I really like the refresh . . . but I am not purchasing one.

 

Mixed bag, I'd give it a 7.

The Good:

• Overall materials and refinement up to current econocar standards, even a touch above in several instances, especially on the interior. Looks like they sweated the details rather than rushed to production as cheaply as possible.
• Iconic hips on flanks, should have been done in '05.
• Generic, tacky rear wing gone to the great J.C. Whitney catalog in the sky -- in-the-steel integrated duck tail a far, far better execution.
• Drag and lift reduced, power can now be devoted towards moving ahead rather than just making noise and trying to fly.
• Weight only went up a few pounds, still significantly undercuts its main rivals.
• Aluminum strut bar looks way cool.
• Nice new wheel and tire options.
• Retro instrument graphics cool to see.
• Slightly more power in GT.
• Shorter rear axle ratios available, will feel quicker.
• 2-piston front calipers with 3.73 gears, Stang good for more than two hard stops in a row?

The Bad:

• A little too refined and polished, sacrificed equal parts character and distinctiveness for sedanish plushness, especially on the interior. Zero-sum result?
• Non-iconic, generic bulge on hood (at least it isn't pretending to be a cheesy tacked-on scoop that fools nobody).
• Rear styling a bit of a mess, bulky, droopy and heavy looking - out-of-scale black diffuser-wannabe thing too big and bulgy for rest of rear. The black diaper needs changing...
• Soft fender bulges look, well, just soft and lacking in tone and sinew.
• Taillights just trying too hard to be different, ends up fussy looking.
• Weights should have gone down 100lbs.
• Same old neolithic suspension behind the cool wheels.
• Retro instruments hard to read.
• Only slightly more power means its way behind the Camaro and Challenger.
• Shorter axle ratio will only register on the butt meter, not the clock.

The Verdict:

• A fairly predictable mid-life Botox and face lift improves its appearance a bit, but really needed to go to the gym instead to actually be able to run with the younger dogs now on the block. Traded some of the previous youthful tautness and flare for a bit more middle aged softness and refinement. 5.0, six speed and IRS should have been rolled out to make a truly compelling impact and to really put it in the hunt. '10 will be a pleasant-enough enhancement but any splash will be forgotten in about six months. Will Ford and the Mustang still be around by '11 to at least see the 5.0?

 

Other than the hips, the exterior styling is not an improvement IMO. It looks like the reflection of an 05 in a funhouse mirror. Or like someone sneezed a couple times while editing the front and rear of an 05 pic in photoshop. Kind of like a movie sequel - not bad on it's own, but not as good as the original. I'm dissapointed.

 

Amen, if this was the 05, I wouldn't have bought it, I would have bought a 03-04 Cobra! Yes, I like the interior (way better than the 05-09) but the frontend and rear ruin it for me, the rest works(hips & cowl). What made them squish the front end, that they had to cut into the fogs(kinda like the Challenger)? & WTF is with the candycane stripped tail lights?

 

I'm Loving It! The only thing I have any kind of issue about, is the Black Plastic On the Back Bumper only. It could be improved on. I even like the "Mutton Chops" asZZCoop Calls The Trim Pieces that come off of the Front Splitter Lower Grill Insert. Overall, I think the Designers Knocked It Outta The Park!

 

Gotta credit Moosetang for that one.

 

Well, I've got to say I prefer the 05-09 exterior styling to the 2010. I have always been into the classics and to me the 2010, while still very nice, does not appeal to me as much as the 05-09. The front looks too squashed and I don't like the new look of the tail lights.

This model will probably appeal to a broader market than the current generation though, and hopefully will get some new blood into the Mustang crowd. But for me, I'll stick with my '05 for quite a while now I think.

Now, if there was some way to swap the interior of the 2010 into my 05, that would be the best of both worlds

 

 

IMO, far better looking than the 05-09 model, much leaner and meaner while becoming a bit more 'classic' too. This is a lot like the transformation from 66-67 IMO, to much the same effect. Inerior is a huge improvement. Bring on the 400hp 5.0 and 6-speed and I'm all in.

 

I'm sure KC can help you out with that. Just be ready to spend! $$$$$

 

Thank you And I think I like them as well.

 

That is my biggest gripe! NO "C".

 

We need more cow bell!

 

Without taking too much time, I think its a decent freshening, yet the rear end doesn't get it done for me. I can't handle the way its convexed and the sides move back towards the front.
The front end is nice on both V6 and GT ... not sure if I like the new wheel flares yet, but I'm sure they will grow on me.
It's like seeing a hot girl, but the closer you get the more you pick her apart. I prefer the S197 ... for now.

 

God your pedantic in this post...not to mention contradictory.

 

To ease other readers.


Dictionary.com says
Pedantic: Overly concerned with minute details or formalisms, esp. in teaching.

 

You forgot 'dogmatic, hair-splitting and quibbling'.

 

Hey, I'm a demanding customer, and given Ford's (not to mention GM and Chrysler's) dismal situations, seems like most of the rest of the market place is too. So if Ford and the Mustang can't stand the heat of close scrutiny, they ought to get out of the kitchen. Basically a lot of old wine in a newish bottle.

So for those with the attention span of a crackhead on his fourth cup of coffee: an OK update but nothing special. There, simple, plain and easy.

 

Overall, I like it. The interior is light-years ahead of the '05 - '09, and is almost worth the price of admission by itself.

I love the exterior as it reminds me of my all-time favorite '70 sport roof. Except for the rear. I can get by with the lights and the bumper, but that plastic diaper is a killer. Just plain fugly. (I notice very few clear pictures of the rear, as if Ford already knows they screwed that up!).

Still on balance, with the myriad small improvements, additional options, and better NVH, I will likely try to acquire one as soon as finances allow. Better having 97% of the car I'd like car than just 92.5%...