Is the 2023 Ford Mustang GT California Special a new muscle car you should buy NOW?

It is the FINAL YEAR of the Mustang GT in its current form and the California Special trim. On the outside the GT/CS has many special and unique finishes such as grill, wheels, badging and rear spoiler. On the inside you will be greeted by leather/Alcantara seats, red stitching throughout and a digital gauge cluster. Under the hood is a 5.0L V8 pumping out 450HP. Is the 2023 Ford Mustang GT California Special a new muscle car you should buy NOW?
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videography:Steven Flood 🎥

[@mat13174]

That color with the C/S is a winning formula right there! The little extra touches differentiates it just enough from the standard GT. 👍

[@RaitisRides]

You are co very right Matt.

[@mat13174]

@@RaitisRides if this color was available when I picked up my GT in 21, it would have been a serious contender in this spec. Only difference I would have made to your tester would have been a manual transmission.

[@t.k.morris]

@@mat13174 Has the Mustang manual transmission problems been resolved yet?

[@mat13174]

@@t.k.morris from what I understand, the 2019+ are better than the older ones, but still not as good as the Tremac transmission. I haven’t had any issues with mine, but keep in mind I don’t drive my card hard.

[@petergodfrey4783]

The California Special came out in the late 60’s brother, not the 80’s.

[@STEWDEE]

I think 1968 was the 1st C/S . Always liked seeing them around when I was a kid..They stood out from the crowd.

[@rigoserrano1508]

Bro, mustangs are another one of my favorite sports cars

[@RaitisRides]

I love to bring them to you!

[@anthonykiedis1765]

Calling them a sports car is a stretch. Definitely a decent muscle car though.

[@taylorm_2892]

​@@anthonykiedis1765 uhh? Odd take

[@rickybobby7549]

@@taylorm_2892it’s not. Americans don’t make sports cars

[@tyarnold4088]

​@@taylorm_2892 it is an odd take. He probably drives a civic.

[@berni303]

I got my Mustang already, but I’m still watching your every Mustang video. Every time I pick up something new. Thanks!

[@gregpaige4430]

Joe, as usual you do an excellent job describing a vehicle. I love the color and of course the performance.

[@RaitisRides]

That really means so much Greg!

[@larrybadash8490]

I took delivery of a 2022 GT/CS on December 20th. Mischevious Purple or a/k/a Oil Slick Blue. I was going to wait for the 2024 but the new style interior failed to float my boat. It is truly an eye-catcher compared to the 2019 Oxford White I traded in. It is the best looking convertible on the road. I had a Maserati Convertible driver come to me during a meeting tell me he should have picked one up and saved $75K. Side vents look slick, the PP2 (1st time on a convertible) was a great move. The Alcantara seats are truly appreciated on long trips and the 6-speed seems to be an upgrade from the 2019. The rear deck badge works for me and I like the way it blends with the entire car. Ford knocked it out of the park!

[@naynaybug1]

Thanks to your reviews and a couple months of searching I landed a purple Mach & loving it!

[@tomdrummy4984]

Loving the purple ! I appreciate the history and info you provide in the first couple of minutes of these videos. It adds a lot to the review.. Thanks Joe ! 👍. And Steven

[@RaitisRides]

Thanks Tom for having our backs!

[@derekgaliee4351]

Hi Joe 👋

[@bjbg6838]

beautiful color. and what you said about the sound being the soul...it touched me. takes me back to your old intro "the sound"!

[@briansavaglio9122]

Just bought a brand new 2022 Mustang GT/CS and couldn’t be happier. Love cruising down PCH in Southern California!

[@DavyDave1313]

They had the fuel cap styled badge on my 19GTCS also!! I kinda like that one better because it has the California special written next to it in red...but that purple color is simply amazing. Green and Purple Mustangs are always so nice to see

[@RaitisRides]

Thanks for sharing your great thoughts on this one.

[@mystictk4149]

That color is freaking awesome. The car is really beautiful and generally just awesome.

[@RaitisRides]

It really pops in the sun,

[@mystictk4149]

@@RaitisRides That is the truth!!

[@bcspiel]

After watching the video, that is my exact spec lol. That car is currently in my garage. Thanks for reviewing it!

[@av8054]

Just got mine and I’m so happy 😁 Your presentation is awesome 😎

[@omarcortes5754]

I have to say this California Special looks freaking good.

[@RaitisRides]

I totally agree with you!

[@Mshredfrieza]

Badass as always!

[@RaitisRides]

Thanks brother!

[@darylthomas4676]

I bought one last week Raiti and i absolutely love it! Mine is the oxford white GT/CS and i adore her! Thinks for the revue bro and i'm here to tell ya this is one hell of a package and again i love it!😜👍Throttle Down Baby!

[@JoeyDamico]

Always nice to hear of someone else who appreciates underwater basket weaving!

[@mattyritt]

I love the plum crazy purple that dodge has, but I think the mischievous purple is miles better looking. Great video Joe, it’s so hard to show off how awesome the mischievous purple looks, but you guys did it 👍🏻

[@jimmydeneus7109]

💯💯💯💯960,000k subsribers keep going raiti's rides

[@RaitisRides]

You are the best Jimmy!

[@timgenz2849]

Love the Mustang videos Joe 💯, now I’ll get back to the video, to the door panel Joe

[@RaitisRides]

Thanks Tim for letting me bring them to you!

[@bryanwashington9511]

Mischievous Purple shines so perfectly yes the S550 is the choice I would go for. I like the 60s styling cues with the faux fuel cap and the grille is clean the spoiler is a nice touch too. One big zonk is the 450 hp rating.

[@wblife9120]

I picked up a 2022 (New) GT/CS a few months ago (4 grand under MSRP). Black on Black and I won't ever regret it! Great review. Its everything you said and more.

[@lexusbruh904]

Looks awesome! I had a 07' gt/cs way back and loved it

[@RaitisRides]

That is so cool! Thanks for sharing that!

[@farukiliyasu6680]

Great review joe,you detailed the car completely

[@RaitisRides]

Thank you Faruk for letting me bring it to you.

[@EuroUSA]

I swear to god man I seen a bunch of car reviews and they don’t nearly show the power of the engine like you do they drive it like some grandmas I love your channel keep it coming man I had a dream i was racing something with that exhaust note

[@dominickirkwood]

I love it Joe and Lori and Steve and keep up the good work and I love the video 👏 👍

[@MagicMatts]

There's nothing like Mustangs! And oh my, that V8 sounds terrific!

[@danielbrown4133]

I'm from Australia and took delivery of my 2023 GT CS in Atlas Blue 4 weeks ago, our spec has the Performance Pack. I absolutely love it, blows my mind!!

[@RaitisRides]

That is so fantastic Dan! Great job!

[@iamkingrichard2032]

Joe because of your review, I got my dream pony 2021 Mach1 w no handling package. I don’t really go to a track so for me it’s useless to spend extra $$. But I got the rear wing and recaro seats. I love my Mach1 in fighter jet gray. Window sticker is $59,950 and I got it for $50,450 with only 4850 miles on it. Again, thanks for all your hard work.

[@RaitisRides]

That is so fantastic Richard! I appreciate you letting me share my car passion with you.

[@mmf9765]

😮

[@McLeanGary]

I've always liked the California Special, enough so that I bought a 2013 edition. Nice subtle touches and some pretty good performance as well, and glad to see they went with that wing for sure. Keep it mischievous Team Raiti!!!

[@169abr]

S197 GT/CS was peak CS look, the S550 is kinda meh to me compared to the S197 version.

[@jeffnduran]

"The sound of that V8 is just intoxicating". Thank you for confirming my urge to buy one of these bad girls in grabber blue later this year. Thanks Raiti!

[@InterstateRaziTV]

Love Mustangs so much!

[@RaitisRides]

I can understand why!

[@lyndahammel9502]

Love all of the Mustang reviews 🎉

[@derekgaliee4351]

Excellent Review 💯 Joe & Steve 👍

[@tradermarkkalil86]

Man, that’s awesome!

[@lambsweet]

The very first original GT/CS was in 1968. Most had the 302 but some (very few) came with the 390. They used the Mercury Cougar sequential tail lights.

[@edithmartin5832]

You convinced me to get my 2019 GT/CS and I got it in metallic Kona. Love my CS and mine has 465 horses

[@CheesusSVT]

I wish Ford and other brands did a better job of seperating the look of certain trims etc. over the past decade.... I feel like they really nailed it with the new edge platform personally. You knew what a Cobra was, a Mach 1, a GT, a V6. Seems so hard to tell the difference now without actually staring at the badges etc. Appreciate the videos.

[@ctreacts1537]

Just noticed all your videos are at Dealerships in Tampa, I'm getting ready to go car shopping soon maybe I'll see you doing your stuff!

[@RaitisRides]

That would be really cool!

[@fivebeans2077]

The color is super unique, great review Joe!

[@RaitisRides]

You are so very right my friend!

[@jwjones91]

I actually had a 2019 GT/CS A10 with every option you could get. Unfortunately lost it when COVID hit when my wife and I both got furloughed. We had a 2019 GT/CS and a 2019 Taurus SHO, both gone thanks to COVID. The GT/CS was such a fun car, I had the chance to take it to the strip once and got it to run a 12.08 @ 119mph bone stock down to the PS4S tires at 35PSI. I could have even got a better time had I got better traction. Anyways super fun car to own and drive. I'll miss it.

[@RaitisRides]

I am so sorry to hear about that John, You will get another down the road.

[@thisnewcreatedaccount5286]

Its Daddys Rides back at it again.

[@RaitisRides]

There you go whatever that means,

[@JF-rf9fx]

15:43 thanks to you I always think of bon jovi when it's raining and change my truck to slippery/wet mode 🤦🏻‍♂️🤣🤣

[@RaitisRides]

Now that is awesome!

[@MikeYeary]

I just went and ordered myself a Dark Horse, but they had one of these (black) in the showroom and it was absolutely gorgeous. I personally love the side-scoops on a Mustang. I have a '94 now, and I always thought the scoops on it looked neat, and they're actually functional to boot. That's the only thing that I'm not totally in love with about the Dark Horse, the sides look a little boring to me, but I wanted that performance upgrade. That's the trade trade-off, I guess.

[@mattshungry1]

Wonderful presentation!

[@mattmekhaeil]

I like that cheeky name for this color. You drive one of these you are definitely mischievous!

[@RaitisRides]

You better believe it.

[@smitty858]

Great color! I went with cyber orange but either way can’t go wrong with a Mustang!

[@cardo1111]

Excellent review. She is sweet, nitpicking here but a zonk on no hood strut and as you mentioned they cheaped out on not bringing the red stitching up the sides of the center console.

[@CALISPEC1]

One small correction to the GT/CS info; the California Special package came out in on 1968 alongside the Denver Colorado “High Country Special” and was actually inspired by the Shelby “Little Red” coupe. Good review 👍

[@Skulldude567]

I have a 2021 GT CS. I love it so much.

[@RaitisRides]

That is so awesome Jacob! You have great taste!

[@darrene.mathews5566]

My goodness, Mr. Raiti, that thing looks as sweet as a Florida orange. 🍊😌

[@online_now6834]

I love how that Bronco behind you has YET to sell ....

[@14lexquez]

Hate to see the S550 go, but bring on the S650. Great things will come out of it. Great review Joe!

[@RaitisRides]

I think you may be right Alex.

[@jrrogersstang4696]

Love it man 🔥🔥🔥🐎🐎🐎🐎

[@markoverton3584]

Hi Joe. I am a Viking fan so love the color. Have a 2019 c/s gt in Kona blue. I think the new trunk wing is one of best looking. I like the stripe down the side of the car. The inside has stayed the same. Keep up the great work👍👍

[@RaitisRides]

That is so awesome Mark! Thanks for letting me share it with you!

[@stanleyguard5593]

Love everything about the car minus the fake comb Joe love the wheels and the color sweet the gauges nice that sound what's not to like and finally the review no body does it better Joe you rock enjoyed the video 📹 📹

[@jnyfumare]

'California Special'? Does it comes with a tent Joe? LOL

[@SergioHernandez-le8wp]

Beautiful car. Have we heard any news as to when (or if) Saleen is going to start manufacturing the new-body mustangs?

[@bigdwagsafal]

Awesome California GT 🔥🔥🔥

[@robbydragi]

Joe, do you notice any handling difference with the strut tower on the California Special compared to the standard GT? Wondering if its negligible or a happy medium between standard and PP1

[@gregoryshaw4267]

Got a 2022 gtcs convertible same color . I love it

[@d.rbailey5481]

Oh yes jo, I love mustang also, but one thing I would have liked to see is the 🐴 badge on the main grill

[@Everarmed89]

I’m starting to think Steve bought up all the Oreo Poptarts cause I can’t find them either! Great review!

[@jtareptiles6408]

Reminds me of the mystichrome I was never a big fan but I like the rest of the touches. Of course I’d go manual lol

[@deadlyumbreon]

That's a beautiful color!

[@RaitisRides]

I totally agree with you!

[@davidp2888]

Ford nailed it on this one.

[@RaitisRides]

You better believe it!

[@gsxellence]

For all the mustangs that I had, I've always used the snow mode for fuel economy.

[@andrewcapone3345]

I like the color and styling. Def agree with the zonk the fake side vents! I hate the 255 tire width...that is really weak for a V8 muscle car, I'd like to see at least a 275 width all around! Sounds good like a V8 should.

[@jays9211]

I can’t believe it only has 255s on the rear. My 911 Turbo has 255s on the front and 315s out the back

[@bigdavedayday1581]

325s should be the minimum width tire

[@jays9211]

@@bigdavedayday1581 I agree especially considering this is a RWD car with most of the weight up front

[@truckercowboyed2638]

Wow a whole 20 mm is a deal breaker for you ?? It's still gonna grip just fine on regular streets, don't see why you need bigger unless that's your thing.......also bigger tires are more expensive so

[@leticiacouto4221]

My GT/CS has 275. There's the option, his model just didn't have it.

[@rigoserrano1508]

Dude, this car is automatically my 2nd dream car. I need to buy one of these babies in that same color.

[@RaitisRides]

That is really cool Rigo!

[@newlight3215]

Hey Joe, I was wondering at 18:50 you stated you can change the sound of the exhaust I have a this GTCS and I was wondering how to do it.

[@figmo7494]

Gotta love the “Stang!”

[@RaitisRides]

Heck yeah!

[@terencemichel8972]

I love the purple and 6-speed, but do they offer it as a convertible & I’d like to see the prices ? Thanks

[@chabbysrides]

Great stuff Joe! This CS looks killer! Not a fan of the Automatic in the Mustang. Give me the 6 speed. The fake side vents are a zonkarooskie for me. Thanks for bringing it to us.

[@acx2035]

I just got a Mach 1 in this color. I love it so much.

[@904hemi]

I almost brought 2022 mustang C/S but I decided to stick it out with dodge and trade my RT for the 392. Them 10 speeds are nasty and the digital dash is just awesome

[@richardjohnson8356]

Cali. Specials are always the cleanest

[@johnbarry3869]

Very, very impressive!!

[@coachmaupin201]

Great 🐎 car . Great review 🎉

[@urideamabal]

Loving it Joe, say hello to the lovely & talented, Lori....👌😁 Edit: Thanks Steven.

[@mmf9765]

The 22’s and 23’s can be special because you can get the California edition and performance package!! Not alot with both combined will be made

[@thinkabout602]

Love the color and 💥 SOUND 💥 if you have the $$$$ get before it's gone 💯

[@RaitisRides]

I like the way that you think!

[@kinghill500]

🔥🔥

[@RaitisRides]

I am so glad that you are digging this one.

[@waylinvanhalen]

Usually a black or red guy but that purp is awesome

[@wolfthornhawkridge5705]

Digging the purple

[@amill1563]

I would love a very geographic specific Mustang. It would be CS, sub series - Yolo County - sub series Woodland - sub series College Ave.

[@dougsharp8066]

Just drove through my local Ford dealership in Effingham Illinois they have the Mustang GT/CS

[@derekgaliee4351]

Great Sence of Humor Always Joe 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂👍❤️

[@NeverFadeAway2077]

Really really love this car❤

[@Eltaco88]

It would be nice for raiti. To review the new 2023 rt charger 5.7 hemi

[@The_Hi_Life]

I’m diggin the mischievous purple! Very similar to Hellraisin from Mopar👍

[@CoyoteAUS]

Even though stick is fun I think the 10R80 trans in the FN S550 is what put the 6th Gen mustang on the map in terms of performance. A manual equivalent GT would have to have at least another 50whp to stay with the 10R80.

[@arj24z06]

Great video, I think the first California Special was in 1967-68.

[@RaitisRides]

You are correct!

[@lj5190]

My first car was a purple 1996 Mustang GT. It was a dog, but man was it sharp. Got nothing but compliments on the color.

[@RaitisRides]

Oh I can just imagine.

[@HoangLe-nw4xg]

thanks

[@wardellward]

I’m luvin that gt

[@RaitisRides]

I had a really good feeling that you would.

[@wardellward]

@@RaitisRides yes sir

[@MisterMikeTexas]

"Dead Or Alive" is my favorite Bon Jovi song. A good one for track mode would be "I Can't Drive 55" by Sammy Hagar, courtesy of Classic Rewind. Or, if you're at Sonic waiting for your skating server to bring that double cheeseburger and rings out to you, "Cars" by Gary Numan, courtesy of 1st Wave.

[@RaitisRides]

You are so awesome Michael!

[@bosoares]

Love it, especially in that color. I just don't know if I could bring myself to spend that much money on a car.

[@rigoserrano1508]

Ok, I never heard of a color called mischievous purple before. Sounds very naughty, and plus purple is one of my favorite colors

[@RaitisRides]

Very cool! I am so glad that I can bring it to you!

[@fordguy3032]

I have a 21 GT/CS in Velocity Blue.....Love the GT/CS package.....and mine's a 6 speed with analog 400A gauge pack...old school look.

[@RaitisRides]

You have very good taste.

[@fordguy3032]

@@RaitisRides Thanks....you have a great channel!