chasing my tail and it's driving me nuts

[PONY LOVER]

I'm in a similar situation. We traded our Velocity Blue 2019 GT in on a Bronco Sport for the wife. I didn't drive it from Thanksgiving to Easter so I didn't think it would be that big of a sacrifice. WRONG!!!! I'm planning on ordering a 2027 GT once the 2027 specs come out. My 1st car was a red 1967 fastback with a C code 289 & 3sp M/T that I bought for $750 in 1975. This is to be my 60 year tribute to it. I'm planning on Premium 401A with Bronze Package, active exhaust & the B & O audio. I'm weighing 6sp vs A/T pros & cons. I loved the manual in the 2019 & my wife loves shifting gears herself. But driving in heavy traffic (our grandkids live in the Dallas suburbs) can be a bitch. I'm leaning 6sp, but......does the occasional PITA overrule the manual experience? I wish Ford would hurry up & release the 2027 order guide.

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[lcseds]

I live in a beach area. More traffic in summer with plenty of bumper to bumper. But honestly, when I drove several sticks back when, I didn't give it much thought. It was the car I owned and I just drove it. And I mean Chevy Chevette, Chevy Citation, Newer Chevy Nova. Those were not exciting to drive but I didn't bitch. Now I had an auto 2025 GT for a few months recently. Sold it and have a 2026 6sp GT coming in the next week or two. It's going to be pure fun for me, with traffic or without.

 

[glenng6]

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.

That happens very often. I got the Premium GT convertible. It doesn't have Magneride or PP, and I don't miss them. The car handles and rides amazingly! I do think, based on not wanting to track or drag race, that the Dark Horse will scratch all your itches because it basically comes with Magneride and is better than the PP. I bet you would be happy with the GT Premium, 401a package, and active exhaust! Good luck with whatever your decision. Glenn

 

[AZ_Ryan]

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

The PP is a track oriented upgrade with the addition of extra cooling, a torsen rear diff and optional magnaride. There is no difference in the driveline.

IMO the only reason to get the PP is to occasionally track the car or utilize the extra cooling for forced induction. Magnaride is nice but an expensive option that isnt really noticeable in daily driving.

Not trying to steer you either way, just laying out some basics. If you want the PP then get it. But if you like the PP wheels and spoiler they can easily be added at any GT. Just something to consider.

 

[AZ_Ryan]

Won't add ponies, but the traction and launch controls make for a better jump off the line

They all have the same launch controls. Wider wheels is the only difference.

 

[AZ_Ryan]

I do think, based on not wanting to track or drag race, that the Dark Horse will scratch all your itches because it basically comes with Magneride and is better than the PP.

Sorry I dont follow this logic. The DH is a track car. Which is an upgrade over the PP, which itself is a base GT with track upgrades. If you aren't wanting to track the car, why recommend the top tier track optioned car?

 

[pigfarmer]

I'm leaning 6sp, but......does the occasional PITA overrule the manual experience?

It's going to be pure fun for me, with traffic or without.

Hence the tail chasing.

One reason I started looking at the DH is that they seem to be easier to find sitting on dealer lots and they do have the most if not all the options I'd pick. That would eliminate a lot of headache.

There's a '26 DH auto that has the color combo I want and a DH manual that does not but both are available for a test drive. I think the are both DH Premium and to be honest a lot of the comfort and convenience features I don't care much about. We have a Crosstrek with heated seats and I had an old Saab 900S that had them and I never once used them. Again, my DD is a '68 so in some sense those features are casting pearls before swine.

One thing is for certain - I need a test drive even if its in one of the Ecoboosts that seem to be all over dealer lots to see if I fit. I'm 6'3" and not fat and don't really expect a problem but you don't know until you try it. If I can fit in that 'vette I can probably fit in one of these. In the '69 I have to wear a certain pair of sneakers so my big feet don't hit multiple pedals at once, I am curious about the layout in an S650.

I bet you would be happy with the GT Premium, 401a package, and active exhaust!

Agreed.

It doesn't have Magneride or PP, and I don't miss them.

Magnaride is nice but an expensive option that isnt really noticeable in daily driving

Interesting ^^^

The other side to the 'do it once with no regret' coin is 'you went nuts looking for things that you really didn't need'. This is where I started chasing my tail

I am also thinking that a modern Mustang will drive and brake extremely well out of the box considering what I am used to and would probably be fine for what I am doing around here.

What gave me second thoughts about a manual is that we have a Subaru Crosstrek with paddle shifters. Granted it's a CVT and is a fun, zippy little car but manually shifting that thing is not exciting. A modern car with a 6-speed will be much more user friendly than the '68 or '69 I have now.

I will get that Cutlass on the market by month's end and see where this all goes. Again, I literally have nowhere to put another car so something has to give.

 

[Sofa King]

... I literally have nowhere to put another car so something has to give.

I laugh every time I see you posting this or something similar... I have the same problem... I got the S650 Mustang almost 3 years ago... the 3 year itch to get something new is starting again, but I haven't fallen out of love with the Mustang. I have more cars than I need, but it is so hard to let go... I take after my father there, though his solution was to build another garage... and those wheels have been turning too!

 

[Dark Sprite]

Hence the tail chasing.

One reason I started looking at the DH is that they seem to be easier to find sitting on dealer lots and they do have the most if not all the options I'd pick. That would eliminate a lot of headache.

There's a '26 DH auto that has the color combo I want and a DH manual that does not but both are available for a test drive. I think the are both DH Premium and to be honest a lot of the comfort and convenience features I don't care much about. We have a Crosstrek with heated seats and I had an old Saab 900S that had them and I never once used them. Again, my DD is a '68 so in some sense those features are casting pearls before swine.

One thing is for certain - I need a test drive even if its in one of the Ecoboosts that seem to be all over dealer lots to see if I fit. I'm 6'3" and not fat and don't really expect a problem but you don't know until you try it. If I can fit in that 'vette I can probably fit in one of these. In the '69 I have to wear a certain pair of sneakers so my big feet don't hit multiple pedals at once, I am curious about the layout in an S650.



Agreed.





Interesting ^^^

The other side to the 'do it once with no regret' coin is 'you went nuts looking for things that you really didn't need'. This is where I started chasing my tail

I am also thinking that a modern Mustang will drive and brake extremely well out of the box considering what I am used to and would probably be fine for what I am doing around here.

What gave me second thoughts about a manual is that we have a Subaru Crosstrek with paddle shifters. Granted it's a CVT and is a fun, zippy little car but manually shifting that thing is not exciting. A modern car with a 6-speed will be much more user friendly than the '68 or '69 I have now.

I will get that Cutlass on the market by month's end and see where this all goes. Again, I literally have nowhere to put another car so something has to give.

I am slightly taller than you and fit in the Mustang DH (normal seats) absolutely fine, I can even fit one of my little people behind me (although have to turn off easy entry/exit to avoid tears when they are riding with me!).

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