Is the handling package a rare option on the Dark Horse?

[tktrain]

Yes! The most visible distinctions of the handling package from the standard non-handling package Dark Horse is a bigger rear wing with gurney flap, a more aggressive front splitter and fatter tires. The tires with the handling package are Pirelli P Zero RS 315/30R19 wide in the rear and 305/30R19 in front. Less visible distinctions of the handling package include an engine oil cooler, a magnetic damping suspension, adjustable strut mounts, revised chassis tuning, differential cooler and front towing hooks.

My non-HP 2025 DH Premium Says it has engine/transmission/differential coolers right on the window sticker.

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[mrnavy2]

My non-HP 2025 DH Premium Says it has engine/transmission/differential coolers right on the window sticker.

Mine also does.

 

[w.gil2024]

https://www.mustang7g.com/forums/threads/unofficial-dark-horse-registry-add-your-dark-horse.162021/

Even though this is a small sample size, it seems to be on average, about 40-45% of people that bothered to put their info into the unofficial registry, have the handling pack. Overall numbers could be way different of course.

My DH has the handling pack, and though the ride is stiff in some ways, I wouldn't trade it for anything. It has a very aggressive appearance and I like it.

 

[JimiHendrix]

Look - the more AGGRESSIVE stance, larger wheels and tires, and other Mach1 and GT500 goodies passed on the the DarkHorse was worth the extra money for me.

Plus, they are chassis serialized and as you know the cheaper variant IS NOT

 

[Redrobin9965]

I ordered my 2025 Dark Horse Premium with the handling package back in September of 2024. With the supply issues related to the handling package and the water intrusion recall, I didn’t get it until November of 2025, more than a year after I ordered it.

I am told that the due to these issues and also due to low demand, the handling package is a rarely chosen option on Dark Horses, making these Dark Horses extremely rare. Does anybody know about Ford’s production numbers for the handling package on the Dark Horse?

I ordered my 2025 Dark Horse Premium with the handling package back in September of 2024. With the supply issues related to the handling package and the water intrusion recall, I didn’t get it until November of 2025, more than a year after I ordered it.

I am told that the due to these issues and also due to low demand, the handling package is a rarely chosen option on Dark Horses, making these Dark Horses extremely rare. Does anybody know about Ford’s production numbers for the handling package on the Dark Horse?

I just bought a new with 4 miles 2025 Black Dark Horse with the HP premium no recaro which I didn't want and automatic. I paid 69,836 plus fees originally listed for 79,000.00 on car sales online. I tracked down the dealership that had he wanted 75,000. I told him text me when you can't sell it. Then over a week goes by and I was looking online at BMW M2. I looked up the dealership with the dark horse. It was under 70,000.00. So I am trading in my 14 Shelby Gt500 for it. I had a mini stroke and my left arm is messed up plus a left hip replacement that didn't go well. I am not going to mod it just my daily going to Doctors. I tried buying a ford bronco the baby version. I had it 3 months and I was falling asleep driving it. The best part when I traded in for the shelby. The dealership gave me 46,000.00 and I paid 42,000.00. If you remember a while back dealerships need used vehicles they were desperate. I traded in my 2019 Bullit for 45,000.00 after 3 years of owning it. I paid 46,000.00 and the dealership bought all my parts that I replaced with mods 2,600.00.

 

[5LTR550]

I do not think they release numbers by options other than color and transmission but I could be wrong.

Go Birds! ??

Go Birds!1 that is all…

 

[Redrobin9965]

Owning a rare or unique car can be enjoyable in many ways. But the Owner will lose money like everyone else.

Before and into the debut of the Mach 1, we were dealing with COVID. Shortly after its debut, Ukraine was invaded by Russia. Both events had meaningful impacts on supply chains and manufacturing. Shortages and delays abound across several industries.

The Mach 1 Registry at the 6G site shows the following % of Owners who received the HP option:

2021: 33%

2022: 57%

2023: 24%. The 2023 Model Year (MY) was abbreviated, to make way for the 7G.

Overall, 41% of those registered received the HP kit.

I'm making several assumptions on the following...each MY saw chassis numbers of about 6,000, for a total of 18,000 Machs. Using the 41% figure, that'd be 7,380 with the HP kit. Is that rare? Some would think so. Others, not. Color can make a huge difference, not immediately in price, but in availability.

6G HP Machs command a bit more than non-HP models. About the cost of the HP option itself. Machs seem to be holding their value a bit better than GTs. But like any vehicle, they're depreciating. Fighter Jet Grey, Shadow Black, Iconic Silver made up close to 75% of production. Finding an non-HP or HP in those colors is easy. Finding one in GBM, Mischievous Purple, Race Red, Yellow or Orange can be very difficult. Long-term, I expect the more common colors to be priced lower, but by how much, IDK. The less common colors should become increasingly difficult to locate.

IMO, long-term, as in decades, vehicles in-general become rare for the following reasons:

- They were kept original*
- They were well-maintained
- They were well-documented
- They continue to operate

*Several mods are acceptable, if easily reversible and the original parts were kept. Trying to find some OEM pieces years later can be a serious challenge

For the people that did keep their cars and keep them well, some could be quite valuable in sale price. But when subtracting for insurance, maintenance, registration and inflation, it's difficult to see the original owner profiting, if breaking even. It is cool to keep and enjoy something unique. But I've never considered anything remotely resembling a profit, in my current car or others I'd considered.

Before I received Skye, I looked into purchasing a Grade 1 or Grade 2 K-code, 1G car. But I couldn't get the financials to work. You'd think something like that would continue to appreciate. It does and it doesn't. It still needs to be maintained. Insurance cost will increase as value does. And the recently-restored, like-new car begins depreciating, when considering other vehicles which were restored even more recently. While I would of loved having one, keeping it would have cost me more than what I have now. As to the people doing the restorations, finding a good, complete car to restore is a big hurdle. And then so much money to restore it. It's not cheap. The final numbers can look big, but the costs getting there are almost equally as large.

Returning to production numbers, I don't expect to see those for a few more years. Marti Reports provides verified numbers, but they publish years after-the-fact. Marti is currently publishing up to the 2020 MY.

if you don't drive your car in the rain you will get more money for it!!

 

[DHorse24]

Good discussion and details. For anyone involved with these topics in the future, ask for (if buyer) or present (if seller), the window sticker; it will confirm if the car was built with the HP kit or not. VINs do not identify the option.

Yes, I learned that mines is a 701A by the door sticker that has the tire size.

 

[mrnavy2]

Yes, I learned that mines is a 701A by the door sticker that has the tire size.

How does it show on the Door Sticker? Does it just show 701A?

 

[DHorse24]

How does it show on the Door Sticker? Does it just show 701A?

Well, no but, the tire size is for handling packages? The 600A is the standard DH with

 

[DHorse24]

Sorry, 700A is Handling pack and 600a is Standard.

 

[DHorse24]

How does it show on the Door Sticker? Does it just show 701A?

Sorry, 700A? If the tires are 300 and up.

 

[DHorse24]

Sorry, 700A? If the tires are 300 and up.

It is always going to be like everyone on the thread is replying with fender flares, splitter, Gurney and larger stock tires to know which is which. The retail sticker is a good point when buying a Premium.

 

[Skye]

How does it show on the Door Sticker? Does it just show 701A?

I thought @DHorse24 meant Window Sticker.

So the door placard will reference tire size. And from that, it's another tell if the car was produced as a base or HP. But the placard will not define other options.

Another good reference when scrutinizing is the order guide for that Model Year.

https://www.mustang7g.com/forums/attachments/5-2-23-2024-mustang-order-guide-pdf.562064/

For 2024, it looks like the HP option was possible with either the 600 or 700 trim level.

 

[DHorse24]

I thought @DHorse24 meant Window Sticker.

So the door placard will reference tire size. And from that, it's another tell if the car was produced as a base or HP. But the placard will not define other options.

Another good reference when scrutinizing is the order guide for that Model Year.

https://www.mustang7g.com/forums/attachments/5-2-23-2024-mustang-order-guide-pdf.562064/

For 2024, it looks like the HP option was possible with either the 600 or 700 trim level.

Only helping with the things I have learned on the track and owning one. It so fun taking corners at 65-70!

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