As a grand touring car

[corvettez06usa]

Given its rich history of drag and track racing, being an affordable V8 car, and its front engine RWD set up, of course a lot of these discussions are going to be about 0-60 times, the quarter mile, braking distance, etc etc. But the past few weeks I've been really thinking about something else and I decided to see how others feel.

I drove my SN95 for 14 years (still DD for now), and coming from that thing to a S550 seems like a Pinto to a Rolls Royce. Before my GT, I never really had a performance car either (the 2001 is my first car) so I really was making a HUGE upgrade. Because of this I feel like I'm coming from a very clean slate, as it were.

I've satisfied my "OMG its a V8" boy racer tenancies for the most part, although I do still love to lay into the throttle and feel that pull don't get me wrong. But every time I think of my GT now there is one element that resonates with me the most, and that is all elements I believe associate with a grand touring car.

When I started driving it, I expected harsh suspension, but since I came from a base V6 SN95, I guess my idea of a harsh suspension is extreme. This thing is smooth over pot holes and imperfections. I really feel that it has a pleasant glide and is well mannered if I don't gun it when accelerating. The seats are really comfortable (base cloth). The interior is really quiet and relaxing. V8 engine can behave nicely and is quiet if I'm not pretending to be taking corners at Circuit de la Sarthe. Overall, the power and speed is breathtaking to me, but more and more I find myself in love with this car as a tourer that I even scrapped my plans to stiffen the suspension and lower it with coil overs, sway bars, and whatnot (which I reaaaally wanted to do. Had parts picked). And I know weight is evil, but another thing that really sits well with me about the S550 is its size. I can't really describe it other than it just has substance. It feels solid. It has presence. I remember reading that one target Ford set for the S550 was the BMW coupes. While I understand those cars are of a completely higher level, I think for the price point of the Mustang, Ford did a great job.

So how about the S550 as a touring car?

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[Khyber]

you can thank the IRS for all of that...that's why the gt350r is a road track monster for the money. well because of irs and other reasons but the mustang in general isn't just a drag car anymore, it's about corners (wayyyy more appealing to me than racing in a straight line personally) and that yummy irs makes it fun.

 

[lostwon]

I think you nailed it. Picked up my 2015 GT PP last night. Bought my first new Mustang in 1989. Been through several Ponys since; as well as some Firebirds, Camaros and Corvettes (C5 Z06s). They were all fun, but lately Ford seems to have gotten it just right. Traded in a 2012 GT last night. It was one nice Coyote. Hope the 2015 turns out as well. I like the Grand Touring idea very much.

Best regards,
john

P.S. Yes, It is about the Corners, Landon:

 

[lostwon]

I've done some corners.

 

[Anthony 05 GT]

Well, GT does stand for ''grand touring''.

 

[Todd15Fastback]

The S550 is about 4 cars in one and does each one at a very, very high level.

1. Daily driver
2. Drag racer
3. Road course expert
4. Grand tourer

 

[Lord Thunder]

I love touring in mine. In my previous cars or my girlfriend's Fiesta, I always felt exhausted after driving for about 2 hours to either of our parents. Last weekend I felt almost sad I had arrived, I could have driven a good bit more with ease. It could be still the honeymoon, but I'm loving it.

 

[Dawg]

Mines a convertible. As far as I'm concerned, the ultimate touring car. Nothing like driving through the mountains with the top down, get a little cold, heated seats to the rescue. Any threat of inclement weather, just put the top up.

 

[XVRhodesian]

I whole heartedly agree! This is my first Mustang, along with my first post, and I smiled when I saw this thread. I was pleasantly surprised taking a GT PP for a test drive. The power, the handling, and the looks inside and out..... I was impressed.

Granted, I am coming from a lifted '06 Wrangler that I have DD'd since new, but the GT Premium PP I took ownership of last week has been nothing but a pleasure thus far. No surprise, but the suspension is way more comfortable than I am used too. I just want to drive it everywhere. The Misses loves it too and is already planning cross country trips.

Todd15Fastback nailed it on all four counts!

 

[Skacs]

The exact same word comes to my mind as well. Very nicely sorted out from the factory. I almost always take the long way home from wherever I am just because it's such a rewarding drive - even just cruising in it feels special!

 

[CaseyJr.]

Coming from an S197, the new S550 is very much a different driving experience. I can't wait to get out on the roadcourse.

 

[GTP]

...but more and more I find myself in love with this car as a tourer that I even scrapped my plans to stiffen the suspension and lower it with coil overs, sway bars, and whatnot (which I reaaaally wanted to do. Had parts picked).

OP, very nice post. Thank you.

I'm right there with you, appreciating the touring car aspect. This car seems that it can almost be all things to all drivers. Seems like a non-PP car would make for a great vacation driver for a couple that isn't taking too much stuff with them.

But I am also very curious whether to mod the suspension for the 5% of the time that I will be going hard in a corner on public roads. Then wondering why I did so during the other 95% of the time as a DD.

I'm not convinced that progressive springs are quite the "best of both worlds" yet, but there has been steady progress in the release of many new suspension products, so I will be monitoring all the options closely.

 

[oilfieldtrash]

I consider the non performance pack premium ecoboost as the ultimate grand tourer. Very smooth ride, cooled or heated seats for the ride, very good gas mileage, less stopping on the road due to getting low to mid 30's on the highway, and the ecoboost is quieter than the gt which makes a big difference when you're cruising for that long.

 

[Coaster]

We did 2300 miles in the car in a week in July. It was perfect and at the end I could have just kept driving.

Averaged 23.5 MPG in and auto GT but that was for the whole trip which included Tail of the Dragon, two full days of driving the the Smoky Mountains, drag passes, and a track session.

Right now a trip from Ohio to Alaska via Oregon is in the planning stages for next year. 9000 miles in 3 weeks give or take.

 

[Todd15Fastback]

We did 2300 miles in the car in a week in July. It was perfect and at the end I could have just kept driving.

Averaged 23.5 MPG in and auto GT but that was for the whole trip which included Tail of the Dragon, two full days of driving the the Smoky Mountains, drag passes, and a track session.

Right now a trip from Ohio to Alaska via Oregon is in the planning stages for next year. 9000 miles in 3 weeks give or take.

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