Upgrade Non PP?

[BGM]

Considering a new GT at some point soon, so I was curious if anyone has gone non-performance pack to start, and then modded handling components later. I've obviously seen that the cost of the package is less than it would be to get the parts individually, but:

- I plan to daily drive it (typically do very short commute in small town or straight highway driving)
- Coming from the '13 V6, it will be awhile before I get bored with it I think
- Not really near a track and don't have time or money to really track it
- If I do decide it is too soft, it seems like I could just add, for example, the street or track performance packages from Ford Racing for when I do venture into the country a little bit. (Don't think I need a bigger radiator or brakes for that.)

So basically, I feel like the performance package would be a waste of money, mostly grinding up expensive tires and brakes just bumming around town.

But, I'm curious if anyone agrees/disagrees with my logic. I think "unique chassis tuning" is listed in the package, so perhaps something like that is essential (or negligible?)

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[HoosierDaddy]

Not understanding the logic about the cost of the PP and the performance gains not being worth it but the cost of more expensive aftermarket parts later will be.

Not getting PP if you don't want the performance or expense makes sense to me.

Not getting PP because you want more performance than the PP and will go more extreme with aftermarket makes sense to me.

Not getting it because you don't want/need the performance but will someday spend even more for equal or better performance doesn't make sense to me.

 

[Kahboom]

For the price of the PP its hard too beat, especially if you are not going too mod much of anything. A lotof other people choose the auto over a GTPP since its just a manual. It takes some loving and aaftermarket parts and fluids for the MT82 to be a livable transmission to deal with.

 

[ForTehNguyen]

sounds like you wouldnt utilize it, dont go for it then.

 

[mustang1]

I mainly miss the Oil Pressure gauge and the Brembo brakes. And maybe the better radiator, considering its hot around here.

The Brembo's and the 15" rotors will look cool even if you don't need them. However, in PA, you probably won't want the summer tires that come with the PP and last I looked, replacement tires for the PP wheel size are expensive. And that's assuming you want to keep the PP wheels. Personally I would be strongly tempted by the aftermarket. Which are also expensive. See photo below.

If you get a base Mustang, tires for the 18x8 are cheap. Which may be a consideration if you want to put winter tires on the car in winter.

If you shop for a base, look for 3.55 gears and a spare tire.

 

[SpeedLu]

Aftermarket pieces are much better than the Performance Pack upgrades. Many PP guys end up putting better suspension and lighter rims on their cars anyway. That said, if you don't plan on ever upgrading the suspension then the PP is a fine choice and better than the Base gear. It all depends on how far into modding you want to get. If you want a blank slate to work with then get a Base.

 

[jasonstang]

I you gonna lower and mod, just get the regular GT and mod.

 

[foghat]

I you gonna lower and mod, just get the regular GT and mod.

I don't know. Suspension parts and wheels aside, while I haven't priced it out, I suspect the brakes, rad, diff and guages alone are probably pretty close the price of admission.

 

[timd38]

I wanted an auto, so got a GT premium CS, got a big splitter, strut brace and then added the Brembos. The front bar is the same on PP and non-PP, but the rear is different. If you go with a square set like I did, you won't want to change the bar anyway.

 

[MyFirst5.0]

if you are keeping it stock, get the PP. i knew i was getting wheels, suspension, sways and most dont really like the 3.73s. to each their own, drive both see what suits you

 

[Furious D]

If Ford ends up buying back my EB, I'm considering a GT as a replacement.

The wifey put her foot down that it had to be automatic so that she could drive it.

I'm sure she won't soften her stance on a GT either, so that's why I wont be getting a PP :lol:

 

[Bluemustang]

Considering a new GT at some point soon, so I was curious if anyone has gone non-performance pack to start, and then modded handling components later. I've obviously seen that the cost of the package is less than it would be to get the parts individually, but:

- I plan to daily drive it (typically do very short commute in small town or straight highway driving)
- Coming from the '13 V6, it will be awhile before I get bored with it I think
- Not really near a track and don't have time or money to really track it
- If I do decide it is too soft, it seems like I could just add, for example, the street or track performance packages from Ford Racing for when I do venture into the country a little bit. (Don't think I need a bigger radiator or brakes for that.)

So basically, I feel like the performance package would be a waste of money, mostly grinding up expensive tires and brakes just bumming around town.

But, I'm curious if anyone agrees/disagrees with my logic. I think "unique chassis tuning" is listed in the package, so perhaps something like that is essential (or negligible?)

I just did pretty much that. I added BMR springs, sways, vert links, toe rods, cradle lockout, Koni yellow shocks/struts and FR strut tower/cowl brace. And also Gibson exhaust. This is on a base GT auto that I bought new. I wanted the PP but did not want a manual for own reasons. I drive it everyday but I was somewhat let down by some of the characteristics of the car, such as:

Body float, body roll, wheel hop, unpredictable handling accelerating hard through sharp corners. It tends to bounce around sometimes. The car corners well, but the deflection all over the place, particularly from the rear of the car, holds it back.

Now with these mods, the car feels completely different. The handling is crisp, and the car feels really planted and super connected now. A lot more confidence inspiring. Body roll in corners and over bumps is gone. There's no bounce after hitting a bump either. Even with my lame Pirelli 18" tires, it hooks. New tires will be needed to get the most out of it but it is, just great.. And wheel hop is pretty much gone too. And I can feel with the sway bars, it's just asking you to take it faster.

If you're think it's worth it to you- I absolutely say do it. I didn't install the parts so I had a Mustang shop do it and glad I did. Even just after two days it's a different car. Immediately I could feel a difference and each drive has been a blast! Can't wait to learn it more and drive it.

This car is not your average muscle car anymore it means business. I did this because I'm going to keep this car many years. I love what Ford did with this Mustang. It's an unbelievable car for 30 grand. With some improvements it's a beast. I love the car and now I've made it even better. For me I will get more enjoyment out of it and so therefore it is worth it.


Btw, I also came from a 2013 V6! This was my first Mustang, this is my 2nd and probably won't be my last.

 

[MJS-P51]

I love my Brembos, the tower brace and the 3.73's. These alone were worth the price of the PP package to me.....and the bigger radiator is an added bonus too. Painted Brembos provide great aesthetics with or without aftermarket rims so much so that if I didn't have them I'd be jealous of PP owners lol.

 

[SpeedLu]

If Ford ends up buying back my EB, I'm considering a GT as a replacement.

The wifey put her foot down that it had to be automatic so that she could drive it.

I'm sure she won't soften her stance on a GT either, so that's why I wont be getting a PP :lol:

Bro give me your mancard.

I'm going to teach your wife how to drive stick. Afterwards you can have your mancard back and then go buy your PP GT.

 

[BGM]

Not understanding the logic about the cost of the PP and the performance gains not being worth it but the cost of more expensive aftermarket parts later will be.

Not getting PP if you don't want the performance or expense makes sense to me.

Not getting PP because you want more performance than the PP and will go more extreme with aftermarket makes sense to me.

Not getting it because you don't want/need the performance but will someday spend even more for equal or better performance doesn't make sense to me.

Appreciate all of the feedback!

To address the first & last points here: I don't see it as a 100% certainty that I would feel compelled to upgrade, and in fact, I think it is more likely, based on the usage factors described, that I would be more likely to be frustrated by the PP on a day-to-day basis (gearing, more expensive wear parts, etc.) However, if that assessment is wrong, it appears like there are options that might suffice for less than the cost of the PP (i.e. Ford handling packs) or, at worst, I spend a little more to get comparable performance.

Put another way, I see the consequences of getting the PP and being bothered by the negatives as greater than the consequences of not getting it and then deciding after a year or two I want to stiffen it up or something. In the former, I get rid of the car or make more mods and end up eating A LOT of money. In the latter, I might spend a little more money or might not get the best value, but at least I didn't buy anything I didn't like/want/need. Perhaps slightly irrational, but I'd live with my choice better if I spend more "growing into it" as opposed to buying extra performance capability I can't use.

However, I must admit I am weary about the slippery slope of modding, so the "just get the PP" thought does resonate with me. I want the best value, hence why I am a little torn.

Next order of business would be to find a PP around here for a test drive. Unfortunately Ford dealers are sparse around here, and Mustangs are a little sparser, so there isn't one around the corner at the moment.

FWIW, this past weekend I test drove a BMW 228i, Ecoboost auto, GT auto and V6 Camaro (Camaro SS eliminated due to monster base price). The GT pretty much won when I turned it on. The EcoBoost is nice, but it's not the GT. Missed not being able to shift. Loved how the Camaro drove and the easy transmission, but the visibility, styling and smaller trunk and back seat are minuses. BMW was kinda boring/not a great value to me. So at least I know I want zero in on a GT.

Thanks again all!

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