A little over 2 years ago the Ford Mustang was given it’s first major facelift since 1994 and 3 years from now Ford Mustang enthusiasts will be looking forward to another redesign of the current Mustang. This redesign has created much buzz on the internet with many supposed spy shots of the concepts that may give us a glance at what we can expect in 2010. That buzz has also been seen on our Mustang Forums within our 2010 Ford Mustang section with our members discussing things that they would like to see happen with the next Mustang design. Now I’d like to take the time to highlight ten things that I think would go a long ways to improving the 2010 Ford Mustang and increasing sales.

1. Weight Reduction
The weight problem isn’t really that big of a deal with the 2005+ V6 and GT Mustangs as they are only around 100-200 pounds more than their predecessor. The real weight problem is the 2007 Shelby GT500 which weighs in at 3,920 pounds as a coupe and tips the scale at over 4,000 pounds as a convertible. This is for the most part due to the 5.4L supercharged engine that is used to produce the 500HP. I’d appreciate it if Ford would keep the next Cobra/Shelby/SVT car under 3,500 pounds. An all Aluminum block and lighter suspension parts would go a long way in achieving this goal.

2. 6-Speed Transmission for our V8’s Please
5 gears just isn’t cutting it anymore. Back when the Mustang GT was only sporting 215-260 Horsepower I could understand opting to go with a 5 speed transmission over a 6 speed. Now with the 2005 Mustang GT hitting the 300 horsepower mark and the 2010 Mustang rumored to break past 350 horsepower the only logical option is to go with a 6 speed transmission. Especially as the Dodge Challenger and Camaro will receive 6-Speed Automatics. It’d also be nice if you would use a little better gearing in the T-56 used in the Mustang as well. The 6th gear used in the Dodge Viper version of the T-56 would be great.

3. 4×4 No More
There is a reason one of the first things that is done to a Mustang is installing lowering springs to get rid of the 4×4 stance that has plagued the Mustang since the 1994 Mustang was introduced. It makes me cringe every time I walk by a stock Mustang. A more aggressive stance would go a long way in increasing sales in my opinion. At the very least it’d change the first modification a Mustang owner does from lowering springs to an aftermarket shifter…..

4. What’s with the truck shifter anyways?
Is it just me or has the Mustang shifter gotten worse and worse? Especially in the Shelby GT500. Not only does it not feel right at all but it is in an awkward position. I hate to say it but Pontiac and Chevrolet got the whole shifter location thing down. It’s like butter. Well almost. The shift lock on the TransAm’s and Camaro’s could have been done without. However the 5 and 6 speed transmission shifters have never felt right and have always prompted Mustang owners to purchase a short throw shifter. Let’s work on that guys, alright?

5. T-Tops Please. Really please……
I’d give my first born to Ford if they’d produce a Ford Mustang that looked anything like this rendering of a 2005 Mustang with T-Tops. It’s just gorgeous. I don’t know how else to describe the feelings that come over me when I think of being able to go out and purchase a car like that. It’d be awesome to put it mildly. Out of all this list this is by far the thing I want the most. The only reason I was ever drawn to the dark side, also known as the TransAm, was the appeal of the T-Tops. I salute whoever designed the first T-Top design.

6. Hips Like This…..
Seriously I don’t know if the Convertible Mustang could be any “flatter” than it is now. Give it some style. Let’s see some hips. Some more curves.

7. Sunroof
One of the biggest sellers for women in buying a car is the ability to have a sunroof added to their car. I know when my mom went searching for her new car she had two requirements, a sunroof and a spoiler. Now imagine a 2004 Mach 1 with a sunroof. I think you would see a lot more women driving Mach 1 Mustangs if that were offered as an option from the factory. I wouldn’t mind having one myself.

8. A Better Independent Rear Suspension
I don’t mean the hack job that you used in the 2003 and 2004 Mustang Cobra. You have a frame that has been designed to use an IRS now. So create an IRS for it that gets the job done. Also try to use the right sized bolts this time around…..

9. 3.73 Gears in the Mustang GT
Since you guys are going to take my suggestion and give me the 6-Speed Transmission that I have always wanted it’d be awesome if you could go ahead and put in 3.73 gears in the GT. I’d even let you get away with 3.55. Just don’t put 3.27 gears back in a Mustang GT. Please….

10. Bring Back the Cobra
My heart aches at the thought of having no new Cobra to buy. Bring back the SVT glory days. I want the team that put together the amazingly awesome 2003 Cobra to come back and bring me a 2010 Mustang Cobra. Leave Shelby out of it. He can have his Shelby GT to play around with. The Cobra belongs to Ford’s Special Vehicle Team. It’s just how it’s suppose to be.

So there you have it. The ten things that I would love to see happen for the next Mustang. You don’t have to agree with me on all points but I hope that you can at least agree with me on some of the points above. I am very excited and at the same time nervous at what the future holds for the Mustang. Ford’s financial problems have left me with an uneasiness that the next Mustang will lose the magic that it has held for over 40 years. I have faith in the Mustang community though. We will fight to the end to save one of the most respected cars in America’s history. I mean we did save it from the dreaded Probe…

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