Still Not Sold on the '15 Mustang Design

My girlfriend is Ukrainian and thinks it's so cool that Mustang people wave at each other.  When we see another Mustang she always points it out.  I cruised past a new 2015 Mustang GT on the freeway this week and she didn't even notice it.  I said, "That's a Mustang" and she she said really??  The design is so boring.  I tried to put my finger on why and I noticed it's because we've seen it before like in the Audi TT.  It is pretty strange when you see them sitting together.  The sloping roofline, the sinister headlights, the similar front air dam.

2015 Audi TT compared to the 2015 Mustang GT

If you stripped off all the emblems would a casual car person know the difference?  From some angles even a 2015 BMW and Mercedes sedan can look slightly similar in the fascia and body shape.

Certainly you can argue the differences between them all but the point I'm trying to make is the similarities are noticeable and on the road cause them to blend in with the rest of the traffic which is something I really hate to do.  At least the 2016 Mustang GT350 is a little more radical looking than the base GT which helps hide its "plainness" but I have to admit part of me was really happy to see my Mustang looks so.... distinctly Mustang.

Shelby Is Making Daytonas Again....Kind Of

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of its creation Shelby will be making some new Daytona cars. According to Road and Track,

"Shelby American will offer up brand-new Daytona Coupes in two varieties: Fiberglass-bodied models starting at $180,000, or aluminum examples starting at $350,000—all prices without drivetrain. "

What the hell?? Without drivetrains for that price??  Or instead go over to Superformance and buy one that actually drives down the road for less. http://www.superformance.com/coupe.aspx

2017 Shelby GT350R Pricing

Horsepowerkings.com says:

The recently-debuted 2016 Shelby Mustang GT350R will having a starting MSRP of $69,995, per sources at Ford. That is nearly a $20,000 upgrade over the ‘base’ Shelby GT350, which will be priced “around the $50,000 mark” (our source tells us $52,995), and our bet is that the extra cost for the ‘R’ model will be well worth it.

The $70,000 mark is an important one, because it undercuts the track-bred Camaro Z/28, which has a starting MSRP of $75,000. The GT350 and GT350R were both developed with the Z/28 as thevictim target, and we think Ford has developed a worth adversary.

The ‘R’ package adds significant track-focused technology to the base GT350, including MagneRide Suspension and better tires, all while reducing weight. Thanks to Carbon Fiber Wheels and a Rear Seat Delete, the GT350R will tip the scales some 150 lbs lighter than the base GT350. We can’t wait to see some real world numbers, stay tuned.

So the R may be a bit out of my price range when its all said and done.  :(

Phantom EVO Revealed

For years a co-worker of mine has been saying he owned a kick ass EVO but it never made it's way to work.  After a year or so I started to give him static about it saying, "Oh yeah, and I own a Lambo.  It's just at home." But low and behold today the Evo emerged.


Turns out it is a pretty sweet 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX.  Over the years he's told me about various mods such as turbo, cams, pistons, exhaust, intake, intercooler, but I don't recall the details.  Apparently the 2.0 is now a 2.3 which he claims last dyno'd at 450 - 470 hp and sounds like a V8.  He was in a meeting when I ran out to the parking lot and snapped these pics.  Maybe if there is some interest I'll get him to show me the details.

The Depreciation Angle

If you've been following this blog at all then you know I've been seriously looking to replace my '07 Mustang.  I've been a bit "on the fence" whether to do it with a new Mustang GT350 or get something older.  Lately I've been very interested in getting a DeTomaso Pantera, particularly a 1971 or 72.

Older cars are usually a hard sell to a girlfriend or wife.  They see it as a money hole and something that will constantly be breaking down because it's old.  They are right to think that since that is in fact what usually happens.  What is hard to understand is that some of us find all that fun.  So this often makes it hard to get them on board with the idea of purchasing something older.  However I found an interesting angle.

New cars depreciate!  My $32,000 2007 Mustang GT is today worth about $10,000.  This SUCKS but it's a hard fact of owning cars.  That is unless you get something different.  Something like an older classic collectible car.  Hemmings Motor News often shows these numbers.  See where I'm going with this?  That's right, my girlfriend is completely willing to let a Pantera into our life because I showed her the numbers Panteras have appreciated over the years.  Money talks as they say so I let money do the talking for me.  Later in the day she even brought it up again saying, "It really makes sense to get a car that is going up in value." 

So now the trick is finding a Pantera that meets all my needs.  Maybe there isn't one and maybe I'm too big to even fit in a Pantera (I heard they are very small inside) but that just means I need to find a different classic that is increasing in value.  Or I may say screw it and just get the new Mustang GT350 but at least I now know an angle that makes sense to her and gives me more options into finding my perfect car. 

Pantera Appreciation According to Hemmings Motor News 

2014	$60,000
2009	$45,000
2004	$30,000
1999	$29,600
1994	$25,000