Carroll Shelby explains why there won't be IRS
If they can keep at at roughly the 2004 Cobra level price wise ($35K), I would find that pretty reasonable. It has a bit more motor than the 2004 (+$) but a bit less suspension (-$) and seem pretty comparable everywhere else (body, interior, drivetrain, etc) making the GT500's overall price premium over the GT pretty much what the 2004 Cobra's was (~$10K). If they start approaching $40K, well, the numbers don't seem to support that in my mind, not without an IRS, better seats, HIDs and other elements I would expect at that level.
My hope is that Ford/SVT does do a no-excuses, $45+K GT500R (or whatever they might call it) to really go head to head with the M3(4), RS4, and any other performance rides in that range. There's talk of Infiniti juicing up the G35 Coupe with either a big V8 or supercharging, so there might be even more competition than now.
My hope is that Ford/SVT does do a no-excuses, $45+K GT500R (or whatever they might call it) to really go head to head with the M3(4), RS4, and any other performance rides in that range. There's talk of Infiniti juicing up the G35 Coupe with either a big V8 or supercharging, so there might be even more competition than now.
Bullitt Member
Joined: September 25, 2004
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Oh, and here's a quote from the Autoweek article:
HTT says it's a non-issue.
http://www.autoweek.com/news.cms?newsId=102047
By the way, Thai-Tang has a message for those of us bummed out about the live rear axle: “Drive the car first,†he says, “and you’ll see it’s a nonissue, because the chassis is dialed in so well.â€
http://www.autoweek.com/news.cms?newsId=102047
Tasca Super Boss 429 Member
Joined: May 18, 2004
Posts: 3,657
Likes: 2
From: San Antonio, TX
Originally posted by rhumb@March 23, 2005, 12:49 PM
If they can keep at at roughly the 2004 Cobra level price wise ($35K), I would find that pretty reasonable. It has a bit more motor than the 2004 (+$) but a bit less suspension (-$) and seem pretty comparable everywhere else (body, interior, drivetrain, etc) making the GT500's overall price premium over the GT pretty much what the 2004 Cobra's was (~$10K). If they start approaching $40K, well, the numbers don't seem to support that in my mind, not without an IRS, better seats, HIDs and other elements I would expect at that level.
My hope is that Ford/SVT does do a no-excuses, $45+K GT500R (or whatever they might call it) to really go head to head with the M3(4), RS4, and any other performance rides in that range. There's talk of Infiniti juicing up the G35 Coupe with either a big V8 or supercharging, so there might be even more competition than now.
If they can keep at at roughly the 2004 Cobra level price wise ($35K), I would find that pretty reasonable. It has a bit more motor than the 2004 (+$) but a bit less suspension (-$) and seem pretty comparable everywhere else (body, interior, drivetrain, etc) making the GT500's overall price premium over the GT pretty much what the 2004 Cobra's was (~$10K). If they start approaching $40K, well, the numbers don't seem to support that in my mind, not without an IRS, better seats, HIDs and other elements I would expect at that level.
My hope is that Ford/SVT does do a no-excuses, $45+K GT500R (or whatever they might call it) to really go head to head with the M3(4), RS4, and any other performance rides in that range. There's talk of Infiniti juicing up the G35 Coupe with either a big V8 or supercharging, so there might be even more competition than now.
Cobra Member
Joined: January 19, 2005
Posts: 1,106
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From: Olathe, KS
Originally posted by holderca1+March 23, 2005, 12:51 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(holderca1 @ March 23, 2005, 12:51 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteBegin-rhumb@March 23, 2005, 12:49 PM
If they can keep at at roughly the 2004 Cobra level price wise ($35K), I would find that pretty reasonable. It has a bit more motor than the 2004 (+$) but a bit less suspension (-$) and seem pretty comparable everywhere else (body, interior, drivetrain, etc) making the GT500's overall price premium over the GT pretty much what the 2004 Cobra's was (~$10K). If they start approaching $40K, well, the numbers don't seem to support that in my mind, not without an IRS, better seats, HIDs and other elements I would expect at that level.
My hope is that Ford/SVT does do a no-excuses, $45+K GT500R (or whatever they might call it) to really go head to head with the M3(4), RS4, and any other performance rides in that range. There's talk of Infiniti juicing up the G35 Coupe with either a big V8 or supercharging, so there might be even more competition than now.
If they can keep at at roughly the 2004 Cobra level price wise ($35K), I would find that pretty reasonable. It has a bit more motor than the 2004 (+$) but a bit less suspension (-$) and seem pretty comparable everywhere else (body, interior, drivetrain, etc) making the GT500's overall price premium over the GT pretty much what the 2004 Cobra's was (~$10K). If they start approaching $40K, well, the numbers don't seem to support that in my mind, not without an IRS, better seats, HIDs and other elements I would expect at that level.
My hope is that Ford/SVT does do a no-excuses, $45+K GT500R (or whatever they might call it) to really go head to head with the M3(4), RS4, and any other performance rides in that range. There's talk of Infiniti juicing up the G35 Coupe with either a big V8 or supercharging, so there might be even more competition than now.
[/b][/quote]
OH! But it could not possibly be better because it is a lowly SRA and even the crappiest IRS (i.e. two 2x4s holding on the wheels, so long as they are indepenent of one another) is better! Road tests, facts, reviews, etc. showing the '05 SRA outperforming the '04 IRS must be faulty. Just give me my 2x4s!
Legacy TMS Member
Joined: June 18, 2004
Posts: 3,990
Likes: 34
From: Conroe, TX
Originally posted by 68notch@March 23, 2005, 12:53 PM
Good news: scientists have just discovered that if you cry enough about the solid rear it's possible for it to spontaneously transform into IRS.
Good news: scientists have just discovered that if you cry enough about the solid rear it's possible for it to spontaneously transform into IRS.
Bullitt Member
Joined: April 1, 2004
Posts: 318
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Originally posted by PeterPienaar@March 23, 2005, 12:40 PM
Folks...................
I gotta proposal.
Why don't we all shut up and wait for the tests to see how it really can handle?
Folks...................
I gotta proposal.
Why don't we all shut up and wait for the tests to see how it really can handle?
I like that proposal. I mostly care about straight-line performance anyway and with a 5.4L Supercharged?!
It seems that more poeple would be inclined to try something extremely stupid if you could "possibly" take a sharp turn at 80mph.
Mach 1 Member
Joined: March 16, 2004
Posts: 530
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Originally posted by t69r00p69+March 23, 2005, 3:04 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(t69r00p69 @ March 23, 2005, 3:04 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteBegin-PeterPienaar@March 23, 2005, 12:40 PM
Folks...................
I gotta proposal.
Why don't we all shut up and wait for the tests to see how it really can handle?
Folks...................
I gotta proposal.
Why don't we all shut up and wait for the tests to see how it really can handle?
I like that proposal. I mostly care about straight-line performance anyway and with a 5.4L Supercharged?!
It seems that more poeple would be inclined to try something extremely stupid if you could "possibly" take a sharp turn at 80mph.[/b][/quote]
Drift?
Tasca Super Boss 429 Member
Joined: May 18, 2004
Posts: 3,657
Likes: 2
From: San Antonio, TX
Originally posted by Twilightblu92@March 23, 2005, 1:40 PM
If you want IRS...Get an Explorer...it has a4.6ltr V8
If you want IRS...Get an Explorer...it has a4.6ltr V8
V6 Member
Joined: September 14, 2004
Posts: 64
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Originally posted by Manatee@March 23, 2005, 8:41 AM
http://www.thecarconnection.com/index.asp?...8&sid=184&n=157
Quote:
Ford officials confirmed the new Cobra would stick with the base Mustang's solid axle, rather than going for an independent rear. North American product development czar Phil Martens told TheCarConnection.com the decision was made for two key reasons. He insisted the results of the IRS system just weren't better enough to justify adding 180 pounds to Mustang's curb weight.
Actually, Shelby revealed, there was another reason. The results also weren't good enough to justify a projected $5000 cost penalty. So we'll have to wait and see whether they're right, once Ford has a Cobra GT500 ready for the press fleet.
http://www.thecarconnection.com/index.asp?...8&sid=184&n=157
Quote:
Ford officials confirmed the new Cobra would stick with the base Mustang's solid axle, rather than going for an independent rear. North American product development czar Phil Martens told TheCarConnection.com the decision was made for two key reasons. He insisted the results of the IRS system just weren't better enough to justify adding 180 pounds to Mustang's curb weight.
Actually, Shelby revealed, there was another reason. The results also weren't good enough to justify a projected $5000 cost penalty. So we'll have to wait and see whether they're right, once Ford has a Cobra GT500 ready for the press fleet.
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Ehh, i wish it had a better suspension, but oh well. Nothing i can do now. As long as it handles well and rides descent. Lets not forget that the GT ran 67 mph slaloms. Im seeing 70 mph slaloms with this shelby. NOT BAD considering this car will be pretty cheap for that kind of performance. Again not condoning the bean counters choice (pretty weak kneed in my opinion), but im willing to wait and drive or at least read a review before i pass judgement.
Jason
Jason
Bullitt Member
Joined: October 30, 2004
Posts: 282
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From: Romeoville, Illinois
The reason I want an IRS is because I live in the Midwest, specifically, in Illinois. The roads around here do NOT have a reputation for being smooth. An IRS would handle said roads better than a SRA. Also, bear in mind that the IRS in 99-04 Cobras was shoehorned into a platform that wasn't originally designed to accomadate one. Plus, IIRC, didn't HTT say in an interview that the new platform was designed to accomadate both an IRS & a SRA?
Mach 1 Member
Joined: January 31, 2004
Posts: 852
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I think a lot of people need to put the vehicle in perspective. Even if it is was only a 1000 dollar upgrade Ford probably had an "in writing goal" to deliver the car below 40K. After that amount it is in Corvette price range, which they don't want from a marketing perspective. This vehicle has been, the last few years anyway, a cheaper alternative to the Vette, not a directly priced competitor.
With the additional weight of the IRS and that 4-5K price increase mentioned this car would match the base Vette in price exactly (44-45K). From a racing perspective I'd take the 600Lb lighter 49/51 weight distribution Vette. Ford decided to compete by keeping cost down and selling more vehicles. If they added the IRS people would be complaining about it costing too much and the Vette is a better buy.
With the additional weight of the IRS and that 4-5K price increase mentioned this car would match the base Vette in price exactly (44-45K). From a racing perspective I'd take the 600Lb lighter 49/51 weight distribution Vette. Ford decided to compete by keeping cost down and selling more vehicles. If they added the IRS people would be complaining about it costing too much and the Vette is a better buy.
Originally posted by holderca1+March 23, 2005, 1:43 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(holderca1 @ March 23, 2005, 1:43 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteBegin-Twilightblu92@March 23, 2005, 1:40 PM
If you want IRS...Get an Explorer...it has a4.6ltr V8
If you want IRS...Get an Explorer...it has a4.6ltr V8
[/b][/quote]
Probably, if there were any bumps in the curve!
Team Mustang Source
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Posts: 663
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Others have said it here and in other threads... let's wait and see how the new Shelby perform before we jump off the cliff behind the other lemmings missing their IRS.
At least there is even a Cobra to debate about - look at the poor GM boys and what they have.
Nada! Oh, well they do have the GTO - with IRS.
Remember when the Cobras came out with IRS how nearly EVERYone pissed and moaned about how much trouble the IRS was, how much wheel hop there was, yada, yada, yada? How everyone thought that Ford should at least offer the L/A in the Cobra? How a lot of people into drag racing have even dumped their IRS for a Live Axle?
Well, all of THOSE people should be happy right now! Are they?
At least there is even a Cobra to debate about - look at the poor GM boys and what they have.
Nada! Oh, well they do have the GTO - with IRS.
Remember when the Cobras came out with IRS how nearly EVERYone pissed and moaned about how much trouble the IRS was, how much wheel hop there was, yada, yada, yada? How everyone thought that Ford should at least offer the L/A in the Cobra? How a lot of people into drag racing have even dumped their IRS for a Live Axle?
Well, all of THOSE people should be happy right now! Are they?
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Posts: 251
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"The car answers all my dreams," Shelby boasted. Well, maybe not all of them.
During a media preview prior to the New York Auto Show, Ford officials confirmed the new Cobra would stick with the base Mustang's solid axle, rather than going for an independent rear.
I guess here is another IRS whiner, funny that even if the car bears his name, he still has reservation about the solid axle, and some people don't get that :scratch:
How dense can people be ?
During a media preview prior to the New York Auto Show, Ford officials confirmed the new Cobra would stick with the base Mustang's solid axle, rather than going for an independent rear.
I guess here is another IRS whiner, funny that even if the car bears his name, he still has reservation about the solid axle, and some people don't get that :scratch:
How dense can people be ?
Mach 1 Member
Joined: January 31, 2004
Posts: 852
Likes: 1
Originally posted by André@March 23, 2005, 5:54 PM
"The car answers all my dreams," Shelby boasted. Well, maybe not all of them.
During a media preview prior to the New York Auto Show, Ford officials confirmed the new Cobra would stick with the base Mustang's solid axle, rather than going for an independent rear.
I guess here is another IRS whiner, funny that even if the car bears his name, he still has reservation about the solid axle, and some people don't get that :scratch:
How dense can people be ?
"The car answers all my dreams," Shelby boasted. Well, maybe not all of them.
During a media preview prior to the New York Auto Show, Ford officials confirmed the new Cobra would stick with the base Mustang's solid axle, rather than going for an independent rear.
I guess here is another IRS whiner, funny that even if the car bears his name, he still has reservation about the solid axle, and some people don't get that :scratch:
How dense can people be ?
