Comments on: New Ford Mustang

By: pman

pman — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 19:55:08 +0000

Initially, I liked the idea of new cars with retro-styling because I’m old enough to remember seeing the originals as a kid. But it has gotten to become so ubiquitous, cliched and hackneyed that it now just smells like a lack of design creativity. And now we get new-and-improved refreshed retro-styling for the original retro-styled cars that were copies the original originals. For me, it’s become a snoozefest.

And 315 hp from a 4.6 liter V8? Now THAT’S retro!!
But, hey, last year’s Hemi belched out 335 hp from 5.7 liters, or just under 60hp/liter, and that had people gooing in their pants.

Some people are easily impressed, I guess.

By: dolo54

dolo54 — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 17:26:54 +0000

I think it’s great, but I can’t imagine buying this knowing an updated drivetrain is in the pipe for next year.

By: sean362880

sean362880 — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 17:01:27 +0000

It looks like the 05-06 GTO.

It’s a half step backwards for Ford, halfway between the current Mustang’s cool-looking fastback shape and the previous generation’s rounded front nose/hood.

Not good. I’d much rather have the current version, preferably a Bullitt.

By: rockit

rockit — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 16:30:47 +0000

An old Q still is slower 0-60, even you admit so I’m not sure why you bring it up here, and doesn’t it use premium?

By: JEC

JEC — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 15:38:58 +0000

315 from 4.6 is not impressive, stick shift or not. My Infiniti Q makes “around” 300 hp (rated at 278, supposedly low-balled for Japanese gentleman’s agreement) from 4.5L and will sling two tons to 60 with a slushy auto in about 7 seconds. It has oodles of torque and a nice punch at high revs, topping out around 6900 rpm. Oh, I forgot to mention, my Q is 17 years old. Fail indeed. Imagine a Q next to a fox body 5.0 which was struggling to top 200 hp out of the box. I won’t be really impressed until we see the magic 100 hp per litre (or even 80-90? This thing is only at the middling 68/L mark) number from the big American V8s, particularly the overhead cam items.

By: Mark MacInnis

Mark MacInnis — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 15:02:25 +0000

For those who want to get an idea what the rear and rear quarter look like…..the Detroit Freep has a couple of pix that TTAC chose not to show….here’s the link.

http://www.freep.com/article/20081118/BUSINESS01/811180375

Nice to see that ONE of the D3 (call it that while you can…according to the article above it will be “General Motors, owned by China” pretty soon. (if Wagoner were head of a Chinese company that lost as much money and prestige, guess what his fate would be?)) has future product plans.

As a former Mustang owner (’73 Mach I and ‘70 Boss 302) this design seems mighty tasty….

By: psarhjinian

psarhjinian — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 14:34:21 +0000

Once the new engines are introduced, though, weight will go up. (EcoBoost is going to weight more than the 4.0 liter for sure)

Will it? Ecoboost is essentially, well, forced induction and smarter fuel injection; can that really weigh very much? Generally, boosted engines weigh less than a naturally-aspirated powerplant of the same output.

By: jerseydevil

jerseydevil — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 14:10:50 +0000

absolutely stunning, again. the sexiest car made in america.

i also like the challenger, and the camaro. I wish that ford had put a better 6 in the car, or offered a turbo 4. oh well.

If it is the bullit, i will have to buy a GT anyway.

grin.

By: Richard Chen

Richard Chen — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 13:34:51 +0000

How about the LX 2.3?

By: Alexdi

Alexdi — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 13:34:26 +0000

It’s hot. It immediately makes the previous version look old, and the form factor is fair bit less ostentatious than the Camaro. I’m disappointed with the solid rear axle and the lackluster V6, but they’re good enough for the target audience.

By: BlueBrat

BlueBrat — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 13:24:51 +0000

Bring back the Mach II! :D

By: jar527

jar527 — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 13:19:19 +0000

I think it looks great. It’s a nice surprise that they spent anytime at all updating the interior. From 1994 to 2004 they only changed the Radio size. I don’t think the HP deficit will cost it any sales, it hasn’t in the past. Sync, Navigation, back-up camera, glass roof unbelievable number of options. I’ll take mine in Torch Red please.

By: murphysamber

murphysamber — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 13:00:14 +0000

Outside of being something more interesting than a Malibu to rent at the Enterprise counter, I think it’s a little bit of the same pig with different lipstick. Good thing it’s not being passed off as a new model. Weird, but you would be suprised how many mustang drivers (women) I actually see end up in Beetles.

By: Facebook User

Facebook User — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 12:58:33 +0000

You got that right, Nicodemus! Then Ford would sell a car worth buying.

By: Nicodemus

Nicodemus — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 10:22:28 +0000

@ P71 Crown Vic

Hmmm…let’s see:

4.0 V6 from a truck – FAIL!!!!!

5-Speed A/T – FAIL!!!!!!

Solid rear axle – FAIL!!!!!!!!!

315HP, 4.6 V8 – FAIL!!!!!!!!!!!

If only the Falcon was engineered for LHD all of those would be passes!

http://www.ford.com.au/servlet/ContentServer?cid=1178852824823&pagename=Page&site=FOA&c=DFYPage

By: maniceightball

maniceightball — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 07:31:41 +0000

This car should be the inspiration for another Ford “Deathwatch”. – P71_CrownVic

Uh, I think Ford’s actually going to be fine in the long term.. It’s the other 1.8 that you should be concerned about.

By: maniceightball

maniceightball — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 07:25:37 +0000

I like it better than the old one — I’m glad they’re taking styling cues from Giugiaro. They seem to miss that proportion is where it’s at, but they’re making progress. In fact, that’s what’s bothered me most about the retro Mustangs — they’re awful about balancing the designs and maintaining even a minimal amount of aesthetic coherence.

By: Scorched Earth

Scorched Earth — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 07:02:09 +0000

At first I was disappointed, but then I read it was a mid-cycle refresh. I think it looks great, but I also LOVE the current Mustang design. There’s a little evolution in the retro design, just enough to keep fresh and hold us over til the REAL next Stang.

By: dkulmacz

dkulmacz — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 06:11:59 +0000

Mmmmmm . . . Grabber Blue . . . .

By: Jonny Lieberman

Jonny Lieberman — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 05:58:34 +0000

The big news is that the GT is essentially the Bullitt.

if you’ve driven the Bullitt you know what great news this is.

As Karesh might do, click here for reliability data and stuff. Er, for more pics, some design “analysis” by moi and Ford’s very own press release.

http://tinyurl.com/6or936

By: Droid800

Droid800 — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 05:58:05 +0000

@psarhjinian

Autoblog is saying that the new Mustang is 400-500 pounds less than the Camaro and Challenger. The V6 version only gained 15 pounds over this year’s, and the V8 only gained 35.

Once the new engines are introduced, though, weight will go up. (EcoBoost is going to weight more than the 4.0 liter for sure)

By: toxicroach

toxicroach — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 05:09:11 +0000

Yeah, I’ve driven the GT… certainly you won’t ever be lacking in acceleration for any daily driving purpose.

I want one real bad but I just know I’d end up getting killed or with my driver’s license revoked. You can’t not speed in it.

By: SunnyvaleCA

SunnyvaleCA — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 05:04:13 +0000

@P71_CrownVic

The HYUNDAI with 375HP has no stick shift. The “failed” 315 HP stick Mustang is going to be faster in a straight line at double-digit speeds and a lot more fun too. The purpose of horsepower is entertainment… the Mustang with stick will give better driver entertainment.

By: psarhjinian

psarhjinian — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 05:01:55 +0000

Well, it’s cleaner than the big-hips-and-deep-brows Camaro and Challenger, which is nice. I don’t generally like rear hips on a car, but at least the Mustangs aren’t particularly obvious.

Any clue as to the weight and price? That was always the Mustang’s likely advantages next to the Camaro and Challenger, and it would be interesting to know if they’ve kept both down.

By: Samir

Samir — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 04:49:38 +0000

The exterior is great if you ask me. I wish Ford’s executives were as diligent in protecting their other franchises (Ranger, Crown Vic)

I really wish Ford would offer a $4,000 IRS option for this car. It’s not like it can’t be done. I feel like until they do, you will always have to make apologies for the tail hop under hard cornering.

(/Mustang Driver)