valentinoamoro
Well-Known Member
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- #1
Most of us love our Stangs, I do. It's a beast. With the mods I've done, its insane. That said, as a car enthusiast the mind drifts and I often think about other cars that I would add to my stable to complement or replace the Mustang. In reality, I'm unlikely to do this even though I've owned this car for longer than others (4+ years!) and I really enjoy it, its literally in pristine condition. Sharing my list and want to hear yours!
First - why my Stang is not perfect (no car is). I love the handling, suspension feel, speed and sound (intoxicating), looks, interior, long distance comfort, huge trunk, good visibility and ergonomics. I have only two minor complaints.
1) Back seats are a PITA with my toddler (YOGA GURUs can apply) - the rear seat is set back deep in from the door and the sloping roof line means I keep hitting my head on the glass and roof. I struggle to get out of it with the toddler in my arms. That said, he will be moving to front facing child seats soon so theres that.
2) I'd like more steering feedback from the front. It's super precise with the mods I've done and much lighter feeling (considering two piece rotors to drop more unsprung weight), but feedback is meh. I'm going to go with the lateral ball joints and bumpsteer kit to address as many people have mentioned it makes a huge difference.
What FUN I've eyed (new cars only), why and why not. It's subjective so realize many will think there are some odd ones here!
1) Civic R (Replace) - Civic R is 4 doors and more practical. Does NOT drive like a FWD thanks to Honda's black magic. Not as fast in a straight line but very good handling. Easier to drive all out than Mustang in twisty roads (or any RWD car for that matter). I challenge most to keep up with this car on a narrow backroad, I know I cant. The GT will take it on most tracks (except the very tight ones) with the stock PPs and I suspec the new High Performance Ecoboost will also do the same (not comparing modifications like mine as the sky is the limit on both cars).
Why not: FWD, FWD! Ugh. FWD (for what is a LOT of money for FWD). Sound is shitty. They took the bold design and went overboard, too many fake busy design elements and the wing is too big. It's hard to trade a sonorous V8 for a 4 cylinder T. Dealer markups.
Verdict: Dialed In from the factory. Clean up the design and make a lightweight AWD version (if its going to cost this much).
2) BMW M2 Competition (Replace)- With the M3's Inline 6, there is a lot of power and the same boisterous rowdy nature that our Stangs have. It's more agile feeling from the factory although with my mods that difference is gone and my GT has more feedback from the suspension (the only difference I notice is the front end is more quick to turn in and it feels lighter when pushed in turns Vs my GT). Rear seats are weirdly enough more easy to access. Back end oversteer is easier to manage as its more progressive.
Why not: I dont think its a 60K car. AT ALL. Rubbery shifter. Numb steering. BMW's are built to be disposable (I owned an M6), the turbo's are even worse. Doesnt really feel like an upgrade to the GT. Exhaust note is just not great.
Verdict: Price to performance ratio is not worth it. BMW is working to improve their steering in their newer platforms, jury is out.
3) Tesla Model 3 Dual Motor(Replace) - HOLY SHIT. Forget this cars official power figure. The throttle response and acceleration is SUPER QUICK. This car feels waaay quicker than its power to weight ratio suggests. Feels much quicker <50 mph than my GT. I like the interior and the exterior is not bad. VERY PRACTICAL, lots of storage. The hyper-quick steering has no feel but better turn in than Mustang.
Why not: Tesla nickles and dimes you with options. Any color thats nice is $$. So are the wheels. The real range is not 320 miles like advertised. You are supposed to charge to 90% to protect battery. Additionally, those ranges are stated at <60mph on freeway. My friends who drive the Model 3 Dual Motor like I drive my Stang are getting ~200 miles. In the winter, even WORSE. Understeers when you push really push it and does not want to oversteer on throttle. Super intrusive ESP. Acceleration quickly tapers out at 60mph, where my Stang is just getting started.
Verdict: Wait, these electric cars are getting exponentially better every year.
4) Shelby GT 350 R (Replace): Need not say more in a Mustang forum. This car is as good as it gets south of the 911 GT3 RS.
Why not: Dealer markups, concerns with long term reliability of the Voodoo and replacement costs if things go south. Oil consumption. Still has the backseat issue of my GT. A bit too wide for Seattle roads like my neighborhood.
Verdict: The best, but will keep me up at night, same rear seat access issue.
5) Camaro SS 1LE (Replace): Superb track ready (looking at your GT PP2) car for a reasonable price. I believe it has a HUD, which I like and want. The pre-refresh 1LE is nice looking although I prefer the pre-refresh Stang more. I dont like the post refresh designs of either (except the sexy Bullitt!)
Why not: This has been covered extensively here. TOTALLY IMPRACTICAL. Who the F makes a car this large with so little occupant and rear trunk room. It's ridiculous. Dark dungeon like feel with really high belt line. Same stupid rear seat access as my Stang, but worse space in the back. Horrible ergonomics including an idiotic and ugly tilted screen. GM screwed it up. A bit rough around the edges.
Verdict: A VERY FLAWED superhero. The compromises are too much. Pass.
6) Hyundai Veloster N (Compliment): This is a surprise entry. It's not as capable as the Type R, but more fun. The steering has more feedback and the car is more playful, but sacrificed outright speed. 3rd door makes it easy with the kid, although the rear is still for children (fine by me). Super cheap to buy and maintain, Hyundai has a 10 year warranty, so can keep Stang as well. The famous ex head of BMW's M division was responsible for this car. I like its looks.
Why not: Not reasons really. Yes, the interior is very functional but super cheap feeling. Yes, its FWD. But its a cheap car that rotates and that I wont mind beating on! Ugh, this one is tough. I dont care about badge snobbery but I can see many who wont do it. No heritage.
Verdict: Very tempting. No real negatives. Get to keep the Stang. Hmmmmmmmmm...
7) Kia Stinger/Genesis G70 3.3 T (Replace): I havent driven the Genesis. Both are 4 door practical sports sedans. Lovely looks, great warranties, reliability should be solid, powerful engines, AWD option (with 90% to rear torque lock option coming next year and rear mechanical LSD in AWD). The Stinger has a MASSIVE HATCH.
Why not: The current Stinger is very softly sprung and damped, the rear jiggles and wallows. The body is NOT stiff, it needs more bracing. I think the big rear hatch is a cause for this. Engine note is meh. There are hardly any Genesis dealers here so forget that car.
Verdict: Not dialed in enough but watch these cars.
8) Mazda Miata RF 2019 (Complement): Light, high revving engine, proper sporty car thats just fun, accessible, playful. It's really one of the best sports cars you can buy and doesnt take itself too seriously. I like the RF. You can get Brembo brakes, BBS wheels, Recaro seats now.
Why not: If I get another car to complement mine it better have usable rear seats given where I am in life. Wife and dad both think they are ridiculous toy-like feminine cars, go figure. No other negatives, this is a GREAT car.
Verdict: Want but not now.
9) Lexus GSF (Replace): Roomy, lovely engine, composed chassis that handles well but is very comfortable, great turn in, one of the best sports sedans made, top quality interior. A true work of mastery. Toyota and Lexus are the most reliable cars in the world.
Why not: EXTREMELY numb but nicely weighted and responsive steering, low torque for a heavy sedan, looks are meh, feels 20K too expensive. Maybe a bit boring.
Verdict: The practical choice, but I just cant sell the Stang for it.
First - why my Stang is not perfect (no car is). I love the handling, suspension feel, speed and sound (intoxicating), looks, interior, long distance comfort, huge trunk, good visibility and ergonomics. I have only two minor complaints.
1) Back seats are a PITA with my toddler (YOGA GURUs can apply) - the rear seat is set back deep in from the door and the sloping roof line means I keep hitting my head on the glass and roof. I struggle to get out of it with the toddler in my arms. That said, he will be moving to front facing child seats soon so theres that.
2) I'd like more steering feedback from the front. It's super precise with the mods I've done and much lighter feeling (considering two piece rotors to drop more unsprung weight), but feedback is meh. I'm going to go with the lateral ball joints and bumpsteer kit to address as many people have mentioned it makes a huge difference.
What FUN I've eyed (new cars only), why and why not. It's subjective so realize many will think there are some odd ones here!
1) Civic R (Replace) - Civic R is 4 doors and more practical. Does NOT drive like a FWD thanks to Honda's black magic. Not as fast in a straight line but very good handling. Easier to drive all out than Mustang in twisty roads (or any RWD car for that matter). I challenge most to keep up with this car on a narrow backroad, I know I cant. The GT will take it on most tracks (except the very tight ones) with the stock PPs and I suspec the new High Performance Ecoboost will also do the same (not comparing modifications like mine as the sky is the limit on both cars).
Why not: FWD, FWD! Ugh. FWD (for what is a LOT of money for FWD). Sound is shitty. They took the bold design and went overboard, too many fake busy design elements and the wing is too big. It's hard to trade a sonorous V8 for a 4 cylinder T. Dealer markups.
Verdict: Dialed In from the factory. Clean up the design and make a lightweight AWD version (if its going to cost this much).
2) BMW M2 Competition (Replace)- With the M3's Inline 6, there is a lot of power and the same boisterous rowdy nature that our Stangs have. It's more agile feeling from the factory although with my mods that difference is gone and my GT has more feedback from the suspension (the only difference I notice is the front end is more quick to turn in and it feels lighter when pushed in turns Vs my GT). Rear seats are weirdly enough more easy to access. Back end oversteer is easier to manage as its more progressive.
Why not: I dont think its a 60K car. AT ALL. Rubbery shifter. Numb steering. BMW's are built to be disposable (I owned an M6), the turbo's are even worse. Doesnt really feel like an upgrade to the GT. Exhaust note is just not great.
Verdict: Price to performance ratio is not worth it. BMW is working to improve their steering in their newer platforms, jury is out.
3) Tesla Model 3 Dual Motor(Replace) - HOLY SHIT. Forget this cars official power figure. The throttle response and acceleration is SUPER QUICK. This car feels waaay quicker than its power to weight ratio suggests. Feels much quicker <50 mph than my GT. I like the interior and the exterior is not bad. VERY PRACTICAL, lots of storage. The hyper-quick steering has no feel but better turn in than Mustang.
Why not: Tesla nickles and dimes you with options. Any color thats nice is $$. So are the wheels. The real range is not 320 miles like advertised. You are supposed to charge to 90% to protect battery. Additionally, those ranges are stated at <60mph on freeway. My friends who drive the Model 3 Dual Motor like I drive my Stang are getting ~200 miles. In the winter, even WORSE. Understeers when you push really push it and does not want to oversteer on throttle. Super intrusive ESP. Acceleration quickly tapers out at 60mph, where my Stang is just getting started.
Verdict: Wait, these electric cars are getting exponentially better every year.
4) Shelby GT 350 R (Replace): Need not say more in a Mustang forum. This car is as good as it gets south of the 911 GT3 RS.
Why not: Dealer markups, concerns with long term reliability of the Voodoo and replacement costs if things go south. Oil consumption. Still has the backseat issue of my GT. A bit too wide for Seattle roads like my neighborhood.
Verdict: The best, but will keep me up at night, same rear seat access issue.
5) Camaro SS 1LE (Replace): Superb track ready (looking at your GT PP2) car for a reasonable price. I believe it has a HUD, which I like and want. The pre-refresh 1LE is nice looking although I prefer the pre-refresh Stang more. I dont like the post refresh designs of either (except the sexy Bullitt!)
Why not: This has been covered extensively here. TOTALLY IMPRACTICAL. Who the F makes a car this large with so little occupant and rear trunk room. It's ridiculous. Dark dungeon like feel with really high belt line. Same stupid rear seat access as my Stang, but worse space in the back. Horrible ergonomics including an idiotic and ugly tilted screen. GM screwed it up. A bit rough around the edges.
Verdict: A VERY FLAWED superhero. The compromises are too much. Pass.
6) Hyundai Veloster N (Compliment): This is a surprise entry. It's not as capable as the Type R, but more fun. The steering has more feedback and the car is more playful, but sacrificed outright speed. 3rd door makes it easy with the kid, although the rear is still for children (fine by me). Super cheap to buy and maintain, Hyundai has a 10 year warranty, so can keep Stang as well. The famous ex head of BMW's M division was responsible for this car. I like its looks.
Why not: Not reasons really. Yes, the interior is very functional but super cheap feeling. Yes, its FWD. But its a cheap car that rotates and that I wont mind beating on! Ugh, this one is tough. I dont care about badge snobbery but I can see many who wont do it. No heritage.
Verdict: Very tempting. No real negatives. Get to keep the Stang. Hmmmmmmmmm...
7) Kia Stinger/Genesis G70 3.3 T (Replace): I havent driven the Genesis. Both are 4 door practical sports sedans. Lovely looks, great warranties, reliability should be solid, powerful engines, AWD option (with 90% to rear torque lock option coming next year and rear mechanical LSD in AWD). The Stinger has a MASSIVE HATCH.
Why not: The current Stinger is very softly sprung and damped, the rear jiggles and wallows. The body is NOT stiff, it needs more bracing. I think the big rear hatch is a cause for this. Engine note is meh. There are hardly any Genesis dealers here so forget that car.
Verdict: Not dialed in enough but watch these cars.
8) Mazda Miata RF 2019 (Complement): Light, high revving engine, proper sporty car thats just fun, accessible, playful. It's really one of the best sports cars you can buy and doesnt take itself too seriously. I like the RF. You can get Brembo brakes, BBS wheels, Recaro seats now.
Why not: If I get another car to complement mine it better have usable rear seats given where I am in life. Wife and dad both think they are ridiculous toy-like feminine cars, go figure. No other negatives, this is a GREAT car.
Verdict: Want but not now.
9) Lexus GSF (Replace): Roomy, lovely engine, composed chassis that handles well but is very comfortable, great turn in, one of the best sports sedans made, top quality interior. A true work of mastery. Toyota and Lexus are the most reliable cars in the world.
Why not: EXTREMELY numb but nicely weighted and responsive steering, low torque for a heavy sedan, looks are meh, feels 20K too expensive. Maybe a bit boring.
Verdict: The practical choice, but I just cant sell the Stang for it.
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