dam I was practicing my troll skills on him. he kinda reminded me of that valet guy on ramblings. since hes gone anyway it wont hurt to put this up.

for the record I'd take a 5.0 over an M3..but not an RS5

 

Maybe I am giving it a little too much credit but Yea I sat in one and I thought the interior was pretty much as good as the TSX maybe the plastics were not as good but there was no panel gaps or misalignments like the previous gen. (Like mentioned earlier the door panel is the only questionable part)

As far as the features I listed, my TSX doesn't have any of those except for the Climate control! And Im not saying the stang is a luxury car but that its got more luxury features than ever before...enough to keep most people satisfied

 

I'm not sure what is bothering the BMW fans more. The fact that Ford has a car that is performing equally to their standard bearer for performance for 27 -30K LESS. Or, that Ford is even being mentioned with the Bimmer. Badge wars?

What I do know is that Ford has already gotten the hardest part 100% correct....they've designed and executed a car that works. Making a pretty, glossy, tactile experience on the inside of the car is the easiest part for any design team/manufacturer. I'd venture a guess that if the Ford team truly wanted a BMW-esque interior, they would be able to install those materials for an addional 2-3K. Then the Ford would be equally performing AND a tactile and sensory pleasure on the inside for 23 -27K LESS. Imagine the fire storm if that were to happen. BMW would then be in the position of explaining their very premium pricing. Of course this is all imho.

 

Well yesterday I did what I like to do, once in a while, on Sunday afternoons - visit some car dealers while there are no sales vultures around.
Checked out a GT and then an M3 which were literally down the street from each other.
The GT's interior is really not too bad from what I could see from outside of the car. The M3 was also very nice but it was very plain, strictly from a visual standpoint.
How the materials felt I cannot say since I was outside of the cars.
The Bimmer seemed to be fully optioned. The GT had no Navi and no glass roof. It did have a $1400 trim package, which IMO sucked because, it contained the hood scoop, the rear window louvers and side scoops.
The one thing that glared at me was the sticker prices for both...GT = $38,xxx M3 = $70,xxx.
I know the M3 has a multitude of electronic niceties that the GT does not, but $32K difference?
That being said the M3 has a distinct beauty and style to it. The GT has a presence that can't be seen in pics. Standing next to the car, maybe because of the 19" wheels it was sitting on, you get the feeling of "we're not joking here".
Both cars are

 

I wouldn't get that GT appearance crap because it's just dead weight for people with moustaches.

Give me the upgraded interior, Sync, Brembros, and a couple other items ($40k list) and I'd be pretty damned happy.

Is it me or did it seem not too long ago that the E46 M3 was a mid-$50k car?

 

If by not too long ago you mean 5 years ago then yes. Back then im sure most of us would flip if there was a $40k Mustang GT too.

The new M3s just have so many more options than the E46 did that it adds up quickly. Plus base price is higher.

I paid $58k with most options then again I did euro delivery.

 

And the GT was a $30k car as well. But nows its topping $40.

 

Correct. It's stunning how much the Bimmers have gone up.

The GT had Brembos and Sync but no Navi, which, I think, makes the entire interior look 10 times better.
Subtract the lame apperance package, and add the Navi, and you'd still be in the 38,xxx range.

 

According to the Mustang forums they're selling for $33k-$35k. Haven't seen anyone say they've paid more than that even for premium package, navi, brembos and glass roof.

 

If they are selling for that, then they are a steal. They really look impressive, especially with the 19's.

Steve, link for that?

 

Thats crazy that a new model such as that would be selling below MSRP.

 

I can't find the one thread right now but this guy was quoted $32,300 for:

2011 Mustang GT 6MT
Premium 401a package
Shaker 500 with Sync
Brembo Brake package
LSD 3.55


http://mustangforums.com/forum/5-0l-...-thoughts.html

 

It's a Mustang it's not as if it's a low-quantity "exclusive" car. I'm sure we all quite a few every day when we're driving.

 

Ive not seen many 5.0s around actually. Mostly the V6 'verts.

 

http://mustangforums.com/forum/5-0l-...-on-2011s.html

That thread started in May, FYI.

 

Hey.... I resemble that remark! And I think the factory option louvers and hood scoop, etc. look lame, at least on the Mustang

I think everyone already knows what my choice is, and it hasn't changed. For the next 10 years or so I probably won't be able to get into a new-ish M3. The $25k+ extra just won't fit into my plans.... it's going to other things. Beyond that, who knows, maybe I'll become spoiled by luxuries that new cars offer, but at the moment, I drive a 4th gen F-Body, which if its interior were famous for something, it would be known for its cheapness

Still, the interior quality has never been one of the things that truly mattered to me in a car, and even then, if I did, the 2011 GT is a huge leap in quality and design. I'm sure that the M3 is the same over the Mustang too, but again, the doesn't impress me as much.



I really like the glass roof too, and honestly don't care too much if it hurts performance (unless it adds 100 lbs or something) but wow. The 5.0 is much more within reach than I initially thought, even new...

 

I remember reading an article saying that the M division wants to change directions in the way it builds the M cars. I remember it saying making them a ltl cheaper too.

 

Adds 27lbs

 

I can live without the glass roof, forgot it was a $2000 option, same with the navi. I've already got an iPhone which has gotten me home many times and it can find many POIs (though not as fast or organized) as a navi unit, so I'll be fine without those two.













.... but I can't live without the Brembos and the 3.73 rear

puts it at $37k MSRP with HIDs and the premium package. I still have a hard time believing people can get that for around $34k out the door, which is still out of my reach, but hey, I can dream...