2010 Mustang

[Harry P.]

Well, I guess we can argue the point to no end, but bottom line (and getting back to the original topic).. I like the current Mustang's style a lot. In fact, I like it so well that I am actually seriously considering buying one as my next car. That's a pretty big shift for me, never having owned a Ford product in my life, and never even having considered a Ford until the new Mustang came out. The new Mustang definitely got my attention!

But I sure don't like the 2010's tailights. Think I'll get me a huge mega-deal on a "leftover" 2008 or 2009.

[Peter Lombardo]

Personally, I could take it or leave it. I do not see me purchasing a “pony†car anytime soon so it matters very little to me. And besides, it just gives us the opportunity to change them around to look as we want them to look, not necessarily, the way they designed them. Of the three, I like the Camaro the best, but it all means very little. These are not the cars, or the model segment that will or will not keep the Detroit three afloat. These are nitch cars that will appeal to a small segment of the buying public. That is Men 18 to 40 for the V8 model and Women 18 to 40 for the V6 models; these are not the bread and butter family cars and trucks that support the industrial complex of any vehicle manufacturing company.

I think, even if the government gives into the pressure of the “Not so big anymore†three and advances the loan guarantees, the Detroit gang is going to have to cut back on all of the frills and extras. I expect the concept car designs to be cut way back. There will be a consolidation of the design studios and the engineering departments will have to find the cheapest, maybe not the best, way to get something done. Don’t expect to see design cycles of fewer than 6 or 7 years at the earliest. We are entering a brand new era of the American automobile, and I think you guys will not be happy.

As the Japanese and German builders continue to gain market share, the dollars spent on design and engineering will shift also toward the imports. That will translate into more exciting vehicles coming from them and more mainstream family oriented product coming from the US studios which will be fighting the “cash shortfalls†all the time. Just look at what GM did today….they announced that they are holding up the incentive payments to dealers by at least two weeks. ( now realize, if the incentive on any car is $4,000 or $5,000 per, if they sell 10 cars in a weekend, that is $40,000 to $50,000 more of cash flow shortage to the dealer for that period) This means that the dealer must front the money for two or three weeks more. The cash requirement to a dealership is already out of control. GM said that they have a serious cash shortfall between now and yearend. Now, some of this is just posturing to make them look to the government all that more needy and it will force the dealers to get on the phone and attempt to light a fire under their Congressman to approve the loans. But having said that, these guys really need the cash and that means, future designs will suffer because of lack of cash.

So, what does all this have to do with the look of the 2010 Mustang, well, maybe not a lot, but on the bright side, we will have a lot of time to get used to the look of it as I don’t expect a replace anytime soon.

[Zoom Zoom]

I am a former Mustang owner, two-time Ford owner, and swore them off after the second...loved my '88 LX 5.0 sedan w/the 3.08 axle, a true sleeper right from the factory.

I hate to say it, but looking at the new Camaro, the fact that I love it's style, and the fact that even the basic car starts w/300HP, I'd be a lot more apt to buy it than the Mustang. If a white Challenger R/T w/6 speed manual came along at a very attractive price I'd also be interested more than the Mustang. I think I'd go w/a Pontiac G8 GT or GXP before a hi-po Mustang. The GT500 is my favorite from a style standpoint, but they are ridiculously overpriced when the dealers add their greed factor to it.

[Harry P.]

The GT500 is my favorite from a style standpoint, but they are ridiculously overpriced when the dealers add their greed factor to it.

They are ridiculously overpriced even before dealers add their greed factor to it!

[Nick F40]

I am a former Mustang owner, two-time Ford owner, and swore them off after the second...loved my '88 LX 5.0 sedan w/the 3.08 axle, a true sleeper right from the factory.

I hate to say it, but looking at the new Camaro, the fact that I love it's style, and the fact that even the basic car starts w/300HP, I'd be a lot more apt to buy it than the Mustang. If a white Challenger R/T w/6 speed manual came along at a very attractive price I'd also be interested more than the Mustang. I think I'd go w/a Pontiac G8 GT or GXP before a hi-po Mustang. The GT500 is my favorite from a style standpoint, but they are ridiculously overpriced when the dealers add their greed factor to it.

Nice, I see alot of people choose them in the Grassroots Motorsports $2000 challenges

I agree with you! The Camaro is impressive. The G8 is just awsome and people can't whine about that becuase it isn't resembling an older version, just pure Australian inspired muscle/touring car

They are ridiculously overpriced even before dealers add their greed factor to it!

Yup, it's just because it's a Shelby, it's sad becuase even Shebly himself doesn't see why his cars are so high priced, espeically the older ones and the Cobras, he even said with his racing ones, they were battered versions, and they weren't meant for a garage, they were meant to race! Yeehaw, amen Carroll!

[Zoom Zoom]

They are ridiculously overpriced even before dealers add their greed factor to it!

One of my friends is a self-described die-hard Mustang fanboy. He could have bought a GT500 at sticker...he already had sold his Mustang race car and the pickup and trailer he used to take it to the track, and bought a Corvette C6 because it was the best performance car for the money and he could drive it daily and take it to the track...he drove that Shelby, thinking he'd really like it, and he was sorely disappointed at the handling because it's such a heavy car. Even at sticker it was more than he paid for his C6 new...Shelbys are merely driveway jewelry, they're not a performance bargain by any stretch. Think I'll just stick w/models of Shelbys and Mustangs, and consider other options for 1:1 transportation.

[Harry P.]

I agree!

I wouldn't pay $50,000 for a Mustang even if I had Warren Buffet's money!

[Nick F40]

One of my friends is a self-described die-hard Mustang fanboy. He could have bought a GT500 at sticker...he already had sold his Mustang race car and the pickup and trailer he used to take it to the track, and bought a Corvette C6 because it was the best performance car for the money and he could drive it daily and take it to the track...he drove that Shelby, thinking he'd really like it, and he was sorely disappointed at the handling because it's such a heavy car. Even at sticker it was more than he paid for his C6 new...Shelbys are merely driveway jewelry, they're not a performance bargain by any stretch. Think I'll just stick w/models of Shelbys and Mustangs, and consider other options for 1:1 transportation.

Miatas???

I agree!

I wouldn't pay $50,000 for a Mustang even if I had Warren Buffet's money!

I wouldn't pay $50,000 for a Mustang either new OR old!

[Zoom Zoom]

50K? Try low 80's sticker for the GT500 KR, and dealers gouging them to the tune of $100K. Sorry...it's just a Mustang and only an idiot would pay that for one. At least via Feebay it seems nobody is actually biting on them...even at sticker...my how times have changed

[Harry P.]

50K? Try low 80's sticker for the GT500 KR, and dealers gouging them to the tune of $100K. Sorry...it's just a Mustang and only an idiot would pay that for one. At least via Feebay it seems nobody is actually biting on them...even at sticker...my how times have changed

The GT500 stickers at 43 something, the KR at 80 plus. Either way, can you spell RIPOFF???

Eighty thousand dollars for a Mustang??? EIGHTY THOUSAND??? Ford must be banking on the "more money than brains" crowd big time...

[Daniel Peterson]

I think it looks a darn sight better than some of the concepts I saw months ago. It does, however, look like it has a distinct 65/66 roofline, and something trying to reflect the 69/70 years at the front end...you can see it if you dim the lights, squint and step back a little. Oh, and cock your head to the left. But I can't quite see from which years they might have derived the rear end.

I actually like the car, as long as I don't sprain a brain cell trying to pin down all the design cues that may or not be there. In fact, if this had come out as the first retro design, most of us might be peeing ourselves over it being the most incredible retro-flavored new car out there. Problem is, they nailed the look so solidly the first time out, anything that follows (meaning this one) suffers from a distinct disadvantage.

Next re-skin needs to be a stem to stern new design, and not play off of the strengths of its predecessor. Each time out, it gets diluted, me thinks.

All that said, I would rather wait until I can actually ding one with a grocery cart to decide if it love the looks or not. Photos are only so good. You have to be standing next to it.

[Jairus]

80K? Well, don't forget that the dollar has been devalued of late. Ford is only expecting and predicting the inflation rate of the buy-outs and the effect of continuous 24-7 operation of the presses at the United States Treasury!

Edited November 19, 2008 by Jairus

[gasman]

all cars and trucks from the big three are overpriced. GM announced pricing for the Pontiac G3 today (Its a re badged Aveo). it starts at $14,995. for $500 more you can have a base model Civic DX (mind you thats without A/C). or the true competitor to the Aveo/G3 the Toyota Yaris for $2790 less

[Harry P.]

all cars and trucks from the big three are overpriced. GM announced pricing for the Pontiac G3 today (Its a re badged Aveo). it starts at $14,995. for $500 more you can have a base model Civic DX (mind you thats without A/C). or the true competitor to the Aveo/G3 the Toyota Yaris for $2790 less

GM, due to UAW contracts, incurs an approximately $1500 cost per car towards employee and ex-employee costs/benefits. Toyota (with no such UAW constraints) has an approx. $100 cost per vehicle for the same expenses.

Do the math.

[Mike]

It's got a frowny face front end to counter Chevy's smiling Camaro.

[Mike]

GM, due to UAW contracts, incurs an approximately $1500 cost per car towards employee and ex-employee costs/benefits. Toyota (with no such UAW constraints) has an approx. $100 cost per vehicle for the same expenses.

Do the math.

Life and business isn't fair. Get used to it.

[Bernard Kron]

80K? Well, don't forget that the dollar has been devalued of late. Ford is only expecting and predicting the inflation rate of the buy-outs and the effect of continuous 24-7 operation of the presses at the United States Treasury!

Now, now Jairus. You are no doubt right but remember the no politics rule!

[Daniel Peterson]

Autoblog has posted a story on the new '10 Mustang.

I dunno.................to me the jury's still out on the facelift. The front end is nice, but what the heck did they do to the back end??

I long for the day when a car (especially American) used to look good from every angle! Not just the front or the side.

Take a peek here and judge for yourself.

I also noticed (from the comments on the page you linked to) that spelling the name of Chevy's pony car correctly was beyond the grasp of the autophiles who posted their thoughts...

[Rob Hall]

It's a subtle restyle..looking forward to seeing it in person.. I like the interior changes, and addition of SYNC. Disappointing is the lack of power from both engines relative to the new Camaro, the lack of 6-speed transmissions, and the lack of IRS.

[MrObsessive]

I also noticed (from the comments on the page you linked to) that spelling the name of Chevy's pony car correctly was beyond the grasp of the autophiles who posted their thoughts...

I just made a comment on there about that ala Lyle Willits!

I do get tired though of seeing the name "Camaro" misspelled!

The name has only been on the roads for over 40 years for goodness sake!

[Zoom Zoom]

I just made a comment on there about that ala Lyle Willits!

I do get tired though of seeing the name "Camaro" misspelled!

The name has only been on the roads for over 40 years for goodness sake!

Every Camero has Cragers. It's the law.

[Peter Lombardo]

Problem is, they nailed the look so solidly the first time out, anything that follows (meaning this one) suffers from a distinct disadvantage.

Next re-skin needs to be a stem to stern new design, and not play off of the strengths of its predecessor. Each time out, it gets diluted, me thinks.

All that said, I would rather wait until I can actually ding one with a grocery cart to decide if it love the looks or not. Photos are only so good. You have to be standing next to it.

I was driving into my office this morning and passed a current Mustang GT on the highway. Because of this thread, I looked at the car completely differently than I normally would. I almost always take the car for granted, I mean, I would not give it a second thought unless it was a Shelby or a customized car, but this time "I looked at the car", really looked at it. How the car sat, how it moved with the other plane jane vanilla Camry's. Accord's and Civic's and how well the lines of the car worked together in motion. It reminded me of a posting on this thread that I read earlier and I realized that he, Dan, hit the point dead on. The current Mustang is such a solid update of the orignial design that any new look just is not as impressive. That, I think is the essence of the debate, how do you improve on perfection? Not everyone would car this car perfection, but for what it is, for what it was intended to be, Ford really did get it right and now the new design just can't live up to that new old classic.

[Daniel Peterson]

Every Camero has Cragers. It's the law.

I KNEW somebody was goin to go there...

Don't forget the Harley carbs, Hertz shifter and the Thrust mufflers.

[Harold]

Yeah, the taillights look like contrived afterthoughts (hey Bob, we gotta come up with an idea here- throw some sketches together and we'll pick out the worst one...). The wheels are kinda rubbishy, too- they remind me of the stickers you used to see on some of the old diecasts from thirty years ago. I know I'm beating a dead horse (no pun intended), but when will J. Mays just go away?

[Peter Lombardo]

You know Harold, you are right. J.Mays and his pompous self righteous monolithic design philosophy really does need to be retired. While the rest of the world is serving up hot fudge sundaes and banana splits, he is dishing out scoops of vanilla ice cream. The Ford lineup, for the most part is boring and uninspired. Ford needs some new blood in the design studio. People not afraid to take a few risks. Guys who want to have their designs stand out in a crowd, not blend in. Designs that scream love me or hate me, but you can’t ignore me. I have never understood why Ford, as a company never really understood that it doesn’t cost anymore to make their cars beautiful.

Every now and then they get it right like the current Mustang, but over all, the Taurus, past and present, 500, Fusion, Freestyle, Windstar, Crown Vic, Explorer, Excursion, Escape’ Edge and Expedition, just to name a few, are boring flat sided vehicles that are incapable of stirring any physical reaction other than sleep. They should be creating strong emotional bonds with the customer.

Ford is in better financial standing than the other two Detroit manufacturers, but without some exciting new and innovative product, the imports, with their greater market share and deeper pockets will roll over them before too long. Exciting and unique designs will get attention and then they have a fighting chance to regain their status. With J. Mays continuing at the design helm, I fear Ford will run aground in no time.