NEARLY 2 YEARS WAITING: New Mustang GT PP is finally mine!

Gibbo said:
Buy a 350 from a us dealer and then import it yourself not an option?

Yes this engine has a lot more torque than the V8 M3, it's a very flexible engine happy to accelerate well from 25mph in 5th gear.

What I enjoy is its fun to drive even at lower speeds, full of character, has real old school handling but at same time is very capable and it's one of the worlds most famous cars.

Just be warned its no BMW M car as in no one really notices them except maybe other petrol heads. In comparison the Mustang draws crowds, people film you, take photos will drop their windows for a flyby, people love it so just be aware of the attention you will get. It gets vastly more attention than my bright yellow 911 did!
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I was just thinking about that... Ordering from the US and importing.

I don't have the cash at the moment though and was planning to put about 1/3 down and the rest on a 1.9% PCP deal. Otherwise it will take me another year to save the rest unless my wife gets a better job haha.

I might be able to get a loan for the extra though... Will see what I think after driving one this afternoon.

I was checking the outright purchase price and the gt350r with magneride and other options fully loaded is nearly 2k cheaper than a fully specced "normal" car over here. I don't know what the import costs would be though... I know there would be a tax on the border or at least 8%

The attention will be interesting, it's been odd experiencing different cars... In the XKR, people were so courteous I couldn't believe it... Even had people stopping on a main road just so I could pull out of a t junction so they could follow.

Compared to scoob... Where I had multiple people throwing things at me, Barry boys wanting to race and such aggression towards me it was odd... Even ended up with someone driving into it on purpose and my driving style hadn't changed.

Mr-White said:
It's down to 9 months now
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Perhaps my sales guy didn't know... But he definitely said a year on Friday.
 
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Mr-White said:
The lack of grip is worrying considering I drove to work at 4'c again this morning. I'll definately be swapping the tyres end of the summer and was wondering if bigger tyres or maybe even bigger wheels would increase the grip.
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Its the tyre, not the wheel size. ;)

Of course though if you changed wheels to something like:
19x9.5" / 19x11" with 275/35/19 and 295/35/19 would have course give more grip in dry due to wider contact patch.

Or upsize for looks:
20x9.5or20x11" and 20x10or20x11" with say 275/35/20or285/30/20 and 295/35/20or305/30/20


Just bear in mind, less tyre wall means harsher wide, but less wall can also be more confident inspiring.


But trust me just changing to MPSS in stock sizes will give a lot more grip in all conditions, but even more so better feedback. :)
 
Crinkleshoes, you may wish to read my reply earlier about doing that. You will not get an R, period. The regular GT350s are trading for $20k over sticker price, and that's if you can even get an allocation. They will not sell you one for export unless you pay sales tax in the state first, and even then, they'd rather sell a limited run car to a local who's willing to pay the $10-20k over msrp.

R models are even worse, best I could do was $15k over sticker, most are $20-30k over, and they're only making 500 a year, so there's a waiting list of US buyers a mile long.
 
crinkleshoes said:
I was just thinking about that... Ordering from the US and importing.

I don't have the cash at the moment though and was planning to put about 1/3 down and the rest on a 1.9% PCP deal. Otherwise it will take me another year to save the rest unless my wife gets a better job haha.

I might be able to get a loan for the extra though... Will see what I think after driving one this afternoon.

I was checking the outright purchase price and the gt350r with magneride and other options fully loaded is nearly 2k cheaper than a fully specced "normal" car over here. I don't know what the import costs would be though... I know there would be a tax on the border or at least 8%

The attention will be interesting, it's been odd experiencing different cars... In the XKR, people were so courteous I couldn't believe it... Even had people stopping on a main road just so I could pull out of a t junction so they could follow.

Compared to scoob... Where I had multiple people throwing things at me, Barry boys wanting to race and such aggression towards me it was odd... Even ended up with someone driving into it on purpose and my driving style hadn't changed.



Perhaps my sales guy didn't know... But he definitely said a year on Friday.
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That's what I was told in January, someone else here was also told that. I never went through the entire ordering process so I don't know how the time frame gets broken down.All I was told was 3 months to get a build date and 6 months to get it delivered.
 
Gibbo said:
The weakness for me with the new M's is the engine, the outgoing V8 was better, well certainly in my view. The handling on the new M3/M4 is certainly an improvement over the E92 M3, I just feel if the new M3/M4 had an NA V8 engine in them it would have being perfect, just the engine ruined it for even though it is a very quick car I am just not feeling turbo's at moment.

Stock Mustang GT PP is squishy out back is a polite way to put, they need some suspension work and tweaking to bring them upto 350 levels, but it does not cost a lot thankfully to do so at which point the handling is a big improvement over the stock car. The other major issue on the Mustang is the Pzero's, just a change to MPSS transforms the car. Does it handle like a 911 after the tweaks, nope, is it as capable though, yes, just a different approach and driving style to get the results. :)
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My thoughts similarly... you can really tell the M4 has been on a diet compared to the E92 M3 coupe which makes it that bit sharper.

But the engine... I just found it un-exciting... it is a faster car than the last generation, it just doesn't feel it.

That torque curve is so flat across the majority of the rev range, that there is no excitement to it. It's a characteristic that makes it technically "good"... just... boring.

I had a similar problem with my Triumph Daytona 959i... fantastic bike, very well built for UK roads... just so "good" it was un-exciting.
 
DRZ said:
I did a carlimits.com day a few years ago in my old MX-5. I went there feeling like I could control my car just fine and left wondering how I'd not binned it spectacularly before I'd been shown how things are when you can really push them and what goes wrong when you push that bit too far.
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They're only 25 miles from me, so booked up a 2 person day in July :)
 
Back from the test drive... I quite enjoyed it, but it didn't really wow me.

Massive step up from previous generation Mustangs... felt much more like a sports car whereas older ones have felt more comfy cruiser.

Steering was good, both feel and accuracy... not up to the likes of Porsche... but I thought it was nicer than the electric steering BMWs I've been driving.

The engine was nice, great sound and decent mid-range... I prefer this to the engine in the M4, no doubt about it. But... I found myself wanting more... I actually think my Boxster feels faster, probably due to the change in torque curve part way through the rev range... but the flat six seems more eager to go. The Mustang isn't absurdly heavy, so maybe it's related to the gearing. I found myself wanting more power to really enjoy this car... but it feels like the chassis can handle it.

I asked about GT350... got a no :(

So I think I'd have to supercharge it quite soon after getting it... then I should be happier with the available power.

I loved the gearbox... closest thing I've found to an MX5/S2000 in a larger car... very pleasant selection.

The interior is mediocre... I already had a good idea but it's neither special nor terrible... it seems mostly appropriate for its price.

But... the sound proofing and sound system are both pretty decent... so are the seats and ride comfort.

If I could get my hands on a GT350 (R) then I'd have put my name on the build list already... but at the moment it's a bit hit and miss whether I'll go for this.

Local BMW garage are getting a demo M2 at the start of April, think I'm going to test that. I'll probably be as underwhelmed by the engine as with the M4... but the chassis might make up for it. The engine is good... for a 235/435... it's just not an "M" engine IMO.

We're going to need to make a decision relatively soon though as the E46 is on its way out and I don't want to put much more money into it.

Another contender would be a Jag... not sure what else... might have a look at a GTR
 
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crinkleshoes said:
Back from the test drive... I quite enjoyed it, but it didn't really wow me.

Massive step up from previous generation Mustangs... felt much more like a sports car whereas older ones have felt more comfy cruiser.

Steering was good, both feel and accuracy... not up to the likes of Porsche... but I thought it was nicer than the electric steering BMWs I've been driving.

The engine was nice, great sound and decent mid-range... I prefer this to the engine in the M4, no doubt about it. But... I found myself wanting more... I actually think my Boxster feels faster, probably due to the change in torque curve part way through the rev range... but the flat six seems more eager to go. The Mustang isn't absurdly heavy, so maybe it's related to the gearing. I found myself wanting more power to really enjoy this car... but it feels like the chassis can handle it.

I asked about GT350... got a no :(

So I think I'd have to supercharge it quite soon after getting it... then I should be happier with the available power.

I loved the gearbox... closest thing I've found to an MX5/S2000 in a larger car... very pleasant selection.

The interior is mediocre... I already had a good idea but it's neither special nor terrible... it seems mostly appropriate for its price.

But... the sound proofing and sound system are both pretty decent... so are the seats and ride comfort.

If I could get my hands on a GT350 (R) then I'd have put my name on the build list already... but at the moment it's a bit hit and miss whether I'll go for this.

Local BMW garage are getting a demo M2 at the start of April, think I'm going to test that. I'll probably be as underwhelmed by the engine as with the M4... but the chassis might make up for it. The engine is good... for a 235/435... it's just not an "M" engine IMO.

We're going to need to make a decision relatively soon though as the E46 is on its way out and I don't want to put much more money into it.

Another contender would be a Jag... not sure what else... might have a look at a GTR
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Yes the car is a little too refined for its own good. Lets just say using a land benchmark on my buddies private driveway my 911 (375BHP / 1420kg) was hitting 121-123mph, the M3 hits 124-125mph (380BHP / 1350kg) and the Mustang is achieving 120mph. So real world they are all quite well matched, but to drive the M3 feels a lot faster in acceleration with just myself in it, no doubt because its light and raw being more stripped than a CSL with more power. Whereas the Mustang is a GT car it does not feel as urgent, but reality is that its pretty much just as quick. Where the Mustang wins is adding a passenger has little to no impact on the way it feels to accelerate, that will be the addition 100lb/ft it has over the M3. Also standard the Mustang is too quiet, which dulls the senses a little, an exhaust makes it feel much quicker though an exhaust adds zero power.

Its not a slow car, but don't expect to pull much ahead of say a decent FWD hot hatch like a Focus ST/RS running around 300BHP, there won't be much in it as the Mustang does weigh 1650-1750kg, its heavy by sports car standards and is more a GT.

Of course, stripping 50kg is easy, exhaust, wheels will do that, drop a remap (warranty void) and all of a sudden you have a much faster car simply due to a little weight loss and a remap that gets rid of all the torque limiting nannies this car has in stock trim.

Or of course just plonk a super charger on it and the only things keeping up with it are super cars or bikes or other modified vehicles. Even though this car is a nightmare to launch of the mark they still hit 100mph in 6.5s with a supercharger and will do the 1/4 in 10s but the roll on acceleration is the real fun with these pushing out 700-800BHP. :)

The M235i will feel quicker though performance wise they are very close, but the M235i will feel sharper, more dynamic and more closer to go-kart like handling, its a great car but having driven the M135i with LSD and 8 speed auto, though quick, I found it completely boring, it did not make me smile or give me a sense of occaison it was just another BMW, a fast one but nothing special. For me the focus point of a car starts with a great engine and then stems from that, the E46 M3 had this and was a great all rounder with an incredible engine. The M235i and other new BMWs unfortunately lose at step 1 for me, the engine is just boring, yes quick, yes economical but simply not exciting. The Mustang wins here, then if you feel its too soft or not sports car enough suspension is an easy and cheap fix. More power also comes easy and again cheap for amount of power you get!
 
Yes, I could tell it wasn't slow... it was quick it's just the delivery didn't make it feel that quick... much more GT-esque.

My 2001 XKR (4.0 supercharged) had more of a torque kick in the back... while being heavier and less peak power.

I can imagine one of these with a supercharger will be epic and I note the chassis feels like it can handle the extra power easily... it feels like it's been designed for a tuned/charged engine like the last gen Shelby 650 or whatever it was called... then the charger has been taken off for the standard engine. That's how it felt to me today anyway...

It was fun, I was just expecting that bit more from it... I still have a craving for the E92 high-revving V8, almost spoiled by that wonderful engine & my current flat-6.

The charged 5.0 V8 Jag engine has that kick I'm looking for.

I guess it left me wanting to know *if* a charged version of this car will leave me happy having spent £45-50k on a new and modded car... or if I would be better investing that money elsewhere.

Would be great if I could find someone with one already modified to take me for a ride.

My real craving is for a Viper GTS... I've found them for sale over here, for 129,900 CHF new (about £90k at the moment).

I'm talking about the M2, not the M235i... although they will be quite similar, I'm expecting the usual M improvements to the front end.

I too find the engine to be the most exciting part of a car and as the M4 disappointed, I think the M2 probably will too... but it's worth trying to be certain.
 
crinkleshoes said:
Yes, I could tell it wasn't slow... it was quick it's just the delivery didn't make it feel that quick... much more GT-esque.

My 2001 XKR (4.0 supercharged) had more of a torque kick in the back... while being heavier and less peak power.

I can imagine one of these with a supercharger will be epic and I note the chassis feels like it can handle the extra power easily... it feels like it's been designed for a tuned/charged engine like the last gen Shelby 650 or whatever it was called... then the charger has been taken off for the standard engine. That's how it felt to me today anyway...

It was fun, I was just expecting that bit more from it... I still have a craving for the E92 high-revving V8, almost spoiled by that wonderful engine & my current flat-6.

The charged 5.0 V8 Jag engine has that kick I'm looking for.

I guess it left me wanting to know *if* a charged version of this car will leave me happy having spent £45-50k on a new and modded car... or if I would be better investing that money elsewhere.

Would be great if I could find someone with one already modified to take me for a ride.

My real craving is for a Viper GTS... I've found them for sale over here, for 129,900 CHF new (about £90k at the moment).

I'm talking about the M2, not the M235i... although they will be quite similar, I'm expecting the usual M improvements to the front end.

I too find the engine to be the most exciting part of a car and as the M4 disappointed, I think the M2 probably will too... but it's worth trying to be certain.
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M2 is still an S6 with a turbo, going to be similar to M4 but with less torque. The M2 comes back by being a little less weight and a more focused car, so you may like it for that.

Remember Mustang GT PP is Fords just run of the mill Mustang, the one they sell huge volumes off. This is why in a way its upsetting but also good reviewers compare it against far more expensive BMW's, Jaguars etc.

If the GT 350 was available in UK, I'd have one and it would be far more interesting to see reviews of the 350 vs M4, F-type and other stuff because the 350 is the true competitor to such cars, not the GT.

Also the GT500 is rumoured for 2018, expect GT350 handling but a lot more power no doubt using the 5.0 engine though.

To answer your question a supercharged Mustang GT is beyond crazy, as long as you go with a roots style blower, the ones that develop huge torque down low, makes them great fun and very peaky. Roush/Ford or Whipple is the best bet for super charger, as huge torque, insane power but reliable and true bolt-on that you can do yourself easily.

Couple of videos to give you an idea of how fast a Mustang is with a Roush or Whipple super charger, engines are stock, transmissions are stock so this is $6000-$8000 worth of supercharger kit.




Though I have complained about how the stock Mustang GT PP feels a bit soft in the rear, don't think of this as its a poor handling car, afterall it and the M4 are lapping circuits within 1s of each other, it is by no means slow on a track:



You can see in the corners it is very stable and has great speed, it is only lacking in power as that above is a completely stock car even down to the Pzero tyres. :)
 
I wouldn't expect GT350 handling from the 500, it's never been that way, and doubtful it will ever be. It will be a drag strip car as always whereas the 350 is their track "road course" car.

Definitely change those tyres to MPSS Mr. White, you'll find them far better in all conditions. I loathe P-zero's, and every single car, even the exotics I've owned, I've replaced them immediately.
 
Gibbo said:
M2 is still an S6 with a turbo, going to be similar to M4 but with less torque. The M2 comes back by being a little less weight and a more focused car, so you may like it for that.

Remember Mustang GT PP is Fords just run of the mill Mustang, the one they sell huge volumes off. This is why in a way its upsetting but also good reviewers compare it against far more expensive BMW's, Jaguars etc.

If the GT 350 was available in UK, I'd have one and it would be far more interesting to see reviews of the 350 vs M4, F-type and other stuff because the 350 is the true competitor to such cars, not the GT.

Also the GT500 is rumoured for 2018, expect GT350 handling but a lot more power no doubt using the 5.0 engine though.

To answer your question a supercharged Mustang GT is beyond crazy, as long as you go with a roots style blower, the ones that develop huge torque down low, makes them great fun and very peaky. Roush/Ford or Whipple is the best bet for super charger, as huge torque, insane power but reliable and true bolt-on that you can do yourself easily.

Couple of videos to give you an idea of how fast a Mustang is with a Roush or Whipple super charger, engines are stock, transmissions are stock so this is $6000-$8000 worth of supercharger kit.

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[ui]ICEMAN;29281522 said:
I loathe P-zero's, and every single car, even the exotics I've owned, I've replaced them immediately.
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I hear this time and time again from various people, why on earth do manufacturers fit them?
 
[ui]ICEMAN;29281522 said:
I wouldn't expect GT350 handling from the 500, it's never been that way, and doubtful it will ever be. It will be a drag strip car as always whereas the 350 is their track "road course" car.

Definitely change those tyres to MPSS Mr. White, you'll find them far better in all conditions. I loathe P-zero's, and every single car, even the exotics I've owned, I've replaced them immediately.
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True but the S550 kind of changed the handling expect of Mustangs for the better and Ford have the Cobra as all out drag racer. I can see the new GT500 being incredibly capable at everything, a road course, race circuit, a drag strip it will eat them all up no problem.

I can see the GT500 if they do it being a pretty sorted car this time round, maybe not quite as precise or the all out cornering ability of a 350 but I suspect close and with a huge amount more power to make up for any time lost on the twistier bits. :D

The last GT500 was a dog, an incredible engine but it had very poor handling it and the BOSS 302 were miles apart on a circuit to the point that the BOSS 302 with less power was still faster round a circuit. I suspect GT500 will be very capable come corners and have great power. :)
 
crinkleshoes said:
Love the way the Mustang wiggles into 3rd gear in the first video... that must be a giggle.

Comparing this Mustang to the GT350 is like comparing 435i to M4 :)
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Yes but reviews don't compare the Mustang GT to a 435i which would be more advisable, instead they compare it to the more expensive M4. So I guess it says something if they feel the Mustang compares to the M4 more than it does a 435i but fact is the Mustang should be compared to 435i. The 350 is what should be compared to an M4, but as its un-available unlikely to happen.


hurfdurf said:
I hear this time and time again from various people, why on earth do manufacturers fit them?
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Car manufacturers get Pzero's for £1 per corner. :D
 
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