awalbert88 said:
I think it's a little unfair to assume that the 05 Mustang isn't going to handle well. On the other hand, the LS-derived platform is one of the nicest to come out of Detroit in some time. I suspect that actual testing will reveal it to be a surprisingly well-rounded sports car.
I have to agree with most of what you are saying, that the LS platform is a fine base, and that the new mustang is likely going to be head and shoulders above the build quality of the existing car.
However, the Mustang is not, and has not ever been a sports car. Sporty car, entirely likely. Not all Coupes are sports cars. The rx8 mentioned earlier, is a the borderline of not being a sports car, even though it was designed to be, it has four seats, and more importantly four dours. It is almost more of a sport sedan. Purists would discount anything with more than two seats as default non-sportscar; but rather sport coupe. (a less strict definition, encompassing cars of lesser design focus)
There is no longer a true american sportscar. I consider the Corvette and Viper, although they fit the dictionary definition of a sports car, as two seat muscle cars. The new thunderbird is a boulevard cruiser. More power than handling. Maybe the early-mid 50s T-bird and Corvette were sports cars, but that didn't last long. The Mustang is a pony car, which I define as a more versatile and accessible muscle car, and was an ingenious idea, and still is. One doesn't buy a GTO Judge to go to the grocery store. A V6 (or classic I6) mustang will do that quite well, and be very affordable in the mean time. Yet some mustangs came with big-blocks and drag packs. More versatile, and more accessible.
The archetypical sports cars tend to be at a higher level. Ferrari being the top. Porsche taking up a niche near there. Classic Jaguars, Aston Martins, Maseratis, Alfa Romeos, and TVRs filling out the ranks. Some cars try to undercut expensive european sports cars, and are pretty successful. Nissan's new 350Z is a good example, and the 93-95 (up to 02, in Japan) RX7s were an excellent example.
They usually much more handling and grip than power, untill you reach the stratosphere level of Lamborghinis and Ferrari V12s; and the sheer engineering and design committment, with very few compromises are what mark a true sports car. Some older british sports cars, such as MGs and Austin Healeys were exceptions, with small compromises, but retaining their sportscar status, due to their handling and power ratios, despite the compromises.
Let me put it this way, a true sports car would price higher to accomidate a better 6 speed transmission, and four wheel double wishbone
suspension (not just independent, but excellent independent wheel control) rather than marketing to a price point with a less expensive 5 speed and live axle, as the Mustang seems to. No self respecting sports car short of the ultra luxury class would weigh in at more than 3300lbs, if it could help it. Some of the greats even weigh less than 2800lbs That is what puts even world class cars like the Nissan Skyline, BMW M3, and even our own beloved SVT Cobra out of the sports car running, even though they are still fine cars. Too much weight, and too many seats.
Go to England, and drive a Lotus Elise, or any TVR, or Germany and strap into a 911 GT3, or even look at any given 2 seat Ferrari, and you will immediately see the difference between a Sports Car and a sport coupe. A whole different world. Luckily, that world hands down it's hard won technology to the rest of us pretty willingly.