Anyone else like me still not liking the S550 design?
5/19/17, 10:13 AM
#221
THE RED FLASH ------Moderator
In a straight line, I agree that weight isn't such an issue.. However it does become a problem when it comes to cornering on road courses and also in the twisties.. IMHO what good is having 450 HP and above if the car is unable to maneuver around corners during spirited driving conditions 
More than likely this was partially what led GM to reducing the Camaro's weight over the now previous 5th gen..
More than likely this was partially what led GM to reducing the Camaro's weight over the now previous 5th gen..
5/19/17, 10:22 AM
#222
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Yep, the GT350 is basically designed as a pure road racer. I looked at the Lightning Lap records and the GT350 is a very good bargain for a very fast lap time. Everything else that is faster costs a lot more. The Hellcats won't even come close to the GT350 on a road course. I suppose if you drive it 100% on the track and have the disposable income, it might make sense. In a straight line or at the dragstrip, my SHO runs similar 1/4 times and that's a 4500 lb family sedan that I drive year-round even in the snow with worn out Badyear RS-A all-season tires pulling 1.8 60's all day long even with heat soak (1.7 with fresh drag radials).
5/19/17, 10:37 AM
#223
THE RED FLASH ------Moderator
I wish it were so too, but I think the genie is out of the bottle with the S550 competing successfully in the global market, particularly in Europe.
Although I eventually warmed up to the S550, even up to a couple of months ago I was still not ready to consider a swap from my S197. That's changed now that I've seen the refresh pics and read about some new options and colors. I'm planning on ordering a GT 'vert at the end of the year for delivery next Spring.
I'm very anxious to see Royal Crimson in person.....
Although I eventually warmed up to the S550, even up to a couple of months ago I was still not ready to consider a swap from my S197. That's changed now that I've seen the refresh pics and read about some new options and colors. I'm planning on ordering a GT 'vert at the end of the year for delivery next Spring.
I'm very anxious to see Royal Crimson in person.....
5/19/17, 10:58 AM
#224
Legacy TMS Member
Originally Posted by metroplex
It's not the weight that is the problem. It's the lack of power from the engines. Hot rod featured a twin turbo GT350 and the dyno curve wasn't impressive below 4k RPM. You still had to rev the cap out of that engine, so it'd be great on a road course but would get walked by a Hellcat or ZL1 on the street or quarter mile.
That's why a Camaro SS or Scat Pack Charger would match the GT350 in the quarter mile. The ZL1 and Hellcats are more like competitors to a GT500 if one existed. There are Hellcats running low 10s with just a tune. The 2018 GT would be impressive if it could run low 12s stock. Otherwise, Ford still missed the market.
S650 is supposed to come out in 2021, so the 2018 restyle looks to be good for 18 through 20.
That's why a Camaro SS or Scat Pack Charger would match the GT350 in the quarter mile. The ZL1 and Hellcats are more like competitors to a GT500 if one existed. There are Hellcats running low 10s with just a tune. The 2018 GT would be impressive if it could run low 12s stock. Otherwise, Ford still missed the market.
S650 is supposed to come out in 2021, so the 2018 restyle looks to be good for 18 through 20.
Originally Posted by V6 Driver
Since we are up to the "refresh", I am guessing a full redesign is coming in 2020, so I am hopeful they will add a bit more retro back into it.
5/19/17, 02:06 PM
#225
GT Member
Perhaps they should go the other way. A totally new design, not retro like the S-197 (that I own and love) or a retro-hybrid like the S550.
Lets just try something completely new.
Lets just try something completely new.
5/19/17, 08:29 PM
#227
GT Member
I think the probe was a failed attempt to turn the mustang into something it wasnt. I am not suggesting that, I was thinking styling.
Speaking of the probe, that got me thinking and a bit concerned about what they are suggesting for the 2020 S650. Hybrid 'stang. They gotta be careful there.
Speaking of the probe, that got me thinking and a bit concerned about what they are suggesting for the 2020 S650. Hybrid 'stang. They gotta be careful there.
5/19/17, 10:38 PM
#228
Legacy TMS Member
Originally Posted by SouthernStang79
Perhaps they should go the other way. A totally new design, not retro like the S-197 (that I own and love) or a retro-hybrid like the S550.
Lets just try something completely new.
Lets just try something completely new.
5/19/17, 11:24 PM
#229
THE RED FLASH ------Moderator
This may be stretching it a bit, but I see the next gen S650 as being an evolution of the current S550 rather than a complete departure compared to the previous 5th gen S197.. As the current S550 has been such a huge success in global sales and is also number one in sales over both the Camaro and Challenger respectively.. Therefore I really don't see Ford abandoning the S550 platform altogether, but rather evolving it just as I mentioned 
5/20/17, 04:17 AM
#230
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Originally Posted by kylerohde
I wouldn't call the S550 a "retro hybrid". It is a modern design with a few cues to make it a Mustang such as the three bar tail lights.
I believe the 'retro' days are over for the Mustang. 
5/20/17, 04:28 AM
#231
FR500 Member
Here's some more info from R&T:
http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-cult...ost-a-mustang/
5/20/17, 07:24 AM
#232
If I wanted a BMW, I'd have bought one.
Mustangs have always had the blocked off muscle car front end, the S550 headlights make it look like every european sports sedan. The taillights are a matter of taste, I'm not a fan.
I have to say that the '18 looks much better, headlights now aren't swept around like the eurostang. The rear looks a little better too, especially with the spoiler.
I'll keep my '14 GTCS vert, looks more like my '69, '68, and '67 did back in my younger days. (should've kept them all!)
Mustangs have always had the blocked off muscle car front end, the S550 headlights make it look like every european sports sedan. The taillights are a matter of taste, I'm not a fan.
I have to say that the '18 looks much better, headlights now aren't swept around like the eurostang. The rear looks a little better too, especially with the spoiler.
I'll keep my '14 GTCS vert, looks more like my '69, '68, and '67 did back in my younger days. (should've kept them all!)
5/20/17, 11:03 AM
#233
THE RED FLASH ------Moderator
FYI: Mustangs have not always had a muscle car front end.. I owned 3 Fox body mustangs prior to my first S197 and none of the Fox bodies resembled the classic muscle cars of the 1960's - early 70's especially in the front ends..
The early Fox bodies from 79-86 had sort of a sporty/contemporary look to them but hardly what I'd consider as having an aggressive, muscle car appearance.. Then from 87-93 Ford changed the design from the rectangular shaped headlights to those hideous block shaped versions that IMHO looked more like they were put on the front end of an Escort rather than on a Mustang lol.
I also wasn't very fond with the early 94-98 SN-95 front end either, however it was definitely a major improvement compared to the previous 87-93 Fox body.. Although Ford changed the headlight design from 99-04 to the rectangular shaped wrap around type, the upper and lower grilles had more of an aggressive, muscular look to them.. Therefore I didn't really mind the wrap around, rectangular shaped headlights on the 99-04 new edge SN-95 cars, as they seemed to blend in fairly well..
As for the current S550 design, I most definitely agree with you about the entire front end looking more like a Euro sport coupe than a pony car/muscle car.. But then again, that was Ford's intention for the design from the very start.. That being said, despite the fact that some of us aren't very pleased with the current S550 body style, it's never the less the number 1 sporty car in global sales.. So it appears that Ford must be doing something right
The early Fox bodies from 79-86 had sort of a sporty/contemporary look to them but hardly what I'd consider as having an aggressive, muscle car appearance.. Then from 87-93 Ford changed the design from the rectangular shaped headlights to those hideous block shaped versions that IMHO looked more like they were put on the front end of an Escort rather than on a Mustang lol.
I also wasn't very fond with the early 94-98 SN-95 front end either, however it was definitely a major improvement compared to the previous 87-93 Fox body.. Although Ford changed the headlight design from 99-04 to the rectangular shaped wrap around type, the upper and lower grilles had more of an aggressive, muscular look to them.. Therefore I didn't really mind the wrap around, rectangular shaped headlights on the 99-04 new edge SN-95 cars, as they seemed to blend in fairly well..
As for the current S550 design, I most definitely agree with you about the entire front end looking more like a Euro sport coupe than a pony car/muscle car.. But then again, that was Ford's intention for the design from the very start.. That being said, despite the fact that some of us aren't very pleased with the current S550 body style, it's never the less the number 1 sporty car in global sales.. So it appears that Ford must be doing something right
Last edited by m05fastbackGT; 5/20/17 at 11:24 AM.
5/20/17, 02:52 PM
#234
Roush Forum Stalker
5/21/17, 11:51 AM
#237
Cobra Member
FYI: Mustangs have not always had a muscle car front end.. I owned 3 Fox body mustangs prior to my first S197 and none of the Fox bodies resembled the classic muscle cars of the 1960's - early 70's especially in the front ends..
The early Fox bodies from 79-86 had sort of a sporty/contemporary look to them but hardly what I'd consider as having an aggressive, muscle car appearance.. Then from 87-93 Ford changed the design from the rectangular shaped headlights to those hideous block shaped versions that IMHO looked more like they were put on the front end of an Escort rather than on a Mustang lol.
I also wasn't very fond with the early 94-98 SN-95 front end either, however it was definitely a major improvement compared to the previous 87-93 Fox body.. Although Ford changed the headlight design from 99-04 to the rectangular shaped wrap around type, the upper and lower grilles had more of an aggressive, muscular look to them.. Therefore I didn't really mind the wrap around, rectangular shaped headlights on the 99-04 new edge SN-95 cars, as they seemed to blend in fairly well..
As for the current S550 design, I most definitely agree with you about the entire front end looking more like a Euro sport coupe than a pony car/muscle car.. But then again, that was Ford's intention for the design from the very start.. That being said, despite the fact that some of us aren't very pleased with the current S550 body style, it's never the less the number 1 sporty car in global sales.. So it appears that Ford must be doing something right
The early Fox bodies from 79-86 had sort of a sporty/contemporary look to them but hardly what I'd consider as having an aggressive, muscle car appearance.. Then from 87-93 Ford changed the design from the rectangular shaped headlights to those hideous block shaped versions that IMHO looked more like they were put on the front end of an Escort rather than on a Mustang lol.
I also wasn't very fond with the early 94-98 SN-95 front end either, however it was definitely a major improvement compared to the previous 87-93 Fox body.. Although Ford changed the headlight design from 99-04 to the rectangular shaped wrap around type, the upper and lower grilles had more of an aggressive, muscular look to them.. Therefore I didn't really mind the wrap around, rectangular shaped headlights on the 99-04 new edge SN-95 cars, as they seemed to blend in fairly well..
As for the current S550 design, I most definitely agree with you about the entire front end looking more like a Euro sport coupe than a pony car/muscle car.. But then again, that was Ford's intention for the design from the very start.. That being said, despite the fact that some of us aren't very pleased with the current S550 body style, it's never the less the number 1 sporty car in global sales.. So it appears that Ford must be doing something right
5/21/17, 02:40 PM
#238
THE RED FLASH ------Moderator
Thanks
5/30/17, 02:48 AM
#240
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Everyone I've talked to didn't seem to like the S550. I haven't met anyone in person that liked the S550, even Ford engineers! I think its the older 60s style in the S197 that catches my eye. The fact the Challenger is still this popular shows the retro modern styling is still in style.