I want a new Mustang GT

[speeder]

Anyone else have an urge to buy one of these? God I just love them. I have no desire to own any Porsche built in the last 20 years or so, but the new 'stang is gorgeous IMO. Great bang/buck as well.

I just sat in a buddy's brand new black 5-speed GT fastback w/ a red leather interior, I had to get out because I was getting too attached. Freaking beautiful inside. Super clean design w/ nice details. I get the opposite impression in 996 or Boxsters, I can never believe the cheapness of the buttons and switches.

I was watching a road race on TV recently, (don't know the series), w/ new Mustangs versus BMWs and Porsche cup cars. The Mustangs were badass, (don't know the specs), and were in 1st and 2nd place while I watched. I think that a street GT w/ a roll bar and harnesses would be a great dual purpose/DE car, anyone care to comment?

I know that the Shelby is the really hot one, and that it has a solid rear axle, but Hans Stoer, (a very fast 911 track driver), bought a GT and loves it to death. Says it's a bullet.

Not really looking for validation since I know that I love it, just wondering if there are any kindred souls here(?)

[dd74]

I like it too. The body is gorgeous. And supposedly it's VERY fast. 0-60 in 4.9 seconds, says one road test. And that's a regular old GT.

Have you gone to the Ford website and downloaded their racing catalogue for Mustangs? It has more parts than you can conceive for these cars.

Here's the money shot though: keep an eye on Mustang prices. Since GM announced their "you pay what we pay" program, The General's sales have gone up 45 percent in the last four weeks. Ford, jealous of the success, announced today the "Ford Family Plan" which is much the same. So Mustang prices may very well go down.

[speeder]

That GM deal isn't for Corvettes, so Ford probably won't have it for Mustangs.

[dd74]

Well even so, for $26K, it's a great deal.

[Z-man]

Was one of the Mustangs you saw racing white with blue or black stripes? If so, that's the Multimatic Motorsports Mustang:

The race was part of the Grand Am Cup series.
Ford is planning on a joint venture with this company -- you will be able to buy a similarly equipped Mustang. Kinda like the last gen Mustang Cobra R they did.

Now THAT would be a fun DE car!

Regarding their solid rear axle -- three points:
1. For the drag racing crowd, that is a requirement -- independant rears just don't hold up to the harsh launches as well.
2. While I used to complain about how the Mustangs need to 'get with the program,' their setup seems to work, given how well they are doing in road racing.
3. Who am I to complain about a solid rear axle? My 944S2 has Torsion bars in the back!!!

-Z.

[JavaBrewer]

New cars that really interest me include the Mustang, BMW Mini, Lotus Elise, Subaru Outback, and the Audi TT. Performance $ wise I think the Ford is one hell of a bargain. Just don't bling it out too much...

[kaisen]

Nothing wrong with American iron!

[legion]

Originally posted by dd74
Here's the money shot though: keep an eye on Mustang prices. Since GM announced their "you pay what we pay" program, The General's sales have gone up 45 percent in the last four weeks. Ford, jealous of the success, announced today the "Ford Family Plan" which is much the same. So Mustang prices may very well go down.

I wonder if this might be the beginning of "one-price" selling from the big three.

[kach22i]

I saw a beautiful black Mustang convertible the other day. Pulled up alongside of it to see who was driving. Some skanky middle age white trash woman without her real teeth I assume. Ruined the whole image of the car for me.

The car looks kind of sad with the enclosure around the headlights set at that downward angle, in black it downplays that line and looks a little better than the lighter colors. Although the yellow is stunning.

Nice car overall, they will have sales-legs and not be another retro flop.

[dd74]

Originally posted by legion
I wonder if this might be the beginning of "one-price" selling from the big three.

Yes, I do too. However, Ford and GM today voiced concern that buyers might get used to this program...

It's not just American car builders, either. Rumor has it Mercedes Benz is also engaging in this "our cost is your cost" program.

[techweenie]

The new Mustang makes me want a '69/70 Boss 302.

And that's despite the fact I owned a '66 GT350, which was an unimpressive car.

[dd74]

Originally posted by techweenie

And that's despite the fact I owned a '66 GT350, which was an unimpressive car.

Interesting. Dave B. at TRE just unloaded '66 GT350; said it was a pig.

I've seen said "pigs" operate on Sunset boulevard at rather extreme levels. To be sure, if one knows what they are doing, the car can be a potent machine.

[techweenie]

I got my first 911 while I owned the GT350. Had to sell one to buy my first house. Picked the Shelby to go.

Personality wise, they were 'the bear' and 'the cat.' The GT350 woudl charge like hell up to a corner, then you'd stand on the brakes to get around, then hard on the gas. The Porsche... well, you know...

Financially, it would have been better to sell the Porsche, but the house (at $76K in 1976) trumped all other investments.

[ChrisBennet]

Originally posted by Z-man

3. Who am I to complain about a solid rear axle? My 944S2 has Torsion bars in the back!!!

-Z.

F1 cars have torsion bars also...

There was a great show on TV last winter about the development of the Fords Mustang for sale to the public race car.
-Chris

[911boost]

Bummer you don't stil have the GT350, they bring a pretty penny now-a-days....

[dd74]

Every car has its "character." The Porsche 911 has snap oversteer. The Mustang has a solid rear axle. Keep driving and tracking either, and I wouldn't be surprised either character and/or problem could be overcome.

[Z-man]

Originally posted by kach22i
I saw a beautiful black Mustang convertible the other day.

I like the looks of the new Mustang coupe far better than that of the convertible. The ragtop ruins the flowing lines of the hatchback. Just my opinon.

Chris B
F1 cars have torsion bars also...

Didn't know that. Just it goes to show you -- if it ain't broke, don't fix it!

-Z.

PS: I owned a 1987 Mustang LX notchback (4 cyl model). It was a fun car -- too bad I didn't know how to drive back then!

[techweenie]

Originally posted by BSiple
Bummer you don't stil have the GT350, they bring a pretty penny now-a-days....

Yeah, but the house went from $76K to about 3/4 of a million...

[911boost]

yeahhhhh thats a much better investment....

[Brillo]

I like the new Mustang, but I think the Lotus Elise would be a lot more fun.