2010 Ford Mustang

Almost all the changes made to the Mustang - inside and out - were for refinement.


By Shaun Bailey • Photos by John Lamm
November 2008

http://www.roadandtrack.com/article....rticle_id=7280

The new Mustang is instantly recognizable. If we weren't on the stand at the L.A. auto show, however, you might not know it's actually a new car. Ford has stuck to the tried-and-true belief that "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." The 2010 model is an evolutionary redesign, but the mechanics have left the hardware pretty much alone. The V-6 and V-8 make 210 bhp and 315 bhp, respectively. That pales in comparison to the new Chevrolet Camaro, with its 300-bhp V-6. The Mustang GT's V-8 engine is not much different than that of the most recent Mustang Bullitt. It is a good powerplant, but not quite as potent as we'd have hoped.

Almost all the changes made to the Mustang — inside and out — were for refinement. The hard plastics of the old car have been replaced by soft materials and modern gauges that look good yet are easy to read. The hood, replete with power bulge, hides its window squirters beneath, the radio antenna has been moved to the back of the car, and the gas flap is now flush. In addition to larger wheels, the tail lamps are unique in that they light up sequentially when used as turn-indicators.
You might think the new 2010 Mustang is wider and more aggressive, but its dimensions are identical to the previous car. The raised bumper cap, pinched headlamp enclosures and chamfered rear corners all contribute to the allusion of a smaller, lower car.
We have heard whispers about Ford bringing back a supercharged package in the near future, which would bump the V-8 to 400 bhp. We'll keep our fingers crossed and hope we see such a car at the Detroit show in January. In the meantime, if you like the previous Mustang, you'll love this one. It's simply just more of a good thing.
Related Links:

• Slideshow: 2010 Ford Mustang >>
• Video: 2010 Ford Mustang >>
• More from the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show >>
  
• From Our Mobile Blog: 2010 Ford Mustang >>

 

If we weren't on the stand at the L.A. auto show, however, you might not know it's actually a new car.

Um...okay sure. Any true Mustang enthusiast would recognize the changes with nothing but a quick glance. This guy is so out of touch with reality that it's beyond ridiculous.

TampaBear, you're trying so hard to post everything you can to defend the new design. From comparison pictures, to explanations on design theme, and now to links from other publications supporting your opinion. Why don't you just accept the fact that a lot of Mustang fans don't like it now and still won't like it despite others' opinions? If you like it, that should be all that matters to you.

 

I think he's just posting information available on the new mustang. Does it matter which side it supports. If you do not like the new mustang then post information that you want. Thats the advantage of the free world. You can post what you please : )

 

No, he's completely pro-2010. Every post he makes seems to be trying to convince people who don't like the design to help influence them to change their minds. And there's nothing wrong with that...he can post whatever he wants. But at the same time, it must get tiring trying to convince us all that the styling looks good when so many of us don't agree.

 

It's funny because I remember people slamming the then-all-new 2005 Mustang when it was first shown to the public at the Detroit Auto Show. People were complaining that the new car didn't have enough scoops (e.g. hood scoops, side scoops), that Ford had softened the lines, causing it to lose its aggressive look, etc. The same was the case back when the '99 was introduced. And I'm sure that the '94 redesign was met with some disdain. I'll be willing to bet that there will be several who don't like the next generation Mustang when it's released in MY 2014-2015...

 

Okay, so why are you trying so hard to continuously bash the new design or criticize someone for liking it? If you don't like it, that should be all that matters to you.

 

I'm not bashing it. You don't see me starting a bunch of new threads bashing the new design. I'm merely responding to threads started by others and voicing my opinion. Nothing wrong with that either as far as I'm concerned....

Aside from the horrible rear end, I'm actually okay with the changes. I still wouldn't buy one though. I have a new '09 on order.

 

Nope, nothing wrong at all, would be kind of a worthless forum if we couldn't voice our opinions. Tell 'em to hurry up on your '09 order, it is holding up my '10 order.

 

I think they are building the '09 models until late December. Then they'll all be gone and retooling for the '10 begins. But either way, unless you want to be among the first to get a 2010, you should probably hold off and wait a bit. Everyone knows that the earliest built cars of a new design have the most factory defects/problems. Personally, I never buy the first year of a new car. I always wait until at least the second year for the factory to "work out the bugs" and start building the cars better.

 

Actually, the order is already in and I won't be able to beat the deal that I am getting now. I didn't have any problems with my '05 and this is just a refresh anyways, so there shouldn't be any new mechanical issues. I personally would never buy the last year of a cycle since you lose a lot in resale.

 

Resale? That's a good one.

 

a car is rarely an investment opportunity they lose 5 grand of value just driving off the lot. i buy cars to enjoy them

 

Dude, just look back at all of my posts on the 05's when they debuted. I did the same exact thing for them as I am Doing Now! I'm simply posting about the 2010 and any articles I find about it, Whether They Are Pro Or Con, Just As I Did Then, About the 05's! If You are So Hung Up On the 05-09's then I Suggest You Go Over to the Old Section of the Forums for the 05-09's are and Post There. This is the Forums for the 2010 Mustang.

Thanks Conv_Stang.

As for me Yeah, I am Pro 2010, I think It's a Fine Design, because I'm Not Scared of Change! I Also Loved the 05's when they Debuted and Defended them When Others Were BASHING Them Because They Were Hung Up on The Fox's and Sn-95's, but It Was Time For A Change. I'm not Forcing My Taste Down Anyone's Throat, I'm Simply Voicing Mine.

 

Resale is only a consideration if you're planning on selling eventually. I will die still owning my S197. No doubt about it.

 

Okay.....so sue him. In case you hadn't noticed, this is a Mustang enthusiast site. Its a place for people who really like the car to come and discuss it. If you don't like it fine, but why do you keep coming in here?

I will never understand people like you. I don't like Scions, but do you see me going on Scion forums and complaining about their cars?

If you like the 05-09 style more go in there and have fun.

 

I never said it was an investment. No one should be buying a new car as an investment. I sold my '05 GT a year and a half after buying it and only lost $2k on it while trading it in.

 

Okay, I only plan on owning a car for 3 or 4 years before trading up for a new car. The Wrangler I am trading in for the '10 I bought new in November '05. Just the way I deal with cars. I have no interest in owning an old car.

 

Since you asked, I'll explain it to you.... I'm a Mustang enthusiast. I like Mustangs of various different years. I do like the '05 - '09 bodystyle much more than the 2010. Big deal. Are you saying that I should only read/post in that particular forum? Get real..... I'm just voicing my opinion just like the people who actually like the 2010. And besides, there are quite a few people who have posted their displeasure in the 2010 body style. Would you rather have a big group hug/lovefest in here with nothing but 2010 lovers? LOL

 

That's cool. I view cars like the Mustang as weekend toys, not daily drivers. My '09 will be driven mainly on nice weekends and never in rain/snow. I'm fortunate enough to be able to afford several toys that I'll keep far longer than most people keep their daily drivers. Hence the reason that resale value means nothing to me.

My daily drivers right now are a 4Runner (mostly in the winter months) and an M3 for the rest of the year. At one point my M3 was a weekend toy, but I moved it up to daily driver because it's just so much fun to drive.

 

Well, right now I'm on the fence. I usually HATE changes, but I loved the 05+ because it truly looked OLD. I hated the SN95 until after I already had my 2006. Seems once the aftermarket comes to the table and people customize these things, any model can be truly awesome.

I can't wait to see what Saleen, Roush, and Steeda are going to do to the 2010.