why does Ford use old styling cues? simple, heritage. if it looked like a Civic, it wouldn't be a Mustang, now would it? the 05 is far from low tech. i'm beginning to think this razer fool is a troll.
Wylde said:Haven't posted for a long time...reason mainly is because after renting a 2004 Mustang for a week, decided to wait for some simple cheap and modern things to make their way into Ford products. I totally love the look of the 05 Mustang but because of the lack of these small things I will not buy one.
1. Retained power when the key is off. It's a cheap simple timer that when you turn the key off, providing you don't open any doors you can still run every electrical thing in the car for about 15 minutes.
2. AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS...come on now a 2 cent diode, why have a stupid light switch that can be forgotten on to kill you battery.
3. Battery run down protection. After you have forgetten to turn off your headlights and it kills your battery, you will see how great such a cheap feature is so usefull. It's a small circuit that monitors the battery charge and if it sees a continuous reduction it turns off all left on powered things (like headlights) usually takes about 40 minutes on average (tested on my 98 S10)
I could go on and on. Fords has done a great job with designing a totally cool car, but it needs to get into the modern age and offer some simple pleasures that cost nearly nothing to include into each and every car/truck. All of these things have been available on GM car/trucks for a minimum of 10 years, maybe more. I don't know if Dodge has this since I have never driven a Dodge product in my life (and I likely never will).
although I don't agree with you at all I'll give you this.When I was your age I loved my new 89 mustang gt and when the new style came out in 1994 ,I hated the look and wondered whey ford would do such a thing. Well I fell in love some time after just to hate the new style in 2001 thinking my 95 cobra looks way better. Well Now I love the the cars such as the 2003 cobra. I think some people have the same feeling when something drasticlly different comes out . In time, I bet you look back you'll grin to the fact that you hated the new style.Razer81 said:Why can't Ford design a Mustang for the 21st century to compete with more advanced and more high-tech vehicles of now adays? Not to mention, WAY BETTER LOOKING TOO. Why did they go back on a design of the '60s/'70s! The car looks so outdated! It has no independant rear suspension! The styling of the '60s looks so ugly compared to the 21st century-designs of cars like the Nissan Z, Infiniti G35, Dodge Viper, BMW M3 and so on. I sold Fords for about 2 years before becoming disgusted by the crapy quality of those cars! I used to love the Mustang, but after seeing first hand how many of those pile of junks had to be put in to the service department to adjust or fix problems found when the cars first arrived from the factory before they could be put out on the lot for sale. Plese Ford! Think of the future! Most of the hot-rodders from the '60s and '70s are approaching that age where they will no longer be with us. Please keep up with the times and DON'T LOOK BACK as if you have ran out of desings or ideas, that you have to start making cars looking like your old ones! I'm a 23 Y.O. gear head, please don't make me look for an Import car (I'm currently considering the G35 Coupe, or the Z). Design something with some technology and good looks that my generation will wanna buy! Is that too much to ask??!!
M1Rifle said:It's not called "Retained Power", it's called "Accessory Delay", and the '05 has it. From page 45 of the owners manual:
Accessory delay
With accessory delay, the window switches and radio may be used for up
to ten minutes after the ignition switch is turned to the OFF position or
until any door or trunk is opened.
Automatic headlamps are a nice feature. Ford has them on other vehicles. Don't try to make it look like Ford doesn't offer these features.
The Mustang is a simple vehicle. I don't want to see them pimp it out any more than it already is. What are you trying to make it into, a flippin' GTO or something? (grin)
Razer81 said:Think of the future! Most of the hot-rodders from the '60s and '70s are approaching that age where they will no longer be with us. Please keep up with the times and DON'T LOOK BACK as if you have ran out of desings or ideas, that you have to start making cars looking like your old ones! I'm a 23 Y.O. gear head, please don't make me look for an Import car (I'm currently considering the G35 Coupe, or the Z). Design something with some technology and good looks that my generation will wanna buy! Is that too much to ask??!!
No you can't but what is the harm in building a car that pays homage to it's heritage for 3-4 years right after the car turns 40 years old? The car that started it all is the only one still being made after all these years and giving the old design a little love and a 21st century twist to it is perfectly acceptable and I think sales will bear that out.Aftrbrnr said:Retro is just a trend now in the automotive industry. Eventually, after Ford has tired through this next platform they will have to build a Mustang with an all-new body that has nothing in common with the classics - face it, you can't build a Mustang that looks like a 1968 model for the next 30 years, people will tire of it. The above assumes that the Mustang will be made long enough to see another new platform after the 05 one, which I am very positive it will happen.
And you'll likely get that on the special edition Stangs. But this is the problem with the solid axle is evil thing. When driving 90% of the time a well sorted live axle is not so bad that it is distracting to the point of being a deal breaker. You are getting a BUNCH for 25k and if the guys developing the 05 are telling the truth this new rear suspension setup will be more than passable for vigorous driving in the turns and pleasant enough drive under normal circumstances.As for technology, everyone seems to hate the solid rear-axle. It's great for the drag-strip warriors, and there's a large following of that in the Mustang crowd. However, I'd like to see the Mustang break the stereotype that it's only good for going fast. Minus the IRS Cobras, the Mustang's handling is subpar when compared to other cars in its class. It's better then your average passenger non-performance car but it's lacking on its own level. It'd be nice to see an IRS option later on for other models then the Cobra, for those who really like turning.
That is for the drag racers and to be honest the kids going for the cheap imports aren't that kind of person anymore that wants a stripped down car. These are guys who are my age or younger who BARELY remember crank down windows and 8 track radios if that at all. Most of them remember cars with AM/FM casette players, A/C power almost everything and many probably BARELY remember cars without airbags. You try to sell a stripped down car to those kids and they will take the full equiped car that's slower for the same price every time. The people that would be buying a car like that would be the kind of guys that likely would have the car tubbed within a years time anyway and it likely wouldn't attract a younger demographic. The guys that are into the compact scene are slowly but surely going with more upscale and more powerful vehicles. They are learning. While the GT isn't going to be sitting in high school parking lots in droves it will be populating the drive ways of numerous compact racers worth their salt who can look at the total package of the GT and realize it's worth the money. In fact I was just talking to a guy today who has a Lancer OZ Rallyart about the 05 GT. Started rambling of the tech specs and cost and he said that he would likely be looking into one when he got ready to replace his car. Just takes a little friendly education...that or a few savage rapings on the street or strip and they will start to come around.I really, really want to see a base-model V8 version with no options. This will help make the car more affordable, as I think a reason why some kids turn to imports is the Mustang's initial class. It's been awhile since we've seen a Mustang with no A/C, power windows, ABS, radio, power mirrors, etc. Cut away all the crap for the people that just want balls to the walls action and nothing more.
Aftrbrnr said:As for technology, everyone seems to hate the solid rear-axle. It's great for the drag-strip warriors, and there's a large following of that in the Mustang crowd. However, I'd like to see the Mustang break the stereotype that it's only good for going fast. Minus the IRS Cobras, the Mustang's handling is subpar when compared to other cars in its class. It's better then your average passenger non-performance car but it's lacking on its own level. It'd be nice to see an IRS option later on for other models then the Cobra, for those who really like turning.
I really, really want to see a base-model V8 version with no options. This will help make the car more affordable, as I think a reason why some kids turn to imports is the Mustang's initial class. It's been awhile since we've seen a Mustang with no A/C, power windows, ABS, radio, power mirrors, etc. Cut away all the crap for the people that just want balls to the walls action and nothing more.
MCABOSS said:Sounds like you have already made the decision to buy some import junk! The Mustang design is timeless and has stood the test of time. I doubt that any of the cars you hold in such high esteme will be still be around in 20 years let alone 40!!! You spend your 50K on a BMW, Mercedes or Z piece of junk and you can kiss your money goodbye. Not all Mustangs are investments but those folks that bought a Mustang back in the 60's or 70's paid as little as 2500 and today they average 10K for a good driver. Some Mustangs like the Shelby's and BOSS's are worth many times more. Go to any car show and you'll find the older stangs command a lot of attention - even after 40 years. Don't bother bringing a "Z." The Mustang is a car you can keep "a life time" if you want - parts will be available in 40 years. Will the parts be there in the future for the cars on your "A" list? We'll see! Pardon me if I don't buy a grave plot just yet!
Toppel said:Who are you to say what car will be worth more 40 years down the road!! Dont hate on the 350 just becasue it beat your arse last Friday, and looked good while doing it.
I am debating on buying the 05 GT or a 05 350 Z, I think both are great performance cars and will not be forgoten in the long term.
Toppel said:Who are you to say what car will be worth more 40 years down the road!! Dont hate on the 350 just becasue it beat your arse last Friday, and looked good while doing it.
I am debating on buying the 05 GT or a 05 350 Z, I think both are great performance cars and will not be forgoten in the long term.