2009 Ford Mustang Changes: What Would You Like To See?

[Dark02Pony]

What kinda changes would all ya'll like to see for the 2009 Mustang body style?

• Hips like the charger and 09 camaro?
• Continue the retro look?
• Take a whole new look in general for the mustang as some say you can't go foward if you build backwards.
• What kind of interior options would you like to be added that arent part of past years?
• Heated seats?
• Paddle-shifter?
• 6speed manual transmission for all models (of course a 5spd automatic available as well)?

Discuss it.. throw up your ideas.

[PureVenom]

- 6 speed manual standard in all V8s.
- A boss 302 AND 429 model offerend in manual tranny only
- The return of the 302 using the Ford Racing 5.0 Cammer (this could be the boss 302 package)
- A loss of about 500 pounds...
* This can be acheived by using light weight suspension parts like vettes do, an all aluminum block, etc.
- An available IRS that actually functions properly...
- A move away from the off road 4x4 look
- A new direction away from the retro look.
* Something curvy, yet mean looking.
* Something that commands respect when you see it.
* Nothing that looks like a space ship like that sketch does yet something in a completely new direction that does not add 2 doors like GM wend and done.
* Remove all the damn scoops unless you are going to make them functional and integrated, not stick on ricer bullshit.
- A much nicer fitting interior...I think the 05/06 interior is leaps and bounds above the pre-05....only improve on the fit and finish.
- Better fit and finish on the exterior...don't half ass the hoods and leave all kinds of rough shit everywhere and not paint under the hood. The underside of my hood looks like bubba cut a couple holes in the hood and glued some extra parts he had laying around his trailer to make the heat vents...then gave it a quick once by pass with rustoleum...not to mention the masking tape that was just left stuck on there as well.

Better pricing would be nice if none of the improvements above are implemented. 22+k for a decent V6 and upwards of 28+k for a decent GT is rediculous in my book. Maybe the new craparo and the charger will help get the prices down.

[PureVenom]

Oh yeah...and how about a self supporting hood and ditch the cheap ass prop rod? I mean, is this 1906 or 2006? Let's get with the times ford...come on...

How about hoods stamped out of sheet metal instead of the super heavy fiberglass that is there now that breaks easily with the aftermarket hood prop kits if they tweak a little opening or closing.

And...how about a 50/50, or damn near 50/50 weight distribution (aluminum block, sheet metal hood, light weight suspension components, and you should get pretty close)

[Brent]

I agree on the all V8's get a 6 Speed Manual. GM has been doing this for years and years and is something I really love about the Firebirds and Camaro's

[Dark02Pony]

Quote: Originally Posted by Smurfin Oh yeah...and how about a self supporting hood and ditch the cheap ass prop rod? I mean, is this 1906 or 2006? Let's get with the times ford...come on... How about hoods stamped out of sheet metal instead of the super heavy fiberglass that is there now that breaks easily with the aftermarket hood prop kits if they tweak a little opening or closing. And...how about a 50/50, or damn near 50/50 weight distribution (aluminum block, sheet metal hood, light weight suspension components, and you should get pretty close)

As for making fiberglass hoods, fiberglass hoods are cheaper to make correct ? Right now Ford needs all the money they can get since their sales arent what they used to be.If the can save tons of money by making a cheaper part..they'll definitely do so. Personally id love a stronger hood w/o a prop-rod(it gets in the way sometimes too if your doing a big job, its much easier having hydrolic-lifts like somebody makes for the 99-04(the company name is slipping my mind right now) As for a better weight distribution, i think thats why ford has not been able to catch the speeds of chevys or hemis..we dont have enough power out of these mustangs and the weight sure as hell does not help it any. Ford definitely has to put a lot of thinking into all these ideas if they want to have any chance at the challenger or camaro.

[MarkuzLS1]

Quote: Originally Posted by Dark02Pony i think thats why ford has not been able to catch the speeds of chevys or hemis..we dont have enough power out of these mustangs and the weight sure as hell does not help it any. Ford definitely has to put a lot of thinking into all these ideas if they want to have any chance at the challenger or camaro.

It didn't hurt sales before. The stock F-Bodies were faster from sometime in the mid-80's all the way 'til '02. The Mustangs still sold them out of existance.

[Dark02Pony]

Quote: Originally Posted by MarkuzLS1 It didn't hurt sales before. The stock F-Bodies were faster from sometime in the mid-80's all the way 'til '02. The Mustangs still sold them out of existance.

I dont mean just mustang sales vs camaro or firebird ect. I mean past the mustang(the full ford lineup) hasnt been what it used to be lately causing ford to close plants and cutt back jobs.If ford could get the chance to save $ by using cheaper parts they most likely will wether it be on a mustang or explorer.

[DarkShadow]

Ford's problem is that they don't like to update things. If they have any new line of vehicles, it's usually based off an existing platform, they don't like inventing new technology. This is what hurts them, GM is always doing new stuff.

I would like to see the interior go more luxury that's for sure, long trips and long sits suck in Mustangs.

[Brent]

Quote: Originally Posted by DarkShadow Ford's problem is that they don't like to update things. If they have any new line of vehicles, it's usually based off an existing platform, they don't like inventing new technology. This is what hurts them, GM is always doing new stuff. I would like to see the interior go more luxury that's for sure, long trips and long sits suck in Mustangs.

uh you act like GM isn't hurting.....

[DarkShadow]

Well yes, they are hurting, but at least GM is redoing stuff trying to keep sales up rather than Ford just going "Oh crap, our 25 year old designs aren't cutting it anymore....Oh well"

[Brent]

Quote: Originally Posted by DarkShadow Well yes, they are hurting, but at least GM is redoing stuff trying to keep sales up rather than Ford just going "Oh crap, our 25 year old designs aren't cutting it anymore....Oh well"

What is GM doing that is so grand? Last time I checked the 05 GT had a completely new platform.... not 25 years old.

GM is throwing SS on everything. That isn't new. They are adding 4 doors to the Charger... that is retarded.

They are just as retarded as Ford in their marketing

[Dark02Pony]

Quote: Originally Posted by Brent What is GM doing that is so grand? Last time I checked the 05 GT had a completely new platform.... not 25 years old. GM is throwing SS on everything. That isn't new. They are adding 4 doors to the Charger... that is retarded. They are just as retarded as Ford in their marketing

Dodge isnt GM brent ..unless your talking about dodge also.

[DarkShadow]

Quote: Originally Posted by Brent What is GM doing that is so grand? Last time I checked the 05 GT had a completely new platform.... not 25 years old. GM is throwing SS on everything. That isn't new. They are adding 4 doors to the Charger... that is retarded. They are just as retarded as Ford in their marketing

Yes the GT was new, what's another totally new vehicle from Ford?
Dodge did the Charger and is their own story.
At least the SS thing does come with a few upgrades, although trivial, at least they're trying to spark more interest in existing models.
They redesigned the Cavalier into the Cobalt, redesigned the Corvette, brought back the GTO (such as it is), came up with new vehicles like the Solstice, even saturn is trying a little harder, they started working on the cylinder shut off technology long before Ford decided to get it's feet wet in it. They came up with the Avalanche, a somewhat new idea on the old El Camino. They like putting 6 speeds in things that should have them (and better autos), On-Star, XM radio contracts, I think Ford JUST got Sirius didn't they-finally, they have more packages with models than Ford does, etc. I just think they are trying harder than Ford is.

[Brent]

Quote: Originally Posted by DarkShadow Yes the GT was new, what's another totally new vehicle from Ford? Dodge did the Charger and is their own story. At least the SS thing does come with a few upgrades, although trivial, at least they're trying to spark more interest in existing models. They redesigned the Cavalier into the Cobalt, redesigned the Corvette, brought back the GTO (such as it is), came up with new vehicles like the Solstice, even saturn is trying a little harder, they started working on the cylinder shut off technology long before Ford decided to get it's feet wet in it. They came up with the Avalanche, a somewhat new idea on the old El Camino. They like putting 6 speeds in things that should have them (and better autos), On-Star, XM radio contracts, I think Ford JUST got Sirius didn't they-finally, they have more packages with models than Ford does, etc. I just think they are trying harder than Ford is.

umm Ford Fusion

The GTO is a Grand Prix with Kick

[SpectorV]

ford is going to do as little as possible to sell the cars... dont expect much and if we do get alot the price will definatly raise...

[DarkShadow]

Quote: Originally Posted by Brent umm Ford Fusion The GTO is a Grand Prix with Kick

Well even so, what platform has Ford done this with?

[PureVenom]

Oh yeah...and another option I would like to see is an available T-Top version...

[Brent]

Quote: Originally Posted by Smurfin Oh yeah...and another option I would like to see is an available T-Top version...

YES!!!! T-Tops PLEASE

[dark]

Quote: Originally Posted by DarkShadow Well even so, what platform has Ford done this with?

ford reflex concept

[SpectorV]

t tops look very odd on 94-06 mustangs very odd.... they just arent designed for them. A targa top would look better.

[dark]

^true

[Brent]

Quote: Originally Posted by SpectorV t tops look very odd on 94-06 mustangs very odd.... they just arent designed for them. A targa top would look better.

That's why this is a thread for the 2009 Mustang....

[Nite-Mare]

The 4.6 3valve is cool and all, but I'd like to see an engine with more displacement go into a factory stang. Oh yeah, all wheel drive would be the ****!

[MarkuzLS1]

Quote: Originally Posted by Nite-Mare The 4.6 3valve is cool and all, but I'd like to see an engine with more displacement go into a factory stang. Oh yeah, all wheel drive would be the ****!

You can't have an all wheel drive Mustang! That would be sacralidge. Mustangs, Camaros, and Firebirds must be rear wheel drive. That is the only way.

[PureVenom]

Quote: Originally Posted by MarkuzLS1 You can't have an all wheel drive Mustang! That would be sacralidge. Mustangs, Camaros, and Firebirds must be rear wheel drive. That is the only way.

+1

RWD, Displacement, and Torque....

We don't need no stinking front wheel power....

[DarkShadow]

Quote: Originally Posted by dark ford reflex concept

And the likely hood of that one coming out...

Ford should start bringing back it's big performance franchise like Chevy did with the SS series...Oh...it doesn't have one other than SVT which was never really used for much anyway and their new Adrenaline...did it ever even see the light of day?

[Brent]

Quote: Originally Posted by DarkShadow And the likely hood of that one coming out... Ford should start bringing back it's big performance franchise like Chevy did with the SS series...Oh...it doesn't have one other than SVT which was never really used for much anyway and their new Adrenaline...did it ever even see the light of day?

http://www.fordvehicles.com/cars/fusion/

I'd say pretty good.. SINCE ITS OUT

[Kyle]

in the world of gumdrops and lollipops, all these suggestions would go in and we would all have 600hp mustangs that run $25k.........but in a realistic world, that will never happen, and here's why:

like every other successful business, ford's main concern is money, their production numbers and sales are second, employees are third, and the customer maybe comes in at fourth, possibly. anyway, with fords markups on their vehicles (or at least what we pay for them) is almost the cost of ford to make two mustangs. all these things are nice to have, but that means the cost to make a stang would skyrocket and there would be $50k GT's. lighter drivetrain parts are better yes, but also cost more over the "old school" parts, and therefore will cost more, all these things will substantially add up in the end. we can talk 25 hrs a day and 8 days a week on what needs to be done to make the ultimate stang, and maybe if one of us were at the top, it might happen, but ford's pennypinchers arent gonna have that. they live by the phrase "if it aint broke dont fix it". they arent gonna add all this good shit in the car b/c they are already "good enough". if you have a V6 and bitch about how you are gettin beaten by other V6s in family sedans (3.5 altimas/maximas, for example) they would just tell you "buy the next faster thing then". if ford did any of this, you would have a 4 passenger vette essentially for half the price. it just wont happen. yeah you could argue that the z28 was a 4 passenger vette in a sense (same ls1 motor), but the ls1 in the vette puts out more power and the build quality of the vette is slightly better than that of the z28.

we can all hope and dream, but in the end, thats all its gonna be........b/c when it comes to a car it can be either be:
a) fast
b) cheap
c) realiable

pick two b/c you will NEVER have all three..............

[DarkShadow]

Quote: Originally Posted by Brent http://www.fordvehicles.com/cars/fusion/ I'd say pretty good.. SINCE ITS OUT

Umm...I was referring to the Reflex.

[Brent]

Well you didn't respond to my post at all answering your question about what is Ford doing.

[DarkShadow]

Quote: Originally Posted by DarkShadow Well even so, what platform has Ford done this with?

[Brent]

It's based on the Mazda 6 Platform

I fail to see you care what platform it is on...

Its something new which is all that matters. 99% of the people that buy the Fusion don't care what platform the car is based off of.

[DarkShadow]

I realize this, but why does Ford not do something, even on existing platforms, like Pontiac did with the GTO, Chevy did with the Cobalt and Avalanche, etc? Ford doesn't have to make a brand new car (it would be nice though), all they have to do is "remake" existing ones that will spark some interest. And no the Ford 500 or Freestyle do not count. That is not interesting. The Fusion is somewhat interesting, but not enough.

Here's an idea, how about bringing back the Ranchero? They could probably take the Explorer platfrom for that...Or the Bronco...or the Galaxie, that could be Ford's new super luxury vehicle with a nice little 4.6...

All I've been trying to say this whole time is that Ford could be trying more than just watching their sales plummet and say "Oh well, we don't feel like trying something new"...There are many things they could do, and yet they don't do it. Is this clear enough now?

[JokerGT]

I think alot of you guys are missing out on something very important. You're calling for expensive things. The more expensive the parts, the more expensive the car. The whole idea of the Mustang is cheap performance.

But, I think an upgrade in creature comforts would be nice. Just mainly seats. I think a bigger option list would be good.

I do agree about the weight, alot. I think the car needs to be made smaller in terms of size and weight. The Mustang is suppose to be a small horse, it's a boat of a car. We need to get closer to get close to the Fox Body weight.

And I'd love to see an actual coupe.

[RGR]

Quote: Originally Posted by MarkuzLS1 It didn't hurt sales before. The stock F-Bodies were faster from sometime in the mid-80's all the way 'til '02. The Mustangs still sold them out of existance.

Mostly because they were just barely slower, cheaper, and easier to modify.
Not to mention better quality according to many. Pete @ v6power was on the
f-body design team at GM and also said this. He's now at Ford.