I've been in, driven the 2005-Pics

[02roush]

Today, Ford had the 2005, the 300,000,000th, and the 1st Coupe(Vin# 5FO7U100002) at the Petersen Museum. Got a chance to play around inside the '05. Its awesome. Super-comfy. Also got to rev it up a little and even move it a few feet. Nice tight clutch. It would have been better to drive further, but I couldn't. Oh well. Also, the damn shifter is still 6-8" too far forward.

Here's soome pics

http://www.fnsweet.com/forums/showthread.php?p=149804#post149804

 

[Stangston]

I thought for sure they'd fix the misplaced shifter issue. Is it any better than 1999-2004?

 

[stangbear427]

They still haven't fixed that F'ing shifter??!! That's it, I hate it. In-excusable.

 

[shatner saves]

Wasn't there someone else who drove/sat in and '05 that posted they thought the shifter was in a good position? The shifter in my '92 isn't perfect, but I've never had a huge problem with it's location. It's certainly not "6-8 inches" off. Each to their own I guess.

 

[stangbear427]

Dude, are you a monkey? You must have amazingly long arms and no legs. Either that, or you just don't know what you're missing. Drive any Corvette, Firebird or Camaro and see where the shifter belongs... and where the steering wheel belongs... and where the pedals belong... I love my Mustang and over 10 years of driving nothing but Foxes I've grown used to the awkward layout, but it is far far from ideal. When almost everyone who tries to drive my car can't reach anything or get comfortable, one starts asking oneself if something is wrong.

 

[shatner saves]

Dude, are you a monkey? You must have amazingly long arms and no legs. Either that, or you just don't know what you're missing. Drive any Corvette, Firebird or Camaro and see where the shifter belongs... and where the steering wheel belongs... and where the pedals belong... I love my Mustang and over 10 years of driving nothing but Foxes I've grown used to the awkward layout, but it is far far from ideal. When almost everyone who tries to drive my car can't reach anything or get comfortable, one starts asking oneself if something is wrong.

A cheeky monkey?

I'm about 6'1" w/ a 33" inseam.
No, I never said the layout was ideal. And I have gotten used to the odd wheel/pedals/seat/shifter arrangement over the years. I have even tried on some of the cars you mentioned and they are much better. For all the grief GM gets over vette interior quality, I will say the ergonomics are very good. I'm just saying that the shifter location being 6"-8" off sounds a bit exagerrated to me. If the shifter in my car was moved back that much, I'd probably have to take out the arm rest to drive it. And, As I said before, there was an individual that posted on this board that said he sat in or drove the new car and he really liked the way it was laid out.

 

[PimpDaddyGT]

I'm 5'11" w/ a 35" inseam. I guess that makes me a monkey.

Eric

 

[stangbear427]

Woah! I guess. I suppose 6-8 may be a bit much- but I'm 6', and I could use a good solid 4"; or about that much more between me and the steering wheel while we're at it. Split the difference, put the shifter 2" closer and the wheel 2" farther away. But I do have a '91, which is before Ford figured out how to integrate a tilt wheel with the airbag. My Dads '01 doesn't seem anywhere near as annoying. The new Crown Vic's with the adjustable pedal assemblies are the coolest. Wonder if they could be retrofitted into a Fox... naa.

 

[02roush]

I'm 5'11''

Sitting comfortable, with my arm comfortable on the rest, my fingertips barely reached the shifter. You almost have to lean over to the right to reach.

But everything else was awesome!!

 

[sajawebb]

Is the 05 still on display at the Petersen?

 

[ncaruso]

Is that a vert hiding in one of those pics????

 

[MustangJunkie]

I'm not as tall as all you guys (5'7") and I think my Stang is pretty darn comfortable. And I can actually seat adults behind me too...hehe. Sucks to be tall sometimes, eh? Just kidding. I wouldn't mind being at least 5'10". That would be nice. Believe me if I put on extra height I wouldn't be complaining about a cramped Mustang...sorta like having to shell out bucks for new clothes after losing weight or something--it's pain you gladly tolerate.

 

[i4power]

I'm 5'11", and I have no problem shifting to 3rd or 5th.

 

[Wylde]

I'm 5'4" so I guess everything will be perfect for old shorty me

 

[Stangbang]

Sorry but I strongly disagree, the 05 has perfect shifter location. I sat in it Friday night and rowed through the gears, it is so much better feeling than the current car! Location is spot on.


So don't worry people, I'd bet money that the vast majority will be surprised at how well it shifts and the awesome shifter location. On top of that the throws are very short, super smooth, and accurate, none of the slop or notchiness, I love it, can't wait till this fall!

 

[shatner saves]

Why is it that I'm the only one on this board that has never even seen the new car in person, much less sat in it. I can only speak about my '92.

The main problem I have with my 92 is that the seat and the wheel don't seem to be in line. Has anyone else experienced this? I don't have tilt but I don't need it. Overall, the wheel location is very good for me: relatively high and close. I get into a lot of new cars and the wheel is either very far away or it's in my lap. I hate that.

The shifter is not in the best location, but it doesn't need much improvement IMO.

The pedals could also use some improvement, but not much. The current layout is pretty good for heel-toe shifting.

Can't wait to try on the new car and see for myself.

 

[stangbear427]

No, I haven't seen it live either. Trying desperately to withold judgment until I've driven one.

 

[ElCid2006]

I'm 6'2 and I dont have any complaints about the shifter/pedal/wheel location on my 95 GT 5 speed. Usually when I drive, I can rest my hand on the shifter ball.

 

[Phoenix00GT]

I got to sit in it at the San Jose International Auto Show this last year and the shifter position was more comfortable than in my 2000, at least for me...it's still not as good as a Vette or Boxster (my only other recent points of comparison). It would be nice if they brought the center console up a little higher so you didn't have to reach down so much to grab gears...when you're on the track for more than a few laps it starts to strain on my shoulder, especially when the tri-ax is set to its lower setting.

 

[Brokecobra]

I am 5'11'' and I have to have my seat way foward with my legs sort of cocked at a angle to be able to get a good postition for shifting. It is either that or sit a normal distance away from the stearing wheel/pedals and **** my body to the right so that I can get a good grip on the shifter.

My friend had a 98 camero and they shifter was back about 3 to 4 inches from mine. Basically if you put your arms to rest on the storage compartment of any 94-04 mustang and let just your hand hang off it would be on the shifter of his Camaro. That is where I want my shifter in my Mustang. Baring that I hope that the rumor of padle shifters in the 07 cobra are true.