Auto show impressions

[Strokerswild]

I think part of it is stupid new side safety regulations too, so the doors are much higher.

We have a winner. Thank your government.

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[Boff]

If it's headroom the OP wants, Subaru has him covered.

 

[1320']

Oh, I guess I should be more upset than I am about it then.

You should be ashamed at your lack of indignation.

Take your car back to Kendall, before you get hurt.

 

[Hack]

The Ford display at the NAIAS was clearly the most expensive. The Mustangs were popular, ND we observed many other people disappointed that the back seat is all but useless. We also saw other taller people who did not appreciate the lowered roof. I am 6' 1" and my wife us 5' 10", so we are above average, but not super tall. There is no way either of us would be happy with such a design. We went to the Ford Museum, and the original Mustang is a far better design. The mechanical aspects of the car are excellent, and the display at the auto with one in a holder rotated 90 degrees to the floor was excellent. Let's hope they make a more practical Thunderbird off of the same basic design. We had a 1994 Thunderbird VA and both liked it very much. That name is almost as good as Mustang, so it would be strange if Ford continues to neglect it. I also remember the view out of the 1970 AMX I had. What is the purpose of this smashed roof stuff? The GT350R lowered front end is nicer than the regular front end, so why don't they just use it for all versions?

I will post photos when we are back from Detroit.

• I'm 6' 4" and have lots of head room.
• If you really need more than two in the car for longer trips or for most of your driving the Mustang is probably not for you. It's really meant for 1 or 2. Perfect for my daily commute!
• GT 350 design doesn't meet European pedestrian impact standards.
• Yes the beltline is high but the visibility out of the car is better than the 2011-2014 models.

 

[Rob00GT]

As long and heavy as the car is, the space utilization should be better. We observed and talked with others at the show who thought the same things.

Was there power to the seat so you could adjust it? When I took delivery of my car the seating position was horrible. Then I lowered it about 5 inches (!!) and everything got better.

Yes the driver's seat can be adjusted backward all the way to the back seat. But unless you have a 40 inch+ inseam you won't do that while driving. But even if you had ridiculously long legs and short arms you could adjust the seat all the way back and extend the telescoping steering wheel right where you want it.

As for the high beltline, have you folks driven a Camaro? The Mustang easily has double the visibility all around. Is it equal to a Honda Accord? No. But it is superior to the competition.

Honestly all the points made by the OP seem to be comparing a sports car (Mustang) to something completely unrelated like a Camry or Civic.

 

[dude]

I only have ONE complaint about my 15 Stang. The sound system. I don't like it. The audio quality is below average. Granted I didn't spend the extra coin for the Shaker system, but comments I've read say it's nothing to brag about. I wasn't expecting McIntosh car audio, but something halfway decent.

I agree that the audio sucks in the Mustang. I sat in a base $19k VW Golf the other day and the audio was way nicer! I was surprised.

The Audio is an easy fix though. Just replace some speakers and you're done. I spent $180 for 4 JL Audio speakers for my '07 (kept the orig. door subs) and it sounds great now.

 

[FStephenMasek]

We have a winner. Thank your government.

That is highly unlikely, as the side impact requirements have been around for quite a few years. Much more likely is copying the "urban" Chrysler 300 design. You can read more here:
http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-id...ef6ad127e445d98&node=se49.6.571_1214&rgn=div8

 

[midnite9150]

when have mustangs ever had a usable back seat? I cant recall any lol

 

[dgc333]

It's obvious to me that the OP is looking at the wrong car. If sedan design features are important then you should look at sedans, not a 2 Dr coupe. The Mustang since it's inception in 1964 has been a 2+2 sport coupe. One common thing with all cars of this type is the back seats are designed to only be used in a pinch. If everyone wanted the same design features then all cars would be the same.

I traded a Focus ST for my Mustang. The ST is a 5 door hatchback with a much more usable back seat but in the two years I owned I can count on the fingers of one hand the number of times some one sat in the back seat. When shopping for the Mustang the back seat wasn't a consideration.

Now up front the Mustang is roomier in every direction, especially in head room. I am 6' and like an upright seating postion, with the Mustang seat adjusted the way i like it there is a good 5" of headroom, the Focus only had a couple.

The high belt line is something that I consider a positive design feature, I like that feeling of sitting down in the car. Even with the high belt line the outward visibility is still very good.

 

[SC_Sport_Pilot]

when have mustangs ever had a usable back seat? I cant recall any lol

Hmmmm my 69 Mach 1.... I used that back seat successfully many times
while in high school. Now it would probably be impossible at age 60
:cheers::cheers::cheers:

 

[cbrookre]

Hmmmm my 69 Mach 1.... I used that back seat successfully many times
while in high school. Now it would probably be impossible at age 60
:cheers::cheers::cheers:

For... the... WIN!

 

[Stangnut]

I hate the high belt line as well. Makes it uncomfortable to put your arm out of the window, and makes you feel more closed in.

 

[Hack]

Hmmmm my 69 Mach 1.... I used that back seat successfully many times
while in high school. Now it would probably be impossible at age 60
:cheers::cheers::cheers:

Wow you must have been motivated. That hump in the middle of the back seat could be pretty uncomfortable!

 

[Brad34221]

I agree that the audio sucks in the Mustang. I sat in a base $19k VW Golf the other day and the audio was way nicer! I was surprised.

The Audio is an easy fix though. Just replace some speakers and you're done. I spent $180 for 4 JL Audio speakers for my '07 (kept the orig. door subs) and it sounds great now.

Dude:

Very interesting response, tyvm. May I inquire which four speakers you replaced? I am thinking of doing the same thing!!

 

[dude]

Dude:

Very interesting response, tyvm. May I inquire which four speakers you replaced? I am thinking of doing the same thing!!

Not sure about the 2015 Mustang. Does it have door subs? The S197 premium has some good door subs that provide good lows. (I don't have the trunk sub). So all you needed to replace was the two speakers in the front and two in the back. The system was more than good enough for me after replacing the speakers. Really clear. I used JL audio C2 speakers.

I don't have a 2015 yet. I looked into the 2015 system and I think it's much different. It has more speakers. Some people go to a shop and spend a lot of money and replace everything and they might not need to. It's an easy DIY. First replace the front speakers. If the system sounds good to you, then leave it alone. If you hear a big difference, then replace the rears and it will sound a little better than that. In the 2007 stang I have, the factory headunit and amp send more into the fronts then the backs.

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