is this a surprise? no!

I’m not sure the new Stang is better looking than the one it replaces. I remember that each successive model after the original ‘65 got uglier and uglier, culminating in the dreaded Mustang II. At any rate, I’m not impressed with how the car is contented (relative to its competition), packaged or marketed, and the current sales numbers don’t surprise me.

Lose that Ranger sourced V6, the Solid Rear Axle and Five Speed Tranny and then they can contend

Not a big surprise given the economy….but also considering that Ford has just revealed the new 2010 Mustang I’d wager the people that would buy this car are sitting tight for the new model.

Speaking of the Mustang II, Ford should set about doiing a Mustang II-B on the current 10 year old North American Focus platform.

adding on, how do they think they can contend with a car that uses the UPGRADED DI V6 from the CTS with their truck based V6? It doesn’t make sense. Nor does the fact that it’s price is JUST 1000 less than the Camaro. Sorry, but last time I checked the Camaro is basically a two door G8 (a kinda honest import fighter) and the Mustang is more like a Ranger than it is anything else in Ford’s line. Rebates will be HUGE!

The downturn in sales has nothing to do with the car itself. Did you see how many Altimas and Accords were sold last month? Everything is way down.

JakeK66…I agree the Camaro is definitely the better performance car for the money. Especially considering the $23k V6 will nearly match the Mustang GT’s 315HP. But the sad truth is that most people that buy these cars are either Ford or Chevy people…and don’t do much cross shopping for what is truly the better car.

Snork – Agreed, I have no friends who own imports that even consider comparing American cars in their decisions to purchase a new car. The people who look at the Mustang, Camaro, or even the Challenger/Charger are those who know that that’s the car they want. And I’ll bet that a lot of people are waiting for the new models to hit dealerships too.

For what it matters Dodge sold 3,364 Challengers for the month of November and has moved 14,821 since its introduction. How many of those sales would otherwise have gone to the Mustang is anyone’s guess. I guarantee you GM is not going to be happy if the Camaro can’t generate better numbers than either of those after all the hoopla leading up to its release, but if there isn’t some kind of stability in both the economy and the domestic auto sector by then I can’t say I’d honestly expect it to turn out any differently.

In 06 I bought a Mustang GT… first domestic car ever. So import buyers do cross shop this car. Challenger won’t be a problem, it’s much pricier, much heavier, and really big. Camaro looks really cool, and should perform well, so it’ll probably eat into Mustang sales. But Ford probably doesn’t have to sell as many to turn a profit (cheaper to produce).

From what I read from comments at the top it sounds like you would like to see an IRS, high tech V6 and other things found on cars like GTO, Challenger and Camaro. Would make a nicer car but last time I checked the Mustang with all of it’s faults is still here and will be here long after Chrysler and GM kill their pony cars. One reason and one reason only…..Price point, 80% are still V6 chick cars. From a driving stand point IRS definately helps but it neutralizes the chassis’s feel, no longer feels like a pony car.

======>>nicely said, wbent.

====================>>> my arrow is bigger than your arrow

You do all realize that Dodge dealers do have a large on hand inventory of Challengers, it could be that people are waiting for the new Camaro’s BUT TO PAY A $8,000.00 mark-up… just to be the 1st to have one… I’ll just wait… don’t need it that bad…

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========================================>>>>>> Mine is Bigger AND Wider
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The Ford Mustang is a correctly sized vehicle, but I do feel that both the Camaro, and the Challenger should be be scaled-down in size to further gain fuel savings; both will still appeal to their market segment, probably even more so.

You raise a good point LLLL3 but Camaro can’t be sized too small or it will canabalize Corvette. You’d think that Ford would figure this out and produce a small performance car, but noooo….

I don’t see how Camaro cannibalizes Corvette; they’re two different markets and price points.

The only Mustangs I’ve been in have been Hertz / Avis rentals, and I was really excited the first time… until I got in and sat down. The interior is cheaply rendered… an owner of an Asian car would probably exclude the Mustang from consideration on that basis alone.

@TomF, the Corvette is iconic, and deservedly so. A Camaro with jump seats in the back would suffice; Challenger too.

I’m sorry but I’ve seen the back seats of the Camaro, and it’s just like the Mustang, your kids will be the only ones to fit, the Challenger in the other hand it’s O.K. for a full size adult, but there is NO WAY i will pay any mark-up for any car…

And TomF, if you thank the Mustang interior is cheaply rendered, don’t check the Challenger’s you will be up set…

If the DEALERs would stop trying to surcharge models such as the shelby gt500, maybe they could sell more cars. So I would just as well see ford and the other big 3 go under and take the ****ty dealers with them

@Noah,
It’s not only the domestics that mark-up you know, most BMW dealers are asking $5K over sticker for the M3’s, and Lexus dealers as well for the F’ sedan, and let not leave out Nissan with there Skyline, and when the 370Z hit the show room they also will have a Mark-up, I’m with you that paying a mark-up is total B.S., and I for one will not just pay it, I want invoice if not then close to it, or I just won’t buy it, but look around everyone dose it… EVERYONE…

And it’s Reaper (Camaro) isn’t even out yet
It’s demise is even quicker than I could have hoped
Joy!
DrFill

I’ve nearly bought a current-gen Mustang on two occasions, when they first came out and then when the Shelby GT came out. Both times I was stopped by the pain in my right leg from the center console during the test drive. Ford has supposedly fixed this with the new car. If this is true, and the fact that the GT will be the hardware package from the current Bullitt, then I’ll probably be buying my first Mustang (unless you count my ‘84 Capri 5.0).

The sales are low because this car is ugly. Its dull and made of junk. If I wanted a plastic clad interior I would buy something Korean or Chinese.

Mustangs are bought in happy times.
These ain’t happy times.