Quote:
Originally Posted by garagelogic
Mustangs are not popular because Ford made/makes them popular. It was/is the consumer that made the Mustang the automotive icon it is today.
If it were just a matter of producing a better car, I could probably name you a dozen vehicles in the history of the automobile that should have sold like hotcakes but, for whatever reason, never caught on with the buying public and were doomed to the dust bin of automotive history as an also-ran.
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I just think the exposure and appeal of the car overall did it. Look at all the options a Mustang buyer, let alone a regular person, has. There's litterally a Mustang for every budget/power level/handling level. I shouldn't imply a customer/fan is not what makes a car popular, I should've put that differently, but Ford did it's job and continues to. I'm thinking about a 4th Gen. specifically, in this case (I'm sorry - I continue to love this car, but with the 5th. Gen., and so many other new cars out there, it's pretty dated now). There were so many concessions for performance made (IMVHO) instead of ergonomics. That was fine with me and many others, but that windshield, hump in the floor, long-low nose, long doors, etc., were just more difficult to live with for more people (IMO). Mustang didn't seem to have as many of these nuances that I think many potential buyers would've had a problem with. I think I remember reading that the 4th. Gen. was more made for the enthusiast, not so much for everybody, and that's probably what was the last nail in the coffin. It may not have performed as well, on the whole, but it fit the bill in a lot more places that appealed to more buyers. I don't know if that justifies my reasoning to others, but that's how it works out in my head.
You're right not with there being better cars out there that didn't sell well though. I just think Ford's done it the best with Mustang, as far as striking the best balance of value/performance/quality/etc. I hope GM can change things with Camaro though
