Why Ford Mustang S650 Sales Are Lower Than Expected: Price, Tuning, and Design

S650 vs. Mach-E Sales Comparison

• ⚡ The comparison between the Mustang S650 and the Mustang Mach-E sales is deemed a "stupid comparison" by the speaker, as the Mach-E is a more practical crossover appealing to a wider family audience.
• 📉 While the Mach-E sells well, the S650 Mustang is not performing as strongly as its predecessor, the S550, in terms of sales.

Key Factors Affecting S650 Sales

• 💰 Price is a major deterrent; a 2013 GT was $30k, a premium S550 was $31k, while an S650 GT starts at $42k and can easily reach $55k with options like the performance pack.
• 📈 Inflation is cited as a contributing factor to the increased pricing across all car manufacturers, not just Ford.
• 🚗 The S650 offers a more premium interior and smoother ride, feeling more like a GT car, but this comes at a significantly higher cost.

Aftermarket and Tuning Limitations

• 🛠️ The Mustang platform historically boasts the largest aftermarket support in the world, making customization easy and accessible.
• 🔒 However, the S650's ECU is locked or very difficult to access, limiting tuning capabilities, especially for aftermarket parts not from Ford Performance.
• 🧩 This restriction means simple modifications like cold air intakes often require a retune, and parts from brands popular on the S550 may not be compatible or easily usable on the S650, reducing its customizability on a budget.

Design and Community Reception

• 🤔 The appearance of the S650 is divisive, with the front and headlights being praised, but the rear being described as more rigid and square.
• 🌟 While the Dark Horse variant is considered great-looking and performs well, its starting price of $60,000 positions it in a competitive premium market.
• 📉 In contrast to the S550, which was seen everywhere modified shortly after its release, fewer S650s are modified and visible on the streets.

Overall Value Proposition

• 🏆 The S650 is acknowledged as a nicer, more refined car that drives better than the S550.
• 🔑 However, for many enthusiasts, the value proposition of the used S550 remains strong, offering a great platform for modification and performance at a lower cost.
• 💔 The combination of higher prices and limited tuning options makes the S650 a "tough pill to swallow" for many potential buyers compared to the accessible and customizable S550.