I keep hearing that it's a "different Ford" and therefore there won't be any first year problems. Although Ford has made tremendous strides, you can't change the fact that the mass production of a new engine and tranny combination is something that places an enormous strain on the QA/QC and engineering of ANY company. I'm sure Ford will be trying to get all the issues fixed at the beginning, but things will creep up, big or small we don't know yet. Not saying don't buy a '11, just buy it with the expectation of at least some issues coming up, and maybe you'll be pleasantly surprised.

 

I'll probably wait until 2012-13. By then, hopefully we'll have an idea as to what the next-generation Mustang will offer.

 

A lot of people fail to realize that many things have changed in the landscape of auto manufacturing in the past 10 years. With the improvements in CAE/CAD, and the ability to test even more scenarios in a shorter time, without relaying the added costs to the public, the improvements in quality are there. Regardless if this engine is new or not, I'm convinced that it will come right out of the gates a winner. Ford has done a lot to improve every aspect of manufacturing, and the 'first year jinx' has been reduced greatly.

Coming from an enginering background with many ties to the auto industry, seeing how this works firsthand is pretty interesting. They change things a lot under our noses with only minor indications that most people wouldn't even notice. Issues arise on EVERY vehicle produced, and can be dealt with by the SQC and internal QC that the automakers have. The ease and quick movement of information can rectify a situation quickly and prevent costly recalls and TSB's down the road.

Go look at the number of warranty issues average over the past 20 years. They have decreased steadily as the bar has been raised to produce exceptional quality vehicles that are robust right on the showroom floor.

 

I'm holding out for an SE (hopefully a Boss 302!!) in 2012 or maybe '13.

 

Hopefully you are right. The 'it is normal' dealer routine can get old pretty quick.

 

I will be ordering on '11 as soon as i find a good dealer. The ones around here are shotty at best and are always looking to throw an ADM on anything they can. I have been waiting for the prefect car to come around for about 2 years now. I have test drove the SS and some vettes and g8 gt's but did not get that feeling that it was the car for me. From the sound of it the '11 GT is what I am looking for. As long as the price is right around where they are now I will be ordering. Come on April

 

I will be waitng for more reasons than one. Mostly the lack of money. I am always a bit suspicious of new engines and what not plus I will not be robbed by a dealer. People have paid just stupid prices for the Camaro and no doubt people will do the same for the Gt. Just look at the markups people paid on the Gt500. To me its just pure stupidity. I will not be a part of that.

Plus, I want to see if there are any known issues and dont want to be a tester for Ford. Some things are bound to crop up and I want to know about the ahead of time and also give Ford time to fix them. I also think a special edition may be around the corner as well so I want to wait and see if they come up with anything. I could really see myself in a Boss 302.

 

My plan is to buy (order) a 2011 GT Convertible. I would like to get one for this summer, but I will not pay sticker for ANY car........so I will have to see what kind of deals will be out there.

 

That raptor will be SICK Gary

 

I'm really tempted by getting an '11 GT with track pack, but i'm running out of room to park them all in the garage. I't will be a hard decision to make whether i sell one in order to get the new 5.0. I might sell off the '69 Mach1, and hopefully get good money for it. It was a rotisserie resto that took me 3 years and lots of headaches. But was a head turner this car is. Tough decisions ahead i guess.

 

Don't do that...

 

I know Walt, but one's got to go, and tha Mach1 is just a VERY occasionnal driver, i might take it out 5-6 times a year, and a year here is just 6 months. It is stored 6 months during winter.
I'll think a lot about this over the next months. If i get good money fot it, i might let it go.

 

Oh you would regret that for the rest of your life! Sell any of the rest of your vehicles but not the 69!

 

My last new Mustang was a 99 Cobra and I took delivery very early in the production run. Even with all the issues on that car I still have it today. My biggest regret was that I didn't know about the 03 Terminator. After that I swore my next new Mustang would be blown. I guess that leaves me with only one choice...GT500.

 

I respect your opinion a lot BULLITT, but a TSB and recall are two different things. My '05 has not had a recall, and I am well aware of the TSBs, but either I was not affected by them, or felt no need to have any TSBs performed. None were critical, and none should have made anyone sorry that they bought an '05.

The worst issue with mine, which I'm not sure was ever fixed, is the gas filler venting problem. However, I never even give this a second thought any more since the solution is so simple - I simply pull out the nozzle an inch or so, and it fills the tank every time without a hitch.

If you can give me a single issue the '05 had that was corrected in subsequent model years, and would have stopped you from buying the '05, I'm all ears. A lot of people are telling me the '05 had a lot of problems (even though mine has had none whatsoever), but yet I never really hear any specific showstopper problem common to the '05 year that made folks wish they had waited one more year. Can you give me this issue?

 

That is such a common "dealership myth". I'm not saying that was the intent of your statement, but it drives me nuts when people (customers) think the dealer is trying to get out of fixing a car. Ford pays virtually nothing for NPF's (no problem found). Believe me, the dealership wants to find a problem and then get paid to fix it. Be it warranty or customer pay, work is work. Not many business's can afford to decline work. All concerns have to be verified (including intermittent problems) before a repair is authorized. This may involve multiple road-tests, riding with the customer, installing a VDR (flight recorder), driving a like type vehc etc. WE WANT TO FIND A PROBLEM! Ok, I'm done. Didn't mean to hijack the thread. That's just one of my hot buttons...lol. By the way, my wife & I bought the very first Ford FiveHundred that our dealership had. Other then some bubbles in the trim applique along the windows, it was a perfect car the whole time we had it. Personally on a modern car (Ford at least), I would have no qualms about a first year model.

 

My opinions are based from experience yet I stick strictly with Mustangs regardless of frustrations I dealt with in the past. I like Ford and its vehicles. That does not mean I have been excempted from having a particular issue and having to take the cars in for service two, three, or four times to get it taken care of. What it means is I've lived with the inconveniences and keep going back for more.

I post to share with the membership on topics which might bring light and common sense not to ruin someone's dream or bash Ford and its dealers. From that point it is up to the reader to determine if I am posting smack or trying to contribute to the subject.

If I could I would be looking forward for the new GT along with the rest of the guys. IMO the '11 GT is the one GT that is not short changed in any respect.

Happy New Year to all!

 

As most TMS members I am fully aware of the difference.

Previously I mentioned the '03 Mach 1 and '07 GT500 in one of my posts. I had major issues with both cars which wound up spending weeks at the dealer. I was not the only one who experienced those problems, others had them as well. Perhaps Ford was slow in responding, or the service department missed the diagnosis, or the mechanics had bad hair days. It matters little. Whether there were TSBs and recalls or not at the time, having reoccuring problems with brand new cars is not my idea of enjoying the driving experience. My solution was trading in with loss of value for the following year's models and happy endings.

Most of the Mustangs I've had have been great and trouble free. Hopefully the '11 will turn out to be even better.

 

If waiting 6 more months is the cost for getting a better product, then I say wait. I did not enjoy my trips to the dealer to straighten out my frozen ebrakes, center stack rattles or check engine light/gas tank issue.

Btw, other makes and models have issues as well.

 

I have owned an early '05 and a late '06 GT and build quality was much improved on the '06. There were numerous missing and poorly assembled interior and exterior trim pieces on the '05, but no problems at all on the '06. Both suffered from fuel fill and dash rattle issues, however.

I would expect build quality (with the possible exception of drivetrain) to be good on the '11s from launch since the body/interior are carryovers .