Order a 26?

[slater]

@slater : So I have a question: If you came out of a Taco, why not a 2-door F-150, or even a Bronco? Various models, or even a Ranger variant? Why a Mustang?

Theres 2 parts to that...
When I retired in early 23..
I killed myself for 32 years, I wanted a toy...
I was engine tech for Ford, I only saw the bad, I needed to sleep at night, you know where im going with this..
I bought the 4 door Tacoma, end of 24, has 10k on it.
Also in January I bought a 4 door 5.0 F150, mostly for my other 1/2 but she still has her 2010 Lexus RX 350 which I hate.....

So dont need 2 trucks....

Just the service dept at Toyota has disgusted me & this was a simple scenario!!!
Im on various forums & I always here how all the cry babies that dont even know what end of the wrench to hold always bash dealers, especially toyota.
These guys know better, & just bitch & bitch...
I defend dealers, techs, etc, regardless of the make, its a hard job...
I was top tier, I killed myself day in & day out!!!

Took the toyota in for a trans shift issue, they verified the issue & replaced the trans.
I pick it up & grease everywhere.
I drive it home & crawl under it & new trans is leaking at the rear extension housing.
I email the owner & service manager, they promise me an extensive detail to make up for the grease.
I take it back to get the leak fixed.
Discussing the scenario with the shop foreman, he initially said they were going to replace the trans again even though the reseal of the extension housing would be a simple repair.
He changed his mind & they reseal it, which is fine by me,
I pick it up & they totally dropped the ball on the detail, it was never washed, detailed, nothing.
Drive it home, trans is still leaking in the same spot.

Think the bottom retaining bolt for the extension housing was mis machined & drilled all the way through into the main case so that bolt is swimming in trans fluid & fluid is leaking out of the threads.

Just the simplest job has turned into a total shit show.
Apparently the left hand doesnt know what the right hand is doing, manager not communicating with service writers, etc....

Yes, im next level since I was in the industry as long as I was, they know that...
More of a reason for then to go above & beyond & not f@k up on this one.

Had a brake line replacement recall done last year.
Took it home & writer calls me, the tech would like you to bring the truck back, he left a flash light under the truck.
I hear the tech in the background coaching the writer.

I insist to talk to the tech.
Where's this flashlight, ill grab it so we dont lose it.....

He left VICE GRIPS clamped onto the rear rubber brake lines, crimped the lines.
First of all you dont need to do that, youre not going to lose much fluid.
Its bad for the lines, etc...
Sent me on my way!!!!

The paint is potato chip thin, its just absolute garbage when it comes to the paint.
I knew the paint was questionable but didnt expect it to be so soft, thin, & brittle all at the same time.

So to answer your question.
A bronco would be cool but since we have the f series, nah.
Theyre noisy, not a fan of the interior layout, the front overall interior is narrow for what they are.

Im getting older 54, my driving ability for whatever reason is getting sucky, im super cautious, paranoid about all the idiot drivers around me.
Further more I cant stand any body roll, I freak out!!!
No idea what has changed in the brain, but it is what it is & cant fix it.

End of the day, since I have the f series, think the mustang would be perfect, hopefully.
Always had one when I was younger...

Im def not a fan of the ranger, think the maverick looks better.
Hands down the new 24-26 tacoma looks sharp compared to the ranger!

Furthermore ford techs specialize & theyre not bumper to bumper.
In my mind that makes the quality of the difficult jobs questionable.
I was a line tech, all aspects of engine work, cooling system issues, exhaust issues, manual trans issue, broken bolts, didnt matter who broke them,
You wouldnt want me to overhaul your auto trans.
theres techs that truly have a skill level only good enough to be a lube tech, do you want him to replace your short block in your Toyota Tundra?
Specializing & just focusing on your skill set is what makes you good at what you do....
I can diagnose any engine or non engine related noises as the vehicle is just driving by....

Sorry for the long rant.

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[slater]

Yeah, my seats are not power, normal tracks, recline lever and height lever (300a)

what year is yours?
I wouldnt have expected that from ford on the mustang, but I dont know everything!
Thats why im here asking so many dumb questions.

 

[slater]

I test drove 3.15 and 3.55 gears because I really didnt want lazy "fun" gears. It took a month of searching but I made sure to get the 3.55s. It's not dramatic but it definitely kicks harder even at lower RPMs which is more fun for me.

Auto or stick?
Is yours a daily driver or a weekend toy?

 

[Q6543]

Auto, 2024, weekend, garage toy, just broke 10k miles, got it in September 2023,
Just like you want yours, with springs etc

 

[BimmerDriver]

I've owned 3 Mustangs, GT coupe, GT premium 'vert, and dark horse. All manuals.

IMHO you should skip the packages, Premium, etc. It's just not worth the money, especially in your case where you are going to modify the sound system and suspension anyway.

And power seats... how often do you move the seat once you've got it where you want it? Me, never. If you plan to share the car with the wife, then perhaps electric memory seats might be worth it.

 

[gyver65]

Ah, a fully loaded example.

You are going to be quite satisfied with this build. The performance package stiffens the car up quite a bit even without Magneride, but with it, it'll feel even stiffer in the sportier modes, and very plush in the softer modes. Active Exhaust is another option I missed on my GT, and while I still love the sound of mine, having AE is gonna be a game changer.

If you're getting the performance package, you're not going to get a spare tire. You'll get an inflater/sealant kit instead.

Just remember to budget an extra wad of cash for winter tires, if you're in a colder area. The Pirellis are undrivable in the cold, as many of us will tell you from experience.

Outside of that, if you can't get in for a '27, just wait for the next generation.

Thank you for your input! That is some very good info!

 

[mabcim]

Don’t guess on the gears, go test drive both.
Don’t guess on PP, go test drive.

You need to decide if you want the separate screens or the integrated one (a panel that covers both). That will narrow down the packages for you.
Cloth vs leather also narrows down the packages.

Back when I was looking into ordering a ‘25, I drove all combinations; even a stick. As far as the gears go, do you want it to really launch when you take off, or do you want the better gas mileage? For me, I wanted the most fun, so didn’t care about gas mileage.
Kind of the same for the PP, do you want the best stopping power?
Of course each of these choices adds other things, but those are ‘simple’ decisions to make to help you pick.

For me, it was going to be a Premium GT with PP with auto. I want leather and all the power goodies. As much as I don’t like the tablet instrument cluster, the dual version was a worst look to me. I don’t bother upgrading factory stereos, so want the best they offer.

When I finally decided what I wanted, it was the day the order banks closed. Didn’t like the changes to the ‘26, so didn’t order. Went a different route (see my avatar).

In the end, only you can determine what you want. Test driving is what will help.

 

[DT-GT]

@slater Wow, that Tacoma and dealer service surely would stress anyone big time. What a mess! As I indicated earlier I’m in my 70s and owning a Mustang has and is great for me. It is so nice to have a fun car and it truly brings a smile to my face. I like the power, the handling, the looks, and all the bells and whistles! For me the PREMIUM is essential or you miss too many niceties, which we deserve at this point in life!

You’ve been around and you know what you want to have. If you want it, go for it and order it or find a car with it. Everyone is different and want different things! Study the order guide to see what is included, then the build and price tool, (you are doing the right thing by asking on the forum, but once again everyone has different likes but you can review them and decide), work a deal with the dealer that you want to use and order YOUR MUSTANG! On price: I really wanted to get it from my local dealer (ordered and purchased my 2022 from them and very pleased with process, deal, and service), but their pricing was first at invoice, then 2% below invoice. After I showed them Granger’s 4% below invoice they met that. Didn’t even have to sign any papers or put down a deposit, but they gave me a copy of an invoice that showed the build, pricing, and their signature. After that in a day or two it is important to get a copy of the actual order that the dealer has submitted to Ford. That is the DORA, or may have a different name, but is exactly what was ordered, the order number, etc etc. That way any error from what you wanted can get corrected early-on before it gets locked-in the build. My car was built in 2-1/2 months later (unfortunately shipping took 5 weeks) and delivery went smoothly at the agreed price. I was and am a happy customer!

Timing for scheduling depends upon many factors such as parts availability, does your dealer have an allocation for a Mustang, and of course timing. If you order in the first half of the month you will probably make the scheduling process which usually takes place the third week of the month and hopefully the car will get scheduled to be built. Scheduling is for the builds the next full month, ie scheduling in August is for builds in October, scheduling in Sept is for builds in Oct.

Good luck!

 

[smithwn]

Just ordered one (for my wife) yesterday. Specs;
Convertible
Manual Tranny - must have, no other car I'd own has this available as a convertible
Rear End - 3:55 - you want to be engaged with car, taller gears = less shifting/engagement
OPTIONS:
401A Premium Package
B&O Sound (for when exhaust is in quiet mode only)
Brembo Brake Upgrade - a must have if you're going to add a supercharger like we are
Active Exhaust
20X9" Wheels

This set up allows us to enjoy the car immediately upon delivery while leveraging the fp800s package (once installed) to deliver 810hp and 615 lb/ft of Tq.

JMO

 

[EgoBoost]

301a only comes with a power driver side seat. Manual for passenger with no height adjustment which my short wife hates (can’t see over hood).

I see no reason for you to get the almost $6k Performance package. Spend that money on the premium w/active and 3.55’s

 

[slater]

All very informative perspectives & learning a ton...
Its hard to interpret the various build info, like stated, need to study it over & over....
Never realized there was different infotainment & instrument clusters as stated,
Still dont know what that looks like, need to dig into that.

I put 3.55 in my 95 build with a manual
I know thats very different animal than this & again it was a stick & not this modern trans...
I dont even recall if the RPMS were on the higher side on the freeway but I would imagine not excessive.....

Appreciate all the info, keep it coming!

 

[slater]

301a only comes with a power driver side seat. Manual for passenger with no height adjustment which my short wife hates (can’t see over hood).

I see no reason for you to get the almost $6k Performance package. Spend that money on the premium w/active and 3.55’s

Im 5'*8", I also always prefer to drive with the seat crammed to the moon.
Would imagine especially in the 7th gen with the long hood....

 

[Mike's Mustang]

I haven't been in a 300A or 301A GT, but I believe they come with all hard plastic interior panels. Don't know if OP @slater cares about that or not, but it's not a cheap or easy upgrade.

I remember people complaining about the hard plastics on the 6G forum. My 6G was 401A, so is my 7G, and all the panels are soft so I assume the complainers had either 300A or 301A.

Just one more thing to consider.

 

[DT-GT]

You will enjoy!!! What color?

Just ordered one (for my wife) yesterday. Specs;
Convertible
Manual Tranny - must have, no other car I'd own has this available as a convertible
Rear End - 3:55 - you want to be engaged with car, taller gears = less shifting/engagement
OPTIONS:
401A Premium Package
B&O Sound (for when exhaust is in quiet mode only)
Brembo Brake Upgrade - a must have if you're going to add a supercharger like we are
Active Exhaust
20X9" Wheels

This set up allows us to enjoy the car immediately upon delivery while leveraging the fp800s package (once installed) to deliver 810hp and 615 lb/ft of Tq.

JMO

 

[OH_5.0]

Auto or stick?
Is yours a daily driver or a weekend toy?

It's an auto, its not my only vehicle but I drive it often. Semi-daily, use it to for trips around town or when going out. 3.55s are more than comfortable for daily driving or highway commuting. Just a little more punchy.

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