Here's my prediction. Lets see if it comes true:

'05 - '09 vs. '10 - ?? in total sales

Which will be the sales leader? Sure, the '10 will have a strong start because of it's new styling. But once the hoopla dies down for the new body, will it have the strength to match the sales of the '05 - '09? I say no...not a chance. The classic look of the '05 was a hit that will not be matched by the '10. The '05 styling carried it through '09 with strong sales. What will come of the 2010 and later sales numbers?

What do you think? It will be fun to look back at this thread in a few years.

 

Didn't the new edge '99-04 sell more than the '05-09? I think 2010 won't be 2005 strong just because of the Camaro and Genesis and maybe Challenger. There shouldn't be a huge drop-off for 2011 if we get new engines,especially the V6.

 

I think looks alone are going to hurt the '10 in the long run...with the economy as it is, its going to have a rought time anyway, but I dont see the rebody bringing new buyers - theres always a rush on new models, but I think its gonna fade before summer'09 unlike the 05 that was a bear to get even into mid '06...

 

I think it depends, how long do you think we will beable to get employee pricing on a 2010? I don't think it will be as hard to get as the 05 when it came out (and no one will pay amds), but if they introduce new motors with better FE and undercut the camaros price, They will sell just fine.

 

The economy will be the deciding factor.

That being said, I think there was more anticipation with the 2005 and a more favorable response to it than the 2010. The jury is still out of course so its impossible to predict, but I still think Ford should have left well enough alone with the tail lights and bumper cover and they may have done well.

 

I agree with some of the other posts. I feel it won't sell as well because of numerous reasons that don't include the cars looks. For starters the economy is in the toilet, the Mustang now has plenty of direct competition that have more power and other performance goodies, and finally this car isn't an all-new car like the 05'.

I would have to disagree with 05-09 sales remaining strong. Last I checked Ford has been practically giving these things away since mid 07'. Sure it was a huge hit in 05' and those sales continued strong into 06' but since then the car has had a steady decline in sales.

The bottom line is the timing for this restyle was crucial to the Mustang. I don't see too many walking away from the Mustang because of it's looks. I personally don't see the big difference. If you like the 05' you should pretty much like the 10'. This refresh in my opinion on the exterior is about the same as we saw in the 99' model compared to 98'. The major difference here is that Ford has done a better job with quality materials. Once these cars hit the streets current Mustang owners will envy the interior of the 10'. Trick goodies like the interior lighting, sequential tail lamps and LED lamps also keep the "cool factor" up. Though performance isn't much better, more should be on the way.

Maybe its just me but so many on this forum build up the 05' Mustang as the savior of the Mustang and I just don't see it! Sure it's cool but I don't see it standing out more than the 94' or 99' models when they hit the streets. I'm sure the 10' Mustang can be just as popular as the 05' or the 99' before that but will have endure tougher times. I'm glad that Ford did address the overly retro cues. Its cool they did it but it has been done, time to move on. This car does still retain much of the 05's classic charm with some new tasteful additions I don't see the whole controversy here....... my main complaint is under the hood.

 

Not even close. When the 05's came out there was nothing to compete with it and it was cutting edge. The 10 is being introduced with competors and a bad economy.

 

Totally agree.

 

I was thinking the same as some of the others. Weak economy, more competition with the new Camaro (V6-V8), V6 Challenger vs V6 Stang, and if gas goes back to $4 a gallon and up, I do not see the 2010 having sales like the 05. I like the new 2010 Mustang, but the 05 is still OK with me and I can always change things if I get bored. With this economy I see many with my attitude and I think that alone will keep sales lower then the 05. IMO

 

+ 2.

 

This current refresh, is far from being the same when compared to the one in which we saw during the 99' from 98' makeover. As the 2010 refresh, also includes (hips) Where as the the 99' model, clearly does not. In addition, the 99' models also carried over the same interiors from the original 94's, however the 2010 interior, has clearly been updated over the 2005-09 models.


That being said, the 2 different makeover periods, seem to share very little in common IMHO !

 

True, the update is mostly cosmetic on the outside and inside for the 2010. But it will still be interesting to see what happens with the sales numbers. It is true that the '05 was introduced without any direct competition and when the economy was in better shape. But if the 5.0L engine is in the 2011 model year, then that should give it a pretty decent boost, at least as far as V8 Mustang sales are concerned.

 

+3,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

+4.

It's the economy folks, and a smaller piece of the pie with competition, even if the competition doesn't last it still hurts.

 

Not if gas prices are anywhere near $4.00 a gallon.

 

I think the '99 was WAY more of a makeover given the soft styling of the '94-98 models,it really looks nothing like a '98(aside from the standard Stang cues),when for the uninformed,a '10 could slide by without being noticed as being changed. I,like everyone else here,am consumed with Mustangs,but i really don't see the general public(non-Mustang obsessed) noticing too much of a change without the marketing push. My wife certainly couldn't tell the difference,but again she doesn't spend hours on the internet staring at pics.
The '99 was a jarring change,i HATED IT,when i saw it,and then it became my favorite style. The '10 is a subtle refinement of the '05 and aside from the taillights,i couldn't see a '05-09 fan not instantly liking this style. I love it,i love it more than the '05-09,they fixed the small details i didn't like on the '05-09.

 

You are concentrating on the wrong engine, the replacement of the 4.0L V6 with the more powerful and more fuel efficient 3.5L V6 will be what will give sales a boost.

 

Who knows, maybe these low gas prices will hold on for a while. Last time I checked, our national average price was under $2.00/gallon. If it goes back up to four, that's going to hurt sales for sure. It's amazing to me that we are paying less than half the amount for gas that we were just 4 months ago.

 

The economy has already slowed to a crawl. They know that $4.00 per gallon for gas would just make things worse...driving is down nation-wide already.

 

It has hips but it is still more similar to the 05' than the 94 is to the 99! Owning both a 97' and 03' I must say these are quite different looking. Every body panel is very different. While the 97' seems to be obsessed with curves and round shapes the 03' is all blocky and muscular. The bottom line is that the 10' shares the same platform as the 05' like the 99' did with the 94'.

As far as the interior being the same I actually stated in terms of exterior, my quote was

"This refresh in my opinion on the exterior is about the same as we saw in the 99' model compared to 98'."