Life after 8000 RPM: Lotus Elise & Mazda RX-8 Farewell (Automobile Mag)

[hotrodalex]

Considering new crash safety standards and such, that's to be expected.

[Rupert]

There are still small four seat cars that meet crash and safety standards. They could have made the Mustang smaller.

[hotrodalex]

Examples?

I can't think of any 4 seater that has classic GT proportions and is much smaller than the Mustang.

The RX-8 is pretty similar and is 12 inches shorter (176 in. vs. 188 in.), but it doesn't have a V8 under the hood.

[2o6]

Examples?

I can't think of any 4 seater that has classic GT proportions and is much smaller than the Mustang.

The RX-8 is pretty similar and is 12 inches shorter (176 in. vs. 188 in.), but it doesn't have a V8 under the hood.

"GT Proportions" aren't a fixed definition and aren't dependent on too much of anything, really.

[hotrodalex]

"GT Proportions" aren't a fixed definition and aren't dependent on too much of anything, really.

Long hood, short rear deck = GT proportions.

[2o6]

Long hood, short rear deck = GT proportions.

And that isn't fixed on the car's physical size.

[sportyaccordy]

There are still small four seat cars that meet crash and safety standards. They could have made the Mustang smaller.

See, I'm not crazy.

And the Mustang is on its own platform. I am skeptical in the idea of its live axle being cheaper than an IRS... they could have used the old Explorer IRS for example or develop something for a much needed RWD Lincoln platform. Hell, beef up the rear end from the AWD Taurus, and sell the live axle through Ford Racing for the serious drag racers.

BMW fit a big bore V8 in the little M3, so I don't buy that. I'm hoping they slim the next Mustang (and Camaro) down like they did the C6 from the C5.

But yea like I said and the vid said, not everyone wants an Evo or Camaro. And now its getting to where people who wants something else will not have a choice. Especially if they want anything faster than a Miata

[Cookie Monster]

See, I'm not crazy.

And the Mustang is on its own platform. I am skeptical in the idea of its live axle being cheaper than an IRS... they could have used the old Explorer IRS for example or develop something for a much needed RWD Lincoln platform. Hell, beef up the rear end from the AWD Taurus, and sell the live axle through Ford Racing for the serious drag racers.

BMW fit a big bore V8 in the little M3, so I don't buy that. I'm hoping they slim the next Mustang (and Camaro) down like they did the C6 from the C5.

But yea like I said and the vid said, not everyone wants an Evo or Camaro. And now its getting to where people who wants something else will not have a choice. Especially if they want anything faster than a Miata

I dunno about the V8 in the M3 thing... the M3 isn't really that small. It doesn't seem much smaller than the E39 5 series, and IMO the E92 3/M3 has a roomier back seat than the E39 5, and the E39 M5 has that huge 5L V8.

[SVT_Power]

The camaro will be smaller (and lighter), I dunno about the mustang though.

[sportyaccordy]

I dunno about the V8 in the M3 thing... the M3 isn't really that small. It doesn't seem much smaller than the E39 5 series, and IMO the E92 3/M3 has a roomier back seat than the E39 5, and the E39 M5 has that huge 5L V8.

Well, for whatever its worth, the M3 coupe is close to a foot shorter than the Mustang, and has a bigger back seat.

If they continue the retro thing, they should def cash in on the 80s Rustang styling and use that to their packaging advantage. I would love a Mustang, but only if it has usable back seats, and isn't damn near the size of a 5 series...

[Laconian]

80's Mustang? Styling? You've been reading a little too much Jalopnik. The thing was a bland mess.

[sportyaccordy]

What it lacked in elegance/intricacy it made up for with good proportions and a low shoulderline.

[Laconian]

High shoulderlines are in. People love not seeing out of their cars.

[2o6]

What it lacked in elegance/intricacy it made up for with good proportions and a low shoulderline.

And probably one of the most flexible chassis known to man.



Dollars to doughnuts that the new Mustang is the most comfortable and the most accommodating to all body types. These cars used to be so uncomfortable to use on a daily basis, and now they can do everything without batting an eye.

High shoulderlines are in. People love not seeing out of their cars.

New cars are very tall. High shoulderlines improve side impact safety as well as keep the car proportionally correct.


Sometimes, you guys sound as if you think cars like this are just the bees knees in terms of design and comfort

[sportyaccordy]

Well that looks a lot better than this



In person, anyway.

I remember the first time I saw the current Lancer... it was so tall! I didn't understand it.

[2o6]

Well that looks a lot better than this



In person, anyway.

Styling aside, the new Corolla is 200% better to be inside of than any of the old models. The proportions make for far better passenger accommodations. Look at the amount of wasted space on the 7th gen Corolla.

[Cookie Monster]

Sitting in new cars makes you feel so cooped up and trapped.

[2o6]

Sitting in new cars makes you feel so cooped up and trapped.

But you have space for your legs! And arms! And you can drive the cheapest model from any manufacturer on the freeway all day without wanting to commit suicide afterwards!



Some cars are worse than others in regards to visibility.

[2o6]

I remember the first time I saw the current Lancer... it was so tall! I didn't understand it.

I think the Lancer is a really shapely design (not the hatchback. The hatch looks like sin) and if I were in the market, I would consider it.


It is taller than looks suggest, though.

[Rupert]

I have tons of room in my small and good-looking 944, and I can drive it all day.

[2o6]

I have tons of room in my small and good-looking 944, and I can drive it all day.

It's also a Porsche.

[Cookie Monster]

It's also a Porsche.

So?

[2o6]

So?

Built to a higher price point, it's a luxury make.

[Rupert]

Yes, in 1986. Any new cheap car has more tech than the 944.

And it could be built to terrible standards and still be the same, so long as it was designed right.

[Rupert]

I think the taller cars thing came about because of both safety regs and the SUV craze. People like sitting up high. I don't, if it's not a truck, but many/most people do.

[2o6]

I think the taller cars thing came about because of both safety regs and the SUV craze. People like sitting up high. I don't, if it's not a truck, but many/most people do.

Also, a guy who's 6'5" can now legitimately be comfortable in a subcompact car.

[SVT666]

Also, a guy who's 6'5" can now legitimately be comfortable in a subcompact car.

My brother in law is 6'5" and I can tell you that statement is completely false.

[2o6]

My brother in law is 6'5" and I can tell you that statement is completely false.

More comfortable than previous years.

[SVT666]

See, I'm not crazy.

And the Mustang is on its own platform. I am skeptical in the idea of its live axle being cheaper than an IRS... they could have used the old Explorer IRS for example or develop something for a much needed RWD Lincoln platform. Hell, beef up the rear end from the AWD Taurus, and sell the live axle through Ford Racing for the serious drag racers.

BMW fit a big bore V8 in the little M3, so I don't buy that. I'm hoping they slim the next Mustang (and Camaro) down like they did the C6 from the C5.

But yea like I said and the vid said, not everyone wants an Evo or Camaro. And now its getting to where people who wants something else will not have a choice. Especially if they want anything faster than a Miata

When did BMW ever put a big bore V8 in the M3?

[SVT32V]

The mustang is also on a modded jag/LS platform, sharing enough that it had to have 2-piece driveshaft since the floorpan did not allow the travel needed for a 1-piece unit.