Doing homework on the 13-15 GT

[Emt1581]

I had a 13 5.0 and now have the 15. There is really no comparison between the two cars. The 15 is a massive improvement. The interior is better. The car is much more comfortable, from the seats to the way it rides. Horsepower and torque are both up from the S197. I personally think the 15 blows the last gen out of the water in the looks department too. Sitting a S550 beside an S197 makes the 197 look very plain. I have had 5 mustangs now and this 15 is my favorite by a long shot.

See aesthetically I disagree. I like the aggressive front end on the 13-14 significantly better than the 15. But if performance and everything else is an improvement to driving and owning the 15, I can learn to like how it looks.

-Emt1581

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[BmacIL]

Yeah I just read the regret thread and it seems that no one complained about having purchased the PP but plenty regret NOT having it. Again, I just need to learn more about the specifics but up front it seems like something worth having.

Is there another name for it though? On cars.com I found tons of premiums but I think just one PP. I've also heard it called a track pack.

Thanks

-Emt1581

For how you're going to use it, ABSOLUTELY get the performance pack. Premium is subjective. It certainly is very nice, but the base is A LOT of car. I don't regret getting a base car, but I wish I had sprung for a PP car. It's much sharper, much more sorted, and didn't feel any less comfortable to me.

If it's new, the easiest way to tell by looking is the wheels. A GT PP will have black or silver mesh (many spoke) wheels. The front splitter is also different (bigger) and there is no rear lip spoiler.

 

[10splaya22]

For how you're going to use it, ABSOLUTELY get the performance pack. Premium is subjective. It certainly is very nice, but the base is A LOT of car. I don't regret getting a base car, but I wish I had sprung for a PP car. It's much sharper, much more sorted, and didn't feel any less comfortable to me.

I disagree. He said it will mostly be a daily driver in the warmer months. That doesn't equal needing the PP. I do agree on getting the '15+ as its a much better all around car than the S197. But the OP will need to decide and drive both to see if the brakes, suspension, rear gears, wheels, etc are worth it for him.

 

[Poisond281]

See aesthetically I disagree. I like the aggressive front end on the 13-14 significantly better than the 15. But if performance and everything else is an improvement to driving and owning the 15, I can learn to like how it looks.

-Emt1581

Looks are subjective - personally I don't find the front ends of the 13-14 models to be "aggressive". At least not compared to the S550 or even the 2010-2012 years.

 

[Old Guard]

I considered the PP but went with the manual GT premium 3.55 because:
1) the ride is great without the performance pack,
2) the combination of a) Stop and Go traffic + b) 3.73 rear axle + c) manual transmission is not a good mix,
and 3) the asymmetric tires on the PP will result in replacing the rear tires every 12-15k miles, and I hope to get 40k out of my 255/40R19 symmetric tires by rotating them. Big budget difference after a short period of ownership. Can pay for your Whipple.

 

[Emt1581]

I considered the PP but went with the manual GT premium 3.55 because:
1) the ride is great without the performance pack,
2) the combination of a) Stop and Go traffic + b) 3.73 rear axle + c) manual transmission is not a good mix,
and 3) the asymmetric tires on the PP will result in replacing the rear tires every 12-15k miles, and I hope to get 40k out of my 255/40R19 symmetric tires by rotating them. Big budget difference after a short period of ownership. Can pay for your Whipple.

Whipple?...

Interesting points on the PP. Didn't read that in the regret thread.

Thanks!

-Emt1581

 

[BmacIL]

I disagree. He said it will mostly be a daily driver in the warmer months. That doesn't equal needing the PP. I do agree on getting the '15+ as its a much better all around car than the S197. But the OP will need to decide and drive both to see if the brakes, suspension, rear gears, wheels, etc are worth it for him.

If he's only driving in the warmer months, and not a long commute when he uses it for that, the PP is definitely worth it if it's not pushing the limits of his budget. The way the car drives is significantly better. The main things you can ding the PP for are the 19" wheel requirement (unless you spring for very expensive 18"), which sucks for winter tires, and the 3.73 axle for fuel economy and shifting a bit more when driving around town. The 3.73 is definitely more fun, though.

 

[Jeff's FRC]

I originally ordered a base 16 with PP. After actually driving the cars, I ended up with a premium non PP car. I would bet money my car handles better than a PP with just the shock/strut and spring swap I've already done. The brakes on the standard GT(4 piston) aren't crappy either. A simple pad/fluid swap would outperform PP brakes if you so choose.

I guess what I'm trying to say, is that if you're going to modify the car, I'd skip the PP and make the car better yourself.

I personally like the 13/14 cars a lot, but do agree the 15+ looks better. Drive both and see what you prefer!

 

[Emt1581]

As far as pricing goes...in Summer/Spring of 16 when the 16's and possibly 17's are out...any estimates on what the 15's (GT, GT Premium +/- Performance Package) will be going for?

If the 14 compared to 15 is any indicator it would look like the range will be from $25k-$28k. Thoughts?

Thanks

-Emt1581

 

[BmacIL]

As far as pricing goes...in Summer/Spring of 16 when the 16's and possibly 17's are out...any estimates on what the 15's (GT, GT Premium +/- Performance Package) will be going for?

If the 14 compared to 15 is any indicator it would look like the range will be from $25k-$28k. Thoughts?

Thanks

-Emt1581

You'd probably be able to get a low miles 15 for $25-30k, depending on options. Probably a little over $30k if it's loaded.

 

[Emt1581]

Well after doing some reading on the forum, youtube vids, etc...after 8 hours...I DEFINITELY want a premium if I go with a 15 GT. PP vs. non-PP...jury is still out.

Also read some complaints on the manual transmission (referred to as the MT-82) but having a manual over an auto (for a more fun experience) is something I'm looking forward to.

But thanks for the replies so far. Seems like I'm at the right place to do a LOT of learning.

-Emt1581

 

[BmacIL]

Well after doing some reading on the forum, youtube vids, etc...after 8 hours...I DEFINITELY want a premium if I go with a 15 GT. PP vs. non-PP...jury is still out.

Also read some complaints on the manual transmission (referred to as the MT-82) but having a manual over an auto (for a more fun experience) is something I'm looking forward to.

But thanks for the replies so far. Seems like I'm at the right place to do a LOT of learning.

-Emt1581

Pretty much all my issues with the MT-82 are gone now that I have a heavy shift knob. It got smoother after a couple thousand miles, as well. It's not a bad trans at all. The shifter isn't perfect, but it's a beauty to shift when it's warm and now that the heavy knob is on there.

 

[blk_5.0]

I had a 14 GT Premium with 3.55 gears and recently upgraded to my 2015 PP GT. I really liked my 14 but driving a performance pack 15 really sealed my 14s fate lol. I opted to go with the performance pack and cloth recaros over getting a premium non-pp car. The 15 is a far superior car in pretty much every way IMO. The only thing I miss from my 14 (occassionally) is the SRA due to its rawness. If it was just a weekend car, I might have looked to get a track pkg 14 but mine is a daily and the IRS/brakes are phenomenal.

Transmission-My 14 and 15 have only had CAI/AxleBack exhaust/wheels/a few cosmetic mods, so the wear on them was probably somewhat normal but I have had zero issues. My 14 had 33,000 miles when traded in and my 15 is at 7k right now (knocks on wood). Also, both cars have been driven relatively hard or spirited so it's not like I drive like a grandma.

PP vs non PP.....Drive each! Once I did, my decision was made-the brakes alone on the PP were worth it to me. Many argue that the Performance Pack suspension etc isn't as good as you could get aftermarket, but for someone like me it was nice buying something off the lot with the setup it has especially because once again it's a daily and not a dedicated track car. People also say the 6 piston brembos don't make much of a difference but I call BS on that haha. Due to my car being a daily I also was originally concerned with the 3.73 gears, but they aren't that bad. Stop and go isn't anymore annoying....I just find myself starting in 2nd a lot more often and it just comes natural now. Highway I get 25/26 when babying it and combined lifetime mileage and I'm around 18/19 for economy. Real world, my fuel economy with all the highway/city stop and go/all the WOT accelerations ends up between 17 and mid 19s per gallon. IMO it's a shame to get this car without the PP unless you plan on going mod crazy/FI, but to each their own!

PS-My only knock on the PP is the damn 30 spoke wheels that are a major PITA to clean :headbonk:

 

[MaskedRacerX]

Only briefly considered a pre-S550, and those cars were actually Shelby GT500s. Even with the pretty notable power difference, the S550 is better car in every other metric that mattered to me.

I went manual (even in a convertible ), and for me, the PP was kind of a must have. I wanted the gears, the Torsen, loved the interior changes, totally dug on the wheels (and 255/275 tire package), the car just feels better, more stable, more "put together", the whole driving experience really comes together. Not that you can't reproduce the PP (and exceed it) with aftermarket, but for $2400, and it being covered by warranty, the PP was a steal in my book.

I also went with the Premier interior (on top of the Premium package, which was standard on the Gt convertible). It has some improved materials, used in more locations (dash, armrest, door cards).

 

[Grintch]

Yeah I just read the regret thread and it seems that no one complained about having purchased the PP but plenty regret NOT having it. Again, I just need to learn more about the specifics but up front it seems like something worth having.

Is there another name for it though? On cars.com I found tons of premiums but I think just one PP. I've also heard it called a track pack.

Thanks

-Emt1581

Track pack is essentially the same thing as the Performance Pack, but on the s197.

Ever going to see a road course get the PP. Short on cash, JUST get the PP and skip the Premium fluff.

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