The introduction of the '05 brings back many memories, mainly of the enthusiasm which existed during the introduction of the original Mustang back in 1964. Of couse, Ford is also doing a fantastic job of recreating that kind of "hype", thru extensive advertising and "throw back" marketing efforts to help ensure it and promote the models past, and seemingly bringing the Mustang back to the forefront of the current lineup. It's the type of marketing campaign that is seldom seen in recent years, (promoting performance) but was all so common back in the 60's. No doubt, this can only aid in the new Mustang's overall success and popularity.
Certainly, credit must be given too, not only by what appears to be a great effort in duplicating a car which is legendary with its "retro" design, but also by fitting it with such a respectable powertrain. The fact that Ford has such a history with this car, makes it much easier to do (to be sure), by giving them a successful marketing format to follow that many others may have similar recollectiion of. However, I do believe the car would create at least a moderate amount of interest on its own, even without having its enormously popular past lineage (and the ensuing marketing and industry hype), which it is now receiving.
The all new Mustang's arrival similarily reminds me of previous generations initial Mustang introductions....namely those in 1974, 1979, and 1994. While the times and troubles of the world had changed greatly from the camelot days of the early 60's, during which time the ponycar style made it's first debut to a previouosly untapped market with pent up demand....the Mustang II, Fox, and SN95 cars also recaptured the interest of many previous Mustang owners and new buyers alike, though not entirely for the same reasons.
Unfortunatly, during those times, offerings of factory performance became more limited due to the realities of high insurance and fuel prices... along with the trend in the industry of making more fuel efficiant cars, and then the shift to promoting minivans and SUV's which has been growing stronger now for most of the past 20 years.
My question(s) to both previous Mustang owners, and what appears to be a market of many new first time Mustang owners, is this:
a) If the '05 did not have a V-8 and GT option, would you still be excited enough about it to buy it? Would the models past heritage and popular retro style alone, be enough to make the car worthy of your interest and possible purchase?
b) If a new '05 Mustang lacked such retro styling of the early cars, yet had the powerful 300 (or more) hp engine option etc...would you be similarily quick to purchase as you are now?
Keep in mind, that the Mustang II (initially) had no V-8, for example. And despite having many of the original ponycar's styling cues, (and selling in large quantities), it was really never well received by many previous owners of the original car. The Fox cars on the other hand, lacked much of the traditional styling of first generation Mustangs, yet seemed to increase in popularity as it's powertrain became more performance oriented. By 1994, the performance comeback was still gaining momentum. Another new and fresh design that kept RWD gave buyers reason to believe that things could only get better. Yet, had Ford switched to FWD, perhaps all traditional Mustang buyers may have conceeded it being the end of the true ponycar. So, whether it be for styling or performance, the Mustang model has endured a long production run, despite many changes.
Without getting into number crunching, it would appear that the Mustang has remained a successful seller regardless of engine size and horsepower output, from its inception. It would appear too, that the more subjective aspect of the Mustang (it's style) plays an equally important role in determining its overall popularity.
While I would expect most posters to this forum to be mainly be traditional more performance oriented Mustang "enthusiasts"... I belive that many others are relative "newbies" considering the purchase of a Mustang for perhaps the first time. I guess you might say I'm curious how my questions are answered by members belonging to either group, to get a better feel for the basis behind their feelings about the new models, and how they might feel if wasn't exactly what it is!
Certainly, credit must be given too, not only by what appears to be a great effort in duplicating a car which is legendary with its "retro" design, but also by fitting it with such a respectable powertrain. The fact that Ford has such a history with this car, makes it much easier to do (to be sure), by giving them a successful marketing format to follow that many others may have similar recollectiion of. However, I do believe the car would create at least a moderate amount of interest on its own, even without having its enormously popular past lineage (and the ensuing marketing and industry hype), which it is now receiving.
The all new Mustang's arrival similarily reminds me of previous generations initial Mustang introductions....namely those in 1974, 1979, and 1994. While the times and troubles of the world had changed greatly from the camelot days of the early 60's, during which time the ponycar style made it's first debut to a previouosly untapped market with pent up demand....the Mustang II, Fox, and SN95 cars also recaptured the interest of many previous Mustang owners and new buyers alike, though not entirely for the same reasons.
Unfortunatly, during those times, offerings of factory performance became more limited due to the realities of high insurance and fuel prices... along with the trend in the industry of making more fuel efficiant cars, and then the shift to promoting minivans and SUV's which has been growing stronger now for most of the past 20 years.
My question(s) to both previous Mustang owners, and what appears to be a market of many new first time Mustang owners, is this:
a) If the '05 did not have a V-8 and GT option, would you still be excited enough about it to buy it? Would the models past heritage and popular retro style alone, be enough to make the car worthy of your interest and possible purchase?
b) If a new '05 Mustang lacked such retro styling of the early cars, yet had the powerful 300 (or more) hp engine option etc...would you be similarily quick to purchase as you are now?
Keep in mind, that the Mustang II (initially) had no V-8, for example. And despite having many of the original ponycar's styling cues, (and selling in large quantities), it was really never well received by many previous owners of the original car. The Fox cars on the other hand, lacked much of the traditional styling of first generation Mustangs, yet seemed to increase in popularity as it's powertrain became more performance oriented. By 1994, the performance comeback was still gaining momentum. Another new and fresh design that kept RWD gave buyers reason to believe that things could only get better. Yet, had Ford switched to FWD, perhaps all traditional Mustang buyers may have conceeded it being the end of the true ponycar. So, whether it be for styling or performance, the Mustang model has endured a long production run, despite many changes.
Without getting into number crunching, it would appear that the Mustang has remained a successful seller regardless of engine size and horsepower output, from its inception. It would appear too, that the more subjective aspect of the Mustang (it's style) plays an equally important role in determining its overall popularity.
While I would expect most posters to this forum to be mainly be traditional more performance oriented Mustang "enthusiasts"... I belive that many others are relative "newbies" considering the purchase of a Mustang for perhaps the first time. I guess you might say I'm curious how my questions are answered by members belonging to either group, to get a better feel for the basis behind their feelings about the new models, and how they might feel if wasn't exactly what it is!
) But if it it looked good, and performed well sure I would. My last 5 Mustangs looked nothing like my first 2 and I still bought them.
I like the Mustang design, though I never really warmed up to the II's. I think they got too big just before the II's came out and I never owned a Fox. I do have to admit that I drove a couple of ricers during the Fox years (RX7 and Supra) and was impressed with performance, handling and quality, but obviously I returned to my heritage - MUSTANGS!!! 
