2005 Mustang... Ok... you either love it or hate it...
I love it!!!
But here is my question... rather questions.... or should I say beefs...

1) Is it just me or is the front fender flare huge (which I love) compaired to the rear flare that seems to be a lot less prominent? Not sure I like that... the only thing I can think of is that they are saving the more pronounced rear flare for the special edition cars....? Sorry first time posting and I do not know how to post a picture to show this.

2) Wheels and Wheel well gap... Yes, it looks anyway, much better that the current cars... But I have to say You can buy a Volvo station wagon with larger wheels and little to no gap right off the lot.... Much less any BMW for the last 20-years.

3) Anyone know why the Ford Europe offers Sparco and Racro seats as an option but here in the U.S. it's not even considered?

 

1. I don't usually like fender flares that much but I'm glad that the production car doesn't have the huge rear flares of the concept.

2. Who knows why Ford never fixed the wheel gap on the 99-04 cars. Probably sharing parts somewhere. Trust me the new one is a lot better.

3. Probably because the crappy leather seats that the Mustang has been using the past few years hasn't stopped Americans from buying the car whereas many Europeans wouldn't consider paying a lot for such crappy seats. I assume Mustangs cost a lot more in Europe. It is sort of the same idea with Gm improving the C6 interior to appeal to a foreign market. Then again for all we know Ford may not have distribution rights to sell the seats in this country.

 

I think that the front and rear fender flare are the same size.

 

wheel gap...it only looks right with 18"s to me.

 

I think the wheel gaps aren't too bad. After all, you can fit a fat set of Mickeys in the back. B)

 

Mustangs are not available in Europe direct from FMC. If you want one, you have to import it yourself. Also, Recaro's look great in "small" cars but can look a little out of place in a large car. Also, Recaro's would look completely out of place in the '05 mustang interior.

Just my view.

James

 

As far as seats go... I think it has to do with side impact regs. Ford may have requested seat mounted airbags -I don't think those seat manufactures have anything like that yet

 

either that or lowering it 1.5 inches

 

I am waiting for the 18 inch stock wheels. If I have to wait till September 2005, then so be it. I refuse to spend thousands of dollars on tires & rims, on a car I just bought for 28k.
After I have the car for a couple of years, then I will make some changes if I am not happy.

 

No way are the rear flares are smaller. They are at least the same size.

I agree about the 18's. But I always thought factory costed more. I find it hard to believe you can't find a set of aftermarket 18's that aren't cheaper than what the factory 18's will be. :scratch: I'll just sell my bullets on ebay to make up a little more. If I like the way the 17's look in person I'll just say forget it and get the concept style wheels. B)

Jason

 

Some people actually hate this car?

 

the upgrade to 18's will be cheaper that buying the car with 17's and going aftermarket...

That is really the last thing I want to know before I buy..

 

The rear fender flare looks to be the same size as the front fender flare. The rear just doesn't come up as high on the body of the vehicle. The space between the rear fender flare and quarter panel window is larger than the space between the front fender flare and the hood; if that makes any sense. I suppose this might make it look less prominent.

 

I'm dissapointed in having to wait until model year 2006 to get the 18" wheels. For me its a tough call to wait until then. If I get the car now, I'm sure I'd end up trying to sell the 17's and buy the factory 18's, which will probably cost a hefty sum.

 

If the wheels are the only thing holding you back, then what's the problem -- that's so easy to fix. Buy one now, upgrade the wheels when the factory ones become available or go aftermarket. The factory ones will probably not be expensive -- historically factory Mustang wheels of any kind have been cheaper the aftermarket wheels in the same size.

Dave

 

I'm guessing that its going to be expensive going that route. I wouldn't think that its going to be just an upgrade to get the 18's a year later, after I bought the car with 17's. I'd have to sell the 17's with the 235/55's (probably won't be much of a market for them), and buy the 18" inch tires and wheels straight out. It will cost a lot less just to wait until the 18's are available as an option. I'm guessing aftermarket would cost a lot more also.

 

It would definitely be cheaper to wait. You just have to ask yourself how much that year of driving the Mustang is worth to ya...

Dave

 

Good point CA Stang.... I didn't really look at it that way....

 

Good point CA Stang.... I didn't really look at it that way.... [/b][/quote]
thats all due to the fact that the rear end is higher up then the front. but the flare are the exact same size. think of it this way... the 2005's lean forward a bit (not actually leanin but designed to look like it) thats why it appears the front flare is higher up on the body while the rear its lower.

 

I think the front flare projects out further from the fender than the rear on the top.