disappointed

[Commbubba19]

You know i haven't seen much on here regarding the really pathetic ford design for the mustang suspension. This simply shouldn't be accepted.

Seriously - after digging in and replacing god knows how many parts just to get the car to handle decently is pretty pathetic nowadays. I mean the whole IRS design is just a load of BS. Did Ford not learn from the 99-04 cobras that their cradle design sucked? How was this deemed an acceptable to ford management and engineers?

I guess I'm venting but it seems counter intuitive to build a 'muscle' or 'pony' car which is widely accepted as a performance vehicle but make it as soft as a fricken Cadillac. RWD IRS vehicles are not new. Ford should have easily been able to design a rear suspension platform that actually worked without bandaid'ng the platform with pathetically soft bushings everywhere to hide their poor design.

What really burns me up is that Ford knows it and then sells upgraded bits that should have been on the car in the first place. Proper bushings in the control arms for camber and toe. Stiffer vertical links that don't flex like they're made of plastic.

The thing is, as an engineer, i know that usually a good design can still be done keeping cost effectiveness in mind. I guess i'm just really disappointed in the bushings Ford chose to go with on this car. And the excuse that the aftermarket can take care of it is just lame justification. I really feel this will be my last ford product. I stepped away for over 5 years and came back really hoping to be impressed. I'm not. I'm glad I got my car for as cheap as I did because it isn't worth any more than what I paid.

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[jhols]

Cost while has a lot to do of it, NVH is another huge aspect of suspension design. Majority of car owners do not take corners fast, don't do enough to experience wheel hop. Ford is looking at the 80-90% who care more about NVH compliance than the 10-20% who care about stiff suspension.. All OEMs use soft rubber pieces in their suspension, except maybe Ferrari..

 

[BmacIL]

Two things:
1) Did you get a PP car? If not, the base vehicle has an owner base that is usually unconcerned with what you're complaining about. This is a GT car. Most of the customers don't go to the track, don't autocross, and love the fact that it is very quiet and comfortable, and fast when they want it to be.
2) NVH - this gen has been designed to be a global competitor, and to expand the base beyond the typical muscle car world. It has succeeded. It couldn't do that without the refined ride and lack of NVH that the bushings provide. The aftermarket (including Ford Performance) is there to allow the enthusiast to tailor the car to their liking, even if it means sacrificing some of the refinement.

As an engineer, you should understand how product development works regarding target markets and compromise to suit the broad wants of the customer base.

 

[Commbubba19]

Two things:
1) Did you get a PP car? If not, the base vehicle has an owner base that is usually unconcerned with what you're complaining about. This is a GT car. Most of the customers don't go to the track, don't autocross, and love the fact that it is very quiet and comfortable, and fast when they want it to be.
2) NVH - this gen has been designed to be a global competitor, and to expand the base beyond the typical muscle car world. It has succeeded. It couldn't do that without the refined ride and lack of NVH that the bushings provide. The aftermarket (including Ford Performance) is there to allow the enthusiast to tailor the car to their liking, even if it means sacrificing some of the refinement.

True I do have a base GT. However i'm finding more and more differences that were not listed on the PP vs the base. Some of these things may have swayed my decision. What's frustrating is that you can't get the PP with an auto. Why? It's suspension parts, not drivetrain. Stupid assumptions by ford management.

I also understand the NVH, but again, this is a pony car, not an accord. I'm tired of catering to the masses on everything. The mustang is a niche vehicle and always will be. They need to stop trying to cater to the idiot masses and actually look at their core customer base who actually buys these cars.

Again, i'm talking small changes, things that would not necessarily drive costs crazy high. Using a higher quality solid rubber bushing vs soft hollow bushings is one.

Maybe allowing customers to actually option these things when ordering. That'd be nice.

I just hate the direction the automotive industry is heading. Yes there are wonderful and powerful fun cars available, but at the same time, the manufacturers do just stupid things that cause nothing but frustration to the enthusiast.

 

[Strokerswild]

You should be able to option a Mustang a la carte, like you can a Jeep Wrangler.....

Instead, like most vehicles anymore, it's all package nonsense.

I would have loved to get an auto with PP, based on a friend's '16 GT/CS....but the PP overrode the auto choice for me.

 

[slythetove]

True I do have a base GT. However i'm finding more and more differences that were not listed on the PP vs the base. Some of these things may have swayed my decision. What's frustrating is that you can't get the PP with an auto. Why? It's suspension parts, not drivetrain. Stupid assumptions by ford management.

I also understand the NVH, but again, this is a pony car, not an accord. I'm tired of catering to the masses on everything. The mustang is a niche vehicle and always will be. They need to stop trying to cater to the idiot masses and actually look at their core customer base who actually buys these cars.

Again, i'm talking small changes, things that would not necessarily drive costs crazy high. Using a higher quality solid rubber bushing vs soft hollow bushings is one.

Maybe allowing customers to actually option these things when ordering. That'd be nice.

I just hate the direction the automotive industry is heading. Yes there are wonderful and powerful fun cars available, but at the same time, the manufacturers do just stupid things that cause nothing but frustration to the enthusiast.

Sorry, but I disagree. If they go too far towards you (and me) they don't sell so many that the competition is crying about sales every month. I'd rather they do what they're doing and let us that care about the specifics handle it with the aftermarket. A car that some of us would love would drive the average buyer insane - that's just not good for business when they can do what they are doing and get both markets!

Truthfully, the Performance Pack car already outlaps the previous Boss 302 and still drives and lives daily in a superior way. That's an accomplishment.

After having both PP and non-PP I'm surprised how significant the differences actually are when driving the car. Test drive does not reveal the reality (I know because I test drove both flavors the first time).

Also, modding is fun.

:ford:

 

[Bluemustang]

OP I have upgraded my base GT auto with suspension parts and it handles dramatically different now.

The reason Ford does what they do is because they have to appeal to daily drivers and many different people living in many different areas. If they allow the customer to have too many options it will drive the price up. They have to mass produce cars that will sell. I guess they felt there's not enough people buying an auto that will want those options. This isn't made to order like Teslas. This is a working man's muscle/sports car. It's not BMW or a Porsche. It just isn't.

I would have gotten the PP but it doesn't come in an auto. Sucks, but that's the way it is.

 

[Beetlespin]

Guess I am part of the "idiot masses" because I am fine with the car the way it is :headbonk:


:ford:

 

[Socalmustang]

You're expecting way too much for the money you're paying.

What other car out there has the performance, design, and the suspension you're looking for for a base price of around 32K?

That's right, you can't find one.

This car is far from perfect, but if Ford really wanted to upgrade suspension and some other things, that would mean more money.

Go look at how the Camaro is doing- apparently Ford is doing something right!

 

[np2016ppgt]

Selling?

 

[BMR Tech]

Well, Ford did myself and [MENTION=10893]David@Steeda[/MENTION] a favor!

If you want to look into improving it, there are some very cost effective and simple modifications you can do to your S550, to make it a completely different animal. ;)

 

[fstang24]

No car design is perfect out of the box in my opinion, like everyone else said they have to target a whole range of people, not just racers. But wait the fun of buying a mustang is to mod it to your liking. I enjoyed wrenching on my pony and improving different aspects of my car to my liking. Their are plenty of aftermarket companies like Steeda and BMR that cater to the suspension specifics for those who want more performance out of their car.

 

[Commbubba19]

Well, Ford did myself and [MENTION=10893]David@Steeda[/MENTION] a favor!

If you want to look into improving it, there are some very cost effective and simple modifications you can do to your S550, to make it a completely different animal. ;)

I already have parts that I'm in the middle of installing. That's why it's frustrating. i see shortcuts that weren't necessary.

IMO - good design doesn't necessarily equate to cost.

 

[BMR Tech]

Well.

I do the 2015+ Mustang and 2016+ Camaro stuff here at BMR.

Honestly, GM hit a homerun with their bushings/designs. However, the car is much more money than the S550.

 

[JohnBoyNC]

You went the cheap route and you got the cheap parts. And you want a high performance car so you bought a manual?

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