Cost of Lateral Stability -
12/16/04, 04:54 AM
#1
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The new GT does turn much better than the old body styles. It doesn't do the roll and wallow thing anymore. But, it appears that the cost of this better turning performance is a harsher ride from stiffer springs. I would classify it as VERY STIFF - a lot of quick vertical movement. My SUV rides smoother than my new GT.
12/16/04, 05:57 AM
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A Mustang is not supposed to ride like a Lexus. I believe that is part of the car's history.
That is exactly why I do not drive a Corvette, or anything else ... I feel like I am driving my Cobra .... The Corvette is too smooth .... Yes, I have driven plenty of Vettes ... the family is full of them ... I prefer the ride of the Mustang ...
That is exactly why I do not drive a Corvette, or anything else ... I feel like I am driving my Cobra .... The Corvette is too smooth .... Yes, I have driven plenty of Vettes ... the family is full of them ... I prefer the ride of the Mustang ...
12/16/04, 06:16 AM
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Originally posted by adrenalin@December 16, 2004, 7:15 AM
And all this time I thought it was my winter tires. I find that when I get over 80mph my car tends to "drift" back and forth. Kind-of-a-pain in the hiney!
And all this time I thought it was my winter tires. I find that when I get over 80mph my car tends to "drift" back and forth. Kind-of-a-pain in the hiney!
12/16/04, 06:17 AM
#7
Originally posted by 2005RedGT+December 16, 2004, 7:19 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (2005RedGT @ December 16, 2004, 7:19 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-adrenalin@December 16, 2004, 7:15 AM
And all this time I thought it was my winter tires. I find that when I get over 80mph my car tends to "drift" back and forth. Kind-of-a-pain in the hiney!
And all this time I thought it was my winter tires. I find that when I get over 80mph my car tends to "drift" back and forth. Kind-of-a-pain in the hiney!
Then it must be my tires. I won't know now until I put my summer ones on in April.
12/16/04, 06:23 AM
#8
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Originally posted by adrenalin@December 16, 2004, 7:15 AM
And all this time I thought it was my winter tires. I find that when I get over 80mph my car tends to "drift" back and forth. Kind-of-a-pain in the hiney!
And all this time I thought it was my winter tires. I find that when I get over 80mph my car tends to "drift" back and forth. Kind-of-a-pain in the hiney!
That being said, if your car is darty over 80mph I would check your tire pressures. I have experimented with them & found that 35lbs cold is best. The tires grip well & give you lots of warning at the limit at that pressure.
If you still have drifting be sure it is not cross winds. If not you may want to have the alignment checked.
12/16/04, 06:54 AM
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Originally posted by PONY XPRESS@December 16, 2004, 9:26 AM
After one block I knew this car war so much better then the SN95. The seat of the pants (stiff ride) told me so. I find the ride securing & great feed back through the wheel. The car does (I hate to say it) have a German feel at higher speeds.
After one block I knew this car war so much better then the SN95. The seat of the pants (stiff ride) told me so. I find the ride securing & great feed back through the wheel. The car does (I hate to say it) have a German feel at higher speeds.
12/16/04, 07:02 AM
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Interesting you feel the ride is too stiff, but the steering is too light.
My wife has a S type 4.2 Jag. Similar chassis to the Stang. I find it to be a little too soft & not enough feel through the steering wheel.
But we just did a trip that takes about 7 hours, & it only took 6 in the Jag. Great highway car.
My wife has a S type 4.2 Jag. Similar chassis to the Stang. I find it to be a little too soft & not enough feel through the steering wheel.
But we just did a trip that takes about 7 hours, & it only took 6 in the Jag. Great highway car.
12/16/04, 07:42 AM
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Obviously the Stang, a high performance coupe, will have a stiffer ride than most cars for superior handling and dynamic control. Now the Stang my ride a bit stiffer than a car with similar handling capabilities but a more sophisticated suspension such as a Vette, where you don't get as much of a ride vs handling trade off. This is especially true of the Stang's live rear axle, which has a very high unsprung weight and thus requires commensurately stiffer springs, shocks and bushings to reign in under control.
And that archaic rear axle, in addition to being cheap, does work well on smooth drag strips, which really don't ask much of a suspension anyway other than it hold still, hold straight and hold together.
Of course, a more sophisticated suspension will cost that much more money, important given the Stang's rather low price point targets. But you will see a more sophisticated and capable suspension, including an IRS, in the pricier SVT Cobra and perhaps a more affordable "Boss 302" type Stang.
The Jag S Type, while sharing a very few stampings with the Stang chassis, has an entirely different suspension design and is tuned more towards ride than handling anyways.
As for the "German" feel of the suspension, not sure why one has to be apologetic about this as they have some of the finest riding/handling cars extant, the BMW 3 series was a handling target and a fine one at that.
There have been some comments that the Stang's steering might be a touch on the light side, being a bit overboosted at the expensive of steering feel and feedback. Hopefully the upcoming SE's might tune a bit more feel back into the power steering calibrations.
As for high speed lack of tracking, that could be caused by many things, including your snow tire's own handling characteristics, tire pressures, suspension alignment, etc. I haven't heard this complaint elsewhere.
And that archaic rear axle, in addition to being cheap, does work well on smooth drag strips, which really don't ask much of a suspension anyway other than it hold still, hold straight and hold together.
Of course, a more sophisticated suspension will cost that much more money, important given the Stang's rather low price point targets. But you will see a more sophisticated and capable suspension, including an IRS, in the pricier SVT Cobra and perhaps a more affordable "Boss 302" type Stang.
The Jag S Type, while sharing a very few stampings with the Stang chassis, has an entirely different suspension design and is tuned more towards ride than handling anyways.
As for the "German" feel of the suspension, not sure why one has to be apologetic about this as they have some of the finest riding/handling cars extant, the BMW 3 series was a handling target and a fine one at that.
There have been some comments that the Stang's steering might be a touch on the light side, being a bit overboosted at the expensive of steering feel and feedback. Hopefully the upcoming SE's might tune a bit more feel back into the power steering calibrations.
As for high speed lack of tracking, that could be caused by many things, including your snow tire's own handling characteristics, tire pressures, suspension alignment, etc. I haven't heard this complaint elsewhere.
12/16/04, 08:21 AM
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I definitely notice the '05 GT's harsher ride compared to the last generation Mustang GT. This phenomenon is evident over the expansion joints on the freeways of L.A. I have gotten used to the firmer ride, and don't find it much of an issue anymore.
12/16/04, 09:12 AM
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Originally posted by Eric B@December 16, 2004, 9:27 AM
Stiff? Try a lowered model of the previous generation. That's stiff for ya
Stiff? Try a lowered model of the previous generation. That's stiff for ya
12/16/04, 09:18 AM
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Originally posted by Roger Ramjet@December 16, 2004, 4:53 AM
Yeah, it is a sports car but the ride is harsher than my Corvette Z06!
Yeah, it is a sports car but the ride is harsher than my Corvette Z06!
One reason I never owned a 'Vette'.....and the other was the fit/finish of the interiors. Other than that, the Vette is a sweet/fast car.....
12/16/04, 09:26 AM
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Wow, I don't really consider this suspension stiff at all. Maybe it's just me. I also like the steering, some call it twitchy, I consider it responsive. To each his/her own.
Jason
Jason
12/16/04, 09:45 AM
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Originally posted by Giddyup@December 16, 2004, 12:21 PM
....But I bet your Corvette is a rattle-trap compared to the Mustang.
....But I bet your Corvette is a rattle-trap compared to the Mustang.
