocoon. Here’s to that perfect, soft summer evening.
About Vehix Buying Guide and JDPower.com Ratings
Vehix 2010 Convertible Buying Guides features ratings by JDPower.com. Learn more about the criteria and ratings.
There are eight vehicles highlighted in the 2010 Convertible Buying Guide. All vehicles are listed in alphabetical order.
The nameplate may be more than 45 years old, but the 2010 Ford Mustang (view photos) gets a significant styling update inside and out. There are also improvements to the suspension for enhanced handling, and a slight power bump for the Mustang GT’s V8 engine.
Today’s Mustang retains its place as an icon of nostalgia, with a familiar push-pull of the new and old. Its torsion bar rear suspension design may be a decades-old application of technology, but the Mustang still competes handily in slalom runs against resurrections of the Chevrolet Camaro and the Dodge Challenger, especially since neither revival can be had in convertible form – yet. The Mustang’s unrefined, 210-horsepower, 4.0-liter V6 is also a relic from the past, but the screaming 315-horsepower, 4.6-liter V8, with its 15-pony upgrade for 2010, just begs to be flogged. And leading the charge is the brazen Shelby GT500, putting money where its racing stripes are with a supercharged and intercooled 540-horsepower, 5.4-liter V-8. The Ford Mustang might not be the most sophisticated machine on the road today, but for affordable thrills with a side of patriotism, the old buckaroo still can’t be beat. And with the top down, it’s guaranteed to draw stares from envious motorists.
- No. 1-ranked Midsize Sporty Vehicle in the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Initial Quality Study (IQS)
- 14 city/26 fuel economy range
- MSRP: $20,995 to $51,325
Research the 2010 Ford Mustang
View the 2010 Ford lineup
