2024 Mustang sales comment

[Ryunker]

I am fortunate enough at age 78 to own a new 2024 GT Mustang. When I considered buying my car, friends said that I'll have the same new car that high school seniors are driving to school. I guess this has changed since the price of a Mustang has really limited sales. I attended many car cruises this past summer. One Friday night cruise draws nearly 1000 cars. Walking through the cars, I counted three 2024's, my GT, a EcoBoost Convertible, and a Dark Horse. I guess I now own a unique car.
I spoke to a friend who sells for the largest Ford Dealer in our area. I asked him how many Mustangs they sold last year. He said about 10. Today they have one white PP Gt 6 speed, with Recaro's on the showroom floor. It was ordered and refused. This dealership has between 200 and 300 vehicles on their lot. I guess things have changed. I can't see Ford doing much with the Mustang other than offering it but at a higher price. It is what it is.

I hit the big 60 weeks before taking delivery of my DH a year ago. It is a retirement gift to myself. Retired in September of '24.

My last new mustang was a 1994.

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[Ryunker]

Increase in over $10k since 2021 is nuts

$8k in two years is even more nuts.

In 2023 the Camaro LT1 (base V8 model) started at $36,695

The Mustang used to be a relatively inexpensive car.

Mustang S650 never was expected to be in a class of "relatively inexpensive car".

 

[robvas]

Mustang S650 never was expected to be in a class of "relatively inexpensive car".

Hence the sales

They lost touch with the Mustang customer

 

[Jonyxz]

For those complaining about price, know that in Puerto Rico we roughly pay 35% over sticker price 🫠
However, we only live once and life is better lived with a nice car in the garage.

 

[Ryunker]

Hence the sales

They lost touch with the Mustang customer

From here, I just disagree.

 

[Thuggs]

I’ve just bought my first Mustang at age 62 ,a new 2025•5 GT manual no upgrades because already on the floor $86 k aud there are no other V8 manuals available in that range I’m hoping I love it as it’s probably the last new car I’ll buy but I also have a 1973 Jensen Interceptor Mk3 that’s been in the family 50 years old tech versus new will be FUN

 

[Crew4991]

The above numbers would be

+12.2%
+8.2%
+.08%
+5.3%
+.07%

Adding one year to the next, +25.85%, or average 5.17%. Compounded, +29.8%, 5.96%.

If you bought $1 of goods in 2020, they'd cost $1.21 (+21%) in 2025. That is a general inflation number, not necessarily the amounts autos or auto parts have been increasing.

The difference between 20 and 30% is not 10, but half (20+10=30).

Each person would have their own thoughts as to if those individual increases are significant or not. Seeing a 5% bump year-to-year, I believe most would think, "OK". Seeing a 12.2% in one year would give someone pause. Seeing 20.4% in the last two years would probably also give someone pause.

Some of the prior discussions involving options, I've been surprised by the increases of many of those.

There's a lot that goes into that. Thinking globally, the last five years, all the disruptions and events...multiple forces have affected materials, shipping, energy and labor costs.

Additionally, there've been significant price increases in auto insurance over this time period; it hasn't helped.

YMMV.

Edit,

An additional factor to consider is wages and income. If your income has kept up with all the price increases, great. If not, it'd be even more difficult to consider any significant purchase.

My man Skye be dropping a truth bomb right here. 100% agree with everything you said.
The only thing I would add is, the manufacturers (not just Ford) have learned that they actually prefer to sell a more expensive product and make fewer of them over the years since the pandemic.
Other than that, you covered everything. It is up to the individual to decide if they will (or can) be a new vehicle purchaser.

 

[robvas]

the manufacturers (not just Ford) have learned that they actually prefer to sell a more expensive product and make fewer of them over the years since the pandemic.

How so? The big three want sales numbers. They aren't setup to make small numbers of cars.

 

[kinelisch]

This is all good news. I prefer having a car that less other people have.

Same here. I see like 10 challengers/Chargers every day...

 

[kinelisch]

It's all relative, as Skye pointed out (Thinking globally, the last five years, all the disruptions and events...multiple forces have affected materials, shipping, energy and labor costs).
Cost of eggs is up over past 5 years, over 275%
Cost of houses is up over past 5 years, over 130%
Cost of gas is up over past 5 years, over 150%

And yet salaries have increased 5% max...

 

[dfanucci]

Liars always figure, but figures never lie...

No matter how much you try to spin the "why's and how's" the bottom line is that Mustang sales are horrible and price has a hell of a lot to do with it...

 

[Marty1000]

Yes, the prices are going up, but I purchased my mustang for the V8 and the 6 speed manual. Find me another new V8 American car with 6 speed manual that costs less ?

 

[Ryunker]

Yes, the prices are going up, but I purchased my mustang for the V8 and the 6 speed manual. Find me another new V8 American car with 6 speed manual that costs less ?

Great point.

 

[Cauf E. Bean]

[...]
2015-2040 with tweaks, facelifts and character line changes of course.

and hopefully with unlocked / cracked software for performance modders.

 

[Cauf E. Bean]

The above numbers would be

+12.2%
+8.2%
+.08%
+5.3%
+.07%

Adding one year to the next, +25.85%, or average 5.17%. Compounded, +29.8%, 5.96%.

If you bought $1 of goods in 2020, they'd cost $1.21 (+21%) in 2025. That is a general inflation number, not necessarily the amounts autos or auto parts have been increasing.

The difference between 20 and 30% is not 10, but half (20+10=30).

Each person would have their own thoughts as to if those individual increases are significant or not. Seeing a 5% bump year-to-year, I believe most would think, "OK". Seeing a 12.2% in one year would give someone pause. Seeing 20.4% in the last two years would probably also give someone pause.

Some of the prior discussions involving options, I've been surprised by the increases of many of those.

There's a lot that goes into that. Thinking globally, the last five years, all the disruptions and events...multiple forces have affected materials, shipping, energy and labor costs.

Additionally, there've been significant price increases in auto insurance over this time period; it hasn't helped.

YMMV.

Edit,

An additional factor to consider is wages and income. If your income has kept up with all the price increases, great. If not, it'd be even more difficult to consider any significant purchase.

Very well thought out, with a solid analysis - however you forgot to put a bow on it.
Over the same time period (minus 2025, obviously) the cumulative rate of inflation is approximately 25% compared to the 29.8% compounded increases in cost of the vehicle. Considering that car price increases lag behind inflation, the overall increase in the price of the vehicle is averaging only 1% per year, though it was provided in unfortunate chunks.

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