Well I was driving home today and on the way I noticed a Redfire V6 parked out front of Joe Cotton Ford in Carol Stream, IL. So I stopped to check it out, as I haven't seen an 05 up close yet. My camera phone is broken so sorry no pics! Upon exterior examination, the panel fit and gaps were pretty good, however the orange peel was obvious, even under lights at night. The rims were upgraded w/spinners, and looked sharp. As for interior, this car didn't have IUP, and it seemed to be pretty decent quality although a bit bland. This car had Shaker 500 and it sounded impressive to me, much better than my Acura stereo.

Then, we went for a test drive. The V6 actually sounded pretty good, and I pulled out onto the highway. I didn't feel a whole lot of power, but then again I didn't put my foot into it at all as the car had 12 mi. on it. The steering was tight and the car felt solid on the road, but I noticed what others in the forum were mentioning about the ride. I was going about 50mph on a concrete highway (North Avenue) and I swear I could feel every joint in the road. Even in my RSX-S which I consider to have a punishingly hard ride, the ride down this road is much more comfortable. This would be a major problem if the GTs ride like this as well, as much of my daily commute is on this type of road. To make matters worse, around 50mph there was also a drivetrain or gear hum that was very noticeable and annoying.

All in all, I still like the new Mustang. My enthusiasm has been taken a few notches down though due to this test drive. I hope when I test drive a GT that these problems won't be there, because I don't think I can justify 27k for a car with these problems. I know I'll get flamed heavily for this, but as much as I want to love this car, I can't ignore my firsthand experience.

 

Could one install a softer suspension and sacrifice some handling for ride quality??

 

Maybe try the GT, you might like it better? I test drove both and didn't think the ride in either one was hard.

 

I actually thought the ride to be extra smooth. That suprises me because I have heard many people say just the opposite of what you are saying.

 

I have an 05 V-6 and the ride in it is fairly smooth no problems here the power is there trust me mine has some real get up and go but i also have 700 miles on it

 

Thats odd. I have driven two GT's now and I thought they rode good, but I have heard people complain about a harsh ride too. Maybe my tolerance level is higher I dunno.

It could be that on any given day I'm either driven a 2000 Z28 or a 1996 Chevy truck. I guess neither is a Caddilac.

 

I drove a V-6 today myself, purely for fit and feel.....my GT was already ordered. I though the ride was excellent.

 

In general, it felt like the ride was good. The problem is sharp road irregularities, such as expansion joints where the approx. 15ft. slabs of concrete that make up the road meet. What I am talking about, you wouldn't experience on a smooth asphalt road. On certain highways though that are built with this method, the ride was not bone jarring, but definitely too busy. I drive on this type of road a lot, so this would be a problem for me. I was hoping for an upgrade on the ride quality from my RSX-S, but this wouldn't be.

 

Doh, it looks like I am rehashing an old topic. Check here for more info about what I am talking about: http://forums.bradbarnett.net/index....opic=8929&st=0

 

Maybe you should buy a Cadillac?

 

I have taken an 05 GT out for a drive an found it to ride very nice. I drove my dads 02 GT between Denver and Kansas City a number of times when I was in the process of moving and I can tell you that the ride in that car was hard. You could feel any change in the road.
I feel that the 05 is a big improvement over the previous years. I have been able to drive Mustangs from every era made. (although the 60's stangs were a few years old when I got to dive them) I have driven new mustangs from the 1975 MustangII and up and I would say that this new one leaves the rest in the dust.I have owned 4 myself but there have been 9 stangs in the family over the years.

 

Or stick with an Acura !!

It is the best Mustang yet, however it is still a Ford (well Mazda-ized Ford), and will probably never have the ride quality of a Acura ... A.K.A. the Lincoln division of Honda. If you want to compare it to anything, compare it to a 2004 or earlier Mustang.

 

From my test drives I know that both the GT an the V6 are light years ahead of any previous stangs. The V6 has more power and drives you into the seat harder than any base V8 stang I have ever driven and I'm going back to 65 on that.

 

bryman - here is my .02

I drove my 02 RSX-S for nearly 80,000 miles mostly on the highway. After putting 2500 miles and counting on my new GT, I can say that the ride is 100% better. No clip-clop over expansion joints at all. The RSX-S is a punishing ride, my wife routinley comments on how smooth the ride is in the new Mustang and how comfortable the seats are. We recently drove down to New Orleans, about 15 hours round trip. Besides gas/food we never had to stop and stretch like back in the acura days. Even my coworkers that ride with me to lunch have commented on how smooth the ride is compared to my old car. I understand that this is all personal opinion, but my RSX-S was half the car my Mustang is...and I am pretty picky about details. I don't get 35+ MPG any more, but not having to use premium has made the fuel cost just about equal. I do miss the hatchback but that is about all I miss about the acura.

And then there is the power...just a warning: don't ride in or drive a GT, you will buy it on the spot. It happend to me.

 

I have to agree with that. This is my 8th Stang and the ride and handling are superior to any of my previous Ponys. Just my opinion.

 

Concrete is harder than asphalt, and there are not to many vehicles that will be different on concrete.
We have a newly paved concrete stretch of highway going to the valley here in N.S.

Does'nt matter if I take the truck or the 04 Mustang, I get the same thing.

As soon as I get off it, no more noise.

So, 05 on Bryman!

 

well i look at it this way...............i drive a chevy malibu right now and anything is better. that thing is pretty rough. the new mustang isnt a lexus cuz those things feel soooo smooth. but i dont mind about that. i test drove the GT and had NO COMPLAINTS at all. its soo powerful, more smooth than i expected, and alot of fun

 

Kind of makes you wonder about going to 18 inch wheels or lowering the suspension... :nono: