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Anyone regrats their DH purchase?

AZ_Ryan

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If all you saw was 14hp and "track stuff" then you missed the entire point.
I guess I'm missing the point too then. I bought my Mach 1 for extra hp and track components. So did everyone else I know. Since the DH is just a reskinned Mach 1, what am I missing? It's a track car with the same engine as a GT is it not?
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COBill

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For me the #1 reason to choose the DH is the Tremec.

It also includes the B&O and Magneride for free, a items that would bump the price of the GT even closer to that of the DH.
 

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I don't regrat getting a dark horse at all since I decided to get a GT.
 

COBill

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Because there are many things that might seem not that big a deal on a test drive but become really, really annoying after hours/months/years inside the car.

For example, the Recaros might be no big deal for you on a test drive or on a two hour fun trip, but if you’re driving from say Arizona to Ohio, they might get old about hour seven.
 


AZ_Ryan

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Because there are many things that might seem not that big a deal on a test drive but become really, really annoying after hours/months/years inside the car.

For example, the Recaros might be no big deal for you on a test drive or on a two hour fun trip, but if you’re driving from say Arizona to Ohio, they might get old about hour seven.
If you need 7 hours to decide if you like recaros, then I have no sympathy. I needed like 7 minutes.
 

COBill

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If you need 7 hours to decide if you like recaros, then I have no sympathy. I needed like 7 minutes.
You misunderstand.

It takes no time to decide you like them.

It may take eight hours of driving to decide you can’t live with them long-term.

This also goes with other things, like the “carbon fiber look” interior pieces may be no big deal when it’s new, but may get on your nerves over time.
 

AZ_Ryan

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You misunderstand.

It takes no time to decide you like them.

It may take eight hours of driving to decide you can’t live with them long-term.

This also goes with other things, like the “carbon fiber look” interior pieces may be no big deal when it’s new, but may get on your nerves over time.
Nah. If i don't like something I dont need extra time to decide if I can't live with it. 🤣

Most of these complaints come down to impulsive buying and remorse after making the first payment.
 

d4rkg04t

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Didn't miss any point, for a daily driven car it makes no sense to spend 18k extra. Even if bought for tracking it, spending that money on the GT would make it way faster at the track. Also, who buys a boat to track it, competing on a track with a stock muscle car is already losing to start with.
"It's impractical as a daily driver."

Yes, the Dark Horse is impractical as a daily driver. It wasn't meant to be a daily driver. That's why it's one of my toys. In a way, the same argument could be made for the GT as it's also fairly impractical (though on the lesser end of the spectrum) for daily driving. Modded or not it costs a lot, chugs gas, has no backseat to speak of (unless you fold your friends in half), is RWD and tail-happy, and costs more to insure, maintain, and repair... than say... a Toyota Corolla, which is a practical daily driver.

"You can be way faster than a GT with the same money."

No, it's been established that if you spend $18k on a GT it will not become "way faster" on the track. It will become almost as fast. (to be fair: on paper of course) Heck, even Steeda's full track package was basically landing the same times as a STOCK Dark Horse. When they upgraded an actual Dark Horse with their stuff, it was marginally faster at best. I think that's probably more of a platform limitation than anything else.

I don't even know if you can get everything for the GT for just $18k?

You'd have to start by adding every single optional feature to the GT (which all come standard with the DH).

Then you have to install an entirely different track-focused suspension setup (which can eat 80% of that budget alone and you'd run out of money for the rest), but wait now we have to pull the engine to swap cams and rods, drop the MT82 and put a Tremec in, install additional coolers, a MagneRide profile you can't get (unique EPAS, ABS, and stability control tuning), wider wheels and tires, somehow physically remove the terrible start/stop starter killer feature, install two piece front rotors, and finally install functional track-focued aero... I think that's it, actually. Besides the mundane stuff like serialized plate, unique body styling, and puddle lights. If you're into those sort of things (I'm not).

"Who buys a 'boat' to track?"

People track anything to be competitive. That's why there's different classes. We're all crazy here. And believe it or not, if people don't have a car, they'll just run on foot. hehe

"Bringing a stock muscle car to the track is already losing..."

You think the stock Dark Horse /w HP is a boat that can't handle? Wow. Just wow. It's the entire purpose it was built for, just like the Mach-1 w/ HP. It does extremely well for its class. Verified by countless track nuts and track car reviews. There's a reason why the GT is the undefeated star of crash videos. I can personally verify this: It's HARD to lose control of a Dark Horse. I've yoinked the wheel at 90mph and all the sucker did was stay in its lane and rearrange my lunch.

To be fair, I thought the same thing you thought until I drove one. Then I bought one. It makes no sense unless you get behind the wheel and push the car. It inspires confidence and for a Mustang, that's saying a lot.
 

d4rkg04t

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I guess I'm missing the point too then. I bought my Mach 1 for extra hp and track components. So did everyone else I know. Since the DH is just a reskinned Mach 1, what am I missing? It's a track car with the same engine as a GT is it not?
Mach-1 w/ HP was a fantastic purchase! If you're into the handling, of course.

Yes, the Dark Horse is basically a refreshed Mach-1.

No, it isn't rocking the GT engine.
 

d4rkg04t

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Sure it is. Only difference is a forged crank and its tuned for 14 more HP. Its otherwise the same exact coyote.
It has a forged crank, forged rods, and different cam profiles. But that's not where the 14hp comes from. That's for enhanced durability for beating its ass on the track or making goofy horsepower later and not having to worry about a rod coming out the side of the block.
 

AZ_Ryan

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"It's impractical as a daily driver."

Yes, the Dark Horse is impractical as a daily driver. It wasn't meant to be a daily driver. That's why it's one of my toys. In a way, the same argument could be made for the GT as it's also fairly impractical (though on the lesser end of the spectrum) for daily driving. Modded or not it costs a lot, chugs gas, has no backseat to speak of (unless you fold your friends in half), is RWD and tail-happy, and costs more to insure, maintain, and repair... than say... a Toyota Corolla, which is a practical daily driver.

"You can be way faster than a GT with the same money."

No, it's been established that if you spend $18k on a GT it will not become "way faster" on the track. It will become almost as fast. (to be fair: on paper of course) Heck, even Steeda's full track package was basically landing the same times as a STOCK Dark Horse. When they upgraded an actual Dark Horse with their stuff, it was marginally faster at best. I think that's probably more of a platform limitation than anything else.

I don't even know if you can get everything for the GT for just $18k?

You'd have to start by adding every single optional feature to the GT (which all come standard with the DH).

Then you have to install an entirely different track-focused suspension setup (which can eat 80% of that budget alone and you'd run out of money for the rest), but wait now we have to pull the engine to swap cams and rods, drop the MT82 and put a Tremec in, install additional coolers, a MagneRide profile you can't get (unique EPAS, ABS, and stability control tuning), wider wheels and tires, somehow physically remove the terrible start/stop starter killer feature, install two piece front rotors, and finally install functional track-focued aero... I think that's it, actually. Besides the mundane stuff like serialized plate, unique body styling, and puddle lights. If you're into those sort of things (I'm not).

"Who buys a 'boat' to track?"

People track anything to be competitive. That's why there's different classes. We're all crazy here. And believe it or not, if people don't have a car, they'll just run on foot. hehe

"Bringing a stock muscle car to the track is already losing..."

You think the stock Dark Horse /w HP is a boat that can't handle? Wow. Just wow. It's the entire purpose it was built for, just like the Mach-1 w/ HP. It does extremely well for its class. Verified by countless track nuts and track car reviews. There's a reason why the GT is the undefeated star of crash videos. I can personally verify this: It's HARD to lose control of a Dark Horse. I've yoinked the wheel at 90mph and all the sucker did was stay in its lane and rearrange my lunch.

To be fair, I thought the same thing you thought until I drove one. Then I bought one. It makes no sense unless you get behind the wheel and push the car. It inspires confidence and for a Mustang, that's saying a lot.
The suspension on the PP GT and non HP DH is identical. Both have magnaride. Both have the same brakes. In fact, the spring rates are the same for the GT, GT PP, and base DH.

The only real differences come on the DH HP with stiffer springs, camber plates, and beefed up rear sway bar, and bigger wheels and tires. All of with can be added to a GT.
 

AZ_Ryan

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It has a forged crank, forged rods, and different cam profiles. But that's not where the 14hp comes from. That's for enhanced durability for beating its ass on the track or making goofy horsepower later and not having to worry about a rod coming out the side of the block.
Its still a Coyote engine. 😉
 

YamenGT650

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"It's impractical as a daily driver."

Yes, the Dark Horse is impractical as a daily driver. It wasn't meant to be a daily driver. That's why it's one of my toys. In a way, the same argument could be made for the GT as it's also fairly impractical (though on the lesser end of the spectrum) for daily driving. Modded or not it costs a lot, chugs gas, has no backseat to speak of (unless you fold your friends in half), is RWD and tail-happy, and costs more to insure, maintain, and repair... than say... a Toyota Corolla, which is a practical daily driver.

"You can be way faster than a GT with the same money."

No, it's been established that if you spend $18k on a GT it will not become "way faster" on the track. It will become almost as fast. (to be fair: on paper of course) Heck, even Steeda's full track package was basically landing the same times as a STOCK Dark Horse. When they upgraded an actual Dark Horse with their stuff, it was marginally faster at best. I think that's probably more of a platform limitation than anything else.

I don't even know if you can get everything for the GT for just $18k?

You'd have to start by adding every single optional feature to the GT (which all come standard with the DH).

Then you have to install an entirely different track-focused suspension setup (which can eat 80% of that budget alone and you'd run out of money for the rest), but wait now we have to pull the engine to swap cams and rods, drop the MT82 and put a Tremec in, install additional coolers, a MagneRide profile you can't get (unique EPAS, ABS, and stability control tuning), wider wheels and tires, somehow physically remove the terrible start/stop starter killer feature, install two piece front rotors, and finally install functional track-focued aero... I think that's it, actually. Besides the mundane stuff like serialized plate, unique body styling, and puddle lights. If you're into those sort of things (I'm not).

"Who buys a 'boat' to track?"

People track anything to be competitive. That's why there's different classes. We're all crazy here. And believe it or not, if people don't have a car, they'll just run on foot. hehe

"Bringing a stock muscle car to the track is already losing..."

You think the stock Dark Horse /w HP is a boat that can't handle? Wow. Just wow. It's the entire purpose it was built for, just like the Mach-1 w/ HP. It does extremely well for its class. Verified by countless track nuts and track car reviews. There's a reason why the GT is the undefeated star of crash videos. I can personally verify this: It's HARD to lose control of a Dark Horse. I've yoinked the wheel at 90mph and all the sucker did was stay in its lane and rearrange my lunch.

To be fair, I thought the same thing you thought until I drove one. Then I bought one. It makes no sense unless you get behind the wheel and push the car. It inspires confidence and for a Mustang, that's saying a lot.
I agree with all you said, it all comes down to the intended usage, for a daily street fun car, the GT is a cost effective V8 fun with neat tech features. For a competitive track oriented ride, DH will probably live longer and be more consistent.
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