RE: RHD Ford Mustang begins testing

[Ozzie Osmond]

Have you actually seen a 2015 Mustang? It's very different from the great 2005 model.

The question is going to be how many people really want to buy a Mondeo Coupe/Convertible with an eco-weenie 4-pot turbo...

http://www.autoblog.com/2014/02/28/2015-ford-musta...

I can't see much "Mustang" in that TBH.

[J4CKO]

kambites said:

J4CKO said:

Wonder how it will compare with the Golf R and M135i price wise, and also to drive, all have circa 300 bhp, all around 30k ?

Wonder how much the Ford will be to lease ?

It's a considerably bigger car than either. The obvious competition from BMW would be the 435i. How it'll match up in terms of NVH remains to be seen.

It wont shake your teeth out, you don't want it too smooth and quiet its a Mustang.

I am so sure with cars that people (not yourself obviously) sometimes forget objectivity about relative performance in a given area, when faced with a choice between badges. I suspect a lot of this country would take an Audi over a Ford even if it had zero kit and was fitted with solid blocks of metal instead of springs and the stereo was programmed to only play Napalm Death at top volume, they would still love it because of the badge.

[kambites]

True, but I think expecting it to compete on price with cars like the 1-series and Golf is a bit unfair.

[jimmy156]

PhantomPH said:

alpha channel said:

Is it just me or does it look strange/odd with the steering wheel on the correct side? Would love to own one though probably never will sadly (unless the second hand market comes to my rescue a few years down the line...).

Stick around - I expect these things will depreciate like a brick out of a first floor window. I would throw it in with the other fast Fords when it comes to depreciation - and they are not usually renowned for holding their value (trust me - I've had a couple!)

Yeah all those with Mk1 and Mk2 escorts, Escort Cosworths, Sierra Cosworths etc. are kicking themselves at the poor residuals

[P-Jay]

I'm not expert of course, but I can't see it being a mainstream seller - it's too euro for the type of person who'd buy a Mustang / Harley, drinks only Budwiser and wears jerseys of obscure American sports teams no one this side of the Atlantic knows - for that type of diehard Americana lover the thought of LHD wouldn't put them off much anyway.

For the average Brit buyer it's got the wrong badge and the 'Mustang' name would be a turn-off anyway.

I think it'll be the next Monaro, admired by many, bought by few.

[Ozzie Osmond]

jimmy156 said:

Yeah all those with Mk1 and Mk2 escorts, Escort Cosworths, Sierra Cosworths etc. are kicking themselves at the poor residuals

Ford Probe?

Ford Cougar?

Ford Puma?

You couldn't give them away. But who knows, perhaps the Mustang can turn that around.

[Prawnboy]

J4CKO said:

It wont shake your teeth out, you don't want it too smooth and quiet its a Mustang.

I am so sure with cars that people (not yourself obviously) sometimes forget objectivity about relative performance in a given area, when faced with a choice between badges. I suspect a lot of this country would take an Audi over a Ford even if it had zero kit and was fitted with solid blocks of metal instead of springs and the stereo was programmed to only play Napalm Death at top volume, they would still love it because of the badge.

sounds like the only Audi i would actually own.

[GTEYE]

P-Jay said:

I'm not expert of course, but I can't see it being a mainstream seller - it's too euro for the type of person who'd buy a Mustang / Harley, drinks only Budwiser and wears jerseys of obscure American sports teams no one this side of the Atlantic knows - for that type of diehard Americana lover the thought of LHD wouldn't put them off much anyway.

For the average Brit buyer it's got the wrong badge and the 'Mustang' name would be a turn-off anyway.

I think it'll be the next Monaro, admired by many, bought by few.

If its the same or similar size to the previous Mustang, I think you may be right. They are quite large on European roads, car parks etc, obviously not a problem back in the States.

[eliotrw]

PhantomPH said:

Stick around - I expect these things will depreciate like a brick out of a first floor window. I would throw it in with the other fast Fords when it comes to depreciation - and they are not usually renowned for holding their value (trust me - I've had a couple!)

Looks at prices of:

Puma FRS
Sierra Cosworth
Escort Cosworth
Ford RS200
Sierra RS500
Focus RS mk1
Focus RS mk2
Focus RS 500

Tell mre more about this Fast ford depreciation you speak of because I've never seen it.

I doubt these will bomb.

As it stands the price of a Focus RS MK1 and the Escort Cosworth is frankly RETARDED when placed next to the pricing of a R33 GTR Nismo or a Subaru Impreza P1 both far better and more special but also a lot cheaper.

[jimmy156]

doogz said:

Ozzie Osmond said:

Ford Probe?

Ford Cougar?

Ford Puma?

You couldn't give them away. But who knows, perhaps the Mustang can turn that around.

They weren't special enough.

FWD, bit slow, the Puma was a good drive, but they rust like it's going out of fashion, and are a bit small and girly, compared to something like a 2WD Sierra Cosworth.

Yeah these are not exactly fast fords are they?

Look at the values of the Ford Racing Puma for example!

[Nors]

Whilst I like these and think offering RHD for once is a great thing, I can't help thinking being an American built Ford, it will be held together with stickyback plastic and will rattle itself to bits in the first 6 months!

[tram50]

As much as it would be good to see something a bit different on the roads, I don't think they'll sell too many. I've just spent 2 weeks driving a brand new Camaro around the States and was mostly impressed with it (V6, 300ish bhp). Perfectly suited to US roads (they don't have pot holes) but I wouldn't want one for my commute to work over here. Its much like how Harleys look at home on a long Interstate but not on a twisty UK country road.

[J4CKO]

kambites said:

True, but I think expecting it to compete on price with cars like the 1-series and Golf is a bit unfair.

I don't think a bit of extra metalwork is really where the cost comes from, and the comparison is top end Golf versus the base Mustang.

Suspect there will be little in it.

[matt1269]

If they do them on a lease deal like the golf R, under £300pm then they'll be everywhere!

[J4CKO]

Nors said:

Whilst I like these and think offering RHD for once is a great thing, I can't help thinking being an American built Ford, it will be held together with stickyback plastic and will rattle itself to bits in the first 6 months!

Ever driven one ?

I have rented a few and they have been fine, in fact they felt pretty robust, if a little workmanlike.

[pimpchez]

kambites said:

Gecko1978 said:

Dr G said:

Duratec turbo version widely rumoured/reported to start at 30k.

excuse the ignorance but is the the engin in the focus ST so a 2.5 4pot turbo with say 300bhp or do the engines come in larger sizes. I am just wondering what affect on performance the extra weight would have.

It's a 2.3 litre, presumably an evolution of the engine in the Mazda 6 MPS?

Sure is .

Same block and reworked head , even utilizes the same HPFP

[Prof Prolapse]

Nors said:

Whilst I like these and think offering RHD for once is a great thing, I can't help thinking being an American built Ford, it will be held together with stickyback plastic and will rattle itself to bits in the first 6 months!

The 2005 my old man had was mechanically reliable but awful finish and parts.

You have to remember you're basically paying nearly what £36,000 for a £19,000 budget car?

Personally I have no idea why anyone would bother. I can only conclude it's an image thing.

[Gecko1978]

pimpchez said:

kambites said:

Gecko1978 said:

Dr G said:

Duratec turbo version widely rumoured/reported to start at 30k.

excuse the ignorance but is the the engin in the focus ST so a 2.5 4pot turbo with say 300bhp or do the engines come in larger sizes. I am just wondering what affect on performance the extra weight would have.

It's a 2.3 litre, presumably an evolution of the engine in the Mazda 6 MPS?

Sure is .

Same block and reworked head , even utilizes the same HPFP

So dynamically the engin will be fine but perhaps the "Soul" of a mustang etc lies in a burbling V8 not sure really one way or the other I like the look but I suspect I would never buy one.

[aarondbs]

Ozzie Osmond said:

Have you actually seen a 2015 Mustang? It's very different from the great 2005 model.

The question is going to be how many people really want to buy a Mondeo Coupe/Convertible with an eco-weenie 4-pot turbo...

http://www.autoblog.com/2014/02/28/2015-ford-musta...

I can't see much "Mustang" in that TBH.

I quite like it, not much Mondeo in there either as its RWD as opposed to FWD as far as running gear goes. In addition the new Mondeo (or Fusion) I saw in the USA earlier this month looked great! So much better than an A4 or C Class from a design and styling standpoint (IMHO).

[Monsterlime]

I was talking to one of the Ford chaps at Goodwood, and apparently the first 500 cars are all sold in the UK, and so far none of the buyers have even sat in a LHD model and Goodwood was the first time some of them had seen it up close!

While I am quite interested in the Mustang, I am not prepared to commit my cash to car I haven't even sat in, let alone driven.