Is there anyone here who thinks this new Mustang is anything less than a game winning grand slam, touch down or a slam dunk?
Let's break it down.
Horsepower - A- Styling - A+ Interior - A Price - A Curb Weight - A- Suspension - A Build Quality - A
Granted this grading is before an actual road test(s), but from what I read so far, IMO, Team Mustang has bullseyed OUR target. Check out the latest C&D for details.
Oh, final note: In regards to the next Cobra, "Also likely: supercharging and a _substantial_ increase from the current Cobra's
390 horsepower."
NoOp Comment: Like the substantial increase a Boss 351 V-10 might offer...?
I agree with you on everything except maybe the suspension. Isn't it time for independent rear suspension? I read the article, and know that the reason for the solid live axle is to keep the cost down, and because that's what current Mustang owners know and understand, and it's probably better for the drag strip as well.
That said, before I saw the C&D article, I was all set to abandon Mustangs after owning two GTs, and settle into a BMW 330Ci. Was hoping to get a
2001-02 model with about 25K miles for around $25K. After reading the article, and seeing the new Mustang will have 300 horsepower, and the cool retro styling inside and out, I've changed my mind. Can't wait for it to hit the showrooms.
The difference is that this Mustang won't be like the last one in that it is actually designed for BOTH live axle and IRS. Also, there is (as I'm sure you know) much more to suspension than how many pivot points there are in the rear. Weight distribution and roll centers are big issues that are VERY difficult to overcome in the current chassis. While you can still get an incredible handling car out of the current chassis, you may never get that "feel" of a well balanced chassis. The new chassis is much more balanced.
Those are some mighty generous grades without a test drive.
Horsepower.... sure A- Styling... I personally hate retro styling, I wouldn't give it a B right now but I'll wait to see one in person. Interior... A compared to what the current Mustang? Or other cars? Without sitting in the car? You've got to be kidding. Price... A... Do we even know for sure what the pricing will be? Curb Weight A-... You've got to be joking here. Everything I've heard says this thing will outweigh the current Mustang and it gets a resounding C already in this department. Suspension... A.. again how can one say this without a test drive? At least Ford finally ditched the quadrabind and used a panhard rod to locate the rear axle. That is a huge improvement, but I wouldn't give the car an A without a drive. Build Quality A... How can you claim this since not one production car has actually rolled down the assembly line? And again compared to what, the current Mustang, a Kia or a Lexus?
I think Ford really did the right thing by offering a solid axle on the GT. The independent rear will show up on the higher performance variants (i.e. Cobra's, specialty vehicles like the Boss). For the average Mustang buyer the solid axle will do just fine and it helps keep the cost down which, IMHO, is more important to the car's success than is top notch handling.
The last new Mustang I bought was an '89 model and this one has my attention. Right now I see no reason why one won't end up in my driveway over the next year. Unless I wait to see what the next Cobra will offer. :)
I have no interest at all in a IRS setup. That is what has kept me away from Cobras and why IMO the MACh1 is the best current Mustang. Of course I am a drag racer at heart even if I don't practice my Sunday religion as well as I should.
Note 1: Granted this grading is before an actual road test(s), but from what I read so far, IMO, Team Mustang has bullseyed OUR target.
The main reason I gave the styling an A+ was because of all the times I've heard people say Ford should make a new Mustang that looks like the early cars. Okay, it doesn't look as good as an early one, IMO, it looks better. As far a retro goes, since '94 the Mustang has been all about retro. And since '82 much of the Mustang's advertising has been about retro. After all these years I think people have come to expect it from a Mustang.
Well, since you know I don't live in Michigan and I'm not reporting from the Detoit Auto Show, it would be a safe bet it's from what I've read about the interior. (See Note 1)
Yes. Pricing is very close to the prices on '04 Mustangs. And when you figure the basic '05 GT will run just about as strong as the current Mach 1 for about $4-$5K less that's going to be a pretty good deal. Plus, name another 300 horsepower car that runs for less than $25K. I know I can't think of one.
Sorry. The new one is said to be within 1% of the old car. Yes, I'm breathing easier too. Increased weight was my biggest fear.
From what I've read (See Note 1) it'll be a very nice strut/solid axle set up. But no IRS on the GT? IMO, who cares? Don't need it.
It's going to be built in Flat Rock (a different plant) using Mazda principles. (See Note 1)
The '94 wasn't retro. The T-bird was retro and where are those now?
Reading about an interior and assigning a grade. That takes some serious extrapolation.
There aren't any. So yes the price is good.
Within 1% of the current Mustang? Wow, that's still a C as far as weight goes. It's a shame Ford still hasn't figured out how weight and performance are related.
I don't need IRS either. IRS isn't the end all of suspension, but I'm not convinced Ford can do struts worth a darn (Porsche and BMW can), and I'm definitely not convinced Ford has any idea how to mount a live axle.
Mazda used to have quality, but after their powertrain department has screwed up royally multiple times lately, I'm beginning to wonder.
I'm still amazed that you are assigning A grades without ever having seen the assignment. Let's say you're a professor in college. Your student calls you on the phone and says "yeah its an A assignment." Do you just take their word for it, or do you ask them to turn it in anyway and wait to assign the grade?
Let's be honest though, the grades you assigned don't mean anything and the grades I assigned don't mean squat either. What matters is how well does this thing sell once it hits the dealers and how happy the customers that purchase the car are with it. I'm probably not a perspective customer for this car, at least not right now.
I think the car is freggin' beautiful, especially having no fake scoops (factory rice).
Yes, I believe this car will be an unprecedented success. It is currently my top choice for my next new car and I've purchased 1 new Mitsubishi and 3 new Hondas since '87. Actually, it's my only choice right now. I can't wait to see one in person.
Same here. When I bought my '02 GT, I couldn't find a manual transmission premium package anywhere. I ended up driving 2 hours to Peoria, IL, and the selection blew me away.
DOZENS! GT's, Cobras, convertibles, coups, every color.
So I'm hoping the same dealer will have lots of 05's early on.
Actually, the '94 is retro. I remember when it first came out and they played those commercials on TV and they showed an older convertible mustang and then they showed the '94 convertible with the theme "it is what it was", or something of the like. Personally, I like the retro thing, its kind of old looking but its also new looking. I dunno, I for one like the way it looks in pictures but i'm not gonna give it any grades until I see it. Erik D. '94 white lightning
Well when you read several reviews and all are very positive, and you read about the areas that Ford improved and how they improved them you get a fairly decent feel for how good this car is going to be. Yes, more will be learned when the _actual_ road tests are done by the magazines, and more importantly by you and me. I never claimed the grades were spot on, after all they're only _my_ opinion, but I do think this car is going to be a hit, a big hit.
The 3-bar tail lights, the C-shaped body line, the side scoops, the double hump dashboard. Now was this as retro as the current T-bird? No, not at all. But in retrospect, for the mid 90's, the 1994 Mustang was quite retro.
Actually, the retro styling cues started the year before with the 93 Cobra's running horse in the grill, and since then Ford has continured to turn up the wick on nostalgia to sell it's pony (i.e. Bullet and Mach 1).
As for the T-bird, IMO, I don't think it was its retro styling that killed the sales. It was a combination of tonnage (You don't build a sporty 2-seater and then have it weigh in at nearly two tons. Ford should have shot the 'Bird's engineering crew.) and its high price. I think the T-bird would sell great at 3,200 lbs and for under $30Gs.
Perhaps. But you can expect the '05 to have a much better interior - shifter placement, seat position, more front seat leg room, better materials -- than the '04 version. I'll reconsider and go with a B until I get a better look at the gauges.
Have you checked the weights lately on the newer cars? Weight has been creeping up in just about all the new models. There hasn't been many able to keep the weight down. The 'Vette is one of the notable few. But look at the 350Z. Sub 3,100 lbs, is rare these days. At least give Ford credit for keeping the Mustang's weight in check. I don't know about you, but I was expecting a near 4,000 lb '05 pony car.
On paper what they've done sounds pretty good. I don't expect, and don't need, World Class, but I'll bet it's going to be pretty decent, and much better than the '04 model.
Ford has invested some big money into the new Mustang factory, so let's hope it pays off.
No, here's a more accurate example. Let's say a group of professors have looked at project a student has built. All the professors rule that from what they can see of (and read about) the project, it looked pretty impressive. From their opinions, _you_ have to decide, without seeing the project yourself, what they're combined opinions equal out to. After reading a number of articles, that's what I attempted to do with the new Mustang. Is this an super accurate way to judge a project, or in this case a car? No. But then I never claimed it was either. So what can you gather from my grades, or if you read a number of articles on the '05 Mustang yourself? I'd say that the car isn't going to get an F, D, or a C grade. It'll probably get a B from the critical press and an A from Mustang enthusiasts.
Yep, they're just our opinions.
Like I wrote earlier, you can get a feeling for good a car is going to be when you read reviews from several different sources and they all agree. And in the case of the '05 Mustang, it seems they all agree this car is going to hit. Let's keep our fingers crossed that they're right...
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