So I test drove a 2004 Mustang yesturday (GT 5-speed yellow convertable). Here are some things I noticed:
- Shifter was in the dash
- interior felt tall and skinny, as opposed to low and wide (like my camaro).
- reached max power at 5000-5300 as oppsed to the red line at about 5900 rpms.
- Couldn't see the gauges with the steering wheel all the way down.
- Didn't really feel "powerfull" with the V8 SOHC (I didnt hog on it the whole time, but when I did, I wasn't impressed)

Am I the only one with these problems, will they be changed for the '05 model. I'm not some guy who will come here and righ a novel about his test drive, these are just some thoughts I had.

Also When looking at the hard top and convertable, I couldn't herlp but think about t-tops. I guess we'll see the 5-gen turn out. If its crap, and this "problems" listed abouve have been resolved. I might have to look at the Mustang again. One thing I really did like, was the engine bay. The engine was NOT sitting under the windshield/dash. But it could use a real "ram air" set up.

Note to chevy: I'll be waiting to see what comes out. I hope its good.

 

Gotta look at what you're used to. F bodies sit unusually low and wide, and have alot of snap to them. Pretty much anything you get into that seats 4 people is going to feel tall & skinny.

I've driven a couple over the past few years. Though they are no "fox" 5.0s for sure (you no longer feel like you're in a Saturn rocket when you do a full power acceleration ), they aren't too bad.

 

A lot of people who are Camaro owners feel the same about the Fox bodies from 94 and up. For the most part I liked my 97 GT, but agree 100% that the shifter is too far forward (though there are several aftermarket solutions for this). You definitely sit higher, but that's a plus for me (6'3") and a lot of others. Most everything you've listed is being "fixed" with the new Mustang except for seating position, which really isn't that big a deal and doesn't affect the car's performance. Go see one at a car show, I did and I think it's really nice inside and out.

 

At the Auto show, they only had a green V6, and it was roped off, so you couldn't sit in, or touch it .

 

LOL, didn't mean to imply I sat in it! However, at the Houston autoshow you could get REAL CLOSE to it. The "rope" was only about 1.5 ft away from the car. I got a really good look at it. Seat height will be very close to that of the Lincoln LS.

 

BTW, saw this pic and thought it was really cool. The new Mustang looks so much better. The 2005 GT is on the left and the 200x Mustang with a Cobra bumper is on the right.

 

Great comparison picture!

Though it's a matter of taste on which looks better, the 2005 certainly looks more aggressive!

 

I never thought I would say this but the older Mutang looks betterthan the new one. Also, that pic has been "squashed" so itgives a distorted view of the cars.

 

Thats what I thought, the cars look to low and wide. They accually look good in that pic. But in real life, they are so much taller. Also the '05 needs something on the hood, it looks to plain.

 

Look how huge the '05 mirrors look compared with the previous generation. They look out of place (from a Lincoln, aren't they?).

 

I still say it wont sell as well as the old one. Its too pigeon holed with this new look where it used to have a much more broad appeal. Mustang enthusiast will love it, but I'm still not convinced the general car buyer will go for it.

 

Mazda actually.

 

I don't think it's "squashed", but if so, it's not very much at all. I've compared it to other pics I've seen

 

i hate the foglights there just to big even if its supposed to retro.

 

I have to ask, is there a "Hella" light cover for the grill lights, or is that for the aftermarket?

And wow, good point. Thoes side view mirrors look gigantic. I dont know what they would be looking at? civics maybe?

That picture should be titled "De-Evolution". Who put the V6 hood on the Cobra, or the Cobra GFX on the V6?
I cant belive they made such an unareodynamic car and call it "modern."