This part hints that the IRS may be added throughout the entire Mustang line, not just the Cobra IMO.

I think the IRS will show up in the Cobra first and then become standard for the entire platform in the future.

 

Not happening with the GT IMO. [/b][/quote]
Who knows...?

It depends on what kind of IRS the cobra will get IMO, if for example it is some sort of control blade IRS which is compact, inexpensive and light, we might see it on all mustangs in a few years, the live axle could be a stop gap measure, like I said who knows...

 

I've been sitting on this piece of info for awhile and now I think that its time to say it, the current-style set-up for IRS will not work in the new car, and if they do find a way or different style IRS, there will have to be some retooling of the equipment and transportation devices involved in getting it to the car. Period. B)

 

i dont know much about IRS or a solid real axle but i used to have a 99 v6 and the solid rear axle that u guys call durable was starting to rip off the chassis, i noticed this when the rear axle cut the rear brake line causing my brakes to go out and thats how i totalled my mustang.....
:notnice:

 

Hmm. Never heard of something like that happening. Must've been a fluke...either that or your car was damaged and you didn't know it until it was too late.

 

This isn't about putting the current Cobra's IRS in the new car, but rather designing, building and tooling a new IRS for the new chassis. Though I think TomServo92 has a good point. Start it off in the Cobra. Then maybe an SE a little bit later. Then see reactions and sales and maybe, after a while throughout the line.

But, I don't see that happening until a long time from now. Probably the next redesign at the earliest. Ford doesn't exactly have a track record of making chassis changes with this car.

 

Say what ? :scratch:

We know that the Lincoln LS IRS won't fit in the new mustang unless they "delete" the rear seats, also to keep development and production cost down the new cobra IRS will possibly be shared with other cars (jaguar volvo Lincoln), if it is, I predict all Mustangs will get it eventually, even the V6 cars, that was the original plan...

 

Who knows...?

It depends on what kind of IRS the cobra will get IMO, if for example it is some sort of control blade IRS which is compact, inexpensive and light, we might see it on all mustangs in a few years, the live axle could be a stop gap measure, like I said who knows... [/b][/quote]
Andre, the investment Ford has made in engineering the 3-link plus the cost of retooling/changing over to IRS plus the extra cost/weight? of the IRS itself makes me highly doubt you will see it in the GT/V6 for quite a while if at all.

It may depend what GM serves up in 07/08.

 

Andre, the investment Ford has made in engineering the 3-link plus the cost of retooling/changing over to IRS plus the extra cost/weight? of the IRS itself makes me highly doubt you will see it in the GT/V6 for quite a while if at all.

It may depend what GM serves up in 07/08. [/b][/quote]
On the other hand, if they invest a lot money developing an IRS for the Cobra, doesn't it make sense to eventually propogate it down the full model line? With the ever-popular economies of scale, it should get cheaper as you build more of them.

 

Yes, it would get cheaper......the problem is, cheaper than the cost to outfit the cobra with it, not likely cheaper than the 3-link setup.

So, the question becomes, how much would Ford really stand to loose/gain finanically if they use economies of scale which results in a cheaper setup for the Cobra while still being an additional cost to the GT/V6.

Also, as far as it being an option......that would be the best solution from our perspective but I don't think it will happen due to the "economies of scale" arguement.

 

You could be right...then again I could be right. I guess we'll know over the next few years. B)

 

The Z rides like a sportscar.

 

The Z rides like a sportscar. [/b][/quote]
My friends Z rides really harsh. Nissan didn't properly tune the stock shock absorbers to the springs. On the highway, it bounces a lot and is very annoying. The Nismo S-tune suspension he recently installed cured the "bounce".

 

Using the economies of scale rational, Ford would be stupid not to offer an IRS option for the GT. In theory, manufacturing more IRS suspensions should drop the cost. Ford could sell the Cobra at the same price, with slightly increased profits. Ford would also make some profits on selling the IRS as an option on the GT.

 

My friends Z rides really harsh. Nissan didn't properly tune the stock shock absorbers to the springs. On the highway, it bounces a lot and is very annoying. The Nismo S-tune suspension he recently installed cured the "bounce". [/b][/quote]
I've driven the 350Z. You think the 05's ride is rough.......haha....that's nothing compared to the Z. max2000jp is right, its pretty harsh.

 

What year is his Z? We got ours 3 months ago and it rides great (as did my 2004 UK model). Loads of feedback, yet solid as a rock on the highway. I believe the 2005 model year was improved in line with the European Z's (which were released late '03 for the 2004 model year, with improved suspension over the original US /Japanese cars).

Who on earth could think the 05 Mustang ride is harsh?! It's like marshmallow!

 

What year is his Z? We got ours 3 months ago and it rides great (as did my 2004 UK model). Loads of feedback, yet solid as a rock on the highway. I believe the 2005 model year was improved in line with the European Z's (which were released late '03 for the 2004 model year, with improved suspension over the original US /Japanese cars).

Who on earth could think the 05 Mustang ride is harsh?! It's like marshmallow! [/b][/quote]
It's a 2003 Touring model with 18" rims. Nissan updated the suspension in US Z's in 2004.5 to the Euro suspension, which is more compliant. I was going to buy one, but Nissan service is horrible, as is the quality in the past few years. I have a 2000 Maxima and it has been nothing but problems.

 

I understand that IRS will on the 07 cobra, but not on the GT. This way, Ford can distinguish between the two cars. It will also mean about a $3,000 price increase if it is offered as an option.

I'll stick with the solid rear axle.

 

How did you come up with that figure???

 

Ah, ok . That will be it then. The Euro / later US suspension is a very good mix between cornering ability/feedback and daily comfort.

We've found Nissan US service a bit lacking at our local dealer, but then again my local Ford dealer (Maxwell Ford in Austin) was horrendous too. Had no idea what he was talking about (didn't even know the names of the car colours) *and* wanted $3k over MSRP. Then tried to sell me a "demo" car with 2200 miles on it for the 'bargain' price of $2k over MSRP. I laughed in his face. On the other hand, my next nearest dealer (Holly @ Leif Johnson) was fantastically helpful, and when I said I'm not ready to make a decision yet she respected that and hasn't hassled me once. She will get my business if I do decide to get a 'Stang.