It's a three-quarter assed attempt at a "premium" looking car (Like a RX-8 or 350Z). I wish they would have just gone all out and if the car cost 32k loaded and some people got priced out, so be it, too bad. The 350Z and RX-8 are also "heritage" cars with cult-like followings, and those companies had no problem pricing them higher. You build a car and then you put a price tag on it, not the other way around. Ford unfortunately is reluctant to try that thinking again after the thunderbird debacle. I still think it's an awesome car and certainly an improvement, but in a couple years when im ready for another car, im going to want something with a little more robust quality. I was hoping the mustang would reimerge as a true bimmer-fighter, but the more i hope for that price savvy bimmer-fighter to come from someone, the more i realize i should just pony up and buy the bimmer.