This article has already been posted here, but this is the part that I found very interesting.
http://www.autoweek.com/news.cms?newsId=102730
Hmmm. Should our resident retro Camaro haters be afraid?

 

I think we should I think it's a little to soon to put the '05 Mustang in that truly succesful category, time will tell how it's design holds up with the buying public...

 

Like I've said before... I don't want retro, but I've pretty much given in that it will happen.

Of course, it's hard to ignore other non-retro success stories....

Cadillac Art & Science
Dodge Magnum
Cobalt

and a bunch of others....

And, I can think of retro cars that have NOT done so well either:

Thunderbird
SSR
Prowler

Of course, these are higher priced models, so they will have lower volume anyway....

One thing that Mustang, Beetle, and PT Cruiser all have in common is......... they have affordable price points ... I think that is more telling that their retro styling.

 

Wow, apparently Lutz thinks the new Mustang is retro too, huh?

Damn, this is some pretty crappy news, as I am sure he will be undermining the new Camaro, at least to some degree.

 

I'll go one further than you on this... they were (are?) higher priced models with marginal performance. Had the T-bird performed on the level of the Mustang, had the SSR performed on the level of the Camaro, had the prowler had a V8 under the hood... I think all would have done better in sales.

 

A valid counter point.... of course, SSR has addressed the issue with the LS2... but there has been an actual decline is sales numbers sicne the LS2 was added:

YTD sales 2004: 4,994
YTD Sales 2005:5 ,442
Percentage change: -8.2%

 

Note I said "performed" at the level of the Camaro. The SSR is a pig. The LS2 helped, but its still a heavy Chevy! Drop some lbs or offer a optional power-adder and I think it might sell better... especially with insentives.

I still love everything about the SSR except for the price. In a few years I may even try to pick up a used LS2 6speed.

 

For the guys that cruise the Mustang boards- Was/is there stong under current of retro haters against the '05?

 

BOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

 

I hang around Stangnet and SVT Performance alot and there are alot of people who really like the new car. On the other hand there are alot of people who don't, it's sort of split. One thing I have noticed is that alot of people aren't to happy about the new cobra's weight and alot of people are upset that Ford won't be using the twin-screw blower on the new one...Another thing is it seems the new 'Stangs brick-like aerodynamics make the car feel light and floaty at like 140 or more...

 

Eye thank them numberz is backerds.

 

Oh ya, you are right... lol.

The -8.2% is correct, by the sales numbers should be flip-flopped...

Sorry about that.

 

I too have accepted that the new Camaro will be a retro POS but that doesn't mean I have to like it. This is just another hint that the Camaro will be a recycled design.

.....................maybe for people who don't like the word "retro design", they can use "recycled design" instead.

 

Retro is successful now...but what will be in 2-3 years?

I can only pray the buying public get's off this 'comfort food/nostalgic memories' kick and really starts supporting the new and innovative.