http://www.autoweek.com/article.cms?articleId=100907

Poor interior materials and live rear axle cited as shortcomings.

This is the second mixed review I've seen of the car. Another magazine, mph, recently said the car lacked the edge and attitude advertised by the exterior.

 

I am liking this car more and more, I dont think I can wait for GM to give me another choice. I will wait until next summer but thats it, if I havnt seen a concept or confirmation I will buy a mustang.

 

There's been a couple of mixed reviews, but the majority have been rather positive. But even the mixed ones have said that the quality is worlds above what the previous Mustang was. Makes one wonder just how high their standards are.

 

Well, I don't think there is shocking being said there... I think everyone knows the interior quality on Mustangs (and F-bodies prior) were pretty much at the bottom of the barrel as far as fit and finish and materials go... so I don't think that statement is all that unrealistic.... In other words, yes, it can be vastly improved over the old Stang, but still not up to par with other offerings today.

I haven't sat in one, so I can't say myself.

 

The one I saw was VERY nice. But I'm sure that soon we'll all find out real soon.

 

i remember being completely underwhelmed by the stang interior at NAIAS, but I also remember the two previous cars i sat in and experienced before the unveiling were an Aston Marton and a Maybach...perhaps my opinion was skewered just a little bit....

 

It seems like they bash the live axle for the sheer fact that it's a live axle. They say it handles better, but then say it should include a live axle just because the Z has it? I read through to try to figure out why they didn't like the live axle, couldn't find it.

 

I'd almost consider a live axle a plus for a pony/muscle car, not a minus. No wheelhop as a rule and less weak rear-end problems.... If the car handles good, which these apparently do it's stupid to point it out.

It's like that Top Gear C6 Vette review where they went on and on about how the it a "leaf spring" rear suspension. They forgot to mention how much it kicked *** performance wise and allowed the $50k Corvette to kick some *** on the race course time wise....

 

With that import loving chick from Autoweek doing the article I pee on that article. She also say's the Mustang feels tigher then the GTO but if someone actually told her the GTO was imported she would take back that statment. She sucks.

 

I'm not a Ford guy but I think they hit a home run with this car. I think its the one of the best styling jobs I've seen in years and I think they will sell in tremendous numbers.
I thought some of the reviewer's comments were just plain silly. Speakers where you want to push the door open with your foot? Who does that? The live axle is bad but handling compares to the GTO? When I drove the GTO at the Autoshow in Motion I thought the GTO handled quite well.
Like virtually all of what I read in the automotive press, I consider that review irrelevant.

 

The live axle is not equivilent to pushrods. It's old tech. and can not handle as well as an independent rear. It's cheap, though, allowing it to be shared with the cheapo 6 cylinder version and drag race guys will obviously love it. The problem is, though, that this is not the 60's and more and more people buy cars for the total package, not just the 1/4 mile, in which case a solid rear axle is definatly a handicap.

 

and my ultimate problem is not the fact that the car is offered with a live axle, but the fact that IRS isn't at LEAST optional...but I guess it doesn't really matter to be, because I've got my eye on what SVT will do

 

Unless you're racing on really bumpy roads, IRS isn't going to make much difference over a solid axle. While I prefer IRS, a good live axle setup is very competitive. Most consumers wouldn't know the difference in ride characteristics anyway.

 

I read that mph article(first issue of the magazine btw so take it for what you will) and I couldn't help but laugh at it.
They bashed the Mustang for having a better interior and a smoother more refined ride but then bashed it at the same time for haivng a live axle. The ulimate case of damned if you do damned if you don't.

 

Ah, but see, you have to open your mind a bit... few Mustang owners are going to be racing their car at all, let alone exclusively.

Keeping that in mind, these cars are drivers which will be driven on bumpy roads.

This is why IRS is so important.... we aren't talking about NHRA or NASCAR race vehicles... these are real world street cars....