Mach 1 vs GT Premium PP1 (401A) + Mods vs GT350 — Cost/Value Question from a Former PP1 Owner

[RocketGuy3]

The irony with the M1 is that even if the car is more track ready than a gtpp1/2, you almost never see one at the track compared to the pp
Why ?
Not sure but one reason is that people that buy them are more interested in the look and bragging rights ( faster than a 350… sure) than for their track capabilities

Hah, prob describes me to an extent...! I've taken my Mach 1 to the track once, but it's primarily my daily driver, with my GT4RS being the more dedicated track car. That's part of why I didn't bother with HP. Honestly the Tremec was the main reason I ordered the car over a GT. I don't care whether or not it's faster than a GT350 or a PP2, but I do like knowing it can handle track duty without breaking a sweat if/when I want to take it out there. And it did just that on the rather warm day I went... But most of the time, those extra coolers are just taking a nap.

Regardless, which Mustang owners are poseurs and which aren't isn't really relevant to the topic at hand.

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[luc]

Hah, prob describes me to an extent...! I've taken my Mach 1 to the track once, but it's primarily my daily driver, with my GT4RS being the more dedicated track car. That's part of why I didn't bother with HP. Honestly the Tremec was the main reason I ordered the car over a GT. I don't care whether or not it's faster than a GT350 or a PP2, but I do like knowing it can handle track duty without breaking a sweat if/when I want to take it out there. And it did just that on the rather warm day I went... But most of the time, those extra coolers are just taking a nap.

Regardless, which Mustang owners are poseurs and which aren't isn't really relevant to the topic at hand.

I don’t see M1 owners that don’t track their car as poseurs, truth is that way less than 1% of drivers track their cars therefore that is the norm
If most people that track their Mustang are like me, we start with a base gtpp to get the brakes, cooling and a few other stuff and the first thing we do is to get rid of the suspension for something more track ready
So cheaper ( and a bit less weight) to start with a gtpp

 

[RocketGuy3]

I don’t see M1 owners that don’t track their car as poseurs, truth is that way less than 1% of drivers track their cars therefore that is the norm
If most people that track their Mustang are like me, we start with a base gtpp to get the brakes, cooling and a few other stuff and the first thing we do is to get rid of the suspension for something more track ready
So cheaper ( and a bit less weight) to start with a gtpp

If you are super hardcore about track duty, then yeah, getting any Mach 1 might be a waste. But hell, at that point, getting even the PP on the GT might be a poor use of money. Some people would want to upgrade the OEM brakes at some point, at which point half the premium for the PP just went out the window. Some people want bragging rights, and some people are just more casual track-goers. If you take this car out to a track 2-3X per year, the modest handling and cooling improvements on an OEM option like the Mach 1, PP, or PP2 might be perfect for you. Everyone's priorities are different, whether or not they go to the track.

 

[NightmareMoon]

I can vibe with much of this post, but it's a little reductive to say the Mach 1's price premium comes from oil and diff coolers alone. There's a bit more than that over a GT PP1. Like standard magneride and other suspension upgrades, the slightly tuned up 5.0, aesthetic enhancements, and most of all, the Tremec 6sp, for those who want a stick. The latter will certainly add some durability for all use cases. Plus, even if you might technically come out ahead financially by making your own cooling mods to a GT, that's still extra hassle many people would rather not deal with.

That said, you're right that the GT is still a mighty fine platform, and may save you some money depending on your priorities and use case.

I'm not trying to knock it, but I am being reductive to cut through the fluff and nice-to-haves and get to brass tacks.

A lot of that stuff which is really nice stuff, all I'm saying is you can have better for less in many areas, and yes it's work, but the OP sounds like he has the time and is willing to tinker. Some things are harder to replicate or improve on though, and certainly the Mach 1 is a great package all together. The prices easily reflect that.

The markup for a base Mach1 on the used market over a PP1 is what, like 8k?

Magnaride is fantastic for the average guy who wants the best of both worlds, but there is a limit how far you can take the spring rates, and if you really want to carve on track you need to replace it with a more hardcore coilover system with spring rates above what magnaride supports.

Why not save the money, start with a deal on a GT PP1 and put some of the Mach 1 cost towards a really fantastic coilover system like MCS two-ways instead. You'd have a bunch of money still left over for a bunch of the other goodies and come out ahead.

You could justify going either way, I think.

 

[GregR]

Is the Mach 1's Handling package a must-have for my case? I prefer the rims' look for sure.

 

[lo-fi]

I own a 2021 Mach 1 HP manual that is strictly a fun street car. I DGAF about going to the track. Completely unmodified. No need for my use case. I also currently own a 2018 base GT manual that is my car to tinker with and modify a bit (suspension, increased rigidity only). Mach 1 is the buy it and forget it car and it's superb in every way I want it to be when considering its relatively cheap cost. If I could only own one, it would be the Mach 1. With that said I love my base GT too. This platform was my intro to Mustangs and I've enjoyed them both immensely.

 

[Mikepol2]

Is the Mach 1's Handling package a must-have for my case? I prefer the rims' look for sure.

Absolutely not. If you decide at some point you are not happy with the handling, that is easily addressed.

 

[RocketGuy3]

Is the Mach 1's Handling package a must-have for my case? I prefer the rims' look for sure.

I think for many of the reasons covered in this thread already, the biggest selling point for the HP is the aesthetic appeal. It's absolutely not necessary for the track or any "spirited" street driving. Sure the camber plates, aero, and Cup 2s are nice, but again, totally not necessary. Plus, aside from the tires (which are going to be a crapshoot on the used market), most people who go to the track casually will notice almost zero difference. Let alone on the street, where it's actually less enjoyable due to the decreased ground clearance and harsher ride.

 

[lo-fi]

Not to mention when you run the Sport Cup 2s that come with HP, brah, the tramlining. lol. I remember driving mine home and being like damn.

 

[Charlemagne]

Not sure but one reason is that people that buy them are more interested in the look

 

[Jimmy Dean]

Not to mention when you run the Sport Cup 2s that come with HP, brah, the tramlining. lol. I remember driving mine home and being like damn.

yeah, the cars manners on the street are night and day difference between cup 2s and sport 4s.

granted, the 4s's do not handle AS well on the street. but its fairly minor for the limits you will push on the street. and you get some ability to drive in the rain, or loose gravel.

 

[GTP]

...
I might start tracking the car (HPDE) even though I’ve never tracked before, so I could do it once or twice and decide it’s not for me
...

1. If your use case is mostly street/weekend/show + “maybe HPDE,” which route is the best balance of cost, fun, and resale?

...

OP your post is well written. Your analysis is on the right track.

Whether or not to HPDE is the most important factor. I suggest you try to find a way to do a track day, in a Mustang, and see if it is for you. Then your next car choice will be more obvious. You can use your current car and if you drive cautiously you might not overheat that day.

The Mach 1 did not come out for two more years after I got my 2019 PP1 A10 and I had already tracked my previous "starter" Mustang. Ultimately I modded my car to the point that it is equivalent to a M1. I enjoyed the wrenching journey. Which you will still have (to a lesser degree) if you get the M1.

Personally I would opt for the non-HP car because the money saved would buy me a better square wheel and tire setup and I could custom choose all the other bits myself.

 

[JetGray_Mach1]

I got the Mach 1 because its all around excellent package and I wanted a new car at the time. Its the first car that I haven't had to do anything to it, its tastefully done from the factory. It handles great but its also comfortable as my daily (well the HP adds some difficulty with the front splitter but that was my choice to keep it on).

And yes the reason I personally went with HP is for the appearance and wider tires. You can always add on the HP bits if you like the look I wouldnt worry about that.

I think the Mach 1 is a great choice for you. It comes well equipped, it can be a great weekend car that is basically track ready.

 

[GregR]

Thank you for all of the thoughtful comments and feedback, I'm going to look at this one tomorrow

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[V8Platty]

That '21 Mach 1 looks beautiful. Before you buy it, drive it for at least 15 minutes to see if the Recaro seats fit you well. I was in a similar situation. Found a perfect Mach 1 at a BMW dealership and they had priced it to sell immediately. Thought I'd hit gold until I was doing the test drive and realizing that the seat bolsters were digging into my rib cage. By the time I had driven back onto the lot I was in actual pain.

Had to find a car with the Sport Seats instead. I do like the heated and cooled aspect of those in a street car that gets lots of summer use.

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