Not that I want the after-market marketers to be put out of business, but...
 

Good morning everyone.

This was just a thought that popped into my head as I was doing some more parts shopping last night. Ok, we all know that most, if not probably all, Mustang owners do some type of modding/upgrading to their Pony, both in the Performance and Show areas.

From what I've gathered from here and a couple of other forums, there's basically the same things that get modded year after year: Exhaust, Fuel management/delivery, intake, etc and pretty much the same things are used year after year to do those mods: Adding Headers/X-Pipe/Mufflers, bigger/faster fuel pumps and/or injectors, CAI, SC/Turbo, etc.

Essentially the decision on what type of product to add and what company you want to buy that product from are about the only real differences from year to year.

So, here's my thought/question. With all the same things being done, by the same companies year after year in order to increase both performance and looks of the Mustang, why doesn't Ford simply pay attention to these things, realize that people have been, currently are, and still will continue to do them, because they "need" to, because the Mustang doesn't come out of the Ford stable, the way the think it should? Then take that realization, and do something about it? For example, Exhaust. Regardless of brand, I think the most common mod is to add a X-Pipe and new Mufflers. So why not just make the Mustang with a X-Pipe to begin with? Why not offer a CAI? Why not just make the MAF bigger to begin with?

I would think that this would have two benefits to Ford, one being very direct and immediate, and the second a kind of residual benefit. The first, would be an increase in profit to Ford. The more parts/add-ons they can sell to you before you walk out the dealership doors, the more money they make. The second, (and this may come with some naievity(?) of the automotive world) woudl be that if these parts are offered, installed, and maintained (via the normal routine maintenance) by Ford, then they would of course be on the cars warranty. If they're on the warranty, then perhaps those consumers who'd like to get a Mustang with the desire to mod it, but not with either the ability to do it themselves or the money to pay someone else to do it for them, or to freaked about voiding the warranty, would then make the decision to buy one, because the mods are already there for them, and are now part of the warranty?

Anyway, like I said, it was just one of those random thoughts.

well first-off, Ford is NOT in the business to sell parts. there in the business to sell cars and trucks. second is the cost factor and thrid is liability reasons and if I had time, I could prob find more reasons ;)

The more things ford add that are bigger and badder, the more its going to cost you, the consumer, in the end. Your 28,000 brand new mustang is now 32,000 because of all the added stuff. They also make a badder one if the other 3 arent good enough, its the cobra, and its supercharged!

You must also think about the fact of modding being a hobby. Sure I want to make my car fast and good looking but I also enjoy working on it. I want to be able to install my own stuff just because I can look at my car and be like "I installed all that ****." There is a certain pride you can notice when you meet people like that. Think about this way, sure everybody wants a Ferrari but if you can take a Mustang and make it better than any Ferrari out there then you are like the man for doing that.

And can you image how high insurance would be if Ford offered these options. For all that stuff to be under warranty and such it would take a huge increase in minimum wage or something. And honeslty, do you really think anyone will want to insure a kid who walks into a dealership and buys a GT with a KB2.2 option?

Well, I guess I can understand that they're there to sell cars, not car parts. But couldn't/can't these things be incorporated in the Mustang design from the beginning? So instead of going to buy a CAI from say K&N, and installing it myself, couldn't Ford design the Mustang to already have a CAI as part of the standard GT? Realizing that most people get rid of the H-Pipe in favor of a X-Pipe, why keep using the H-Pipe? Why not just use a X-Pipe in the designing and building of the car, from the beginning?

Those type things.

Not everyone wants a loud obnoxious midpipe. You have to realize that the aftermarket community is like 5% of the world. 95% that dont modifiy their car over rules 5% that do.

yea...my mom doenst care how much power my car has....she like if u can afford it than good for you :pepper:


my grandfather (now 65y/o) had a 67 fastback (when he was 27) and he put straight pipes in..he loved how it sounded....now...when i told him that i was puting on an exaust on my stang...he said leave it alone...its quite.....its only a matter if u really want it....and most people want quiet cars..somewhat fast cars....so thats wat car manufaturers produce...wat the majority of the people want

I think it's kinda good for Ford or any car company to leave their cars easy to upgrade, such as the mustang. When people see or mustangs modded, and visually unique and see what kind of power it can produce from that simple factory mustang, I think it makes more people want to buy a mustang.

Amen! Ford has to produce a car that appeals to the most number of consumers. As much as I love the o/r sound, this may turn away many potential older drivers. Some love their stangs as is, my mom and dad had a mineral grey gt for 2 years and it never saw a single mod. It would cost u more and you wouldn't get to pick certain brands of mods you trust. Not everyone loves an x-pipe. I have had an x and h pipe and for dd, i'd never go back to the x.

and lets just say laying ofr 30k people in 6 years FORD isn't quite doing very well right now...and it's cheaper to produce their products...once they cut the fat...get rid of some of these **** cars in the list...and go ahead and stick to...Mustangs and Trucks...the company will prosper once again..honestly i see this Ford 500 AWD being a real big hit up North...alota people aren't liking their FWD Honda Civics anymore...they're too light in the snow....