Let me first say this website has provided me with a great deal of information on the 05 GT. It is a great resource and is part of the reason I made up my mind on this car. I had a pretty large list of cars I was interested in. I looked at the STi, Evo, 350Z, and used C5's. My friends had lost confidence that I was ever going to get a new car because nothing really blew me away. I finally decided that I am going to place an order sometime in the next month for a Torch Red GT Premium. I have a couple of questions that maybe can be answered...

-Can the X-used?

-Any clue on what size tires can be fitted on the car? From the looks of things, I am hoping I can put 275's all around. The 235/55/17s that come on the car are not wide enough for my tastes. Going to a wider tire and stickier compound will really wake this car up.

-How long before aftermarket companies get there hands on the 05? I know that this is an estimate, but I cannot stand the wheel gap present. The car looks like a 4x4 and would look much more agressive lowered so that the wheels just tuck into the fenders. I read somewhere that Ford benchmarked the 3 series during its suspension development. They should have paid attention to the ride height of all bimmers.

 

I think you have completely confused ride height with wheel gap.

One has very little to do with the other. You can have a 4WD truck, with 12" of clearance, with no wheel gap.

You can have the 05 mustang, with very little frame-to-ground clearance (enough to prevent the use of side pipes), with moderate wheel gap.

Ford's attention to the 3-series during suspension work was done for performance, not for LOOKS.

If you are that serious about the look, and performance doesn't matter, you can cut your own springs or have a pro do it. It will likely screw up your suspension, and reduce handling, but you are talking about the importance of looks here.

Wheel gap is not ride height. Agressive looks doesn't equal roadholding OR handling.

 

From what I have read it seems 275's will fit all the way round.

As for aftermarket companies you will see products in Oct., right after SEMA. Roush, Saleen, and a couple of other companies have had an 05 since last winter and have been R&Ding for after market parts. I promise you will see suspension mods this October for it, so dont worry!!! I hope that helps some.

 

I think you have completely confused ride height with wheel gap.

One has very little to do with the other. You can have a 4WD truck, with 12" of clearance, with no wheel gap.

You can have the 05 mustang, with very little frame-to-ground clearance (enough to prevent the use of side pipes), with moderate wheel gap.

Ford's attention to the 3-series during suspension work was done for performance, not for LOOKS.

If you are that serious about the look, and performance doesn't matter, you can cut your own springs or have a pro do it. It will likely screw up your suspension, and reduce handling, but you are talking about the importance of looks here.

Wheel gap is not ride height. Agressive looks doesn't equal roadholding OR handling. [/b][/quote]
MR1, ride height and wheel gap go hand in hand. I know that when I lowered my car, the wheel gap was reduced between the fender and tire. I also measured the bottom of the front bumper and it was also lower. The same goes for pretty much any street car that I have seen lowered. I would be buying springs to improve the handling also. I do open track events when I have the time and a more agressive rate spring match to the proper shock dampening will definetly improve the vehicles dynamics.

 

I wish I could get an 05 GT, but the 04s are just so much cheaper.

 

what by 3 or 4 more months of savings? I would do it, or you'll be kicking yourself later

 

I second that. When the new style is everywhere and you're stuck with the "old model", you'll wish that you could upgrade. But it will be too late.

 

I second that. When the new style is everywhere and you're stuck with the "old model", you'll wish that you could upgrade. But it will be too late. [/b][/quote]
Good things come to those who wait, young grasshopper

 

i decided i was gettin the 05 gt a while ago......i been lookin into it for a long time

 

yeah...i'm glad i didn't buy the 04...i was going to until i found out about the 05...would have kicked myself

 

I've wanted a Mustang before I could drive. This is the model for me!Count me in on an 05 GT! would like to wait for the Cobra ,but it's gonna be tough enough to extend my lease long enough for the convertible. Maybe I'll just BUY the Cobra next time. ! Love this site thanks for all the info from everyone! And sharing your photos-hope I haven't ruined my keyboard with all the drool.

 

I understand that... what I meant to convey (and failed) was that wheel gap is a function of many things, such as tire size, ride height, and wheel opening design.

The point is that they didn't try to copy the BMW aesthetics (wheel gap), they tried to match it's performance. Wheel gap isn't a performance issue, it's a LOOKS issue.

Lowering the car can help the looks, and if it is done with the right springs, designed by people who have put lots of hours on the vehicle on a track, it might even help the handling and maybe even the roadholding.

As you already know, dropping the ride height by itself changes many settings, some of which will make the car handle and roadhold WORSE.

I guess the bottom line is that while you can change wheel gap by changing ride height, a wheel gap discussion and a handling discussion are two different things, looks vs performance. I think the equivalent in the engine bay would be hood scoops... if you put a hood scoop on, it doesn't make it go faster. Oh, if you put a scoop on ~and~ you make it ram-air and your car can use it, sure.

 

B) Heard Saleen is having a dealer only invite event on the 18th to preview SEMA show

 

I was looking at 04 MachI on dealer lots, when a friend asked me if I had seen the 05. He gave me a copy of C&D with a picture of the concept 05 and I was sold. Glad I have waited and waited and waited.........

 

I have been waiting for a real mustang to come out since 1969.
It has finally arrived.

Satin Silver GT
IUP.
Custom GT stripes provided by my body man.
Coming to my garage in spring 2005