Independent Rear Suspension Rant
Thread Starter
Bullitt Member
Joined: January 3, 2005
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Looks like help is on the way:
From another thread:
http://forums.bradbarnett.net/index.php?showtopic=12999
Hau Thai-Tang, the new boss of SVT, about coming products:
It will focus on building high-performance, limited-volume products with “substance†and value. But rather than putting a premium on off-the-line acceleration, future SVT models will likely strive to have broader appeal, much like the vehicles sold by European high-performance brands, such as BMW’s M line. That means they’ll have to handle and stop as well as they launch at a light, said Thai-Tang.
More:
http://www.svtperformance.com/forums...d.php?t=149684
I like that: "substance" and value
From another thread:
http://forums.bradbarnett.net/index.php?showtopic=12999
Hau Thai-Tang, the new boss of SVT, about coming products:
It will focus on building high-performance, limited-volume products with “substance†and value. But rather than putting a premium on off-the-line acceleration, future SVT models will likely strive to have broader appeal, much like the vehicles sold by European high-performance brands, such as BMW’s M line. That means they’ll have to handle and stop as well as they launch at a light, said Thai-Tang.
More:
http://www.svtperformance.com/forums...d.php?t=149684
I like that: "substance" and value
Tasca Super Boss 429 Member
Joined: May 18, 2004
Posts: 3,657
Likes: 2
From: San Antonio, TX
Originally posted by Jack Frost@January 6, 2005, 9:46 AM
Looks like help is on the way:
From another thread:
http://forums.bradbarnett.net/index.php?showtopic=12999
Hau Thai-Tang, the new boss of SVT, about coming products:
It will focus on building high-performance, limited-volume products with “substance†and value. But rather than putting a premium on off-the-line acceleration, future SVT models will likely strive to have broader appeal, much like the vehicles sold by European high-performance brands, such as BMW’s M line. That means they’ll have to handle and stop as well as they launch at a light, said Thai-Tang.
More:
http://www.svtperformance.com/forums...d.php?t=149684
I like that: "substance" and value
Looks like help is on the way:
From another thread:
http://forums.bradbarnett.net/index.php?showtopic=12999
Hau Thai-Tang, the new boss of SVT, about coming products:
It will focus on building high-performance, limited-volume products with “substance†and value. But rather than putting a premium on off-the-line acceleration, future SVT models will likely strive to have broader appeal, much like the vehicles sold by European high-performance brands, such as BMW’s M line. That means they’ll have to handle and stop as well as they launch at a light, said Thai-Tang.
More:
http://www.svtperformance.com/forums...d.php?t=149684
I like that: "substance" and value
Member
Joined: October 31, 2004
Posts: 25
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IMHO it is simple math, and much more than a $500 question to Ford.
Quick math tells me the following:
$500 per Stang * 150,000 stangs a year = $75,000,000.00 a year.
How many years do you think they will stay with this set-up?
10 years is $750 Million.
20 years is $1.5 Billion.
And that is before the intrest earned on the money saved
-Mike
Quick math tells me the following:
$500 per Stang * 150,000 stangs a year = $75,000,000.00 a year.
How many years do you think they will stay with this set-up?
10 years is $750 Million.
20 years is $1.5 Billion.
And that is before the intrest earned on the money saved
-Mike
Originally posted by bob@January 5, 2005, 2:40 PM
Hah, a lighter rear suspension counts from stop light to stop light, 0-60 and at the end of the quarter
Man if Ford only had a sweet pushrod motor to put in there.
Hah, a lighter rear suspension counts from stop light to stop light, 0-60 and at the end of the quarter
Man if Ford only had a sweet pushrod motor to put in there.
While a live axle IS optimal for those first few instants coming hard off the line, an IRS is optimal for that other 99.999% of actual road time most of us will see. I guess this all is a bit of a Rorschach test in whether you see the Stang primarily as a narrowly focused standing-start drag/muscle car or more broadly as a real world, over the road/GT performance car and thus, what suspension setup best suites you. For the former, probably disproportionately represented on this board, a live axle. For the latter, far larger segment who'll never set tire to strip, the IRS. To me, it just makes simple sense to at least offer, in more than just the dearest Cobra models, as suspension that excels in that 99.999% of usage than one optimized for that .001%.
The Stang was originally conceived very much in the broader performance envelope latter guise, quite and pointedly in contrast to the single purpose "muscle cars" of the day. Thus, it seems to me that if, in the retro character of the '05, one wants to capture that original spirit rather than some specific technical specification, a decent IRS would in fact be a natural component offered in at least the GT to reflect the Gran Tourismo aspect of its very name.
Now the Mach I, which more reflects the much later evolution of a muscle car, drag racer side of the Stang, then by all means stick a sturdy ol' truck axle back there.
And for the base car buyers, who don't know and don't care what's under the fetching skin, as long as its cheap, then anything more than and antedeluvian live axle would be money and good technology wasted on an unappreciating audience.
Cobra Member
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Posts: 1,470
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Originally posted by Saleen Mike@January 6, 2005, 10:14 AM
IMHO it is simple math, and much more than a $500 question to Ford.
Quick math tells me the following:
$500 per Stang * 150,000 stangs a year = $75,000,000.00 a year.
IMHO it is simple math, and much more than a $500 question to Ford.
Quick math tells me the following:
$500 per Stang * 150,000 stangs a year = $75,000,000.00 a year.
I think the point is people would rather pay a little more for IRS. Everyone knows it costs more, but it seems to be worth more to a lot of people.
So, under that theory:
$500 higher cost to build, charge $1,000 = $75 million a year in the bank for Ford.
Now the question is how many would pay an additional $1,000 for an IRS?
Count me in that group.
Shelby GT350 Member
Joined: October 4, 2004
Posts: 2,121
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From: San Clemente, CA
Omg....can this thread be closed. Look...Ford Motor Co. has been arround for a LOOOONG hiney time. I think they know how to do business. And the fact remains...how many people are actually NOT buying an 05 stang because of the live axle. NOT THAT MANY.
YES...an IRS set up WILL cost Ford SOME amount of money. it's not like they are not offering wheels on the car (imagine "yeah, it doesn't come with wheels standard...those are optional").
It's a frickin axle. 90% of the people buying these things don't care. The ones that do care...are the people on TMS.com, Stangnet.com, etc.
And the seriosu car guys are going to buy the Cobra with IRS. yes, the majority of us buying GT's cannot afford the cobra. BUT, Ford knows this...and its an incentive to move up.
why would Ford build a GT and a Cobra...where the only difference was the engine. they have to leave some things for the Cobra in order to get people to buy them.
It would be like building the V6 with posi, same wheels and tires, etc as a GT...and even that isn't the same. that's a difference between a v6 and a v8.
Would any of us buy a $40k+ Cobra over a $25k GT with the only difference being better a blown engine and a few interior/exterior trim pieces?
YES...an IRS set up WILL cost Ford SOME amount of money. it's not like they are not offering wheels on the car (imagine "yeah, it doesn't come with wheels standard...those are optional").
It's a frickin axle. 90% of the people buying these things don't care. The ones that do care...are the people on TMS.com, Stangnet.com, etc.
And the seriosu car guys are going to buy the Cobra with IRS. yes, the majority of us buying GT's cannot afford the cobra. BUT, Ford knows this...and its an incentive to move up.
why would Ford build a GT and a Cobra...where the only difference was the engine. they have to leave some things for the Cobra in order to get people to buy them.
It would be like building the V6 with posi, same wheels and tires, etc as a GT...and even that isn't the same. that's a difference between a v6 and a v8.
Would any of us buy a $40k+ Cobra over a $25k GT with the only difference being better a blown engine and a few interior/exterior trim pieces?
Shelby GT500 Member
Joined: September 2, 2004
Posts: 2,594
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From: Chicago
Originally posted by SurfnSoCal@January 7, 2005, 6:52 PM
Omg....can this thread be closed. Look...Ford Motor Co. has been arround for a LOOOONG hiney time. I think they know how to do business. And the fact remains...how many people are actually NOT buying an 05 stang because of the live axle. NOT THAT MANY.
YES...an IRS set up WILL cost Ford SOME amount of money. it's not like they are not offering wheels on the car (imagine "yeah, it doesn't come with wheels standard...those are optional").
It's a frickin axle. 90% of the people buying these things don't care. The ones that do care...are the people on TMS.com, Stangnet.com, etc.
And the seriosu car guys are going to buy the Cobra with IRS. yes, the majority of us buying GT's cannot afford the cobra. BUT, Ford knows this...and its an incentive to move up.
why would Ford build a GT and a Cobra...where the only difference was the engine. they have to leave some things for the Cobra in order to get people to buy them.
It would be like building the V6 with posi, same wheels and tires, etc as a GT...and even that isn't the same. that's a difference between a v6 and a v8.
Would any of us buy a $40k+ Cobra over a $25k GT with the only difference being better a blown engine and a few interior/exterior trim pieces?
Omg....can this thread be closed. Look...Ford Motor Co. has been arround for a LOOOONG hiney time. I think they know how to do business. And the fact remains...how many people are actually NOT buying an 05 stang because of the live axle. NOT THAT MANY.
YES...an IRS set up WILL cost Ford SOME amount of money. it's not like they are not offering wheels on the car (imagine "yeah, it doesn't come with wheels standard...those are optional").
It's a frickin axle. 90% of the people buying these things don't care. The ones that do care...are the people on TMS.com, Stangnet.com, etc.
And the seriosu car guys are going to buy the Cobra with IRS. yes, the majority of us buying GT's cannot afford the cobra. BUT, Ford knows this...and its an incentive to move up.
why would Ford build a GT and a Cobra...where the only difference was the engine. they have to leave some things for the Cobra in order to get people to buy them.
It would be like building the V6 with posi, same wheels and tires, etc as a GT...and even that isn't the same. that's a difference between a v6 and a v8.
Would any of us buy a $40k+ Cobra over a $25k GT with the only difference being better a blown engine and a few interior/exterior trim pieces?
Thread Starter
Bullitt Member
Joined: January 3, 2005
Posts: 290
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Originally posted by SurfnSoCal@January 7, 2005, 5:52 PM
Omg....can this thread be closed. Look...Ford Motor Co. has been arround for a LOOOONG hiney time. I think they know how to do business. And the fact remains...how many people are actually NOT buying an 05 stang because of the live axle. NOT THAT MANY.
Omg....can this thread be closed. Look...Ford Motor Co. has been arround for a LOOOONG hiney time. I think they know how to do business. And the fact remains...how many people are actually NOT buying an 05 stang because of the live axle. NOT THAT MANY.
1) There is reams of evidence of peeps passing on the car over the IRS issue.
2) Re your statement: " I think they know how to do business"
Duuuuude...do you have any idea about what's happening to the market share of American automakers...especially Ford?
Toyota has already surpassed Ford as the number 2 automaker if you take away Ford's 33% ownership of Mazda. If you add it the Mazda ownership, the Ford just barely eeks out ahead.
The writting is on the wall. And the Cobra can't come soon enough.
Cobra Member
Joined: September 25, 2004
Posts: 1,470
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Originally posted by SurfnSoCal@January 7, 2005, 5:52 PM
Would any of us buy a $40k+ Cobra over a $25k GT with the only difference being better a blown engine and a few interior/exterior trim pieces?
Would any of us buy a $40k+ Cobra over a $25k GT with the only difference being better a blown engine and a few interior/exterior trim pieces?
In fact, the Mustang is the only car I am aware of that has a suspension system change anywhere in its model lineup. If you want to get really technical, if Ford used the IRS on more cars, it would be cheaper. Which means they could sell the Cobra for cheaper. Which means they could sell more of them. And make even more money (an oversimplification, of course).
The simple fact remains that the only reason I could see staying with the SRA is they want to keep to their muscle car roots. That's fine by me. I would just like to see options, that's all.
I am just afraid Ford is leaving the door open for competitors.
(at least we know it won't come from Dodge....)
Shelby GT350 Member
Joined: October 4, 2004
Posts: 2,121
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From: San Clemente, CA
Show me this evidence. EVERY review of the 05 says basically "best bang for buck, even with no IRS, handles better than previous years".
1) Evidence shows alot of people are going to this car, based upon
1. Styling
2. IMPROVED suspension/performance
Everyone I have talked to that has driven this car, has not griped about the lack of IRS. AND...if they mention it...there are so many other pros...that they outweigh that "con".
2) then how come I see so many mustangs on the road? More or as many as I see civics and accords?
And you made my point, regarding market share. If Ford were too make the price of the new mustang closer to the 350z (by adding more features...including IRS), they would loose more business to Nissan. You can't get a 300hp car for $25k off the lot, that has performance AND styling appeal. Yes, Toyota is taking away business from ford. So your answer is for Ford to make a MORE expensive car? I don't have the time, but someone find a cost/benefit analysis on the 05...specifically GT. I find it hard to believe...that with market research that was surely done...and how risky of an endeavor it is to make a retro car (ahem...05 GTO...RIP)....that Ford would make a MISTAKE by not including IRS.
And the fact remains. If the IRS is a huge deal...why are SO many mustangs on the road? yeah...IRS would be nice...but it isn't stopping a significant amount of potential Mustang buyers from buying. That's business. Making a product, that people will buy...and making it to a quality that a majority of people will buy, so that it is cost effective.
As long as Ford makes money on a non-equipped IRS V6/Gt mustang...they will keep making them. Magazine writers and the euro/import crowd can rant all they want...but as long as it's good enough for the public...and Ford is making money...we will not have IRS.
1) Evidence shows alot of people are going to this car, based upon
1. Styling
2. IMPROVED suspension/performance
Everyone I have talked to that has driven this car, has not griped about the lack of IRS. AND...if they mention it...there are so many other pros...that they outweigh that "con".
2) then how come I see so many mustangs on the road? More or as many as I see civics and accords?
And you made my point, regarding market share. If Ford were too make the price of the new mustang closer to the 350z (by adding more features...including IRS), they would loose more business to Nissan. You can't get a 300hp car for $25k off the lot, that has performance AND styling appeal. Yes, Toyota is taking away business from ford. So your answer is for Ford to make a MORE expensive car? I don't have the time, but someone find a cost/benefit analysis on the 05...specifically GT. I find it hard to believe...that with market research that was surely done...and how risky of an endeavor it is to make a retro car (ahem...05 GTO...RIP)....that Ford would make a MISTAKE by not including IRS.
And the fact remains. If the IRS is a huge deal...why are SO many mustangs on the road? yeah...IRS would be nice...but it isn't stopping a significant amount of potential Mustang buyers from buying. That's business. Making a product, that people will buy...and making it to a quality that a majority of people will buy, so that it is cost effective.
As long as Ford makes money on a non-equipped IRS V6/Gt mustang...they will keep making them. Magazine writers and the euro/import crowd can rant all they want...but as long as it's good enough for the public...and Ford is making money...we will not have IRS.
Mach 1 Member
Joined: September 21, 2004
Posts: 681
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Originally posted by Jack Frost+January 7, 2005, 8:22 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Jack Frost @ January 7, 2005, 8:22 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteBegin-SurfnSoCal@January 7, 2005, 5:52 PM
Omg....can this thread be closed. Look...Ford Motor Co. has been arround for a LOOOONG hiney time. I think they know how to do business. And the fact remains...how many people are actually NOT buying an 05 stang because of the live axle. NOT THAT MANY.
Omg....can this thread be closed. Look...Ford Motor Co. has been arround for a LOOOONG hiney time. I think they know how to do business. And the fact remains...how many people are actually NOT buying an 05 stang because of the live axle. NOT THAT MANY.
1) There is reams of evidence of peeps passing on the car over the IRS issue.
2) Re your statement: " I think they know how to do business"
Duuuuude...do you have any idea about what's happening to the market share of American automakers...especially Ford?
Toyota has already surpassed Ford as the number 2 automaker if you take away Ford's 33% ownership of Mazda. If you add it the Mazda ownership, the Ford just barely eeks out ahead.
The writting is on the wall. And the Cobra can't come soon enough.[/b][/quote]
Well I have had about enough of this rant.
1. Please post your data source for "reams of peeps passing on the car". Or are you just counting all the "reams" of GTO buyers who passed on the Mustang. I'm sure Ford is having nightmares after losing those 6,000 buyers.
2. I agree Ford is losing market share. I suggest you start your own auto company so you can show Ford how it should be done. Let me know when you pass them on the Fortune 500 and I will be the first to congratulate you.
Duuuuuuude . . . . get a clue, your continuing to rant here does zero to change Ford's mind. You lost your influence on Ford, no matter how small it was, when you elected to buy the inferior Mustang instead of some other modern IRS car. Too bad you didn't have the same strength of the conviction of the "reams of peeps" who voted with their money instead of their mouth.
The Boss Hog
(Proud to be a solid axle Mustang owner!)
Shelby GT350 Member
Joined: October 4, 2004
Posts: 2,121
Likes: 0
From: San Clemente, CA
Originally posted by Rampant+January 7, 2005, 4:35 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Rampant @ January 7, 2005, 4:35 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-SurfnSoCal@January 7, 2005, 5:52 PM
Would any of us buy a $40k+ Cobra over a $25k GT with the only difference being better a blown engine and a few interior/exterior trim pieces?
Would any of us buy a $40k+ Cobra over a $25k GT with the only difference being better a blown engine and a few interior/exterior trim pieces?
In fact, the Mustang is the only car I am aware of that has a suspension system change anywhere in its model lineup. If you want to get really technical, if Ford used the IRS on more cars, it would be cheaper. Which means they could sell the Cobra for cheaper. Which means they could sell more of them. And make even more money (an oversimplification, of course).
The simple fact remains that the only reason I could see staying with the SRA is they want to keep to their muscle car roots. That's fine by me. I would just like to see options, that's all.
I am just afraid Ford is leaving the door open for competitors.
(at least we know it won't come from Dodge....) [/b][/quote]
I can't speak for the other vehicles...because I simply do not know.
But for the M3...you are dealing with a very different looking car. I can spot an M3 easier than I can descern a gt from a cobra. Also...and this isn't to dump on BMW owners...but owning an M3 is like owning a D.G. purse. its a status. Also, the M package is not just engine...its alot more.
Also...the M3 has improved/changed suspension from the 330. AND...the difference in price from a 330 to a M3 is about $8k. The new Cobra is expected to be over $40k (don't quote me on that...just a general assumption) compared to $25k for a Mustang GT.
Shelby GT350 Member
Joined: October 4, 2004
Posts: 2,121
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From: San Clemente, CA
Originally posted by The Boss Hog+January 7, 2005, 4:48 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (The Boss Hog @ January 7, 2005, 4:48 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>
Wrong on both counts.
1) There is reams of evidence of peeps passing on the car over the IRS issue.
2) Re your statement: " I think they know how to do business"
Duuuuude...do you have any idea about what's happening to the market share of American automakers...especially Ford?
Toyota has already surpassed Ford as the number 2 automaker if you take away Ford's 33% ownership of Mazda. If you add it the Mazda ownership, the Ford just barely eeks out ahead.
The writting is on the wall. And the Cobra can't come soon enough.
Originally posted by Jack Frost@January 7, 2005, 8:22 PM
<!--QuoteBegin-SurfnSoCal
<!--QuoteBegin-SurfnSoCal
@January 7, 2005, 5:52 PM
Omg....can this thread be closed. Look...Ford Motor Co. has been arround for a LOOOONG hiney time. I think they know how to do business. And the fact remains...how many people are actually NOT buying an 05 stang because of the live axle. NOT THAT MANY.
Omg....can this thread be closed. Look...Ford Motor Co. has been arround for a LOOOONG hiney time. I think they know how to do business. And the fact remains...how many people are actually NOT buying an 05 stang because of the live axle. NOT THAT MANY.
Wrong on both counts.
1) There is reams of evidence of peeps passing on the car over the IRS issue.
2) Re your statement: " I think they know how to do business"
Duuuuude...do you have any idea about what's happening to the market share of American automakers...especially Ford?
Toyota has already surpassed Ford as the number 2 automaker if you take away Ford's 33% ownership of Mazda. If you add it the Mazda ownership, the Ford just barely eeks out ahead.
The writting is on the wall. And the Cobra can't come soon enough.
1. Please post your data source for "reams of peeps passing on the car". Or are you just counting all the "reams" of GTO buyers who passed on the Mustang. I'm sure Ford is having nightmares after losing those 6,000 buyers.
2. I agree Ford is losing market share. I suggest you start your own auto company so you can show Ford how it should be done. Let me know when you pass them on the Fortune 500 and I will be the first to congratulate you.
Duuuuuuude . . . . get a clue, your continuing to rant here does zero to change Ford's mind. You lost your influence on Ford, no matter how small it was, when you elected to buy the inferior Mustang instead of some other modern IRS car. Too bad you didn't have the same strength of the conviction of the "reams of peeps" who voted with their money instead of their mouth.
The Boss Hog
(Proud to be a solid axle Mustang owner!) [/b][/quote]
Exactly my point.
As long as Ford sells solid axle stangs, and makes money... they will keep doing it. You really want Ford to switch what they are selling...when it works?
Shelby GT500 Member
Joined: September 2, 2004
Posts: 2,594
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
My opinion is that the people that are hardcore SLA, don't really know much about suspensions. No mater how you slice it, a properly setup IRS is superior. Ford should have at least offered an optional IRS suspension. Demand for an IRS Mustang is there and its not the Cobra. If an IRS suspension was optional in the GT, the cost of the Cobra would go down. It's a simple example of economies of scale.
Ford lost an opportunity to really showcase their engineering talent. The 05 Stang is a great car, heck I ordered one, but it would have been a notch better with an IRS. American automakers are losing market share because they are at least 3-5 years behind the imports in technology and quality. Detroit is too slow to change to current market trends. Look how long its taking GM, Ford, and DC to adopt 5-6 speed auto transmissions. Honda and Nissan have had them in their passenger cars for years.
Ford lost an opportunity to really showcase their engineering talent. The 05 Stang is a great car, heck I ordered one, but it would have been a notch better with an IRS. American automakers are losing market share because they are at least 3-5 years behind the imports in technology and quality. Detroit is too slow to change to current market trends. Look how long its taking GM, Ford, and DC to adopt 5-6 speed auto transmissions. Honda and Nissan have had them in their passenger cars for years.
Mach 1 Member
Joined: September 21, 2004
Posts: 681
Likes: 0
Originally posted by max2000jp+January 7, 2005, 9:03 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (max2000jp @ January 7, 2005, 9:03 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>My opinion is that the people that are hardcore SLA, don't really know much about suspensions.[/b]
You're right, that's your opinion.
<!--QuoteBegin-max2000jp@January 7, 2005, 9:03 PM
Ford lost an opportunity to really showcase their engineering talent.[/quote]
Ford showcased their engineering talent on the new Ford GT. I suggest you trade in your inferior SLA Mustang on one. I'm sure you will be much happier with the GT's IRS and its associated car payments.
The Boss Hog
(And that's my opinion.)
Thread Starter
Bullitt Member
Joined: January 3, 2005
Posts: 290
Likes: 0
Originally posted by The Boss Hog+January 7, 2005, 6:48 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (The Boss Hog @ January 7, 2005, 6:48 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>
Wrong on both counts.
1) There is reams of evidence of peeps passing on the car over the IRS issue.
2) Re your statement: " I think they know how to do business"
Duuuuude...do you have any idea about what's happening to the market share of American automakers...especially Ford?
Toyota has already surpassed Ford as the number 2 automaker if you take away Ford's 33% ownership of Mazda. If you add it the Mazda ownership, the Ford just barely eeks out ahead.
The writting is on the wall. And the Cobra can't come soon enough.
Originally posted by Jack Frost@January 7, 2005, 8:22 PM
<!--QuoteBegin-SurfnSoCal
<!--QuoteBegin-SurfnSoCal
@January 7, 2005, 5:52 PM
Omg....can this thread be closed. Look...Ford Motor Co. has been arround for a LOOOONG hiney time. I think they know how to do business. And the fact remains...how many people are actually NOT buying an 05 stang because of the live axle. NOT THAT MANY.
Omg....can this thread be closed. Look...Ford Motor Co. has been arround for a LOOOONG hiney time. I think they know how to do business. And the fact remains...how many people are actually NOT buying an 05 stang because of the live axle. NOT THAT MANY.
Wrong on both counts.
1) There is reams of evidence of peeps passing on the car over the IRS issue.
2) Re your statement: " I think they know how to do business"
Duuuuude...do you have any idea about what's happening to the market share of American automakers...especially Ford?
Toyota has already surpassed Ford as the number 2 automaker if you take away Ford's 33% ownership of Mazda. If you add it the Mazda ownership, the Ford just barely eeks out ahead.
The writting is on the wall. And the Cobra can't come soon enough.
1. Please post your data source for "reams of peeps passing on the car". Or are you just counting all the "reams" of GTO buyers who passed on the Mustang. I'm sure Ford is having nightmares after losing those 6,000 buyers.
2. I agree Ford is losing market share. I suggest you start your own auto company so you can show Ford how it should be done. Let me know when you pass them on the Fortune 500 and I will be the first to congratulate you.
Duuuuuuude . . . . get a clue, your continuing to rant here does zero to change Ford's mind. You lost your influence on Ford, no matter how small it was, when you elected to buy the inferior Mustang instead of some other modern IRS car. Too bad you didn't have the same strength of the conviction of the "reams of peeps" who voted with their money instead of their mouth.
The Boss Hog
(Proud to be a solid axle Mustang owner!) [/b][/quote]
Have a look at the following 'Top Gear' review of our car:
http://www.scottluscombe.com/TG05.avi
A great show that tells it like it is. They literaly make sport of the '05 Mustang suspension. That show WILL influence opinion (BTW, they loved the Ford GT), especially as it has a large audience on both sides of the pond.
And I'm glad we're in agreement that Ford is losing market share. Now, instead of resorting to last-gasp-cuz-you-have-nothing-else snide remarks, why don't you offer your opinion as to why? Those of us in the IRS camp contend that it's because Ford's marketing missteps...such as the SRA topic of this thread.
Yeah, my rant here may not do anything to change Ford's product...but only on account of the marketeers dream flock of sheep customers who'll buy anything based on pose value alone.
I'd like to see a comparison of mean age between folks that prefer the SRA and those that prefer an IRS. I'm sure it would be telling.