Translation: Get the basics right, and THEN worry about the frills.

But at the same time, don't forget the frills, Ford, cause your competition ain't!

 

Well, unless the guy is lying (can't imagine why he would) it's clearly a significant refresh, cause what he describes with his own eyes is a significantly reworked front and rear, and a visibly modified interior.

I wonder if Mulally has moved up some of the refresh items that were slated for '09/'10 as part of his plan to accelerate things? That might account for the report of a more significant refresh for '08 than we were originally led to believe.

Could be that Mulally's arrival is causing things to change faster than perhaps even Brad is aware of.

 

Ugh, you killin' me! Bullitt = appearance package? WTF, Ford!?
And after seeing the thread on the (possible) Shelby GT ADM's this isht is not surprising.

 

Cool! I look forward to using it.

 

I look forward to using it.

Where did you get this info?

 

That junk is in German(can't read it), celsius and metric. It won't work here!

 

I saw images of the 2008-2009 update somewhere and I did not like it at all. It had a much more rounded front facia and rounder back end.
It reminded me of taking the great looking body of the S197 and doing a SN-95 to it. Yuck! Those SN-95s were the ugliest years for these cars.

These cars look great as they are. I like the retro look and one of the reasos I hate the looks of the Camaro concept is it looks like a 1969 Camaro bred with a modern Cadillac. They lost the look of the original 69 (I owned a 1969 Z-29 RS in the seventies) by putting that stupid pointy front facia up front in my opinion.
Funny I have not experienced any of the problems with my Mustang in the above "whining lists" i.e; squeaks, rattle, gas fill problems, whining rear gears. In fact the only times my car has seen the dealer was for some oil changes, and a leak in my intercooler reserve tank (fitting leaked) which was a Kenne Bell part.
I am not saying these cars don't have any issues but I am one owner who found the quality in his car was excellent and far exceed the quality of any of my other six Mustangs I have currently or previously owned.

 

It's about time. I couldn't believe that my 2007 Stang has the same key fob as my 98 Escort!

 

I see 2 likely scenarios. Can anybody with inside knowledge confirm or deny either one?
Scenario 1. 2008 Model Year (2007 Calendar Year) Mustang gets a light refresh, what Hondaphiles call a "Minor Model Change". Repackaging of features, maybe some upgraded interior and trim parts. Minor powertrain changes. 2010 MY (2009 CY) gets a full-blown "Full Model Change". New body, new interior, new or significantly upgraded engines (e.g. 3.5 V6, 6-speed auto).
Scenario 2. 2008 MY (2007 CY) gets only minor changes such as introduction of Bullitt package, similar to 2007 MY changes. Full Model Change is done for 2009 MY (2008 CY).

Anybody?

 

If (and that's a big if) this were to be true, would it be possible to get one for earlier models (05-07)? I know the reason the stang doesn't the current fobs like that (Focus, maybe?) is because of different technologies. I'm wondering if the stang's tech would change to accomodate the key or vice versa.

 

I like the separate fob because it acts as a keychain. Having it integrated with the key is dumb because you know you will accidentally press something while trying to fumble around with the key.

 

From what I've been told about what was on display at "The Way Forward" thing at Cobo is 2008 is the Bullitt and 2009 is a "re-skin" and that's it. There was no mention of a 2010 model which seems to be contrary to popular belief (unless they meant that it is supposed to start production in '09).

I know since I don't have pictures you all can say I'm full of it, but I am close to a person who went and that is what I was told.

Here's a little article on the presentation, though it's pretty vague: http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a...014/BUSINESS01

 

It wasn't shown as a whole... only parts...

And it could its probably a 2010MY sold in 09
But we'll see

 

And why not like here in BC we are being over run with Dodge Sprinters ( Mercedies) and is almost same style of vehicle in much of a demand at this time. The company I work for have a couple dozen at least !

 

I have had the same experience: no problems to whine about, I've just been getting a lot of enjoyment of a really nice looking, good sounding , good running car. My car hasn't been back to the dealer at all since I do all my own maintenance. It's the third Mustang in my family and the 2nd Mustang that is "all mine"...

 

The Stang is a bit thin on the little, but well appreciated features that even my inexpensive-for-the-day Ford Probe GT ('94) came with (out of the same Flat Rock factory too): glovebox and underhood lights, remote trunk release, seat back release, passenger grab handles. Though the later Probes started mysteriously loosing some of these features (the dark hand of short-sighted cost cutting decending on Ford's model line). This is to say nothing of features that ought to be standard, or at the very least, optional, on today's cars such as HID, I-pod connectivity, SATNAV, SAT Radio. Little things, sure, but if others can do it, and Ford used to be able to do it, then why not?

The Stang's corner of the jungle is going to get very crowded very soon (Camaro and Challenger) and Ford's simply going to have to take it up a couple notches all around with the Stang to remain competitive. GM recently seems to be finally getting it in terms of interior quality and high value and making fast progress still. DC, while spotty in terms of interior quality, does offer a lot of features.

Sure, they can try to compete solely on price, but as I've mentioned, low price does not equal high value and today's consumers are far more discerning in that regard than they used to be. To compete on low price rather than high quality and high value is not a good long term strategy as the Big 2.5s addiction to rebates and fleet sales have proven. If the Big 2.5 would take all the money they squander on rebates and flashy sales campaigns and, instead, invest that in product development and engineering to produce excellent cars that the consumer wouldn't need to be bribed and cajoled into buying, then perhaps they wouldn't all be in such the dire straights that they are.

 

GM and Daimler won't compete on price. Mark my words, the Challenger and Camaro (350+ hp V8 trims) will start at $30k-$35k plus $10k-$20k dealer markup for the SS/SRT-8 trims (if available).

The #1 selling point for the current Mustang GT is the price and accessibility to the common person in the form of a 300 hp fastback modern muscle car.

Just look at the Charger R/T and Charger SRT-8. $30k and $40k respectively. You can bet the Challenger R/T or SRT-8 (hyped up and anticipated by diehard Mopar fans) will debut at $30k-$40k plus markup. The same goes for the new Camaro.

 

You are correct, many people are going to be shocked at how expensive the Challenger is going to be.

 

I also don't expect to see a Challenger SRT-8 with a manual transmission. Daimler had 3 chances to make manual transmissions on very powerful cars:
300C SRT-8
Magnum SRT-8
Charger SRT-8

None of them have manual transmissions and from what I have heard, they are actually tuned to limit the torque in first gear to prevent damage to the automatic transmission.

 

You're out of your mind. The New Edge SN-95 one of the better looking Mustangs of ALL time.

Just so you know, here is a list of the best to worst looking Mustangs:

#1. 69-70
#2. 2005+
#3. 67-68
#4. 1999 - 2004
#5. 65-66
#6. 1994 - 1998
#7. 71-73
#8. & #9. - tie for last place
74 - 78 Mustang II and 79 -93 Fox Mustang