Strange question but I have to test the water

[Julianp]

and, the Monaro is, dare I say it, quicker than the 260 and much more tunable engine.

But, for what you get for your money - I still love the 260.

current shape mustang you can get for about 11k I have seen? but they are STILL live rear axle unless you get the shelby top of the range jobbie.

Even the current Shelby has a live rear axle, I think. Afaik, the only Mustang to have IRS (independent rear suspension) was the 2003-04 Mustang Cobra SVT, which was the last of the older shape (SN95) Mustangs. It had a supercharged engine putting out 390 bhp, which must have been some car. Apparently the US market preferred the older live axle set-up as it was easier to modify.

Julian (ex-Mustang owner).

[2V8s]

hmmm, i'm sure I remember reading there has been a limited model of the current shape mustang to be fitted with IRS - I shall investigate! If not the Shelby then there must be an even hotter model!

in fact - it looks to be the GT500KR version or something like that - or maybe a tuning company had fitted aftermarket IRS? I saw it on ebay I think....


http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/news/4301464

[SJR]

Even the current Shelby has a live rear axle, I think. Afaik, the only Mustang to have IRS (independent rear suspension) was the 2003-04 Mustang Cobra SVT, which was the last of the older shape (SN95) Mustangs. It had a supercharged engine putting out 390 bhp, which must have been some car. Apparently the US market preferred the older live axle set-up as it was easier to modify.

Julian (ex-Mustang owner).

The 03/04 Cobra is an amazing bit of kit. It is the only Mustang that I could consider replacing mine with. They make 500 HP with just a smaller supercharger pulley and a re-map.

SJR

[John Newey]

Well the question originally asked-what instead of?-I have loved the sound of a V8 since I was a kid and eventually bought a MG ZT 260SE after MG Rovers demise and I don't think there is a better value for money sorted V8 out there. I have also since bought a MG RV8 and more recently a MG SV-R, so the V8 sound is firmly in my blood! Sometimes I think I must be crazy and then I get back into one of my cars and the smiles keep on coming back! As you say-it is a question of how much do you spend to satisfy that mid life desire? The ZT V8 can't easily be beaten....Go for it!