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I don't get why a generation that thinks a Tiburon looks hot doesn't think the new 'Stang rocks.
Everybody's entitled to their opinion.
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
It may be just a vocal minority of my generation that doesn't think that it rocks. I drooled over the coupe enough in pictures, but once I saw it in person, I fell in love. The front end that looked questionable in pictures turned out to be aggressive, powerful, well sculpted, and overall "badass" in person. People I overheard who were not too many years older than myself seemed to agree.
In my observation, more people in my age group are infatuated with sleek, performance-oriented 2-doors than with the Scions and Elements that are being marketed right at us. The car Ford should expect to be more popular with us, then, is not the practical, Element-ish stuff like the Freestyle, but the new Mustang. If the price is right, it could very well be the car that my generation goes for as soon as they get a decent paying job right after college. Just as my father bought a '65 Mustang new about a year after college, I plan on seriously looking into an '05 once they're out, a year or so after my graduation.
Ford just might have a winner on their hands, assuming pricing is similar to the current model and the rest of my generation loves it as much as I do.
Mike
I'm also 20 years old, but I love the way the way the coupe looks. I'm happy their going with a more sleeker look - the '03 mustang GT looks stupid and cheap with all those goofy curves and angles.
Now the interior of the '04 fails in just about every aspect. I know the production model won't look anything like it, but why would you even show something that looks so dated and useless. My guess is because Ford is still unsure whether to put in a well-finished, well-built interior or the same cheap plastic crap that's inside right now. I hope they go with the former.
The original was very well-received, the 1974 was well-received by the public (and roundly hated by fans), the 1979 marked a welcome goodbye to the unloved II and the retro 1994 was a hit.
But the upcoming version really seems to have split BOTH the enthusiasts AND the general public. Interesting. Of course, we've never had such mass-communication ability before, so that might have something to do with it, but nonetheless...
As for the Mustang's taillights, "pretentious" seems an odd choice of word...they evoke the tailight style used on the 1960s models, which I wouldn't think were thought pretentious.
compared to the small plain tailights that graced most Mustangs. Many(not all) of these people are unaware of certain aspects of the Mustang heritage. The GT concept cars are patterned after the '67-'68 Shelby Mustangs, not the standard Ford Mustangs. Hence they have the full width tailights, roll hoop and racing seats as well as no back seat.
I'd be surprised if any of those features show up on the base or GT production models. We might see some, or all, on Cobra or Cobra
R models (not til '06).
I'm surprised that so many who call themselves Mustang fans dislike the new shape but I'll bet they are practically all under 25 and for some reason partisans of the current (ugh!) design.
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
I like the taillights on my '02, and I suppose I thought the size increase was mostly due to evolving safety considerations over the years. But I can see the point raised. Still, I'd say they're better looking than say the slit-ed taillights on the early 1990s Fox GTs.
As long as a Mustang has:
-long hood/short deck 2+2 body style
-rwd
-more performance relative to most cars out there
-an affordable price point
it will do well regardless of other issues like the styling cues, colors offered, etc. And all of us will (more or less) in time come to accept it as a proper Mustang.
But then again, these debates are part of the fun of having an iconic car with a continuous production and storied heritage. I doubt anyone gets that worked up over Taurus redesigns... : )
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
You'd be surprised. The '96 Taurus is what kicked off the string of ineptitude that's characterized Ford decision-making for the last five years. No company on the planet understands better than Ford the importance of styling a mainstream vehicle correctly.
Earlier I said that I didn't like the concept. I'm less sure now. Take a look at some of the new cars coming out. Mercedes has adopted some interesting angular styling cues on the CLK, ditto BMW on the 7-series, and Honda's been pushing this envelope for a few years now. Scoops and sculpting have disappeared from stalwarts (even the WRX is looking more polished) while aerodynamic considerations have led to refined and gentle front cowls. Wheels are being pushed out to the corners, and cars are taking on a heightened substantialness, almost like a slight puffing out of the sheetmetal. Quirky headlamps are now vogue. The hatchback style is now a premium look. These trends are real, I think, and they paint a picture of what futuristic vehicles will look like.
The Mustang concept IMO actually does a servicable job of keeping some of the nuances of the Mustang while offering a very modern interpretation. The current Mustang's styling is nice, but I think it's threatened to start looking VERY archaic over the next few years, given what everything from Tiburons to Accords to Stratuses to CLKs to 350Zs are starting to look like. The concept suggests a car that will age much more gracefully when surrounded by a field of cars like the ones I just mentioned.
So maybe Ford has something going here... just my opinion.
I couldn't agree more...that's what I've always thought should be the goal of redesigns for cars with significant heritage. Retro is useful to bring a straying concept back to its roots (the T-bird), but a Mustang just doesn't need that.
But for godsake Ford, bring back the fastback style!
As for the Taurus, you're right...I HATED the look of the '96 version. I esp. disliked the way Ford dealt with the SHO version, leading to the ignominious demise of a (once) really cool car.
I owned an '86 for 12 years and got so frustrated by the lack of Mustang styling cues that I got a 25th anniversary badge (w running horse) and attached it to the dash. My '86 'vert went and sounded like a real 'Stang but it didn't look like one.
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
But that kind of thing is what I mean by styling cues not being what makes a true Mustang. As pointed out, the Foxes lacked this feature but were still quite successful and well-liked. I like that cue (along with the pony motiff and badging), but that's just personal preference, and certainly wouldn't be a deal-breaker. But a fwd mustang (nee Probe) for instance would be.
I like the taillights on the concept...remind me of the Fox LX lights. Clean is good.
Sounds like a cool car, made even better by the deal you got on it.
I even like the Mustang II, if only for it keeping the Mustang flame burning (albeit very weakly) in some *really* tough times.
But were it not for the Fox, we might not be in the Mustang golden age we're having now.
I just came back from the Detroit Autoshow and wanted to report back to you all. The 2005 Mustang is awesome to say the least. The are plenty of new cars at the show (GTO, GTP, New Audi, Subaru's, etc) but nothing caught my eye as much as the 2005 mustang. I must be be thinking right as it was named most significant design for this year's show.
I have pictures if I could find a way to post...
Also, I was standing the and one of the product managers was talking to another VP and he mentioned two items worth noting:
1. It is a 2005 but will be pulled up top lauch early summer 2004
2. Here is the good news... 400 hp in the GT...No not a typo 400
Clearly Ford is pissed off about the GTO getting attention. The GTO design is clearly going after mustang owners.
THIS CAR IS AWESOME!
But don't take my word for it...check this link out for detailed instructions and pics:
http://www.mustangworld.com/ourpics/fcar/knln1.htm
-John
Also, I am disappointed that they have to use an iron block and a supercharger to do what the engine in the Z06 does with aluminum normally aspirated. Anybody else feel the same way?
"According to the judges, this is the vehicle that must be built. It is the best in the show. The Mustang exemplifies innovation, emotion, refinement, and the ability to transcend the common. “The first time I saw the new Mustang, I wanted to buy it right on the spot – and I still do,” said Molinari. “It’s a real challenge to redesign such an icon, but its heritage has been successfully captured.”
To me, it shows how great the design of the 1967-68 Mustang really was.
But I still doubt the 400 hp for the standard GT. It seems to me that would push the price tag pretty high (not to mention that the insurance on a car with that kind of power would be nothing short of usurious).
See my post #154 (p8) for the dope on likely engine lineups. You'll need a Cobra (390-400hp) to stay with the Goat in stock form.
See the Feb '03 MUSTANG MONTHLY for an amusing miscue on what the new 'Stang should look like. Their sketches show a conservatively styled car with heavy '65-'66 influence.... Doh! Maybe all the other mags and websites are wrong and J Mays is lying. Yeah right! What poor timing on the part of Mustang Monthly.
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
The Buzz is that Ford will try to keep Mustang prices in the neighborhood they are now. That means that GT convertibles may come in just under $30k.
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
I can't imagine F-body enthusiasts considering it a proper "replacement" for the Camaro/Firebird. As it is to, the proposed GTO design still looks to me like a more muscular Oldsmobile Alero...a far cry from the shark-like lines of the Camaro or the batmobile/hellspawn look of the Firebird.
The Mustang will probably continue to target a much broader audience, and so will be more reasonably priced.
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
And by the way AmericanFlag, shame on you for not working on your beloved Stang yourself!!
BTW, I don't think I have seen this mentioned yet, but one thing I like about the new Mustang rear end is that, while perhaps not as shaply as that of Jennifer Lopez, it does forgo the embossed Mustang name on the rear bumper. I am glad to have that left out, people should know it is a Mustang by it's hockey stick and it's taillights and looks in general and not by a gaudy embossed name in the bumper.
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
The flush mounted exhaust pipes look very cool but would quickly discolor the panel under the taillights and perhaps even melt it!
The cool spare tire mounted under the backglass of the coupe is meant to recall the Shelby Mustangs and like most of the Shelby features (tailights, roll hoop)will likely be dropped.
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
I have a 1999 mustang GT 4.6, and right on the dash and in the owners manual it "CLEARLY" states "regular fuel only". Heck, I put premium in my lawnmower for pete's sake. Why would you not want it in a performance car?? Can somebody please clear-up the mystery? Thanks