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Add me to the list of those who waited for the '15 to be unveiled before ordering my '14. I have a thing where I only compare my car to others within the same body style, so every time I see another S197 I feel like I have the cream of the crop, and I'm always really happy and feel like it can't get any better. However if I had bought a '15, I would've just gotten jealous comparing it to the '16, the '17, and now the much better '18, etc. to the point that I probably wouldn't like my '15 anymore as the options get better in each subsequent year and eventually a refresh hits, making the early cars look bad - just think how an '05-'09 stacks up against a '10-'12 or a '13-'14.
Over time I've warmed up to the '15-'17 rear end, but everything in front of the cowl needed to be reworked. I do like that the decklid height on the '15+ is almost back to being as low as the decklid height of my old Camaro in a time where cars rear ends have gotten taller and taller. Was also never a fan of the black plastic sideskirts. The interior has always been nice though, but I have zero complaints with the interior of my '14.
Originally Posted by FromZto5
omg... Reap... the '18 just got uglier. WTF is up with those headlights. Oh my.
The '18 looked awful in the reveal photos, in that color with that ugly wing. But go to Ford's site, do it wingless and in the right color and with the right wheels, and it's really looking pretty good now:
The tech is great, I read that the new 10 speed auto is the fastest shifting transmission in the world? The digital gauge cluster is cool, but it looks like it comes at the cost of the awesome super bright MyColor gauges - love having my super bright blue gauges and purple halos.
Overall though this is just the first refresh, I would expect at least one more for the S550 before the run is done, since they usually run body styles close to 10 years for the Mustang. I bet by the time the last model year of the S550 rolls off the line it will be gorgeous, just like the '14 was. My how far removed the '14 is from the '05, I can only imagine the same will happen with the S550 by the end of the run - the last model year of the S550 will be the one to get.
In the meantime, I still like the beefy look of my '14 with the huge fog lights - you can spot an '13-'14 GT a mile away in the dark with the fog lights on, the lighting is so distinctive and awesome looking in the dark on these cars.
In the end, the refresh is of little consequence. It still looks like a cross between a Fusion and a New Edge to me. Starting in 2020, there will not be a refresh of the S550. It will be a whole new chassis, because that's what Ford does. That's when the hybrid Mustangs come out.
In the end, the refresh is of little consequence. It still looks like a cross between a Fusion and a New Edge to me. Starting in 2020, there will not be a refresh of the S550. It will be a whole new chassis, because that's what Ford does. That's when the hybrid Mustangs come out.
Do you have a source indicating that they are going to do an entire platform change after just 5 years? Seems suspect to me. S197 was 10 model years, preceded by the SN95 which was 11 years, preceded by the fox body which was basically the same for 15 years.
Not really liking the front end change, the 15-17s are better looking. I was hoping it would get a more GT350 style bumper. I don't like the new triangular shaped vents that all new cars seem to be doing. Of course, I'm biased, I still prefer the S197s, I like the retro cues and it looks way more aggressive. But, the interior of the S550s are waaaayyy better.
S550 is growing on me some. I don't hate it, but I will still keep mine. I want a 2014 GT500, but don't want to take the loss on the Roush. The 2018 tech is nice, and the magnaride addition would be something I would like to have. There are pluses and minuses in the refresh, some exterior changes are good, and others Blleah... Can't believe they sacked the v6 and have not added an eco-boost v6. Just hope the v8 is not killed in a few years. Like to see a real GT500.
IIRC Ford did mention something about moving up the next generation from 2025 to 2020.. Supposedly they want to shorten lifespan gen down from 10 years to every 5 years in order to be more competitive by staying ahead of the competition rather than keep current designs around for too long that end up becoming either boring or stale
Same here in terms of buying my '14 after seeing the '15. The '18 is making me change my mind about the new style, though. The headlights sill bother me but I think it's looking better. That being said, I'm keeping my '14 for a very long time.
Originally Posted by kanine
Not really liking the front end change, the 15-17s are better looking. I was hoping it would get a more GT350 style bumper. I don't like the new triangular shaped vents that all new cars seem to be doing. Of course, I'm biased, I still prefer the S197s, I like the retro cues and it looks way more aggressive. But, the interior of the S550s are waaaayyy better.
Ugh... sorry, but the 18 got even worse on the headlight end. Not digging it at all. I was even starting to get warmed up to the 15-17, then they do this. That does not look like a mustang at all
So tired of this debate that I resisted posting in here for a few days but I couldn't hold off any more!
The look has grown on me too. I still don't like the size of the grill but I don't like it on S197 cars either unless you've got the GT fogs in there to take up some space. The RTR triangular lights that lots of S550 guys are getting solve that issue for me, personally.
The 2018 updates are good, personally. Front-end is no better or worse, just different. I love the rear end updates, especially the taillight tweaks and the quad exhaust. The interior was already worlds better than our cars, as is the ride and suspension setup (no more SRA, far less brake dive), with or without the MagneRide. And now the 5.0 is going to be up to 455 horses, more than likely.
Based on how it's selling all over the world and in the US, Ford was spot-on with the S550 design and it's aging well. The only thing I don't like is that price for a loaded GT coupe is probably going to be over 50k now, which is a long way from its ultra-affordable roots. I get it though - people in Europe and elsewhere must be cross-shopping it with BMW 3-series coupes, Audi A5, etc. and adding more tech/luxury is the way for Ford to compete. In a world where coupe/sports car sales keep declining, you gotta compete where people are spending dollars.
Or... the Stangs are just selling well worldwide 'cause they are finally available worldwide...
& if they are going to start changing them every 5 years, that means new technology, more problems & more expense...
Starting price will be $50k, they said...
What about the 2018 Boss?
What 2018 Boss? I'll believe the new GT500 before I believe there's a new Boss, given the GT350 is basically that.
I guess you could be right about the worldwide sales, but the proof will be if it keeps selling well 3-4 years into the life cycle. Sure, early adopters would have bought it probably no matter what, but if sales keep up, I'd say it's a success. I think we can be pretty certain European drivers weren't accepting a SRA in a car in 2015 though.
It's ok. I find it best not to be loyal to one brand, and just pick and choose what fits your needs/preferences better at the time. There are other good options out there.
Between the different flavors of the Camaro (1LEs, ZL1s, Z28s), the many many flavors of Challenger including an AWD V6 (I love that they did that!! Now where is the V8 version??), the Demon and Hellkitty etc. there is plenty of muscle car choices for many different preferences.
I have not warmed up to the 15-18. Hoping for an Ace in 2020. I will drive an American muscle car for as long as I can. It may not always have a blue oval on it though.
It appears more than obvious the lifespan of the current S550 generation will end up as just 5 years and not 10 years as were the previous S197 and SN-95 generations..
How do we know this ? The current S550 has already went through it's re-style in just 2/3 years of existence.. It took Ford 5 years before the previous S197 and SN-95 generations had their makeovers.. The way I look at it is, if Ford had any intentions of keeping the current S550 around for 10 years as they did with the S197 and SN-95 cars, they would've waited another 3 years before giving the S550 model a re-style
You should do something like but a Camaro, & stick a Ford emblem on lol
Now that would be hilarious! Especially with a big green Dodge. Just stick a Ford logo on that huge hood. Leave all the other markings on. Who would notice, right? haha
Being as your 21 years old, you really wouldn't understand the reasoning behind Ford's purpose for not having the Ford logo displayed on the Mustang to begin with anyhow..
For us older folks who know the full history of the Mustang don't need to see Ford emblems tacked on the car to know who the manufacturer is..
The last time Ford placed their blue oval badges anywhere on the Mustang's body was the last SN-95 during the 2004 model year.. Since then, the only other place you would see the blue oval logo, is on the stock wheel caps and also the Ford name on the rear medallion (faux gas cap)
Other than that, it really shouldn't be necessary, as Ford knows full well that most people instantly recognize the Mustang as Ford's iconic halo car..
Yeah, Americans want to keep changing to keep up with the Euros.
that just means more changes, more money spent, more problems, more recalls...
... I dunno whats sadder, my 2006 is 12 years old, or that i'm 21!!
When the 2005s came out in 2004, i just turned 9. now i'm 21
So I got my first mustang the same year you were born!
WAY TO MAKE ME FEEL OLD!