Mustangs again....

[Dottore]

So I spent yesterday driving a friends brand new 5.0 liter Mustang on country roads. It struck me again (I almost bought one last year) what a very fine basic car this is, but how tragically marred it is by the cheap, cheap interior and the clumsy styling. (The solid rear axle is also bizarre—but I honestly didn't notice it while driving hard.)

If Ford spent just a tiny bit more money on upgrading the interior—and I mean everything in the interior (from instruments to switch-gear to plastics)—and then smoothed out the front and back ends a bit and made it a little bit more elegant—Jesus that would be a sweet car for the money! I honestly think if they did this, Ford could have another run on these cars like they did in the 1960's.

I'm currently driving a new Merc C class, and the difference in fit and finish of the interior just slays me. Stepping from the Merc into the Mustang is like stepping into a whole other cheaper and nastier era of manufacturing. The touch and feel of the thing is just bleeding awful. There's just nothing there to fall in love with.

I don't understand why Ford—which seems to be a reasonably switched on company these days—doesn't get this.

Any thoughts?

[Geronimo '74]

never seen it irl but it sure looks like a lot of plastic in this pic...

[PorscheGAL]

Ford is planning to completely rehaul the interior in 2013 or 14 to a more European Styling. But lets keep in mind that most Mustang models are south of the $30k range. I think it would be a shame to put too much into the interior. This car is considered a working man's car. Too much styling and it is priced to far out of reach for most. The other downfall to the European Styling is weight. I, and many others, don't want a car that weighs thousands of pounds for leather and automatic seats. I, also, as an owner don't want to see Mustang get rid their aggressive stance. Smoothness in the front and rear just makes it look more like everything else on the road. I bought my Boss for the power not the interior but I wouldn't have it any other way.

[Dottore]

Originally Posted by PorscheGAL

Ford is planning to completely rehaul the interior in 2013 or 14 to a more European Styling. But lets keep in mind that most Mustang models are south of the $30k range. I think it would be a shame to put too much into the interior. This car is considered a working man's car. Too much styling and it is priced to far out of reach for most. The other downfall to the European Styling is weight. I, and many others, don't want a car that weighs thousands of pounds for leather and automatic seats. I, also, as an owner don't want to see Mustang get rid their aggressive stance. Smoothness in the front and rear just makes it look more like everything else on the road. I bought my Boss for the power not the interior but I wouldn't have it any other way.

Improving the qualtity of the interior doesn't mean adding weight. Look at Ferrari and other high end cars. We were speculating that it probably wouldn't cost Ford more than two or three hundred bucks per car to go from the current crappy look and feel to a Mercedes-quality look and feel. If that. (Currently the only nice detail in that interior is the white que-ball shift knob.)

I believe there's a whole demographic out there that would be interested in a Mustang if they could get past the low-rent interior.

[pwd72s]

Originally Posted by PorscheGAL

Ford is planning to completely rehaul the interior in 2013 or 14 to a more European Styling. But lets keep in mind that most Mustang models are south of the $30k range. I think it would be a shame to put too much into the interior. This car is considered a working man's car. Too much styling and it is priced to far out of reach for most. The other downfall to the European Styling is weight. I, and many others, don't want a car that weighs thousands of pounds for leather and automatic seats. I, also, as an owner don't want to see Mustang get rid their aggressive stance. Smoothness in the front and rear just makes it look more like everything else on the road. I bought my Boss for the power not the interior but I wouldn't have it any other way.

Kudos! You "get it" on Mustangs...actually, there are many on Mustang boards who are afraid the car will lose it's unique appeal after Ford announced it's future plans of "more european styling"...

Mustang is the kid from the projects who enjoys whupping the Ivy League snot in golf....The Boss 302 Laguna Seca may not have sophisticated looks...but it'll sure whip a "sophisticated" BMW M3 on the track..

[pwd72s]

Originally Posted by Dottore

Improving the qualtity of the interior doesn't mean adding weight. Look at Ferrari and other high end cars. We were speculating that it probably wouldn't cost Ford more than two or three hundred bucks per car to go from the current crappy look and feel to a Mercedes-quality look and feel. If that. (Currently the only nice detail in that interior is the white que-ball shift knob.)

I believe there's a whole demographic out there that would be interested in a Mustang if they could get past the low-rent interior.

AND...there's a loyal fan base "demographic" that would leave. There is one guy on the IMBOC board who has spent enough on a Bullitt Mustang (mods) to have bought a pair of BMW M3's and have enough left over for a stock Mustang...but that's not what he wants.

Oh well...some like Mustangs over Mercs and BMW's...some of those in Mercs and BMW's will never understand that.

[enzo1]

Refreshed Mustang coming in 2013, next generation to be 2015 model | Mustangs Daily

[Danny_Ocean]

Originally Posted by pwd72s

Mustang is the kid from the projects who enjoys whupping the Ivy League snot in golf....

I'm thinking more "trailer park" than "projects"...

[VincentVega]

Not sure I understand comparing a Rustang to a Benz, I hope the Merc is a world better. I doubt the elitist stereotypes will never end, deserved maybe. Take it for what it is, balls fast for not much $$.

I've thought about the v6 for a commuter but cant get over the interior either. My first car was a 67 Mustang, I think I prefer that interior to the current model.

[pwd72s]

Originally Posted by enzo1

Refreshed Mustang coming in 2013, next generation to be 2015 model | Mustangs Daily

"Don said:
So the Mustang crawled inside the skin of a Camaro?

Good to know!"

Very astute comment ...

[Geronimo '74]

Originally Posted by enzo1

There not really improving in the looks department IMO. Go for American or go for Euro styling, but not this. Please not this....

[PorscheGAL]

Here is the interior of the Boss. Is it really that bad? Yes, it is simple, but it is not going to make you throw-up.







And with this interior, you have fun abilities like:

Lethal Performance Video: First 2012 BOSS 302 To Reach The 10's!

[VINMAN]

Originally Posted by enzo1

Refreshed Mustang coming in 2013, next generation to be 2015 model | Mustangs Daily

That is disgusting.

[VaSteve]

IMHO, Ford tried too hard to be retro on the interior to go with the exterior with the 2004/5 restyling.

Paul. Have you every driven a BMW? If not, you have no idea what you're missing.

[VINMAN]

I wouldnt even call that retro. IMHO, all modern auto interiors are ugly, souless, plastic capsules.

[VincentVega]

plastic capsules

That's my issue. I expect plastic in modern cars, it's just a shame my old e36 bmw, with it's faults, has nice materials inside. So much for the trickle down effect.

[VaSteve]

When I said retro, they were trying to make it look like and old mustang. I guess they could have done that with nicer materials.

[VINMAN]

I'll take the nice steel dash of my Mercury any day.

[PorscheGAL]

Originally Posted by VINMAN

all modern auto interiors are ugly, souless, plastic capsules.

My 930 is full of plastic and vinyl with RS interior. I think it, Mr. Hyde, has a wonderful spirit even though it is not full of leather. Bottonline is leather doesn't make a car.

[VINMAN]

Steph, you car is not an exampleof what im talkin about. Far from it. I meant new vehicles. Way too much hard plastic everywhere. Bland generic lookin.