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..

 

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).

 

If I were able to add a second Mustang to my stable, I wouldn't mind owning an S550.. However if it ever came down to having to part with my current S197 in favor of owning an S550.. I know for certain that I just couldn't bring myself up for doing a swap

 

It is NOT a freaking drag car. Good god guys. The GT500 that's coming should satisfy you.

No. We already had 10 years of ripping off the best of the 1964-1970 cars. Do you want them to go retro to the bloated 71-73 cars? Mustang II? Fox Body? The best has already been ripped off. Gotta keep evolving and it's clearly working since it's the best selling sports car in the world.

 

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.

 

^ Isn't that how Ford ended up with the Probe?

 

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.

 

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.

 

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

 

I believe the 'retro' days are over for the Mustang.

 

Ford had planned to configure the Mustang into a FWD platform. A massive mail and phone campaign from disgruntled Mustang fans convinced Ford otherwise. The car became the Probe and the RWD Mustang remained. According to Dave Pericak in 'A Faster Horse' it was the first time in automotive history that consumers dictated to a manufacturer the fate of a specific model.

Here's some more info from R&T:

http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-cult...ost-a-mustang/

 

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!)

 

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

 

True story.

 

I think anytime there is a design change it takes a little while for people to adjust. Initially I did not like the S550 look but they have definitely grown on me.

 

No, in my opinion it's a definite improvement over the look of the S197 and it looks every bit like a Mustang that the S197 does.

 

You pretty much nailed it with this post.

 

Thanks

 

Can't get into the S550 models. I don't like the front end styling. The car is better in regards to modern engineering, but the aesthetics is still a issue for me.

 

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.