chasing my tail and it's driving me nuts

[pigfarmer]

Hello everyone this is post #1 for me.

Not a Mustang owner yet but I've been lurking reading up on the s650 and wearing out Ford's Build & Price tool. I'm in my early 60s, retired and do the majority of my driving locally. Not looking to road race or track or any of that, I've always been a classic car guy and want something modern and fun for a change.

Here's my dilemma. I'm looking at the GT trim. I can add the Performance Package and MagneRide, then add the Night Pony and easily come up with a slick build. I'm a black on black with more black kind of guy. I really wish they called it a 'blackout package' or anything else because a 'night pony' sounds like something Batman takes his kids to ride .....

Contrast that to a base GT minus all that but with the 301A trim and a mini spare. I can still make it black with a different spoiler and it eliminates the need for two sets of tires - I live in the northeast. Seems sensible.

In either case I'd add the 3:55 rear, Active Exhaust and the 10 speed auto transmission.

Part of me says to go all out and get the first build because why not? Always wanted to order up a factory hot rod. Part of me says that base GT still has plenty to offer and that the extra features will likely add expense, complication and do I really need that for just casually driving around? My wife wouldn't even get in it with me if I put my foot into it. This isn't about the price it's me trying to be realistic - not sure if that actually applies.

I figured I can't be alone in this thinking and thought I'd throw it out there. Not for clarity for curiosity, I'd like to know if someone went in one direction or the other and how it turned out.

Thanks

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[Snowflee17]

Hello everyone this is post #1 for me.

Not a Mustang owner yet but I've been lurking reading up on the s650 and wearing out Ford's Build & Price tool. I'm in my early 60s, retired and do the majority of my driving locally. Not looking to road race or track or any of that, I've always been a classic car guy and want something modern and fun for a change.

Here's my dilemma. I'm looking at the GT trim. I can add the Performance Package and MagneRide, then add the Night Pony and easily come up with a slick build. I'm a black on black with more black kind of guy. I really wish they called it a 'blackout package' or anything else because a 'night pony' sounds like something Batman takes his kids to ride .....

Contrast that to a base GT minus all that but with the 301A trim and a mini spare. I can still make it black with a different spoiler and it eliminates the need for two sets of tires - I live in the northeast. Seems sensible.

In either case I'd add the 3:55 rear, Active Exhaust and the 10 speed auto transmission.

Part of me says to go all out and get the first build because why not? Always wanted to order up a factory hot rod. Part of me says that base GT still has plenty to offer and that the extra features will likely add expense, complication and do I really need that for just casually driving around? My wife wouldn't even get in it with me if I put my foot into it. This isn't about the price it's me trying to be realistic - not sure if that actually applies.

I figured I can't be alone in this thinking and thought I'd throw it out there. Not for clarity for curiosity, I'd like to know if someone went in one direction or the other and how it turned out.

Thanks

If price isn't a concern, for what you're building, go with the Darkhorse with the Handling package.

 

[Ninjak]

i second the DH. If not, go with your first build. You are retired. Enjoy.

Love my SH, though I do have it set up for a specific purpose, it is still a fun vehicle to drive.

 

[Kaleza]

I mean he literally said he doesn’t need track oriented car why would he get even more track oriented car i think get gt but get active exhaust and brembo breaks, they are very nice to look at. U dont need performance pack, also magneride is great but then u need premium car. But if street ride quality is in question u can add aftermarket part and get similar or better ride quality with a base car

 

[DeeDub SC]

Pigfarmer (interesting name!) I am 78YO and ordered my 2024 GT to ensure I got just what I wanted and nothing more. Since I am only a manual trans guy, there were very few cars on lots that would suffice. Anyway, totally agree to order what you want! I did pretty much standard GT, only adding Premium High (401A) as the interior upgrade is very worthwhile, the Bronze Appearance Pkg (just liked the look), and one of the OEM stripe sets. Came out $53K MSRP, although to equal that now, you have to add some options that were included in my 401A package. I didn't want the Perf Pkg, as I have learned through prior cars the performance upgrades aren't worth the money spent, if you are just driving casually. Plus, the standard GT has plenty of power and the handling and brakes are fine as is. I did install some lowering springs, which are a must in my opinion, as the looks upgrade is huge. I also did a resonator delete X-pipe, which helped the exhaust sound, but that's a personal choice, OEM sounds fine too. In short, don't get seduced into buying a bunch of upgrades you either don't really want or realize you won't really use! Everybody wants to go for the big-buck, high performance set-up. With these cars, you don't really need them to have fun! Just my two cents!

 

[steveo1960]

My take is that unless you a buying a car for say mostly track weekends I tend to load up on creature comforts, seats, interior trim, etc.
Why?
Well most of the performance additions can be added later on but it's difficult, if not impossible without tons of cash, to add the creature comfort stuff later on.

For me at 65yo, I went for a 2024 GT Premium 400a Automatic with active exhaust and stripes. My car doesn't see any track use but some spirited mountain, curves, touring and for me my courage usually gives out long before the car does.

Whatever you decide, enjoy the car and go have some fun!
These cars are all about the fun factor!

 

[Snowflee17]

I mean he literally said he doesn’t need track oriented car why would he get even more track oriented car i think get gt but get active exhaust and brembo breaks, they are very nice to look at. U dont need performance pack, also magneride is great but then u need premium car. But if street ride quality is in question u can add aftermarket part and get similar or better ride quality with a base car

Just because you have it doesn't mean you need to use it. Besides nothing nicer than to sitting at a red light and have some kid in a tuner wanting to drag race you off the line and get his ass handed to him!

 

[Kaleza]

Just because you have it doesn't mean you need to use it. Besides nothing nicer than to sitting at a red light and have some kid in a tuner wanting to drag race you off the line and get his ass handed to him!

I get it but from what he wrote it doesn’t seem that drag racing kid in a tuner is a concern

 

[lcseds]

I'm 66 and I will get my new 2026 GT Premium in a week or so. Not to be used for any type of racing, just a fun car. It's my first performance car since having a GTO in the 70's. It may be my last car, so I loaded it with the performance package, premium package, active exhaust, B&O and magnaride. I won't use 80% of its capabilities, but I never wanted to think "what if" when it came to options. Oh, in manual too. First manual in decades. I'm going to have some fun before I "get called".

 

[3Rivers]

My take is that unless you a buying a car for say mostly track weekends I tend to load up on creature comforts, seats, interior trim, etc.
Why?
Well most of the performance additions can be added later on but it's difficult, if not impossible without tons of cash, to add the creature comfort stuff later on.

This advice cannot be overstated. Every auto forum in which I've ever participated or lurked, including this one, is full of posts like "I didn't get the factory subwoofer -- what's the best way to add one?" or "How much does it cost to put in my own leather seats?" or "Is there a wiring harness I can use to install my own string of ambient lights?" Get the premium cabin features from Ford unless you are a diehard bare-bones enthusiast.

 

[pigfarmer]

Pigfarmer (interesting name!)

That's an old nickname a friend hung in me and when the Interwebs came around it seemed a natural. You got hogs you iz a pig farmer - it's a Harley thing

No more bikes for me, sold my Wide Glide a couple years ago.

Current nice weather daily driver is a '68 Cutlass restomod. It's a blast to drive, I did lots of aftermarket stuff and it drives like it's on rails. Tons of fun. I had not realized the amount of aftermarket accessories for the S650 and that is an interesting tidbit I got from this thread & forum, it appeals to the shade tree mechanic in me.

Few weeks ago I was driving my wife's '21 Forester with her in it and our old girl dog in the back seat (fortunately with a harness that connects to a seat belt). From a stop I had just started a left turn when some stupid kid flew out of nowhere at high speed on a crotch rocket and WHAM! Destroyed the entire front end, every air bag went off. We didn't get a scratch - Subarus are good cars.

The bike went another 60 feet and the kid 20 past that, he skidded right into the apron of a fire station with EMTs sitting there watching the whole thing. He was yapping on the phone on a BT headset in his helmet. Much later we heard he got away with a broken arm and road rash. Dumbass.

My wife got totally spooked and I admit it made me rethink the fun daily driver. A Mustang looks like lots of fun and actually has safety features. I'm not overly attached to the Olds, as soon as I sell it and make room in the garage I'll order a Mustang. Right now I'm figuring out what that it.

Oh, BTW I'm all about manual trans but I've had several. Tat Olds has a Tremec 5 speed, there's a '69 'vette convertible 4-speed sitting next to it. Sticks can be tiring in traffic.

 

[Wiley Marmot]

Glad you guys didn't get hurt by the jerk on the bike!

I am retired and former biker (sport bikes) like you.

My GT is a grocery getter and cruiser with the occasional spirited curvy country road. Prem Pkg, Brembo option, 3.55 limited slip, 10 spd auto. Bought it off the lot when they told me it'd be 6-8 months to order/build/deliver. Didn't get the 6spd manual, PP, Magneride, or Recaros.

MEH! I wish I had the Recaros, and Magneride (really crap streets and roads around here) but considering the use my GT gets...................the manual and PP would have been wasted money. I've done some cosmetic stuff to the car and added wider wheels/tires for summer and another set with snows for winter.

Good luck with what ever you get and keep us posted!

PS: Welcome!

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