Deathdealer

Any Stang would attract attention outside of towns used to Americans.

Germans in general, especially older ones, associate American V-8's with good times, freedom, and the American Dream. Unfortunately, with taxes on automobiles based on ENGINE DISPLACEMENT, and gasoline costing a paltry $5.70 A GALLON, not many of them can afford one. Besides that there is the 22% (total) import/sales taxes. You just do not see many big bore American cars outside of military bases, those that exist are well cared for.

Rich kids buy Boxsters or BMW convertibles. Rich older guys buy 911s, Mercs, Audi A8s, etc. I see more Maseratis than Mustangs. Spoke with an American who owns a used/imported car business, and mentioned that if someone offered me 30K Euros ($37K) for my '05, it would be a hard offer to resist, even after waiting so long for one. He said not to hold my breath, but that it is possible.... but he sells mostly pickup trucks, since even with import taxes, the American stuff is cheaper and better built than anything else.... for those that NEED a pickup truck. Interesting.

Wombert

Thats what I am talking about, I believe Foci is the number one volume car in europe.

You mean to say that a 1967 GT wouldnt get attention driving around town? [/b][/quote]
Oh no way I'd want to say that. I was just talking about the GERMAN Ford models. A 1967 GT driving around town would be the ultimate eye-catcher. I was recently driving to downtown one evening with some friends when we met a silver '65 convertible, roof open, the guy driving was turning off into our street and coming right toward us, and the second I saw these four headlights (had fogs on) and the silhouette I was like , a friend shouted WOHOOO MUSTAAAAAANG just at the same time and we were waving at him as he passed by. The other two guys that were with us couldn't understand our enthusiasm, but hey, who cares

Shea

I'd be very interested to see what the mag says. After all, whether you like German styling or not, they build very nice cars. They know what they are talking about.

I just hope that they take the well-rounded Mustang price into account before they say it should have heated mirrors, etc.

I'm much more interested in the performance review than other comments they might have.

kevinb120

Its just funny when people say German cars everyone thinks 70k+ BMW's. ANYONE can make a good car for 70k, Caddilac 70k=MB 100k. I guarantee Hyundai could trump MB for that money dollar for dollar. Lexus has been doing it for years now. I think its silly an M3 has less then a 550 hp V10 for its price. Ford builds a 140k car and it trumps every offering from Europe under 450k. Guarantee it will be much more reliable too. A lot less needless overengineering involved. Basically BMW takes any basic part, and figures out how to add 5 more parts onto it to do the exact same thing. Inexpensive MB's and BMW base cars have always ended being junk in the american market(190's and base 3-series, an Accord is a better car). Too much $ for too little car. Im talking about the Escorts and Foci, little opel, and SMART cars that dominate the landscape.

MilStang

I would love to see the German article. Been a long time since I read any german, plus it is always good to have a different perspective. (like Kevin stated)

AmericanMuscle

Hi 2 all!

On 29th of September i try to be the first buing the new Auto Motor und Sport Magazine!

Every sunday Auto Motor und Sport comes on TV for nearly 75 minutes.

That will be the first time that the new Stang will be shown here in a german TV show!

I´m sure they will say that the new Stang will not be available here in germany and that the consumption is much to high but anyway, that will be my CAR!

Can´t wait to see on TV!
Can´t wait to drive on road!

Dr Iven

Yeah, it's called REBATES.

A very small percentage of the buying public even knows a new Mustang is coming out. Only people who keep up with this sort of thing actually know there will be a huge difference between the '04 and '05.

I'd say a good 80% of my co-workers have no clue about the '05, and 10% of my co-workers actually drive Mustangs.

GTO's aren't selling because nobody likes the EXTERIOR. The interior, performance, and price are decent, but the styling is so bland that very few even take a second look at 'em. :notnice:

Wombert

The Stang won't be on AMS TV, just in the print issue.

Quote:

Originally posted by AmericanMuscle@September 16, 2004, 8:34 AM
I´m sure they will say that the new Stang will not be available here in germany and that the consumption is much to high but anyway, that will be my CAR!

I am actually glad that Ford won't release the Mustang over here. The GT would get some sort of ~200hp V6 engine, and there'd be thousands of stupid kids with rich parents driving around in a Mustang just because it's cool and not because they know anything about the car, it's heritage and it's history.

<!--QuoteBegin-AmericanMuscle@September 16, 2004, 8:34 AM
Can´t wait to see on TV!
Can´t wait to drive on road![/quote]
I guess we'll never see a road test of it on TV. The new 'Stang has already been shown in various TV shows, for example recently on DSF in a Mustang special issue.


I will, though, keep my eyes open. If there'll be a road test on TV, I can record it and add subtitles, then upload it somewhere. So, if you notice something in the TV programme, be sure to let me know via PM or email.

migg

Was that a review of that MG sedan with that engine? It has the old 4.6l 4V V8 [/b][/quote]
Cheers ans "servus" from Memmingen, Wombert

that's true, Ford has here in Gemany a "worker class" image. The new Ford small cars looks great and the quality of the interior is closer to the premium brands, like Audi A3, Mercedes A-Class and others.

I hope the mustang made the same great evolution.

Wombert

cheers
<!--QuoteBegin-migg@September 16, 2004, 1:26 PM
that's true, Ford has here in Gemany a "worker class" image. The new Ford small cars looks great and the quality of the interior is closer to the premium brands, like Audi A3, Mercedes A-Class and others.[/quote]
Yes... I really like the interior of the new Focus C-MAX, for example (or is it the Fusion? You know, that TV ad where doors are opening and closing, CD sliding in and out, arm rest opening and closing, seats folding up and down etc). They're working hard to become a bit more premium. It'll be a tough way, though, and I can't imagine any noticeable market share gains for Ford in Germany if they don't take Opel's approach and create radically new designs along with putting more emphasis on the fact that the Focus and Mondeo, for example, have excellent handling, i.e. are comparably sporty.

For those interested, here and here are some Mondeo Titanium pics, and specs, info and pictures of the ST220 can be found here. Our previous Mondeo was similar to the U.S. Taurus, but while the European Mondeo has changed to an all-new platform a couple of years ago, the Taurus hasn't changed, at least not in exterior design. Anyone knows if the current Taurus is the same as the Mondeo? Just curious, as the Focus (which is a European car AFAIK) has been identical in both Europe and the U.S.