and tears it apart on structural rigidity.

This was one of their "short take" tests so they didn't speak about the car in much detail.
They stated how solid and rigid the coupe is and pretty much said the convertible is just the opposite.

I also was unaware that the convertible get's softer suspension tuning and smaller sway bars (even with the Brembo brake package).
They also stated it gets Goodyear Supercar F1 tires instead of the P Zero's but felt all these are probably to help hide (or reduce) the wiggle and cowl shake from the car.

They stated the car weighs 174 lbs more in convertible trim but they got the same
13.2 1/4 mile time (clearly their coupe was not broken in or was not running well too get only a 13.2 1/4)

I'm guessing Ford may have to strengthen the convertible up even more for 2012 because too many reviews like this one and sales of the convertible will suffer big time.

 

I think a lot of people who buy a convertible realize this and are willing to give up some chassis rigidity for the open air. The only convertible that will be able to be stiff and have the coupe like quality would be an M3..and you are basing in the mid 60k range for that vehicle. Unfortunately they don't even mention that I bet.

Dave

 

I vaguely remember in 2005 when the new body style came out all the journalists talking about how stiff it was and how little cowl shake it had. They loved the 'vert.

Short memories, I guess.

 

My last car was the 06 M3 vert. What I think ford did with the was soften the ride to give the car a more solid feeling overall. What I mean when I got the car the car felt very solid with little or no cowl shake over bumps and most turns. But you could not go fast in the turns because the suspension was way to soft. But compared the the BMW the mustang was as quieter and tighter as to rattles and such.

When I added the FRPP racing suspension the car now corners great and on par with my old M3. But it also sounds the same in the rattle dept. Alot of the sounds and clatter I used to hear in the M3 I am again hearing in the mustang. Fair tradeoff from my point of view because I like to go fast in the corners

Remember even the M3 is a specialty car. Most people just buy the regular 3 series vert which would probably be a better comparison for the mustang vert.

 

interesting feedback....I don't think it is as bad as they make it out to be but I haven't driven on yet either.

 

I love our Convertt!!

 

Yeah it was pretty bad. The stock suspension only stayed on my car about 2 weeks. And it would have been less if I could of worked it out any sooner.


But I love the the suspension now.

 

Oh, its absolutely true! The ride is extremely floaty compared to the coupe. The cowl shake is not apparent when driving. Try this: Pull down one of the visors and let it flop back into place. The whole windsheild bounces back in forth 3 or 4 times rapidly. As soon as I saw that I knew the vert was not for me.

 

Cool! I read your other posts about adding the FRPP suspension and the photo of them working on it in the grass!! That is great information!!

 

Double checked what he mentiones and I have seen it,

 

Absolutely. Test drove 2 of them in Sterling Va 1 week before my coupe came in. We were seruiously considering dropping the order for a vert. With the top down, if you pull the visor out and then return it just to the point of where the tension will pull it back in on its own. It flops into place and the whole windsheild and frame will bounce. I have never seen this on another car.

 

Key quote: “The GT coupe is impressively stiff; the topless version is disappointingly flexible.” I think most of what C&D said in the article is absolutely true, especially the part about the headrests being “designed by MTV’s Jackass crew.” It’s not just the ultimate handling capability, it’s the steering feel, which is great in the coupe, a little numb in the ‘vert. Shotsky, I appreciate what the handling package might do, but I do NOT want a bunch of irritating rattles. I figured since Ford had been at this since the 1983 Mustang that the trade-offs wouldn’t have been so severe.

I still cannot figure why Ford engineers kept the spring rates the same and went soft on the damping on the ‘vert. I would have figured it’d be best to go the other way around (softer springs, better damping & thicker sway bars) if they were concerned about ride. Inconsiderate bastards.

It is interesting how the very same author (Tony Swan) praised the 2005/06 convertible for its relative stiffness back in the day:
http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:zZvmfp-CCIwJ:www.caranddriver.com/reviews/car/05q2/ford_mustang_gt_convertible-road_test+car+and+driver+mustang+convertible+Tony+ Swan&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us

Nevertheless, after having driven a 2010 coupe overnight last week I am no longer in love with my ‘vert but am trapped financially - I asked the dealer how much to trade (my 1800-mile ‘vert) over to a coupe w/Brembo pkg (& otherwise same option mix as my ‘vert) and they quoted me $4500 ADDITIONAL (which represents about a $8000 to $9000 swing over having just bought the right car for my needs in the 1st place). So I think I’ll stick with my ‘vert for awhile unless I find someone wanting to just trade even-up.

 

I was thinking the same thing. I had an 2001 Cobra vert that didnt exhibit any of this behavior he spoke of...nothing even close to that......very far fetched if you ask me.

 

Ha! Yeah, I made it up to start an internet rumor. Ok then, forget I mentioned it.

 

Shotzy, I looked through your posts but didn't see any pics. Mind posting some of your car after the FRPP Handling Pack installed?

 

WOW surprised to hear the bad information on the vert's. I was dead set on getting on as I enjoyed my 01 cobra vert.

Guess I will take the path as Shotzy and get the suspension installed when I take delivery

 

no need to get all bent out of shape...just going off my past mustang convertibles and what you mentioned. Feedback is good so don't think otherwise regardless of the comments

 

Not bent at all Just not worth justification. It was a major problem and both the Wife and I were like WTF? You dont see it bounce while driving. It was a complete suprise to see it do so when the visor was snapped into place. My wife was the one who first discovered it with the pass. visor.

 

Actually, I take that back. When I went out to video tape it, It was easier to see, With one person flipping visor upward and other viewing ( Me) ..I did notice what he mentioned, The header does shudder///..........Sorry........... But I still like my Convert.. Its a daily driver anyways not a track or autocross car and never will be, It replaced my wifes 2008 Focus, so shes more than happy..

 

Not irritating rattles just more normal sounds that I had in the M3. Stock I thought the Mustang was very quiet.

You should shoot me a pm. It is much easier to go over those things in a call. If you want I would be more than happy to talk to you about the differences.

It really has transformed the whole experience for me. And it still has a very nice ride.