more about this model
It's been 33 years since the original Mach 1 Mustang hit the streets, but ask anyone who's ever seen one and they'll describe it as if it were sitting right in front of them. With its menacing shaker hood scoop (named so because it was mounted on the engine and therefore "shook" when the throttle was blipped), flat black body trim and optional 428 Cobra Jet V8, the original '69 Mach 1 was certainly a sight to behold and a competitor to be feared. Among the various Mustangs produced during the muscle car era of the late '60s and early '70s, the Mach 1 stood out from the rest -- and still does to this day.
For 2003, the Mach 1 is back again, this time as part of Ford's "Living Legends" lineup. The idea is simple: take some of the most memorable Ford vehicles of the past and recreate them for modern-day consumption. Maintain the style and performance that made each particular model a legend, but do it in a way that not only pays homage to the original but improves upon it as well.
Never having piloted an original Mach 1, our impressions of the new model don't have the added insight of direct comparison, but like most attempts to recreate the past, the modern version is probably dead-on in numerous ways and not even close in others. One look and it's obvious that there wasn't much stylistic license used when it came to the exterior. It's got the shaker hood scoop, the air dam and the black rear deck spoiler just like the original. The extended rocker panels are there, too, along with side scoops and all-new 17-inch wheels similar in style to the original mags used in '69. It doesn't have the awe-inspiring presence of the original but the modern demands of aerodynamics and fuel efficiency don't always allow for the proportions and size that made yesterday's street machines so visually dynamic.
The all-new engine could be accused of the same lack of character if it weren't for the fact that it generates nearly as much horsepower as the top-shelf 428 did in its day. The ultramodern dual-overhead cam V8 extracts a very respectable 305 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque from its comparatively small 281 cubic inches of displacement. Combine that with significantly better mileage and less maintenance and air conditioning and...well, you get the picture.
Credit for the extra 45 horsepower over the standard 4.6 can be attributed to high-flow four-valve heads, higher compression (10.1:1), specially calibrated camshafts and port-matched exhaust manifolds. A specially tuned stainless steel exhaust system finished off with chrome tips completes the upgrades. It sounds burly enough to wear "Mach 1" badges, but we would venture to guess that the original still holds a slight advantage in this area.
Anyone who's acclimated to the standard 4.6 in the GT will notice the Mach 1's extra juice immediately. Unlike the revisions in the Bullitt Mustang that resulted in barely discernable differences in power, the Mach's substantial improvements return results you can feel. The Mach 1 is also aided by a shorter 3.55:1 final drive ratio, so sub-14 second quarter-mile times shouldn't be much of a problem. The Mach uses the same five-speed manual transmission found in the Bullitt, although a standard four-speed automatic is offered as well.
Suspension upgrades for the live axle Mach are nearly identical to those used on the Bullitt. Higher-rate front and rear springs lower the car half an inch, while specially tuned Tokico gas-pressurized shocks provide the dampening. The front stabilizer bar is carried over from the GT (23mm) while the rear gets a solid 23mm bar in place of GT's hollow unit. The Mach 1 also uses the same brake system upgrades as the Bullitt with 13-inch Brembo rotors and calipers (painted black) up front and slightly larger rear rotors (11.6 inches) as well.
Not surprisingly, the Mach 1 performs much like the Bullitt, with a tighter, more stable feel in the corners and a slightly stiffer ride everywhere else. The beefier brakes are a welcomed improvement, but they're still not powerful enough for serious track duty as they faded considerably after repeated hot laps. Those gathered for our media preview drive recalled that the Bullitt seemed to feel more balanced on the track, but the Mach definitely has an edge when it comes to usable power.
Although we spent most of our time behind the wheel staring at the rumbling hood scoop, we did manage to take in some of the Mach 1's throwback styling cues. The black leather "comfortweave" seats look like respectable reproductions of the original trim (albeit with considerably more lateral support), while the retro gauges make for a clean-looking instrument cluster. An optional interior trim package includes gray accents for the instrument panel, center stack and shift bezel in addition to aluminum pedals and an aluminum shift ball and boot ring. The extra dose of shimmering trim brightens up the otherwise unremarkable interior, so if you're planning on buying one don't forget to mark this $300 option.
With only 6,500 Mach 1s scheduled for production, they're likely to fly off the lots as fast as they tear down the drag strip. While the modern version isn't exactly the street king that the original version was, it still has more than enough guts under the hood to rattle a few nerves and put a smile on your face. But then again, like so many other recreations of late-'60s legends, the new Mach is missing that aura of originality that can't be added like an options package. For those who experienced it firsthand, it will never be the same, but for those who only had the chance to admire the original Mach 1 from the pages of a magazine or a dealer brochure, this all-new "living legend" is a dream come true.
Used 2003 Ford Mustang listings and inventory:
Shop Edmunds' used car, SUV, and truck listings of over 6 million pre-owned vehicles to find a cheap used and certified pre-owned (CPO) 2003 Ford Mustangs for sale near Ashburn VA. There are currently 624 used and CPO 2003 Mustangs listed for sale in your area, with list prices as low as 4,866 and mileage as low as 0. Simply research the type of used car, SUV, or truck you're interested in and then select a vehicle from our massive database to find cheap pre-owned vehicles for sale near you. Once you have identified a used vehicle you're interested in, check the Carfax and Autocheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find out what other owners paid for the used 2003 Ford Mustang. Then select Edmunds' special offers, perks, deals, and incentives to contact the dealer of your choice and save up to 300 on a used or CPO 2003 Mustang available from one of 2,630 dealerships in your area.
What's a good price on a used 2003 Ford Mustang ?
Save up to $299.8 on one of 12 used 2003 Ford Mustangs for sale at dealerships within 25 miles of Ashburn, Virginia with prices as low as $4866 as of Apr 26, 2018, based on data from 12 dealers and 21 consumer-driven dealer ratings ranging from 1 to 5 out of 5 stars.
Price comparisons for used 2003 Ford Mustang trim styles:
The used 2003 Ford Mustang GT Premium is priced around $10900 with average odometer reading of 52633 miles.
The used 2003 Ford Mustang Mach 1 Premuim is priced around $16997 with average odometer reading of 30060 miles.
The used 2003 Ford Mustang Base is priced around $5995 with average odometer reading of 122149 miles.
The used 2003 Ford Mustang Premium is priced around $4866 with average odometer reading of 94936 miles.
Shop with Edmunds for perks and special offers on used cars, trucks, and SUVs near Ashburn, Virginia. Doing so could save you hundreds or thousands of dollars. Edmunds also provides consumer-driven dealership sales and service reviews to help you make informed decisions about what cars to buy and where to buy them.
What options are available on the 2003 Ford Mustang?
Available Ford Mustang 2003 Submodel Types: Coupe, Convertible, Mach 1 Premium, Mach 1 Premuim, Boss 302, SVT Cobra
Available Ford Mustang 2003 Trims: GT, EcoBoost, EcoBoost Premium, V6, V6 Premium, Mach 1 Premium, Mach 1 Premuim, Standard, Base, Boss 302, Deluxe, GT 50 Years Limited Edition, GT Deluxe, GT Premium, Premium, SVT Cobra
Exterior Colors: Shadow Black, Magnetic Metallic, Oxford White, Ruby Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat, Race Red, Ingot Silver Metallic, Lightning Blue Metallic, Kona Blue Metallic, Black, Grabber Blue, Royal Crimson Metallic Tinted Clearcoat, Deep Impact Blue Metallic, White Platinum Metallic Tri-Coat, Competition Orange, Orange Fury Metallic Tri-Coat, Triple Yellow Tri-Coat, Torch Red Clearcoat, Sterling Gray Metallic, Performance White Clearcoat, Guard Metallic, Satin Silver Clearcoat Metallic, Performance White, Windveil Blue Clearcoat Metallic, Alloy Clearcoat Metallic, Brilliant Silver Clearcoat Metallic, Ebony, Red Candy Metallic Tinted Clearcoat, Black Clearcoat, Red Candy Metallic w/Tinted Clearcoat, Redfire Clearcoat Metallic, Tungsten Grey Clearcoat Metallic, Gotta Have it Green Metallic Tri-Coat, Grabber Orange Clearcoat Metallic, Screaming Yellow Clearcoat, Yellow Blaze Metallic Tri-Coat, Zinc Yellow Clearcoat, Azure Blue, Deep Forest Green Clearcoat Metallic, Highland Green Clearcoat, Mineral Gray Clearcoat Metallic, Mineral Grey Clearcoat Metallic, Oxford White Clearcoat, Satin Silver Clearcoat, Screaming Yellow, Silver Clearcoat Metallic, Silver Metallic, Sonic Blue Clearcoat Metallic, Sunset Gold Metallic, Torch Red, True Blue Clearcoat Metallic, Vibrant Red Clearcoat, Vista Blue Clearcoat Metallic
Interior Colors: Ebony cloth, Ebony leather, Charcoal Black cloth, Charcoal Black leather, Ceramic leather, Ebony leather/sueded microfiber, Dark Charcoal cloth, Dark Ceramic cloth, Dark Charcoal leather, Dark Saddle leather, Tan leather, Ceramic cloth, Medium Stone cloth, Medium Stone leather, Raven Black leather, Saddle leather, Showstopper Red leather, Midnight Blue leather, Stone cloth, Cashmere leather, Dark Charcoal, Dark Charcoal w/Dark Charcoal, Dark Charcoal w/Red Accent, Dark Charcoal w/Red Accent leather, Light Graphite, Light Graphite cloth, Medium Graphite, Medium Parchment, Medium Parchment cloth, Red Line leather, Stone leather, Yellow Jacket leather
Popular Features: Audio and cruise controls on steering wheel, Aux Audio Inputs, Tire Pressure Warning, Post-collision safety system, Stability Control, Upgraded Headlights, Bluetooth, USB Inputs, Back-up camera, Keyless Entry/Start, Parking sensors, Auto Climate Control, Multi-Zone Climate Control, Heated seats, Cooled Seats, Apple Carplay/Android Auto, Mobile Internet, Remote Start, Navigation, Trip Computer, Blind Spot Monitoring, 2nd Row Bucket Seats, Upgraded Stereo, Adaptive Cruise Control, Rear Bench Seats, Power Driver Seat, Fold Flat Rear Seats, Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Departure Warning, Pre-collision safety system, Leather Seats, Soft Top, Alarm
Engine/Mechanics: 4, 8, 6 cylinders
Transmission: MANUAL, AUTOMATIC
Fuel Types: premium unleaded (recommended), regular unleaded, premium unleaded (required)
Drivetrains: rear wheel drive
Used 2003 Ford Mustang Overview
The used 2003 Ford Mustang is offered in the following submodels: Convertible, SVT Cobra, Coupe, SVT Cobra 10th Anniversary, Mach 1 Premuim. Available styles include Deluxe 2dr Convertible (3.8L 6cyl 5M), 2dr Coupe (3.8L 6cyl 5M), and Deluxe 2dr Coupe (3.8L 6cyl 5M). Pre-owned Mustang models are available with a 0-liter gas engine, with output up to 0 hp, depending on engine type. The used 2003 Mustang comes with rear wheel drive. Available transmissions include: 5-speed manual.
