Unfortunately, it seems to be the opposite occurring. We've "heard" the live axle, and while a great piece in the GT, let's see what the IRS can do. Seems to me nobody here wants to give the IRS suspension a chance. I mean let's the turn the question on it's head. If the Cobra came with IRS, but no live axle, would that deter you from buying it?

And I have driven several 05's, and while exponentially better than my 00 GT, I salivate at the idea of what a proper IRS can do in that wonderful chassis.

And from a commercial standpoint, why market a car costing more than 40,000, but not include the IRS. Especially when you consider the competition at that price point has comparale (if not better) performance.

 

You are getting it all wrong. I think IRS is GREAT. I would love to see IRS in the Mustang of some version. All I'm saying is that what Ford is offering to us right now is a live axle. Everybody wants to get their panties in a bunch becuase of this. For me, IRS is not the foundation of my existance like some other people. I'm not sure if I'll ever own a Mustang w/ IRS, not because I think its over-hyped, but because from my experience with what I've driven.

 

How are we suppose to give IRS a chance, there isn't an '05 with them to be able to make a judgement on it. I could care less whether it is SRA or IRS, I won't be pushing my car that hard to notice the difference.

 

 

How are we suppose to give IRS a chance, there isn't an '05 with them to be able to make a judgement on it. I could care less whether it is SRA or IRS, I won't be pushing my car that hard to notice the difference.
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That's kind of my point. How are we supposed to judge the IRS? Ford apparently won't give us the chance...and the general attitude seems to be that the solid axle is just good enough and cheap. Frankly, in this modern automotive age, just good enough doesn't cut it.

Like I said, if all things being equal, and the Cobra came with IRS only, would it stop you from buying one. Probably not, because most people here just care about how much hp their making. But for some us, it's not all about going in a straight line. If it was, I would have bought an 05 GT and dropped a S/C on it.

 

always nice to hear from you 2mustang. Why are they building so soon. Will these be test mules?

 

I hope the new svt doesn't have IRS.

Everyone I know that has modified their 03/04 cobras have had problems with the IRS.

Two of them have switched out the IRS on their 04's as soon as they got them.
You can sell a new IRS and cover the cost getting and installing a built solid axle.

 

But in a Saleen or a Roush, SRA is acceptable, I dont hear anybody griping about how much money those cars cost and they are "only" fitted with an SRA.

If the current mustang handles and rides better with an SRA than the older cobras fitted with IRS, then other than added cost and complexity to what advantage is an IRS in the new chassis over the older chassis. Especiialy if it drives the cost of the Cobra up another coupla thousand.

Then again the question that also needs to be asked is, if Ford offered a Cobra fitted with a 375 hp N/A V8 and IRS would you buy it?

 

The problems youll see with a stiffly sprung SRA (like what would be in the next cobra) is poor mid-corner bump control and not the greatest ride. On a smooth asphalt test surface (like those used to record cornering g's and slalom numbers in mags) there will be little difference, pure numbers wise between the two systems, though the SRA allows for no camber gain under heavy cornering. Real world "spirited" driving would be where the IRS could perform much better than the SRA, e.g. over imperfect roads etc...

Jason

 

Actually, that's why I'm not bothering with a Saleen or a Roush (besides the fact that I hate the way Roush's look). For the very reason that I'm not buying a Roush or a Saleen is the very same reason why I wouldn't buy a 40,000 dollar Cobra with a solid axle.

As for your question.....if Ford offered a Cobra with 375 hp N/A with IRS, would I buy it? In a hearbeat without flinching.

 

Joe then why didn't you buy a 03/04 cobra????????

 

Yah, the IRS is a POS

 

I personally am not interested in buying a car that will blow the rear end into smithereens with a full power clutch dump. Especially a rear end that parts cost a fortune for. I don't give a darn how its suspended. My first request is horsepower, a very close second is reliability, a definate third is handling.

 

Cause at the time...with all the hoopla regarding the 05, I wanted to wait and see what will happen. At the time, there was a lot of strong indication that the 05 platform would have the IRS.

Now, knowing what I know, there's nothing to preclude me buying an 03/04 Cobra. This is especially true if what I've been reading is true, that the Mustang will not see IRS in it within this generation. However, whatever money I had saved up for the next-gen Cobra will go into my 66, and a GT40 kit (now if I can figure out how to stuff a DOHC into the back of one of those kits)

 

Well..if Ford actually did some real engineering work and made the S197 into a chassis that could accept the IRS, then that wouldn't be a problem...now would it?

I mean heck, if Chevy has been able to do it for over 40 years, and Dodge for the last 10 plus years, I can't see why Ford can't.

 

To me, that is the greatest justification for an IRS! Beyond that, on a smooth track surface, the differences seem negligible. I think this is the crux of the argument for this set-up...bravo, Jason!

Where did I see something like $75 million in engineering costs to do the IRS? To me, that is the main reason why the cost factor enters into this, especially given the power outputs. Spreading that cost over the expected volumes is what might push an IRS Mustang on this platform into Corvette price territory - $45,000 +.

 

To me, that is the greatest justification for an IRS! Beyond that, on a smooth track surface, the differences seem negligible. I think this is the crux of the argument for this set-up...bravo, Jason!

Where did I see something like $75 million in engineering costs to do the IRS? To me, that is the main reason why the cost factor enters into this, especially given the power outputs. Spreading that cost over the expected volumes is what might push an IRS Mustang on this platform into Corvette price territory - $45,000 +.
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Depends on who you talk and read.

I've heard everything from Team Mustang was well advanced into developing the S197 with IRS from the outset until Martens came along and declared it would have a live axle. I've read Tai-Thang quoted as saying that it would only cost a couple of grand more to engineer the IRS into the S197.

Heck....it was even pronounced back in October that the Cobra would definitely have IRS.

Now I'm reading on here and on various other sites that the S197 chassis was never designed for the IRS, and again would have been a compromise like the 99-03 (and we know just how well that idea worked to advance the cause for IRS).

Frankly, whatever comes from corporate heads I take with a grain of salt. About the only one I ever believed was Colletti.

 

Dirve a Saleen, then complain. That's all I have to say about that.

If Ford offered a 375 hp N/A v8 Cobra, regardless of IRS or a live axle, you
right I'd buy one

 

THE HORSE WHISPERER HAS SPOKEN!

John: very interesting that they are building 90 of them with solid rears. Hope they figure out the reliability problems and can offer the IRS eventually.

 

Back on topic...This looks like good news for us. Have you all seen this?

http://www.autoweek.com/news.cms?newsId=101811