Dissapointed in the new Stang

I thought Ford did a fine job on the engine compartment.

What's wrong with the cast magnesium valve covers? I thought they were cool.

trunk space is more with the shaker 1000 versus the mach 1000

i think the exterior of the car makes it bland and looks like a sedan. the rims are also horrible along with the balloon rims.

but the suspension and engine atleast compared to the last model

Interesting conversation-I am actually thinking of selling my '86 Porsche 911 Cab and buying the '05 GT for a new driving experience. Am I crazy?

bjayz said:

Interesting conversation-I am actually thinking of selling my '86 Porsche 911 Cab and buying the '05 GT for a new driving experience. Am I crazy?

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Pics? I'd say yes you are crazy. but I dislike the new 05's styling. I'd rather wait for the Cobra and hope it's face lifted nicely or supercharge this 99 that I have.

JonJon said:

Pics? I'd say yes you are crazy. but I dislike the new 05's styling. I'd rather wait for the Cobra and hope it's face lifted nicely or supercharge this 99 that I have.

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No your not crazy. It's called lean mean and clean styling without all the extra tacked on crapola.

Lacuna Coil said:

No your not crazy. It's called lean mean and clean styling without all the extra tacked on crapola.

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doesn't have to have tacked on stuff, but have SOMETHING so it isn't bland like a granny sedan


and those goofy fog lights don't count

The 5.0 cammer is on sale through ford performance for $14,960. Through that in for the cost of the other cars and you have yourself a pertty polished engine pit

Drove one and was impressed

Drove an 05 GT 5 speed just the other day - amazing how this happened, but the truth; drove into the dealership, NO salespeople were present - just the receptionist at the desk. She said no one was around, and tossed me the keys to the stang. Took it on a 25 mile jaunt. I'm not a young guy, but still enjoy burning rubber with the best of them. After I creeped out of the lot the car easily smoked tires for what seemed like 10 feet in first gear. Second gear pulled strong, spun the tires, car stepped sideways about a foot at the gear change. Hit the rev limiter and had to slow down for traffic. I repeated this juvenile activity about 10 times. A guy in a camaro followed me back to the dealership, then HE took the car out for a ride. I gotta believe that if you are seriously considering buying this car, save money for tires (and bigger ones at that). Re disappointments in the car: car does feel good on the road, has a compliant ride, has obvious power. Interior is a nice change in my opinion - so what if the gauges are hard to read (it is interesting that the old dash designs we now think are outdated can be made to look so good). I like the big fog lamps in a rally-car sort of way - looks like Shelby treatment. Shifter is great - good action, positive engagement (better than my Audi). Clutch has good feel and easy take up. Car I drove had leather interior (red) - very comfortable. Engine bay seemed to be a random assortment of tubes, wire, pumps, etc. - but aren't most cars today? Car does need more tire - 235mm is just not enough. Also, tires look lost in the wheel wells - but I figure Ford left lots of room for aftermarket upgrades and quarter mile rubber. Car does seem to understeer a lot on high speed turns - took it around a traffic rotary (small one) 3 times - there was some body lean and plowing that I though shouldn't be there. I give the car a big thumbs up - faster than my 65 K code (obviously), much more refined (but their both worth about the same) . Failed to mention that I did all this with the traction control on.

I kind of like it in person but in magazines it doesnt look so hot. Saw a white one on the road today and it looked bad. Just needs a set of wheels and tires for me.

Heck, I'm pretty picky myself. I bought a 2000 GT and hated it. I would compare it to my 1993 and notice all the things the 2000 was lacking:

1. No underhood light. 1993 has one.

2. I think it didn't have a glove compartment light. 1993 does.

3. Leather seats were not all leather (leather seating surfaces vinal back seat and rear of front seats. (My 1993 has Flofits but I just thought this was cheap on the 2000.

4. Space. I fit my 6' long Procharger box and an 8.8 rear end in the '93. The 2000 was worthless for carrying things. All trunks since 1994 are worthless!

5. Headlight switch. The headlight switch is a hell of a lot cooler on the 1993. I think they used a original 1965 swith on the 2000.

6. Distributor (didn't even put one on in 2000). j/k

7. 1993 has a nice mustang horse on the hood insulation (nice touch). 2000 dosnt have anything.

8. Freaken seats did not recline all the way because they used same seats in convertable. I slept many of nights fully reclined in the 93.

I definately did not get into the 2000 and say WOW they have really improved on the old design. If anything, it rode a little better. I think the 2005 is missing the same stuff as the 2000 plus the 2005 has the added missing feature of a open trunk button in the glovebox.

What happened to that cool plenum cover that said "Powered by Ford" on the 2005. Damn that was cool. It ranked up there with the hood insulation horse on the 1993.

PlatinumDevil said:

I agree that I am being overly picky... but once the initial dissapointment hit, i just kind of went down a landslide of dissapointments. So i'll clean up my original post with slightly less opinionated facts, ok well not really, but here they are in point form:
CONS-
1) Engine bay looks terrible (admit it)
2) Exhaust is rusting on the showroom floor
3) Interior is well designed and comfy, it just didn't appeal to me, maybe it was the color that turned me off, or just the way the seats look in comparison to the concept.
4)Trunk is small IMO (my Z34's trunk is at least 3 times the size of the mustangs... the car is also probably an easy 3 feet longer, but now you know where im coming from)
5) Tires are just too damn small, i realise that these tires are the right width for the way this car handles, but im a sucker for the big wide tires.

PROS
1) price, most bang for your buck, in true pony car fashion
2) fastest and best handling mustang to date (i disagree, but we'll let that one slide)'
3) shifter and clutch and tranny done very well
4) stock stereo sounds amazing
5) exterior looks are simply amazing

--Really, the car for me is going to have to be the Cobra i think. The mustang thats, well, less cheap.

Whoever said that when they buy a car they look at just the good things... thats the worst way to look at it, unless you KNOW what your buying before you go shopping. If I was looking at just the good things i might be inclined to buy a korean death machine... err i mean Kia. Theyre worth like a week's worth of work and get decent mileage... SOLD! i'll just ignore the fact that the car belongs in the junkyard once its rolled off the dealership lot.

PS: Once i started listing things wrong i just kept going, like really, Do I care if the mustang has a big trunk? No... only going in there ever would be subs and maybe an icescraper. Interior wise? the last 2 cars i bought i dont even think i looked at the interior, I got the one home and noticed the back seat was missing. So yes, from a mustang driver's perspective... Most of my con's aren't going to play a role in what i buy anyways.

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you didn't even mention how the exterior looks my main gripe

My local dealer finally got a couple of 05s in this week so I got to sit in one for the first time. I have to say that the car definitely looks better in person than in most of the pics I've seen. I was lukewarm to the look of the car from the side in pics, but it looks "right" seeing the car for real.

Observations (keep in mind I'm no car expert and own an 04 GT vert):

- Pleasantly surprised that the car looks better in real life
- Interior looks great to the eye, but components feel noticeably "plasticky", especially the a/c vents which look exactly like what are in the F-150. This car had the interior upgrade package so they had chrome looking outer rings and the vents were a silver looking plastic. MGW might have an opportunity here. Still, cosmetically way better looking than the stock 04.
- Pedals look a little smaller than 04 stock, no dead pedal for left foot, pedals seem more on the same plane than 04 - accelerator is still a little lower than clutch and brake but not as much
- Shifter felt very different from 04 - less distance between gears (not sure what this is called, but the stick doesn't move as far between each gear)
- Seats definitely hold you better than my 04, the sides kind of keep you from sliding sideways
- Center console felt higher. Not sure if it really is or not, it just felt higher relative to the seat
- Dashboard is flat on driver and passenger sides as opposed to the bubbles on the 04. Reminds me of what I remember of my sister's 68 stang.
- Radio cosmetically looked like what is in my friend's F-150
- Still no room in the back seat (didn't expect it and who cares)
- Hood & trunk sounded like composite, but couldn't tell for sure. Gaps along hood, trunk, doors, panels all looked perfect.
- Trunk lock surround looks cool - too bad they can't put the fuel door there (I know, not a smart place for it)
- Sticker was around $28k, but dealer had a $4k "limited availability" hand written markup bringing it to $32k. I asked when that was going away, and the sales guy said they only expected to get 20 GTs for the year, so it might stay on. I said good luck ...

Overall, as an "average" GT buyer, I thought the car was impressive. I won't be trading the 04 in any time soon, but I think the 05 will make any GT fan very happy. Looking forward to the vert next year.

Respectfully,

TheDBA

When I first seen it in the mags etc. I wasnt too sure I was gonna like it,then it grew on me,but wasnt sure I cared for the dash. Saturday,went into the local dealer and they had a red V-6.I fell in love right there,loved everything about it,the dash too.Just so happened they were rearranging the showroom so I got to drive it,very nice,although I would get the GT when and if I do.

They are having a special get together for previous Mustang buyers Thurs. night which I cant make because I work and they will be showing the GT.I guess I will go in again Saturday and check it out.Doubt I will be able to buy one yet because of the low trade value on the older GT's. The V-6 is selling for just over $20,000.The new manager there says they wont jack the prices clear up like the previous manager liked to do.Will have to wait and see I guess. Hell,I only have just over 5500 miles on my 02 so unless they shoot me one hell of a deal I will have to pass.I was seriously looking at getting a Kenne Bell for mine next year until I seen the new Mustang,now it is gonna be a tough decision.

Anyway,my opinion.....I really like the new Mustangs.I think Ford did good on this one.

disappointed in 05 mustang

Guys i'm kinda new to your forum. I usually just read the posts and tech articles. But this time i gotta speak up about this "disappointing" mustang.
Face the facts man Ford did cut a few corners. but they did it with guys like us in mind. i mean inexpensive pricetag, respectable performance, good handling, built for the masses.
they kept the fox platform since '77 from the fairmont and just kept modding it til now. We should all be very grateful they gave us a totally new stang to play with. heck it's 1965 all over again. i'm gonna play with my stang til i croak. bottom line is if you don't like this new car then buy something else.

Den said:

Heck, I'm pretty picky myself. I bought a 2000 GT and hated it. I would compare it to my 1993 and notice all the things the 2000 was lacking:

1. No underhood light. 1993 has one.

2. I think it didn't have a glove compartment light. 1993 does.

3. Leather seats were not all leather (leather seating surfaces vinal back seat and rear of front seats. (My 1993 has Flofits but I just thought this was cheap on the 2000.

4. Space. I fit my 6' long Procharger box and an 8.8 rear end in the '93. The 2000 was worthless for carrying things. All trunks since 1994 are worthless!

5. Headlight switch. The headlight switch is a hell of a lot cooler on the 1993. I think they used a original 1965 swith on the 2000.

6. Distributor (didn't even put one on in 2000). j/k

7. 1993 has a nice mustang horse on the hood insulation (nice touch). 2000 dosnt have anything.

8. Freaken seats did not recline all the way because they used same seats in convertable. I slept many of nights fully reclined in the 93.

I definately did not get into the 2000 and say WOW they have really improved on the old design. If anything, it rode a little better. I think the 2005 is missing the same stuff as the 2000 plus the 2005 has the added missing feature of a open trunk button in the glovebox.

What happened to that cool plenum cover that said "Powered by Ford" on the 2005. Damn that was cool. It ranked up there with the hood insulation horse on the 1993.

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dont forget how the bean counter left out the lighted vanity mirrors (i have a 90 and a 04 mach)

Oh ya! I for got about the visor mirrors. Girlfriend would not stop b______g about that one. How much could all this stuff cost Ford?

this will be the best selling Mustang ever. So you must have been drunk or high when you looked at them. go look at one sober and you'l change your mind. ALso, have to drive one to understand the improvments ,made to the front & rear suspension.

sounds like you ought to keep your 93

Den said:

Heck, I'm pretty picky myself. I bought a 2000 GT and hated it. I would compare it to my 1993 and notice all the things the 2000 was lacking:

1. No underhood light. 1993 has one.

2. I think it didn't have a glove compartment light. 1993 does.

3. Leather seats were not all leather (leather seating surfaces vinal back seat and rear of front seats. (My 1993 has Flofits but I just thought this was cheap on the 2000.

4. Space. I fit my 6' long Procharger box and an 8.8 rear end in the '93. The 2000 was worthless for carrying things. All trunks since 1994 are worthless!

5. Headlight switch. The headlight switch is a hell of a lot cooler on the 1993. I think they used a original 1965 swith on the 2000.

6. Distributor (didn't even put one on in 2000). j/k

7. 1993 has a nice mustang horse on the hood insulation (nice touch). 2000 dosnt have anything.

8. Freaken seats did not recline all the way because they used same seats in convertable. I slept many of nights fully reclined in the 93.

I definately did not get into the 2000 and say WOW they have really improved on the old design. If anything, it rode a little better. I think the 2005 is missing the same stuff as the 2000 plus the 2005 has the added missing feature of a open trunk button in the glovebox.

What happened to that cool plenum cover that said "Powered by Ford" on the 2005. Damn that was cool. It ranked up there with the hood insulation horse on the 1993.

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I've got a 1990 LX 5.0 & like it I'm even looking for clean 1992 but my 2005 is light years better than any fox out there. I've been getting pulled over by people on the street just so they can look at the 2005 Mustang up close. Heck that never happend in my Corvettes.

PlatinumDevil said:

2) Exhaust is rusting on the showroom floor.

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Hmmm that’s odd, it's a stainless steel exhaust system????? Not sure how it would be rusting unless it was submersed in sea water for a week. I'm raising the flag on this one.