Courtesy of Weston Auto Gallery, I was able to borrow a 2007 Ford Mustang GT for the first Redline Review.

Thanks to the brand new Mustang getting all of the attention, older versions are being put on the back burner, but they can be a great option for those who can not afford the new one.Currently, this Mustang is on sale at $14,980. Sadly, this specific version came equipped with the 5-speed automatic transmission, but as automatics go, this one is great. It shifts smoothly and quickly which is great if you are a drag racer, but on the back roads 5-speed Manual would be preferable.

The engine made the biggest impression. The 4.6 liter V8 in this car was just a jem. It creates 300 horsepower and made power almost anywhere in the power band. It was also surprisingly efficient. When new, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rated it at 15 miles per gallon (mpg) in city conditions and 22 mpg on the highway. On a road loop it averaged 21.9 mpg on a mix of highway, city traffic, and mountain road conditions, which is impressive for a V8 American Muscle car.

On the handling side of things, the Mustang showed both good and bad sides. On the good, the previous owner put on an upgraded wheel and tire package, giving it loads of grip in the fast sweeping corners of the mountain portion of the road loop. The main problem was that underneath is a solid rear axle. This means that any mid corner imperfection can shake up the rear, upsetting the rear end grip. The advantage is that it puts the power down better than an Independent rear end like its competitors. It fires out of a corner when power is applied, coupled with the fantastic growl of the V8, making it feel like a classic muscle car.

The design is where Ford hit a home run. The overall design is based off of the original 1964 Mustang. With a long hood, fast back roof line, tri-bar tail lights, and even the the fog lights in the grill are true to the original. Inside it is a similar story, with a 3-spoke steering wheel, T-handle shifter, and the main dash design all harken back to the original. The materials used were not the greatest, with hard plastics on almost every single interior panel giving it and overall cheap feeling.

Thanks to the brand new 2015 Mustang grabbing all the attention, it is hard to notice its predecessors and the more of a value they are becoming. This model is currently worth $14,980, which is much less than a brand new GT Mustang. making this 2007 model a great option for those who want a V8 muscle car with an affordable price tag.