The '05 Mustang is an undeniable sales success...no denying that. But let's face some facts. Mustang is under ZERO competitive product pressure right now. Zip, Nada, Nothing. It literally owns it's own segment.

What if it didn't own it's segment? What if Mustang was actually under some competitive pressure? What if it weren't gaining sales success in the vacuum it currently finds itself in? What would we all think of it then?

What if both DCX and GM had bullseyes on Mustang?



If Dodge had a pony car it would be based off of a shortened LX. It would most probably lose 10" of wheelbase to become a pony car. It would certainly retain the LX's SLA front suspension and 5 link IRS. I wonder if everyone ....enthusiasts/media/consumers......would consider the Mustang's strut/live axle suspension combo archaic?

The R/T version of Dodge's pony car would most assuredly have the 340 hp, 5.7 Hemi. What would Ford do about the GT's power defecit? Could 300 hp even be at all competitive?

What would people think of the $40K Shelby Cobra if Chevy had a 450 hp Z/28 with a modern double wishbone front and multilink rear suspension?

Just something to consider.

 

I think that if this were true, I'd be worried for the Mustang. One product is bad enough, but when you've got two dogs chasing you...

 

i wish dodge would try and prove you right.

 

I wish Dodge, and Chevy would prove you right. Nothing would be more fun then lining up to a stang and a dodge pony car at a lite and smoking em in my 450hp Z/28

 

 

Right now, I really wish what you say would come to pass.

I'm liking the Mustang more and more with every moment that goes by, and are despretely wanting some competition to draw my eyes......

 

Yeah, if they did, Ford might have some tough decisions to make about Mustang.......both powertrain and suspension wise.

 

Pretty much, but you have cars like the WRX and rx8 and such in its price range. Not strong competitors, and certainly not as direct as say Camaro/firebird, but they're providing some competition nonetheless.

I'd actually like that. Competition improves the breed. Ford would be forced to make the mustang that much better. Same goes for the other two makes.

I hope that 10" of wheelbase lost also equals to 500 some lbs being lost as well. Sedan in its current form has too much flab (4,030lbs). Coupe would hopefully come in at 3,500lbs or under. Enthusiasts and media would probably put down the mustangs suspension, but your average joe really wouldn't know the difference especially if the GT comes cheaper. Consumers are always misinformed. Most of them would probably tell you that a 2002 GT is faster than a 2002 z28/SS.

300hp would still be competitive if the hp to weight ratio was within range and the GT sold for less $$. Currently, the 300hp Mustang GT has a slightly better hp to weight ratio than the current 345hp R/T charger Sedan. I'd assume a shorter wheelbase Charger coupe would be a lot lighter and so GT would give that up.

The only reason i think Ford can get away with 300 horses in the GT is because they'll have a variety of models you won't see at Dodge or Chevy. There's the GT, but a Mach-1, Bullitt, Boss, and Shelby are in the plans. Who knows, we might even see more. Pretty much why they were able to getaway with offering a 215-260hp GT during the 4th gens tenure. Especially towards the end.

Depends on how the Shelby Cobra handles. Hai or whatever the head SVT guy seems convinced the Shelby with the Struts/Live axle will handle well. We'll see how true his statements are soon.

Personally, i'd give up a modern double wishbone front suspension and multilink rear to get my hands on a forged, twin-screwed v8. To me, the engine is the Cobra's shining point.

 

I wouldn't worry about the Mustang. They've sold well most of the last thirty some odd years....even in those years when powertrain options and/or styling left much to be desired.

 

Oh, I'm not worried about the Mustang at all. Just wondering if people might have a different opinion of it, with some competitive product on the market.

 

What he said.

I wouldn't be worried about it at all and I probably wouldn't think very much less of it depending on how the other cars stacked up.
I mean if after it was all said and done and the cars weren't that far apart in performance and price it wouldn't be a big deal.
And I certainly don't think too many people would turn up their noses at the GT500 considering what's under the hood and for the price. A Camaro that would compete with it would likely be within a few grand of it anyway.

To be honest even if either of those two competitors come back I don't think they will outsell the Mustang. It's a legend pure and simple and there will always people who will want one just because of what it is. The best I think any of them could hope for is to take a sizable chunk out of the pie.

 

Ford just did just about everything to right with the new Mustang . Its appealing to history buffs , it appealing to kids and just about everyone else in between . The Mustang may come in 3rd place in a magazine test against those 2 theoretical cars , but I bet the mustang would still be numero uno when talking about people who actually went out and bought one . JMO

 

If Chevy made a 450hp Z28, they would sell less than 1,500.

Remember that LS6 powered ZL1 in '02? How many did they sell? The last one stayed on the lot for how long??

 

GM didn't build or sell any LS6 powered Camaros.

 

I'm pretty positive that a new returning Camaro that's done right could become the market's sales leader, which hasn't been seen since the 80's. The biggest reason why this weird looking thing called the 05 M*stang is doing good is because there is just nothing even half way decent to compete with it. Chevy, with it's tech and advanced engines should have no problem outdoing F*rd in every way if people just let the car be done as proposed and don't take wrong ways out here and there making it less impressive. I really think that this new car provides a place where the Camaro could easily come in and turn things completely around in this segment. This is the kind of attitude they need.

But, we're dealing with todays GM that doesn't really believe in competition and taking markets, so it probably won't happen. They still kinda lack the want to be great with everything they make.