Which Model to Purchase???

[Stanzi]

So this is going to be my first Mustang.

Always been a Camaro guy- my last one being a 2018 Manual 1LE with Recaros.

Should have never sold that car lol…

but I digress.

I need some advice-

I can order a 2026, I have D Plan pricing, but finding a 25 with D plan AND $2650 rebates is super tempting.

My issue is that I am going to add the Ford Motorsport Recaros as well as the Ford Motorsport Supercharger at some point.

My goal was to find a 300A with Active Exhaust and PP, but those seem to not be anywhere in the country.

I have only found a couple 301A configured this way, and a few 400A equipped this way.

the heated/cooled seats are pointless for me as I’m going to add the recaros.

My dealer is having difficulty trading for pretty much anything- and I’m frustrated by how the 26’ has removed options:

300A and 301A had a damn flip mirror. In 2026. WTF. Is this a base Kia?

The 400A no longer comes with the connected curved screen smh…

Long post to say- if I were to just buy a base 300A with Active Exhaust in a 25, add the recaros, am I sacrificing reliability when adding the supercharger as I won’t have the oil cooler and larger radiators?

I was going to add them after the fact, except I’m reading that while they bolt on they cause issues as the tune doesn’t account for them and doesn’t read correctly.

Same for the wheels / tires and rear end gears. I understand I can’t just add them and change the system to adjust for proper operation.

Any advice on what to choose is helpful…

thanks all!

EDIT: I would love to have the Dark Horse. Unfortunately I'm limited to a budget close to $50k on the car for a number of reasons including Wife Acceptance Factor lol … so that’s not an option for me sadly.

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[RLE55]

Consider the DH w/700A and Handling Pack. This will give you all you want and need minus the SC and it will be better prepared for the SC once you add it.

 

[Farmer Fran]

Consider the DH w/700A and Handling Pack. This will give you all you want and need minus the SC and it will be better prepared for the SC once you add it.

And will handle like the SS 1LE. With the SC like a ZL1, not ZL1 1LE but still very well.

 

[Cz_Ziemniak]

Even with all the cooling mods, people report having issues with cooling after many whipple pulls. Shit runs hot.

I would still definitely add the Perf Pack though, my 2C. Even if you don't whipple it, the extra cooling really helps the base motor, and the brakes are a must.

 

[NegativeMultiplier]

So this is going to be my first Mustang.

Always been a Camaro guy- my last one being a 2018 Manual 1LE with Recaros.

Should have never sold that car lol…

but I digress.

I need some advice-

I can order a 2026, I have D Plan pricing, but finding a 25 with D plan AND $2650 rebates is super tempting.

My issue is that I am going to add the Ford Motorsport Recaros as well as the Ford Motorsport Supercharger at some point.

My goal was to find a 300A with Active Exhaust and PP, but those seem to not be anywhere in the country.

I have only found a couple 301A configured this way, and a few 400A equipped this way.

the heated/cooled seats are pointless for me as I’m going to add the recaros.

My dealer is having difficulty trading for pretty much anything- and I’m frustrated by how the 26’ has removed options:

300A and 301A had a damn flip mirror. In 2026. WTF. Is this a base Kia?

The 400A no longer comes with the connected curved screen smh…

Long post to say- if I were to just buy a base 300A with Active Exhaust in a 25, add the recaros, am I sacrificing reliability when adding the supercharger as I won’t have the oil cooler and larger radiators?

I was going to add them after the fact, except I’m reading that while they bolt on they cause issues as the tune doesn’t account for them and doesn’t read correctly.

Same for the wheels / tires and rear end gears. I understand I can’t just add them and change the system to adjust for proper operation.

Any advice on what to choose is helpful…

thanks all!

EDIT: I would love to have the Dark Horse. Unfortunately I'm limited to a budget close to $50k on the car for a number of reasons including Wife Acceptance Factor lol … so that’s not an option for me sadly.

Finding 300As in general is difficult. I asked my dealer to find me that or a 301A and nationwide he couldn't find much in the way of anything. I ended up in a 401A.

If you want a 2025, your best bet is to increase your budget by a few thousand. Otherwise, order a '26. That's not to say you won't find something, just that it's gonna be really hard.

 

[Upacurb]

How are you going to use the car?

Drag strip? autocross? track? cruising with an occasional pull for fun?

 

[Stanzi]

Consider the DH w/700A and Handling Pack. This will give you all you want and need minus the SC and it will be better prepared for the SC once you add it.

I would love to have the Dark Horse. Unfortunately I'm limited to a budget close to $50k on the car for a number of reasons including Wife Acceptance Factor lol … so that’s not an option for me sadly.

How are you going to use the car?

Drag strip? autocross? track? cruising with an occasional pull for fun?

cruising with spirited driving on those rare occasions- I’m in my 50’s and don’t Hot Rod my cars. On ramps and such you know ;-)

 

[Bikeman315]

For your purposes just go with one of those ‘25 301a cars with AE and PP. And forget the ’26. Less car most likely more money.

 

[Stanzi]

For your purposes just go with one of those ‘25 301a cars with AE and PP. And forget the ’26. Less car most likely more money.

That’s what I’m leaning towards. Appreciate the feedback. The dual screens don’t bother me quite honestly…

sure the single screen is nicer- but I don’t think it’s $4-5k nicer on the 25’s and $6k nicer on the 26’s.

Thanks for your thoughts

 

[Upacurb]

For your purposes just go with one of those ‘25 301a cars with AE and PP. And forget the ’26. Less car most likely more money.

I second this...... @Stanzi if just doing an occasional on ramp pull you will be fine with the 25 .......the supercharger make for fun on ramps and looks cool at cars and coffee and using it like that I wouldnt worry about cooling (not saying that in a negative way....I use my car in a similar fashion...in my early 50s)

 

[Stanzi]

I second this...... @Stanzi if just doing an occasional on ramp pull you will be fine with the 25 .......the supercharger make for fun on ramps and looks cool at cars and coffee and using it like that I wouldnt worry about cooling (not saying that in a negative way....I use my car in a similar fashion...in my early 50s)

Awesome. That’s what o was looking to hear. Would you say the PP and / or Actove Exhaust are musts then?

 

[Upacurb]

Awesome. That’s what o was looking to hear. Would you say the PP and / or Actove Exhaust are musts then?

Active Exhaust to me is a must.....
- its one of those things I didnt realize how much I would like until I got
-the dual tips on the S650 just look better in my opinion
Personally I wouldnt buy an S650 without active exhaust just based on the looks but thats just me

PP I could go either way on for the S650
On the S550 you got a different dash with different gauges which I thought looked cool - so on an S550 it was a must for me....
On the S650 not sure its worth it unless doing autocross/ tracking
Me personally I would probably leave it off and save the money to put towards the supercharger/ recaros

PS- I know different Mustang/my car is an S550...but I think they are the same based on the Dark Horse I drove.....but I LOVE my Recaros ....they look cool and extremely comfortable to me....I have done multiple road trips between Southern CA and Scottsdale (about 400 miles each way) and there are MANY things I dont like about my car on long road trips....well mostly the extreme tramlining......but the seats were comfortable the entire drive.....

 

[Stangerous]

Consider the DH w/700A and Handling Pack. This will give you all you want and need minus the SC and it will be better prepared for the SC once you add it.

Not getting that on a budget of 50k.

 

[AzkAdAsh]

If you can't find what you want in inventory, is ordering an option for you?

 

[Germansheperd]

Been through this stuff a hundred times- I’m going to tell you different.

With you being D-plan (I have been A/Z-plan my whole life) your situation plus the rebates makes buying different.

IF and IF you are going to add a blower and Recaros buy a car that already has PP/active exhaust/Recaros already. Doesn’t matter if it is a 301,400,401a car. You are buying a Mustang the second best way possible (I worked for a Ford dealership for 7 years).

Buy the car already set up it is usually cheaper and you are ready to go for mods- BUY ONCE, CRY ONCE.

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