Yes, I know this is a much talked about issue. Now my view point may be different. Like many of us, I am a muscle car guy, so I like and welcome both the Challenger and Camaro. I recognize that both the Challenger and new camaro have more hp and torq than the Mustang, but may not be the better value for the buck.
I am completely okay with both the Challenger and Camaro having more power and being bigger. That just makes the rivalary more interesting. Yes, I would like more horsepower, but that is what a supercharger is for now, heh?
Now here comes my concerns. One advantage the Mustang has is that it has been in continuous production since 1964, where as the other two have not. So the Challenger and Camaro have to play catch up to the Mustang. Now, I grant, the first year or two of each will likely be productive for each. But what is the viability of a long term rivalry? Both the Challenger and Camaro have stopped production once before, could it happen again?
I am thinking, yes, it can and will. The Challenger is here now and is living up to the hype. It looks good, has plenty of power and fits the need, although it is a little late into the playing field. Plus, President Obama has determined that Chrysler is not worth saving. So if by chance the merger with Fiat fails, and Chrysler gets no more bail out money from Uncle Sam, what happens to the company? It may file BK and be liquidated, which means no more Chrysler and no more Challenger (or Charger). Even if it survives filing BK and restructuring, the viability of a niche car may not survive restructuring. If the merger with Fiat goes through, what assurances has Fiat given that the current line up of cars, including the Challenger, will survive. So it looks like the days for the Challenger are truly numbered. I wonder if the Challenger would become an instant collectors item or a flop?
The Camaro has the problem it is real late into the playing field. Not only has the Mustang gone uncontested for a few years, where Chevy has to make up for lost time, but the economy and CAFE requirements are going ot play havoc with the Camaro. In addition, GM is financially struggling. Although they are recieving government bailout money, they are on a short leash. Pres. Obama has not ruled out the possibility of letting GM file BK in order to restructure. If GM does file BK and resturcture, again, what is the viability of producing a niche car among such economic times among stricter CAFE requirements? Yes, I realize the Camaro is already in production (or at least GM has retooled the plants and is committed to producing it), but for how long? Will it be like the new GTO where it is slotted for 5 years and makes 3 years? Will it be like the SSR where initial sales were okay, but the entire project flopped overall?
So now there is the Mustang. Ford is the only American Auto maker not taking government bailout loans (yet). They seem to be taking serious steps towards restructuring. Although, the economy could get worse and they may need to follow GM and Chrysler at some point. Ford has continually produced the Mustang. In fact, at one time, the Mustang (as well as the F-150) was considered the "bottom line" for Ford. Although the Mustang is a niche car, Ford has successfully filled that niche and even made specialty Mustangs for even a more particular niche. One issue I see with the Mustang is, that if the Challenger and/or Camaro does flop, and the Mustang is the only one to survive, what incentitive does Ford have to improve the Mustang in any way? We all know that competition is the mother for inovation...so without competition, could the Mustang die of boredom?
Okay, I will put my curiosity down for the moment and give others a chance to chime in.
I for one, think that Ford has done the smart thing by not accepting money from the government. I would like say that I have a 2008 GT and my wife has a 09 Chally RT. I like the Mustang for price and what that price offers compared to the Challenger. I do realize that the ride is better in the Challenger, seats one more person, and is quieter than the Mustang. I still love my Mustang and would never part with it. I could not convert my wife to the Ford side, believe me, I tried. She liked the styling of the Challenger since the day they first introduced the concept. We both agree that the Camaro would not find a home in our garage. I must say that I have always liked or tried to drive Ford products. Festiva, Aspire, Probes, F150s, and Explorers have always found a home with me. Even went with a Mazda minivan when we needed it(has a 3.0 Ford engine). I just plain ole like Fords. My in-laws have even switched to Fords. F150 and a Fusion. They are very happy. All I have left to say is DRIVE ONE! Ford Rocks!
As interesting as that looks, it is not likely to make it to production. Pontiac is one of the name brands that GM is being pressured to disolve. For GM to be viable financially, it has to loose a few of its name brands. Name brands like Hummer, Saab (being sold), and Ponitac are not likely to survive. I have heard that GM may discontinue Saturn by 2012, but in my opinion that would be bad since Saturn is one of the most profitable (yes, it is relative) name brands in the GM line up.
That's SO true. Almost ALL of my friends here are Chevy/Camaro fans. But once they've gotten to ride in my Mustang, they at least admit that it is definitely a fun car!
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-1994 Mustang GT... K&N filter,GT40 tubular intake,BBK Full Length Headers,modified midpipe & Flowmaster muffs, timing at 12*. Best time- 14.74 @ 93.16 -Check profile for pics of our car collection! -Member of MBMCustoms Car Club - AmericanMuscle ROCKS!! - "Save a horse, drive a Mustang!"
By sheer accident, both my brother and I have done our parts in keeping Ford alive. Since 1998, I have owned a few Fords:
1995 Thunderbird LX (V8)
2002 Explorer XLT (V8)
2005 Mustang GT convertible (V8)
2005 Mercury Mariner (V6)
2006 Fusion SEL (V6)
2006 Ranger (4 Cylinder)
2006 F-150 Supercrew (V8)
2004 Focus SVT
While my brother has owned a few Fords since 1995:
1995 Explorer (4x4)
1997 Expedition (4x4)
2000 Excursion (4x4)
2003 Excursion (4x4)
2005 F-150 extended Cab
2006 F-150 Supercrew (4x4)
2006 Fusion SEL (V6)
That's SO true. Almost ALL of my friends here are Chevy/Camaro fans. But once they've gotten to ride in my Mustang, they at least admit that it is definitely a fun car!
To me, I have always heard Mustang was cheap speed. That wasn't to say the quality wasn't there, just that the price was right! My GOstang fits my personality very GOod!
By sheer accident, both my brother and I have done our parts in keeping Ford alive. Since 1998, I have owned a few Fords:
1995 Thunderbird LX (V8)
2002 Explorer XLT (V8)
2005 Mustang GT convertible (V8)
2005 Mercury Mariner (V6)
2006 Fusion SEL (V6)
2006 Ranger (4 Cylinder)
2006 F-150 Supercrew (V8)
2004 Focus SVT
While my brother has owned a few Fords since 1995:
1995 Explorer (4x4)
1997 Expedition (4x4)
2000 Excursion (4x4)
2003 Excursion (4x4)
2005 F-150 extended Cab
2006 F-150 Supercrew (4x4)
2006 Fusion SEL (V6)
My first new car(2nd car) was a 88 Festiva.
Then a 73 F100
92 F150 Custom (Dark Mocha).....sigh I still miss that one, not to many brown trucks out there.
95 F150 Ext Cab 4x4 Eddie Baurer (still owned and running)
94 Aspire
95 Probe
97 Probe GT (still owned)
08 GO GT Prem (still owned)...always wanted a Mustang........now I own one!
The future of all affordable musclecars does not look good. No new musclecar programs will be started by any of the three American automakers. If the 5.0L coyote engine program for the 2011 Mustang is already far enough along, then it may make production. Ford carried over the existing engines for the 2010 Mustangs and merely added an FRPP CAI to the Mustang GT (and Shelby GT500) to add a few horsepower. Was this a stop-gap measure until the 5.0L engines are available, or was it done to avoid spending money on new engine programs? The 2007 CAFE legislation requires fleet mileage improvements annually from 2011 through 2020, when each automaker's production must average 35mpg. Some used to think there would always be enough economy cars sold to balance off the less thrifty V8 models, like the Camaro SS and Mustang GT. But car sales are way down. Automakers may rather build high ticket cars that can be sold to the rich (like Corvettes and Cadillacs), than hurt their CAFE average with cars like the Camaro SS.
The economy has decimated new car sales. 2008 Mustang sales were down 30% from the 2007 model year. And sales for the first two months of 2009 were down 60% from the same period in 2008. Many people have lost jobs and just can't afford to buy anything, let alone a new car. And those who are still employed are feeling the effects financially in many other ways. 11,000 Camaros were pre-sold to performance fanatics who have been waiting for the new Camaro since seeing the prototype years ago (and since previous Camaro production stopped in 2002). GM used existing engines (a Cadillac 300hp V6 and a Corvette 426hp V8) to save development costs, but those engines are not cheap. But how many more non-enthusiasts will purchase the Camaro? GM planned production for 80,000 to 100,000 Camaros per year. The Challenger is only planned for around half that annual volume, and they have been offering terrific incentives on Challengers for a while now. So there is reduced demand for "pony" cars due to the poor economy, and three contenders (Camaro, Challenger and Mustang) all fighting for a share of a market segment that the Mustang has had all to itself for several years. There just doesn't seem to be a big enough pie to split three ways. At least one of the three will cease production within 3 to 5 years. And who knows what engine options will be offered as automakers strive to meet the scheduled CAFE requirements?
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2008 Shelby GT500 torch red with black stripes + sequentials
2001 Cobra mineral grey with 2003 Mach 1 shaker hood
1996 Cobra color-shifting mystic paint + sequentials
As interesting as that looks, it is not likely to make it to production. Pontiac is one of the name brands that GM is being pressured to disolve. For GM to be viable financially, it has to loose a few of its name brands. Name brands like Hummer, Saab (being sold), and Ponitac are not likely to survive. I have heard that GM may discontinue Saturn by 2012, but in my opinion that would be bad since Saturn is one of the most profitable (yes, it is relative) name brands in the GM line up.
yea... i know...atleast i got one...not a 11' but i got one
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i have yet to find some one else who when changing their oil ( every 2000 miles or when they get bored ) details the under side of their car.
X-C April 2010,Heads, Cam,Internals April 2011, or blown engine, witch ever comes first.
The transformation has begun!
Mustang vs. Challenger vs. Camaro 
F150 and a Fusion. They are very happy. All I have left to say is DRIVE ONE! Ford Rocks!
