2005 Ford Mustang Review: A Major Improvement Over the Outdated 2004 Model

The 2005 Ford Mustang stands nearly uncontested as the most affordable muscle car in its model year, going up against Pontiacs and Dodges that are still selling in the low five-figure range nearly twenty years later.

Is the 2005 Ford Mustang a Good Used Car?

• Overall Rating 8/10 – An all-American classic, for the Mustang’s 2005 relaunch Ford found a perfect middle-ground between retro feel and modern convenience.
• Interior, Comfort & Cargo 7/10 – Front seats are comfortable enough, and the suspension has held up well, but the back row is a bit cramped and cargo space is limited.
• Reliability 7/10 – The Mustang is built to last, but the previous owner probably drove it like he stole it. You can’t expect a used sports car to last more than 200,000 miles without some major repairs.
• Safety 7/10 – Onboard safety tech is outdated, and it was pretty basic when the car was released, but traction control and anti-lock brakes are always appreciated.
• Gas Mileage 7/10 – The V6 will average 19/28 miles to the gallon, city/highway, and the V8 will average 18/25. That’s not bad for a 2005 sportster.
• Value 8/10 – It’s pricier than a typical mid-size and it’s expensive to keep running, but if we’re grading on a curve then it runs at about half the cost of a typical 2005 muscle car.

What Do Critics Say About the 2005 Ford Mustang?

Consumer Reports were impressed with the 2005 Mustang’s long-overdue redesign, praising the modern-meets-classic vibe of the car’s interior and exterior.

Kelley Blue Book users give the 2005 Mustang an overwhelming 95% recommendation, raving about the car’s sporty all-American muscle-car performance and appealing retro-modern styling. There are a few red marks for poor interior layout and the transmission isn’t to everyone’s liking.

Edmunds liked the powerful V8 engine found in the GT models, and the liked the classic vibes and intuitive layout of the cabin. They note that the car lacks stability control and side curtain airbags, and that the seats need a bit more lateral support.

What Common Problems Does the 2005 Ford Mustang Have?

Airbags have been the 2005 Mustang’s biggest problem to date, generating 282 complaints (out of 855 total) and 6 recalls. The recalls were intended to address exploding and ruptured airbag inflators, with complaints having to do with airbag lights and long wait lists for replacement parts.

Electrical complaints take a close second place in the complaints department, with 278 reports on file with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Drivers are reporting batteries draining overnight, and electrical components failing due to rainwater leaking into the wiring.

Engine and powertrain complaints have been remarkably scarce, but you’ll want to check for rough shifting and stuck gears on the test drive. One driver reports the clutch fracturing at 35 mph at just 118,000 miles.

The 2005 Ford Mustang has 10 recalls on file with the NHTSA, 6 for airbags, 2 for headlights, and 2 for broken struts in the suspension system.

How Long Will the 2005 Ford Mustang Last?

Expect a used 2005 Ford Mustang to last around 200,000 miles. The car can last up to 250,000 or even 300,000 miles with regular maintenance. But, this is a Mustang. These cars often wind up in the hands of teenagers who ride them rough and skip oil changes. If you want it to last a long time, that’s a restoration job.

RepairPal estimate an annual maintenance cost of around $709 for a used Mustang, with the most expensive fix usually being a new water pump replacement, starting at around $608. Axle shafts can be a pricey fix, too, starting at $589.

How Is the Technology?

Entertainment technology in the 2005 Mustang is pretty basic. An MP3 player with 8 speakers in the GT Premium model is about as fancy as it gets here.

Safety technology is adequate for a 2005 muscle car. You’ve got four wheel anti-lock brakes and second generation airbags, and the high-end models come with traction control. Don’t hold your breath for rearview cameras and lane keep assist.

Is the 2005 Ford Mustang a Good Value?

A 2005 Ford Mustang can be expensive, but you already knew that. A low-end Deluxe typically lists at around $7,253 with around 115,000 miles on the odometer. A top-of-the-line GT Premium lists at around $10,840.

When you add the car’s expensive maintenance needs and muscle-car fuel economy to the mix, the 2005 Mustang is a pricey car to keep running. But the question is how it rates on the muscle car scale, and, at the end of the day, it’s a heck of a lot cheaper than restoring a 1970 Dodge Charger.

What are the Different Models of the 2005 Ford Mustang?

The 2005 Mustang is available in three trim levels with two different engines, for six models in total, ranging from the V6 Base to the V8 GT Premium.

The Base/GT model comes with:

• Power convertible top
• Cloth seating
• CD player
• Manual air conditioning

With the mid-range Deluxe, you’re getting:

• Fog lights
• Anti-lock brakes and traction control
• Remote keyless entry
• Leather wrapped steering wheel

Finally, the high-end Premium trim adds:

• Leather seating
• MP3 player with 8 speakers
• Chrome accents

What Engines Come In the 2005 Ford Mustang?

• The standard engine found in the 2005 Ford Mustang is a 4.0L V6 delivering 210 horsepower and 240 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a 5-speed automatic in rear wheel drive, it averages 19/28 miles to the gallon, city/highway, and it hits zero to sixty in 6.9 seconds
• GT models come packed with 4.6L V8 engine delivering 300 horsepower and 320 lb.-ft. of torque. 5-speed automatic, rear wheel drive, 18/25 miles to the gallon, and you can go 0-60 in 5.2 seconds.

What Colors Does the 2005 Ford Mustang Come In?

How Comfortable Is the 2005 Ford Mustang?

The 2005 Ford Mustang’s interior layout is a lot more comfortable and ergonomic than the previous model’s. This is a sports car, so comfort is a secondary concern to performance, but you’ll find that the Mustang rides smooth and the bucket seats are comfortable enough for long road trips.

You’ve got just 45 inches of hip room in the back, so you probably don’t want to pack more than two adults at a time back there for longer trips.

How Much Storage Space Does the 2005 Ford Mustang Have?

The 2005 Mustang’s trunk offers up to 13 cubic feet of storage space. That’s enough for anything you can expect a muscle car to carry. You’ve got space for four or five medium sized suitcases, or all the cargo you’re going to need for a typical road trip. But you’re not going to be moving furniture with this thing.

What Are the Differences Between Years?

The 2005 Mustang was the first model year in the car’s 5th Generation, running until 2014.

2002: No big changes in 2002. In fact, there hadn’t been any big changes for the car since the late 1990s, which is why the 2005 redesign was so overdue.

2003: Some cosmetic changes saw Ford adding silver accents to the car, but no major changes were made for 2003.

2004: No big changes in 2004, either.

2005: Ford launched the 5th Generation Mustang with retro-inspired styling, a 5-speed automatic transmission, improved brakes, and a tougher suspension system, finally bringing the iconic muscle car into the modern age.

2006: No major changes to the main lineup, but 2006 saw the release of some special edition Mustangs including the Bullitt edition and the GT California Special.

2007: Minor changes for 2007 included audio input jacks, heated leather seats, and Grabber Orange paint options.

How Does the 2005 Ford Mustang Compare to the Competition?

If you want a mid-00’s American-made muscle car at a reasonable price, the 2005 Ford Mustang runs nearly uncontested in a year with no new Chargers or Challengers. Chevy did release a Corvette for 2005, but it still sells for close to twenty grand.

It’s the same story with that year’s Pontiac GTO, an awesome muscle car delivering 400 horsepower, and priced at around $15,000, more than you might spend on a brand new budget-priced compact.

2005 just wasn’t a great year for affordable muscle cars. The Mustang stands almost entirely alone as a powerful V8 that won’t cost you an arm and a leg.

Do Owners Recommend the 2005 Ford Mustang?