I'm 45 and have owned a couple of Bimmers over the years. After years of driving trucks, I decided I wanted a car again. I narrowed it down to a used M3 or a new Mustang GT.

German cars have an entirely different vibe from American, so it was an apples and oranges sort of choice. The bottom line is I went with the GT. Simply put it made me feel something that I haven't felt in years about a car. The M3 has superior materials and engineering, but the Mustang seems to have a soul!

 

Since the first sight of the concept I was hooked on the 05, coming from a family of GM lovers I had already picked my new vehicle for this year until I test drove and just stared at the mustang (ordered one then and there. FORD did a great job on the styling now they just need to BUILD my car (Dec.3,2004)

 

I think this car appeals to everyone. I'm 49 and love it. My daughter is 23 and loves it. I hope I'm still 49 when I get mine. B-day is in Oct.

 

Wjones,

I get your point about who cares about the implementation. (Valves per cylinder, it doesn't have Dual Vanos, etc.). In the end the GT has 300 HP. And a V8 has a lot of low-end torque and it drives great (all true).

Technically, the new M3's have about 10% more HP and torque, for only twice the price. (Mine has a little less as a 96 so is 250ish, but is lighter). In truth, some of it is just specsmanship. The BMW is more technically advanced, gets better milage, etc. As you point out, in the real world; what does that matter? Ford/pony was a little more brute force (more displacement/pistons fixes all). And to a point it is true. But if you're trying to attract those that care about paper tigers (specs), the BMW looks a lot more advanced. And no need to rehash the other points (the Cachet factor, etc.)....

Iwantmygt,

I'm with you on the soul. (Especially since Bangle took BMW to soul-removal camp). There is a different feel to the cars -- and some of it is DEFINITELY in Ford's favor, and some is against. I agree with all the positives about the car -- and they are attracting many of the American Euro drivers -- I was just trying to talk about what it would take to attract the rest.

My idea. Come out with a Mercury Cougar version of the Stang; it wouldn't require much exterior change at all -- but really upgrade the interior, IRS, maybe a few different options (AWD, or even a V6+hybrid, SMG, make the back a hatch like the concept) -- some things you could never do to the Mustang without pushback, but could stink in a lot more of the euro types.

 

As far who Ford made the Mustang for I would have to say they made it exclusively for all of us.

 

Isn't that the truth! We've heard from nearly every age group in this thread, and no matter what anybody says, it's all true!

I agree with dke's assesment of the car. Those are all good and valid points, you go on to say they could get more to come over and be interested.

I say who needs em! They're going to sell a boatload as it is. No sense in catering to the caviar crowd, if the cheeseburger crowd will line up around the corner for one

 

I'm 48. and was immediately attracted to the new design as soon as I started seeing it. I had owned a couple of 66' coupes during the 80's, but was never fortunate enough to have a fastback. I ordered in Sept. and could not wait for the IUP. I ended up buying from a lot in Alabama.

I think all of the big three will begin to bring back some of their classics. I'd be surprised not to see a 67'ish camaro ot 70'ish chevelle in the near future. I think Pontiac really missed the boat with the new GTO. Talk about a lack of research...

Jim

 

29 here and I love the new design

I think the last gen Mustangs were nice, but they didn't make me drop my jaw like the new design. I don't really think Ford designed it for 40 and over, Ford just knew that they had a killer design in the late 60's, so why not pull some of those cues into the re-design.

What worked then for people of all ages, seems to be working again. Imagine that, history repeating itself!

 

I'm 48. and was immediately attracted to the new design as soon as I started seeing it. I had owned a couple of 66' coupes during the 80's, but was never fortunate enough to have a fastback. I ordered in Sept. and could not wait for the IUP. I ended up buying from a lot in Alabama.

I think all of the big three will begin to bring back some of their classics. I'd be surprised not to see a 67'ish camaro ot 70'ish chevelle in the near future. I think Pontiac really missed the boat with the new GTO. Talk about a lack of research...

Jim
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Okay, that's uncanny. After I replied to your post, I look at the forum threads and see that my reply was the 66th (After mentioning I owned 2 66' coupes).

 

I am 58 and I have owned 2 other mustangs but this one I'm getting ("convoy" as of 14 March) is in my opinion the best of both worlds. The lines of the old late 60's and the comfort of the modern cars.

 

Amen!!

I'm 63 and about to retire. So I bought the 2005 Mustang as my retirement gift to myself. Except for pix, I ordered it in June sight unseen. I've been driving Mustangs for 15 years - first a '65 for five then a '69 fastback for the rest until the '05 arrrived.

So Ford hit it dead-bang on with us old fanatics - but they also caught the spirit with the young as well. I get stares all the time from all manner of folk and waves daily from youngsters at their school bus stops along my way to work.

PS: I'm also restoring a '67 coupe!

 

I'm 55, and the new car strikes my fancy the same way the 65 2+2 and Shelby did back when they first hit the streets.
But it isn't just for us graybeards, my 14 year old son likes it as much as I do.

 

I turned 54 in January. Wife and I Raised three kids, third gets married this November. WE restored a 1965 6 cyl. coupe for the oldest Son's first car. He turns 30 this year and still has it!

GT Convertible - Redfire with all options except 1000W Shaker and Side Air Bags is our treat and reward to ourselves. Ordered 12/31/04 and Scheduduled to be built this WEEK!

 

AMEN!

 

I'm 44 and have never had this much fun with a car. I ordered it having only seen pictures, waited a very long 6 months for its arrival (probably seemed much longer to my wife) and have not been disappointed. Have done some things to the car and have a couple more planned for the future. Have had from junior high age to 20 years my senior marvel at the car as well as comment how it invokes memories of mustangs they once had. My only complaint is being torn between wanting to drive it all the time and not wanting to put excessive miles on it.

 

42 here, ditto

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49..um er..50 Dittos here now (Ouch it hurts to admit that many)!!!

It's obvious that the same factors that worked in 65 still work today - great looks and performance at an affordable price. First car in years that I've been excited to own.

 

I am "only" 37 and this is the first car the I have HAD to have. It is the first car produced since I was a little kid that I have really wanted to get because it was appealing on so many levels.

Now if the snow would go away I could pull it out of storage.....

 

Wow...I wanted to tell everyone how at 39 and after owning 65/66 mustangs in my youth that I had to have this car. I had anecdotes and stories...but apparently I have lot's of kindred spirits. I know about crying when someone T-bones your 66 (happened to me). I know about how everyone in high school (79-83) had older mustangs / camaro's / duster's / challengar's...etc. and how it felt back then. (How I wish I had kept that 'cuda I had too!). Several of you have commented on the nostalgia it brings....sometimes when I look in the rear view mirror I get a sense of deja vu....that I was driving down this same road in my 66' and I am in a paralell dimension. Some of you made the connection that the ones who love this car most love the 65-73's the most...that's where Ford targeted it. One enterprising soul even stated that the design is such a throwback (read retro) that it actually gives a physical shock from it's non-conformist in-your-face looks... all I know is this thing is as fast as a scalded dog and looks like liquid sex on four wheels.

:worship: Way to go Ford...You got it!!

Jay

 

"All I know is this thing runs as fast as a scaled dog and looks like liquid sex on four wheels..."

AMEN!!!

 

Well lets see, I'm 44. Maybe they did. However I have love this car. I always wanted a 65, and about 5 years ago my husband bought me a white convert 65. So he gave me my dream. About two years ago he saw the mock up and fell head over heals. That is all the talked about. Then he went to a car show in Baltimore Maryland where they had the new Mustang for 2005 release. He took a ton of picutres. He wanted the vert to match mine. I was not going to deny him his dream. The trouble is that this car looks like it was designed to look like the 65 to late 60's Mustang and I love it too. It makes me feel young again. I love our vert. Shhhhhis. Don't tell him, this is his dream.