Why Ford is keeping the Mustang

[cvf-jason]

You can make a new taurus and focus. Ford is mustang, mustang is Ford. You don't hang around for over 50 years without developing that brand recognition. While it may not sell the most cars and might not be as profitible on paper as some of the cars killed, it brings people into dealers and creates brand loyalty. How many mustang buyers own other ford's? I've bought 5 new cars in my life thus far, 3 have been ford's.

Absolutely correct. It's brand equity associated with the Mustang. This thing IS Ford, and this forum (and the others) are a testament to the following.

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[GT5150]

Hell, I'd drive that around car shows if I fit in it as an adult! That's awesome.

Haha! Future Mustang Owners of America

 

[cvf-jason]

You bring up a really important point. With Hyundai and Kia stepping up in their quality space, I think a lot of us are still waiting for the American quality piece to arrive at some point.

One of the reasons my father never went away from Honda. Told me as a kid in the early 90's, "They just don't make cars like the Japanese do". I still find that true to this day and a lot of it has to do with the QA programs that the onshore American workers do for the Japanese cars.

Quality is one point, but brand equity is another. Ford is a name, and Mustang is an undeniable extension of it built over the years. You're totally correct on the quality aspect, though - especially with all the globalization of the past 30+ years.

 

[dgc333]

I suspect that the longevity of the pushrod engines of the past is tied more closely to not needing to develop the same levels of specific power (make the engine bigger instead of keeping it the same and upping the BHP/L), not being run at temperatures quite as hot (emissions, thermal cycling), and being allowed to be somewhat heavier (cast iron, rigidity). They just weren't normally being stressed very much.
Norm

Having worked my way through college in the early 70s as a mechanic the longevity of push rod engines of the 50s, 60s, and 70s had a longevity of 1/4 of a modern over head cam engine.

It was quite common to be rebuilding these engines at 50k miles and most all were in need of a rebuild by 100k. Every vehicle I have owned since the mid 80's that I no longer wanted and got rid of had in excess of 200k, several in excess of 250k and one had in excess of 300k. None of these engines were worn out and we're still running well.

When they started using nodular iron in blocks, hypereutectic alloy pistons and moly coat rings in the 80s is when engine longevity took a huge step up in miles.

 

[grabber yote]

As many Kia nutswingers that are on this forum, I’m surprised they aren’t petitioning to
Have the mustang discontinued. Lol.

 

[EcoVert]

Everyone is talking quality maybe I'm just lucky but I've owned new Ford's since 1979 as follows

1979 Pinto hatchback
1982 Escort GS
1985 mid size LTD
1991 Mercury Tracer
2000 Mercury Mystique
2002 Focus zx2
2005 Escape
2011 Escape
2013 Escape still own
2015 Mustang still own
2015 Edge still own

All were well built and most all of them I drove to at least 150k before I traded them. Only the Edge had a problem it was one of the early ones with the water leak. Now I have a great dealer and he got Ford to replace it. One problem car in over 36 years of new cars is a Damn good.

 

[Fatguy]

Mustang is a brand but also a premier car to usher in the new age of electric vehicles.

If Ford has to wean the multitude off fossil fuel then it has to make EV exciting and sexy. I would say a Mustang hybrid that would totally shame the V8 would do it. I’m no longer in the know but if Ford really does come up with the hybrid in two years and throttle back performance to a smidgen slower than the V8 then I’m finished with Ford. I hated it when they did it prior to killing the V6 and I would hate it with an ecoboost/hybrid or whatever it would be. Just make the damn car as fast as you can and let the Mustang crowd decide.


Elon Musk was right in that the way forward has to be decisive and a much faster hybrid would do that. I started driving Mustangs 29 years ago so I’ve paid my dues. But if Ford does not make the fastest Mustang it can then it is slowly killing the brand. Make the hybrid the fastest Mustang ever by letting the engineers off their leash! This marketing BS will bury Ford. They can no longer tell people what kind of car to drive. Just make the fastest Mustang you can!

 

[mustanghammer]

Having worked my way through college in the early 70s as a mechanic the longevity of push rod engines of the 50s, 60s, and 70s had a longevity of 1/4 of a modern over head cam engine.

It was quite common to be rebuilding these engines at 50k miles and most all were in need of a rebuild by 100k. Every vehicle I have owned since the mid 80's that I no longer wanted and got rid of had in excess of 200k, several in excess of 250k and one had in excess of 300k. None of these engines were worn out and we're still running well.

When they started using nodular iron in blocks, hypereutectic alloy pistons and moly coat rings in the 80s is when engine longevity took a huge step up in miles.

All of that + Overdrive. The 69 Fairlane I drove to college would turn around 2700 RPMs at 70 MPH. The 85 GT Mustang I replaced it with was only at 1700 RPMs at 70. Both cars had 302s with approx. the same rear end gear ratio and tire diameter. At 100K the Fairlane's 302 needed a valve job. At the 105K the mustang 302 got a set of heads, cam and was built into serious autocross engine.

 

[Twin Turbo]

Mustang is a brand but also a premier car to usher in the new age of electric vehicles.

If Ford has to wean the multitude off fossil fuel then it has to make EV exciting and sexy. I would say a Mustang hybrid that would totally shame the V8 would do it. I’m no longer in the know but if Ford really does come up with the hybrid in two years and throttle back performance to a smidgen slower than the V8 then I’m finished with Ford. I hated it when they did it prior to killing the V6 and I would hate it with an ecoboost/hybrid or whatever it would be. Just make the damn car as fast as you can and let the Mustang crowd decide.


Elon Musk was right in that the way forward has to be decisive and a much faster hybrid would do that. I started driving Mustangs 29 years ago so I’ve paid my dues. But if Ford does not make the fastest Mustang it can then it is slowly killing the brand. Make the hybrid the fastest Mustang ever by letting the engineers off their leash! This marketing BS will bury Ford. They can no longer tell people what kind of car to drive. Just make the fastest Mustang you can!

I absolutely see where you are coming from. However, whilst headline figures are great for magazines/internet reviews, I want a car with character, something the Mustang (currently) has in spades. If they make the hybrid Mustang capable of a 2.5 second 0-60 and with a 200mph top speed, great. But I'd rather have a slower V8 that makes sweet music and is the heart and soul of the car.

If Ford could somehow endow the hybrid Mustang (or full EV) with character, I'd be much more inclined to buy one.

As it is, the medium term future leaves me cold. As least there will still be plenty of older Mustangs around for me to enjoy...........at least until the fuel runs out

 

[Hack]

As it is, the medium term future leaves me cold. As least there will still be plenty of older Mustangs around for me to enjoy...........at least until the fuel runs out

I agree with this sentiment. And unless medical science makes some huge advancements, there's no worries of running out of fuel within our lifetimes.

 

[Zelek]

I absolutely see where you are coming from. However, whilst headline figures are great for magazines/internet reviews, I want a car with character, something the Mustang (currently) has in spades. If they make the hybrid Mustang capable of a 2.5 second 0-60 and with a 200mph top speed, great. But I'd rather have a slower V8 that makes sweet music and is the heart and soul of the car.

If Ford could somehow endow the hybrid Mustang (or full EV) with character, I'd be much more inclined to buy one.

As it is, the medium term future leaves me cold. As least there will still be plenty of older Mustangs around for me to enjoy...........at least until the fuel runs out

Kind of how I feel about the new F-150 Raptor. That V6 just doesn't sound mean at all, but I know it performs. Now the 5.2L...

 

[Zelek]

I agree with this sentiment. And unless medical science makes some huge advancements, there's no worries of running out of fuel within our lifetimes.

But Exxon Mobil is going to make our Mustangs run on algae!! Wonder what kind of timing I can run on that slime in a tune?

 

[AmericanLegend]

With all due respect, you're operating under a false assumption. You want to buy things that last a lifetime like your grandparents? If your grandparents are still alive, ask them how many miles they got out of their automobiles before they went kapoot. The answer is likely 1/4th or a 1/3rd of what the modern car will get. Nothing built now, or in years past, lasts forever so you should erase that from your expectations.

And regarding you saying that you will not find the absolute best quality at Ford, the simple fact is that you will not find an "absolute best" anywhere. Every manufacturer has their positives and negatives and if I was using past experiences as a way to dictate "absolute best quality" Ford would be at the pinnacle of quality compared to other manufacturers. My father's 2001 Ford Escape? Still runs perfectly after 17 years with NO repairs other than a new muffler. My Ford work van? I absolutely beat the living s**t out of that thing and it just keeps on kicking with no issues. My past Honda and BMW on the other hand? Had to have the Honda's motor rebuilt with only 79,000 miles on it and the BMW had ENDLESS electrical issues and transmission issues.



Not from my experience, as evidenced above or from many experiences from family and friends.

Now, I'm under no illusion that Ford is producing a better quality product that other manufactures but I only speak from my experience. However, to put any manufacturer, or country of origin, for that matter, on a pedestal is a bit foolish.

Yes, try reading up on Honda Odyssey transmission issues.

Annoying how many people will only consider a Toyota or Honda. I personally think Mazda makes a better product in general.

I'm loyal to Ford with their Trucks, SUVs...and of course Mustang.

Cars: Mazda.

 

[Fatguy]

I agree with this sentiment. And unless medical science makes some huge advancements, there's no worries of running out of fuel within our lifetimes.

It will be legislated away as climate change gets worse. For the Mustang I would make a short range all electric weekend car with acceleration it’s strong suit. The Tesla base roadster is said to be faster than its 1.9 second 0-60 claim and the Founders version is faster than that - let’s say 1.7 seconds 0-60. I’m sorry; that says it all right there! These hybrid cars are actually held back by the secondary IC engines. They should just do EV all the way. Mustang means freedom and not IC engines. You have a choice in a few years: Bus it or ride a bike - or - EV. All these boy racers here would secretly go for the sub 2 second car. They may not have the balls to say so in this thread. But I can and they will with their pocket books. Reality is a bitter pill to swallow. But saving the environment and superior performance seems like slam dunk. The Mustang heritage will continue if performance is the priority!


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[Zelek]

Yes, try reading up on Honda Odyssey transmission issues.

Annoying how many people will only consider a Toyota or Honda. I personally think Mazda makes a better product in general.

I'm loyal to Ford with their Trucks, SUVs...and of course Mustang.

Cars: Mazda.

I had a 2017 Mazda 6 Grand Touring. It's a hell of a car, but just lacking power. Handles like a dream, has a great transmission. Great MPG, great looks too. I honestly do not know why there aren't a lot more Mazda's on the road because they offer a much more intuitive drive than the competition in many aspects.

The 2018 Accord is better in every aspect now. It's quieter, adaptive suspension, better screen/infotainment system, and the power is awesome with really no turbo lag at all. I didn't wait around for the Mazda 6 Signature though which is probably really close to being as good, but I personally haven't read many reviews.

I know the Mazda 6 Signature is detuned a bit on 87 octane where my Accord is not. Even though they say that Premium will give the Accord the best benefit, it's not much of a difference unless it's tuned. I'm typically just driving it around town like a normal person and give it gas when I really need to. Not really keen on tuning the Accord just yet as it's nice filling up on 87 for now.

Mazda and Honda are the two that still keep the sporty aspect in. It's Toyota that's the vanilla beans of the bunch.

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