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Sure, you like the Mustang now......

Old Apr 13, 2005 | 12:31 AM
  #16  
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Re: Sure, you like the Mustang now......

Originally Posted by HAZ-Matt
GM didn't build or sell any LS6 powered Camaros.
GMMG did and everyone knew about it.

They sold the 69th one almost a year afterwards.

Dont act like my point is a flawed one. A 450hp Z28 might not even sell 1500.
Old Apr 13, 2005 | 12:40 AM
  #17  
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Re: Sure, you like the Mustang now......

Originally Posted by graham
Dont act like my point is a flawed one. A 450hp Z28 might not even sell 1500.
I'm certain that Ford is planning on selling way more 450 hp Mustangs than that.

Is their thinking flawed?
Old Apr 13, 2005 | 12:53 AM
  #18  
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Re: Sure, you like the Mustang now......

Originally Posted by Z284ever
I'm certain that Ford is planning on selling way more 450 hp Mustangs than that.

Is their thinking flawed?
The GMMG ZL1 Camaro's werent $37,000 and didnt run down a GM production line . Shelby GT500 is a production model and is predicted to cost under 39K . Why does eveyone have to take it to the furthest extreme to make a point .

BTW , outside a Camaro enthusist ...the 02 ZL1 car built by a specialy shop was not to well known at all
Old Apr 13, 2005 | 12:56 AM
  #19  
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Re: Sure, you like the Mustang now......

Originally Posted by 90 Z28SS
The GMMG ZL1 Camaro's werent $37,000 and didnt run down a GM production line . Shelby GT500 is a production model and is predicted to cost under 39K . Why does eveyone have to take it to the furthest extreme to make a point .

BTW , outside a Camaro enthusist ...the 02 ZL1 car built by a specialy shop was not to well known at all
Yeah, I know.

Are you directing that at me or graham?
Old Apr 13, 2005 | 01:02 AM
  #20  
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Re: Sure, you like the Mustang now......

Originally Posted by Z284ever
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.
The thing about "What If" scenarios is that reality is suspended, rules are thrown out the window, and one can say or imagine anything regardless as to it's practicality, probability, or the need to actually make any money or be profitable. 99.9% of what if involves actually doing. Does anyone other than Ford seem to be even capable of creating and marketing a successor?

GM pulled the plug on theirs, and doesn't seem to have a handle on how to even get back in the game even though it's been 4 years already. Now, what? They need ANOTHER 3 or 4 years?

Chrysler has been trying to get a Mustang competitor through for the past few years, and now it doesn't seem like it's going to happen...again.

Ford seems to be the only one capable of not just doing things right, but also having a respect for the products they have.


We may as well be talking about a Mustang competitor with titanium unibody construction, miniaturized nuclear reactor powerplant, active suspension governed by a supercomputer, and having a starting price of just $15,000.
Old Apr 13, 2005 | 02:09 AM
  #21  
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Re: Sure, you like the Mustang now......

Originally Posted by guionM
Chrysler has been trying to get a Mustang competitor through for the past few years, and now it doesn't seem like it's going to happen...again.
Going?

Sounds like something that was to come........or coming.
Old Apr 13, 2005 | 07:07 AM
  #22  
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Re: Sure, you like the Mustang now......

DCX was oh so close, only two doors away.
Old Apr 13, 2005 | 07:53 AM
  #23  
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Re: Sure, you like the Mustang now......

Originally Posted by Z284ever
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?
Not to consumers.

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?
No, but then again nobody buying a Mustang seemed to care that they were way underpowered Vs the 4th gen either.

Most Mustang buyers are buying the heritage, the Aura, the name. As long as it looks hip/cool and has the name Mustang, I don't think these people really care that much about content, hence why a live axle, mac strut 300 hp car (a power level GM hit with the F-body in 1996) is so wildly popular.

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?
Same thing...its a "Shelby Cobra"...that alone sells cars to people that care less about specific performance and more about style and image.
Old Apr 13, 2005 | 08:43 AM
  #24  
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Re: Sure, you like the Mustang now......

Originally Posted by graham
Remember that LS6 powered ZL1 in '02? How many did they sell? The last one stayed on the lot for how long??
WTF??
Old Apr 13, 2005 | 09:23 AM
  #25  
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Re: Sure, you like the Mustang now......

Playing devil's advocate here for a moment ...

What about leaving "little pies" as exclusive territory for each of Detroit's big 2 1/2?

Ford has done a great job with Mustang. Let them have the 200,000 unit pony car market.

DCX, has shown they can do affordable RWD sedans and wagons. Leave them to it.

GM: Pretty much owns the luxury segment with Cadillac. Cobalt IMO is the best of Detroits' compacts. Corvette is alone in its price league. Kappa will be an uncontested hit, especially if GM adds some coupes, sedans and hatches to the mix. With the price of gas where it is and is going, premium small vehicles have to get more popular.

The truck and SUV pie is big enough to carve up. The "appliance" range is where the overall battle can rage.

With CTS starting at $30,885 and the GTO starting at $32,995, wouldn't a CTS coupe, and convertible not be a logical replacement?

Perhaps GM should stop dusting off old names. Seems to me the cannot win bringing a new "Camaro" to market because no matter what route they take, just as with GTO. there will be legions of folks jumping on the "that's not a Camaro" bandwagon.
Old Apr 13, 2005 | 09:53 AM
  #26  
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Re: Sure, you like the Mustang now......

I'd love to have two alternatives to the Mustang--both with modern suspensions. So yes, bring them on.
Old Apr 13, 2005 | 11:22 AM
  #27  
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Re: Sure, you like the Mustang now......

The "what if" scenerio is all fine and dandy, however, what about price??? These "more modern" pony cars that you propose would have to be more expensive than the Mustang......... and once again, the Mustang would win on price.

Lets look at this realistically. DCX has built a Charger that shares almost everything with its Magnum counterpart. This 4000lb+ V8 car starts at $30K, which is $5K more than Mustang starts at. Yes the V6 starts $2K less than the GT Mustang......... but it is a V6 car. Now, reengineer the car to make it shorter, engineer some manual transmissions for the car (since the hemi isn't available with a manual in anything), and everything else to make it a pony car. I just don't see it coming in any less expensive than the Charger.......... and it could be more.

This completely redesigned "what if" Camaro, with its completely "modern" suspension would also be more expensive than the Mustang. If the ancient GTO (not a slam, just a statement based on the age of the Monaro platform it is sitting on) is $33K+, with its modern suspension......... does anyone really believe that GM is going to price its new Camaro, with its all new platform, and all the new development costs any lower???

Ford did what they did with the Mustang to keep it in their targeted price point. While I am sure they are making money on the car, it isn't going to be the big bucks (per unit)........... since no cars make much per unit. The only way they could have given all of this "modern" stuff that everyone seems to be clamoring for, would have been to raise the price. Now you have alienated your target market.

If there is one thing that Ford has done well throughout Mustangs history, it is understanding their market. Others have come and gone, but Mustang continues on. They weren't about to screw it up just to please the few enthusiasts out there that just can't fathom that a mac front, solid rear might actually ride and handle decently.

Enough of my "logic," continue on with the "what ifs."
Old Apr 13, 2005 | 11:36 AM
  #28  
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Re: Sure, you like the Mustang now......

Originally Posted by 94LightningGal
The "what if" scenerio is all fine and dandy, however, what about price??? These "more modern" pony cars that you propose would have to be more expensive than the Mustang......... and once again, the Mustang would win on price.
Why ?


Lets look at this realistically. DCX has built a Charger that shares almost everything with its Magnum counterpart. This 4000lb+ V8 car starts at $30K, which is $5K more than Mustang starts at. Yes the V6 starts $2K less than the GT Mustang......... but it is a V6 car. Now, reengineer the car to make it shorter, engineer some manual transmissions for the car (since the hemi isn't available with a manual in anything), and everything else to make it a pony car. I just don't see it coming in any less expensive than the Charger.......... and it could be more.
The Mustang was based on the much more expensive Lincoln LS platform, and then substantially re-engineered.

Ford did exactly what you are saying is not feasable!

Enough of my "logic," continue on with the "what ifs."
Old Apr 13, 2005 | 11:53 AM
  #29  
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Re: Sure, you like the Mustang now......

Wise man once said " You can wish in one hand and crap in the other and see which one fills up first."
Old Apr 13, 2005 | 11:54 AM
  #30  
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Re: Sure, you like the Mustang now......

I hope the Mustang sells more units than they ever dreamed of. Why? So that GM and maybe DCX would be forced to look harder at this segment and feel obligated to get a new platform back in the race. Plus, once there are so many of them(Mustangs) on the road, people will get more used to them and want to look for something new. If the new Mustang was a flop, you can be sure that there would not be a new Camaro coming out for a LOOOOOOONG time, if ever.

Dan

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