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

[Lorde]

Originally Posted by Charminar

Gotta say, it's quite a looker.

pics linked from Mustang6g.com

Ford Proudly Presents...

The 2008 M3 Coupe!

[gzim335]

Why can't the m3 keep the v8 but benz and audi and even the mustang is still v8

[XtoM]

Originally Posted by catpat8000

I don't agree. The 2011 Mustang was compared against the 2011 M3 on the track by one of the publications and it was an extremely close comparison.

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...n/viewall.html

The 2015 Mustang will have an IRS, more than 420 hp (power numbers not yet announced), and will weigh significantly less than the outgoing model, just like the M3. I'd say it's a very good comparison.

Pat

I'm surprised it does so well outside of the US..... no getting around it, it just won't sell to people with any idea about quality, performance and corners.

[puma1552]

Originally Posted by XtoM

I'm surprised it does so well outside of the US..... no getting around it, it just won't sell to people with any idea about quality, performance and corners.

No, it just won't sell to ignorant Euro-snobs who don't have a clue.

[JoeFromPA]

Originally Posted by XtoM

I'm surprised it does so well outside of the US..... no getting around it, it just won't sell to people with any idea about brand name.

Fixed that for ya

The point of the linked article was saying that the mustang SHOULD sell to people who have any idea about performance and handling and are willing to save themselves $30k for a bit of fit and finish and some nicer materials along with higher operating costs.

[bavarian19]

Originally Posted by mlhj83

Even if the Mustang matched the M3 for performance, I think the biggest difference would be durability; how long can the Mustang withstand hard use before something wears out or breaks. We already know that the M3 in general has very good durability over many many miles of both road and track use. I think this is why the M3 costs so much more. It is one thing to produce a fast car, it is another to make it durable.

However, I bet you the mustang will probably be cheaper to buy and run to 150k miles than the M3. I think it warrants a decent comparison.

[wilstave]

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

I agree with this. I don't remember the last American car I sat in that didn't make me wish I was back in my bimmer

[seamasters]

From the front it looks like a jaguar. Looks quite nice. But im not sure about the interior.

[termigni]

I'll rent it next time I go to Hawaii.

[Randy M]

Originally Posted by wilstave

I agree with this. I don't remember the last American car I sat in that didn't make me wish I was back in my bimmer

I agree. My liquid refreshment always tastes better when partaken out of my golden chalice...

[Sedan_Clan]

Nice looking 'Stang.

[hellrotm]

Originally Posted by mlhj83

Even if the Mustang matched the M3 for performance, I think the biggest difference would be durability; how long can the Mustang withstand hard use before something wears out or breaks. We already know that the M3 in general has very good durability over many many miles of both road and track use. I think this is why the M3 costs so much more. It is one thing to produce a fast car, it is another to make it durable.

No way a turbo engined M4 will be more reliable than a normally aspirated V8 Mustang. Even the current normally aspirated M3 is having engine reliability problems now, bearing clearance issues.

[Ezio]

on paper i love the Mustangs. they are so fuking fast. and if i were to get one it would be a top dog GT500. it would sound sweet and smoke anything with a M badge, specially if they can get the thing to handle.

but when i go sit in they feel unbelievably cheap. give the feeling of all motor type of car. plus mustangs overpopulate the road with base models.

i feel M cars or 911s hold a level of class, performance, luxury and looks that mustangs can never touch. i just cannot bring my self to buy a mustang. i would buy a vette before stang

[hellrotm]

Comparing the M4 to the lonely GT is almost embarrassing for BMW. Half the cost, is that where BMW is now?

Wait until the new Boss comes out. Even more performance and still less expensive.

[hellrotm]

Originally Posted by Ezio

on paper i love the Mustangs. they are so fuking fast. and if i were to get one it would be a top dog GT500. it would sound sweet and smoke anything with a M badge, specially if they can get the thing to handle.

I would take a the Boss 302 myself, but that is just me. I am not a FI guy. Just like I would rather have a GT3 over a Turbo.

Originally Posted by Ezio

but when i go sit in they feel unbelievably cheap. give the feeling of all motor type of car. plus mustangs overpopulate the road with base models.

i feel M cars or 911s hold a level of class, performance, luxury and looks that mustangs can never touch. i just cannot bring my self to buy a mustang. i would buy a vette before stang

I agree I would much rather have a C7 Vette, actually near the top of my next car list.

But you have to remember the GT will start around $30k. Ford is offering ridiculous performance at that price tag. Only so much they can do with the interior.

[Alumac]

I'm used to the feel of a BMW. I'm not going to lie or belittle a car, that for the money, may be much better. But I spend most of my time in the cockpit. If BMW continues to offer what I'm used to, but better, I'll take it in a heartbeat. Even if other cars can beat it on a drag strip, or around its sacred corners.


I think most posts here are looking for ways to detract from the Mustang, which is flawed thinking IMO. I've driven BMWs for 15 years now, not because they are best in class for track, but because they're best in class for me, a differential that seems to be lost on most.

[JoeFromPA]

Just for giggles, I'm someone looking at a replacement for my 5.0 v8 e39 m5. I like the size of this car, but I'm looking for something I can joyfully track 2-3x a year and drive it from the track on a 500 mile road trip. 15,000 miles a year on total. I have 2 other vehicles, so while 4 doors is nice it's not a necessity.

I am totally willing to cross-shop another RWD, 6-speed manual, 400+ hp ~3600 pound vehicle against the m3. I don't require a german badge on my car to think it's an excellent performer, or that it's interior is nice enough for me.

Also, while I won't cross shop a $65k m3 with a $100k 911, I WILL cross-shop a $65k m3 with a similar performing $35k car.

[basscadet]

Originally Posted by gzim335

Why can't the m3 keep the v8 but benz and audi and even the mustang is still v8

Because BMW is changing its focus from performance to efficiency and luxury.

Don't believe me? BMW's own Scott26 on this very forum said so.

[DASHOCKER]

ford is not done. wait for the mach 1 version..

[Randy M]

The rear of the car in this shot has a bit of 911 in it:

[Lorde]

Originally Posted by DASHOCKER

ford is not done. wait for the mach 1 version..

I heard that in Mexico, it will be released as the Mach Juan.

[Alumac]

Originally Posted by JoeFromPA

Just for giggles, I'm someone looking at a replacement for my 5.0 v8 e39 m5. I like the size of this car, but I'm looking for something I can joyfully track 2-3x a year and drive it from the track on a 500 mile road trip. 15,000 miles a year on total. I have 2 other vehicles, so while 4 doors is nice it's not a necessity.

I am totally willing to cross-shop another RWD, 6-speed manual, 400+ hp ~3600 pound vehicle against the m3. I don't require a german badge on my car to think it's an excellent performer, or that it's interior is nice enough for me.

Also, while I won't cross shop a $65k m3 with a $100k 911, I WILL cross-shop a $65k m3 with a similar performing $35k car.

Bingo! Honesty. That's what I'd like to see. Not badge whores that have no idea why they buy a particular car over and over. The new mustang is awesome. But it's not for me based on the proclivities I mentioned above. Still, I'm not going to post here with nonsense like 'bmws r gud in da corners'.

Ford, and Chevrolet, have engineered brilliant cars, for a lot less money than a BMW. But I will continue to go BMW because I'm a creature of habit. Not because 'American cars are gud in straight, not gud in corner.' Which is absolute bullshit today.