That new Mustang commercial

[Damn True]

Anyone see the new Mustang commercial played during "Top Gear: tonight? It features a red Mustang GT getting the bejeezus driven out of it, leaving black marks all over the road. Superimposed over the words: "Your midlife crisis begins now." or something like that.

The message: "C'mon, be a man! Tell the old lady you are selling the Honda Odessy and buying a REAL CAR! After all, how much space do kid's REALLY need? They are kids....that means they're small right?"

Awesome.

With the GTO, the Mustang, the Charger (crossing my fingers for a Camaro) I sincerely hope we are seeing the resurgance of the AMERICAN CAR.

[wantahertzdonut]

I'm hoping I'm seeing a trend here too. Muscle needs to make a comeback, and with only 2 doors. It just needs to be fun and affordable! (only one car on your list fits that description, it's the one that's related to mine)

[DarkBuddha]

I didn't see the commercial, but I agree that I'd like to see affordable muscle come back. I'm really tired of hearing how "affordable" the new Mustang GT is for what you get. I did the math at one point, calculating the cost of a mid-level '65 Mustang GT "delivered" and the mean income level of 1965 (according to US Census) versus mid-level 2005 Mustang GT and current mean income level, and taking into account inflation, and I found that the current GT is overpriced by several thousand dollars. Essentiall, a mid-level Mustang GT would have to be in the $22k-$23k range to be inline with '65 Mustang prices.

I know, I know... some of ya'll are gonna say "quit your bitchin', the new Mustang is a ton better car". Well, no crap. It should be with 40 years of improved technology, engineering, and manufacturing abilities. Yes, everything costs more now, but the cost of stuff is increasing at a faster rate than "average" folks are making it. Is that Ford's fault? No, but I don't wanna hear another magazine tell me how "affordable" this car is for the performance you get.

I guess I just need to realize that the place that the original '65 Mustang GT occupied has become the current import compact sport market, not the musclecar market. The kind of folks that would've bought Mustangs now buy Neons, Corollas, Scions, Civics, Celicas, RSXs, Imprezas, etc. If I look at it that way, it seems reasonable... you're getting parallel performance for parallel money, which ain't such a bad deal. Heck, for the $23k I mentioned above, you can actually get a compact that can almost run with a 2005 Mustang GT (I'm thinking SRT-4). I just wish some company would make a rear wheel drive car in this market.

[TPI Monte SS]

I haven't seen it yet, but if it's having the cojones beaten out of it and driven aggressively, I'd bet the same group that bitched to GM and got them to pull the Vette ad from last year will be on Ford's case to do the same.

[Ralph LoGrasso]

Heck, for the $23k I mentioned above, you can actually get a compact that can almost run with a 2005 Mustang GT (I'm thinking SRT-4).

I'm pretty sure the SRT-4 is faster in the 1/4 than the '05 GT, stock for stock.

If you want and affordable RWD performance car, buy an LS1 4th Gen F-body. The 98s are going on 7 years old, and are STILL faster than '05 GTs. '01 and '02s can still be had with relatively low miles (picked mine up in June with 32k) for about half of what a new GT costs. Half the price, and about a second quicker in the quarter. Handles great, too.

The day of truely affordable muscle cars is long gone, IMHO. By muscle cars, I mean 2 doors, 8 cylinders, and optional manual transmisson. With gas prices the way they are, I don't think we'll be seeing a return anytime soon, either.

[KrisHorton]

I think the 05/06 GT is plenty affordable. 23K will buy you an SRT-4, sure, but it's tiny and let's face it, it's just a stupid-looking Neon...sure it's fast, but it's also lighter and much smaller than the Mustang.

I paid just over 27K for the Mustang and I love it. 4th-Gen Camaros are a good choice too. Indeed faster than the new Mustangs, but can't be bought new either.

Kris

[LTorres]

I don't know if this was just a rumor or what...?? But I heard in the Beautiful Rogue Valley where PBC resides you can't even get the 05/06 Mustang anymore....Is this true in anyone else's area?

[parsonsj]

I love the new Mustang. It catches my eye every time one rolls by.

Too bad the PC police will condemn the ad, as Steve predicts.

jp