Any former Mach 1 owners on here who are now Dark Horse owners?

[MachNroll]

Reaching out on here to see if there are any former Mach 1 owners on here who now own a Dark Horse. If yes, what do you like better with the DH, what did you like better about the Mach (if anything), and how much different are the driving characteristics? Also, is the additional HP that much more noticeable with the DH?

Thanks!

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[2026DHCARB]

I am one of those... still own the MACH 1, so I can compare head to head.

Only 3 days with the DH, but I love:
- gearbox: a huge surprise, it's refined while driving gently, something the MACH 1 lacks very much
- infotainment: a huge advance
- steering wheel: amazing
- exhaust sound: different, I think I like it more and when I add the h-pipe I'll see
- interior quality is better
- rear parking sensors plus big high definition screen makes it easiear to move around

Small thinks I don´t love:
- Tires: Pirelli Pzero appears to create a harsher ride
- plastic rear deck: sun reflects on the rear windshield and affects visibility

Those are opinions, I'll leave facts aside since they are well known.

I summary, I expected less improvements than I'm finding while driving it (didn't drive it before buying). Very happy!

 

[ausomtiger]

"- gearbox: a huge surprise, it's refined while driving gently, something the MACH 1 lacks very much"

This comment seems odd to me.

If you have the 6-speed, they are basically the same 3160 transmission. My Mach 1 6-speed was silky smooth.

If you have the 10R80, they did make some programming upgrades. Got my 10R80 2025 GT tuned and it makes a ton of difference.

 

[2026DHCARB]

"- gearbox: a huge surprise, it's refined while driving gently, something the MACH 1 lacks very much"

This comment seems odd to me.

If you have the 6-speed, they are basically the same 3160 transmission. My Mach 1 6-speed was silky smooth.

If you have the 10R80, they did make some programming upgrades. Got my 10R80 2025 GT tuned and it makes a ton of difference.

10R80

 

[ChitownStang]

I pre-ordered a 21 Mach 1 premium auto and drove it for 3.5 years. Black with red brembos.
Beautiful car, flex tuned and many other mods but just could not stand that 10-speed transmission. Loves the car but honestly couldn’t wait to be back in a manual.
That 10-speed was embarrassing to drive . Such a confused jerky shit transmission in my honest opinion.
Honestly if I didn’t listen to the wife and had bought the Tremec, I’d definitely still own it.
The DH chassis is noticeably more connected and solid over the s550.
Interior is also a noticeable upgrade.
I’d say I’m very satisfied with the upgrade.

 

[AZ_Ryan]

Not a DH owner. But I did own a Mach 1 that I traded for a new GT. Obviously its not an apples to apples comparison (I bought my GT as a DD not track car), but I will say it rides much better and feels much more refined than the Mach 1. The infotainment system and technology are a huge leap forward. I do think S550 had a very attractive interior, but the S650 is more erganomic and layed out better with much nicer materials. Looks wise, I think the Mach 1 is as sexy of a muscle that Ford ever made. The graphics, front end, and spoiler look so damn good. I really like the S650 styling, but IMO the DH just falls a little short and doesnt have the sex appeal that the Mach 1 did. Something about the front end just looks off to me. That said the DH is an improvement in just about every other way though. HP wise, you will probably not feel an extra 20 HP over the Mach 1 with the same transmission off the track. But the new programming on the A10 is significantly smoother.

 

[Gregs24]

I am one of those... still own the MACH 1, so I can compare head to head.

Only 3 days with the DH, but I love:
- gearbox: a huge surprise, it's refined while driving gently, something the MACH 1 lacks very much
- infotainment: a huge advance
- steering wheel: amazing
- exhaust sound: different, I think I like it more and when I add the h-pipe I'll see
- interior quality is better
- rear parking sensors plus big high definition screen makes it easiear to move around

Small thinks I don´t love:
- Tires: Pirelli Pzero appears to create a harsher ride
- plastic rear deck: sun reflects on the rear windshield and affects visibility

Those are opinions, I'll leave facts aside since they are well known.

I summary, I expected less improvements than I'm finding while driving it (didn't drive it before buying). Very happy!

Make sure the tyres are not over pressured - a common problem on new cars

 

[2026DHCARB]

Make sure the tyres are not over pressured - a common problem on new cars

Thanks, they were as well as suspension blocks still in place. But I still find the tires noisier and the ride harsher. PS4S were somewhat more comfortable.

 

[ChitownStang]

As far as the stock tires on non hp DH, they were just ok, I was surprised Ford went this direction after putting PS4S tires on the Mach. I’m an extreme contact continental tire guy on all my cars for last 10 years. DWS 06’s for winter and Sport 02’s for summer .
I think they are better than Michelin for on the street. sold my heavy stock Wheels and Perrelli tires at 5k miles for $1400 on marketplace.

 

[Paul's stable]

Not a DH owner. But I did own a Mach 1 that I traded for a new GT. Obviously its not an apples to apples comparison (I bought my GT as a DD not track car), but I will say it rides much better and feels much more refined than the Mach 1. The infotainment system and technology are a huge leap forward. I do think S550 had a very attractive interior, but the S650 is more erganomic and layed out better with much nicer materials. Looks wise, I think the Mach 1 is as sexy of a muscle that Ford ever made. The graphics, front end, and spoiler look so damn good. I really like the S650 styling, but IMO the DH just falls a little short and doesnt have the sex appeal that the Mach 1 did. Something about the front end just looks off to me. That said the DH is an improvement in just about every other way though. HP wise, you will probably not feel an extra 20 HP over the Mach 1 with the same transmission off the track. But the new programming on the A10 is significantly smoother.

I don't feel the same about the front ends I have never liked the S550 front end and never bought one because of that. Then I saw the Dark Horse front end and was like they finally fixed the droopy shark mouth look.

 

[AZ_Ryan]

I don't feel the same about the front ends I have never liked the S550 front end and never bought one because of that. Then I saw the Dark Horse front end and was like they finally fixed the droopy shark mouth look.

Just so you understand, im strictly speaking of the Mach 1 front end. Which the S650s lower valance is clearly styled after. I HATE the regular 2018-23 mustang front end.

 

[Paul's stable]

Just so you understand, im strictly speaking of the Mach 1 front end. Which the S650s lower valance is clearly styled after. I HATE the regular 2018-23 mustang front end.

No all of them especially the Mach 1 with it's fake light/ air intakes also dislike the body line that runs thru the gas filler area. I still have my 2006 mustang because of the retro styling. However when they started going with the euro styling that's when they lost me. Still have my 06 but was always looking for a new mustang and did not like them until the Dark Horse came out so I bought one it's just my personal opinion. I know lots of people love their S550's.

 

[AZ_Ryan]

See Id take the fake light intakes over the weird raccoon eye thing all day long. Different strokes for different folks.

 

[ChitownStang]

See Id take the fake light intakes over the weird raccoon eye thing all day long. Different strokes for different folks.

I’d take that white dark horse over the Mach in that picture all day everyday.
Love the coon eyes!
I also like the new GT front end , dark horse just looks more aggressive

 

[broncoboy22]

See Id take the fake light intakes over the weird raccoon eye thing all day long. Different strokes for different folks.

Yup, I like them both but the Mach takes it in the looks department for me

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