I have been perusing various '05 Mustang forums to get a feel for peoples comments............. likes.............. and dislikes.

In my reading, it is becoming pretty clear that there are alot of people buying this caror planning to buy this car, who have never had a Mustang before............ or even a Ford.

I think this is a very positive thing. Not only for the Mustang, but also for the potential future of the Camaro. If GM can see that a well executed 'Pony Car" can not only draw in existing fans.............. but can also generate alot of "conquest sales," they may be more willing to take the chance.

Of interest, many who are buying their first Mustang, or Ford, are stating that they always loved the '60's/early 70's Mustangs........... and got very excited when they saw the design of the '05. They say the retro cues with the modern edge and execution really won them over. Then they looked at the car in person, and fell in love.

There has been very little "retro sucks," or "this will have a very short shelf life," comments. As much as many here do not want to hear this, many, myself included, do not find the '05 to be retro. It is WAY too modern looking for that. However, it does carry some first gen cues that integrate well, and that noone can mistake for being anything but a Mustang. This is a good thing.

BTW, sorry if I will offend some with this positive Mustang post. I realize there are some here who wouldn't like the car if it had been blessed by God himself.

 

I agree. I want one, with a V8 and manual tranny

 

Im really interested in what this car does over the next two years. Id like to see it sell half a million cars before the Camaro hits the streets. Why?

[CamaroEnthusiast]
Because with more Mustangs on the road than you can shake a stick at, another pony car option will be that much more appealing. Tack on that the Camaro will probably out muscle the Mustang (at least on the base, mid V8 levels) and I think the publics reception of the Camaro will be that much better. I dont want to say that people will be sick of the Mustang by then, just, well...there are going to be ALOT of these cars out there.

I dont know about the rest of you, but seeing the Mustang craze take ahold of this country bumps my anticipation for a new Camaro up several notches.
[/enthusiast]

 

Good observation Gloria.

I've been tired of the burdon of "saving the Camaro" being on the shoulders of the most loyal fans of the mark. If GM can't appeal to enough buyers or aren't willing to advertise it, it's not the current owners fault. Just how many Camaros can I possibly buy? Not enough to make GM happy!

 

still needs IRS for me to really consider it...along with some moderate styling changes (i know it's a great car, but I think they made a big mistake going with the 60s styling)...and try to drop some weight while i'm thinking

 

Here is another observation that I just noticed: The overhangs on the car are huge, especially the rear. That is one of the aspects that was making the car look odd in my eyes.

I still haven't seen one on the road yet but I have seen one on a dealer lot. It was a blue V6.

 

I think the rear overhang looks so large because of the high deck height. However, the front overhang is MUCH less than the............. well.............. pretty much every relatively recent Mustang I can think of.

Some people who have their cars already, and have a previous generation car have taken side by side pictures. It really shows the differences. Especially noticable is the longer wheelbase of the '05. Also, that the '05 is a larger car.

At least for me, if I see the two cars seperately, my eyes actually think that the '94+ cars are larger............ especially the bulbous 94-98.

I also agree that you will see them everywhere. Luckily, they are a very eye catching car, so they won't just blend into the background. If the 60's can repeat themselves (I realize there will not be as many sold as the 64.5-66 Mustang).......... relatively........... then the chances for an answer by GM grows by the day.

If GM doesn't answer............ then they deserve to be b*tch slapped.

Remember, this comes from someone who does own a Camaro (first Gen), but no Mustang............ and no Mustang for the foreseeable future, due to the Lightning situation. Also, due to the Lightning situation, I can definitally sympathize with all of you who have chosen to "keep the faith."

Just a little O/T here. As the person who started many of the "bombard SVT with faxes" posts........... I can feel your frustration. In reading this board, I see the same apathy that I see from the Lightning/SVT community. This "I have the faith but don't want to actually do anything to try to get my vehicle of choice back" type of "enthusiast." I use the "" around enthusiast as I can't really see someone as a true enthusiast if they are unwilling to get off their *** and try to make a difference. I realize that you have been waiting alot longer than the Lightning community, but I have read this board for a long time............... and after the original outrage, much the same "I hope GM does the right thing and reads my mind that I want a 5th gen Camaro." As time goes by, many of the apathetic are willing to accept less and less in the car, as long as it says Camaro. They even buy other GM's in the meantime. I refuse to give Ford the pleasure, as I am voicing my outrage, not only with my voice and fingers............ but with my wallet. Luckily, with 7 vehicles, I have the ability to do that.

If more people truly did that, image the strength we would have.

"Off my soap box."

 

I looked at a mineral grey V6 at Downs Ford late last night. I parked the Cobra next to it and spent about 20 minutes walking around the car.
It looks small. Smaller than the '04 and earlier cars. The rear on the car is compact, that's the best way I can describe it. The beltline and window height is about 2-3 inches higher than the '04 (and that was compared to my Cobra...which sits lower than the GT's and V6 cars). I like the front on the car, and the covers over the lights are a neat touch. The "spinner" wheels on the V6's actually have real spinners. Another striking difference is the C-pillar. It blends cleanly into the quarter and the roof with no seam. It's just a smooth radius to the top of the quarter and that's it. No plastic cover, no trim panel...just smooth clean metal. That was actually one of the first details I noticed on the show car at NAIAS. The back window seems much larger than the '04 and earlier cars, and it is obviously more raked when you see it in person.
I don't like the big, plastic finished side view mirrors. Compared to the small "pocket" folding mirrors on Cobra, they look out of place. SVT needs to remember that on the '07 Cobra. I can't wait to see what SVT does with the next Cobra.
I saw a yellow GT sitting in the detail bay at Oasis Ford after seeing a silver GT on a car hauler on route 9. I couldn't find the silver GT, and it looked like the yellow GT was getting prepped for delivery.
Very neat cars.
I'm considering buying one for the wife and dumping my beater-beater '99 Taurus.
S.

 

I like to plan out my car purchases way in advance, so I've been giving serious thought to buying a Mustang Cobra in a couple of years. I saw the styling of the Mustang online and wasn't particularly excited by the retro look but I could deal with it. Lowered with nice rims the car actually looks pretty good to me. However, I just saw one on the road over the weekend and I was shocked how ugly the car looked to me. It looked like an out of shape person vs. the more athletic taut look of the '60s Mustangs. I'll have to check one out at the dealership for a double take but now I'm reconsidering what my next car will be.

 

The car is just about as retro as a car can get, to me there's no denying that. However people love that, and people want that so the Mustang will sell. Just because I dont like it doesnt mean that 1,000,000 other people wont.

 

It's not really THAT retro. Look at it next to a 350z and it looks right inthis decade. DOnt get me wrong, it is a retro theme but executed very well to make it moderen.

 

I've noticed the same thing. This car is drawing more than performance enthusiasts to look at a Mustang, its bringing in people that would've never considered owning a Ford in the first place. Even the mislead members of my generation that love big wings on their Hondas have even stated their liking for the car. And thats saying ALOT

 

I would like to know who in the world who has seen this car has never heard of a Ford or a Mustang? Never considered the two, im quite sure, never heard of, I don't think so.

 

I hope the Mustang sells over 250K units a year. Some one will make a car to compete. Thoes are numbers that the imports cant ignore. Nissan and toyota now have good sized mass produced V8s and Toyota is in NASCAR. I think its possible to see a import enter this market if GM or DCX doesnt step in soon

 

What is appalling about the Mustang is the lack of orignallity. Park this new car next to a 1966 Shelby GT350 and it looks a warmed over modern version of its once former glory. If I am going to buy a new car, it better be a fresh and orginal design. If I want my car to look like a 66 Mustang fastback, I'll go buy a 66 Mustang fastback.