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  • 2005 - 2014 S-197 Mustang -General/Talk-

2012 Mustang GT Premium nitpicks

  • Thread starter Thread starter DavidPR
  • Start date Start date Sep 22, 2011

DavidPR

New Member
Jun 25, 2011
27
0
1
Sep 22, 2011
#1
  • Sep 22, 2011
  • #1
I am the proud owner of a new 2012 Mustang GT premium, performance white, Roush AB exhaust, 3.73 gears, brembos, and appearance package with scoops, louvers, and spoiler.

I am pretty happy with it, but I'd like to point out some things that could be improved. Just nitpicking (or is it knit-picking? I forgot the spelling):

There is a compartment latch right where I like to rest my right elbow, so I tend to open it inadvertently while I am driving. Also, it is metallic so it gets very hot in the summer.

When you open the doors, the window rolls down a little. This leads to an ugly clunk when you close them. Nothing like a nice German-style thud upon closing the door. Sounds cheap and lame, and I don't get the use of it.

Skip shift! It is useless and pointless, and plain aggravating. I also believe that it could be a safety hazard. This is a sports car, not an economy car.

Some of the interior surfaces are very reflective: This leads to some interior glare problems at certain times in sunny days, and also some surfaces getting very hot in the summer.

Ford’s Sync has issues communicating with my iPod. I am aware there is a software update for that but that is just another annoying service visit.

The glove compartment and map pockets are tiny and useless. I know, this is a sports car, but anyway, looks like there is poor use of space. Also, some utility is the reason I drive this car as opposed to, say, a 2 seater. I appreciate the rear seats where my kids ride sometimes and the usable trunk.

Finally, although my manual transmission is fine so far, can't help but to cringe at all the problems others are having. I feel it is keeping me from adding a few mods to my car with the fear that if the tranny breaks I would lose the warranty, even though it would have been defective from the start.
 

katmando911

Member
Jan 11, 2011
112
0
16
Gilbert, AZ
Sep 22, 2011
#2
  • Sep 22, 2011
  • #2
DavidPR said:
There is a compartment latch right where I like to rest my right elbow, so I tend to open it inadvertently while I am driving. Also, it is metallic so it gets very hot in the summer.
Click to expand...

I have the same issue with my 2011 GT:CS, you can at least try locking it to keep it from popping up. The lock is located in the cup holder area.

DavidPR said:
When you open the doors, the window rolls down a little. This leads to an ugly clunk when you close them. Nothing like a nice German-style thud upon closing the door. Sounds cheap and lame, and I don't get the use of it.
Click to expand...

I think that this is to prevent any stress on the glass from the window hitting the car. It should roll right back up after the door is shut to create a good seal

DavidPR said:
Skip shift! It is useless and pointless, and plain aggravating. I also believe that it could be a safety hazard. This is a sports car, not an economy car.
Click to expand...

This can be fixed with an aftermarket tune but you may want to just put up with it until your warranty is over because Ford has a TSB which could potentially void some warranty work if you have a tune.

DavidPR said:
Some of the interior surfaces are very reflective: This leads to some interior glare problems at certain times in sunny days, and also some surfaces getting very hot in the summer.
Click to expand...

I agree 100% the chrome surface right next to the center A/C vent is especially annoying when it's reflecting sunlight right into my eyes.

DavidPR said:
Ford’s Sync has issues communicating with my iPod. I am aware there is a software update for that but that is just another annoying service visit.
Click to expand...

I've had issues with my bluetooth acting funky and needing to clear out all of the settings to get it to work correctly but my old 60GB iPod has been working fine. I do have an older version of Sync that you do though (no AppLink for 2011 yet)

DavidPR said:
Finally, although my manual transmission is fine so far, can't help but to cringe at all the problems others are having. I feel it is keeping me from adding a few mods to my car with the fear that if the tranny breaks I would lose the warranty, even though it would have been defective from the start.
Click to expand...

I was on the fence regarding which transmission to go with but after Ford released the TSB about problems with the manual transmission I was glad I went with an Automatic.
 

streethorse

15 Year Member
Oct 8, 2005
1,042
6
58
Dallas Texas
Sep 22, 2011
#3
  • Sep 22, 2011
  • #3
All this talk about finiky problems with the 5.0 cars is not makin
me feel all warm and fuzzy about upgrading. My 06 is still rock solid.
Ill wait till the smoke clears before I buy a 2012+
 

Ateup

Active Member
Sep 21, 2009
748
2
28
Sep 22, 2011
#4
  • Sep 22, 2011
  • #4
These are pet peeves and not problems. There is no perfect car for everyone. You don't like the way your door sounds when you shut it? Really?
 

Nuar

Founding Member
Apr 16, 2002
570
0
16
NB, CT
Sep 22, 2011
#5
  • Sep 22, 2011
  • #5
The way i look at it, is ford makes these cars and you can modify them in any way you like im planning on getting the new 5.0 in spring and first things im doing is exhaust, shifter and shocks/struts and springs. I cant wait!
The trim... meh, i have chrome (polished billet) in my car that I added and i like it if i dont like the chrom trim of the 2012, ill just paint them high gloss black
 

Svtpilot

Founding Member
Jun 16, 2002
944
59
59
Long Island, NY
Sep 23, 2011
#6
  • Sep 23, 2011
  • #6
streethorse said:
All this talk about finiky problems with the 5.0 cars is not makin
me feel all warm and fuzzy about upgrading. My 06 is still rock solid.
Ill wait till the smoke clears before I buy a 2012+
Click to expand...

IMHO none of these are a reason not to buy are car. That are not real problems, just nitpicks as the OP said. No company can build a car that will make everyone 100% happy, everyone is different. I have a '10 which has the same interior as a '12 and I never accidentally open the console compartment, but maybe I'm taller or shorter, or wider, or rest my elbow differently the the OP.The windows going down, is probably due to the fact that there is no frame around the glass and this allows for a better seal, with out shattering the glass if the door is slammed.
I would say that if you are happy with the interior of your '06 you will have probably be happy with a '12.
 

Az Pete

10 Year Member
Mar 30, 2005
711
18
49
Panama City, Fl.
Sep 23, 2011
#7
  • Sep 23, 2011
  • #7
I gotta stop reading these type posts......it is a car.....

unplug skip shift(I did 9000 miles ago),
 
Reactions: Ford4me

Noobz347

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor
Admin Dude
Jan 4, 1985
43,024
21,205
234
Box behind Walmart
Sep 23, 2011
#8
  • Sep 23, 2011
  • #8
The window rolling down when the door is open... are the hard tops doing that too or just the verts?

If the hard tops are doing it, then I'm sure there's a way to disable it.
 

Az Pete

10 Year Member
Mar 30, 2005
711
18
49
Panama City, Fl.
Sep 23, 2011
#9
  • Sep 23, 2011
  • #9
The windows roll down just a bit on all the Mustangs since '05. That is so the glass will clear the plastic trim on the roof line. It allows a tight seal on the window. Disabling it would cause the glass to drag over the plastic and break the window......
 

Ronin38

Blow all the things!
15 Year Member
Dec 18, 2010
7,154
4,338
224
Dayton, OH
Sep 23, 2011
#10
  • Sep 23, 2011
  • #10
I agree with the peeves about the map pockets and reflective trim around the center vents. I have not had a problem with the the size of the glove box, since I discovered the "shelf" near the top that holds the owner's manual/packet in place above the main area.

My other main "peeve" is that there aren't any convenient cubby-holes for the cell phone and/or wallet. I don't like having the phone bouncing around in the center bin with the other stuff.

Besides that, I am really enjoying this car!
 

StreetsideStig

Active Member
Feb 22, 2011
1,012
48
48
Sep 23, 2011
#11
  • Sep 23, 2011
  • #11
Skip shift is laaaaaame.
 

Red_LX

I’m not much help unless you’re looking for ****!
Founding Member
Nov 29, 1999
5,896
73
129
Morgantown, WV...where couches meet their doom
Sep 23, 2011
#12
  • Sep 23, 2011
  • #12
DavidPR said:
When you open the doors, the window rolls down a little. This leads to an ugly clunk when you close them. Nothing like a nice German-style thud upon closing the door. Sounds cheap and lame, and I don't get the use of it.
Click to expand...

FYI...the purpose of that is to create a better window seal with the frameless windows. The Challenger is like that too, and I'd hazard the Camaro is as well.
 

LAVAgt2012

Well-Known Member
Aug 11, 2011
1,098
28
58
Panama City, FL
Sep 23, 2011
#13
  • Sep 23, 2011
  • #13
Ronin38 said:
I agree with the peeves about the map pockets and reflective trim around the center vents. I have not had a problem with the the size of the glove box, since I discovered the "shelf" near the top that holds the owner's manual/packet in place above the main area.

My other main "peeve" is that there aren't any convenient cubby-holes for the cell phone and/or wallet. I don't like having the phone bouncing around in the center bin with the other stuff.

Besides that, I am really enjoying this car!
Click to expand...

My cup holder makes a great cubby for my phone/wallet since there are no drinks in the car
 

Benny

Founding Member
Jun 1, 2001
414
0
16
Katy, Texas
Sep 25, 2011
#14
  • Sep 25, 2011
  • #14
Lock your console compartment
paint the fake chrome strip to match the lid
Indexing windows actually come on high end cars not cheap!
I can't believe anyone actually goes slow enough to engage the skip shift.
Interior refective glare?? If it's that Sunny you should be wearing sunglasses!!!

Enjoy your car for the price Ford has done an outstanding job.
 

Ronin38

Blow all the things!
15 Year Member
Dec 18, 2010
7,154
4,338
224
Dayton, OH
Sep 25, 2011
#15
  • Sep 25, 2011
  • #15
LAVAgt2012 said:
My cup holder makes a great cubby for my phone/wallet since there are no drinks in the car
Click to expand...

I don't usually have drinks in the car, either, but would like to use that area for my armrest.
 
K

kromwell

New Member
Aug 17, 2010
2
0
0
Sep 25, 2011
#16
  • Sep 25, 2011
  • #16
Red_LX said:
FYI...the purpose of that is to create a better window seal with the frameless windows. The Challenger is like that too, and I'd hazard the Camaro is as well.
Click to expand...

350z's and G35's have done that since 03 as well.... very common feature for frameless windows.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk
 

LAVAgt2012

Well-Known Member
Aug 11, 2011
1,098
28
58
Panama City, FL
Sep 26, 2011
#17
  • Sep 26, 2011
  • #17
Ronin38 said:
I don't usually have drinks in the car, either, but would like to use that area for my armrest.
Click to expand...

Me 2, but I can still close mine....Figuring my phone is pretty small (don't have the newer ones still old slide style) and I don't carry a full size wall pretty much a piece of leather with a money clip inside
 

Ford4me

Active Member
Oct 24, 2011
121
6
28
Arlington VA and Rowlett Texas
Dec 9, 2011
#18
  • Dec 9, 2011
  • #18
Az Pete said:
I gotta stop reading these type posts......it is a car.....

unplug skip shift(I did 9000 miles ago),
Click to expand...
Nice CS ....
 

Az Pete

10 Year Member
Mar 30, 2005
711
18
49
Panama City, Fl.
Dec 10, 2011
#19
  • Dec 10, 2011
  • #19
Thanks.............
 

NoVA Mike

New Member
Dec 5, 2011
4
0
1
Alexandria, VA
Dec 13, 2011
#20
  • Dec 13, 2011
  • #20
I definitely agree about the cheap sounding door "clunk-rattle". I test drove the Challenger when deciding and noticed that the door gave a deep, satisfying, and solid sounding "Boomph!". The 300 SRT8 I used to have had that solid door feel and sound also. I guess you have to hear it to know. I recommend stopping by a dealership just to sample the sound.
 
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