IRS in the new Stang, be careful of what you wish for
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GelatiCruiser
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The solid axle is not staying true to the Mustang's heritage any more than drum brakes would. The car was simply neglected for decades. Why should I be careful what I wish for? I wish for a well-designed modern suspension in a good chassis, just like the competition. The 2003 Cobra was not the answer, and is not a relevant comparison.
First, I've never had any wheel hop in my 90 or 92 mustang when spinning the tires. The only time I've seen wheel hop is when this guy had stock suspension with no quad shocks (with wider tire) trying to pull a burnout... However, Ford spent a lot of time talking with mustang enthusiasts at events (in which there is millions and millions of ) about the rear axle and a majority of them wanted the live axle. It's not like Ford voted on it in house, its what the mustang people wanted. Don't blame Ford, blame the mustang people. Actually give Ford a pat on the back for giving the mustang enthusiasts what they wanted and finally taking the time to listen. I'm in favor of the solid rear axle and keep the IRS as a luxury option item.
Let me elaborate for those that don't understand. Like I said, IRS is nice for ROAD RACING, the majority do drive their mustang on the street not a road racing coarse. Those that do race their mustang's usually drag race on the street or take them to the strip. A solid axle is usually preferred for doing this. If people can't handle the bumps than maybe a Mustang is not for them.
It doesn't matter what vehicle you have your going to feel a bump or pot holes. As for curves in the road, they are all posted with a speed limit such as 25 mph or 35 mph, I don't know of any that are posted for 85 mph where IRS would be beneficial. So , if you want to test IRS on curves, on our street roads, your more than welcome, your only risking your own life. Therefore, I think solid rear axle is plenty for our roads. If you want luxury or road race get the IRS. 
Rootus
Officially Addicted
I'm not going to prejudge the new live axle based on the current one. I'm betting it's a night and day difference from the current setup. And I'm willing to bet it'll out corner an 03 Cobra. So if it saved a thousand bucks or so on the price of the car (the $300 number is *parts* cost, that's all), then I'm all for it. I'd rather they spent time and money improving the parts of the car that I will actually notice.
Let's break this down.
Average owner of the Mustang....a female buying a V6(it's been proven before).
Do you HONESTLY think the average female buying a V6 Mustang would give two craps if the car had IRS stock? Do you think the average female even knows what IRS stands for much less what it does. Do you think the average female knows the difference in the ride? Do you think the average female will be driving balls out enough to really get a susbstantial benefit out of an IRS setup in order to pay a premium for it? Answer would be a resounding NO across the board.
So now we are down to the GT as it's obvious the V6 no more needs an IRS than it needs F1 shifters.
Now do you think more people drag in their GTs or road race? I'd wager more drag race.
Average owner of the Mustang....a female buying a V6(it's been proven before).
Do you HONESTLY think the average female buying a V6 Mustang would give two craps if the car had IRS stock? Do you think the average female even knows what IRS stands for much less what it does. Do you think the average female knows the difference in the ride? Do you think the average female will be driving balls out enough to really get a susbstantial benefit out of an IRS setup in order to pay a premium for it? Answer would be a resounding NO across the board.
So now we are down to the GT as it's obvious the V6 no more needs an IRS than it needs F1 shifters.
Now do you think more people drag in their GTs or road race? I'd wager more drag race.
svtnupe said:
It's all about money. Ford tried to save face (rather successfully) by telling us it's what the enthusiasts wanted. Of course, some of them did...but at least on this board, the majority wants IRS as an option at the very least.
It's funny how the people who are preaching that we should go the speed limit in corners are the ones who are advocating drag racing on the street, which is just as illegal and dangerous.
How fast do you think you have to be for a properly designed IRS in a modern chassis to become a hinderance? Now how many people have a car that is that fast? I'd say it's WELL under 10% of Mustang owners.
Omegalock said:
ABSOLUTELY! For a non-enthusiast, buying a car is very touchy-feely. The car has to be smooth and "just feel right" to be considered for purchase. The current Mustang feels like Fred Flintstone's car compared to other cars that women shop for. Of course, the Mustang has been surviving on little more than its name for a long time, but making the car better sure wouldn't hurt.
You put the average woman in a GT and then stick her in say a Cobra or GTO. And tell them to judge it purely on the ride quality alone and I promise you the average woman cruising around at 60 miles an hour won't tell the difference. Now if she does notice the difference and you tell her ok you can have the same ride quality in the Mustang GT but it'll cost her an additional 1250-1500 bucks to get it. Do you really think they would fork the cash out?(&) said:
I mean honestly. The average Mustang driver would not notice the differance. They want a sporty appearing car with looks and that Mustang name with a livable interior and a liveable ride. A solid axle gives them that.
IMO to suggest that the average person would notice the difference is to read to much of yourself into the average person.
You solid axle guys are dead wrong.
On a couple of the other forums a salesman at a Ford dealer has posted extensively his experiences selling Mustangs. Of any car on his lot, Ford / Lincoln / Mercury dealership, the car that has the lowest sales rate after a test drive is the Mustang.
Why, because its a dated car that rides like crap. Most of those female customers you refer to test drive a Mustang and then go buy something like and Eclipse that has IRS and much better ride and manners out on the street in the real world.
90% of Mustang owners don't care about racing, drag or road. They just want a car that doesn't hop sideways when you hit a bump while taking a corner. Something a live axle is hard pressed to deliver.
On a couple of the other forums a salesman at a Ford dealer has posted extensively his experiences selling Mustangs. Of any car on his lot, Ford / Lincoln / Mercury dealership, the car that has the lowest sales rate after a test drive is the Mustang.
Why, because its a dated car that rides like crap. Most of those female customers you refer to test drive a Mustang and then go buy something like and Eclipse that has IRS and much better ride and manners out on the street in the real world.
90% of Mustang owners don't care about racing, drag or road. They just want a car that doesn't hop sideways when you hit a bump while taking a corner. Something a live axle is hard pressed to deliver.
Omegalock said:
I'm not woman (well, at least not till next year when I get the operation done) and I'm not going to buy a v6.
I have lived in few different places in my life, from north of the 55th parallel to south of the Mason-Dixon line. In all these places, the roads were far from straight and anything but smooth.
I think it's important to reiterate, for the benefit of the live axle die hards, that very few of the IRS folks are suggesting that ford dump the live axle all together. Speaking for most of them, I'm fine with it being on the GT. The new live axle should work quite well actually. However, if you want a car with the best attributes of ride and handling, a good IRS setup is the only way to go (and you shouldn't have to pony up $35k msrp for an '06 cobra to get it).
If you doubt that, I challenge anyone to show me a proven example of an IRS equipped passenger car switching to live axle. The only thing i can recall that even comes close is the old datsun 510's. The sedans had IRS, and a reputation for excellent handling, and the wagon had a live axle for higher payload capability. I think there were some hondas and subaru's like that too.
shatner saves said:
Exactly.
I want IRS and I am willing to pay for it, I just don't want to have to buy a SVT Mustang to get IRS and have to pay $10,000 - $15,000.
If the Mustang comes standard with a live axle and there are Stangers that want a live axle, I could care less, just as long as I can get a decent IRS for $1K or less, I (and tens of thousands of of other Mustang owners) will be happy.
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