Check out this article http://www.auto.com/industry/gm26_20010926.htm

Here are some of the funniest quotes I have read:

"One reason why the Mustang has flourished is because it's no longer a true muscle car. Last year, more than 70 percent of Mustangs were sold with a V6 engine rather than a V8, he said, and over 60 percent were sold to women.

"They've built a cute coupe that's trendy but not particularly high performance," Wangers said. "Ford has done a good job of transferring the Mustang's image."

By comparison, the Camaro and Firebird are still mostly known for their high-power variants that appeal to men under 35, Wangers said. Even if those younger buyers can afford a $25,000 to $30,000 sticker, insurance premiums of thousands of dollars a year make the purchase harder."

It sounds like GM even realized that they dropped the ball but instead of saying that they screwed up they try to downgrade the Mustang. I had a '94 GT when I was 23 and I paid $110/mo for insurance so Hi last statement is totally false. I would like to know the breakdown of V-6 vs. V-8 Camaros and Firebirds sold. I see quite a few V-6 ones around town.

 

I understand your point, but to be fair I don't think the guy being quoted is a GM source.

 

Whoever made that statement knows that the real reason the Camaro is going bye-bye is its poor build quaility and el-cheapo interior. Mustang has had it covered for 8 years now.

 

to be honest with you guys, im sad to see the f-body go. ive always been a big ford fan, but i like the LS1's much more than the 99+ mustangs. i read somewhere that they had plans to bring it back around 2005, but that may just be a rumor.

 

In a way I'm glad to see them go and in another way I'm sad to see them go and see 2 car nameplates die out after 35 years of sales plus it means even less rear wheel drive cars will be on the market as what ever they use to put in there place will be front drive.

 

i just hope that ford doesnt screw up the mustang now since theyre gonna have less competition. there are so many different rumors going around for the powerplant of the next mustangs its not even funny. some think its gonna be a 3.9, some think it will stay a 4.6, and some think the cobras will be 5.0. i guess only time will tell...

 

Hey Blueflareside, I love the color of your truck!!

 

mashie banks,

Right back at you! I get a lot of compliments on the color of my truck from F-150 owners that I meet in Central Florida. It's kind of nice that they ony made our Blue for two years then changed it.

 

I definately hate to see the F-Body go... My first car was a T/A before I got my F150, and no question about it reliability-wise they are a joke, but they are a lot of fun to drive (especially for the money.) I still consider the current T/A to be one of better looking cars out there. For similair money, i'd definately buy the L over the T/A just because I'd rather be in a truck, but no question about it 'competition' from GM is good for all Ford owners. If 'competition' wasn't out there, there is a good posibility the L would have never made it to production.

 

I'll hate to see the F bodies go as well. I think the mistake wasn't so much in the image tho. To be honest I think chevy dropped the ball on the styling of the camaro. They took a geo storm made it wider and longer, rear wheel drive, put a V8 in it, and called it a camaro... The firebirds I'll sorely miss the agressive front end made the car look great.

Looking at the prices of the three cars it's easy to see why the Mustang GT (24k) greatly out sold Camaro Z28's, Firbird formula's, and T/A's (30-40k). Hopefully they'll come back some day to re-ignite the classic battle of Mustang Vs. Cammaro.

Take it easy

 

I heard on C&D TV that the camaro will be back as a 2004 model. Have no idea what it'll look like or what will power it. Im sure, well not so sure knowing GM, that they'll have some version of the LS1 V8 or a newer design........we'll see.

 

 

If they use the 3.9 from the Lincoln LS the car might not be too bad but I agree, bring back the 5.0!

 

I've *heard* that they will be bringing back the 5.0 in a SOHC version for the GT and a DOHC for the Cobra. Technology is great, but there just isn't a substitute for pure cubic inches. I believe the 4.6 is a 281 c.i. motor, while the 5.0 is a 302 (know that number by heart ). Those extra 21 cubic inches can translate into as much as 40-50 extra horsepower if the technology goes into it. IMHO, seeing as how the 5.0 was one of the strongest and longest lasting engines ever produced, it's a wonder why they ever retired it.

I've also *heard* another story that they will bring back the 351 for the Cobra. That would be a true Camaro-slayer. Plus, the interior would be nicer

-Flea

 

Rather than the 351, I would rather see the 5.4 block like the current Cobra R. The savings in weight is just as important as HP.