2015 Ford Mustang / Shelby GT350 Official - 5.2L FPC with 500+hp/400+ lb-ft

[Purdue FR-S]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

Yes I did.

With talks of losing 500 lbs. and IRS bringing the 'best handling Mustang ever' I was initially prepared to be blown away, what they delivered could almost be considered a downgrade since this will be more expensive, more complicated and heavier than the outgoing model.

Not in the eyes of their target market however.

The fact is, the Mustang has the features that appeal to the broadest possible market, essentially watering down those unique sports car qualities that 86 buyers are looking for. (For instance, few people are going to turn up their noses at buying a new Mustang b/c it weighs 200lb more than originally quoted).

In-car technology, fat comfy seats (which are now heated /and/ cooled :eyeroll: ), and power to compensate for lack of finesse, are all things average consumers want in their car. To them, it's still a Mustang, recognizable, familiar, "sexy", fast.

The global aspect only further serves to dilute the spirit in my opinion. Finally getting their hands on (to them) the legendary, American Mustang, is extremely important for overseas buyers. It's important that Ford provides them with the semi-luxury features that they expect. Hence their pricing strategy, and introduction of ecoboost 4cylinder.

Ford is a conservative car company, still a little paranoid from the culling financial crisis. It's all about making money off the consumer, and appealing to the largest denominator, unfortunately.

As niche consumers, we can't expect the world to deliver what we want. At least not the world based on creating profit growth and shareholder value.

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by Purdue FR-S

Not in the eyes of their target market however.

Ford is a conservative car company, still a little paranoid from the culling financial crisis. It's all about making money off the consumer, and appealing to the largest denominator, unfortunately.

As niche consumers, we can't expect the world to deliver what we want. At least not the world based on creating profit growth and shareholder value.

I totally understand what Ford did and why, I'm just saying that I bought into the rumors and expected something different, after all they now sell a 200 horsepower 2,500 lb. hot hatch, bit of a gamble imho.

And whether or not they delivered the goods in the 'eyes of their target market' entirely remains to be seen, they haven't sold a single unit yet.

[Purdue FR-S]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

after all they now sell a 200 horsepower 2,500 lb. hot hatch, bit of a gamble imho.

Now if only they gave us the RWD equivalent . . . and gave it a non-econobox interior

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by Purdue FR-S

Now if only they gave us the RWD equivalent . . . and gave it a non-econobox interior

You didn't get the memo? The Mustang is over there of course!




Does anybody make a RWD hatch?
I mean, there's a couple RWD wagons but they're all in the >$30k realm...

[Purdue FR-S]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

You didn't get the memo? The Mustang is over there of course!




Does anybody make a RWD hatch?
I mean, there's a couple RWD wagons but they're all in the >$30k realm...

Well I don't mean /hatch/ . . . .just something in the Ford lineup that's RWD, and small, and light... 86-esque

[P@ul]

Originally Posted by Dadhawk

I'm a serious violator of this rule. I've owned the following new gen cars:

Gen3 Camaro Z28 (with a custom aftermarket targa top to go with it)
MK1 MR2 (first 100 in country)
2005 Mustang
FR-S

I had no more issues with these then I did any other new (or used) car. Maybe I've just been lucky.

It's no golden rule, but you can potentially avoid a lot of issues. I've had to get a few minor things fixed on my '13, driver side door seal and steering wheel. But there are some of the folks eating motors. I know when the 5.0 came out, they had transmission issues but that got handled. The Camaro had transmission issues as well. Look at the 991 GT3 and C7 vette, both had to deal with full engine replacements. Crazy.

Originally Posted by strat61caster

Yes I did.

With talks of losing 500 lbs. and IRS bringing the 'best handling Mustang ever' I was initially prepared to be blown away, what they delivered could almost be considered a downgrade since this will be more expensive, more complicated and heavier than the outgoing model.

Talks? From who? Magazines or Ford? Those are two very different people. It's handles dramatically better on the street with the ride comfort, so I don't know why people are upset. The car has a whole new front and rear suspension, so it'll take some times to work out the tricks. The GT350 is still coming and should eat the Boss for breakfast.

[ZDan]

Originally Posted by P@ul

Talks? From who? Magazines or Ford? Those are two very different people. It's handles dramatically better on the street with the ride comfort, so I don't know why people are upset. The car has a whole new front and rear suspension, so it'll take some times to work out the tricks. The GT350 is still coming and should eat the Boss for breakfast.

Ford was openly talking about it being significantly smaller and 400 lb. lighter-weight.

Why people are upset: Smaller/lighter-weight cars are inherently more fun to drive to people for whom "handling" doesn't equate to slalom and skidpad numbers. Big heavy cars, for some of us, just suck. The new Mustang is a huge (heh heh) disappointment, even if the GT350 were to magically post better skidpad, slalom, Nurburgring, Lightning Lap numbers than a Ferrari 458. It's a gatdam tank. No care...

[chaoskaze]

2015 looks like loads of fun for everyday sports car with good comfort. Too bad it's a mustang. I think lots ppl get turn off by the idea that everyone drives one. But man if I live outside US, I would be sure as hell to get one.

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by P@ul

It's no golden rule, but you can potentially avoid a lot of issues. I've had to get a few minor things fixed on my '13, driver side door seal and steering wheel. But there are some of the folks eating motors. I know when the 5.0 came out, they had transmission issues but that got handled. The Camaro had transmission issues as well. Look at the 991 GT3 and C7 vette, both had to deal with full engine replacements. Crazy

I agree, you can but to me that's what's why you have a warranty. These types of things happen every year of just about every model though. You sell enough cars there are going to be some "Monday" builds. We owned a mid-cycle Geo Prism (a rebadged Toyota Corolla built by Toyota) that blew an engine in the first week after leaving the dealership. Stuff happens.

[P@ul]

Originally Posted by ZDan

Ford was openly talking about it being significantly smaller and 400 lb. lighter-weight.

I must have missed that press release. Do you have a link for that?

[VacantSky]

I saw one in person a couple weeks ago at the state fair in Dallas. Doesn't really look any smaller. As for weight, who knows.

[Atropine]

Originally Posted by P@ul

I must have missed that press release. Do you have a link for that?

I read a ton of reports on Jalopnik and other sites where they were hoping the new Mustang was going to be less than 3200 lbs.

I read a magazine where some guy who worked for Ford (unsure how "high ranking" he was) and his claim was the new Mustang was going to be more of a "Pony car rather than muscle car". Hell, they (the magazine) could have just used "anonymous sources", but I also felt that Ford was trying make the Mustang lighter.

The fact that the F150 lost so much weight was also brought up in MANY articles as "this is how Ford will improve mpg and performance on all their vehicles...losing weight".

That being said, the Mustang really isn't my cup of tea...but its still one of the best bang for your buck if you want raw unadulterated speed.

In the same vein...I am strongly considering saving up for a new Z06 "Vette".

I used to feel American cars were "too common" for me to be interested in them. I no longer feel that way.

Ford has really improved their quality...and the new Vette...I swear Chevrolet must lose money on every single one of those made. Just seems they are too good for the price.

[serialk11r]

Originally Posted by Atropine

In the same vein...I am strongly considering saving up for a new Z06 "Vette".

I used to feel American cars were "too common" for me to be interested in them. I no longer feel that way.

Ford has really improved their quality...and the new Vette...I swear Chevrolet must lose money on every single one of those made. Just seems they are too good for the price.

Honestly, the base Vette has to be the biggest performance bargain around. You should be able to get somewhat near stock Z06 power with bolt-ons (like 550hp). If I wanted a Corvette that's how I would do it.

I don't think I could ever get over the pushrods (my thinking being, Honda seems to be able to make high power/weight ratio DOHC and SOHC motors, so we just need to either wait for Honda to make a serious car or other manufacturers to make a good engine) but I have so much respect for the car.

[ZDan]

Originally Posted by serialk11r

I don't think I could ever get over the pushrods (my thinking being, Honda seems to be able to make high power/weight ratio DOHC and SOHC motors, so we just need to either wait for Honda to make a serious car or other manufacturers to make a good engine) but I have so much respect for the car.

S2000 engine + trans ~209kg all in
240hp/209kg = 1.15 hp/kg

LS3 engine + trans ~285kg all in
436hp/285kg = 1.53 hp/kg

Advantage: OHV/pushrods :P