I’ve been driving a 2010 Mustang Convertible for the past week, a covered rental while the BMW is at Sublime finally getting a new rear bumper after the accident way back in April.

After requesting something cheap, I was surprised when Enterprise dropped off the Stang, and even a little excited. Sure the V6 has some power and the rear wheel drive is enjoyable, but it is amazing just how far corners can be cut to make the affordable American pony car.

The automatic transmission is by far the worst I’ve driven; it takes several seconds from flooring the pedal to gear catching and eventual acceleration. Brakes are extremely soft and mushy with no precision. Steering slightly better than a pickup truck. Suspension feels like an old mattress, bucking and diving drastically even at slow speeds as you operate the pedals.

The most disappointing is the chassis. Apparently Ford has managed to build the whole frame out of 100% American rubber. Though the queen bed suspension absorbs an initial shock, the whole car ripples afterwards like Jello. Massachusetts’ signature crappy pavement blurs your vision and vibrates your arms.

However, it is a great-looking Mustang, and the first opportunity I’ve really had to drive a convertible. The 55-degree temperatures didn’t stop me from driving home with the top down on the first day. After all, it has a powerful American heater.