Why so many S650s on Carmax?

[Delco73]

Mustangs are the ultimate bought on emotion, sold after reality hits car.

People buy the dream or exhaust note and sell when they find it won't work for them as a daily for whatever other reason.

When talking about her most famous role, Hollywood star Rita Hayworth once said “Men go to bed with Gilda, but wake up with me.” People are seduced by the fantasy, the reality is different and often fails to live up to the dream.

Describes life with a Mustang to a tee for many.

This is 100% correct. These cars are not for everyone and they figure it out quickly. It seems like a great idea until it's not. It's not an S650-only phenomenon. I've been seeing this for years. I;ve always told people who admire my Mustangs that you have to really love them to live with them.

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[Junkyard Dog]

I picked up my Dark Horse with handling package used with about 800 miles on it.

It was the only one within like 500 miles of me at the time, and the price was right, so I grabbed it.

It has been my favorite car I have ever owned so far.

 

[COBill]

I picked up my Dark Horse with handling package used with about 800 miles on it.

I suspect the two biggest DH options people love to buy and find they can't actually live with are the handling package and the Recaros.

Tramlining with those 305s up front would get old fast for many people who don't want to deal with it, let alone scraping the handling package front splitter on everything; Ford doesn't even install it at the factory, it comes in the trunk and you or your dealer have to put it on.

The Recaros are a personal choice; many won't fit and others don't realize not only do you lose heated/cooled seats, you lose mirror memory (!).

 

[R3G]

I suspect the two biggest DH options people love to buy and find they can't actually live with are the handling package and the Recaros.

Tramlining with those 305s up front would get old fast for many people who don't want to deal with it, let alone scraping the handling package front splitter on everything; Ford doesn't even install it at the factory, it comes in the trunk and you or your dealer have to put it on.

The Recaros are a personal choice; many won't fit and others don't realize not only do you lose heated/cooled seats, you lose mirror memory (!).

can confirm, ordered my DH without those two options for those exact reasons. It is a blast to drive around town and backroads. Although, I think the sticky tires are more responsible for the tramlining than the 305s. Hellcat was a dream to drive on 305 all season perelli's.

 

[LouG]

Certainly, but it explains why there are so many lightly used examples at CarMAX.

Also, unless you're cremated, there's no way they're throwing you in the trunk.

Cardboard box, boot lid open.

 

[Junkyard Dog]

No real tram lining.

I wanted cooled seats, so I did not want Recaro's, and this car did not have Recaro's. If anything, I wish the "cooled" seats were colder, like my old Denali.

But the seats are not so great on the track.

And yeah, I have to be careful with the splitter, but I wanted the positives of the handling pack, and having the car's front so low to the ground comes with it.

 

[IFFV68]

Autotrader has the following Mustangs on offer:

New 650s: 5787
Used 650s: 987

New DH: 452
Used DH: 85

As to why people sell, it's varied.

Life happens. Marriage, divorce, kids on the way, moving, loss of income, change of home type, etc. For whatever reason, the S650 has become impractical. It's easy to plan for the expected. Not so easy to get ready for the unexpected.

The US is a consumer-driven society and economy. We're always supposed to be buying something. People buy these cars and don't understand how expensive a vehicle is, especially if it's a second one or a pleasure car.

They bought it more-or-less on a whim, thinking they'd love the car and the performance. Then later realize they're not a car or motorsport person.

They are car people and realize the S650 didn't work for them. Something in the style, behavior or performance was off-putting.

They are car people, enjoyed it and have moved on to another vehicle. I've met two people like this. They're older. One is retired, the other, nearing retirement. Kids are grown and out of the house. They can afford to buy and sell vehicles often, so they do. They've always wondered what driving one car or another is like and they want to experience all of them.

It isn't just Mustangs. Neighbors exhibit many of the same behaviors and examples with their pets. If you've ever passed a motorhome storage lot, they're packed. Number of motorhomes on the road, even in peak Summer months: close to zero.

Mustangs are a secondary Fun car with limited passenger space and storage.
I live in Colorado, rear wheel drive could be a deterrent because almost everybody here owns a 4 x 4 truck or SUV all-wheel-drive of some kind. You rarely see a 2 Wheel Drive Truck anywhere especially in the mountain towns.
We love our 2024 GT Rapid Red Mustang. We get a compliment every time we drive it.
I guess I’ve been lucky. I’ve never had any issues mechanically or whatever with the GT Mustang only thing I have is a recall which I will do this summer, if I do it at all because everything works so leave it alone.
I usually trade my vehicles when the warranty runs out, but I really like this one and who knows.
Mustangs is a specialty Car.
Not a SUV where you can haul your grandkids & your German Shepherd in a Foot of Snow?

 

[GooberDH]

I picked up my Dark Horse with handling package used with about 800 miles on it.

It was the only one within like 500 miles of me at the time, and the price was right, so I grabbed it.

It has been my favorite car I have ever owned so far.

Same. I wanted a Tremec bad, wanted a GT350 even more but the finicky engine scared me away and a Mach 1 was too similar to my GT for me to want to take on a car payment again. The Dark Horse definitely feels like a big step up from my GT PP and for the first time ever I don't feel the need to change or add all that much to it. Just a few aesthetic touches, HPipe, and I feel like I can finally enjoy the car rather than chase perfection.

 

[OldCoastie]

From what I understand the S650 will be around until 2030, not 2029 as most think. I also understand it will be radical, and mid-engine. So the S-650 will be around for several more years. I think the sales will increase. Part of the slump is with the economy issues and just people buying cars they can not afford, interest rates are still rather high, with the increase of price plus the interest rates being high all contributed to a very high monthly payment, not to mention the increase in insurances. However, IMHO it the newer generations just are not into cars as the older generations are. My grandson is 21 and still does not have is drivers license, he lives the state of Washington, and from what I understand he is like many others his age, they just don't care for cars like we do. So we have several issues that all add up to the slump we are seeing in our sports/muscle car sales. FYI, this is my first Mustang, I owned Camaros and Corvettes my whole life, and one of the reasons I am now buying is Mustang is first I always wanted one, but felt they were not well built or did not like the look, second, just like Chevy, especially the Camaro. But now, is the time no Camaro, do NOT like the new Corvette and the S-650 look great and so much better built. Very excited and know it will be great.

 

[IceGamer]

From what I understand the S650 will be around until 2030, not 2029 as most think. I also understand it will be radical, and mid-engine. So the S-650 will be around for several more years. I think the sales will increase. Part of the slump is with the economy issues and just people buying cars they can not afford, interest rates are still rather high, with the increase of price plus the interest rates being high all contributed to a very high monthly payment, not to mention the increase in insurances. However, IMHO it the newer generations just are not into cars as the older generations are. My grandson is 21 and still does not have is drivers license, he lives the state of Washington, and from what I understand he is like many others his age, they just don't care for cars like we do. So we have several issues that all add up to the slump we are seeing in our sports/muscle car sales. FYI, this is my first Mustang, I owned Camaros and Corvettes my whole life, and one of the reasons I am now buying is Mustang is first I always wanted one, but felt they were not well built or did not like the look, second, just like Chevy, especially the Camaro. But now, is the time no Camaro, do NOT like the new Corvette and the S-650 look great and so much better built. Very excited and know it will be great.

Well, the whole S650 program is delayed by a year so 2030 instead of 29 would make sense. However, one year is pretty irrelevant. Besides, rumors can never be fully trusted, especially not if we talk about 7 or 8+ years into the future. In addition, the new Mustang could arrive in 2030 or as a MY30… We only know that it will most likely be around 2030.

I would also bet zero money on any radical changes aka mid-engine. Ford talks a lot about heritage and brand recognition… A Mustang never was associated with a mid-engine sports car. It’s a GT car and although Ford is racing some specialized version of the Mustang GT I doubt they are willing to put in the money to actually build a mid-engine Mustang. In addition, I don’t think it would fit the brand at all. The look and usability would have to change radially probably so much that most people wouldn’t recognize it as a Mustang anymore. Additionally, it would essentially kill the Ecoboost and losing 40-45% of sales would be abysmal.

If we’re lucky we might get a new platform and a truly new Mustang by 2030. However, expect a rather tech-heavy new version.

 

[OldCoastie]

Well, the whole S650 program is delayed by a year so 2030 instead of 29 would make sense. However, one year is pretty irrelevant. Besides, rumors can never be fully trusted, especially not if we talk about 7 or 8+ years into the future. In addition, the new Mustang could arrive in 2030 or as a MY30… We only know that it will most likely be around 2030.

I would also bet zero money on any radical changes aka mid-engine. Ford talks a lot about heritage and brand recognition… A Mustang never was associated with a mid-engine sports car. It’s a GT car and although Ford is racing some specialized version of the Mustang GT I doubt they are willing to put in the money to actually build a mid-engine Mustang. In addition, I don’t think it would fit the brand at all. The look and usability would have to change radially probably so much that most people wouldn’t recognize it as a Mustang anymore. Additionally, it would essentially kill the Ecoboost and losing 40-45% of sales would be abysmal.

If we’re lucky we might get a new platform and a truly new Mustang by 2030. However, expect a rather tech-heavy new version.

Agree, however sources tell me Ford will offer TWO chassis models one front engine and second mid-engine. Ford talks about a "Big Step" for Mustang, and maybe this could be it. We all have to wait to see the truth. Oh the mid-engine Corvette was talked about for years and even spawned several protos, but remember Ford always had the GT-4/40 before the Corvette even considered the mid-engine. Its all about keeping up with compitition and SALE$. Cheers

 

[AZ_Ryan]

Agree, however sources tell me Ford will offer TWO chassis models one front engine and second mid-engine. Ford talks about a "Big Step" for Mustang, and maybe this could be it. We all have to wait to see the truth. Oh the mid-engine Corvette was talked about for years and even spawned several protos, but remember Ford always had the GT-4/40 before the Corvette even considered the mid-engine. Its all about keeping up with compitition and SALE$. Cheers

"Sources tell me"....

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