Nice Dark Horse Mach 1 comparison

[Crew4991]

I have to disagree, I don’t think they are Ford haters. I do think Thomas is a bit salty about Ford not giving them a Mach to do a lap time with, but he had plenty of good things to say about the DH. And he absolutely loves the GT350/R. They’re not the biggest fans of the regular GT PP1 but to be fair the GT PP1 is not built for the track like a Mach, DH or even a PP2.

The DH put down an impressive lap time as did the Mach. The S650 in general is a really good car, it’s not enough of an upgrade for me personally to move on from my 2022 but it would be a big upgrade over the S197 and possibly even the 2015-2017 cars (not looking to start a battle as far as looks, interior, etc, but from a pure performance numbers standpoint the S650 is an upgrade)

All that aside, I’m just glad Ford is continuing on with the Mustang in general and specifically with V8’s. It’s a shame the others are bowing out, competition is always a good thing

Right? Competition between the muscle car brands kept making each of the models better. Now with Dodge and GM switching to electric and canceling their muscle car offering, sadly I think Ford might get lazy and not improve performance as much like when there was actual competition forcing them to get better. I hope I am wrong!!

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[Crew4991]

I just wanna know where the Mach 1 got its fog lights from!!!! Sheesh! still a stupidly missed opportunity from the aftermarket

I agree! The Mach 1 should have gotten some special grille lighting treatment.

When Ford made the Mach 1 they should have put some secondary fog lighting or at least some amber turn signals in those blank circle spots and removed them from the lower bumper area.
Having the turn signals on the grille would have been a real treat, an iconic look and made the Mach 1 stand out a little more from the other models.

 

[2BigPups]

I agree! The Mach 1 should have gotten some special grille lighting treatment.

When Ford made the Mach 1 they should have put some secondary fog lighting or at least some amber turn signals in those blank circle spots and removed them from the lower bumper area.
Having the turn signals on the grille would have been a real treat, an iconic look and made the Mach 1 stand out a little more from the other models.

The 2021 Mach 1 was originally supposed to be the next Boss 302 (refer to the 2018 Mustang ad Easter egg, S550 in the background with Boss 302 stripes). The front grill blank fog lights are the same as the 2012 - 2013 Boss 302 grills. But then came the "Mach-E" fiasco... easiest way for Ford to appease all the Mustang Mach-E haters, and sweep it all under the rug, was a minor (dollar wise) change to the decals and add very inexpensive Mach 1 logos. Voila, a Mustang Mach 1!

Historical/iconic perspective... the early Mach 1's were straight line, drag strip cars. The 1969-1970 and 2012-2013 Boss 302's were the track focused cars. However, the 2021-2023 Mach 1's ended up being track focused...

 

[Charlemagne]

Historical/iconic perspective... the early Mach 1's were straight line, drag strip cars. The 1969-1970 and 2012-2013 Boss 302's were the track focused cars. However, the 2021-2023 Mach 1's ended up being track focused...

I'd still buy it even if they called it PP3

 

[MACHtobers Very Own]

I agree! The Mach 1 should have gotten some special grille lighting treatment.

When Ford made the Mach 1 they should have put some secondary fog lighting or at least some amber turn signals in those blank circle spots and removed them from the lower bumper area.
Having the turn signals on the grille would have been a real treat, an iconic look and made the Mach 1 stand out a little more from the other models.

I just don't get it. Ford and for the most part the aftermarket have just gone

no. Like just sell me some lights!!!!!

 

[Jimmy Dean]

The 2021 Mach 1 was originally supposed to be the next Boss 302 (refer to the 2018 Mustang ad Easter egg, S550 in the background with Boss 302 stripes). The front grill blank fog lights are the same as the 2012 - 2013 Boss 302 grills. But then came the "Mach-E" fiasco... easiest way for Ford to appease all the Mustang Mach-E haters, and sweep it all under the rug, was a minor (dollar wise) change to the decals and add very inexpensive Mach 1 logos. Voila, a Mustang Mach 1!

Historical/iconic perspective... the early Mach 1's were straight line, drag strip cars. The 1969-1970 and 2012-2013 Boss 302's were the track focused cars. However, the 2021-2023 Mach 1's ended up being track focused...

I've said this a few times as well. it was s upposed to be a boss 302. but after the mach E uproar, they wanted to placate us Mach 1 lovers some. and yeah,the car feels more Boss than Mach imo. But you know, I'll take it.

I still would've preffered a Mach 1 with a 7.3 godzilla (or destroked to 7.03.... ) with a stiffer rear suspension meant for straight line. If I could blow money, I would build one they way I think it shouldve been.

 

[Mikepol2]

At the request of a couple guys on 7G, I stopped at a local dealer to check out a DH. (Made a similar post there but less critical out of respect for the audience.) 49F and sunny. They had a black manual and a blue ember auto:

Salesman was late 20's and had a 2022 GT, Mustang guy. He asked if I was in a certain local Mustang club and I said yes, and he said he recognized me and the car. That was kinda cool.

We went out to look at them and he cold started the automatic with me 3 feet behind it, it sounded great. Got inside, seats appear to be the S550 seats carried over into S650. Material reminds me of the GT350 Alcantara but not quite as grippy, I liked the feel of it. Had no strong feelings either way about the dash screens. Huge scrape half way around the rim of one of the wheels, looks just like the scrape the dealer put on one of my wheels from their tire machine. I preferred the black to the blue ember, mainly because it allows the hood graphics to blend in, they are gigantic and cover almost the entire hood. People thought the Mach hood graphics were bad?! Sheesh. Mod #1 for my DH would be to peel those suckers off. The blue ember looks like olive drab but with cornflower blue instead of green. There is an orange-ish metallic that comes out in sunlight at certain angles. I thought it was hideous. I would never consider ordering that color, and the grabber blue calipers don't match. I walked around the car several times and concluded that my car is WAY more attractive.

Sales manager came out and said let us appraise your car and if the numbers look good you can test drive it before signing the papers, I said fine and sat there for 20 minutes out of curiosity. I'm paying $553/mo for 72 months for the Mach. For the same 72 months they wanted my car and $1,045/mo for the blue ember DH. They were showing $44,500 trade on my car with 5,200 miles on it. I laughed and said MAYBE I'd pay that for a GT500 CFTP. The sales manager scurried away and came back in 5 minutes and said OK how about $850/mo? Sigh. If only it was that easy to get a $200/mo payment reduction on other cars. Grabbed my key and left. The salesman walked out with me to hear the Mach start up and said damn, I was hoping you'd buy the DH because I'd have bought your Mach before it ever hit our lot!

Even if money (selling price and resale) were not part of the decision and someone said I can take either car home, I would take home the Mach at 5,200 miles over either new DH.

 

[MAGS1]

At the request of a couple guys on 7G, I stopped at a local dealer to check out a DH. (Made a similar post there but less critical out of respect for the audience.) 49F and sunny. They had a black manual and a blue ember auto:

Salesman was late 20's and had a 2022 GT, Mustang guy. He asked if I was in a certain local Mustang club and I said yes, and he said he recognized me and the car. That was kinda cool.

We went out to look at them and he cold started the automatic with me 3 feet behind it, it sounded great. Got inside, seats appear to be the S550 seats carried over into S650. Material reminds me of the GT350 Alcantara but not quite as grippy, I liked the feel of it. Had no strong feelings either way about the dash screens. Huge scrape half way around the rim of one of the wheels, looks just like the scrape the dealer put on one of my wheels from their tire machine. I preferred the black to the blue ember, mainly because it allows the hood graphics to blend in, they are gigantic and cover almost the entire hood. People thought the Mach hood graphics were bad?! Sheesh. Mod #1 for my DH would be to peel those suckers off. The blue ember looks like olive drab but with cornflower blue instead of green. There is an orange-ish metallic that comes out in sunlight at certain angles. I thought it was hideous. I would never consider ordering that color, and the grabber blue calipers don't match. I walked around the car several times and concluded that my car is WAY more attractive.

Sales manager came out and said let us appraise your car and if the numbers look good you can test drive it before signing the papers, I said fine and sat there for 20 minutes out of curiosity. I'm paying $553/mo for 72 months for the Mach. For the same 72 months they wanted my car and $1,045/mo for the blue ember DH. They were showing $44,500 trade on my car with 5,200 miles on it. I laughed and said MAYBE I'd pay that for a GT500 CFTP. The sales manager scurried away and came back in 5 minutes and said OK how about $850/mo? Sigh. If only it was that easy to get a $200/mo payment reduction on other cars. Grabbed my key and left. The salesman walked out with me to hear the Mach start up and said damn, I was hoping you'd buy the DH because I'd have bought your Mach before it ever hit our lot!

Even if money (selling price and resale) were not part of the decision and someone said I can take either car home, I would take home the Mach at 5,200 miles over either new DH.

That seems like a fair review. I’ve not been in a DH yet but the dealer I ordered my 2022 from has one now (Atlas Blue) and called me yesterday asking if I want to check it out. Sticker is $71,645 and they have a $10k markup on it. I’ll probably go check it out since I haven’t seen one yet but at $81k, I’ll pass on buying. The pictures look really good and I do like the way the S650’s look, but for a few thousand more I can get a fairly low mile base GT500 that looks better (my opinion) and 260 more horsepower.

 

[Mikepol2]

About a week after my visit to the dealer, they started listing the Blue Ember auto for $1000 under sticker.

It's still on the lot (I drive past it all the time). Today the sales manager called to see if I'd come in and try to work out a deal. They just can't get anyone to buy it.

 

[shogun32]

They were showing $44,500 trade on my car with 5,200 miles on it.

Sold!!

 

[geezer stang]

Throttle House did a good Dark Horse and Mach 1 comparison.
check it out:
Video

luv me some "throttle house".... THOMAS can drive his azz off!

 

[Hack]

At the request of a couple guys on 7G, I stopped at a local dealer to check out a DH. (Made a similar post there but less critical out of respect for the audience.) 49F and sunny. They had a black manual and a blue ember auto:

Salesman was late 20's and had a 2022 GT, Mustang guy. He asked if I was in a certain local Mustang club and I said yes, and he said he recognized me and the car. That was kinda cool.

We went out to look at them and he cold started the automatic with me 3 feet behind it, it sounded great. Got inside, seats appear to be the S550 seats carried over into S650. Material reminds me of the GT350 Alcantara but not quite as grippy, I liked the feel of it. Had no strong feelings either way about the dash screens. Huge scrape half way around the rim of one of the wheels, looks just like the scrape the dealer put on one of my wheels from their tire machine. I preferred the black to the blue ember, mainly because it allows the hood graphics to blend in, they are gigantic and cover almost the entire hood. People thought the Mach hood graphics were bad?! Sheesh. Mod #1 for my DH would be to peel those suckers off. The blue ember looks like olive drab but with cornflower blue instead of green. There is an orange-ish metallic that comes out in sunlight at certain angles. I thought it was hideous. I would never consider ordering that color, and the grabber blue calipers don't match. I walked around the car several times and concluded that my car is WAY more attractive.

Sales manager came out and said let us appraise your car and if the numbers look good you can test drive it before signing the papers, I said fine and sat there for 20 minutes out of curiosity. I'm paying $553/mo for 72 months for the Mach. For the same 72 months they wanted my car and $1,045/mo for the blue ember DH. They were showing $44,500 trade on my car with 5,200 miles on it. I laughed and said MAYBE I'd pay that for a GT500 CFTP. The sales manager scurried away and came back in 5 minutes and said OK how about $850/mo? Sigh. If only it was that easy to get a $200/mo payment reduction on other cars. Grabbed my key and left. The salesman walked out with me to hear the Mach start up and said damn, I was hoping you'd buy the DH because I'd have bought your Mach before it ever hit our lot!

Even if money (selling price and resale) were not part of the decision and someone said I can take either car home, I would take home the Mach at 5,200 miles over either new DH.

Wow. $10K more than my GT350 tech pack when it was new.

 

[shogun32]

Wow. $10K more than my GT350 tech pack when it was new.

That's what makes no sense. Who can afford this? Or chooses to do so?

 

[Mikepol2]

That's what makes no sense. Who can afford this? Or chooses to do so?

Well I mean there had to be a point where Ford couldn’t keep charging more and more, right? Looks like they are finding it. I’d pay $72K for a 2020 350R but I’d NEVER pay that for a DH. And still think my lowly parts bin special is much better looking than the DarkaMaro. There is just nothing noteworthy about that design.

 

[Hack]

That's what makes no sense. Who can afford this? Or chooses to do so?

I don't get it either. Yes the DH tires are very sticky - which makes a significant difference in lap times, but that's not enough of an improvement for me.

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