by Gabrielle DeSantis

While the S550 certainly broke a debilitating pattern in subpar Mustang suspension, older generations weren’t quite as responsive as others in its class. The mid-70s Mustangs used double wishbone suspension in the front, which helped a great deal, but it was still lagging behind some of its European counterparts. Luckily, modern tuning companies have created solutions for owners of virtually every generation Mustang. After tackling some preventative maintenance, look into coilover suspension. 

What is coilover suspension?

Traditional Mustang suspension has its spring separated from its shock. It’s simple, but not quite as elegant as other more advanced options. A coilover front suspension has the shock perched inside of the spring. This allows a mechanic, or whomever, to adjust the ride height and, depending on the kit, the rebound, and compression. It’s complicated and might need expert input, but offers multiple options for dialing in the suspension to where it’s just right.

Coilover kits can come with camber/caster plates as well, in order for the driver to adjust the (you guessed it) camber and caster. Kits can run less than $1,000, however, those kits typically invite low-quality parts. The best sets run $3,000 or more, depending on the options. Some manufacturers will offer a paint finish on the camber/caster plates, which costs extra. Also, some kits include the rear suspension as well, which can hike up the price as well. After all, why wouldn’t someone get both front and rear coilover suspension? Maximum Motorsports makes some highly-regarded kits only for Mustangs, which run near $2,000.

What about the Mustang rear end?

Suspension shops build rear coilover kits for Mustangs as well as front kits, but it may not be necessary. A Mustang’s rear suspension contends with a solid rear axle, so beyond adjusting the ride height, compression and rebound might not make enough of a difference to make the kit worth the install. Mustang owners sometimes opt out of the rear coilover kits, and instead settle for lowering springs and decent shocks. Some kits also don’t fit quite right, and to make them fit would require some cutting and welding. 

Changing the rear suspension entirely

If a person was intent on installing rear coilovers and wanted to extract every penny out of it, they could opt for the rear suspension from a 1999-2004 Cobra. This generation Cobra had independent rear suspension and being that Mustangs used the same chassis from 1994-2004, the IRS will fit in any of these years. Once again, it’s up to the owner and what they want to do with the car, as many opt to stick with the solid axle for its simplicity and durability. 

Figure out what you want to do with the car

Figuring out the car’s main purpose is paramount to deciding what suspension to buy. If a New Edge Mustang GT is the only option, and it needs to be able to attack corners at a racetrack, then finding a Cobra or its rear suspension, plus a set of coilovers for all four corners may be the best trek. For street driving, rear coilovers may not be necessary. A front kit, however, could make a massive difference for daring mountain passes.

RELATED: The One Car Killed In 2020 We’ll Miss Most In 2021

The post Give Your New Edge Mustang Coilover Suspension appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Porsche has been a world-renowned automaker for decades, and though great modern Porsche vehicles abound, some older Porsche models are iconic. In fact, the Porsche 911 was so good three decades ago that it dominates a list of the best ’80s cars that you can buy today. Here’s a look at these four Porsche 911 models.

The best ’80s cars you can buy today, per the duPont Registry

When it comes to cars, the ’80s were a unique decade. Some of the most famous cars from that era include the 1981 DeLorean DMC-12. The Back to the Future movies popularized the car. That being said, like the great cars from the ’60s and ’70s, many of the great cars from the ’80s are no longer purchasable. But some still are.

In fact, according to the duPont Registry, you can still buy that famous DeLorean model today. But that’s not the only amazing car from the ’80s that you can get your hands on.

In fact, the car that dominates the duPont Registry’s list is the Porsche 911. Four of the 11 vehicles on the list are 911s, and it’s easy to see why they’re so great.

The 1980 Porsche 911 Carrera Targa is the oldest and rarest of the bunch

The oldest of the four Porsches on the list, this 1980 911 is ultra-rare, the duPont Registry reports. This is because its option code “never existed officially.” The automaker designed it for speed, more so than its other models at the time. Despite that, it was still the ’80s, so its engine isn’t that impressive compared to modern Porches. 

It has a 3.1-liter inline-six making 210 hp and 206 lb-ft of torque. This allows it to go from 0 to 60 mph in about 6.5 seconds, and it can also hit a top speed of about 143 mph. Of course, though speed is a desirable trait in a high-performance car, many people simply like how this Porsche looks.

It has leather seating, but otherwise, the interior is sparse compared to the gadgets and gizmos of modern cars. 

That said, pricing varies widely for a 1980 Porsche 911 Carrera Targa. The duPont Registry says this model is listed for about $135,000. Similar Porsches with a different trim could be a bit cheaper. 

1989 was a great year for the Porsche 911, with Carrera, Turbo Cabriolet, and Speedster models

The other three ’80s Porsche 911 models that appear on the duPont Registry’s list are all 1989 models. These three models are similar in many ways but different in others. For example, the automaker reintroduced the 911 Speedster that model year, and it’s unique.

On the other end of the spectrum, the Carrera was probably the most common version. It packs a 3.2-liter inline-six engine and totally ’80s amenities such as a cassette tape player. But it also has more useful modern equipment, such as an A/C and heated mirrors. It also has leather upholstery and a convertible top. The best part, though, is the price. It costs about $79,000, which isn’t too bad compared to its siblings.

By comparison, the 1989 Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet has a 3.3-liter flat-six. But in many other ways, it’s similar to the Carrera. The Turbo Cabriolet is rarer, though, so the duPont Registry says it costs about $187,000.

The Speedster is a bit pricier. Car and Driver says Speedsters are going for over $200,000 at auction. In terms of specs, the Speedster isn’t very different from the Carrera. But the former is rarer and more unique and retro-looking.

RELATED: The Porsche Taycan Almost Outsold the Iconic Porsche 911

The post The Porsche 911 Dominates This List of the Best ’80s Cars You Can Buy appeared first on MotorBiscuit.