How do we save the mustang?

[DeluxeStang]

I think you still don't understand what I'm saying. They should keep the basic proportions. That's not the issue. The issue is that I can swap my door handles, door grips, shift selector and many other parts with an S550 owner. The parts are identical!

I do see what you're saying, and I agree. But what I'm saying is a 60 grand car with 30k car proportions just isn't gonna cut it anymore.

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[highvoltage]

It’s in danger? Hmm and Fuel economy? I can get up to 28 mpg hwy in my GT. A V8 city is always gonna be low.

 

[DeluxeStang]

It’s in danger? Hmm and Fuel economy? I can get up to 28 mpg hwy in my GT. A V8 city is always gonna be low.

What? This isn't a conversation about fuel economy lol.

 

[Bear376]

The EcoBoost is a big seller, so that is needed. What I would like to see, is take the chassis and make a Lincoln 2-seater sports car, but with the V-6 EcoBoost engine. Also make it a 4-door sorts sedan. This makes additional use of the chassis without directly impacting Mustang sales.

Offer the performance packages in a stripped down model. If it is a track car, it will rarely need things like high-end stereo and electronics.. Also, any way to shed 3-500 lbs that they have not tried, should be explored.

 

[20ducks]

I was interested in a Dark Pony but they don't make a convertible option.

 

[MAT1955]

@DeluxeStang ..... you raise a lot of thought provoking ideas, well done. I have one thought regarding price. The 2024 is not a rebranded 550 - there is a lot of new engineering in it (more about that in a second, if I may). Here's my thought: as I look at the price of everything from houses to bread the costs have skyrocketed in the last 3 or so years. Some prices have gone up a bit there but are 2 slices less bread, the box pizzas are 25% smaller. My friend owns a car dealership - the profit is ridiculously low. He doubts the manufacturer of his cars (GM) can make them any less costly. As we all have heard GM and probably Ford make more money financing the cars than selling them for cash - that did not used to be the case. Now, here's my "more about that later" comment: I spoke with he head of special vehicle operations for a large Ford dealership whose department specializes in in the Ford exotics, GT350 and 500, Shelby's, Cobras etc. etc. - they are the go to guys for super and turbo charging Mustangs and all exotic work. I asked him if I bought a new rear end valence to accommodate the twin tips and the oem Ford active exhaust components - could they program my screen's electronics to retrofit my 2024 GT, giving me the 4 tone selections. He said "I would recommend you go another route. If you want a open/close switchable exhaust I like Valvetronic, however you will only get two tone selections normal and loud." ...... Here's what he said that REALLY caught my attention: "We have found that the 650 is so electronically sophisticated, with so much computer cross-talk that even finding an acceptable tune for it has proven impossible, so far, without causing very serious side-effects. He continued, "We are amazed by the sophistication of these vehicles, trying to re-program anything is so daunting that we recommend new stand alone systems. The 650 is an entirely new breed of cat that our best techs have to be really careful with." Sooooo, as far as far as the price coming down I would say square root of zero will that happen as technology will not likely go backwards. Those of us that can afford these Mustangs will be the ones that can buy them. I believe as the economy of North America gets sorted-out sales of the Mustangs will rise or at least it will remain viable for Ford to make. BTW look what is going to happen to the people in Palisades California - 500% more to rebuild their homes? I don't see ANYTHING getting cheaper in the future - hopefully the economy will improve to match the insane price rises. A cheaper Mustang GT - no way is that coming.

 

[Shawn82]

The car needs to be new. They shot themselves in the foot when they made the S650 very similar to the S550. There's no appeal, there's no wow factor, it's just an expensive coupe. Not to mention starting to be left in the dust to what people are cross shopping it with. The Dark Horse isn't terrible, but 80k is ridiculous. The GT isn't terrible, but 65k is ridiculous etc.

It needs to be revolutionized, and I'm not mad at the idea of giving it a new look. The 4 door idea is also good. I think it's time to V6 Ecoboost takes over as the flagship engine as well, while offering the V8. It's time to change the formula and cut the cost.

 

[Zig]

Save or preserve? First step is a clearly defined identity.

 

[fishinrich]

Here's all the cars you can get with a V8. Mustang looks like a good deal.

https://www.roadandtrack.com/rankings/g61568654/v8-cars/

 

[MaddNomad]

Save or preserve? First step is a clearly defined identity.

This is what I was asking. The idea I see is they just want the name to carry on more then the car that’s been around for 60 years.

 

[agreywolfe]

the best way to "save" the mustang is to reduce the price of the F150. The mustang has the current status of the Ford halo car, but the F150 is the backbone of Ford, so long as that sells and shareholders are happy, Ford has no reason to stop the Mustang

 

[DeluxeStang]

Disagree with what? It would eat sales and kill perception. That will happen lmao that’s not even arguable. Sharing a platform is good though I agree with that. But treat the Mustang as you did before but gotta be picky just like the Vette or 911. Give it a new chassis.

but what you described other then the two seater is already going to happen so we can kinda see first hand if the coupe sales fall further.

Are we talking about saving the Mustang itself or just the badge?

Everytime a four and a two door are sold, it boosts sales of the two models, there's no question that if Ford made a mustang sedan, sales would double, triple as long as it was priced right. The way I see it, the coupe is compromised because of the backseat, but the backseat is next to useless because it's a coupe.

Splitting the models let's Ford make a better sports coupe, and a mustang with a more practical backseat, rather than just one model that's not the best in either of those regards. Most of the desirable coupe models are 2 seater already, and that doesn't seem to hurt their appeal.

 

[DeluxeStang]

The EcoBoost is a big seller, so that is needed. What I would like to see, is take the chassis and make a Lincoln 2-seater sports car, but with the V-6 EcoBoost engine. Also make it a 4-door sorts sedan. This makes additional use of the chassis without directly impacting Mustang sales.

Offer the performance packages in a stripped down model. If it is a track car, it will rarely need things like high-end stereo and electronics.. Also, any way to shed 3-500 lbs that they have not tried, should be explored.

That's also part of my thought process as well mate. Something with these exotic proportions would not only turn the mustang coupe into a stunner, it would also mean whatever Lincoln sports coupe based on that shape would also be incredibly good looking, and therefore, could command a higher price.

 

[MaddNomad]

Everytime a four and a two door are sold, it boosts sales of the two models, there's no question that if Ford made a mustang sedan, sales would double, triple as long as it was priced right. The way I see it, the coupe is compromised because of the backseat, but the backseat is next to useless because it's a coupe.

Splitting the models let's Ford make a better sports coupe, and a mustang with a more practical backseat, rather than just one model that's not the best in either of those regards. Most of the desirable coupe models are 2 seater already, and that doesn't seem to hurt their appeal.

We should make a bet, your favorite drink. I did this on the GR Corolla Forums. Lol.

When the sedan comes out (if named Mustang, I’m sure it will) that over 3 years if the coupes sales dip further I get a Arizona tea, if sales go up I’ll get you a drink of your choice.

 

[james32thedge]

Only my opinion but I don't think the Mach-E would selling as well if they hadn't put the mustang name on it. imagine they would of named the pinto ev what do you think the sales would of been. The Mustang moniker gives the ev crowd the right to say I bought a Mustang.

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