When I was contacted by Ford Canada and informed that I would be loaned a 2018 Ford Mustang EcoBoost® Premium Model for a week, my stomach did flip flops. You see, I’ve always wanted a Mustang – a hot-looking, sexy Mustang that I could bomb around town in. My bestie’s partner owns a pretty slick, black Mustang convertible, and when he drives us around on hot, sunny summer days, we have a blast.
I knew this would be quite the experience, but I didn’t realize how much of a lifetime experience it would be. I’m so fortunate to have such a great blogging side gig that affords me opportunities like this…but this…THIS was next level.
On a bright, early September morning, I hopped in an Uber to pick up my sweet ride. As I waited for the Mustang to arrive, I started planning cute outfits to wear for my photoshoot with the car, and where I would drive it…and frankly, who I would brag to about my super cool set of wheels for the week.
I heard a low growl behind me and my jaw dropped as I turned around. There was my dream car…in all of its indigo glory. I went weak in the knees at the sight of its aggressive lines, wide, low profile tires, matte black rims….OH MY SWEET LORD. Steadying myself against a laughing Customer Service rep, I staggered over to the Mustang and launched myself onto the hood. No – I didn’t…just kidding, but I wanted to.
I felt light-headed as I climbed into the car, feeling hugged by its Recaro bucket seats. While Lesley, the kind Customer Service rep, explained the ins and outs of the Mustang, I just pawed at the steering wheel, mouth agape while she urged me to try “Sports Mode”. This beaut has 6-speed manual transmission too, so I knew it would be extra fun to drive.
The Mustang’s clock read 8:45am and I was fixing to be late for work thanks to all of my gawking at this car, but I’ll be frank. I didn’t care. I was going to take the long way to work in this gem, ensuring that everyone and their dog saw me driving it.
When I started to drive, I had a rush that I have never quite experienced before. The immediate acceleration, the deep rumble of the engine, feeling the car’s vibration in my core could only be described as primal excitement.
The cherry on the sundae? Watching people’s heads turn as they saw me drive by. It’s a real head-turner and I relished every second of it.
I took the car to a long straightaway road near my office and I opened her up! “WHOAAA!!!!!!!!!!!” I screamed as the speedometre’s needle veered right. White-knuckling the steering wheel, I laughed like a maniac. The Mustang accelerated making a low, deep growl I could only liken to what a dragon must sound like. I must have looked like a woman possessed as I sped by a little old lady in a sensible and laughably slow hatchback.
Regaining my senses, I finally headed to work and a sense of deep disappointment soon overwhelmed me. I wanted to race, not review spreadsheets. I pulled into the office 10 minutes late, but for some reason, so did everyone else.
“HOLY SH*T, Dom!!!! I knew you were looking for a new car, but damn! A ‘stang?” a fellow, favourite employee bellowed as he muscled me out of the driver’s seat and got comfortable. I didn’t bother correcting him. This attention was hella good.
A crowd of onlookers soon gathered, patting me on the back and listing off the car’s features, like I didn’t know. I researched my baby and was floored by what it offered.
2018 Ford Mustang EcoBoost® Premium Model Features
It’s Good-Lookin’
Let’s start with the obvious. This car looks GOOD. From the summer-only tires with 19-inch X 9-inch lowgloss Ebony Black-painted aluminum wheels to the lowered front hood, this car is bad ass. The 2018 Mustang also features new LED lighting adding to its aggressive stance.
Dual Exhaust and Active Valve Performance Exhaust
Premium Plus Package
12-Inch LCD Digital Instrument Cluster with MyColor®
Selectable Electric Power-Assisted Steering (EPAS)
Comfort: Choose this if you just feel like cruising. Involving the least amount of steering effort, it’s great for jetting to the grocery store or taking your pup for a leisurely drive. Great for everyday driving.
Sport: Feeling like getting to know the Mustang? Switch on Sport Mode. This requires greater steering effort allowing you a better and immediate connection to the road. Perfect for when you want to see what this car is made of.
Normal: The perfect balance between Comfort and Sport. Use this when you want to engage with the car more than Comfort mode, but still want easy steering.
Track Apps®
Back To Bragging About The Mustang To Anyone Who Will Listen…
While in the parking lot of my office, I had a big realization. It seemed like everyone is a Mustang fan. Each one of my co-workers that gathered to gawk at this beauty wants a Mustang or wants to experience driving one at least once.
That week, I found every single reason on Earth to drive the Mustang around the city. “I feel like grapes! Better hop in the Mustang and head to the grocery store!”, “Oh! Need a ride across the city to Orleans? SURE. Hop in.”, “I better pick up the mail from the mailbox which is 20 meters from my house. I think I’ll drive there.” I loved everything about this car and I was taking advantage.
A friend of mine suggested that I should do something really cool with the Mustang, like take it up to the Calabogie Motorsports Park. Now – there was a once in a lifetime experience! I quickly called the motorsports park and I was booked to tour and experience the longest racetrack in Canada.
Upon arriving, I was greeted by Jane, a no-nonsense type who hurried me into a classroom. Yep – Calabogie Motorsport Park offers drivers lessons on how to drive your car on the racetrack for the best experience possible. I learned how to maneuver the track, check my mirrors like a pro, brake properly and pass slower cars safely.
I got suited up, put on my helmet and climbed into the Mustang with my instructor Ian. We headed out on the track and I won’t lie, I was nervous. The sound of the cars whizzing by me on the track was deafening and thrilling.
A mix of exhilaration and fear took over my body, but I managed to drive around the track and live to tell about it. The twists, the sharp-as-hell turns and opening her up on the long straightaway was breathtaking!!! Driving around the racetrack was such a rush that I had tears streaming down my face.
This experience right here I will never forget for as long as I live. I have had the good fortune to be able to drive many beautiful cars, but this one was on my bucket list. As I sit here typing, I have a huge smile on my face remembering that week fondly. It changed the way I think about cars and what I’m really looking for in my next set of wheels.
The 2018 Ford Mustang is daring me to dream a little bit. Will I really be satisfied with a sensible little car that isn’t much to look at? Will it really fulfill me to drive a boring car that gets me from Point A to Point B but barely makes it over 100km/hr? Or should I follow my heart and get that Mustang? Maybe. Maybe I really do need to feel that awesome rumble again sometime soon.
*In collaboration with Ford Canada. All opinions are my own. I LOVE THIS CAR.
Dominique is a Canadian-based fashion and beauty influencer with a strong voice in Ottawa’s black community. Since launching her blog Style Domination in 2015, she has amassed a global fanbase. Dominique shares her life through beautiful imagery and compelling story-telling that speaks to her fans on a personal level. She’s been featured in The Guardian, Flare, The Kit and Cityline. She also hosts events for Dress for Success, the Gem Conference, and has been named a United Way Person 2 Know for the past three years.
