First Impression Poll

[scottpe]

I get that compromises have to be made but it appears other manufacturers are making other compromises with their performance cars in other areas than performance. Maybe not blow all of your R&D making this a global car for starters.

Ford is going to do what it takes to sell MORE Mustangs. Trading jabs with Chevy's Camaro has proven to NOT be the formula for that. They needed a performance car that could truly compete on the world stage. Such a car needs a competent and refined suspension (check), good brakes (check), great steering (check), competitive technology features/creature comforts (check), quality fit and finish (check), good acceleration (check), improved safety (check) and a well designed interior with good quality materials (check). Oh, and to top it off, it needs to be a great performance value (check). That's a really tall order.

Like it or not, the fact is that the Mustang is now on a divergent path from the other pony car war participants. Ford wanted to build a car that truly holds its own against the likes of some of the respected European cars, rather than being laughed at when held in the same conversation. IMO, what they created is a great first step in that process. Is it perfect? Absolutely not. Would I have liked a bit more power NOW? Yep. But is that what they really needed to get a new audience to buy Mustangs? Nope. And that seems to be backed up by the fact that TONS of people that never before considered a Mustang are taking notice. So, it appears that for Ford it may be mission accomplished... for now.

Next year is next year. We'll see what GM actually brings to the table and what Ford has as well. Now that they've got their world car (pretty much) out the door, hopefully they can focus in on tweaking and building something that will also satisfy the segment of the traditional pony car enthusiast crowd that is currently feeling unimpressed (prematurely I might add) as well. We'll see. But it appears that at the very least Ford has a pretty nice foundation to build upon. It should only get better from here...

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[REX-RACER]

Ford is going to do what it takes to sell MORE Mustangs. Trading jabs with Chevy's Camaro has proven to NOT be the formula for that. They needed a performance car that could truly compete on the world stage. Such a car needs a competent and refined suspension (check), good brakes (check), great steering (check), competitive technology features/creature comforts (check), quality fit and finish (check), good acceleration (check), improved safety (check) and a well designed interior with good quality materials (check). Oh, and to top it off, it needs to be a great performance value (check). That's a really tall order.

I told a lot of people this early on that Ford was signalling that it's decades long battle w/ Camaro is over as far as they are concerned when they announced the design target for this car was the M3, non-turbo 911, etc. Seriously, the Camaro vs Mustang is an after thought for the current GT design team, they see themselves as having a larger mandate now and bigger fish to fry which is why there are rumors swirling around the S550 at LeMans. They really need to show this car is a world stage performer and the endless main street U.S.A stop light battles w/ the Camaro doesn't fit the bill given us Yanks are the only ones that care about that in our rather myopic sense of the world.

I would imagine though whatever team is handling the development of the purported next gen GT350/GT500 has the 1LE dragon squarely in it's sights.

 

[Brent302]

I told a lot of people this early on that Ford was signalling that it's decades long battle w/ Camaro is over as far as they are concerned when they announced the design target for this car was the M3, non-turbo 911, etc. Seriously, the Camaro vs Mustang is an after thought for the current GT design team, they see themselves as having a larger mandate now and bigger fish to fry which is why there are rumors swirling around the S550 at LeMans. They really need to show this car is a world stage performer and the endless main street U.S.A stop light battles w/ the Camaro doesn't fit the bill given us Yanks are the only ones that care about that in our rather myopic sense of the world.

I would imagine though whatever team is handling the development of the purported next gen GT350/GT500 has the 1LE dragon squarely in it's sights.

I still think a 2015 GT PP vs 1LE will be very close if not a win for the new GT. The 2014 GT PP was only beaten by a few seconds by the 1LE and it's two problems were braking and cornering confidence.

 

[Todd15Fastback]

You can probably have a brand new M2 for that price that will murder that gen of M3. If you want a competitor at Mustang price why not a m235i. If you dont need a 4 doors you have 99% of the speed and passion of an M3 while knocking off 15 to 20k off of the price you are looking at.

I want a high revving V8 and the only BMW that I like that satisfies that desire is the E92 variant. I love the lines of that car and the driving reviews are all insanely great. This is the type of car I am looking to purchase.

 

[REX-RACER]

I still think a 2015 GT PP vs 1LE will be very close if not a win for the new GT. The 2014 GT PP was only beaten by a few seconds by the 1LE and it's two problems were braking and cornering confidence.

Yeah, you're probably not far off the mark and hey it would certainly be welcome. I'm just of the mind that it wasn't a point of emphasis for the design team the way it might have been in the past.

 

[Brent302]

Yeah, you're probably not far off the mark and hey it would certainly be welcome. I'm just of the mind that it wasn't a point of emphasis for the design team the way it might have been in the past.

Let's just say a 15 GT PP vs 1LE will be an awesome race.

 

[Dave2013M3]

Not to derail this thread....I have started looking the 2013 M3's over the last week or so. This is my favorite M3 due to the high revving V8 (8400RPM redline) and love the looks and total setup of this car. Looks like I can get a fully loaded one for about 60-62k that is an Elite CPO car with about 2-5k miles.

If you want to send me a PM on your thoughts on that car, I would be forever grateful .

I am curious about performance, reliability, maintenance, handling. How is the car holding up over the last couple of years, etc. Anything and everything you want to share, I am all eyes and ears. Thanks, Dave!

My 2013 BMWE92 M3..

I'll send you some info via PM...it will be hard to give this up.

Dave

 

[Dave2013M3]

You can probably have a brand new M2 for that price that will murder that gen of M3. If you want a competitor at Mustang price why not a m235i. If you dont need a 4 doors you have 99% of the speed and passion of an M3 while knocking off 15 to 20k off of the price you are looking at.

An M2 is going to be darn near $55k. Hell a decently loaded M235i now is in the $48K range. As far as murdering a E92 M3 we will have to see. Sometimes its not about just the numbers. To hear a S65 powerplant with testpipes and a good catback roaring to 8400rpm is simply glorious. Not to mention the linear power curve of a normally aspirated engine can't be beat especially on the track.

Also, DCT equipped E92 M3s run 0-60 as low as 3.9 and the 1/4 mile in 12.3 @114.8mph. I seriously doubt a M2 will get there with the DCT. I too am watching what the M2 will bring.

Also, the E92 M3 is a 2 dr. coupe. The E90 M3 has been out of production since 2011.

Dave

 

[LBJ's Love Child]

:ban: Whoever voted to buy a camaro!

No need to ban. They will have created their own Hell by following through.

 

[Todd15Fastback]

My 2013 BMWE92 M3..

I'll send you some info via PM...it will be hard to give this up.

Dave

I am in love!! I love the color. I think it is my favorite on that car. Thanks as well.

An M2 is going to be darn near $55k. Hell a decently loaded M235i now is in the $48K range. As far as murdering a E92 M3 we will have to see. Sometimes its not about just the numbers. To hear a S65 powerplant with testpipes and a good catback roaring to 8400rpm is simply glorious. Not to mention the linear power curve of a normally aspirated engine can't be beat especially on the track.

Also, DCT equipped E92 M3s run 0-60 as low as 3.9 and the 1/4 mile in 12.3 @114.8mph. I seriously doubt a M2 will get there with the DCT. I too am watching what the M2 will bring.

Also, the E92 M3 is a 2 dr. coupe. The E90 M3 has been out of production since 2011.

Dave

The engine noise this thing puts out is intoxicating. Didn't realize the DCT cars we capable of running that fast, not to mention that MPH..WOW. THIS is making the choice so hard for me. The M3 is going to be 15k more than my fully loaded GT....Decisions, decisions.

 

[BigShow]

So, how do you think the performance on the next 911, cayman, or boxster will be compared to the last, slower? How about the next Camaro, slower or faster? When is the next 370Z due to come out, do you think that it will be slower? How about any new version of any sports car, slower or faster? I suppose at some point the CAFE regulations will impact performance but with the drop in mileage you can't blame CAFE for 2015 Mustang performance issues. I was going to forgive increased MSRP, weight, and reduced mileage if the handling reviews were stellar, they not stellar, they are mixed. So, first time with an IRS, must have been hard to nail. Maybe if I just wait another two to three years they'll figure it out.

 

[Dave2013M3]

I am in love!! I love the color. I think it is my favorite on that car. Thanks as well.

The engine noise this thing puts out is intoxicating. Didn't realize the DCT cars we capable of running that fast, not to mention that MPH..WOW. THIS is making the choice so hard for me. The M3 is going to be 15k more than my fully loaded GT....Decisions, decisions.

I love Mustangs, to be honest the only thing that would make me switch is the GT350.

Dave

 

[stilesg57]

I loved the E46 M3.

Me too. My ZHP still wants to be one when it grows up

 

[Devon]

I'm right between these two positions ATM....

 

[w3rkn]

An M2 is going to be darn near $55k. Hell a decently loaded M235i now is in the $48K range. As far as murdering a E92 M3 we will have to see. Sometimes its not about just the numbers. To hear a S65 powerplant with testpipes and a good catback roaring to 8400rpm is simply glorious. Not to mention the linear power curve of a normally aspirated engine can't be beat especially on the track.

Also, DCT equipped E92 M3s run 0-60 as low as 3.9 and the 1/4 mile in 12.3 @114.8mph. I seriously doubt a M2 will get there with the DCT. I too am watching what the M2 will bring.

Also, the E92 M3 is a 2 dr. coupe. The E90 M3 has been out of production since 2011.

Dave

Nice car...


I have no doubt the M2 will best the older M's. Look at how well the 1M faired. The N55 is no joke, it can heavy breathe, if the bits are in place. Not to mention it will be lighter & track focus driven... ala M235i R..! The M2 about $52k starting & I am eagerly waiting.


Oddly, I am really interested in the s550 for what it brings to the table. Doesn't really matter what flavor it is, each engine choice has their own appeal. But Ford spent 5 years engineering this car..

I've seen the chassis & structure myself and if you are an engineer-minded person, you can easily see the thought and refinement that is the s550. I think it will be a brilliant chassis to build a long-lasting track toy off of...
Or make a weekend bomber out of, etc.


Coincidentally, the pandering over small minutia such as 0~62 spec, is for trollhards.

Seriously, because if that^ was their only concern, then after buying no matter what vehicle... it would still be their concern and would modify their car anyway.. thus rendering their whole trolldom hypocritical. (ie: base specs don't necessarily matter to everyone, because most will obliterate them anyways.)

The choice is not about superficial trinkets... but a good BASE to build off of. I think (& have some hope) that Ford comes thru and the SVT's sets the stage for what any Mustang owner can achieve, & quite easily w enough cash.


Additionally, how a car FEELS can tell the whole story. That is what most of us are waiting for. To get our hands on the s550, or attempt to live that experience vicariously threw some well written reviewer.

If the car FEELS right, all the "other" things can be delt with, using cash.


Lastly, what you did NOT read.. in ANY of these reviews, is that the $24,425 (V6), $25,995 (Ecoboost), $32,925 (GT) are bad cars..! Not one review suggested it was bad, only perhaps that it didn't live up to the hype or "expectations".

Q: Whos..?

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