Test drove Dark Horse … and something at cars n coffee that would DESTROY a GTD

[Upacurb]

Test drive 6m Dark Horse with handling pack and recaros
Edit - here is the car
Used 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse w/ Dark Horse Handlin Package for sale in Buena Park, CA 90621: Coupe Details - 727065844 - Autotrader

Had springs/ wheels- adding to the pros- really is a good looking car- I didnt like the front at first but has really grown on me...

pros
Got used to the dash after a while
Handling
It was used so don’t know if stock but the shifter was really nice
Sound from outside the car

cons
Too quiet inside the car
Steering … felt disconnected… shame because the turn in was
I see why people think a little slow for 500hp.. unless your foot is all the way down…pedal tuning needs tweaking ..
Car was a little too refined for my tastes
Interface wasn’t intuitive… also was slow

I would daily drive the heck out of one…the Recaros feel different then mine for some reason also… not good or bad

ok and for the smoking of the GTD … just another day at cars n coffee in so cal when Red Bull shows up with an RB19 lol

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[keithwalton]

Something looks off with that F1 car ... The wings look like they're from the F1 '22 concept car

 

[LoneRanger57]

Meh

 

[Dragster]

I see why people think a little slow for 500hp.. unless your foot is all the way down…pedal tuning needs tweaking ..

It's been a while since I sold my S550 and I haven't driven an S650 yet, but I seem to remember that these cars have a long pedal travel compared to other performance cars I've driven and owned. Like you said, you've really got to put your foot down to get to the power, and of course the throttle mapping has something to do with that as well.

Love the F1 car, and it's always cool to get to see them up close!

 

[GripTime]

Test drive 6m Dark Horse with handling pack and recaros
Edit - here is the car
Used 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse w/ Dark Horse Handlin Package for sale in Buena Park, CA 90621: Coupe Details - 727065844 - Autotrader

Had springs/ wheels- adding to the pros- really is a good looking car- I didnt like the front at first but has really grown on me...

pros
Got used to the dash after a while
Handling
It was used so don’t know if stock but the shifter was really nice
Sound from outside the car

cons
Too quiet inside the car
Steering … felt disconnected… shame because the turn in was
I see why people think a little slow for 500hp.. unless your foot is all the way down…pedal tuning needs tweaking ..
Car was a little too refined for my tastes
Interface wasn’t intuitive… also was slow

I would daily drive the heck out of one…the Recaros feel different then mine for some reason also… not good or bad

ok and for the smoking of the GTD … just another day at cars n coffee in so cal when Red Bull shows up with an RB19 lol

Well compare it to your GT350R! Let's hear your opinions.

My 2006 GT with LTH is so loud I just appreciate the refinement of the DH. Everything is so about what you are looking for. But, the handling to me is there. I did a Lotus track day with an Evora and the DH feels right up there. I am an average driver at best so take my opinion for what it is.

I love the looks though. I believe they nailed that front end with some of the colors on the S650.

 

[Upacurb]

Well compare it to your GT350R! Let's hear your opinions.

My 2006 GT with LTH is so loud I just appreciate the refinement of the DH. Everything is so about what you are looking for. But, the handling to me is there. I did a Lotus track day with an Evora and the DH feels right up there. I am an average driver at best so take my opinion for what it is.

I love the looks though. I believe they nailed that front end with some of the colors on the S650.

Dark Horse vs 350R
My test drive included several long sweeping and shorter slower speed corners on streets/ freeways I am familiar with so once warmed up- I did put it through its paces.....

OK - VooDoo vs Coyote - low RPM grunt vs high RPM scream - I absolutely love both motors but depending on what you like- I think choosing one is a personal thing. The gas pedal in the 350 is more sensitive so on initial touching of the pedal the 350 feels more responsive down low but as you put your foot all the way to the floor board there is no denying the Dark Horse feels like it has more grunt down low - this is then balance out by......if you drive the Dark Horse after the 350 you will feel like you are short shifting even though you are taking it to redline....the extra hp and RPM on the voodoo is undeniable just like the low RPM grunt of the Coyote ...these motors couldnt be more different and I can understand why some might not like the VooDoo's personality ...and some people might love it....

Handling - Touched on the steering earlier- but will say given the R is wearing the Carbon Fiber wheels- I was really impressed with the turn in on the Dark Horse..... I would say the capabilities of each were pretty much on par with each other

When it comes to handling probably the biggest difference was steering feel - that being said.....the 350R always feels nervous and on edge- very raw - but after doing some long trips with mine....the same thing that I love on the 350 makes it a pain on long trips- the Dark Horse is by far the better long distance car/ better daily driver ..... (both in track mode)

You can feel the extra few 100-150 pounds in the Dark Horse but throw it into a corner and it definitely sticks ...it just feels much more refined/ smoother compared to the R. The R feels like its constantly shouting feedback at you where as the Dark Horse.....I think the Dark Horse is closer in feel to the GT500 then to the 350 - smooth/ refined/ fast vs. raw/ screaming at you/ fast if that makes sense?

Probably part of that is driven by the noise- inside the car.....both with exhaust in track mode....my car has to be twice as loud easily....I mean its not even close ...the Dark Horse sounds really good but I was surprised about how much quieter it is inside the car....there has to be way more noise insulation in the Dark Horse which would be part of the extra refinement....

Interior - some parts on the 350 felt higher quality - some parts on the Dark Horse felt higher quality - ignoring the screen vs no screen thing - Ill call it a tie

If forced to choose - this is my personal opinion and in no way saying that one if definitively better then the other - the steering and the high RPM scream of the VooDoo would sway me for how I use my car - but I like my cars "on edge" some of you will have different opinions then myself....

If the 350 didnt exist - I would easily choose the Dark Horse over a Camaro or Challenger - in fact I would rather have the Dark Horse then a HellCat -

Its funny because if you watch the last few videos of 500 vs 350 on you tube- they are almost saying the same thing but with the 500 in place of the Dark Horse.....

People say the 500 and 350 are like two completely different cars- which after driving both they really are- and both are completely different then the GT....I feel like the Dark Horse is completely different then the GT but completely different then the 350 as well.... crazy all of these cars are on the same chassis ......

 

[GripTime]

Dark Horse vs 350R
My test drive included several long sweeping and shorter slower speed corners on streets/ freeways I am familiar with so once warmed up- I did put it through its paces.....

OK - VooDoo vs Coyote - low RPM grunt vs high RPM scream - I absolutely love both motors but depending on what you like- I think choosing one is a personal thing. The gas pedal in the 350 is more sensitive so on initial touching of the pedal the 350 feels more responsive down low but as you put your foot all the way to the floor board there is no denying the Dark Horse feels like it has more grunt down low - this is then balance out by......if you drive the Dark Horse after the 350 you will feel like you are short shifting even though you are taking it to redline....the extra hp and RPM on the voodoo is undeniable just like the low RPM grunt of the Coyote ...these motors couldnt be more different and I can understand why some might not like the VooDoo's personality ...and some people might love it....

Handling - Touched on the steering earlier- but will say given the R is wearing the Carbon Fiber wheels- I was really impressed with the turn in on the Dark Horse..... I would say the capabilities of each were pretty much on par with each other

When it comes to handling probably the biggest difference was steering feel - that being said.....the 350R always feels nervous and on edge- very raw - but after doing some long trips with mine....the same thing that I love on the 350 makes it a pain on long trips- the Dark Horse is by far the better long distance car/ better daily driver ..... (both in track mode)

You can feel the extra few 100-150 pounds in the Dark Horse but throw it into a corner and it definitely sticks ...it just feels much more refined/ smoother compared to the R. The R feels like its constantly shouting feedback at you where as the Dark Horse.....I think the Dark Horse is closer in feel to the GT500 then to the 350 - smooth/ refined/ fast vs. raw/ screaming at you/ fast if that makes sense?

Probably part of that is driven by the noise- inside the car.....both with exhaust in track mode....my car has to be twice as loud easily....I mean its not even close ...the Dark Horse sounds really good but I was surprised about how much quieter it is inside the car....there has to be way more noise insulation in the Dark Horse which would be part of the extra refinement....

Interior - some parts on the 350 felt higher quality - some parts on the Dark Horse felt higher quality - ignoring the screen vs no screen thing - Ill call it a tie

If forced to choose - this is my personal opinion and in no way saying that one if definitively better then the other - the steering and the high RPM scream of the VooDoo would sway me for how I use my car - but I like my cars "on edge" some of you will have different opinions then myself....

If the 350 didnt exist - I would easily choose the Dark Horse over a Camaro or Challenger - in fact I would rather have the Dark Horse then a HellCat -

Its funny because if you watch the last few videos of 500 vs 350 on you tube- they are almost saying the same thing but with the 500 in place of the Dark Horse.....

People say the 500 and 350 are like two completely different cars- which after driving both they really are- and both are completely different then the GT....I feel like the Dark Horse is completely different then the GT but completely different then the 350 as well.... crazy all of these cars are on the same chassis ......

Great comparison. I can't wait until I can get the opportunity to drive a 350. I have a friend of a friend who has one so there is a good chance. Your review also is similar to the DH Track Attack staff when I asked them to compare the two cars.

 

[GripTime]

There has been a huge amount of opinions on the DH vs 350 vs Mach vs 5.0. But you are the only person I believe I have heard from that has driven the DH and the 350 so finally a balanced opinion. Most people just talking from published specs and youtube reviews.

 

[Upacurb]

Great comparison. I can't wait until I can get the opportunity to drive a 350. I have a friend of a friend who has one so there is a good chance. Your review also is similar to the DH Track Attack staff when I asked them to compare the two cars.

If you get to drive it would love to see a write up from you as well! its still amazing how different all of these cars really are.... and yes lol I love it when people post stuff on here based on youtube reviews lol you really do have to experience each one to really understand.....

 

[JediMindTrix]

Dark Horse vs 350R
My test drive included several long sweeping and shorter slower speed corners on streets/ freeways I am familiar with so once warmed up- I did put it through its paces.....

OK - VooDoo vs Coyote - low RPM grunt vs high RPM scream - I absolutely love both motors but depending on what you like- I think choosing one is a personal thing. The gas pedal in the 350 is more sensitive so on initial touching of the pedal the 350 feels more responsive down low but as you put your foot all the way to the floor board there is no denying the Dark Horse feels like it has more grunt down low - this is then balance out by......if you drive the Dark Horse after the 350 you will feel like you are short shifting even though you are taking it to redline....the extra hp and RPM on the voodoo is undeniable just like the low RPM grunt of the Coyote ...these motors couldnt be more different and I can understand why some might not like the VooDoo's personality ...and some people might love it....

Handling - Touched on the steering earlier- but will say given the R is wearing the Carbon Fiber wheels- I was really impressed with the turn in on the Dark Horse..... I would say the capabilities of each were pretty much on par with each other

When it comes to handling probably the biggest difference was steering feel - that being said.....the 350R always feels nervous and on edge- very raw - but after doing some long trips with mine....the same thing that I love on the 350 makes it a pain on long trips- the Dark Horse is by far the better long distance car/ better daily driver ..... (both in track mode)

You can feel the extra few 100-150 pounds in the Dark Horse but throw it into a corner and it definitely sticks ...it just feels much more refined/ smoother compared to the R. The R feels like its constantly shouting feedback at you where as the Dark Horse.....I think the Dark Horse is closer in feel to the GT500 then to the 350 - smooth/ refined/ fast vs. raw/ screaming at you/ fast if that makes sense?

Probably part of that is driven by the noise- inside the car.....both with exhaust in track mode....my car has to be twice as loud easily....I mean its not even close ...the Dark Horse sounds really good but I was surprised about how much quieter it is inside the car....there has to be way more noise insulation in the Dark Horse which would be part of the extra refinement....

Interior - some parts on the 350 felt higher quality - some parts on the Dark Horse felt higher quality - ignoring the screen vs no screen thing - Ill call it a tie

If forced to choose - this is my personal opinion and in no way saying that one if definitively better then the other - the steering and the high RPM scream of the VooDoo would sway me for how I use my car - but I like my cars "on edge" some of you will have different opinions then myself....

If the 350 didnt exist - I would easily choose the Dark Horse over a Camaro or Challenger - in fact I would rather have the Dark Horse then a HellCat -

Its funny because if you watch the last few videos of 500 vs 350 on you tube- they are almost saying the same thing but with the 500 in place of the Dark Horse.....

People say the 500 and 350 are like two completely different cars- which after driving both they really are- and both are completely different then the GT....I feel like the Dark Horse is completely different then the GT but completely different then the 350 as well.... crazy all of these cars are on the same chassis ......

Loved the write up, and I came back with similar take aways since I was big on the S550's, Mach-1 and especially the GT350. I was on the fence about getting a DH when they first came out because of the price differential with mark up so I ended up with the GT back in august of 23' while cross shopping the Mach-1 and 350. Since then, I've been able to drive a DH HP on the track and it felt like a different vehicle going around the road course in a very positive way. I put an order in for a manual DH HP the next day! I do appreciate the upgrades on the DH over the Mach-1 but still don't appreciate the price which is why if a perfect spec super low milage Mach-1 comes along I might opt for that instead. Overall, you've nailed it on the head in the most unbiased way.

 

[BigSid]

Dark Horse vs 350R
My test drive included several long sweeping and shorter slower speed corners on streets/ freeways I am familiar with so once warmed up- I did put it through its paces.....

Thanks for the detailed comparison!

 

[Mr Hyde]

The S 650's have an intentionally slaggy throttle. It is not running 1:1 its more like 4:1 or greater depending on the drive mode. I have an amazon cheapie throttle tuner which helps alot. The 350's are still beastly cars. It would be a hard choice though i think id go with the 350 in the end.

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