Notice though, they always come out with 'more-better-awesome'

 

Yes but last time we had a 2 model year wait

 

Well they did manage to shoehorn the 5.4 into the 2000R - dimensionally the engines are the same except for maybe the longitudal dimension.

The 2015 car apparently has a narrower engine compartment compared to the outgoing S-197.

I certainly hope the next gen GT500 or Cobra isn't saddled with a 5.0 as I would much rather see it equipped with its own larger displacement engine
,a tall deck coyote would be really nice but that presents the same dilemma as the trinity motor as a tall deck coyote would be nearly or as wide.

In any event given Ford's penchant for yearly price increases of 500 or more dollars each model year, paying 60 or 70 large demands something more.

 

Your last point really resonates with me, the price of the Mustang has increased way too fast. My 03 Cobra has a similar MSRP to a well equipped V6. Your GT500 cost about as much as a loaded GT. Don't get me wrong I love having a Mustang lineup with a 300+HP V6 but it costs the same as the 300HP V8 from just a couple years earlier.

 

You're forgetting inflation and requirements to meet safety and emissions standards.

Inflation alone means a $30k car in 2002 is a $38k car in 2012. Safety and emissions at least another $2000 on top of that.

Another interesting fact. A base 1999 V6 Mustang coupe cost $16,500 which would be over $23,000 in today's dollars. A 2013 Mustang V6 starts at $22,200 and has 110 more hp, way more airbags, refinement, standard tech.

 

I hate this argument, because salaries sure haven't gone up 30% in the same time frame....

 

+1 these cars should be cheaper to make after the initial investment in the tooling and development of the model back in the first couple model years

 

They probably have for UAW

 

It's probably been said somewhere in the 31 pages, but I'd like a sunroof! $40k car and no sunroof makes me scratch my head. And no I don't want a 'vert!

 

Well, the glass roof option is an uber sunroof. What's wrong with those?

 

It doesn't open

 

 

That's not Ford's fault. Mustang prices have kept pace with most other major cars and trucks, I'm just trying to refute the argument that Ford could somehow be selling a Mustang for significantly cheaper and still be making a profit.

 

How much cheaper could it be? In what world should a base Mustang be cheaper than a base Focus?

Or is this just a general feeling that the price of every car in the world is 25% too high?

It's not like Ford is just padding profits... they have been BARELY able to stay alive the last few years, they just barely did well enough to avoid needing a bailout as well.

The average transaction price of a new car in America is $30,300 before any incentives. For this amount of money you can get a very nicely equipped V6 or a stripper GT. I think this is very much in line with the original goal/market of a Mustang in 1965 for the Average person.

 

I know what you're saying, and I wasn't implying it was Ford's fault. Just pointing out that ALL goods have gone up in cost, but salaries have risen far slower...

 

Ah I see, and it's also a good point when we consider that Ford says they are trying to motivate younger people to buy Mustangs. Pretty tough to do when so few young people have jobs and those that do aren't making great wages (on average).

 

Its more the industry than Ford. The cars that are too expensive end up with rebates, the 2013 mustang is a good example.

Fords are going up on price significantly. A couple years ago the fusion was a more affordable alternative to the accord and Camry. The Camry is a better buy for the money now than Ford. Ford should still try to undercut the competition because they still don't have the reputation of Toyota and Honda

 

That depends on how you define an average person? The median income in the US is around 51k right now and its a gross figure. Start chopping out taxes, necessities ( food, insurance, housing, utilities) , retirement savings, et al and a 30k Mustang gets very expensive relative to the average persons wage.

 

I like the electronics upgrades like dash my color and HUD. The Coyote is already a great engine and great starting platform for mods. IRS is a bit overrated, as weird as that sounds. The S197 performs great with its solid rear. I'm not saying it won't be great, I'm saying Ford builds a great solid rear. Chevy still makes push rods and nobody gives them **** over it. If Mustang is going to ind. susp. they'll need to cut some weight in other areas. The important thing for them is to keep the platform upgradeable and power owners will handle the rest.

 

I'm sure it's been suggested already but: flappy paddle gearbox.

Patrick will hate me. But I've been watching some Aventador videos and I want to that in my mustang.