Looking into V8 Mustang's 2018-onwards

Soldato
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Still all over the place in deciding what car to actually go for. Started looking at Mustangs now as I've always admired them.

Now I understand they drink fuel, that's expected. However how are these as a daily with that aside? My commute is minimal, like 5 miles, 15mins each way.

How are servicing costs and consumables?

Id personally prefer to go Manual with one of these, so that's covered.

Now the last sticking point is Coupe or Soft top my current run about is an MX5 and I do love having that option, just not sure if it suits a big car like this.

That said I saw a lovely yellow one and the soft top really looked good against the colour

Anything else I would need to know before going in?
 
Soldato
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Mate if you sold your RS cause you could not justify it the Mustang is way less practical running costs wise! Just buy another RS :p
 
Soldato
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I've got a 2017 V8 convertible Mustang. I do about 3k a year, all very short journeys and it's my daily driver. It's used for a few miles almost every day and I rely on it for work and family and hasn't let me down, it gets driven in rain, 40 degree heat and snow. My 3 and 5 year old do fit in the back with a car seat for odd trips, the boot is big but an odd shape.

Real world MPG over the past 2 years is 18 as an average. Servicing parts seem reasonable in terms of cost. Much cheaper than my previous car - a 2011 640i. It's a big engine so takes a fair amount of oil, but apart from that the costs seem level with a powerful Ford rather than Audi / BMW / Merc etc.... Oddly insurance seems cheap, £381 last year and renewal is coming in at about £420, no points or problems but I'm only 33 and it's just insured with a a normal company rather than a specialist. Tax is obviously expensive, I think it's about £650 this year.

Coupe looks better but it's a convertible car for me without question (I've previously owned a 2005 Coupe LHD V8 Mustang). Much more practical as it allows you to fill up the rear seats really easily with the roof down.

Let me know if you have anymore specific questions.

I tend to change cars every few years and I'm struggling as the Mustang does what I want and need without annoying fuss. I can't see what I can replace it for without spending stupid money considering it's probably only worth £20k-£25k now.

There are almost certainly better cars available in terms of handling but I'm not driving anything to its limit on the A roads of Surrey. It's definitely an event car, everywhere I go I get questions, waves, people taking photos etc....
 
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Soldato
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Still all over the place in deciding what car to actually go for. Started looking at Mustangs now as I've always admired them.

Now I understand they drink fuel, that's expected. However how are these as a daily with that aside? My commute is minimal, like 5 miles, 15mins each way.

How are servicing costs and consumables?

Id personally prefer to go Manual with one of these, so that's covered.

Now the last sticking point is Coupe or Soft top my current run about is an MX5 and I do love having that option, just not sure if it suits a big car like this.

That said I saw a lovely yellow one and the soft top really looked good against the colour

Anything else I would need to know before going in?
I’ve recently got a 2020 ‘55 Edition’ V8 Convertible.


In terms of spec, really the main considerations are: (best to get at least the first option pack, but there are things to know)
1. Magne ride (adaptive suspension) is an option - non Magneride cars from my test drives are a bit bouncy, not terrible, but magneride cars feel more planted more of the time.
2. B&O hifi - it’s OK, but honestly would not be on my must have list!
3. Seats - standard are heated/cooled seats which are comfortable, if you want better seats it was an option but you lose the heated/cooled aspect.

It’s worth googling for brochures 2018/2020/2022 had small changes to spec/colours etc
2018: https://autocatalogarchive.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Ford-Mustang-2018-UK.pdf
2019-2020: https://autocatalogarchive.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Ford-Mustang-2019-UK.pdf



Reliability wise, they seem excellent, common issues in 2018+ are still there(same as pre facelift), but rarer:
1. Oil cooler would internally rupture leading to oil/water mixing and potentially lunching the engine
2. There can be what people think is mild piston slap but not known to cause issues. Do not confuse this with ticking at idle which will be the direct injection fuel pump.

Servicing is 12 months and essentially an oil change, it’s remarkably straight forward.. plugs are cheap if needed.

Running costs are similar to me e46 m3, 17mpg short commutes, 30+ on a run out and anything inbetween.

What’s good about 2018+ facelifts over the ore-facelift as standard features:
- Quad exhaust
- Valved exhaust with quiet mode through to race mode.
- Adaptive cruise
- LED DRLs
- LCD Dashboard

However, the pre facelift is a chunk cheaper and getting a march 2017+ with the cheaper tax is actually superb vfm… they drive very similarly and with options packs get close enough to not worry and save £8k+

Get on the Simply Mustangs For Sale Group: https://m.facebook.com/groups/SMUKF...ok.com/groups/SMUKForSale/?ref=share&exp=93fa

Convertible vs Coupe:
Always the dilemma, slightly more structural rigidity vs top down glorious motoring… If you 100% hoon it and want to be 9/10-10/10s regularly, coupe.. if you want fairly impressive handling and occasional 8/10-9/10’s driving with open too experience - convertible.. the convertible is not as structurally compromised as the e46, but I never had any issues with handling, more noticeable scuttle shake in that.
Oh, the convertible also has a manual release catch and electrical operated after that which seems archaic but it is what it is, hood operation is fast/easy.

The coupe is severely limited in the back, it’s almost a 2+2 so no advantage there.

I prefer convertibles, but I do like both the Bullitt and Mach 1 versions (coupe only improved versions), the Mach 1 has plenty of improvements and more power, the bullitt was only slightly breathed on, but still a small step up.

Overall, these are everyday cars, slight comfier, higher tyre walls etc, which still handle OK, and have that huge v8 sound/torque that is quite unique.
 
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Soldato
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Thanks everyone for the above, very informative posts. I think my best bet will be to go and see both a coupe and a convertible to help decide that aspect.

Is manual the general consensus too? I've pretty much decided that I think I would prefer that route anyway personally
 
Soldato
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Thanks everyone for the above, very informative posts. I think my best bet will be to go and see both a coupe and a convertible to help decide that aspect.

Is manual the general consensus too? I've pretty much decided that I think I would prefer that route anyway personally
Unless you want an auto, get the manual...

The 10 speed auto is not bad, in sport modes it has very quick/sharp gear changes, and in manual mode it's passable for being engaging, but if you don't mind manuals, that is just always more engaging and direct.

I had a few blips with a few Mustangs (and a couple of Aston Martin Vantages) on the way back from the Mustang 60th today at the British Motor Museum and my Auto was definitely quicker through the gears then the manuals..
 
Soldato
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Unless you want an auto, get the manual...

The 10 speed auto is not bad, in sport modes it has very quick/sharp gear changes, and in manual mode it's passable for being engaging, but if you don't mind manuals, that is just always more engaging and direct.

I had a few blips with a few Mustangs (and a couple of Aston Martin Vantages) on the way back from the Mustang 60th today at the British Motor Museum and my Auto was definitely quicker through the gears then the manuals..
Yeah I can imagine! Sounds great!

I think for my commute etc would be fine with the manual.

My RS300 was auto and I always kind of think I would have stuck with it for longer if I went manual
 
Soldato
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Had a 2018 GT for a few years facelift (10 speed auto, magna ride), lovely capable car, however what I will say like most new large powerful cars with modern systems, driving at sensible(ish) speeds its kinda boring, other than the accompanying noise it feels no difference from any other car and not an overly engaged driving experience. By the time you are feeling a bit of excitement you are doing silly speeds meaning your license won't last too long.

For the very reasons above the s550 came and went but I've still held on to my much older s197 which I've had almost 16 years now!
 
Soldato
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Had a 2018 GT for a few years facelift (10 speed auto, magna ride), lovely capable car, however what I will say like most new large powerful cars with modern systems, driving at sensible(ish) speeds its kinda boring, other than the accompanying noise it feels no difference from any other car and not an overly engaged driving experience. By the time you are feeling a bit of excitement you are doing silly speeds meaning your license won't last too long.

For the very reasons above the s550 came and went but I've still held on to my much older s197 which I've had almost 16 years now!
This is good insight!

And possibly why I prefer convertibles.. the E46 M3 was 'fun' just tootling around roof down with the odd blip.. and I get that same visceral mix of roof down / occasional blip in the Mustang..

Oddly though, the 10R80 box in 'S' mode is what actually gives it some character as well, the overly snappy gear changes, the blip on downshift, it certainly combines well with the exhaust in 'race' mode for a sense of occasion below the speed limit IME.. but then the other car is an EV, so similar power/acceleration but very much silent/refined etc so I get that hit of 'raw' feeling jumping back in the Mustang so I don't get too used to it. However, I do find 1st/2nd a bit boring in that it's torque limited and manages traction too well, just a minor bit of shimmy between gears.. if it had full beans in 1st the experience would be entertaining.

But it depends what you compare it to, I tried a few more modern cars when replacing the E46, and literally only the AMV8 Roadster and V8 10R80 Mustang convertible made it feel 'fun' at reasonable speeds, cars like the more modern M cars, or 440i/m240i etc all felt a bit too smooth/refined and not much of an occasion..
 
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Soldato
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The Getrag MT82 manual in the S550 is a terrible box. Some mods can be done to make it tighter but sadly the only decent manual in the mustang is the Tremac. I've had the MT82 and the 10R80 and even with the 10R80 foibles, I'd take the auto. Beautiful quick shifts and better MPG (10th gear motorway cruising I saw over 30MPG).
 
Soldato
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Glad this thread has been created, my old man has put Mustang in my head and since then I've seen 4 of them in the past week aha and i'm still looking to pop my V8 cherry.

Some useful info here, I'd be more drawn to the 10sp auto due to our typical stop start British roads.
 
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The Getrag MT82 manual in the S550 is a terrible box. Some mods can be done to make it tighter but sadly the only decent manual in the mustang is the Tremac. I've had the MT82 and the 10R80 and even with the 10R80 foibles, I'd take the auto. Beautiful quick shifts and better MPG (10th gear motorway cruising I saw over 30MPG).

I think the Getrag hate is widely exaggerated. I've driven plenty of excellent manuals, DC2, DC5, S2K as well as the Tremac box in a Mach 1. Yes it's not as precise and shifts can't really be rushed but it feels good, it matches the feeling of the car. It is not terrible by any means.

Personally I'd always want a manual with this type of car, matches my Bullitt perfectly.

Had my Bullitt just over a year now, not a single regret. Do it.
 
Soldato
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I think the Getrag hate is widely exaggerated. I've driven plenty of excellent manuals, DC2, DC5, S2K as well as the Tremac box in a Mach 1. Yes it's not as precise and shifts can't really be rushed but it feels good, it matches the feeling of the car. It is not terrible by any means.

Personally I'd always want a manual with this type of car, matches my Bullitt perfectly.

Had my Bullitt just over a year now, not a single regret. Do it.
Defo not exaggerated. The MT82 has a slopy throw with lots of play. And yep can't be rushed. It's just not precise. Hence why you get all the aftermarket parts to try and improve it. The 10R80 is where it's at for me but even that isn't perfect (needs to be on latest firmware flash and sometimes a reset is required to get it shifting smoothly) . But each to their own. :)
 
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