I the Performance Package really necessary for a Daily Driver, not a Hot Rodder.

[TonyT930]

Just thinking of getting a new 300a 6-speed for my wife, with Brembos. It's for commuting, daily driving, and not spinning donuts, drag racing, and other things deemed obnoxious to society. The original Mustang did great on the street without all the PP items, in which some are throwing $$$s away. But it's not going to be used like a little old ladies car. Plenty of engine "In case", which is the bottom line.

No, it's not necessary

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[Call_Me_Bruce]

I have the PP, seems to be worth it to me. PP, magneride, and active exhaust. The PP comes with summer tires. if you get weather in the winter, you’ll need a set of all season tires. I also got The 401a, which I think is nicer and would be more important to me if it was my DD. Lots more of the creature comforts. My car is a ton of fun. Good luck in your search.

 

[G.T.]

DD with minimal shenanigans, IMO it's perfectly capable.

Whippled? I think I'd mod it a bit even if I wont be driving it like a hot rod.

 

[Farkel]

Just thinking of getting a new 300a 6-speed for my wife, with Brembos. It's for commuting, daily driving, and not spinning donuts, drag racing, and other things deemed obnoxious to society. The original Mustang did great on the street without all the PP items, in which some are throwing $$$s away. But it's not going to be used like a little old ladies car. Plenty of engine "In case", which is the bottom line.

You mention "with Brembos"; only the PP cars have them.
Here's a novel idea - why not let her test drive cars with various options and decide for herself what she prefers?
Edit: For S550s, your choices will be limited to what's available, so you might have to compromise on things like color, options, etc. If you go for a new S650 you'll be able to spec exactly what you do and don't want. Aside from base vs. PP, she might care more about other options, ex: active valve exhaust...

 

[Crew4991]

Base model performance pack for daily driving...?

Maybe change that configuration to be a premium version non-PP.
Going to want the nicer interior, tech and comfier heated/cooled seats for DD.
Bigger PP brakes for simple DD is not going to make a difference.

 

[sk47]

Hello; I understand to some degree both points of view. For an example a friend was keen to get a Porsche Cayman. Knowing him after a few decades of being a passenger in his cars I suggested he consider a base model. Did not fly as he wound up with a cayman S but still drives it like a grandma. Seems a state of mind sort of thing.

I looked at the various specs of the Mustangs over the last several years. After test driving a base GT with a manual trans, I came to the conclusion that it was plenty for the level of driving possible on public roads. Not the fastest nor best handling to be sure, but more than enough to be enjoyable. Again, a state of mind thing I suspect.

For those who do plan to go on a track or who do drive on public roads like they are a racetrack, the PP and other performance add-ons make a sort of sense. When younger I was apt to drive that way more than was wise, so I get it.

Then there are the folks who must have the packages yet never really use them as is possible. I think more of the owners of 4x4 pickups with all sorts of factory off road packages. In fact, I have a neighbor who just bought a Ram Rebel 4x4. He will never go off road. But it is a very good looking truck.

But two things have stood out in the thread. First is the OP's intent to get a daily driver for the wife. The other is a suggestion to let the wife check out the packages and decide what suits. If the wife does not need the extra power, handling and performance then a base car will do just fine. In the end it is a what do you like and how much you can afford sort of question.

 

[mookieit]

My V6 did not have any traditional PP components on it and it drove well.

Then I installed the front braces, cowl extension and k brace and significantly improved handling.

Next I am planning to install the PP front control arms and hoping to see improvement.

I also found out recently that the PP has bars behind the front grill, have the parts and planning to install that as well to see of I get any improvements.

Since I only daily drive, I think It will be worse functionally to put brembo brakes and a bigger rim vs my stock 17” rim with a large sidewall tire and stock brakes. But the brembo with larger rims do look much better.

Having a V6, I am skeptical of installing components that can reduce performance in anyway, because I am inherently on the lower performance Mustang and I feel I don’t have much wiggle room to go lower

 

[TrueBlue22]

I ordered my 2.3 High Performance with the Handling Package (kinda its equivalent of the PP for that powertrain) because enough of the contents made the $1900 price tag worthwhile.

- MagneRide dampers are incredible for both DD comfort and for twisty back road shenanigans.
- I really wanted the 3.55 Torsen.
- I preferred the look, extra width, and stance of the 19x9.5in “PP2” wheels.
- I had no interest in the Pirelli PZero Corsa4 track/comp tires, so those got replaced by ultra high performance Bridgestone Potenza RE980 AS+ (because DD and Michigan).
- The upgrade to 6-piston Brembo brakes was completely unnecessary because the base 4-piston GT setup can already toss you through the windshield. The 6-pistons are very track-oriented but saved my butt at least once already on the street.

So for me, the “wants” exceeded the “don’t want/care” and made it worth the cost.

Now, NEED? No. Absolutely none of the HP content was a genuine NEED as the HPP is perfectly fine in its “base” configuration which is essentially base GT chassis spec. The Handling Package turns it into more like a 2.3L RS-engine + Mach 1 chassis, which is…… well, really odd.

What can I say - I like strange stuff!

 

[Blue Eagle]

Just throwing it out there.. If I were to get my wife a new GT, I'd get one that had the performance package, active exhaust, and magnaride. It would be enough to have some fun, without going full on Mach 1, or Dark Horse or heck, GT 350

I just looked at a new 300a GT online and it had the active exhaust and that's all. I'd go with a bit more goodies.

I've been looking around and there are some lightly used 24's out there that would knock the price down vs a brand new one. I'd have my wife test drive a few options and narrow it down to what she really wants and likes.

Good luck, it's cool that you'll be adding a Mustang to the family whatever you choose!

I've priced it all out. A 401a is only a few measly grand under the Dark Horse. So why bother making the Mustang? Did the original 64 1/2 more with PP MagaRide, fancy schmancy rims and tires? No. If she was going to teach it at Waco all those bells and whistles would be great. It's a street car, not a Dragster or Track Demon. If I wanted that a Blackwing V8 would be the cure all. All I'm going to get is a Short stroke shifter, 19x8.5 rims, an h-pipe and a street anti-hop kit. Later maybe axle backs. Lastly an ESS centrifuge which is an insurance policy that she'll get home safely. So don't look down your schnozzle when you see someone with only one exhaust on each side. The PP has too much junk that's unneeded. Not here to make Ford rich with things I don't need.

 

[Blue Eagle]

My V6 did not have any traditional PP components on it and it drove well.

Then I installed the front braces, cowl extension and k brace and significantly improved handling.

Next I am planning to install the PP front control arms and hoping to see improvement.

I also found out recently that the PP has bars behind the front grill, have the parts and planning to install that as well to see of I get any improvements.

Since I only daily drive, I think It will be worse functionally to put brembo brakes and a bigger rim vs my stock 17” rim with a large sidewall tire and stock brakes. But the brembo with larger rims do look much better.

Having a V6, I am skeptical of installing components that can reduce performance in anyway, because I am inherently on the lower performance Mustang and I feel I don’t have much wiggle room to go lower

Yes. The S650 I plan on getting her is already enough weight. I really don't want to ad to it. I also hear people have trouble, endlessly, with the PP and A/V parts. I really don't want to hear noise from a car while it's turned off.

 

[Blue Eagle]

DD with minimal shenanigans, IMO it's perfectly capable.

Whippled? I think I'd mod it a bit even if I wont be driving it like a hot rod.

From what I've read people complain incessively, like the mother on Big Bang Theory, about how much the new S650 weighs. The Whipple weighs 30+ pounds more than the one who's going to drive the car, and a 161+ lbs SC is going to need more than PP and Magnaride. ESS SC is 47 lbs. But the SC is later.

 

[Blue Eagle]

You mention "with Brembos"; only the PP cars have them.
Here's a novel idea - why not let her test drive cars with various options and decide for herself what she prefers?
Edit: For S550s, your choices will be limited to what's available, so you might have to compromise on things like color, options, etc. If you go for a new S650 you'll be able to spec exactly what you do and don't want. Aside from base vs. PP, she might care more about other options, ex: active valve exhaust...

Good idea. Maybe she should pick out the cake and taste it too for her Surprise Birthday. She's had lots of experience with Mustangs. None of the ones she's driven are going to match the power of the new one. She will most likely want to tow jet skis with it if possible.

 

[Blue Eagle]

PP is worth it for the dampers, chassis bracing, eye candy brakes, diff, active exhaust.

Doesn't matter if can't rotate just get two new tires instead of 4. No one like old tires.

Ecoboost is perhaps a better daily quiet, quick, looks same easy DIY under hood maint and servicing.

Switching from a .45 ACP to a 9mm? Want a 10mm, but that's too much. As of this year the E-B with it's 3.15 axle is like salt peter. 5.0 = Viagra. The only reason I looked at the E-B PP was for it's 3.55 axle. I drove a friend's and was impressed, it's the sound which does impress. Might as well be quiet as a pin dropping.

 

[Blue Eagle]

GT 400a with all the alphabet stuff $ 62,160 vs. DH 600a $ 67,170. $ 5,010 difference. Not much difference. Should I be a cheapskate and get the regular of 300a, less of a cheapskate and get the 400a, or splurge and get the 600a, and make a crappy car company that turns it's back on its customers after they see them for the myriads of problems they had. I've had over ten Crown Vic's, some were Interceptors, in the last 15+ years. Nothing but problems. I gave them to my mechanic friend who's son got them going and sold them. Maybe I should just get a Mach 1 or Bullitt. I see lots of Mach 1s for sale at 48,000 to 56,000. They're much nicer, but not really a daily driver. The Bullitt would rock since her favorite color is green.

 

[Bikeman315]

GT 400a with all the alphabet stuff $ 62,160 vs. DH 600a $ 67,170. $ 5,010 difference. Not much difference. Should I be a cheapskate and get the regular of 300a, less of a cheapskate and get the 400a, or splurge and get the 600a, and make a crappy car company that turns it's back on its customers after they see them for the myriads of problems they had. I've had over ten Crown Vic's, some were Interceptors, in the last 15+ years. Nothing but problems. I gave them to my mechanic friend who's son got them going and sold them. Maybe I should just get a Mach 1 or Bullitt. I see lots of Mach 1s for sale at 48,000 to 56,000. They're much nicer, but not really a daily driver. The Bullitt would rock since her favorite color is green.

Honestly, at this point, you are all over the place. Just get what makes your wife happy and move on. Good luck.

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