-- "Americans don't like hatchbacks." -- "There have been negative connotations for hatchbacks because theywere seen as cheap, like you couldn't afford a car with four doors," Are these statements really true? I know when Ford redesigned theMustang in '94, and discontinued the hatchback, their claimed reasonwas because of the hatch's lack of body rigidity. But did the factorslisted above put the final nails in the coffin of a future hatchbackMustang?What do you think of a future hatchback Mustang? What's your choice?1) I say good riddance... I hated the old creaky hatchbacks.2) I wouldn't buy one, and don't think they fit the Mustang image.3) I'd at least like to have the choice of a coupe or a hatch.4) I'd probably buy a hatchback model if it was offered.5) Hatchback Mustangs were the best of both world's -- versatiliy andperformance.----------BY JEFF GREENBLOOMBERGBayerische Motoren Werke AG,the world's No. 2 luxury automaker,delayed U.S. sales of a new entry-level 1-Series car because theinitial hatchback model was unlikely to appeal to buyers, thecompany's CEO said this week."Americans don't like hatchbacks, and we are still deciding what thebest model for the next 1-Series should be," BMW CEO Helmut Panke saidin New York.Since 1990, sales of hatchback model cars in the United States havenever exceeded 4.7 percent and typically don't top 2 percent,Lexington, Mass.-based Global Insight Inc. reports. Hatchbacks, withtwo passenger doors and a door, or hatch, in the back, accounted for225,000, or 1.4 percent, of 16.6 million cars and trucks sold lastyear, Global Insight said."There have been negative connotations for hatchbacks because theywere seen as cheap, like you couldn't afford a car with four doors,"said Global Insight analyst Rebecca Lindland. "The attitudes arechanging with younger buyers, but the automakers still remember theywere unpopular."BMW introduced a 3-Series hatchback, the 318t, in the United States in1995, and sales peaked at 7,235 in 1996,...

3 for me. I liked the look of 'em... but I don't think *I* would want one. Ilove my SN-95 body style.-Mike

Hatchback Mustangs Never To Return?

Apr 10, 2004 24 Replies

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dwight 22 years ago

More than a big help, it's the cure. TFrog is solid, despite the large hatch, and has come in handy as often as a rented pickup truck.

As much as I love having a hatchback, I can live without it. In fact, it was quite a revelation, when I bought the GT convertible, to discover a trunk. Not a REAL trunk, mind you, but just enough room to stow my valuables when I leave the top down.

Think of it as a larger-than-average glove box.

dwight

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Larry Hepinstall 22 years ago

Drive a 94 or up Mustang with good subframes and you will know the difference body structure makes.

LJH

95GT

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Dave Combs 22 years ago

Are the bolt-on subframes easy to install? Can you install them by using jack stands or do you need a lift/hoist?

Thanks

Dave

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2.3Sleeper 22 years ago

You have to have a load on the tires when you install sfc's. I DO NOT recommend bolt ins. You can get the weld in ones with seat braces from D & D motorsports for like $79. An exhaust shop should install them for roughly $30-$40.

HTH, Don Manning

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Dave Combs 22 years ago

Thanks

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