FordBlueHeart

You are right, it doesnt, but thats why I said give it 400 horses. Didnt you read the post completely?
How is it that if the mustang doesnt have IRS you wont be able to drive one? Sounds like you are the one who drank the Kool ade. Thousands of mustangs are sold every month despite having an SRA. Do you really think these sales will cease to exist if it has an SRA for 2010?
What about my hypothetical test? Do you really think the average mustang or camaro buyer, without knowing what type of suspension is under the car, can tell?

max2000jp

I think people will notice the difference in ride quality. My mother, who knows absolutely nothing about cars, can tell the difference in the suspension between a Honda Accord and BMW 545i. She made a comment about it the other day when we were talking about the Accord. She said the steering feels lighter (less effort) and the suspension is softer and less sporty. Again, this is coming from a women who has zero mechanical knowledge.

FordBlueHeart

I agree, your mom should notice the difference between the two cars you listed. They are vastly different in cost and execution. BMW's have a heavy feel to them, even the X5(suv) rides vastly different from a Explorer. I actually preferred the Explorer. It was probably the X5 I drove for the weekend though.
Will they be able to tell without any coercion from anyone? Meaning, if you said drive these two throughout some different courses and tests and give us your feedback. Without saying "The camaro has IRS, the mustang has an SRA, which one is better?"

Try this instead: "How did each ride? Does one ride significantly better than the other? Enough to make you not want to buy the other one?"

zzcoop

For what it's worth, I'm sure most people could tell the difference in ride quality between ANY two cars, regardless of their rear suspension setup.

FordBlueHeart

True, Fords ride differently from Chevys or Dodges. But is it enough to say no to one brand versus the other? Not in all cases does brand loyalty come into play.
Examples being the Neon. Very sporty ride. Grand Am, not so much. Focus, not that aggressive. Civic, very utilitarian. Prius, yuck. The only one I havent owned... the prius.

zzcoop

I'm not even referring to brand. You take any given make, hell even two different model years of the same car and you'll notice a different ride. It's to be expected.

I know I'm oversimplifying, but you know what I'm saying.

FordBlueHeart

You can take two models, same year and equipment and they will drive differently, especially used cars. Yes I do get what you are saying.

05fordgt

Hey Eric, about the 400hp comment? All I say, is "good things come to those who wait". In this case, 2011!

GT5088

It was from an earlier post in this thread....one of the first few pages...

97GT03SVT

Where you get that MSRP for the GT500?!?

Umm yeah you can. I've been looking to buy a GT500 for a while now and it is still cheaper for me to buy a Corvette. The invoice on the Vette is much lower than the MSRP so the dealers can afford to take a bigger hit on it, I am yet to see a new GT500 sell for less than $45,000 kudos to you, looks like you got an excellent price though I find it surprising because none in the area that are loaded are under $48,000. Did you get yours under MSRP? The loaded ones I have seen have been just a shade under $50,000.

Ford's own web sight lists the base MSRP on the 09' GT500 at $43,125 so don't kid yourself nobody got one of these new for 42k!

Chevy lists the 08' Vette's base MSRP at $46,950 on there web sight. Though in 09' the MSRP has jumped up to $49,400.

A dealer offered me a well optioned 08' Vette for $42,000 firm, the best I could do on a GT500 was MSRP.
As far as the 70HP goes, who cares if you are faster with the 430.

FordBlueHeart

Thats a great deal on the 08 Vette with the current incentives. Its true that there are no incentives on the GT500s at this time, but I have been seeing used GT500s go for less than $40k thru the auction chute with less than 6000 miles on them. Heck, Ive seen regular premium GTs for $14k with 30k in miles.

97GT03SVT

I have seen low mile GTs sell cheap but I'm still searching for a bargain GT500! I'm hoping that the 10' GT500 blows the current one out of the water so we can see a large market of low mile 07-09 GT500s. At this point I can't rationalize spending close to 50 large on one of these.

FordBlueHeart

What about $40k for a slightly used GT500? Also the price I quoted for the GT was a 2008. Also saw a Bullit today with 11k miles on go for $19k in the chute.

Black GT500

At my small town Ford dealer, I have developed a personal relationship with the dealership owner. I buy all my new vehicles from him. I got the 4th of four total 2007-2008 GT500's he got. He isn't getting any 2009's.

I made my deal and reserved my spot to order my GT500 in early 2007, I paid a small ADM, when everyone was paying a large ADM.

Today, NEW GT500's can be had for MSRP all day long. Just do a search of Ebay or Craigslist. As FordBlueHeart has already pointed out, you can pick up under 5000 mile GT500's for $35,000 to $45,000 all over the place...



I ordered my car to my specification, I guess not totally loaded, I have ABSOLUTELY no use for the $2000 navigation, or $1300 worth of excess stereo junk.

Besides, as nice as the Corvettes are, and they are quite nice, I am a FORD Guy.



My GT500 Window Sticker



My friends Corvette Window Sticker



That is nice, I've driven the new Corvette, It is a nice car. It sounds like you need to pull the trigger on the Chevy.

You still have to pay over $70,000 to get a Corvette with 500 Horsepower. I like being in the FACTORY 500 Horsepower Club...

I'm a Ford Guy, even if the Corvette has a performance edge for a price premium, I'm still going with the 500 Horsepower FORD every time.

GT5088

well, I guess that settles that argument.

97GT03SVT

I wish my local dealer was as sincere are yours. I put my deposit down back in the summer of 05'. When the first GT500s rolled out I was offered one (didn't choose color or options for a $20,000 ADM!) I'd love to find a low mile GT500 for under 40k, as far as the Vette for 42 grand I may just pull the trigger. I too have always been a "Ford" guy but this car is so nice. I dunno what i'm going to do! So many options to choose right now!

As far as you stating your reasons for the GT500 over the Vette I say good for you, don't let a
Devil's Advocate try to sway you! Variety is the spice of life my friend!

eric n

Actually you didn't touch a nerve, you did say something at least a little bit silly. Simply put irs is better for a street car. Look at the ford GT. But again a super expensive exotic. Look at the Honda Civic, All Hyundais, the FORD FOCUS, pretty much all modern cars..... How many new cars have been introduced in the last 3 years with a solid rear axle? I don't think there are many... maybe none! This isn't because it's the best stuff. I'm may be wrong on this but it's my understanding the the Last generation of F body was the last car introduced with this tech.

Let's be clear about the biased thing. Many journalists have driven the new camaro, challenger and the Mustang. Most of us, I suspect you included, haven't. This automaticaly gives them a more informed opinion. Not necessarily right, but more informed. To assume the solid axle is going to be found to be superior by common folks without any experience with these cars is perhapsed biased... perhapsed!

Ford was cutting corners for the sake of keeping the cost down. The new mustang is an awesome car. I enjoy mine everyday. I have been driving primarily mustangs for 30 years. But, the truth is a flaming sword. If Chevy can put out 400 ponies, better ride and handling for 30-35k, Ford is going to lose sales. It is my hope that the next gen mustang mops up the floor with them, but given the financial realities, I'm not holding my breath.

Black GT500

Well actually it doesn't matter if the new Camaro or Challenger are good bad or ugly, it doesn’t matter if they are equal to, better or worse. The Mustang will lose sales to the Camaro and Challenger regardless of how it stacks up against them simply by virtue of the fact that many Mustang buyers are actually Chevy and Dodge Boys who have had only one Pony Car choice, The Ford Mustang, for many years, and given the option now, they will be going back to their roots…

MBK

cobalt SS turbo which has a better lap time around the nurburing than a bmw 135i

97GT03SVT

+1 I couldn't agree more! I have a family friend who bleeds Hemi Orange yet, it 05' he bought a Mustang GT. In my most recent conversation with him, he told me that he was selling the Mustang to his nephew and is picking up an 09 R/T Challenger as soon as it is available without an ADM.