2023 Ford Mustang GT Convertible

The sixth-generation Ford Mustang has had a great run, but the 2023 model year will be its last before the all-new one arrives. This affects all variants, including the Ford Mustang GT Convertible we review here. The good thing about buying cars in their final model year is that many of the kinks would've been ironed out by now, and the standard specification will have been bolstered through the years. What hasn't changed is the presence of that lovely 5.0-liter V8 in the GT Convertible that develops 450 horsepower, and it sounds especially good with the roof down. Chevrolet also offers the Camaro Convertible LT1 with its 455-hp V8, and both deliver V8 thrills with a manual gearbox at a fairly accessible price point. The Chevy is cheaper, but the Mustang GT Convertible's Premium trim has many desirable features. The coupe is a little better to drive, and rear-seat space is limited, but even at the end of its life, the GT Convertible provides plenty of driving enjoyment.

The 2023 Ford Mustang GT Convertible has a starting MSRP of $48,865 in the USA, excluding a destination fee of $1,395. Expect to add another $1,595 if you want the automatic transmission. The 2024 replacement will cost almost $4,000 more, which could go towards some desirable upgrades for the 2023 Mustang GT Convertible.

Several packages can be added to the GT Convertible, with one of the priciest being the GT Performance Package at $6,700. This includes 19-inch wheels, Brembo brakes, a Torsen differential, a K-brace, and heavy-duty front springs.

The Mustang Night Pony Package ($1,195) and California Special Package ($1,995) spruce up the appearance. The former comes with several blacked-out elements, and the latter has a honeycomb grille and unique wheels as part of its roster of upgrades. For those chasing more luxury and tech, the $2,700 GT Premium High (401A) equipment group adds a 12-inch digital gauge cluster, a heated steering wheel, upgraded trim, and adaptive cruise control.

There is a small but discernible price to pay for the ability to lower the new Ford Mustang GT Convertible's roof. Compared to the Mustang GT Coupe, there is some cowl shake to contend with, but it's not enough to spoil the fun. The convertible remains taut with steering that communicates a decent amount of feedback, allowing the car to be hustled at a fair rate before one runs out of courage. Sport mode alters the responses through the steering, while the GT Performance Package unlocks an even more focused attitude with its heavy-duty front springs, Torsen differential (3.73 axle ratio with the manual, 3.55 for the automatic), and unique chassis tuning.

But convertibles also make for great cruisers, so we're inclined to skip the performance upgrades and enjoy the standard car's glorious exhaust note from the 450-hp V8 and surprisingly plush ride. At low to medium speeds with the roof down, the wind roar is well-contained, and on sunny days, it's everything a sporty convertible should be. The manual is an easy winner over the automatic with its rev-matching function and agreeable clutch action, whereas the ten-speed automatic changes up very quickly - that's fine if you're taking it easy but an annoyance when you want to have some fun.

Overall, this is a drop-top with a wide range of talents.

The Ford Mustang GT Convertible is a great drop-top. In manual guise, it's an enormously enjoyable car to drive quickly, yet refined enough for daily use or that laid-back Sunday afternoon cruise. The 450-hp V8 delivers the goods on all fronts, but you do have to pay for its smoothness and that lovely growl at the pumps when matched up against the EcoBoost model we review separately. This generation of the Mustang has lived up to the expectations of the iconic nameplate, and it's still competitive right at the end of its life. However, if you want your GT Convertible with the latest tech, it may be worth holding out for the 2024 model, as this one's interior does show its age in some respects. But if colorful displays and gadgets aren't critical and you only want a charismatic pony car that can go topless, the GT Convertible won't disappoint.

We would stick with the standard six-speed manual gearbox and skip the GT Performance Package, as this has a negative impact on the agreeable ride. The California Special Package at $1,995 does improve the visual appeal of the Mustang GT with its 19-inch wheels, honeycomb grille, and performance front splitter, while the interior gains Miko suede inserts. We'd also go for the 12-speaker Bose sound system at $995, bringing the total to just over $53,000.