2002 Roush Mustang 360R

What sparks more lust from adolescent boys than an Angelina Jolie poster? A bright red Roush Mustang 360R, that’s what. Actually, it wasn’t just teenage boys whose jaws dropped and eyes narrowed as I made my way through everyday traffic in this racing striped hot rod. It was boys of all ages.

For the uninitiated, the Roush 360R Mustang is an aftermarket car. Aftermarket tuners are teams of engineers who take a new, assembly-line car – in this case the Mustang – and enhance its performance in every way. Some manufacturers have in-house tuners, like the Special Vehicles Team at Ford or Mercedes’ AMG. Others, like Roush, are independent.

But because founder and legendary racer Jack Roush has a longstanding relationship with Ford, this 360R is actually sold through select Ford dealerships. That’s why I agreed to test one.

Well, OK, I also wanted to know what it felt like to have a pack of boys in heat follow me around, not to mention 360 horses and 375 foot pounds of torque packed into a Mustang.

The summer has been long. And very hot.

The Good News
Roush claims the 360R is the fastest car under $40,000. With 0-60 at 4.3 seconds and a 12.3 second quarter mile at 109 mph, I won’t argue. Of course, the $40G price tag is relative. My 360R included Roush Alcon Brakes (14-inch front/13-inch rear slotted rotors, 4 piston front calipers) with Roush 18-inch Argent wheels, an amazing short throw shifter and Roush Stage 3 Suspension that includes front and rear springs, Roush front struts, rear shocks, sway bars and lower control arms. All this brought the tag on mine to $45,846.

Still, it’s a lot of car for the money.

Distinguishing the 360R from the outside is a “speed grill” and front fascia with high performance driving lights, Cobra hood, Roush rear wing, fender and decklid badges and significant racing stripes. Inside, the Roush stamp is on aluminum machined pedals and more badges. The world knows this is a special car.

That becomes even more evident when you fire her up. Standard on all 360Rs is a 4.6-liter, single overhead cam V-8 that features a Roush engineered “Roots” supercharger. The 360 horses peak at 5750 rpm; the 375 foot pounds of torque at 3000 rpm. Managing this madness, in my case, was the optional short-throw shifter that rips through five gears with a precise “click, click.” So tight is this shifter, the shift pattern is contained in a space no larger than the palm of my hand. Neutral is but a blip in the middle. I loved it.

The Roush Stage 3 Suspension gives the 360R a predictably rugged ride. The big fat low profile tires limit its finesse in tight spaces. Together, they give this beast clawing tenacity and the kind of stability that becomes requisite when you’re dealing with so much force. It’s a worthy setup.

Driving this 360R rather reminds me of a Corvette with its big V-8 intimidation, roaring and rumbling and beating its chest for all to hear. For some, this is too much posturing. I say, not when it delivers.

And this 360R does deliver. Roush makes this Mustang wicked -- frighteningly fast and unapologetic. The kind of car you crave when you need to get something out of your system.

The Bad News
Since this 360R so fulfills its mission and does not purport to be transportation for the masses, I find it hard to nail faults. You could complain about the ragged ride, the heavy clutch, the lack of turning radius or the fact it might wake up the neighbors when you roll in at 3 a.m. But that would be missing the whole point.

Gas mileage
EPA rated at 17mpg city/25 highway

Is it worth it?
I would give this Roush 360R Mustang a large thumbs up if not for the fact Ford is, ahem, striking back with a revamped SVT Mustang Cobra. For 2003, the Cobra boasts its own supercharged and intercooled 4.6-liter V-8 producing –get this -- 390 horses and 390 foot pounds of torque. The SVT Cobra retails for about $35,000. This could well take a bite out of Roush’s 360R, rendering it somewhat pricey and behind in power.

If I were Roush, I wouldn’t lose too much sleep. Whatever the Cobra is, it doesn’t diminish the 360R’s formidable presence. Besides, the 360R is much sexier looking than the Cobra and may be quicker. Horsepower doesn’t always tell the whole story.

For those who relish American muscle, like the exclusivity of an aftermarket car and don’t mind shelling out big bucks for a hot Mustang few will own, the Roush 360R is a treasure.

Just ask the boys.

Beth Stein is a life-long car buff and free-lance journalist living in Nashville. She has reviewed new vehicles in print for 12 years as a weekly columnist for Nashville’s daily newspapers and on television for Road Test Magazine and Motor Trend Television. Currently, her reviews appear nationally on Car And Driver Television.