No prob. Given your puzzling lack of understanding of what "the big deal" is, it seems you needed it.
Perhaps you should read my other posts. I'm in the camp that wants to see it lose weight, precisely for the reasons you described, but I also understand the bigger picture. The vast majority of people who purchase the car won't notice the difference and will enjoy it either way. The enthusiast market, although small, will always be the vocal minority. We'd like to see a lighter, faster, more agile car, no matter what the cost. Truth is, if that were the case, a GT would cost $50k+ easily. Keeping the car affordable is a gift and a curse of the Mustang. It has to be affordable (using more common materials, cheaper components, etc.) but still have the performance for the opposite end (us) to enjoy. My "lack of understanding", as you put it, is just my personal understanding and the lack of tunnel vision so many have been using regarding rumors, to hope and pray that S550 is going to be the "be all end all" Mustang. I have no doubt it'll perform great, but it'll do so heavier than the S197.
True although cars back then were much lighter on their own merits, albeit with fewer safety equipment and less stringent regulations. At least then pony cars were offered in various trims that included fairly stripped down (by today's standards) models like the LX. Nowadays the lowest common denominator is the mainstream buyer and enthusiasts are left to gutting their cars at their own risk and expense.
Yes it is arguable how much difference real world mileage and gas savings we are talking but regardless of whether we care or not, Ford has to. They must find a way to meet (whether fudged or not) CAFE numbers or face penalties.
Agreed. I'm tired of the he said/she said, which is no better than some people here trying to discredit conflicting rumors from big news outlets. I'd like to point out the irony there if no one sees it. If these sources are willing to drop hints to others, then let them come here and discuss it themselves otherwise it's all hearsay.
IF this car truly gains weight, that is exactly what it is -- making decisions like those that got the American auto industry in bind the first time around. Sorry for anyone who wants to defend these issues and make excuses for Ford, but its the truth.
You can thank the magazines for this. They are the ones that brainwash people into thinking their muscle/sports/pony cars need to be optioned like a Cadillac. They are the ones that caused cost to be driven up when companies initially added all that garbage. Options used to be the exception for those that wanted to spend more money, but now they are the rule for everyone. Sadly, we will never see the day of a stripped down “volume” trim level, i.e. an “LX”. The demand for all the amenities is so much higher than none, that Ford would incur SIGNIFICANT cost to modify the assembly process for a few cars that don’t have power options, A/C, stereos, etc. And the reality, you aren’t saving that much weight. Power windows mechanisms are actually lighter than manual. With A/C and stereo, you are looking at what, 50 lbs? It’s probably 200 if you strip the interior – but that is unrealistic for a street car. Yes, it all adds up, and every pound counts, but ultimately the weight loss needs to come out of the bones of the car. The guys that race these cars aren’t going to want to gut it and strip it down just to end up with a car that weighs what the outgoing model weighed.
My mind is at ease -- I have always been convinced S550 was losing weight over S197, and will continue to feel that way until I have solid proof that it is not.
Well, it isn't the enthusiast that are demanding the weight cuts, it's the Federal government that is demanding more MPG's. The engine technology to meet this demand is not attainable at this time... The transmission technology is still a ways out.
I know, it happens every generation. There was a time you told me the EVOS was not the next Mustang, even though I was told, in FF and Koln that was indeed the direction we are going. This was a pretty large budget, rumored to be just as large as the Stingray's... Talking almost double digit BILLIONS... There is enough money, the drivetrain has been paid for twice over, the chassis, interior and handling components were the focus here.
I'm not sure I would place the blame necessarily on magazines or media. I want a car that has a lot of options. I want my Mustang to be a performer, but I also want the option to be able to drive it not only to the drag strip, but across county, and COMFORTABLY, if I so choose.
Come on now, you can't have a lightweight car and heated seats... Come on man!!!
