Like American cars

Agree its a good value, now if I could just get one with factory installed -
Bluetooth connectivity
Hard drive music storage
DVD touch screen navigation
Upgraded interior quality
Rear view camera
. . . Then I'd probably be in the market!

If peak hp and 0-60 time are the only things that are important to you, then sure, why not buy this car? Of course you can get 350 peak hp and 0-60 under 5 sec for even less than $32k too. Some people think there's more to a car's value than that, though . . .

DMX1,

I really admire your enthusiasm and passion for American cars. Interestingly, when it comes to the Mustang I too have craze on it; sadly it’s not the new one. It’s the ‘67 convertible, just the one that my old man has in his garage..

This new model is simply doesn’t get it.

300 HP (not 350 as you wrote) out of 4.6L V8? You’ve got to be kidding me; some European cars can pull out a whole lot more power with a LESS size engine, and most importantly with BETTER FUEL ECONOMY! I’ve test-drive on it once, and HATED the driving position. I just don’t see myself getting a comfortable ride when cruising on the I-95. Again, other car manufacturers, even the Koreans, manage to design a better driving position. Not to mention the cheap-plastic interior that is not even LOOK cheap, but you can actually FEEL that it is cheap! And the worse of all, it still uses a stone-age REAR LIVE-AXLE!?!? For the love of God, why in the world would you still use an old carriage suspension on a $30,000-plus car? that’s a rip-off ..

I do really feel that this new model has put on a good try to relive the old mustang glory, but failed to really nail it. For the considerably cheap price tag, well, perhaps because it is built from cheap materials, old push-rod technology, and medieval suspension design. I get the sense, Ford in America is too lazy to make some inventions, new technologies; in spite of the marvelous product they have in Europe. Come to think of it, the 32 large for this Mustang is even too expensive for this ancient technology car…

Nevertheless, I still admire you DMX1, for not giving up on America’s own product..

It sucks... German cars, you get much more than just performance, btw... For $70K, you not only get all the toys, gadgets, and luxury...

You might as well get yourself an Evo or WRX if you only want performance...

what a dumb posting...besides, people who drives $70K cars dont usually work 70 hrs week... They are usually entreprenuers...

DMX1 ... my point exactly... or you could already have it laying around in a money market account or a portfolio... my point is, people can pull 70K from no where... btw, most entreprenuers are in debt... only 25% are not in debt... thats my point... start up businesses are not money making until ROI comes through on usually 2-3 years in...

DMX1
Somehow on the back of my mind, your stonehearted thoughts and hardhearted opinions of American cars resemble the minds of the Detroit’s big three chiefs and top executives that sit down comfortably on their chairs. Always being defensive of the critics, blatantly ignorant of the surroundings, and still reminiscing about the old glory days of their brands. Well, I gotta say this bud, wake up! It’s like everyone else has utilize jet engine while we’re still using the propelled rotary cylinders engine. With this kind of mentality and attitude, by the time we reach to the jet engine everyone else’s using warp technology..

1995e34
You’re right, they’ve dropped the push-rod for most of their engines, and I was wrong interpreting the OHV term (on the 4.6L V8 engine [www.fordvehicles.com]). I thought every OHV engine still utilizes push-rods

the mustang is one of the few american cars i like, but only because it's different from the norm. interior is very shoddy, live rear axle (!), very retro (as ford don't know how to style a new car). but fastest isn't best.
i'd pick the convertible, since this car is good for posing with your friends and straight roads.

American cars SUCK! European's are way better. Like look at the Pontiac G6 Convertible a 3.9L V6 and it only has 230 hp. Thats crazy! Even a Hyundai is better than that, look at their new SantaFe 3.3 242hp, or Audi's 4.2L V8 in the Q7, that pulls out 350 hp. The 3.6 has 280hp. Now that's crazy!

European cars have better quality in them. You don't see Porsche, and Audi using CHEAP materials in their cars. American cars COULD actually be good if they put only an ouce of atention into them. The only good Amrican cars are Chrysler's, WHY? Because Chrysler is owned by a German company, which is MERCEDES!

You cannot compare a Mustang to a 650i or SL550. They simply don't compete. Someone considering a 650i or SL550 will not even look at a Mustang, it is as simple as that.

The Mustang is a hardcore sports car, whereas the 650i and SL550 are more cruiser oriented, especially the Mercedes. Both BMW and MB employ prestige pricing, hence the high price. Factor in the competitive Euro and you have your answer.

American cars suck? Maybe that's why an American car company is the number one automaker in the United States and the world. That's why GM has near the best loyalty from their customers. And you know why American brands don't sell so well in Europe? It's because they don't really care. And they shouldn't. China, India, and even Australia's economy is so much bigger than the declining economy of Europe in general. The only reason European carmakers are making it with such success, even Toyota, is because they had so much room to grow in the US. GM was almost topped out in market share. What goes up must come down. Sure GM has had some problems, stemming from mistakes made in the 90s and late, late 80s, but their problems are blown way out of porportion. And also look how quickly GM has rebounded. Someone know's what they're doing up there. And how can you bash the Mustang, seriously. It's a hit, it's obviously exactley what people here wanted. Ford doesn't make cars to impress Europeans, they (try) to make cars that sell and make money.

But i'll admit Ford is doing pretty bad right now, but my point was the Mustang is one of their few bright spots, one of the few things they did very right.

I think it depending on where you live determines what vehicle you'll like. Western states, eastern states, and maybe Chicago in the midwest prefer imports (european or japanese). When you get into the deep south, midwest, and hick town all you hear about is domestics.

scoot what crap are you talking? europe's declining economy?
ford of europe is about the only ford bit that's making money thanks to it's huge money spinners like the focus (best selling car in the uk for 5 years) and freelander (best selling suv for 3 years).
and "an American car company is the number one automaker in the United States and the world". maybe because they have 10 brands on sale, obviously they're going to sell more vehicles.
and i woulnd never call saab, vauxhall or opel american, they have nothing to do with gm america. toyota, the second biggest, has 2.
and yes, american cars do in general suck. the only good ones are the 300c, the corvette, the sky, the tahoe and the mustang.

bmw530i "The Mustang is a hardcore sports car". nothing with a live rear axle can be a sports car. america only makes 2 sports cars, the corvette and the solstice/sky.

@ scott064

American cars suck? Maybe that's why an American car company is the number one automaker in the United States and the world. That's why GM has near the best loyalty from their customers. And you know why American brands don't sell so well in Europe? It's because they don't really care. And they shouldn't. China, India, and even Australia's economy is so much bigger than the declining economy of Europe in general. The only reason European carmakers are making it with such success, even Toyota, is because they had so much room to grow in the US. GM was almost topped out in market share. What goes up must come down. Sure GM has had some problems, stemming from mistakes made in the 90s and late, late 80s, but their problems are blown way out of porportion. And also look how quickly GM has rebounded. Someone know's what they're doing up there. And how can you bash the Mustang, seriously. It's a hit, it's obviously exactley what people here wanted. Ford doesn't make cars to impress Europeans, they (try) to make cars that sell and make money.
----------------------------------------------------

American cars don't suck (some of them do though), but let's be honest.

First, GM isn't really number one anymore, it's Toyota I believe. Rupert, correct me if I am wrong, I've not been watching out on this...

Second, Europeans don't buy our cars because we:

A) Have pretty boring offerings compared what they are offered over there. I mean, the Chevy Cobalt for example is kind of drab next to a Euro Jetta (the Cobalt would compete over there with the VW)- especially inside. The reason is simple: they get better cars offered to them, why buy American?

B) We don't have the engines they want. They don't need high-powered V6's or V8's. Here, an economy car has like what? 150-hp minimum. In Europe, they drive around with cars that have as low as 55-hp.

Third, GM's problems are not overblown at all. This company has a habit of buying other companies and "messing them up". Look what they did to Saab. Saab was never a luxury carmaker. Saab is a sort of upper mainstream with premium intentions. But no, GM had to ruin them. One of the Saab's has the body of a Subaru, which leads me to my next point.

Fourth, GM is the KING OF REBADGING. This might have worked in the 1950s to 1980s, but consumers have become more educated. GM isn't fooling anyone but themselves with all their rebadged cars. Different prices don't help either. Why should someone pay this much for car B, which is a rebadged car A which is also cheaper. Get it?

My fifth point, I am not bashing the Mustang. I love the Mustang in fact, all of them (except the Mustang II). I was merely pointing out the reality. A Mustang might appeal to a boy racer or patriotic American, but buyers with shall we say, refined tastes and money, go for the imports. Simple consumer stats.

bmw530i, i think toyota is numer one, but i wouldn't put my life on it, so to be safe i said number 2. i think if it isn't now it will be within the year.

Actually if Toyota isn't number one already they will be very soon. Old technology is what killed the American cars. Most still use 4 speed autos, it just sounds better to have a 5 speed not to mention the actual benefits that are present. Also don't count Chrysler as an American company, it is German now.

Mustang: really appreciate the design wish the entire cars materials did not look so cheap.

Thanks, Rupert.

See two discussions going on with subject matter:

http://www.autospies.com/news/Why-do-European-luxury-cars-have-such-low-quality-ratings-7228/

http://www.autospies.com/news/Whats-wrong-with-American-cars-7142/

"I know people will protest the credibility of any report that does not coincide with their preferences, but according to JD Power (and they're not alone), American cars rank right up there with the best of them and these so-called elite brand names are not exactly piling up points for quality."

For JD Power Study, cut and paste this link:

http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2006/07/20/015420.html

Rupert, the Sky and Solstice are rebadged Opel's. And the Saturn Aura is one also. That's sucessful badgegineering. Also, Saab is owned by GM. And huge money maker in Europe a Focus and Freelander? That's two vehicles. And Britain is the only European country to have a substantially growing economy. Something the rest of the EU can't say. Just look at unemployment rates. Also, having 10 brands worldwide isn't why GM is number one. It's because they're number one in the number one and two economies in the entire world. And "the only American cars that don't suck" are your matters of opinion, and are definately not indicitive of sales. Navigator, Silverado, XLR, CTS, Escalade, Yukon, Sierra, Mustang, STS, Hummer, Ram, are all very strong sellers in America.

GM is number one in the world and number one in America in sales. I can bet my life on that.

I agree that the Saab situation has not been handled well at all, they have a very distinct and loyal customer base, and badgeneering Saab was a huge mistake for them. But things are improving for Saab, and sales are beginning to pick up speed. Also, Saab was a fledgeling car company at the time of its acquisition by GM so it wasn't going to be an immediate sucess story. But also look at what they have done with the Hummer brand, it's been a relatively huge sucess.

No American car company is very good at the compact car sector. There hasn't been a huge demand for them. And though the engines are no Porsche or BMW, they were, and are well above average. But look at GM's Northstar engine, Vortec, and every Corvette engine...all are in an elite engine group and are considered some of the best in their class.

GM could very well be the King of rebadging. They have a huge parts bin, and they abused this with the likes of namely Buick. But lately they have been much wiser with this, especially the Tahoe/Escalade example. I say their problems are overblown because of the healthcare costs, and retirement benefits they must fulfill. Also, they are not the most leanest company by factory workers as a result of Unions.

And back to the Mustang...people with refined taste and money usually do not buy the mustang because the mustang isn't and never was made for them. It has always been a cheap, bang for the buck car.

BMW 530i, I have to say BMW's are my favorite vehicles in America, besides Cadillac, and the five series is my dream car. Chris Bangle is a bad ace.

And "the only American cars that don't suck" are your matters of opinion, and are definately not indicitive of sales.

the americans bought the amc pacer.....

and 7 of those cars are trucks! and 2 of them were designed for a european market (xlr, cts)
hummers suck way beyond any american car (like reverse tardis', big on outside, small on inside. as we say in the uk, fur coat but no knickers), the ram is just...ugh...
navigator's fine, sts fine, the escalade, yukon were (last gen) the same car with a new grill. mustang is good, but interior let down.
do you know why these cars sell? because they're cheap. ecalade money (say 50000 dollars) would buy you a 3 series here, or an audi tt. nothing like the size of the escalade. mustang is dirt cheap for the performance, like you say it's bang for the buck. basically it is almost dollars for pounds, an escalade here is 52000 pounds, a mustang 25000 pounds.
multiply by 1.8 to get dollars. why don't you visit parkers.co.uk to see prices on new cars, and then see just how much they are in dollars, you will be shocked at how much it is.

what are the number one and 2 economies in the world? usa and uk?
oh and never take france as an example of europe, it is perhaps the most backward country ever. and its unemployment is ridiculous. other countries are improving and many mediterranean countries are growing massivley.

Rupert,
Alright, I kind of see where we are going with this. I think what you are saying is that American cars suck for the European market. Trucks are the best selling vehicles in America, so, naturally, our taste are more biased towards the trucks and SUVs, and therefore there is much more competition, driving down retail price. I understand the currency situation, the Dollar is fairly weak right now...and the number one and two and three economies in the world are USA, China, and Germany. Yeah France is a pretty messed up country, I wouldn't want to consider them if I were you either. Atleast we can agree on France.

that's basically what i am saying.
and of course the weak dollar, making america a very cheap place to live and to go on holiday to.

Oh my is this a Euro site. You guys make me sick, it's like there is a bunch of Damb Frenchmen here! Listen hate the American cars all you want. I don't care but you'll always be French. ENOUGH SAID.

Hey Mercbasher, you are looking at roughtly $3500 to upgrade all the things your fofo butt doesn't like about the Mustang, and you are still $30 grand less than a forgien car that will get out preformed and played on any race track!! HA HA