Every product category has their own icons. In fashion you have Ray-Ban Wayfarers and Converse Sneakers. In computing, the humble Macintosh and the Goliath IBM. And in cars, the Mini, Beetle and Ford Mustang.

Named after horses that the Spanish brought across the pond, the Mustang is seen as pure muscular Americana. A powerful pony car for long trips across prairie deserts. But the truth is the Mustang is actually a fashion car.

Every five or so a car model gets redesigned. It doesn’t matter the make, the model or the type; there’s a new generation that gets launched after a certain period of time. Whether it be a Ferrari, a Ford or a Fiat, like clockwork you can expect something shiny and new.

That transition period can tend to put consumers in an odd position. The last year of a generation may be outdated in technology and design, but it will probably be more reliable. Because they’ve had five years to work the production bugs out. And once the new models arrive at dealer lots, they’re eager to get rid of the old ones. Which means discounts and negotiating power.

The new model though, has all the latest gizmos and engines. It’ll be a bit bigger, a bit more powerful and maybe even a bit safer. But is that enough to disregard the old model?