Harry Da Hamster
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- May 13, 2013
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You're not sold on IRS??? Are you towing with the Mustang? What are you not sold about? It's about time the Mustang got an independant suspension!
2015 Ford Mustang
- Thread starter Romans5.8
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You're not sold on IRS??? Are you towing with the Mustang? What are you not sold about? It's about time the Mustang got an independant suspension!
Pinpoint_Precision
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- Jan 3, 2013
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Everything looks down right perfect until you see the rear. Ugly. I am not feeling the rear at all. Really weird to be honest with you. Also looking on a side angle, they totally copied the Camaros, not that there is anything wrong with that but just saying. Overall, beautiful I am just not impressed with the rear. Maybe my opinion will change once I see the Cobra version.
Chris's FX4
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- Sep 15, 2011
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In a Mustang, no. Other cars, yes. I'm sure I'll like it once I drive it since this gen was designed with it from the start. I'm one of the people that believe the last gen Mustang handled really well for what it was, and what they were able to do with it considering it still had a solid axle. I'm not disagreeing that its about time it got one, we all knew it was coming sooner or later.
Desertnate
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- Aug 5, 2013
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I understand the tradition of the solid rear axle and I'm sure its more durable for the drag-racing set who live by the "christmas tree" and the 1/4 mile. However, I don't like the nasty rear-end hop you get in bumpy turn. A poorly maintained concrete seam on a sweeping freeway on-ramp can become quite the adventure.
kochdalton87
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- May 29, 2013
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I somewhat agree with Chris on the IRS comment. Yes, it is a Mustang and we've grown to love them with a solid axle, except the '03 and '04 Cobra, and when change comes it's hard to accept it. Guaranteed there will be kits out there to solid axle swap them once they are on the market for a little for the serious drag racers and enthusiasts. You also have to look at it this way, it is simply an advance in technology and like you said the IRS was coming even if we liked it or not. Manufactures will always try to stay up with the competition, specifically the Camaro. Why don't car manufactures have carburetors anymore? They are simply outdated and the older mechanics didn't like the introudction of EFI because they couldn't tune it themselves. IMO the Mustang beat the Camaro in almost all fields except for when they took it to the road track where it lost because of the lack of IRS. With the IRS addition and granted the Camaro does not have a severe power increase I think it's safe to say the Mustang will regain the title of the muscle car wars.
Andr3wilson
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- May 16, 2012
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Mustangs have always worked best with a three link. If they improved chassis and weight distribution, an IRS might be better, but I don't know. I will drive it before I come up with a solid opinion.
I like the new styling. They have stopped trying to copy old designs and being retro. It's more current to there modern styling cues.
Harry Da Hamster
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- May 13, 2013
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Change is sometimes hard to accept... but the only reason the Mustang still has a solid axle to this day is because of the bean counters. ALL the best handling cars have independent suspension.
Best compared to what? An older Mustang?
I had hopes Ford would discontinue the retro design on the newest generation Mustang, or at least with less retro cues. I was a bit disappointed. The actual pictures (not renders) do look pretty nice though. The Jay Leno chin on the rear bumper is gonna take a little while to grow on me.
kochdalton87
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- May 29, 2013
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I won't argue with you there. It's extremely hard to beat an IRS set-up, but the Mustang has always been a 1/4 mile runner and the guys that race their Mustang at the drag strip are going to be doing the most griping. But like I said, guaranteed there will be kits out to cater to those guys that still prefer the solid axle over IRS. Above all I believe this was a change that will have a positive effect for the company especially seeing how it is going to be sold world-wide.
Chris's FX4
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- Sep 15, 2011
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I know what you're talking about with the concrete seams. My dad as on 07 and at no point do I ever feel like it's losing control when hitting some of those on a turn at 70mph though. Some simple bolt on's and its less jarring and feels even more in control over them. Most people who buy these cars for any kind of serious handling or racing are going to do some moderately modifying anyway.
I wouldn't say it was all because of the bean counters. Fourth gen Camaro's still had a solid axle. Ford didn't have any competition for the redesign in 05, so why change what was working? Most people who were buying Mustang's at the time were enthusiasts, people who wanted one because its a Mustang, or because it reminded them of their youth. Again, given how the rest of the car was, it handled really well for a solid axle. Maybe the majority of the buying market didn't want it to handle like its on rails? That's what makes pony cars and muscle cars a like fun to drive IMO.
Then the new Camaro and Challenger come along with IRS 2010 and 2008 respectively. There would have been no point to add IRS to the 2010 refresh on the Mustang unless the whole platform was completely overhauled since the current platform was not designed with IRS from the beginning like the 2015 will be. So the Camaro and Challenger have IRS. Does that automatically make them better than the Mustang? Not in my opinion. Both have always felt bloated and too big when driving to me. I feel the Mustang still handled better than them and was much more fun to drive. Dodge and GM took the easy way out if you ask me. Why not beat the Mustang at its own game, with a solid axle? Because that's not what the times and market called for. If they wanted the cars to be successful, they knew they couldn't rely on the niche market of true muscle car enthusiasts. That market is dwindling as generations are changing.
Oh well, this is all just my opinion. Guess I just represent the small segment of the market who liked it with a solid axle. Just the enthusiasts in me I guess. I realize times are changing and that in order to compete on a much bigger lever, and global level, the solid axle had to go. Is IRS really going to deter from buying this car? Hell no.
BTW, don't think I'm some old hardcore muscle guy who's stuck back in the 60's and 70's. I'm 21. Just grew up with always having Ford and Mustang's in my life, and cars in general.
I for one can't wait to see what the aftermarket comes up with for this car. Should be fun to watch it all unfold.
Exactly about the world wide part too. I'd imagine it would be pretty hard to get people in European countries to even look at the darn thing if it still had a solid axle. Again, I'm excited to see how this all unfolds.
Oh, and lets not forget how well the 2011 Mustang did against a M3.
2011 BMW M3 Coupe vs. 2011 Ford Mustang GT Comparison - Motor Trend
Meticulous-Detail
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- Nov 15, 2011
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Let's just say I am not going to trade my modded 10 GT500 in for a 15 Mustang GT.
I can't bring myself to like the Aston, Fusion, Honda front end look. I am sure it will be a great performer and the interior looks nice, but I just love the looks of my 10.
I can't bring myself to like the Aston, Fusion, Honda front end look. I am sure it will be a great performer and the interior looks nice, but I just love the looks of my 10.
Andr3wilson
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- May 16, 2012
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Best compared to a four link or irs conversion on a mustang Rear axle isn't bad when it's range of motion is limited and torquing in is virtually impossible.
I like it. It's easy to criticize online, but when you finally see one in your rear view mirror it will look great. Sorta like back around 08' when everyone was going retro on their models. Challenger was best received by the media because it was almost an exact copy while the camaro got stick for not. Finally in person people loved the camaro.
I think the new Subaru imprezza is depressing tho.
Meticulous-Detail
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- Nov 15, 2011
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Ford took the solid axle to the max, just look at the Boss 302.
http://www.autoevolution.com/news/m...r8-m3-california-and-c63-amg-video-42004.html
Solid rear axle and small rear brakes allows for 17 inch rim with 10.5 slick or drag radial and some fun at the track.
I upgraded my upper control arm, lower control arms and pan hard bar which eliminated any wheel hop and greatly improved the control of the rear.
http://www.autoevolution.com/news/m...r8-m3-california-and-c63-amg-video-42004.html
Solid rear axle and small rear brakes allows for 17 inch rim with 10.5 slick or drag radial and some fun at the track.
I upgraded my upper control arm, lower control arms and pan hard bar which eliminated any wheel hop and greatly improved the control of the rear.
1fastTbird
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- May 23, 2013
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I do not like the Camaro style flat top of the rear quarter panels. And the line down the side of the body is too straight and too hard. Just like the '14 Vette, I don't know what the deal is with all of the hard lines. The best looking cars IMO are curvy and smooth.
With that said, there are aspects that I love.
The IRS will be a huge benefit. As someone that has owned two 1997 Thunderbird's (Mustang drivetrain with IRS,) one of which was well over 500hp, the IRS will show Mustang owners what they have been missing. Keeping the solid rear for the .01% of the population that drag races would have been foolish.
With that said, there are aspects that I love.
The IRS will be a huge benefit. As someone that has owned two 1997 Thunderbird's (Mustang drivetrain with IRS,) one of which was well over 500hp, the IRS will show Mustang owners what they have been missing. Keeping the solid rear for the .01% of the population that drag races would have been foolish.
BlkHemiLTD
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- Jul 26, 2012
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Where did that .01% come from? I will agree that a very low percentage will probably ever make it to a track and be drag raced in that sense BUT you cant tell me just about everyone who owns one isnt drag racing it on the street or a back road i mean c'mon now it is a mustang. Just because it isnt on a track doesnt mean people arent "drag racing" the cars in some way. I do agree though the IRS is the way to go and it will only get better as well. :dblthumb2:
silverfox
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- Oct 5, 2010
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The lack of IRS is the exact reason that I did not buy a stang and went with my Camaro. I actually test drove the stang first before even thinking of going with the Camaro. I hated the stang handling and the cramped cabin.
I made the right decision. The Camaro gives me a beautiful comfortable ride with aggressive looks and is a pure joy to drive. It feels like a Buick in terms of comfort, handles like a true sports car, and goes like the wind when I'm in the mood not to mention it still turns heads wherever I go.
Is it faster than a mustang of the same ilk? I couldn't care less as I didn't buy it for racing or track use. I've never enjoyed any car more that I've owned and I've had several muscle cars in my younger years.
Now that the mustang has a IRS and a larger cabin I think they finally listened to the people however I hate the European look. I think American muscle cars should not look like a dozen other cars on the road. The wrap around front lights are dreadful in my eyes.
Also the idea of a 4 cyl putting out over 300 hp is interesting . Not in terms of performance but reliability and longevity. You know guys will not be satisfied and will try to get even more out of that engine. There will never be a substitute for cubes. If you are buying a muscle car and are worried about gas mileage you are better off with something else. I get 30 mpg on the thruway and have her tuned at 325 Hp out of 3.6 liter engine which could put out much more if I wanted to push it. Direct fuel injection leaves a lot of tuning potential left. That's a perfect compromise for me.
The new stang will sell well I'm sure. It now has broader appeal and not the niche market it has ways been. The European and Asian markets will love it. Die hard stang fans will love it.
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I made the right decision. The Camaro gives me a beautiful comfortable ride with aggressive looks and is a pure joy to drive. It feels like a Buick in terms of comfort, handles like a true sports car, and goes like the wind when I'm in the mood not to mention it still turns heads wherever I go.
Is it faster than a mustang of the same ilk? I couldn't care less as I didn't buy it for racing or track use. I've never enjoyed any car more that I've owned and I've had several muscle cars in my younger years.
Now that the mustang has a IRS and a larger cabin I think they finally listened to the people however I hate the European look. I think American muscle cars should not look like a dozen other cars on the road. The wrap around front lights are dreadful in my eyes.
Also the idea of a 4 cyl putting out over 300 hp is interesting . Not in terms of performance but reliability and longevity. You know guys will not be satisfied and will try to get even more out of that engine. There will never be a substitute for cubes. If you are buying a muscle car and are worried about gas mileage you are better off with something else. I get 30 mpg on the thruway and have her tuned at 325 Hp out of 3.6 liter engine which could put out much more if I wanted to push it. Direct fuel injection leaves a lot of tuning potential left. That's a perfect compromise for me.
The new stang will sell well I'm sure. It now has broader appeal and not the niche market it has ways been. The European and Asian markets will love it. Die hard stang fans will love it.
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Meticulous-Detail
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- Nov 15, 2011
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I test drove a Camaro SS, Challenger SRT8 and Shelby GT500 and went with the Shelby. Hated the Camaro interior, lack of interior and trunk space and not enough power. Loved everything about the Challenger, but the handling and performance were just not there, so went with the Shelby.
Keep in mind this was in 2011, before the ZL1. If the Challenger was lighter and had better performance, hands down would have purchased it. Rumor mill is 15 Hellcat Hemi Challenger to have 600+ hp.
House of Wax
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- Jul 21, 2011
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Even though I'm a mustang guy through and through, I think they're all great looking cars, minus the camaro's interior. That thing is hideous on the inside