Tony Alonso's 2015 GT Magnetic Fastback Journal

[Tony Alonso]

The logic by Ford NZ seems to be to provide the highest spec options automatically as a marketing ploy and also to make ordering/delivery as simple as possible
Certainly the vehicle seems to be spec'd as the premium version not the basic.

Thanks for sharing! I haven't scanned the ordering information for your country, but it seems to be in keeping with what I've seen some folks post about in Europe. The premium version is very enjoyable - lots of technology and luxury comforts. Having a rip-snorting stripped car is fun, but when you drive it a lot, the options start to count more, I think

I am interested though to find out when Flat Rock announce they are starting RHD assembly and will they be able to do LHD and RHD in the factory at the same time

It will be interesting to see how that it is done. I've got to believe they would be able to accommodate it on the final trim and assembly line, since they build a totally different car on it as well. I assume that the body shop and the parts scheduling they do will play a role in how they come down the line. I am hoping that we will hear something via an official press release or certainly, someone here will probably get info!

Hope that Magnetic is starting to shine in your spring weather
best wishes

Slowly but surely, but I need to wash it - hahaha!

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[ssyellow]

Keep the updates coming, really like the oil level check and MPG calculations!

I have an MRT Catback that is for sale if you're interested, located in Michigan near Detroit.

 

[Tony Alonso]

I have an MRT Catback that is for sale if you're interested, located in Michigan near Detroit.

I saw that Right now, I am contemplating MRT axleback as opposed to the whole system, but I have had multiple of their exhausts, and I have enjoyed everyone one of them. I am also enjoying the stock exhaust sound levels because I am getting older and like it quieter - haha!

 

[POJ 1]

Tony
now that you've had the new car several months can you tell me if the front air dam is really low and easily hits steep ramps in car parks and higher level driveways crossings etc
Its hard to tell just how low the car is from photos and my current ride is prone to this issue because the panel shop tell me the front wheels need to be further forward to eliminate the problem
The other problem is driving in to carparks where they have bolts sitting up proud on those railway sleeper type parking barriers on the ground and then ripping the front bumper etc off when you reverse back over the bolts
We also have a used car dealer here who has imported some new LHD mustangs in the last few months and is due to land a Magnetic auto V8 in the new few weeks .
Thought I'd go and check out the colour so I can finally see one what I'm buying
I'm sure I won't be disappointed but it will be great to see reality rather than just rely on photos
Have a great Easter
Cheers
Phil

 

[Tony Alonso]

Tony
now that you've had the new car several months can you tell me if the front air dam is really low and easily hits steep ramps in car parks and higher level driveways crossings etc

I haven't had that experience yet, although I generally aim the car diagonally if there are steep ramps or other such obstacle. The closest I got to testing this was pulling into a parking spot and stopping when the front air dam was over the curb. Thankfully, it did not touch, although it was close.

I do not plan on changing the stock suspension with lower springs, since I drive this car as transportation. Hopefully I won't have to test out what happens to the front air dam. By the way, it is a flexible heavy rubber material, so it might just flex if it ever contacted an obstacle.

We also have a used car dealer here who has imported some new LHD mustangs in the last few months and is due to land a Magnetic auto V8 in the new few weeks .
Thought I'd go and check out the colour so I can finally see one what I'm buying
I'm sure I won't be disappointed but it will be great to see reality rather than just rely on photos
Have a great Easter
Cheers
Phil

Happy Easter to you, and let me know your impressions when you see it! I hope it meets your expectations.

 

[POJ 1]

Will do. the car is supposed to be on the ship now and due here in about 2 weeks. Interesting comment on the home page at present about sync 3 and what we may get in cars assembled later in the year. Will monitor the Australian forum and watch the aussies work themselves up into a frenzy over sync 2 v sync 3

 

[Tony Alonso]

OIL LEVEL CHECK - 5943 miles

Oil level remains the same as last time (between the dots). No issues to report.

 

[Tony Alonso]

OIL LEVEL CHECK - 6514 miles

Oil level remains the same as last time (between the dots although closer to the bottom one). No issues to report.

 

[Tony Alonso]

FIRST OIL CHANGE - 7480 miles

Just before taking the car to service department, I did one final oil check at 7416 miles. It was just above the lower dot. OLM said 28% oil life remaining at this point.

I've sent an oil sample to Blackstone Labs for analysis. This is the first change, so for those of you who want to know what happens when you wait, here's your chance to see. I've followed the Ford service recommendations previously and not had engine issues with leaks or excessive consumption in other modular V8s.

For those curious, here is what the original oil filter looks like from the factory. While some don't appreciate the nostalgia of saving the original used-up filter, I can now say this is the first thing that has been changed since the car was built other than the fuel

 

[Todd15Fastback]

Can't wait to see the results from your Blackstone report.

 

[Tony Alonso]

Finally got the oil analysis results. When I filled out the test form, I told them I was interested in higher mileage performance.

The yellow highlights on the report are from me, showing the items with the highest variation between the "universal averages" and my sample.

Interesting conclusion - "try going 8000 miles and check back to monitor wear-in progress".

Again, my car is a daily driver.

 

[Tony Alonso]

Lucky sevens on the odometer this evening...

 

[Todd15Fastback]

Thanks for sharing the Blackstone report. Nice to see everything looks good.

 

[Tony Alonso]

I might crack and make some changes -

1) MRT Interceptor axleback with polished tips
2) hydrographics for carbon fiber look on rocket panels, front lip, rear lower fascia and hood vents (want a darker, more black shade)
3) gloss black vinyl stripes on rocker panels (like how they look on the "Win the Mustangs" 2015 car)

Actually, I want both "Win the Mustangs" Mustangs

 

[Tony Alonso]

10,000 Mile Report - July 21, 2015

I hit 10,000 miles this past Tuesday evening. No major issues to report mechanically. The only concerns I have concerns are as follows -

1) seat backs don't cool effectively (long thread about it is here)
2) the right side muffler tip is slightly lower than the left one (don't recall seeing this at delivery)

I rotated my tires front to back myself with 2 jacks. Next time, I'll take it in so the car can go up on a lift and the tires can be crossed. I am experimenting with longer rotation intervals (every 10,000 miles rather than 5,000). I already have a set of replacement stock Pirelli all-seasons I bought from another forum member in case they wear out sooner rather than later. No irregular wear patterns or low tread depth were visible.

The engine oil was changed at 7500 miles, so a couple of level checks since then shows oil level near the top hash mark at this point.

Last thing - I took out the OEM spare and jack and weighed them.
wheel/tire assembly = 35lbs
jack and attachment hardware = 5lbs

So a spare and jack add 40lbs to the weight.

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