Should I get an RX8 or wait for the 2005 Mustang GT?
09-15-2003, 03:53 PM
#26
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the only way your gonna know is if you take both cars for a test drive
i dunno how much of a mustang your gonna get for the same price as the rx8
maybe the mazda speed rx8 will be out by 05; sounds awesome to me
i wouldnt want a mustang just because everybody and their brother drives one, unless you plan on getting an svt screw the stang
i dunno how much of a mustang your gonna get for the same price as the rx8
maybe the mazda speed rx8 will be out by 05; sounds awesome to me
i wouldnt want a mustang just because everybody and their brother drives one, unless you plan on getting an svt screw the stang
09-15-2003, 04:15 PM
#27
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Originally posted by mikeb
ford
fixed or repaired daily
The car looks cool but thats about it
ford
fixed or repaired daily
The car looks cool but thats about it
09-15-2003, 04:23 PM
#28
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Originally posted by mikeb
ford
fixed or repaired daily
The car looks cool but thats about it
ford
fixed or repaired daily
The car looks cool but thats about it
first on race day...
Seriously, as an owner of both a Mustang GT and a Miata I can tell you that the 8 is a nice balance between the two (based on my one test drive).
I read somewhere that the average age of a V8 Mustang buyer is 44. We like those retro styling cues!
09-15-2003, 05:27 PM
#29
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My opinion? Get the RX-8. And as an objective viewer (dont own an RX-8) I am going to tell you why the RX-8 is going to be better.
1.) Fully independent suspension. The RX-8 has double wishbones and a multilink setup at the rear, making it one of the best handling cars you can buy for the money. If not the best, but I'm trying to keep it objective. It has been stated that the '05 Mustang is still going to have a live axle rear end because the bean counters thought IRS was going to be too expensive. They say they are keeping the live axle because it makes it a better drag car, but I think that is PR bull. Only the Cobra version of the Mustang will have IRS and if that is the Mustang you are considering, you are officially out of the RX-8's range. Now maybe not the Mazdaspeed's, but thats another story.
2.) Interior- Mazda's interior is in production already, and although it has not lived up to some people's expectations, I consider it better than the 350z which was the measuring stick for the segment. I have seen interior mock-ups of an interior between the concept's and production. As it stands now, it is tolerable, with a retro feel and a gigantic bar of aluminum across the dash. Now when this makes it to production, replace anything of any value and *** a cheap harsh plastic (fight me if you want, admit it, American interiors are not up to the world) and you have something highly lacking in style and substance.
In my opinion, the RX-8 will not be the faster car, but it will be the more complete of the two. And with that I am done, and about to resume me continuous patrolling of the boards.
Carry on.
1.) Fully independent suspension. The RX-8 has double wishbones and a multilink setup at the rear, making it one of the best handling cars you can buy for the money. If not the best, but I'm trying to keep it objective. It has been stated that the '05 Mustang is still going to have a live axle rear end because the bean counters thought IRS was going to be too expensive. They say they are keeping the live axle because it makes it a better drag car, but I think that is PR bull. Only the Cobra version of the Mustang will have IRS and if that is the Mustang you are considering, you are officially out of the RX-8's range. Now maybe not the Mazdaspeed's, but thats another story.
2.) Interior- Mazda's interior is in production already, and although it has not lived up to some people's expectations, I consider it better than the 350z which was the measuring stick for the segment. I have seen interior mock-ups of an interior between the concept's and production. As it stands now, it is tolerable, with a retro feel and a gigantic bar of aluminum across the dash. Now when this makes it to production, replace anything of any value and *** a cheap harsh plastic (fight me if you want, admit it, American interiors are not up to the world) and you have something highly lacking in style and substance.
In my opinion, the RX-8 will not be the faster car, but it will be the more complete of the two. And with that I am done, and about to resume me continuous patrolling of the boards.
Carry on.
09-16-2003, 02:31 PM
#32
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From what I understand, most new car buyers are in their 40s or older, so going for retro styling on cars is an awesome idea.
On the other hand, it's only an awesome idea if done right. Example: PT Cruiser. Doesn't matter whether you personally love it or hate it, Chrysler made a fortune on it. Retro can be an awful idea if done wrong. Example: New Thunderbird, overpriced and underpowered. Ford lost a lot of money on them, from what I understand.
I personally am disappointed with all the photos I've seen of the next generation Mustang. Ford tried to make it retro and New Age at the same time, and I would say they failed at both. If they had copied the exterior styling of any Mustang from up to '69 perfectly, I think they would be fighting off the middle aged buyers looking to reminisce with a stick.
On the other hand, it's only an awesome idea if done right. Example: PT Cruiser. Doesn't matter whether you personally love it or hate it, Chrysler made a fortune on it. Retro can be an awful idea if done wrong. Example: New Thunderbird, overpriced and underpowered. Ford lost a lot of money on them, from what I understand.
I personally am disappointed with all the photos I've seen of the next generation Mustang. Ford tried to make it retro and New Age at the same time, and I would say they failed at both. If they had copied the exterior styling of any Mustang from up to '69 perfectly, I think they would be fighting off the middle aged buyers looking to reminisce with a stick.
09-17-2003, 08:38 PM
#33
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The Ford Mustang today still shares the basic front suspension geometry found on the 1976 Ford Fairmont. For someone who is just graduating today I'm sure that doesn't mean much but leave it to say that it was a pig back even then.
Why is that so bad? Simple, the roll center on the front is 3" below ground. Yes that's not a typo, below ground. In comparison, the roll center of the RX-8 is 19" above ground in the front. GC on both cars is comparable at 21" above ground (my estimate, the RX-8 may be lower).
What does that mean? The closer the roll center is to the CG height the less yaw to roll coupling you get. It's the reason why when you toss a Mustang into a corner you feel like you're in a school bus. Even the latest Cobra shares this roll center problem its just muffled better with larger sway bars and springs.
Why don't they fix it? Don't know. There have been several aftermarket fixes which relocate the lower suspension arms to improve geometry for years. Ford just doesn't seam to be in line with any fix that doesn't equate to some metric which improves strait line performance.
Why is that so bad? Simple, the roll center on the front is 3" below ground. Yes that's not a typo, below ground. In comparison, the roll center of the RX-8 is 19" above ground in the front. GC on both cars is comparable at 21" above ground (my estimate, the RX-8 may be lower).
What does that mean? The closer the roll center is to the CG height the less yaw to roll coupling you get. It's the reason why when you toss a Mustang into a corner you feel like you're in a school bus. Even the latest Cobra shares this roll center problem its just muffled better with larger sway bars and springs.
Why don't they fix it? Don't know. There have been several aftermarket fixes which relocate the lower suspension arms to improve geometry for years. Ford just doesn't seam to be in line with any fix that doesn't equate to some metric which improves strait line performance.
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