BoostRabbitGT
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FOR THE MODS: Would this thread be better suited for the Off Topic Lounge?
The past few days, I've had the opportunity to test drive three vehicles as well as finally getting hands-on a '24 Mustang GT (I would've test drove one more, but my local dealership won't have new Prius' in stock until April/May). Let's get the non-'24 vehicles out of the way first.
First was a Last Call Charger R/T. It's definitely more practical than a Mustang just from having four doors, but I didn't like the "boatlike" handling...it did not inspire confidence at all attempting to take turns "spiritedly" (it was fine at regular daily-driving speeds). That was enough for me to cross it off my list. I will say it sounded nice, even though it was surprisingly quieter inside than a Mustang GT (or is it the Scat Pack and beyond that are supposed to be loud inside and out?). I can't imagine how the V6 GT would handle in comparison (hopefully better?).
Second was a base model Panamera, which was very surprising to see as where I'm at there are precisely zero Porsche dealerships locally. Unlike the Charger it had very precise handling, and the V6 had a surprisingly pleasing sound as well as non-laggy turbo performance. Price ultimately prevents me from acquiring it, as well as my personal preference of having AWD in such a sedan. (Sidenote: The Panamera did not look at all like a large sedan, nor did it feel like one either.)
Third was a '23 Mach 1 in Eruption Green, fully optioned with everything. This would've been the perfect vehicle for me...if it wasn't a manual. Now, this time I was able to test-drive it briefly, and by briefly I mean I was able to consistently go from clutch to gas without stalling the vehicle in a medium sized empty parking lot. It was a very jerky, yet satisfactory experience. Honestly though I can't see myself taking time off from work just to learn stick-shift, nor do I really have the desire to daily-drive a manual. Whoever ends up getting this Mach 1 though, I'll definitely be happy for them. (Of note: I could actually feel the vented seats doing their thing, and the sound even on Quiet Mode was glorious!)
And finally, my experience with the '24 Mustang GT. This one had the Performance Pack without MagneRide. The TLDR is that the Mustang GT will be my next car someday, hopefully next year at the earliest. It may not be without its gripes---road noise was fine on regular roads, but very loud on roads with loose dirt/gravel (I don't know if this is PP-specific or not), and although I ended up pleasantly surprised with the separate screen setup (301A as opposed to a Premium model), I still don't know how I'll feel if I need to adjust the A/C while driving. But I LOVED how it handled...despite the lighter steering feel even on Sport Mode, I thought it communicated better to me than my current '19 EcoBoost. I really hope the handling experience I had isn't exclusive to the Performance Pack GTs. And of course the sound...for context, when I first test drove an '18 GT I thought the sound was obnoxious at the low RPMs. Turns out six years later that I just wasn't used to the low rumble of V8s because I test drove this GT with the Active Exhaust on Sport the entire time! Beautiful from the lows to the highs! Brakes were very smooth as well.
That's all for now. Please, let me know how the non-Performance Pack GTs handle in comparison to the PP GTs if you have experienced both! Thank you everyone!
The past few days, I've had the opportunity to test drive three vehicles as well as finally getting hands-on a '24 Mustang GT (I would've test drove one more, but my local dealership won't have new Prius' in stock until April/May). Let's get the non-'24 vehicles out of the way first.
First was a Last Call Charger R/T. It's definitely more practical than a Mustang just from having four doors, but I didn't like the "boatlike" handling...it did not inspire confidence at all attempting to take turns "spiritedly" (it was fine at regular daily-driving speeds). That was enough for me to cross it off my list. I will say it sounded nice, even though it was surprisingly quieter inside than a Mustang GT (or is it the Scat Pack and beyond that are supposed to be loud inside and out?). I can't imagine how the V6 GT would handle in comparison (hopefully better?).
Second was a base model Panamera, which was very surprising to see as where I'm at there are precisely zero Porsche dealerships locally. Unlike the Charger it had very precise handling, and the V6 had a surprisingly pleasing sound as well as non-laggy turbo performance. Price ultimately prevents me from acquiring it, as well as my personal preference of having AWD in such a sedan. (Sidenote: The Panamera did not look at all like a large sedan, nor did it feel like one either.)
Third was a '23 Mach 1 in Eruption Green, fully optioned with everything. This would've been the perfect vehicle for me...if it wasn't a manual. Now, this time I was able to test-drive it briefly, and by briefly I mean I was able to consistently go from clutch to gas without stalling the vehicle in a medium sized empty parking lot. It was a very jerky, yet satisfactory experience. Honestly though I can't see myself taking time off from work just to learn stick-shift, nor do I really have the desire to daily-drive a manual. Whoever ends up getting this Mach 1 though, I'll definitely be happy for them. (Of note: I could actually feel the vented seats doing their thing, and the sound even on Quiet Mode was glorious!)
And finally, my experience with the '24 Mustang GT. This one had the Performance Pack without MagneRide. The TLDR is that the Mustang GT will be my next car someday, hopefully next year at the earliest. It may not be without its gripes---road noise was fine on regular roads, but very loud on roads with loose dirt/gravel (I don't know if this is PP-specific or not), and although I ended up pleasantly surprised with the separate screen setup (301A as opposed to a Premium model), I still don't know how I'll feel if I need to adjust the A/C while driving. But I LOVED how it handled...despite the lighter steering feel even on Sport Mode, I thought it communicated better to me than my current '19 EcoBoost. I really hope the handling experience I had isn't exclusive to the Performance Pack GTs. And of course the sound...for context, when I first test drove an '18 GT I thought the sound was obnoxious at the low RPMs. Turns out six years later that I just wasn't used to the low rumble of V8s because I test drove this GT with the Active Exhaust on Sport the entire time! Beautiful from the lows to the highs! Brakes were very smooth as well.
That's all for now. Please, let me know how the non-Performance Pack GTs handle in comparison to the PP GTs if you have experienced both! Thank you everyone!
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). Afterwards, the salesperson drove the car back to the dealership and really let that Voodoo engine sing! I have to say, the first time I heard it in person years ago, I was not impressed at all (I thought it sounded too shrill and treble-y for my liking). But inside and outside the GT350 now...absolute music to my ears!
)
