No question the GTO is quicker, it is a smaller car with a bigger engine. However I wanted a convertible. In addition I can take a vacation, pay for my insurance and buy all of my gas for the two years that I will own the Mustang, with the money I saved on difference in purchase price, between the two ;)
Although The 6 and the Fusion share the same basic Ford chassis, they are different vehicles in total. The Mazda costs more to but the Mazda has a longer 4/50 warranty.
Just got rid of a ten y/o T-bird--V8, no ABS, no traction control--and replaced it with a Nissan Maxima, my first rice rocket--FWD, switchable traction control, 4 wheel discs, load sensing ABS. I've had the opportunity to drive the Max on snowy roads. While the T-bird was always a handful, the Max has no problem under any conditions. Plus, even though both cars weigh about the same, and have the same wheelbase, the Max is a rocket ship compared to the Bird.
I wanted a Mustang GT, when I bought the Max, but the Ford dealers were non-responsive, while the Nissan dealer fell all over themselves trying to be helpful. Unlike the Ford slug, the Nissan sales chick was knowledgeable about the technical aspects of the car. With the exception of Daimler-Chrysler (and I have nagging doubts about their quality), American carmaker are killing themselves with their crappy attitudes. At today's prices, cars are no longer throw away toys, unlike the good ole '60's.
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