2015 Mustang benchmarked against outgoing M3. Already trailing the upcoming M4?

[LarThaL]

My $0.02.....

First, the value issue. Yes, the Mustang is and always will be a tremendous performance value. For all cars, however, as you go up the food chain, you get diminishing returns. Is a 911 turbo S worth $70k more than a GTR? This is very similar to the Mustang GT/M4 comparison. And for that matter, is a Bugatti Veyron worth 12 times the cost of a 911 Turbo S?

The Mustang is very hot looking. It doesn't have a bad line on it. The higher end models will really be something, I think. And....if GM can work wonders on the interior of the Vette, who's to say that the higher end Mustang models won't also have more upscale interiors and refinement. Time will tell.

[Roki_014]

everyone talk about quality of bmw and sitting in it how its great, i have the f30, and the quality of interior is ok, nothing special, everything squeaks, when you close the door the window slams, its just not as special as everyone is making it to be

[Phaeron]

Originally Posted by puma1552

Handling IS skidpad and lap times, regardless of how the car feels as you're doing it. Either the car can get around the corners fast enough, or it can't - everything else is irrelevant IMO.

You are so wrong that if you knew what you were talking about you would be embarrassed to type what you did.. Skidpad and the Slalom are actually very controversial ways to test a car's handling. The slalom is controversial because which version the slalom do you do? The 310ft or the 600ft? The 600ft's result is always effected by power while a 300ft slalom gives advantage to light copact cars like a Miata. The Skidpad's numbers are rubbish as they are tire bias. So you can have a car with great suspension but was sent with optional (no cost) all season tires lose to another car with mediocre suspension but super stick summers tires.

Track times can matter but they are subjective too. For example do an Autocross in a Corvette ZR1 (arguably one of the best handling corvettes made) and watch as a kid in a Ford Fiesta ST laps you. There was topgear episode where a Mercedies AMG defeated a Masarati Gran Turismo on their track all because the AMG just powered through the track. It had nothing to do with Handling as the Masarati was superior there but AMG had so much power that it could make up for its chassis's short coming with torque and horsepower.

Another great example of a car that if it had a lesser engine its laps times would be god awful.. The Mustang GT500. That car has the handling of a brick and its track times show.

[Dave2011M3]

Originally Posted by XtoM

Looks nice but it's no comparison to either of it's benchmarking cars, it's a fast car but not a sports car, muscle cars don't cut it unless you live on a drag strip.

You are behind the 8 ball here. The new Mustang is going to handle better than the outgoing Mustang which wasn't a bad handler at all especially the Boss 302.

This is a global car, it will even be for sale in the UK.

Dave

[Dave2011M3]

Originally Posted by kmarei

the biggest disappointment, as always with American cars
is the second you sit inside
cheapo plastic interior all around

I have a friend at work who owns the GT500
rode with him a few times
sounds nice, tons of power
but feels like i'm sitting in a cheapo Ford focus on the inside

in no way does it feel premium
its a cheap car, with a strong engine

The 2015 Mustang will change all this...premium materials through out. Remember Ford wants to sell this car globally. I for one will be looking closely at the S550 Mustang. I will give it a few years to see what transpires with the specialty additions.

Dave

[Dave2011M3]

Originally Posted by chicochico

I just had a newer Mustang ecoboost V6 for a few days as a rental. Now granted it doesn't the IRS and is the outgoing model. But WOW did it feel lifeless and handle like a POS. I couldn't believe how bad it was compared to my e90. I was sliding all over the place without trying.

So even if it can keep up on the track, its just not in the same in my books.

That being said, if you want raw power, great looks at a great price, its a hell of a value proposition.

No Ecoboost motor for the S197 Mustang, shows you know absolutely nothing about Mustangs...question whether you even drove one...

[tdizzle]

Originally Posted by Remonster

If you take even 1/4 of the money saved vs an M3 and put it into tightening up the handling and braking, you'd really have something. The brakes themselves are fine but I found it difficult to transition from hard braking to turn-in, possibly because the suspension and the chassis it's bolted to is so soft. I really didn't want my post to sound like it was criticizing the Mustang, you get a TON of car for the money. I just think it's clear where the extra money is going in the M3 so I feel these comparisons are ridiculous. The interior on the fifth gen Mustang really bothered me but the pictures of the new one look great. I was HUGELY surprised by the interior quality on the current Ford Focus, I went to test the ST with a friend of mine and I thought the leather felt a lot nicer than the Dakota Leather you get in standard BMWs, the steering and shifter action was very nice, pedals gave good feedback, the Recaro seats were excellent. That Focus ST really made me hopeful that Ford will hit this new Mustang out of the park and if the GT stays under $35,000 it would probably become my favorite car in that price range.

Bingo.

Does anyone actually feel the 3 series is luxurious at all? If Ford steps it up even a notch it'll be right there with the 3er. I find it funny we're saying how terribly the mustang is when their newer models and this one will be a lot better inside.

At the same time when people just talk about the 3 series in general, people complain that the leather isn't that great and matierals are cheaper than they should be at that price point.

I think BMW is trying to distinguish the 3 from the 5. The 5 is definitely luxurious, but the 3? Not so much, especially at the price point.

[khanyam4]

I highly doubt anybody that can afford an m3 or m4 will buy a mustang lol. The m3 is in a class of its own.

[aajami]

Rumor is that the GT500 model (or whatever they decide to call it) will have a flat-plane cranked FI V8 and the Boss 302 will have an NA variant of that same engine.

NA flat-plane crank V8! Yes, please.

[troysico]

Originally Posted by chicochico

I just had a newer Mustang ecoboost V6 for a few days as a rental. Now granted it doesn't the IRS and is the outgoing model. But WOW did it feel lifeless and handle like a POS. I couldn't believe how bad it was compared to my e90. I was sliding all over the place without trying.

So even if it can keep up on the track, its just not in the same in my books.

That being said, if you want raw power, great looks at a great price, its a hell of a value proposition.

There is no eco-boost V6 available in the 'stang now. You had a 3.7 liter 305hp 24v V6.

[troysico]

Looks like a 4series, Accord Coupe and current Mustang mated...

It is a looker. Gt350 and Gt500 will monsters! Let's hope the 2.3lt ecoboost 4-cyl is put into a Focus RS with AWD!

[swamp2]

A darn nice looking car. I do see some definitely 911 in the rear as the other poster pointed out. This will be a serious competitor against a whole slew of cars, BMWs and BMW M's included. The lack of a DCT though could be a deal breaker. Can't wait to see some lap times and tests of the GT500 or Boss 302 or whatever the equivalent versions will be. The 302 did what it did with a solid rear axle! I'll be "shopping" this car for sure.

[basscadet]

Originally Posted by Phaeron

For example do an Autocross in a Corvette ZR1 (arguably one of the best handling corvettes made) and watch as a kid in a Ford Fiesta ST laps you.

Autocross

If you think the Fiesta ST is a better sports car than the ZR1 then...well, nevermind.

[Jadar]

Originally Posted by XtoM

Looks nice but it's no comparison to either of it's benchmarking cars, it's a fast car but not a sports car, muscle cars don't cut it unless you live on a drag strip.

I also have to disagree. While it may not be as refined on the inside but that doesn't mean it's performance suffers. It's cheaper yes.
But in the previous comparison vs. the e92 m3 it lost only by .1 on the track. It had way more body roll and didn't look as good as the m3 on the track but still a .1 difference. Keep in mind that was with a live axle setup. The new one will have irs and will be much better on the twisties.

[basscadet]

Motor Trend has now confirmed:

-Ventilated front seats
-Rev-matching manual transmission
-Launch control
-Recaros (obviously you don't the heat/ventilation with this option)

[Braap]

Beautiful car; I'm looking forward to driving one of these for sure.

[24601]

Originally Posted by khanyam3

I highly doubt anybody that can afford an m3 or m4 will buy a mustang lol. The m3 is in a class of its own.

+1

End of discussion.

[conradb]

Originally Posted by khanyam3

I highly doubt anybody that can afford an m3 or m4 will buy a mustang lol. The m3 is in a class of its own.

Hi

I'm that anybody you mentioned.

[kdbryce]

I'm not a fan of the headlights. They make it look too european. In my mind, the mustang is cool because it's an american muscle car, and this just doesn't really look like one. I am happy they are working on handling, but the headlights are just a little too progressive for me.

other than that, I think it's gorgeous

[tdizzle]

Originally Posted by conradb

Hi

I'm that anybody you mentioned.

Right with you.

Just because you can afford something doesn't mean you have to buy the most expensive thing you can if there is a better value proposition out there.

[ORIGIN M.]

Looks like a 911 from the side

Go figure

[Jadar]

Originally Posted by reborn

I think that a true comparison for a GT is the 335. The M3 is a much more expensive car and should be compared to special models of the mustang.

Price wise maybe, but performance wise not even close. One of my best friends has a current 5.0 and he wipes the floor with my f30 335.
Of course my 335 looks better to me and feels way better but EVERYHING else performance wise he wins.