dkersten

Sorry if I wasn't clear, I was talking about the 2010 models.. and in that price range the camaro will more than likely leave the mustang in the dust. Also there are a number of imports that can outperform the mustang in that price range, even if you add boost to the mustang. It isn't just about straight line accelleration..

If you go to a dealer and negotiate, you will get a z51 vette for about the same price as a gt500. Of course if money is the concern, you buy used.. a used gt500 will still cost you around 40k in most cases, and my brother bought his used 07 z51 with less than 10k miles for $39k. That z51 will beat the gt500 in every performance regard, given a good driver in both cars (with good strip tires the gt500 might beat it in the 1/4, but not on street tires).

The whole point of this thread is speculation on the 2010 models. Given what we know now, the mustang will be underpowered compared to the competitors they are up against.

Funny thing about magazine articles is it is always the authors opinion in the end. I don't read a lot of magazines, but there happens to be a couple months worth of a few in the bathroom here at work, and a few articles are quoted here at the mustang forums. I did notice a general trend that said the mustang was fun to drive but a dog on the track. While I may not agree with the authors on those articles, far more people read those articles than read these forums, and many people take those magazines as gospel when it comes to choosing a car.

In general, small f/i engines can get better fuel mileage horsepower for horsepower than larger displacement engines, which is why large v8's will be phased out after 2012. The exception is not the rule.

On the 1/4 mile track, the mustang tends to be competitive, but on other tracks, it handles like a 20 year old car. I don't run my car on either, so I cannot speak from experience, but the performance standards that reviewers use come from experience on the track(s), and if there is one thing those guys do know, its test driving cars on a track.

I am the one that tends to question those magazine opinions, but once again, I am not the one that people listen to when making a purchase. As has been stated in this thread, the mustang is a popular car for women. It is not, however, the number one choice amongst the performance crowd. I bought mine as much for looks as for performance, and I knew that I could not perform against a real performance car, at least without some modifications. But if Ford wants to stay competetive in the PERFORMANCE market, dollar for dollar, they need a 400hp solution that bases at $35k. I doubt it will happen though.. the mustang started as a "secretary car" and following the retro theme, it looks like it has come full circle.

My opinion stands: The 2010 mustang falls short of what I was hoping for from Ford, and dollar for dollar I don't think it has what it takes to compete with the offerings from Dodge and Chevy.

doug4321

another ignorant a--hole ragging on the V6 Mustang.I have an 08 4.0 with pony package and it's fast enough and looks great.Grow-up!.

dkersten

I agree with you that the style of the mustang is what sells it. This is why I bought my car, and I enjoy the reactions from people when they see me in it. BUT as a performance car Ford could do better, and should.

(I hope 15 year olds aren't buying new mustangs, but that is another subject)

I also disagree that the 4.6 is capable of churning out the same power as the larger displacement offerings from chevy and dodge (naturally aspirated). Given the same technology, displacement = power. All automakers are worried about liability lawsuits, and because of that, they need to make an engine that will last to over 100k miles reliably. You cannot make a 400 hp n/a 4.6 engine that will run for over 100k miles over tens of thousands of vehicles.. If you do, you will push the ability of that engine to the limit, and people will drop f/i on it and blow it up, and then you are back to liability issues. Do you really think that automakers have not looked into this? Just because a few enthusiasts put superchargers on their 4.6 and don't have problems doesn't mean that the engine is perfectly sound with a supercharger either. Why do you think that the gt500 has only 500 hp? Its perfectly capable of 700+ hp, but at 700hp something will break eventually, so they reserve the 700hp engine for the gt40.

I don't think Ford has a powertrain ready for a car that can deliver the power, aside from the supercharged engine in the gt500. And I suppose given that they would likely have to dump it in a couple years, I wouldn't expect them to develop one now. Yes they have engines capable of the power, but to match it to a drive train, tune it for performance, and engineer it for the mustang takes time and money, and I think Ford was banking on Chevy and Dodge NOT doing that in their 2010 offerings given that those options will have to be removed in a few years. That is just conjecture on my part though.

Riptide

I am reserving judgement until the camaro is actually out but I do agree that if the SS ends up being available @ MSRP within a year of intro then the Mustang will definitely not be very competitive pricewise at that point. It's a little lighter and maybe a wee bit cheaper but not anywhere near enough to make up for the 85+hp differential. We'll see when it comes out...

And you are right the 2009 WRX for instance is quite the machine for the $$$. Practically neck and neck with a GT in the 1/4 and beats it pretty handily off the line. And in a road course it would probably have the win there too. All for essentially the same price.

I like the Mustang a lot but they really need to do something about this situation.

Rubrignitz

Can anybody tell me how much insurance runs on a GT500 or new vette? I pay ~$110/mo. insurance ($296/mo. car note) for my stang and about the same on the 01' Z28 I used to have.

I would have looked into vette's and higer end specialty cars but figured I would get raped on insurance...

In response to the OP, if Ford would have used forged rods and pistons in the baseline 4.6, it WOULD be capable of a reliable 500+whp.

genesis

haha ya how tough is a smiling car

cleatus

One thing I have thought about. The base v6 camaro has 300hp. What would the insurance be on this car in camparison to a v6 mustang. These cars are generally set to be entry level or a more economical version. A higher insurance rate could also slow down sales. In the end that is what it is all about to Ford. The challenger has been out a short while, yet I have seen very few on the road.

torch red

Bottom line its better..not where we want it..but its a better car..

I guarantee..the 2011 will have a better motor with more HP..in all models ...

I am aiming for the 2011 Model for that reason...Ford is not stupid, they do everything in baby steps to keep things fresh..

Bmr4life

Its sad ford is naively leaving the 2010 model year to Chevy or Dodge to win.

Rubrignitz

"leaving" it to chevy/dodge? lol. there are more than enough modified S197's to keep the chevy/dodges in check. and why not wait-see if chevy's new "heavy" is all that anyway??