Few more questions for 2026 Order

[exm]

Hi,

I finally narrowed down my Mustang journey to 2 specific orders. Need your help one more time!

Why a Mustang?
We need a second car and I always wanted a C8 Corvette. However, that's not practical with 3 children in our house. This will be my belated 50th anniversary present.

Usage
Road, second car at our home, pleasure rides in the summer. Location: Long Island, NY, so need all-seasons tires because of the climate here, and I'm not willing to swap between winter and summer tires every season. Keep it simple.

Minimal specs

• GT Coupe (V8!)
• Adriatic Blue exterior with opacity fading racing stripes
• Space Grey interior
• 401A
• Anti-theft package (for insurance discount)
• 3.55 rear axle or better
• Active Valve Exhaust
• B&O
• All-seasons tires (more on that later)
• GT style spoiler in exterior color (more on that later)
• Upgraded wheels (more on that later)

Option A - Non Performance Package

• 20" X 9" Premium-painted Aluminum Wheels
• 3.55 Slip Axle

Consideration: if I want the GT Style Spoiler in exterior color, I would need to either:

• Order the $325 decklid spoiler to have the factory mounting holes (I don't feel comfortable drilling myself)
• Find a reputable place to order the spoiler pre-painted
• Hope it fits the factory mounting holes (so far, I haven't found a single such spoiler that is guaranteed to fit). I don't mind swapping the spoilers myself, THAT I can do.

Or:

• Find a reputable place to order the spoiler pre-painted
• Find a body shop willing to install this for me (and hopefully do a good job), would order the spoiler delete option in this case since the body shop would do the drilling.

Questions to consider:

• Will an aftermarket spoiler last as long as the OEM one and will it look 100% identical?

Option B - GT Performance Package

• GT Performance Package

Consideration: if I want all-seasons tires I would need to have the tires replaced after taking delivery. Should be around $1,400 installed (not sure if the OEM Summer Tires are worth anything in NYS as far as resale so I'm not counting on this). I would be looking at the Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus.

Generic Considerations

• The GT Performance Package option seems to be easier (there are even tire installers who come to your house), but it is obviously pricier. The difference in price between option A and B (including the spoiler install on option A or installing all-season tires on option B) is about $3,500 after tax
• Resale value: does the GT PP holds it's value better?
• The GT PP obviously comes with a lot of upgrades, but I'm not sure how beneficial they'll be for my usage.
• The hardest one to answer: which one looks better? The 20" Alu wheels or the 19" Black PP wheels? Are the black wheels harder to keep clean?
• None of the dealers I spoke with are willing to help with the after-market spoiler installation or tires 'swap'. The answer has been: make a service appointment after you take delivery of your car and 'we will see'.
• And yes, I have thought about Red Brembos and MagneRide but I guess you have to draw the line somewhere as far as cost is concerned.

Summary for my questions

• Which look do you prefer for the wheels? 20" Alu non-PP or 19" Black PP?
• Any thoughts on my aftermarket spoiler dilemma?
• Does the PP have better resale value (I am assuming it doesn't matter)?
• Any other thoughts? Will be placing my order next week!

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[NegativeMultiplier]

If cost isn't too much of a concern, do the performance package option, and get all-season tires. If this isn't a car you plan to drive daily, spec it in a way that you will really enjoy it when you take it out.

The performance package, even without Magneride, is noticeably stiffer and more responsive than a Mustang sans. I drove them back to back before picking the one I have now.

Also if you get a manual you'll have the 3.73, so there's that to consider as well.

Edit to answer some more points of concern...

• If you get brembos the wheels are gonna be dusty within a week no matter which you choose.
• I personally think the 20s look ever so slightly better, but the 19s are cooler.
• The dealers aren't going to touch the spoiler for you if it's not an as-built component.
• PP cars might hold value beyter than non-PP cars.

 

[Kaptain75329]

Summary for my questions

• Which look do you prefer for the wheels? 20" Alu non-PP or 19" Black PP?
• Any thoughts on my aftermarket spoiler dilemma?
• Does the PP have better resale value (I am assuming it doesn't matter)?
• Any other thoughts? Will be placing my order next week!

Much of your inquiry is a matter of personal taste, but for my part I think you've spec'd out a beautiful Mustang. I'll try to help out based on my own experiences and hopefully these thoughts might be useful.

1) Wheel Aesthetics: concerning the look for the wheels, I think you can't go wrong either way. The Adriatic Blue is a supremely vibrant color and will absolutely contrast nicely either with the brightwork of the Aluminium option or the dark accents of the Performance Pack wheels. Important to note 3 key points though, as your choice on this point impacts the mechanics of the vehicle:

A) The Performance Pack comes with wheels painted in Carbon Grey, not Black. If you want the Performance Pack wheels painted in Black, you either need to add the Nite Pony Appearance Package to the build -- or -- have the wheel powder-coated and painted Black via the aftermarket.​

B) Be advised that the wheels included with the Performance Pack are staggered, meaning the rear wheels are wider than the front. You can fit these wheels with some solid all-season tires and still get (within reason) fantastic grip and ride, but know that you lose the ability to rotate the tires for extra longevity.​

​

C) Any Mustang equipped with the Brembo Brakes (including all Performance Pack cars) will not be compatible with Ford's default spare wheel, itself sold as a separate option. Specifically, the Brake Calipers are too large and Ford's Mustang Spare does not provide enough clearance to mount safely even with the addition of spacers. To be ready for flat tire scenarios, either you need to have excellent roadside assistance, or you should purchase Ford's tire repair and inflator kit. However, the option that would offer the most mobility for a Performance Pack Mustang would likely be an aftermarket spare tire like this one:​

​

https://www.automotiveauthorityllc....-gt-with-brembo-brakes?variant=44013419626753​

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2) Aftermarket Spoiler: this really depends on comfort level and whether you can find a body repair shop willing to do the work; many shops are indeed willing. I have two friends that went with the Spoiler Delete option and then ordered spoilers from American Muscle which in turn were installed by body repair shops in the Washington DC metro area. They each found one close to Ford's design and both cases worked out nicely. If you want the official part from Ford, the Parts Department at your dealer should be able to help, though be prepared to spend a bit more for OEM over aftermarket options. Regarding installation, you should consult in person with your body repair shop of choice and confirm they are able to do the work of drilling and mounting, but that shouldn't be difficult. Paint matching is a specialty of body repair shops and that work should be straightforward if you find a good shop.

It bears repeating: I would highly recommend talking with the body shop in person and not over the phone. The estimator can should you the part install process via a computer model so you can get a sense of what work is involved. If you have the time, do this before you custom order to ensure you are comfortable with the work. If you have doubts, go with the Performance Pack and leave the design as Ford intended from the factory. You'll get peace of mind + a more capable car as long as you are comfortable with the trade-off of spending more for the car up front. (Though this might balance out once you factor in parts + labor.. the PP might actually be the better buy for you if the price is close enough in your view.)

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3) Performance Pack Resale: yes, resale on Performance Pack Mustangs are always higher as long as these cars are not modified from stock. They are less common in the market overall, and they offer more mechanical equipment. On that, the Performance Pack adds considerably more than just appearance tweaks: the dynamics of the car are significantly enhanced to provide a more track oriented experience while still balancing out comfort for everyday drives on state roads.

Between the increasing rarity and the upgrades, resale unquestionably goes up. Be aware though, Mustangs in general are niche automobiles in the broader market and resale on these cars has always been poor in general. The numbers are better with the Performance Pack to be sure, but you are still going to lose quite a bit of your investment to depreciation overall. No one buys a Mustang because it makes financial sense - these cars are much more about the experience and building wonderful memories, and that's the real payoff for many buyers.

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4) Final thoughts: based on what you're looking for, custom ordering is definitely the way to go. It'll take some time (3 to 6 months on average) but it's worth the wait to get exactly what you want.

 

[exm]

Final thoughts: based on what you're looking for, custom ordering is definitely the way to go. It'll take some time (3 to 6 months on average) but it's worth the wait to get exactly what you want

Thank you so much for your detailed reply, some good information here for sure. As of now, I'm leaning towards the PP and if I do so, maybe I'll do MagneRide also. It really starts to push me outside of my budget but it seems that the ride will be much smoother. Interesting fact: I almost got the air suspension on my Volvo SUV but I ended up with a great deal on a model that didn't have this. My Volvo has 21" wheels and is a stiff ride for sure.

 

[dusman59]

If you plan on keeping the car far past the original warranty you might consider Fords extended one. Best place to get is from Granger Ford in Iowa. My dealers eyes bugged out of his head when he saw what I paid for mine. Make sure you check the box for the lights for very little cost. Lights are not covered and not serviceable. Cost could run $1200 to $1800 to replace.

 

[Rocket Man]

sounds like a great build. Definitely get the PP and the 20 inch Aluminum wheels. Then get the DWS06's. Great tire.
Also, since you are spending all that money, get what you want and get the Magneride. Worth every penny. You will be sorry later if you don't.

 

[exm]

sounds like a great build. Definitely get the PP and the 20 inch Aluminum wheels. Then get the DWS06's. Great tire.
Also, since you are spending all that money, get what you want and get the Magneride. Worth every penny. You will be sorry later if you don't.

Thanks, can't get the 20" alu wheels with the PP unfortunately. And yes, going for MagneRide and the red Brembos. I read that these wheels are tough to clean so why not.

 

[Kaptain75329]

Thank you so much for your detailed reply, some good information here for sure. As of now, I'm leaning towards the PP and if I do so, maybe I'll do MagneRide also. It really starts to push me outside of my budget but it seems that the ride will be much smoother. Interesting fact: I almost got the air suspension on my Volvo SUV but I ended up with a great deal on a model that didn't have this. My Volvo has 21" wheels and is a stiff ride for sure.

You are very welcome good sir - I'm delighted my post was useful.

To your point on MagneRide, I came to a very similar conclusion after having the opportunity to drive a Mustang GT without the Performance Pack immediately back to back to compare directly against a Mustang GT with the Performance Pack.. one that also included MagneRide. I too was in the same frame of mind and really needed to know if springing for the PP+MR was really worth it for me. While I was sincerely impressed with both cars (the improvements over the last-gen S550 are real) the difference was night and day: the Performance Pack car was far more in line with what I was looking for and -- for what I personally want in my specific Mustang -- disqualified a non-PP version in the running for my money.

Specifically, the Performance Pack + MagneRide became a requirement for my custom order as Normal was a notably more civil ride, while Sport moved beyond the GT in sharpness. (Both plus points my book.) In turn, Track offered even more responsive handling over the Premium GT, which itself feels to me like it sits somewhere between Normal and Sport when compared to a Performance Pack Mustang GT. (Note: Track mode is devine in Colorado's Rocky Mountains on those gorgeous switchbacks.) Having the ability to configure the car on the fly for the road conditions and your intended driving style for the moment is a killer feature.. MagneRide quickly earns it's keep and is sorely missed when I drive anything without it.

Even so, I recommend to take care and temper your expectations on ride comfort.. everyone has different preferences for this specific point, and I've read in years past on the Mustang6G forums that a few regretted adding the Performance Pack even with MagneRide. To be sure, the Mustang GT with the PP + MR is going to offer a compliant ride, but it's nothing remotely plush like your typical SUV or family sedan.. you're still going to get a harsher ride than average; the Mustang prioritizes handling prowess and steering responsiveness over comfort, always. As long as you're OK with that, then the Performance Pack + MagneRide may indeed be the right choice for you. With that said, it's not cheap. I will surely feel the pain at signing when I take delivery of my own custom order in the next couple of weeks, and I'll feel it more when I need new tires and brakes. It's why this car is not going to another owner for a long time, and I won't be buying a new car for several years at the very least.

That's because you're right: budget has to be a very real consideration with these cars. Moreover, it may be even more important to remember that neither GT vs GT w/PP+MR is "better" - rather they each target different buyers with differing personal preferences. This is the real reason you might want to consider taking a test drive on a GT without the Performance Pack. Don't beat yourself up and say it's about the money; instead, recognize it's very OK to focus on what you want and ask yourself if you really would make use of what the PP + MR options bring to the table. It is worth taking a moment to stop here and consider whether the Premium GT without the PP is a better fit. The GT is a fantastic car it's own right and does not need the Performance Pack to be awesome. It is accomplished as a highly capable road cruiser, while also being more focused on being a livable daily driver with lower insurance and maintenance costs, while also equipping parts that help to reduce Noise, Vibration, and Harshness (NVH in industry parlance). And, I highly suspect you will be happy with just the sole point of having that sweet 480+ hp Coyote V8 under the hood. The Mustang GT handily earns it's Grand Touring credentials with power and poise, while the PP version looks to elevate the Mustang into a sports car for the track.

If you are still weighing your choices, you may want to consider dropping the Performance Pack and MagneRide, at least until you've had a chance to do a couple of test drives before you order. Consider:

• Whether you're going to be pushing the car hard in the corners.
• Holding the gas pedal at Wide Open Throttle (routinely and frequently) for maximum acceleration/hard launches.
• Need the Oil Cooler for track days, or just like to drive spiritedly on hot days.
• Need brakes that withstand harder, shorter stops at higher temperatures and are prepared to budget for more expensive pads and rotors to get that performance.
• Harsher overall ride in every mode but Normal due to chassis reinforcement (K-Brace + Strut Tower Brace in front, and larger stabilizer bar in the rear).
• Comfortable with the trade-off of a staggered wheel setup with wider tires in rear: you'll get extra grip and more stable hard launches that get you up to speed fast, but pay for it with a bit more road noise and again, somewhat more frequent tire replacements since tire rotation is not a good idea in this setup.
• A mechanical rear differential that replaces the electronic clutch rear differential that comes standard on non-PP cars. The trade off here is you will feel shifts from the transmission more often since the Torsen Rear Differential has no variance to work with at any time. The Torsen Differential provides notably more aggressive driving characteristics (which appeals to someone like me easily) but comes at the cost of sacrificing comfort when pushing the car to perform.
• Loss of the Active Shutter in the Front Grill: PP cars drop this feature to get better cooling, but that comes at the cost of a couple of MPG at highway speeds. Where you might get 26 MPG at 70 MPH, the number falls to 24 at the same speed without the Grill Shutter to improve aerodynamics.

If the changes that come with the PP compromise how you like to drive without giving you something you want/need in return, then the Performance Pack may actually give you a Mustang you deem too aggressive and thus overkill - and likewise pointless explicitly because you won't feel any of the benefits. It would be like making a point at a fine dining restaurant to order the steak filet, roast chicken, and the poached lobster for dinner, but then only enjoying one and leaving the rest on the table. That's not a "better" meal just because it offers more; I would say it's a waste of money and resources that can be better spent elsewhere.

On the other hand, if you are looking for a bonafide sports car over a fast cruiser, the Performance Pack + MagneRide is built for exactly that purpose.

It's good news either way: you're still researching and asking questions, which is the smart move.. impulse buys don't end well at these price points. I think you're on the right track and you know what's going to work best when you place your order at the dealer. Either way, you're going to end up with a badass anniversary gift and I'm happy for you my man.

I hope I get to see photos of the new beauty in a few months after you've taken delivery.

 

[4ksk416]

Another thread, lol

 

[Rocket Man]

It's good news either way: you're still researching and asking questions, which is the smart move.. impulse buys don't end well at these price points. I think you're on the right track and you know what's going to work best when you place your order at the dealer. Either way, you're going to end up with a badass anniversary gift and I'm happy for you my man.

.

Long post but right on the money. I agree with your conclusions 100%. You sir are a real car guy.

 

[exm]

You are very welcome good sir - I'm delighted my post was useful.

It's good news either way: you're still researching and asking questions, which is the smart move.. impulse buys don't end well at these price points. I think you're on the right track and you know what's going to work best when you place your order at the dealer. Either way, you're going to end up with a badass anniversary gift and I'm happy for you my man.

First of all, thank you for another extensive reply. What a great read.

One of the issues I'm dealing with in my local situation (Long Island, NY), is that the dealers here really.... don't care (I guess they do enough business)? I wanted to do a test drive in a GT Coupe and they only made available a GT Convertible. Fine I guess. Called another dealer, they didn't even have a GT available for a test drive. So getting a test drive with a PP (with or without MagneRide) is borderline impossible. About the test drive I took: 5-10 minutes on local roads, not even on any highway. The best offer I got is about $1k below MSRP. They're laughing about anything lower. So yes, the market is weird here and I'm happy for Granger.

So.... I could go to NJ and really find a PP car to test drive. First of all, I would feel bad using one of those dealers just for this purpose, and even if I would be okay with this, it's still a 2hr+ drive from my house. I do love the Mustang that I drove for 5-10 minutes.

At this point I think I'm going big: PP+MagneRide. You only live once, and I'll deal with the brake dust cleaning for my Red Brembos on my grey rims one way or another. And yes, I'll swap the tires also for All Season tires. Maybe I'll keep the summer tires on... For the summer.

Thanks for the feedback and I appreciate everone's replies - keep them coming. Going to order next week!

 

[jml]

Hi,
I’ll give you a different opinion on the magneride.
I have a 24 GT PP with magneride and automatic transmission.
The key problem of the magneride is that you can’t adjust it independently (like you can in a bmw).
Meaning, if you want a stiffer ride your need to put the car in track mode / want softer ride need to keep it in normal mode (the sport magneride setting is very similar to the normal one).

This brings 2 problems:
. If you want a stiffer ride, you need to put the car in track mode … where driving aids are mostly disabled with a « do not drive in public roads » alert in the dashboard. If you are a driver that enjoys speed in safety, you will not to use track mode in public roads, so for all purposes you will get stuck with a too soft magneride suspension (for my taste), softer than the standard PP.
. Also, if you have the automatic, you get « stuck » with specific suspension/gearbox modes.
Ie, you cannot « mix and match ». For instance, I like the normal automatic mode, but find the magneride WAY too soft.
. Finally, in the standard PP you can easily upgrade to more flexible adjustable dumpers if you want for a similar cost (or for stiffer non -adjustable ones for way less money).
Note that I don’t daily the car: if you are a daily city driver, the magneride is a god send. If you track the car, magneride is also a good option: track mode is stiff.
But for weekend fun driving, like what I use the car for … If I was to do it again, I wouldn’t get magneride and would rather install a bit stiffer aftermarket dampers (bielstein or similar).
Just my cup of tea.

 

[Frogdog1]

I have to respectfully laugh. There are all kinds of ways to buy a Mustang. I test drove one at a dealer for about an hour with the salesman with me, not knowing much about the new ones, punched it up to 120, ok, it gets there quick. Went home and went about my business. Called a friend with one, got another dealer recommendation, went there, talked options, came out with one ordered after quick, to the point negotiations and an acceptable deal. Mostly forgot about it. Dealer called telling me I got the Ford employee discount, told him all discounts accepted, car came in, went and paid for it, it's in the garage, over and done with. I can make a decision.

 

[Kaptain75329]

First of all, thank you for another extensive reply. What a great read.

One of the issues I'm dealing with in my local situation (Long Island, NY), is that the dealers here really.... don't care (I guess they do enough business)? I wanted to do a test drive in a GT Coupe and they only made available a GT Convertible. Fine I guess. Called another dealer, they didn't even have a GT available for a test drive. So getting a test drive with a PP (with or without MagneRide) is borderline impossible. About the test drive I took: 5-10 minutes on local roads, not even on any highway. The best offer I got is about $1k below MSRP. They're laughing about anything lower. So yes, the market is weird here and I'm happy for Granger.

You are very welcome good sir - it's been fun reading the other replies here too. And it's worthwhile to put in the effort knowing it's going to a good cause.

Regarding your dealer situation, that makes sense. I can most definitely understand that if supply is limited, you're not going to get the chance to really test the car as the dealers will really want to keep the miles low. And, since PP+MR cars are super pricey, there's even less of a market for those. Impossible sounds about right. Over in Colorado, there's more inventory and even a few PP+MR cars on the lots and so I think I got lucky there.

So.... I could go to NJ and really find a PP car to test drive. First of all, I would feel bad using one of those dealers just for this purpose, and even if I would be okay with this, it's still a 2hr+ drive from my house. I do love the Mustang that I drove for 5-10 minutes.

Agreed. If you have no intent to purchase from a dealer, best not to test cars and then not give them the business.

In my case, I stated to my dealer up front that any Mustang I buy from them would have to be custom ordered as I tend to be unusually particular about my cars. They had no issue with that and still allowed me to test a GT Premium along with a PP+MR back to back. (In fairness, they were very willing to accommodate as I had already put down a deposit before those test drives; they knew I was serious. I just needed a couple of hours -- after weeks of research reading specs and watching YouTube reviews -- to make a final decision. For my part, the GT Premium with Performance Pack and MagneRide was an easy decision.

At this point I think I'm going big: PP+MagneRide. You only live once, and I'll deal with the brake dust cleaning for my Red Brembos on my grey rims one way or another. And yes, I'll swap the tires also for All Season tires. Maybe I'll keep the summer tires on... For the summer.

Right there with you - I think you'll be quite impressed when you get the keys and take the car home for the first time. If you have the chance to road trip the car after break-in, I think you'll find yourself impressed more than you might imagine today.

For what it's worth, one last word on the wheels now that you've made your decision. The Performance Pack does offer a choice of a different wheel selection if you don't like the darker Carbonized Gray painted aluminium wheels. Since you're planning to custom order, you might be interested in the optional Performance Pack wheels, known as "Machined with Tarnished Dark Aluminum Wheels" - here's how they would look on your GT PP in Adriatic Blue:

These wheels add $950 to the MSRP and are only available on the Performance Pack. They add some of the brightwork from the previous aluminium wheels you were thinking about, compliment the Space Gray interior nicely, and the simpler design is much easier to clean and maintain. (Quick note: these are staggered just like the Carbonized Gray wheels, and also come with Summer Tires.)

For my part, I prefer the Carbonized Gray wheels since I ordered my Mustang in Silver; the color family match in concert with the shaded contrast was too good to pass up. But I would go with these wheels for literally any other color.

Beyond that, I had the same thought about cleaning the Carbonized Gray wheels and picked up a cleaning kit from Amazon to be ready for the day I when need to spend the extra few minutes cleaning and detailing in the driveway:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0CCSCQMNX

The included cloth brushes are super soft and I've already tested the brushes on my current Mustang; they clean the wheels nicely and leave no scratches. Cleaning the brushes themselves is a simple matter of dipping them in car wash and rinsing with the hose. There are also nylon brushes included - they are harsher, but very useful for behind the wheels along with with any black cladding. (I don't recommend using the nylon brushes on anything painted though.. I fear that would certainly cause scratches.)

Thanks for the feedback and I appreciate everone's replies - keep them coming. Going to order next week!

That's awesome man - congrats on pulling the trigger. Fingers crossed we get to see photos when the new beauty makes it home in a few months.

 

[Westphal]

I have to respectfully laugh. There are all kinds of ways to buy a Mustang. I test drove one at a dealer for about an hour with the salesman with me, not knowing much about the new ones, punched it up to 120, ok, it gets there quick. Went home and went about my business. Called a friend with one, got another dealer recommendation, went there, talked options, came out with one ordered after quick, to the point negotiations and an acceptable deal. Mostly forgot about it. Dealer called telling me I got the Ford employee discount, told him all discounts accepted, car came in, went and paid for it, it's in the garage, over and done with. I can make a decision.

When my wife and I were shopping SUVs this spring, we test-drove 8 different ones, including 3 Cadillacs at the same dealer and 2 Lincolns at the same dealer. All of the dealers (and the one we ordered the Mustang) were more than willing to let us test-drive any model we wanted to. Nobody pushed hard to make a sale and very few follow-up calls, as we let them know we were shopping from a long list.

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