As you guys know the camaro and firebird will be gone for a little while in 2003, Ford will have to do something with the Mustang, its too fast to compete with the Eclipse, the Celica, and of course the Civic, but its too slow to compete with the Viper, Vette, and other supercars. I hope Ford does not kill the Mustang by decreasing it's performance which I think they might do. I had an idea after the Cobra R came out, and I still think this is good, Ford has their Triton V10, but all its in is the trucks and I think maybe the Econoline, what a great motor to put in the Cobra R, right? Silver State Motorsports in Nevada did a Triton V10 swap into a 97 or 96 Mustang, without tunning it much the car made over 400 HP, and over 450 ft/lbs. of torque. Now put the Cobra R back into production with the Triton V10, use the 5.4L motor in the standard Cobra, put the DOHC 4.6L in the GT, and have the SOHC 4.6L as an optional engine for the V6 car. For transsmision, the 6 speed should have been standard in at least the Cobra in 96, so it should have it by now, have the 6 speed optional in the GT, and keep the 5 speed in the regular V6 car. As for the suspension, have the solid axle standard in the GT and V6 with the IRS optional, and have the Cobra R and Cobra standard with the IRS but with a solid axle delete option.

I just don't want to see the Mustang turn into a low performance all image car, or have it turn into the Mustang II all over again, what do you guys think?

I agree with you that Ford needs to do something to increase the horsepower on the Mustang. However I feel that the V-10 is just too big and heavy for the Frame... I know that it has been done as a swap, but there is so much more that Ford can do with the 5.4 and 4.6 motors to increase the horsepower that the V-10 is not practical. Nice thoughts though!

I disagree though, I know that the 5.4L and 4.6L are not even fully explored as far as power, but the Viper is running an all aluminum V10 and its doing fine, that car handles great for the size of that motor and the kind of power it has. If Ford were to develop an aluminum block, that would cut wait big time, thats one thing that disapointed me about the Cobra R, it has an iron block, why?

Ford is selling so many Mustangs right now, they are laughing all the way to the bank. Unfortunately the Mustang will get cheaper parts put in it if anything.

Ford has opened the door for tuner cars like never before. They have provided all the coding for the computers and engineers to help tuners with their setups. This has been a big shock to the industry. So I think that Ford see's their Super Car in the Tuner court right now.

Ford is after some market appeal, mostly in the looks department. Mustangs were never intended to compete with Corvettes and vipers. Thanks to Tuners and Racers, they have over the years given them a good run for the money. Mustangs were and are built to be affordable and good looking.

There is always hope that Ford might do something like they did with the lightning. A 5.4L with a supercharger. I have driven a new lightning and let me say, if they put the combination in a Cobra on the show room, they would drive some serious fear into the hearts of Corvettes. Ford may just do that combo, but for a V10 in a Mustang, it would be really cool, but not profitable.

I myself would be happy if they just went back to the quality of cars they had in 98. I have a 00 and it lives in the shop with dumb problems, like the steering wheel coming loose or a side vent falling out, etc.

Do the quality, make it cheap, and let me deal with the go fast enhancements

well I really didn't mean stick the V10 in a standard mustang, only the R, they only made 300 last year, and if they are going to charge over 50 grand for it, it should have a little more pep, and I thought the V10 would be a great motor to put into a Mustang thats limited production, like the Bullit, the Cobra R, the Mach 1(if it comes out) etc. if its going to be made in limited quanities, balls out, great power.

Hate to see the Camaro disappear. It has always been the Mustangs main competition. It kept Ford on its feet when it came to performance and bang for the buck. Knowing every year, the industry always pit the Mustang against the Camaro for side to side comparisons, it had to be the benchmark and challenge Ford engineers always strived to beat.

My fear is without the Camaro around to provide that kind of motivation and competition, Ford will become even more complacent in the performance department and future generations of Mustangs might even begin resembling some of the more popular rice burners we see floating around.

If GM proceeds with their plans to discontinue the Camaro, the Ford Mustang will become the last remaining American Pony car. How can that be, in any way good for the Ford Mustang or our shrinking American Pony Car market ?

This road can only lead from last Living American Pony Car, into the competitive Rice Burner category. While this thought may make most, if not all, sick to our stomachs, it is a very real possibiity !

I for one, hope GM has a change of heart, will continue producing the Camaro and it remains as a rear wheel, V8 powered American Pony car !