The initial corner arrived sooner than expected, a sharp right-hander with little to no banking, threatening to throw me against the side window. Truthfully, just staying on track felt like an accomplishment, given the exhilarating – and slightly terrifying – speed. Yet, there was also an undeniable thrill, carving through turns as if glued to the rails. And in a way, I was.
This isn’t, as you might expect, a description of pushing the limits of the 2024 Ford Mustang EcoBoost convertible during my recent 800-mile road trip across West Michigan. Instead, I’m recounting my experience on Shivering Timbers, a massive wooden roller coaster hidden within a charming amusement park near the shores of Lake Michigan.
| Quick Specs | 2024 Ford Mustang EcoBoost Convertible |
|---|---|
| Engine | Turbocharged 2.3-liter Inline-Four |
| Output | 315 Horsepower / 350 Pound-Feet |
| Efficiency | 22 City / 33 Highway / 26 Combined |
| Base Price / As Tested | $40,615 / $49,455 |
| On Sale Date | Now |
The Mustang convertible, specifically an EcoBoost Premium model, was our chariot for a three-day weekend escape with the promise of fun without breaking the bank. While “inexpensive” proved to be a relative term, the weekend delivered on the fun factor, both in the journey and at our destination. Having spent a decade enjoying V-8 Mustang convertibles, this EcoBoost adventure sparked a compelling question: Is a V8 engine truly essential for the quintessential pony car experience?
Day One: Tulip Time – Or Not?
Our long weekend commenced with a 2.5-hour drive to Holland, Michigan, with the primary mission of acquiring tulips – a vast quantity of them. Holland is famed for its annual Tulip Festival in mid-to-late May, boasting around 5 million tulips in bloom, blanketing the landscape in vibrant colors. However, our vision of endless fields of color dissolved into acres of spent blooms, resembling crumpled brown paper. A quick pre-trip check would have revealed that an unusually mild Michigan winter had accelerated Mother Nature’s schedule, causing the tulips to bloom weeks ahead of our visit. Disappointing, certainly, regarding the floral display, but the iconic Dutch windmill stood tall and impressive.
And so did the Ford Mustang EcoBoost convertible. With the fabric roof raised, the cabin remained remarkably quiet, even at highway speeds where wind noise is typically expected in convertibles. Lowering the top for open-air cruising is a swift 15-second operation, although Ford mandates a complete stop before initiating the raising or lowering sequence. The seats proved comfortable for extended drives, and I was pleasantly surprised by the compliant ride quality, a balanced blend of cornering composure and effective shock absorption. Navigating the often-patchy surfaces of US-31 in West Michigan, the Mustang remained composed, neither jarring nor losing its way over potholes. There was, however, a noticeable cowl shake, a classic convertible trait that seems persistent.
Day Two: Conquering Coasters in a Convertible
Michigan’s Adventure, a smaller theme park located approximately 40 miles north of Holland, was our Day Two destination, primarily for one very large roller coaster. Shivering Timbers, a wooden behemoth opened in 1998, stretches over a mile in length, ranking among the world’s longest and most thrilling wooden coasters. Its initial drop plunges 122 feet, launching riders to a top speed of 57 mph, and the intensity persists throughout the two-minute ride. Twelve years prior, my first encounter with Shivering Timbers was so intense it nearly dislodged my funnel cake.
This time, I approached it with a degree of preparedness for the sheer craziness. But then, something unexpected occurred – I genuinely enjoyed it. Perhaps it was the prior experience mitigating the shock, or maybe the white-knuckle grip I maintained on the safety bar offering a semblance of control. Regardless, I was ready for another round. My wife, however, was decidedly not.
Day Three: EcoBoost Soundtrack on Scenic Drives
Nursing mild sunburn and post-coaster headaches, we opted for a closed-top Mustang for the return journey. We also shunned the major interstates in favor of a more leisurely, winding route along Lake Michigan’s scenic coastline, relying on the Ford Mustang Convertible’s navigation system to guide us to picturesque spots. However, the combination of dense forests and proximity to one of the world’s largest freshwater lakes seemed to challenge Ford’s SYNC 4 system, resulting in intermittent connectivity in certain areas. Google Maps proved more reliable, eventually leading us to a particularly engaging, serpentine two-lane road aptly named Scenic Drive.
It was during this stretch that I truly grappled with the Mustang EcoBoost convertible’s auditory character. Accustomed to the robust soundtrack of V-8 pony cars, I consciously maintained an open mind regarding the four-cylinder EcoBoost. Many four-cylinder engines possess a pleasing sound, with Honda engines immediately coming to mind. However, in the Mustang, Ford attempts to imbue its four-cylinder EcoBoost with a V-8-esque rumble, reminiscent of the Coyote V-8. And it’s… passable, under specific conditions.
The EcoBoost delivers a satisfyingly deep rumble upon startup and at idle. When pushed to its redline, the engine note isn’t unpleasant. In track mode, it even produces snarly pops and burbles upon lifting off the throttle. However, during normal driving, the sound can become somewhat tiresome. The 10-speed automatic transmission’s frequent shifts, even under modest acceleration, create a sound akin to a tuba mated to a CVT. My test Ford Mustang convertible was equipped with the optional active exhaust, which I promptly switched to its quietest setting for the majority of the trip. In fact, for the final 200 miles, it remained exclusively in “quiet” mode.
Then there’s the steering. The GT model has been criticized for its steering numbness, and the EcoBoost variant shares this characteristic. To be fair, the typical Ford Mustang EcoBoost convertible buyer likely isn’t prioritizing nuanced mid-corner feedback for chasing apexes. However, this shouldn’t excuse Ford from delivering adequate steering feel in any vehicle, sporty or otherwise. On my very first corner, I drifted off the inside line simply because the steering felt excessively light. Discerning the level of load on the front tires proved virtually impossible, even in sport mode. The silver lining? It didn’t ruin the car for me, and after 800 miles, I had almost acclimated to it. But Ford undoubtedly has room for improvement in this area.
Fun That Doesn’t Break the Bank? Think Again.
Once upon a time, Michigan’s Adventure was considered a budget-friendly theme park destination. However, in May 2024, two adult tickets cost $120, with an additional $25 for parking. For that price, one could visit Ohio’s Cedar Point, a significantly larger park boasting a greater array of thrilling roller coasters. But then, I would have missed the withered tulips and my rematch with Shivering Timbers.
The Ford Mustang EcoBoost convertible I tested wasn’t exactly a budget-friendly option either. In Premium convertible trim, the Mustang starts at an MSRP of $43,540, including destination charges. This is a slight increase over the base EcoBoost Convertible’s $40,615 price. However, with added options like the 201A Equipment Group, active exhaust, and other extras, the as-tested price reached $49,455. This figure places it firmly in Mustang GT territory, with room for further options. Yet, a comparably equipped ragtop pony car with the 5.0-liter V8 and a six-speed manual transmission would command a $10,000 premium. So, yes, “inexpensive” remains a relative concept.
V-8 Desirable, But Not Essential in a Convertible
Like many enthusiasts, I appreciate the robust power and resonant soundtrack of a V-8 engine. However, I believe we’ve become somewhat desensitized to performance benchmarks. The Mustang GT, with its 480-horsepower Coyote V-8, is undeniably faster, and the Dark Horse model even more so. But this doesn’t diminish the fact that the EcoBoost is far from slow or uninspiring. 315 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque in a 3,700-pound convertible provide ample performance for the majority of drivers. It achieves 0-60 mph in around 5 seconds, grips corners with satisfying tenacity, and possesses more than sufficient power to spin the tires. Not long ago, these performance figures would have been considered benchmarks for a V-8 pony car. Furthermore, the four-cylinder EcoBoost proves to be remarkably fuel-efficient, averaging 33 mpg during my 800-mile journey.
The EcoBoost Mustang convertible often flies under the radar, but it deserves greater recognition. The ultra-high-performance $325,000 GTD or the $60,000 Dark Horse models, while captivating, are not the vehicles that sustain the Mustang lineage – they are halo cars sold in limited quantities. However, the EcoBoost Convertible remains accessible to a broader spectrum of new-car buyers. And at this price point, performance packages and active exhaust become less critical. Buyers prioritizing such features will likely gravitate towards the GT. Appearance packages are also largely superfluous; it’s a Mustang, and owners will personalize it according to their budget. The primary advantage of my more expensive Premium trim was the integrated single screen housing the dual displays.
Even that could be considered a dispensable luxury in pursuit of affordable fun. And that’s precisely what the Ford Mustang EcoBoost convertible embodies. Lower the roof, turn up the audio system, and embrace the open road. With the dwindling number of convertible options available, it’s reassuring to know that the Mustang still offers smiles per mile at a relatively modest price. Relatively speaking, of course.
Our Take On The V8:
The Ford Mustang Dark Horse Rips
2024 Ford Mustang GT First Drive Review: Wild Horses Keep Dragging Me Away
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2024 Ford Mustang EcoBoost Premium Convertible Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Engine | Turbocharged 2.3-liter Inline Four |
| Output | 315 Horsepower / 350 Pound Feet |
| Transmission | 10-Speed Automatic |
| Drive Type | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Speed 0-60 MPH | 5.5 Seconds (est) |
| Maximum speed | 145 MPH (est) |
| Weight | 3,741 Pounds |
| Efficiency | 22 City / 33 Highway / 26 Combined |
| Seating Capacity | 4 |
| Cargo Volume | 11.4 Cubic Feet |
| Trim Base Price | $43,540 |
| As-Tested Price | $49,455 |
| On Sale | Now |
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