Again, I am a proud new owner of a box stock '04 Mustang GT with a manual transmission.
To you experienced drivers out there please be patient!
My '04 GT has neither ABS nor Traction Control!
With a La Nina winter ahead for the SF Bay Area I can predict a lot of (much needed) rain.
My car has almost new Goodyear Eagle 245/45-17 VR's on it.
If in a rain downpour and I keep the RPM's way down (1500 RPM) am I going to have any safety issues with control of my auto considering the
absence of the above safety devices?
I know, another newbie question, but SAFETY FIRST! fun next.
Please advise.

 

No, you shouldn't have any problems if you keep the RPMs down, feather first gear from a stop and granny shift around 2k. As for the tires, they are decent all-weather type of tires, you can always look to upgrade for a better footing. With stock rims, you can go up to 275/40-17 for a little bit better handling. I saw that GY has a new all-weather F1 line of tires that I think I'm going to get when its time to change out the tires on my GT.

One of the things I've have always done when I've gotten a new car and have been unsure of its handling capabilities, is to find a wide open, empty parking lot and basically cut loose a little. I'll pop the clutch to see what it takes to brake loose the rear end, do some hard braking at different speeds to see how the car reacts/shifts/slides. I'll go back to that lot when it rains, do the same thing and again if and when it snows. This was how my dad taught me to handle a car in adverse conditions and I perform this almost ritualistically when in a new part of the country or new car. You have to build up confidence and trust in the vehicle your driving and practicing emergency manuevers in a performance car can save your life. Find out if there is a local SCCA chapter. I know the one in Austin has monthly meets and has monthly road course time trial events, usually in a large parking lot, marked out with safety cones. They are alot of fun, safe, and helps build driving experience. There are also performance driving schools, usually a weekend course at a local track. What ever your choice, don't fear the car, learn it and enjoy the fun of driving it...

 

Traction control has screwed me over too many times to even want to leave it on when the roads are dry. Just go easy on the gas and slower on the turns. If you're really nervous, add weight to the trunk. Another suggestion is to change your tires. The Goodyears our cars come w/ blow (read the reviews on tire rack, I think it's the 2nd lowest rated tire our of 42 in the category).

 

is the TC disabled on your car? If it was done with a hand held tuner, you can always turn it back on.

 

Thanks especially to machnjo.
Upon some reflection I realized that I have been driving performance cars for years long before ABS and traction control were ever invented!
Its just a matter of common sense, good tires, and self-preservation for me and my new GT!
In a blinding downpour I think I will drive at half the speed limit at about 1500 rpm just like everyone else who has half a brain.
I know everything will be fine.
Again, thanks.

 

The mustang handles pretty well in the rain IMO. I feel sucure driving 80 all the time. Thats my normal cruising speed. I must say though, about TC.... I love it. It has saved my *** 3 or 4 times now. Once it saved me right after i first got my car when I messed up on a shift (thats a whole other story) Doing about 85 in 3rd gear I shifted into 2nd and the car went wild! The TC kicked in while the car started fish tailing violently. I was sliding from 90 degrees one way to 90 degrees the other way. I truely feel if it wasnt for the TC my car would have been totalled.

 

if your in the bay than you cant even go the speed limit. gawd do i miss the traffic

 

you'll be just fine. I also live in the Bay Area and had a 03 GT and a Mach 1 and pretty much always had the traction control off. Just don't punch it and you'll be fine when it's wet out and you'll be just fine. Nothing to be concerned about.

What I'm interested in knowing is why you don't have ABS or traction control in a stock mustang

 

ABS/Traction control wasn't standard (for V6's anyway) so I'm assuming GT's are the same way.

 

I work in The City, live in the east bay. I disabled my TC and ABS on day 1. Drive smart, leave a proper gap, and especially on 680 make sure you have good tread depth on your winter tires. The roads around here are crap for drainage. Otherwise... s'all good. Welcome to the machine.

 

When I upgraded from 245's to 275/40/zr17's, I felt a lot more comfortable in the rain. Even with low treads on the front tires, the wider tires give you a better feel and control.