What’s wrong with Ford and the new Mustang?

Who cares about the new V6 when they could use the new 3.2 litre inline six? The standard 3.2L I6 engine is expected to produce 240bhp with a turbo-charged version approaching 300bhp.

Ford has fallen way behind ther is not any car out that is not able to be met, or beat by atleast 2 other cars.

Focus ST: SRT-4, Cobalt SS, new 06 Si
Taurus/Fusion: Intrepid, Maxima, Accord
Mustang: Magnum/Charger SRT8 and R/T, GTO, C6

the Magnum also has AWD option, the C6 is a 6spd, and the GTO/ Charger are more able to side as a family car/

and MANY places have laughed at people that are asking to buy a spot on the list for MSRP, so they will be in the range of 50-56k when they come out depending on the MSRP
Yep many people on the list are now being told by dealers that they will be looking at $10K over list due to dealer allocation.

hence why ther is a lot of people on SVTperformance.com that have pulled there names from the list.

*post that was above this disapeared*

that last link doest work....

"gt500= 465 not 500. about 495 ft-lbs of tq. ur trying to down this car and you dont even know that?"

thats even more pathetic when a SC 4.6 will make over 480whp


"the 03/04 could run high 12s and the new gt500 is definatly faster than that car. in every aspect."

the 03/04 was actually more like 425HP so assuming Ford doesnt under rate the 06+ as much as that then we are still looking at a mid/high 12sec car. Just this time it dont handle near as good.



EDIT: WTF does a 3.5 have to do with teh GT500? If anythign the 3.5 SHOULD have come out like 5yrs ago now its just seen as Ford finaly catching up with everyone else.

dude... ARE YOU RETARDED?

cobra even posted stuff on this, they made it have less hp ON PURPOSE. they dont want it to be close the the ford gt in power... ITS INTENTIONAL, they got a big ass pulley on it. this just means it has tremendous potential. and it is much faster than the 03. more power, solid axle. its def faster, not only that but TESTS ACTUALLY PROVE IT HANDLES BETTER THAN THE 03!!

just like chevy made the leaf springs work well, ford worked with the solid axle and did some pretty impressive work.

dude... ARE YOU RETARDED?

cobra even posted stuff on this, they made it have less hp ON PURPOSE. they dont want it to be close the the ford gt in power... ITS INTENTIONAL, they got a big ass pulley on it. and it is much faster than the 03. more power, solid axle. its def faster, not only that but TESTS ACTUALLY PROVE IT HANDLES BETTER THAN THE 03!!

just like chevy made the leaf springs work well, ford worked with the solid axle and did some pretty impressive work.


no really? i thougth it was weaker UN-intentionaly . Way to state the fucking obious.

It's not going to be "much faster", much faster would make it mid 11's the GT weighs 400lbs less, and has about 85HP more and more TQ and Motor Trend could only get 11.7 out of it, so its easy to say a GT500 will only be about a 12.4-5.

I dont care WTF ford does, no one that actually like handleing will want to but a car w/ a solid rear it's just another example of Ford beating a dead horse. Hell I can put slicks and a 21m sway bar and get a .98g skidpad on my Escort. Thats almost on par w/ a NSX.

Unless the 2 cars are tested same day, and same tires, on same track/driver and all exit/enterance speeds are posted you will never get a fair comparison.

I have nothing left to say to you... :disappoin

I have nothing left to say to you... :disappoin


Good.

465hp(even 500) SC 5.4 = under powered
3800lbs = WAY over heavy
reworked solid rear = still a solid rear
50k+ = EXTREMELY over priced


There is NO argument here these are proven facts. Any autoX person would prefer an IRS because it has MUCH more potential then a solid rear.

50K can get you better PROVEN car for less(C6)

3800lbs is a PIG of a car

a SC on a GT can make 480+WHP that more then 500 crank and would cost a shit load less then the GT500

Ford is offering NOTHING for a LOT of money

I dont care WTF ford does, no one that actually like handleing will want to but a car w/ a solid rear it's just another example of Ford beating a dead horse.
That’s true. HTT the new head of SVT still thinks its the 70's and we are all stuck in the same f*ed up time warp as him with mullets asking ourselves what’s a corner? But in typical fashion thanks to Fords over sights Maximum Motorsports has stepped up to the plate again.
http://www.autoblog.com/entry/1234000150066311/

damn looks sweet

Ford has fallen way behind ther is not any car out that is not able to be met, or beat by atleast 2 other cars.

Focus ST: SRT-4, Cobalt SS, new 06 Si
Taurus/Fusion: Intrepid, Maxima, Accord
Mustang: Magnum/Charger SRT8 and R/T, GTO, C6

the Magnum also has AWD option, the C6 is a 6spd, and the GTO/ Charger are more able to side as a family car/

How does the pony-car Mustang compete with the sports car C6 and supercar-slaying Z06?

The Magnum is a 4,000+ lbs station wagon and the Charger also weighs 4,000+ lbs and has four doors. Both aren't available with manual transmissions.

How could a GTO be a family car? The new Mustang has a bigger trunk than the GTO. A new Mustang GT would be more affordable for a family than a GTO.

Also, the new Mustang has an aluminum hood.

There aren't many reviews of the new Fusion, but the December, 2005 issue of Motor Trend tests the new Fusion SEL vs. Honda Accord EX vs. Hyundai Sonata GLS vs. Toyota Camry LE

http://www.motortrend.com/toc/thismonth/

If ford desides to go: gt, mach1 and cobra again I think it should be.

GT= 5spd, IRS(since the GT is typicly the car for people that just want a nice v8)

Mach1 = better N/A motor, 5spd(better 1/4 gearing), solid rear (mach1 is known as more of a straight line car)

Cobra = F/I, 6spd, IRS(maybe a solid option)

2005 Steeda Mustang Takes American Iron Championship

check the links

http://www.allfordmustangs.com/artman/publish/2005_Steeda_Mustang_Takes_American_Iron_Championsh ip.shtml

http://americanironracing.com/home

have that driver drive a stock 05 then a stock 01 cobra (closest to the 05 in power and has an IRS) and see what the numbers are.

Like i said before you cant compair different drivers and different modifications.

I'm not a motortrend man myself. i remember when the 500hp GT came out and it got best 0-60 of the year in C&D at 3.3, even over the Enzo. 1/4 mile time was less than 11.7. For some reason the new 550hp version ran slower times(still waiting for someone to explain that to me). C&D projected mid 12s for the GT500, but i'm confidently expecting low 12s. I'll put $5 on it. :smokin:

On another note, not all 03-4 cobras made 425bhp. Most of the ones i've seen run around or a little over 360rwhp. I've seen 390rwhp runs just like you, but those are the ones we're more likely to remember too. I remember Horsepower TV's run 364rwhp. They added a 2.8 pulley and hypertuned it and it shot to 423 i think. Proud moment in my life.

On another note, not all 03-4 cobras made 425bhp. Most of the ones i've seen run around or a little over 360rwhp. I've seen 390rwhp runs just like you, but those are the ones we're more likely to remember too. I remember Horsepower TV's run 364rwhp. They added a 2.8 pulley and hypertuned it and it shot to 423 i think. Proud moment in my life.

364WHP assuming 16% loss (15% is the business standard) is still 438BHP

390 w/ 16% loss SHOULD be 325-335WHP

17% is what i've heard reported for the 4R70W. I assume the T56 would be a good bit less. But yes i do feel stupid now, even at a 10% loss.

How does the pony-car Mustang compete with the sports car C6 and supercar-slaying Z06?

The Magnum is a 4,000+ lbs station wagon and the Charger also weighs 4,000+ lbs and has four doors. Both aren't available with manual transmissions.

How could a GTO be a family car? The new Mustang has a bigger trunk than the GTO. A new Mustang GT would be more affordable for a family than a GTO.

Also, the new Mustang has an aluminum hood.
1. Price tags are about the same on the base C6 and GT500.

2. Weight and power of the GT500, Magnum, Charger, and 300C are roughly the same.

3. Its a 2+2 coupe just like the Mustang so yea it’s still a family car

4. woopty-freakin-doo it’s still obese

lol I really hope the GT500 is really under rated because if not then its only making about 27hp more then the 03/4

I'm not a motortrend man myself. i remember when the 500hp GT came out and it got best 0-60 of the year in C&D at 3.3, even over the Enzo. 1/4 mile time was less than 11.7. For some reason the new 550hp version ran slower times(still waiting for someone to explain that to me). C&D projected mid 12s for the GT500, but i'm confidently expecting low 12s. I'll put $5 on it. :smokin:

On another note, not all 03-4 cobras made 425bhp. Most of the ones i've seen run around or a little over 360rwhp. I've seen 390rwhp runs just like you, but those are the ones we're more likely to remember too. I remember Horsepower TV's run 364rwhp. They added a 2.8 pulley and hypertuned it and it shot to 423 i think. Proud moment in my life.

ive actually seen a timeslip of a stock ford gt running a 10.9

Good.

465hp(even 500) SC 5.4 = under powered
3800lbs = WAY over heavy
reworked solid rear = still a solid rear
50k+ = EXTREMELY over priced


There is NO argument here these are proven facts. Any autoX person would prefer an IRS because it has MUCH more potential then a solid rear.

50K can get you better PROVEN car for less(C6)

3800lbs is a PIG of a car

a SC on a GT can make 480+WHP that more then 500 crank and would cost a shit load less then the GT500

Ford is offering NOTHING for a LOT of money

i sure hope you dont think its "underpowered" because ford sucks and cant do any better, cause like i tried to explain b4, its intentional.

u know i remember a while ago when u used to post in the mustang section and all you did was cause problems and they threatened to ban u if u didnt leave. not much has changed... dude you just hate mustangs, its quite obvious, why are you even in here? all you ever do is come in a brag up your escort that no one cares about.

all youve done in this thread is say the same thing over and over, atleast cobra is providing facts and examples and isnt being annoying about it. all you do is go "overweight blah blah blah blah escort! blah blah blah underpowered blah blah blah overweight blah blah blah zetec! blah blah blah. i dont think anyone here wants to here it.

lol I really hope the GT500 is really under rated because if not then its only making about 27hp more then the 03/4
I don’t think it will be much over 450 that is if it is even over 450. In the July Car and Driver they said the test mule had an estimated 475bhp and 450tq but this was with the Lysholm Twin Screw. Also test mules always have more hp than the final production version.
http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=19&article_id=9638&page_number=4
Kenny Bell has been quoted as saying 450hp which is very belivable.
Eaton 120 (2 liter) to handle the 450HP
http://www.kennebell.net/techinfo/ford-techinfo/AUTOROTORvsLYSHOLM.pdf
This is more believable since Ford would not build this car to have the power to be with in striking distance of their $150K+ supercar.

i was never threatened w/ a banning the thread that i can remember, but the thread you are referencing was one where people refused to admit that a i4 can also be a good power maker.

Show me where I said Ford CAN'T do better? My point is that they are making a POS car for a high price.

I only bring up Escort where it can be usefull as an example (faster/better quality the the Focus making it better to prove examples of what Ford CAN do).

I have never said that I hate Mustangs, I said that I hate Ford using old technology to try to make up for there lack of new stuff, and pushing an over rated car as though its some great feat. Peopel have said fro years that the Mustang should be cut. I dont think it should be cut i thingkit should be completely remade. currently its just fucking up Fords line up.

Ford cant compete in the Sport Compact market because that would me a 14.0sec i4 for under 20k, and thats to close to the Mustang GT to make them comfortable. They cant make a nice high powered v6 family car because that makes the v6 mustang look VERY slow.

Its not poor sales makeing Ford lose business, its a poor lineup.

i was never threatened w/ a banning the thread that i can remember, but the thread you are referencing was one where people refused to admit that a i4 can also be a good power maker.

Show me where I said Ford CAN'T do better? My point is that they are making a POS car for a high price.

I only bring up Escort where it can be usefull as an example (faster/better quality the the Focus making it better to prove examples of what Ford CAN do).

I have never said that I hate Mustangs, I said that I hate Ford using old technology to try to make up for there lack of new stuff, and pushing an over rated car as though its some great feat. Peopel have said fro years that the Mustang should be cut. I dont think it should be cut i thingkit should be completely remade. currently its just fucking up Fords line up.

Ford cant compete in the Sport Compact market because that would me a 14.0sec i4 for under 20k, and thats to close to the Mustang GT to make them comfortable. They cant make a nice high powered v6 family car because that makes the v6 mustang look VERY slow.

Its not poor sales makeing Ford lose business, its a poor lineup.

:gives:

I don't know about anybody else but Im sick and tired of this ranting about this escort.

Escorts suck period. "Its a fact of life, learn it, live it."

You don't like Fords line up call them and tell them, we're sick of hearing about it on here.

:gives:

I don't know about anybody else but Im sick and tired of this ranting about this escort.

Escorts suck period. "Its a fact of life, learn it, live it."

You don't like Fords line up call them and tell them, we're sick of hearing about it on here.
:iagree:

:iagree:

Then leave you have proven you really dont know shit about Mustangs and you HAVE one.

The simple fact you think the GT500 is a good car proves that you know nothing about cars/technology/the market.

And if your tired of Escorts guess what....I DON'T CARE.

You don't like Fords line up call them and tell them, we're sick of hearing about it on here.

I have, infact im involved in a lawsuit with them, they sold my car as 10% power more then a stock zx2, there new "updated" computer codes acutally makes teh car produce less power. So mee and about 100 other peopel that recieved this "update" are suing. I lost 8whp(peak) and 19whp in spots of the powerband from the "update" infact peopke that have had teh same thign happend w/ Desiels(sp) and Contours migth be joining the suit.


Just another prime example of Ford not knowing WHAT THe FUCK THEY ARE DOING.

Then leave you have proven you really dont know shit about Mustangs and you HAVE one.

The simple fact you think the GT500 is a good car proves that you know nothing about cars/technology/the market.

And if your tired of Escorts guess what....I DON'T CARE.

:rolleyes: gee... i wonder if this is zx2srdotnet... hmm i cant figure it out

geee maybe it says so RIGHT IN MY SIG, genious

lol ur not worth the time to look at ur sig. now ur just pissed cause we are tired of hearing your ranting, just go away.

im not pissed at all, i just get annoyed by people like you who act like they know everything yet obviously dont, and make posts trying to look smart and just make them selfs look stupid....like you just did.


EDIT: and its not ranting if its correct. and I have yet to see you prove any of my points wrong.

like you dont act like you know everything... thats why no one on this forum wants you here. just go... everyone that posts in section gets along fine, you are annoying, you ruin the environment.

i have yet to see you post any usefull infromation and now your are just trying to start a flame war. So how I see it you are the one that should leave.

One of my friends brings up some very good points about the S197s in a couple of his latest blogs.
http://www.jwfisher.com/sec-blog/2005/11/24.html#a1018
http://www.jwfisher.com/sec-blog/2005/11/23.html#a1011

The Mustang is an example of what is wrong with our country, not what is right.

LOL!

Except for the 2000 SVT Mustang Cobra R and the 2003-03 SVT Mustang Cobra, the 1999-2004 Mustang was the ugliest Mustang since the early 1980s. It was an example of a joke with fake side vents, fake hood scoops, awful ergonomics, 25 year old chassis, etc.

The new 2005 Mustang GT's 4.6 liter 300 hp V-8 weighs 75 pounds less than the previous Mustang GT's 4.6 liter V-8 thanks to an aluminum block instead of an iron block. It also has variable valve timing.

Here are some poor articles of the lame 2005 Mustang.

http://www.motorsportscenter.com/article_462.shtml

Note how they compare they new Mustang convertible with the Toyota Solara convertible, "the boneless chicken of convertibles."

http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=3&article_id=9480

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/driven/57214/ford_mustang_gt_convertible.html

The Mustang is an example of what is wrong with our country, not what is right.

LOL!

Except for the 2000 SVT Mustang Cobra R and the 2003-03 SVT Mustang Cobra, the 1999-2004 Mustang was the ugliest Mustang since the early 1980s. It was an example of a joke with fake side vents, fake hood scoops, awful ergonomics, 25 year old chassis, etc.

The new 2005 Mustang GT's 4.6 liter 300 hp V-8 weighs 75 pounds less than the previous Mustang GT's 4.6 liter V-8 thanks to an aluminum block instead of an iron block. It also has variable valve timing.

Here are some poor articles of the lame 2005 Mustang.

http://www.motorsportscenter.com/article_462.shtml

Note how they compare they new Mustang convertible with the Toyota Solara convertible, "the boneless chicken of convertibles."

http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=3&article_id=9480

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/driven/57214/ford_mustang_gt_convertible.html

well i must say as far as ergonomics go i love my car.

OPINIONS! Thats when the problems start :D

yep, it makes it worse when someone comes in a mustang section and starts yelling ford sucks all over the place. with mustangs being taking most of his attacks. fact is i dont think people here, i know i dont, like his attitude. i have no problem with having a discussion over it but when your trying to have a discussion and he just goes fords stupid and they suck out of no where.... it disrupts things a lot. aside from that, if you have a difference in opinion, and he doesnt like it you get called an idiot and criticized. like i still like the gt500 despite its downfalls, but im a fucking idiot for liking it.

i was actually enjoying the discussion and learning some new things on the gt500 b4 mr escort here decided to cause problems.

i say this thread just be locked up.

That is why I do not reply to his posts any more, I could care less what his opinion is.

^^ i guess that could have avoided all this...

That proves absolutely nothing!!!

You do know that the FR500C was the only car allowed to run a non production based engine? The M3 was limited to the 3.2 and OEM intake while the FR500C was permitted to use the Cammer and a racing intake.
http://www.grandamerican.com/CONTENT/Docs/PDF/2005/2005%20GAC%203-28.pdf

Things would have been totally different if BMW was allowed to run the new 3 series with a V8.

BMW doesn't build a 3 series with a V-8 engine. The 2001 BMW M3 GTR, the poster child for cheating in GT racing (within the past several years), had a 4.0 liter aluminum-block V-8 while the standard 2001 BMW M3 had a 3.2 liter iron-block I-6.

As for the Mustang, look at the
bigger picture: it is back in racing

http://www.motorsport.com/photos/grandcup/2005/dt/grandcup-2005-dt-jt-0108.jpg

http://www.motorsport.com/photos/grandcup/2005/dt/grandcup-2005-dt-jt-0109.jpg

http://motorsport.com/photos/grandcup/2005/day/grandcup-2005-day-eg-0119.jpg

http://motorsport.com/photos/grandcup/2005/day/grandcup-2005-day-eg-0120.jpg

http://motorsport.com/photos/grandcup/2005/tr/grandcup-2005-tr-eg-0228.jpg

http://www.theraceforum.com/images/forum/2971-20-1.jpg

http://www.grandamerican.com/CONTENT/Photos/Gallery/2005/100805virC800-17.jpg

Gunnar Jeannette

http://www.theraceforum.com/images/forum/2971-28-1.jpg

yep, it makes it worse when someone comes in a mustang section and starts yelling ford sucks all over the place. with mustangs being taking most of his attacks. fact is i dont think people here, i know i dont, like his attitude. i have no problem with having a discussion over it but when your trying to have a discussion and he just goes fords stupid and they suck out of no where.... it disrupts things a lot. aside from that, if you have a difference in opinion, and he doesnt like it you get called an idiot and criticized. like i still like the gt500 despite its downfalls, but im a fucking idiot for liking it.

i was actually enjoying the discussion and learning some new things on the gt500 b4 mr escort here decided to cause problems.

i say this thread just be locked up.

1. Ford does suck. ask most Ford owners, hell i know LOTS that hate their cars just cat aford to get rid of them, there dealrs so shitty repaires, and unless you have a mainstream model they know nothing about your car.(been told i had a v6, and was told a ZX2 was a CHEVY by differnt dealers, also be told the SVT Focus was AWD)

2. I never said all mustangs suck, I only said the 05's and the drive train they under powered the v6 with sucks. If you ever read anything thing else you would see that I want a 95-98 GT/Cobra.

3. I never said you were an idiot for liking the GT500, apperance is all opinion based, I said that if you think its performance is worth the money your crazy


How aobut you pull your head out of your ass and actually read some stuff instead of just assumgin that a person that doesnt OWN a mustang cant know anything about them.

BMW doesn't build a 3 series with a V-8 engine. The 2001 BMW M3 GTR, the poster child for cheating in GT racing (within the past several years), had a 4.0 liter aluminum-block V-8 while the standard 2001 BMW M3 had a 3.2 liter iron-block I-6.
There was a production M3 with the 4L V8 it was called the M3 GTR Strasse.
http://www.fast-autos.net/bmw/bmwm3gtrstrasse.html
http://www.mustangmods.com/data/17605/2002_bmw_m3_gtr_strass3.jpg
http://www.mustangmods.com/data/17605/2002_bmw_m3_gtr_strass4.jpg
http://www.mustangmods.com/data/17605/2002_bmw_m3_gtr_strass5.jpg


The next gen. M3 will have a V8 but there will never be a production Mustang with a CAMMER. BMW already said there will be no more I6 in the next M3. The reason you'll never see a big bore 305 in production is because Ford would have to offer that car/drivetrain with a 3/36,000 warranty. There's simply not enough meat between bores (thank the poor bore spacing) to maintain stock type structural rigidty when going with a 3.70" dry sleeve setup. Big bores tend to eat rings because the blocks flex under load. FWIW, a stock bore/sleeve Teksid block (96-01 Cobra, however some 01s have a WAP block AKA Mach1) will flex .002-3" when being honed. Also the cammer crate motor (Al) won't pass emissions as is with the supplied comoputer tune. The cams are close to the edge, so there's a slim chance with the right (ultra lean) tune it could pass. Then again, real N/A performance cams aren't even close to being emissions legal. FRPP does sell the cammer (I'm not even sure if they have sold one) but it has no warranty whatsoever. Ford has had big bore 305s for 10 years in mules of different sorts. If they were ever going to make production we would have seen it already. Keep in mind not all these motors will fail, and it will take some time for it to happen in some instances depending on use. I do think that it’s great that they are back in racing but they do have a huge advantage here. Even though they used the non production engine and a racing intake they still barely beat out the M3’s (it came down to the last race) that are forced to use the production based 3.2L and OEM intake.

Let’s take a look at intakes for a moment.
FR500C (note the race intake used here isn’t even the CAMMER intake it was designed and built specifically for the FR500C)
http://www.trippcat.com/albums/Driving_Event_Photos/VIR/VIR_Oct_2005/Paddock/IMG_7536.JPG

OEM M3 3.2L and OEM intake
http://www.motorsportscenter.com/Gallery/bmw/2002line/images/M3%20Engine_L.jpg

So who has the advantage here? Like I said it’s great to seem them out there racing again however I would have like to have seen them doing it with the same kind of restrictions as their competitors.


On a side note it wasn’t BWM or Ford that won the Grand-Am Cup Series driver’s point standings. David Empringham piloted the Doncaster Racing #76 Porsche to No.1.
http://www.grandamerican.com/CONTENT/Docs/PDF/2005/Cup%20Driver%20Points.pdf

god is that a beautiful motor

doesnt the FR500C run the same basic suspension set up as the gt? obviously with some racing modifcations.

if thats the case, wouldnt it kinda show that the suspension isnt as bad as its been made out to be.

but if im way off the mark here, in either case, the new suspension is still way better than the fox.

1. the FR500C car is great because it has both HP and TQ superiority over many of the cars in the races, not handleing

2. the 500c is a track car, and not going to be as great on a road that isnt pre pre-preped for racing.

If solid was superior to IRS in handleing I'm sure other more high end companies would have been using it way before Ford.

doesnt the FR500C run the same basic suspension
Basic as in 3-link yes but yet it is totally different.
Here is the Multimatic set up for the FR500C
FRONT SUSPENSION
Dynamic Suspensions - inverted struts
3 way adjustable - high/low speed compression rebound
Ride height adjustable coil over
Adjustable caster/camber plate
Urethane bushings
Adjustable anti-roll bar

REAR SUSPENSION
Dynamic Suspensions - coil-over dampers
3 way adjustable - high/low speed compression rebound
Ride height adjustable
3 link with panhard bar
Urethane Bushings


but if im way off the mark here, in either case, the new suspension is still way better than the fox.
Not really the improvement in handling is largely due to the new chassis. The only real change in the suspension is the panhard bar.

not to mention the rear springs are positioned totally different to keep the rear axle more fimly planted on the ground, big improvement over 99-04. ive read b4 what all was changed and it really was quite a bit but i dont remember any of it except how the springs in the rear are now set up. its not almost the same as the fox.

There was a production M3 with the 4L V8 it was called the M3 GTR Strasse.

The 2002 BMW M3 GTR Strassenversion wasn't built until 2002 and the price was approx. 250,000 euros.

BMW was racing in the 2001 ALMS season with a V-8-powered M3 when there wasn't even a V-8-powered production M3 in production.

As a side note, the new Five Hundred got the highest rating for the safest large car from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Safety (http://www.autoweek.com/news.cms?newsId=103721)

But atleast they built it. Ford will never use the CAMMER in a production car for warranty issues.

not to mention the rear springs are positioned totally different to keep the rear axle more fimly planted on the ground, big improvement over 99-04. ive read b4 what all was changed and it really was quite a bit but i dont remember any of it except how the springs in the rear are now set up. its not almost the same as the fox.
Thats true they also went with a single upper control arm but the most important change was the addition of a panhard bar. This was used thanks to us road race guys who have been using them for a very long time on the piss poor live axle. The live axle is notorious for steering itself without any input from the driver. This rear end steering is caused by the sideways movement of the rear axle due to the rubber bushings in the control arms. Maximum Motorsports has recorded up to 2" of sideways movement of the rear axle while cornering. A panhard bar is the best method to control the side to side location of the axle relative to the chassis. Because they are in direct line with the cornering load, and acts through spherical rod ends, therefore no bind is induced during cornering.
http://www.miracerros.com/mustang/t_2005_rear.jpg

Thats true they also went with a single upper control arm but the most important change was the addition of a panhard bar. This was used thanks to us road race guys who have been using them for a very long time on the piss poor live axle. The live axle is notorious for steering itself without any input from the driver. This rear end steering is caused by the sideways movement of the rear axle due to the rubber bushings in the control arms. Maximum Motorsports has recorded up to 2" of sideways movement of the rear axle while cornering. A panhard bar is the best method to control the side to side location of the axle relative to the chassis. Because they are in direct line with the cornering load, and acts through spherical rod ends, therefore no bind is induced during cornering.
http://www.miracerros.com/mustang/t_2005_rear.jpg

yeah when i first got my car i def noticed that sideways movement.

yeah when i first got my car i def noticed that sideways movement.
Yea my 02 GT was like that. What’s funny is everyone compares the handling of the 05's to the 03/04 Cobra but that wasn't the best handling non R Cobra with an IRS.

hmm well i might have to look into a panhard bar. heh or just make one, i made my only other mod myself (strut bar). knowing how to weld is a beautiful thing.

You will more than likely have to relocate your exhaust. Most people end up having to go to side exhaust when they install a panhard bar.

1. Ford does suck. ask most Ford owners, hell i know LOTS that hate their cars just cat aford to get rid of them, there dealrs so shitty repaires, and unless you have a mainstream model they know nothing about your car.(been told i had a v6, and was told a ZX2 was a CHEVY by differnt dealers, also be told the SVT Focus was AWD)

2. I never said all mustangs suck, I only said the 05's and the drive train they under powered the v6 with sucks. If you ever read anything thing else you would see that I want a 95-98 GT/Cobra.

3. I never said you were an idiot for liking the GT500, apperance is all opinion based, I said that if you think its performance is worth the money your crazy


How aobut you pull your head out of your ass and actually read some stuff instead of just assumgin that a person that doesnt OWN a mustang cant know anything about them.

I'm gonna say this just once to you and this goes for everyone not just you. This is the only warning I'm gonna give....... Cool it on the hostility!

I'm gonna say this just once to you and this goes for everyone not just you. This is the only warning I'm gonna give....... Cool it on the hostility!

thats right!!! its not ford that sucks its just that you cant get it all...i have a 95 cougar with irs it handles badass and has about 205hp i have handling but power....its just there why? because its a luxury coupe. :smokin: you say you know alot of ford owners that hate their cars??? maybe they drive ford minivans?i dont know. i myself would like if ford and mercury brought back a REAL cougar so mustangs/cougars could roll like the old days(late 60s 70s) .can you say ELIMINATOR? :2cents:
that jac guy screwed up bad...

ps. i love my cougar. :icon16:

.can you say ELIMINATOR? :2cents:
ps. i love my cougar. :icon16:

Yep, I sure can, since I own a fairly rare 1970 Boss 302 Cougar Eliminator:D

... :cheers: :worshippy .....damn i have been looking for one....there was a local 60s cougar, junked and all messed up...but i was told its not for sale...

Oh wow, what a horrible problem...

Ford dealers can't get enough Fusions; supply disruptions, high interest lead to low inventories

AMY WILSON | Automotive News

Posted Date: 12/12/05

DETROIT -- Dealers have one major complaint about the 2006 Ford Fusion: They can't get enough of them.

The new mid-sized sedan has posted stronger-than-targeted sales since it arrived in dealerships in late September, Ford Motor Co. says. But shipments to dealers still are below expectations because of supply disruptions at Ford's Hermosillo, Mexico, plant.

Ford assembles the Fusion and its Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr siblings at Hermosillo.

"Fusion is good," said Robert Thibodeau Jr. of Bob Thibodeau Ford in Center Line, Mich. "The only problem is Collins & Aikman (and) not getting enough of them."

Collins & Aikman, a large interior trim supplier going through Chapter 11 bankruptcy restructuring, has been a major contributor to the slowdown at Hermosillo, Ford officials have acknowledged. The most prominent stoppage occurred in early October, when an undisclosed number of production days were lost.

But there have been no major disruptions of late, said Tony Brown, Ford senior vice president of global purchasing.

"We're delivering product," Brown said. "It's not without difficulty. We've got a bunch of people from our side … along with (Collins & Aikman) people working to make sure we keep product flowing. And we'll continue to do that."

Collins & Aikman has experienced difficulties ramping up to full production in Hermosillo, acknowledged David Youngman, a spokesman for the supplier. But "we have made the Fusion, Zephyr, Milan launch our top priority and are working with support from the customer to fulfill all of our obligations."

Ford so far has produced just more than 52,000 Fusions, Milans and Zephyrs, Ford spokesman Paul Wood said. About 50,000 have been released, he said. Ford has sold 15,481 through November.

Ford is still short of its target to have produced around 55,000 vehicles by now. But the company is closing the gap, officials said. Hermosillo is now producing around 900 vehicles a day. Weekly production has exceeded the weekly target by an average of about 400 vehicles for each of the last several weeks, Wood said.

Dealers will welcome that additional volume.

Many dealers say the Fusion is garnering a level of attention not seen by Ford cars, other than the Mustang, in years.

"I am not getting enough of them right now, but as a dealer that's not bad," said Jerry Reynolds. of Prestige Ford in Garland, Texas, in an e-mail. "They are bringing a premium, and we have a waiting list for incoming vehicles."