Anybody else feel like the current 05-12 body is tubby and a little too large, especially when compared to the older 64-66 Mustangs?

I saw 2 parked side by side at a recent cruise and was surprised at the bulk of the new body style. Don't get me wrong I think the design of the S197 is gorgeous and the styling cues are right on to evoke the look of the 68/69 old school Mustangs. I also realize that the added safety and luxury equipment that is required and desired today, adds weight.

If Ford is listening, my vote would be to keep the 5.0L hi-po 6 speed power-trains and continue to offer the good stuff like electronic conveniences and plush interiors, just get that puppy down in size - more like the 1st gen. If Ford's engineers could design in some weight reduction, that would be a nice bonus too.

One last suggestion - offer an optional suspension package that would handle more effectively in the twisties'. (not necessarily a road race package, just a lower more confidently handling street car)

 

Yeah, um... run that 64/65 into a wall at 60mph. See who survives! It's more than just "mandatory government safety gear", the reason they're so much bulkier is that they are 1,000x safer than the cars of yesteryear. Cars in the 50s and 60s were rolling death traps. Loud, noisy death traps.

 

Like they say, if you're going to dream, dream big.

 

Not saying to build 'em like they did 45+ years ago, just build 'em more nimble and smaller.

 

The current Mustang also pulls double duty as a Mustang and 2+2 Thunderbird.

 

I've long thought that the 2005+ grew larger than the 99-04's much in the same way that the 71-73's grew larger than the 64.5-70's.

History has a way of repeating itself; and just like the overgrown 73's gave way to the petite 74's, all signs point to the next gen Mustang shrinking signifcantly (just in time for the 50th anniversary).

A 4 cylinder EcoBoost will be debuting in the upcoming, smaller Mustang. Deja Vu. At least this time we'll keep some firebreathing V8's under the hood, so it appears Ford has learned from it's Mustang II mistake.

 

Have you noticed that every thing in this world is getting way tubbier as well? Why shouldn't our Mustangs? Really I've never thought of this. I'm OK with it.

 

The Mustang is a pretty big car. I think the next gen will be slightly smaller. Or maybe measurements will be the same but they'll make it appear smaller.

 

would love to see the mustang go back to it's much smaller roots...foxbody size would be good ;-)

 

Try parking it next to a Camaro or Challenger and see what you think of it. And you will get your wish for 2015.

 

Wish to hard and you will be driving around a Hyundai Genesis coupe with Mustang styling. Yipee! Cant wait to be like a hundred other sport coupes out there.

 

yeah, that was the Mustang II and we all know how horrendous that was (or most of us that are a bit older). I think current body is perfect. any smaller and we'll be driving Hyundais or Hondas.

 

eliyarbrough brings up a good point - Americans are a lot tubbier now than we were in 64-65 anyway. Half the country couldn't fit into a car that small.

 

Parking my 99 next to my 12 it's clear the 12 is larger . . . the interior feels much larger as well. Looks pretty bad *** if you ask me!!

 

LOL, good call on that. Yea I know exactly what you mean. Check out the July issue of Motor Trend - Old vs. New. They really gig GM on the size of the new Camaro. "the new car dwarfs the old one (69') stretching nearly a foot longer, a half foot taller and 1.7" wider."

I don't want a 2015 Mustang II or Ford's version of a Mitsubishi Eclipse - just give me a smaller, hopefully lighter, V8 powered modernized 64-66' and then I'll trade / sell my tubby 08'.

 

Ha - that reminds me of a scene back in the day at 75/80 Drag-a-Way, when I lived back east. This real BIG guy was commiserating with his buddies after a good run but loss in his highly modified Nova about getting rid of some weight, adding alum. & fiberglass pieces, etc. He could effectively have done better going on a diet himself or getting a skinny driver. LOL

btw, we were runnin' a 70' plain jane 'street' Mustang fastback with 351C, 4sp Holley, Edelbrock, Crane and Hooker equipped and something like 4.56 rear. OMG that car was fast... and as time goes on that thing just keeps getting faster, and faster. LMAO.

 

I would say my 65 is wider than my 08. It feels like it is when I wash them side by side.

 

More than any other dimension, the height of the hood/roof is the most offensive change. This means the door sills are high, the cars have slab-sides and we need to roll around on 40lb 19" wheels for the cars to appear in proportion.

Yeah... I would love a tidy, small, light, Mustang GT for my next ride. The current car is easily the smallest of this generation of muscle cars but its still a landwhale.

 

Just to add a few pics for perspective.

 

I don't know...maybe it's just me, but after driving small cars for the last decade, I love the size of the mustang. It's perfect for me.