2010 Mustang

[70elcamino]

I went and looked at the 2010 Mustangs tonight. They have some new colors I like, and they still look like my 2005 from the side. But the back is more rounded and the front seems to have a little different shape as well. It has a nasty piece of black plastic that runs all the way around the car(looks cheap) that you can actually squeeze with your hand below the trunk. They look like they are going for the generic look again.

Just wondering if anyone else has looked at them ?

Russell

[Harry P.]

Yeah, I looked at them. Don't like the tail light treatment, the revised front end is ok but there was nothing wrong with the '05-'09 version, interior is different but not better... just different. A classic example of change for change's sake. I prefer mine, to my eye the '05-'09 generation is just about perfect. The '10 is ok, nothing particularly wrong with it... but not an improvement over the previous generation. Just my 2 cents...

[crispy]

I'm with Harry on this. I don't think a change was necessary, but hey what does the buying public know? I'm still not a big fan of the '10 either.

Chris

[Rob Hall]

I've looked at them a bit, the interior materials seem nicer than the '05-09 which had a lot of hard plastic.and Sync is now available. ...the styling is growing on me, though I think still prefer the '05-09 design as a whole, esp. the wheelwell arches. The black lower trim looks cheesy on lighter colored models, IMHO.

After 5 years of the previous design, change was inevitable, though.

From what I've read, though, the handling has been improved w/ the '10, and I'm looking forward to '11 and the engine upgrades.

[camaroman]

My wife has a 08 convertible. She said the other nite "why did they ruin that great design?" I AGREE they shouda' let it be!

The ONLY thing I like is the "shelby" look to the front end. But the rest just looks "pinched" up!

[roadhawg]

I don't like it either...........but it STILL looks better than the Camaro.

[Harold]

Those who are familiar with my rantings already know my feelings about Ford design Veep J. Mays total lack of taste and style sense, and this is another in a long list of gaffes. From turning the '97 generation F-150 (a clean and almost lithe vehicle) into a hulking barge, to the '99 Cougar, the Focus, Fusion, the (dr)edge (which looks like a wheeled suppository with a chrome sewer grate slung across the front), the Flex and the Lincoln MKX. Right now, I'm glancing at my '64 Mercury project and wondering how did design reach such a horrid low point in four decades. Postmodernism sucks.

[MrObsessive]

the (dr)edge (which looks like a wheeled suppository with a chrome sewer grate slung across the front)

Don't forget that Mr. Mays also gave us the "New" Beetle (lost its appeal quickly) and the absolutely terribly proportioned 2002-05(?) T-Bird.

I agree with you about a lot of today's designs..............odd proportions (thank front wheel drive for that) and goofy lines have certainly made the roads and driveways uglier over the years.

[pstreet]

I was behind one at a light on Sunday and the new rear looks absolutely terrible.

[Zoom Zoom]

I've seen a ton of 2010 Mustangs on the road (the vast majority V6's with side stripes...aka rental cars)...and no Camaros. I think the Camaro is a mirage, that they really do not exist. I've seen 3 of BMW's newly redesigned (and much more expensive) Z4's. And still no Camaros. They claim to have sold 10,000 Camaros last month. I guess they're all painted camoflage because until I see them on the road, I can't comment on how I much I like or dislike.

As for the new Mustang, it's neither fish nor fowl. Looks okay to me, a bit more "finished" looking than the 2005, which bothered me in that the GT looked raw vs. the concept (or the later Shelby). The 2010 V6 Mustang now has a very "Shelby" look about it, even more so than the GT which now isn't unfinished, but over-adorned, in front. The Shelby looks quite good. I'd like to see an LX model; V6 appearance w/the GT drivetrain and wheels.

The 2010 taillights took me a few minutes to get used to, and once you see them lit up and especially when the turn signals are on, they look really cool. In a couple years the taillight shape will be a non-issue to just about anyone. Even Azteks blend into the scenery now

Biggest problem w/the 2010 Mustang is that from 20' or more away, nobody can tell it's a new car because the refresh is too subtle. A Camaro (I assume) or Challenger is more arresting because they are not so familiar looking on the road.

I hope the next Mustang is more modern and not trying to cram down our throats a 40 year old design that originally lasted for 2 years but Ford is stretching for another 10-12 years. When the 2005 debuted I was quite vocal about Ford redesigning the Mustang completely in 4-5 years and not just doing a subtle refresh. Of course we got the "Hamburger Helper" refresh that Ford is famous for, and overall I'm bored with them. I could care less about buying a new one, I'd be far more likely to buy a used Shelby GT or Bullitt than bothering w/a new one. IMHO the 2010 Mustang is the one they should have brought out in 2005, and we should have gotten an all-new car (aka the one they'll do in 2014) this year to do proper battle with two all-new pony cars from the competition.

[Harry P.]

I've seen a ton of 2010 Mustangs on the road (the vast majority V6's with side stripes...aka rental cars)...and no Camaros. I think the Camaro is a mirage, that they really do not exist.

No, they're real!

I know they are because a guy down the block just got one, it's sort of an orange-bronze color. I have to admit the look is growing on me (except for that horrid front end, which I'll never like)...

[george 53]

We got Fords R&D Div.down at the end of Southfeild Rd..An ya see quite a few new ones, so they get old kinda fast. Besides, they're just Mustangs. I haven't seen ANY NEW Camaros! NONE, ZIP, NADA!!!! I'm begining ta think they're just a figament of my imagineation. I've seen 'em in MAGAZINES, but nuttin in real life,go up an look at kinda thing. I'm starten ta see the new Chally's around, an my darn Mopar jones starts itchin! Had some REALLLLL nice ones back inna day, an never lost that love for 'em. But the Camaro, yeeesh, wadda joke!

[The Red Ranger]

I think the Mustang took a turn for the worse personally. I'm a Mustang man, but I just don't like the '10s. The side profile is pretty much the same, then why bother changing the rear? I dunno personal opinions and all.

[Harold]

We got Fords R&D Div.down at the end of Southfeild Rd..An ya see quite a few new ones, so they get old kinda fast. Besides, they're just Mustangs. I haven't seen ANY NEW Camaros! NONE, ZIP, NADA!!!! I'm begining ta think they're just a figament of my imagineation. I've seen 'em in MAGAZINES, but nuttin in real life,go up an look at kinda thing. I'm starten ta see the new Chally's around, an my darn Mopar jones starts itchin! Had some REALLLLL nice ones back inna day, an never lost that love for 'em. But the Camaro, yeeesh, wadda joke!

George, you need to come to Flint to see the Camaro in real life- there's several running around. As for the Challenger, it's been handicapped by being based on the Charger/ 300 platform. Saw one on Miller Road today in traffic, and the thing was bigger than the 2005 Impala in front of it. Plus (because of the car it's based on) the Challenger weighs in at #4000- 600 more than the 'Stang.

[Rob Hall]

I've seen about a dozen '10 Camaros so far, a couple up close in parking lots, and a few on the freeways around the Phoenix area and San Diego over the last couple weeks, and a couple on dealers lots. Looks great in person, really like the design.

I'm slowly warming to the '10 Mustang design, I like the interior update more than the exterior changes.

[Chuck Most]

I'm not so sure about the taillamp treatment on the '10, but overall I like the car's design. Not as much as I liked the '05-'08s, but it's still way less ugly and cheap looking than a '70 El Camino! (Sorry, couldn't resist...)

Hey, at least they didn't style the '10 to look like the '71-'73 style- THAT car deserved the Mustang name even less than the Mustang II, which is STILL not even considered a 'true Mustang' (whatever that's supposed to mean) by the hardcore 'stang bangers. Think about it- the II was a lightweight, sporty car based on a cheapo econobox, just like the original 'Stang, and the '71-'73 was a fat, bloated barge that looked okay from the sides or back, but had that stupid brick of a nose on it.

I have seen the '10 models out and about, but I think I'll still wait around and buy a used '08 Bullitt. Dammit, I wish Ford would stop bogarting Dark Highland Green and make it available on the 'lesser' Mustangs!

[Harry P.]

Dammit, I wish Ford would stop bogarting Dark Highland Green and make it available on the 'lesser' Mustangs!

There's always Maaco!

[70elcamino]

I'm not so sure about the taillamp treatment on the '10, but overall I like the car's design. Not as much as I liked the '05-'08s, but it's still way less ugly and cheap looking than a '70 El Camino! (Sorry, couldn't resist...)

Hey, at least they didn't style the '10 to look like the '71-'73 style- THAT car deserved the Mustang name even less than the Mustang II, which is STILL not even considered a 'true Mustang' (whatever that's supposed to mean) by the hardcore 'stang bangers. Think about it- the II was a lightweight, sporty car based on a cheapo econobox, just like the original 'Stang, and the '71-'73 was a fat, bloated barge that looked okay from the sides or back, but had that stupid brick of a nose on it.

I have seen the '10 models out and about, but I think I'll still wait around and buy a used '08 Bullitt. Dammit, I wish Ford would stop bogarting Dark Highland Green and make it available on the 'lesser' Mustangs!

Sorry Chuck , you just lost all credibility with that second sentence. Now my hands are over my ears and.. ..I am going lalalalalallala .

Russell

[vizio93]

i agree the new ones are u-g-l-y. look at the difference :

the good:

the ugly:

i hate the front headlights. they look squished. i should go out and buy a used one and chop the headlights about 2 inches and people will think i have a new one.

Edited July 15, 2009 by vizio93

[Jon Cole]

I see it like this-

The '05 - '09 Mustang... think of it as the ocean.

The '10 Mustang... the ocean with a cup of water missing.

What's the big deal? So they changed the headlight & tail light a little. Every car in mass production goes to this "freshening" process; it's nothing new.

FORD 2007 MUSTANG GT/CS California Special:

FORD 2010 Mustang Shelby GT500 Convertible:

FORD 2010 MUSTANG GT- 2nd incarnation of the new design:

Most folks tend to resist changes. They are conservative by nature. New design = "YECK!"

Yet if automotive stylists shared that view... nothing would ever change. I know all kinds of people who say things like "All new cars suck!", or the classic line "They don't make them like they used to".

I like the '05 'stang, and I like the '10 stang. Only thing is, they are common as dirt. I can deal with that, as that's the way it goes with a mass-produced automobile.

Hey! At least we can identify with Mustangs and other cars! It's the people who cannot tell a Mustang from a Mack that puzzle me!

[crispy]

Not many '10's around here. Saw one drive away from a car show the other day.

As for the Camaro, the road presence is huge. You can see something coming down the highway and as it gets closer you have a hard time looking at the road waiting for it to go by. The Camaro does have that road presence.

I like it. I've seen Silver, Black and 2 Orange SS's. Ismael took some pictures of a black and red SS, that is cool!

Chris

[Rob Hall]

I see it like this-

The '05 - '09 Mustang... think of it as the ocean.

The '10 Mustang... the ocean with a cup of water missing.

What's the big deal? So they changed the headlight & tail light a little. Every car in mass production goes to this "freshening" process; it's nothing new.

Lots of other changes besides the headlights and taillights, though..they added a character line down the sides, lowered the front edge of the hood and fenders, changed the hood, added the kick up in the door and rear quarter, de-emphasized the wheel arches, changed the fascias, decklid shape, etc. Only the roof was unchanged.

This is similar to 1999 when the '94-98 was updated, every panel changed except for the roof ('99 changed the C-pillar also).

Overall, I like the changes more or less---don't care for the black lower trim (looks cheap). I like the interior changes, the materials seem nicer in the '10, and SYNC is available. Looking forward to the '11 engine upgrades.

[Harold]

What I'd like to see more than anything else is the decontenting of vehicles, especially cars like the Mustang, Challenger and Camaro. Offer delete options. No, I do not want the extra #50 of insulation that's provided with the power seats, which will drop another # 70 of weight. No, give me window cranks. Gee, there goes another #20. 16' steel wheels with lots of cooling slots. Steel is cheaper than aluminum, so though I had to put back #20, I've saved more money on the car. I don't need GPS- I can read a map. Costs are lowered and weight is saved- again. Think of the car you'd have if you were able to trim #300 of weight off of any one of them. Just a thought...

Edited July 15, 2009 by Harold

[Harry P.]

That was the idea with the Road Runner... big performance in a stripped down, el cheapo package, no power windows, no carpet, bench seat, etc.

But these days people have become spoiled. I doubt very many people would actually want a car with crank windows, manual seats, etc. American consumers love gadgets and gimmicks in their cars... GPS, nav screens, DVD players for the kiddies, 45 cup holders, backup cameras, parking assist, "lange change alert", and on and on. So manufacturers load up the cars with stuff they know the general public will eat up.

I don't think things like manually operated windows are even available in a Mustang, Challenger or Camaro, even if you were one of the 12 people who actually wanted them. These days if you want a stripped down car your only choice is a small Japanese or Korean car. I don't think there are many American cars available in a basic no-frills version anymore.

[Rob Hall]

That was the idea with the Road Runner... big performance in a stripped down, el cheapo package, no power windows, no carpet, bench seat, etc.

But these days people have become spoiled. I doubt very many people would actually want a car with crank windows, manual seats, etc. American consumers love gadgets and gimmicks in their cars... GPS, nav screens, DVD players for the kiddies, 45 cup holders, backup cameras, parking assist, "lange change alert", and on and on. So manufacturers load up the cars with stuff they know the general public will eat up.

I don't think things like manually operated windows are even available in a Mustang, Challenger or Camaro, even if you were one of the 12 people who actually wanted them. These days if you want a stripped down car your only choice is a small Japanese or Korean car. I don't think there are many American cars available in a basic no-frills version anymore.

Yeah, I can't see much demand for stripped down models. As far as Mustangs, the LX 5.0 was kind of like that back in the day.

For me, I like my cars loaded with all the goodies.

Edited July 15, 2009 by Rob Hall