Decisions...

[GNS]

DeColores made an excellent point. The 2014 is engineering from 2005. It is not just a year old...it is 10 years old, overall.

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[oldlugs]

My 2¢ - The 2015 is a new car for the model year, and with most new cars, some bugs will need squashing.

2014 was the most refined of the S197s, and a pretty darn good Mustang (though I'm partial to '05-'09 body). The 2014 can also be had at decent discounts now, making them a heck of a deal. You need to ask yourself if you're willing to put up with the ancient live axle and more dated body style. All new Mustangs will depreciate in value a few years after first sold. In a few years, you may be asking yourself why you paid so much more for the 2015 than a 2014 would have cost you, especially when looking at that great new 2018 (or whatever). I'm still pretty happy with my old '08 and '09 Mustangs, but may be looking to jump on a new GT350 or 500 in a couple of years (and probably a couple model years into the body style - hate bugs). Anyway, the last of the old generation may be less troublesome than the first of the new generation. Just a thought.

 

[Tim Hilliard]

Depreciation - If this was a concern why would you ever consider a new car? Just curious.

 

[oldlugs]

Depreciation - If this was a concern why would you ever consider a new car? Just curious.

Is that a serious question? I think that nobody likes to make payments on a car, only to see that it's worth 1/2 as much by the time it's paid for. Some depreciate much faster than others; right? Thankfully my '09 KR didn't drop in value too much since I bought it (got it in late '09 - good price), and KR prices now seem fairly stable. Same for my '08 Bullitt, but that's part of the reason I chose to buy those two cars, versus the '10 which came with the newer body and improved interior. I'm glad that I chose the ones I did; they have not dropped in value as much as standard GT or GT500 of those years, or as much as the '10 models have. Oh - yes, I could have bought my same Mustangs used and saved a few more $, but since I bought new, I can say that I'm the original owner and the cars have no nasty history. I don't abuse them (much) and they've never been wrecked. I'd gladly pay a bit extra for that piece of mind.

 

[Potrillo]

I've seemed to have struck a nerve, not the first time. What you fail to understand is this Mustang is not designed, marketed or built for "Mustang" people. It was designed for a completely new market base, they just kept some of the "Mustang" for the Mustang loyal. Ford has proven to be very 'cheap' with new products, why the S197 isn't that different from the original Fairmont design from 1978. They would have never ever invested so much into this car to beat Camaro sales. They are clearly aiming at markets that the Mustang has never been in. The Mustang name carries a lot of weight, this new one has very little to do with it's past. If you think I'm wrong fine, time will tell.

In what way is this not a Mustang for "Mustang" people. It seems if it is a non-Mustang Mustang, then all the complaints about it being a V8 Fusion have merit.

For it to be true to the name and heritage, it has to appeal to the "Mustang" crowd. Ford has to make the car appealing to a huge variety of markets and subsets of those markets. It has to appeal to the hard core V8 or go home crowd. It has to appeal to the large number (majority) of buyers who want a sporty car with a pony badge. These buyers would be happy with a V6 or an Ecoboost; a decent, quiet ride; Bluetooth; USB connectivity; nice seats (non Recaro); and cupholders are high priority. Ford also wants to target the M2 and beat the Camaro. All of this in ONE platform, on one model of car.

I have faith the S550 Mustang will be a great car. I also feel the S197 in the late years was a great car. Hating on it now because it is the prior model is absurd.

The belief that the S550 will not see discounts is even more absurd. This "global demand" will likely be met quickly. In a year or two I would not be surprised to see global numbers on the Mustang disappointing Ford. This car may be considered a premium product and the price at which it will compete it may simply be out classed by the competition who have been in that arena longer.

I am curious to see how the S550 does in Europe. I think this will be the biggest gamble with the S550. I don't know the European car market but logic alone dictates that the fact that it is geographically smaller, mileage on cars is lower than here in the USA. I can't help but think that people may be inclined to buy cars for the long term given such a dynamic. Can the Mustang compete against more practical cars or the strong European brands? I am not so certain. To do so it would have had to completely win over critics and reviewers. I haven't seen any reviews that indicate that is the case. The response has been good, but subdued. Perhaps it is just more refined.

I am quite certain that come this time next year, there will be discounts on the 2015 S550. I do not want a car with sloppy panel attachment. It really bothers me that Ford has HUGE gaps around their trunks. This is a motor with significant updates and that opens the possibilities of reliability concerns. The infotainment system is due for an upgrade as Ford is changing providers from Microsoft to another vendor and I am skeptical that the new system will be available as an upgrade. There are plenty of reasons to hold off for a year or so, rationally.

If the new body style, IRS and updates are enough to make one JIMP and feel it is worth the $$$ now, GO FOR IT. The 2014 is a bargain for what you get. Unfortunately, I cannot find a GT Premium in my area. Apparently others have taken advantage of the incentives. Which I hope bodes well for the S550. It could conversely mean the S550 will not be so popular in the initial years and that will mostly be due to styling. For many, that is a defining issue.

It is undoubtedly a good car. I just won't expecting it to be walking on water anytime soon. If anyone wants to try, be sure to youtube that.

 

[USPSALIMITED]

I am curious to see how the S550 does in Europe. I think this will be the biggest gamble with the S550. I don't know the European car market but logic alone dictates that the fact that it is geographically smaller, mileage on cars is lower than here in the USA. I can't help but think that people may be inclined to buy cars for the long term given such a dynamic. Can the Mustang compete against more practical cars or the strong European brands?

If I lived in Europe the Mustang would not even have been a contender. The European cars are priced better there than here (BMW starts out with a +- 7.5% lower MSRP and there is realistic dealer competition for buyers for example), dealer networks & etc are more plentiful for the E cars, and I strongly suspect that USA car and parts pricing would somehow need to incorporate increased transportation & potentially tariff costs.

 

[Potrillo]

If I lived in Europe the Mustang would not even have been a contender. The European cars are priced better there than here (BMW starts out with a +- 7.5% lower MSRP and there is realistic dealer competition for buyers for example), dealer networks & etc are more plentiful for the E cars, and I strongly suspect that USA car and parts pricing would somehow need to incorporate increased transportation & potentially tariff costs.

I suspect that will be a general theme. That serves to dampen the "global demand" for the Mustang. This will not be a cheap car elsewhere. It will have to compete against European badges in Europe. I just don't see that going well. Sadly, I think Ford may have missed the mark.

I stand by my statement about there being discounts for the 2015 next year. It is just a fact of life for a mass produced car.

 

[USPSALIMITED]

Sadly, I think Ford may have missed the mark.

Depends on what the mark was.

A lot of US sports car buyers believe we can buy the Mustang and not be missing out on the fun of owning a really nice sports car. That is a pretty good mark to make.

I don't know that Ford ever thought it was realistic to beat the competitors where they have a significant home field advantage.

 

[BrainFreeze]

I don't think Ford is trying to beat the EU competitors at all... they are expanding their market and gaining sales. Eventually, they will learn what is working for their sales overseas and improve upon it.

There are a lot of international customers who want American cars especially ones like the Mustang. Ford has done a great job.

 

[Lagometer]

In a global market, where ""Murica" and "Made in the USA" are not the two most important considerations when buying a sports car, the Mustang will have to dress in it's "Sunday Best" to get any attention. The 2015 is Ford's first effort to make a Mustang that appeals to more than American gearheads.

Not that them Furriners know anything about real cars, what with their ballerina IRS's and 27 speed paddle shifters.... It's not like we'll ever see a Jaguar or Lamborghini rubbing fenders on a NASCAR circuit. How much moonshine can one of those euro skateboards carry, anyway?

 

[Tony Alonso]

i am not trying to correct you or anything, i am asking because i had been thinking that the 10 - 14 was the SN10, while the 05 - 09 was the S197... was a wrong this whole time? of so, where on earth did i get the SN10 bit from??

Some Mustang magazine editor dude made it up because he thought it made sense and sounded better.

 

[Tony Alonso]

You will be driving last year's news and a much inferior car.

They aren't THAT bad.

There are definitely many improvements, but now having owned several SN-95s and S197s, I can say that each generation, when compared against the former just at the point of introduction of the next one, is sometimes characterized as "horrible", "old", etc., etc. because of new model excitement mentality.

I've lived day-to-day with a 2010 GT for almost 5 years now. It was a noticeable step up from the 2007 GT based on the changes they made from learnings of the '05-'09 - steering feel, interior fit-and-finish and materials quality, ride and handling.

Having just been a passenger in Zombie's car, I am definitely back to that point in time - the 2015 has changed noticably because of the platform, suspension, and interior design and materials quality. I have no doubts in about 1 year from now, people in the aftermarket will have tweaked, more learnings will be available, and we'll get changes that make the next model year or mid-cycle refresh a few years down the road that people will characterize as amazing.

No misunderstandings here - the S550 is excellent. Comparing it against a heavily discounted '14 requires (in my opinion) a good test drive to evaluate the hardware. If one prefers the styling of one over the other, then that, of course, is a big factor in the decision.

Good luck to the OP - hope you can get a test drive sooner rather than later!

 

[Potrillo]

I don't think Ford is trying to beat the EU competitors at all... they are expanding their market and gaining sales. Eventually, they will learn what is working for their sales overseas and improve upon it.

There are a lot of international customers who want American cars especially ones like the Mustang. Ford has done a great job.

A purchase of a Mustang is an intrinsic victory over another auto maker. Yes, they are trying to beat EU competitors.

 

[OppoLock]

They aren't THAT bad.

There are definitely many improvements, but now having owned several SN-95s and S197s, I can say that each generation, when compared against the former just at the point of introduction of the next one, is sometimes characterized as "horrible", "old", etc., etc. because of new model excitement mentality.

I've lived day-to-day with a 2010 GT for almost 5 years now. It was a noticeable step up from the 2007 GT based on the changes they made from learnings of the '05-'09 - steering feel, interior fit-and-finish and materials quality, ride and handling.

Having just been a passenger in Zombie's car, I am definitely back to that point in time - the 2015 has changed noticably because of the platform, suspension, and interior design and materials quality. I have no doubts in about 1 year from now, people in the aftermarket will have tweaked, more learnings will be available, and we'll get changes that make the next model year or mid-cycle refresh a few years down the road that people will characterize as amazing.

No misunderstandings here - the S550 is excellent. Comparing it against a heavily discounted '14 requires (in my opinion) a good test drive to evaluate the hardware. If one prefers the styling of one over the other, then that, of course, is a big factor in the decision.

Good luck to the OP - hope you can get a test drive sooner rather than later!

This was a similar reaction on the forums when the E92 M3 debuted. There was a very vocal crowd of E46 owners crying fowl about the idea of a softer, more refined, heavier, more tech-laden successor ruining the brand's golden child. Now we're going through the same thing with the F8X M3 and M4. People aren't a fan of change but it always seems to work out in the end more, at least more often than not.

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