Differences between model years
#1
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Differences between model years
This may be a stupid question... Going to ask it anyway. I have been trying to find ways on my own to tell a MY 10 - 12 apart. On a 13 - 14 MY the only way I have found is to look at the instrument cluster. Obviously a 10 GT will not have 5.0 badges. But are there other ways to tell each model year apart? Thanks for the Education!...
#3
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I am looking for easy ways as I cruise past one to tell the model year. I find myself doing this all the time with Muscle Cars... Feel obligated to myself as a owner of one now to be able to do it with Mustangs...
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Join Date: November 14, 2007
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You can tell an '11 from a '12 by the VIN in the lower corner of the windshield. 8th digit from the right is the year digit. B is '11 and C is '12. Short of that, the only difference is a couple of paint colors.
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Yknow i never really noticed that until i looked at some pictures. Also between 10-11 the rearviews are dofferent. 10's had the flat piece while 11+ has the blind spot mirror which (to me) is suuuper convenient. Saved my sides plenty times because people around here really like to hide in those blind spots
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#14
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True, it was a running change late in the '11 model year. My '11 GT was built in January '11 and I had the old style (non-tilting) headrests. But I remember seeing later '11's with the tilting ones.
#15
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Rather like the "powerdome" sun visor mirror cover...........introduced for the 10MY but phased out during the '11 or '12MY IIRC.
![Name: F9CD3C5E-E63D-4635-B624-96C612F5E5D9-14702-00000194F0C347BF.jpg
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![Name: 2012_Sunvisor.jpg
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Also, the traction control button showed a Mustang image on the '10s......again phased out during the '11 or 12MY
![](http://a248.e.akamai.net/origin-cdn.volusion.com/9nena.fmfu2/v/vspfiles/photos/10052C-2.jpg?1346431851)
![Name: F9CD3C5E-E63D-4635-B624-96C612F5E5D9-14702-00000194F0C347BF.jpg
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Size: 58.6 KB](https://themustangsource.com/forums/attachments/f726/197444d1501296479-differences-between-model-years-f9cd3c5e-e63d-4635-b624-96c612f5e5d9-14702-00000194f0c347bf.jpg)
![Name: 2012_Sunvisor.jpg
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Size: 51.2 KB](https://themustangsource.com/forums/attachments/f726/197445d1501296479-differences-between-model-years-2012_sunvisor.jpg)
Also, the traction control button showed a Mustang image on the '10s......again phased out during the '11 or 12MY
![](http://a248.e.akamai.net/origin-cdn.volusion.com/9nena.fmfu2/v/vspfiles/photos/10052C-2.jpg?1346431851)
![](http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/02/60-ford-mustang-boss-302.jpg)
#16
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2010: slimmer front valance, no blind spot mirrors, V6 had single exhaust and smaller, narrower BFGs versus Michelins, also late availability of 18" silver painted wheels, Stone interior available with Glass Roof, halogen lights standard on GT500, 18s standard on GT500 convertible, Sunset Gold available on V6/GT, Torch Red still around.
2011: lower front valance (more aerodynamic), blind spot mirrors, TC button changed to generic style, generic visor mirrors, GT has different rear valance with faux vents, 5.0 emblems, GT/CS added, GT500 gets HIDs and forged 19s standard, GT500 Performance Package added with twin 8-spoke wheels, V6 Performance Package added with GT/CS look wheels and GT suspension, Yellow Blaze available on V6/GT, Race Red replaces Torch Red.
2012: Lava Red available for short period of time until tsunamis in Japan knock out paint plant, Boss 302 added, Stone no longer available with Glass Roof, Stone interior becomes Dark Charcoal with Stone seats and accents (a la Saddle), adjustable headrests added.
That's all off the top of my head, I'm sure I missed a few things.
2011: lower front valance (more aerodynamic), blind spot mirrors, TC button changed to generic style, generic visor mirrors, GT has different rear valance with faux vents, 5.0 emblems, GT/CS added, GT500 gets HIDs and forged 19s standard, GT500 Performance Package added with twin 8-spoke wheels, V6 Performance Package added with GT/CS look wheels and GT suspension, Yellow Blaze available on V6/GT, Race Red replaces Torch Red.
2012: Lava Red available for short period of time until tsunamis in Japan knock out paint plant, Boss 302 added, Stone no longer available with Glass Roof, Stone interior becomes Dark Charcoal with Stone seats and accents (a la Saddle), adjustable headrests added.
That's all off the top of my head, I'm sure I missed a few things.
Last edited by laserred38; 8/15/13 at 02:37 PM.
#17
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Wow! Impressive! Thanks for the good info!... I do not suppose you have pictures of the differences in the front Valances do you? Sounds like the best shot at identifying each year... Until someone modifies them anyway...
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#20
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I'm sure you might be able to spot the differences in the galleries on TMS? Btw, I believe that balance change was only on the V6. I can always tell a 2010 V6 coming from the front, due to the slim lower valance and BFGs. It's really the lower matte black chin spoiler (no change in the painted bumper cover) - the 2011 version extends lower. Ford also did the same thing with the 2008 and 2009 Escape lower chin spoiler.