2023 GT Convertible

[BaileytheDog]

I thought I would start a new message instead of hanging on the end of my original message.

I ended up purchasing a new GT Convertible Premium. Auto trans, Performance Package, MagneRide, Active Exhaust, 401a Option. Ended getting it in Dark Matter Gray. It was not the first choice of color, but it was all that was available besides Black and White which we did not want. It looks good.

A few thoughts/comments after having this for about 3 days!

This thing sounds great. Even in normal mode. Usually when I'm driving around in my truck, and I hear the rumble of a V8, I'm looking around to find the car to admire it. This morning on my way to work, I passed a truck and heard the V8 roar. I started to look around, then realized that it was MY car making that great noise. I need to find some tunnels!

I put gas in it today. Checked the MPG and was 15. I did not think that was to bad with the way I have been stomping on it. Probably helped that the wife had it out last night.
Speaking of; we got the auto trans because she wanted to drive it. She never liked driving my '72 because it was old and without the amenities that she is used to. Last night she picked up a girlfriend, they drove around a bit and went out to eat. It will be nice if she likes it also and does not resent it (or me spending money on it) like the last car.

I did pick up a spare tire for it as I go to northern WI and do not want to get stuck up there if I take the convertible. I just need to install it in the trunk and see if I can make it fit.

As you can see from the picture, I already installed the Audi windscreen. I knew we were getting a convertible and I had been looking. I found a local one for a good price. I installed it last night and today, on the highway at 80 mph I had very little air movement in the front seats.

I have been playing around with modes, instruments, colors, etc. I'm a little confused by the MyColor. Looks like in the past you could dial in your color number. Unfortunately, on the digital screen looks like you need to pick a color by sight, not by number. Maybe I'm missing something. What are you guys doing for gauge colors?

I plan on getting it ceramic coated and I need to treat the top with something. I see what you guys have recommended, or I might just have the people doing the coating do it. We will see what they charge.

Next up: Painted pin stripe on the side (small), hood struts and trunk struts are on order. I also might delete the sound tube. I'll disconnect it first and see if that is the noise that I'm hearing that is bugging me. I hate to take it out what it is still under warranty, but I'm sure they will not care or even notice.

I got it from VA and shipped in an enclosed trainer to me in WI (I paid extra for that). Unfortunately, the selling dealer did not do a good job in cleaning it. The engine compartment is filthy, water spots on the paint and the windows were dirty. I need to get a good cleaning done on it.

Thank you for all that answered my questions and weighed in on the car with your opinions. Could not have done it without you folks. I'm sure I'll have additional questions as the months tick off to winter. (It will be stored for the winter, but in an unheated garage)

A few pictures attached.

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[Balr14]

You are going to enjoy it a lot. I had a 2018 GT convertible for 4 years, no regrets. Wisconsin really is a nice place for convertibles. We get very few days where it's too hot to put the top down and between May and September, my top is down 90% of the time.

Don't forget to keep the top up most of the time when the car is not in use.

Mine was also stored in an unheated garage in the winter, most of the time. I took it out when the streets were dry and clear, just because I enjoyed driving it. You will notice performance improves when the temperature drops below 40.

 

[gone_n_60]

Great options, all the good stuff! Looks like you got all the options I have on my 2020 other than the sedate color (LOL). The detailers I found to do ceramic did a treatment on the top too. it makes it somewhat repellant not totally because it's not metal.
Northern WI yes not very populous, or Up Nortd if I remember how you say it. I lived in Waukesha WI for 3 years. Lovely state, people friendly but being an outsider is WI it's hard to connect with folks.

The exhaust yes it's pretty damn good even in normal mode. At a cars'n'coffee a guy with a 2019 noted that my exhaust sounder better than the 2019. Some tweaks I guess but it's totally fun!

anyway if you're concerned about rock chips, or deer hooves on the front might want to consider getting PPF done on the front of the GT too. Lovely ride!

Maybe Road America some day? hahaha

 

[BaileytheDog]

I do want to track it. I was watching your stuff about the roll bar. Once the wife has a year with it, and does not put anyone in the back seat, I might add it.

Great options, all the good stuff! Looks like you got all the options I have on my 2020 other than the sedate color (LOL). The detailers I found to do ceramic did a treatment on the top too. it makes it somewhat repellant not totally because it's not metal.
Northern WI yes not very populous, or Up Nortd if I remember how you say it. I lived in Waukesha WI for 3 years. Lovely state, people friendly but being an outsider is WI it's hard to connect with folks.

The exhaust yes it's pretty damn good even in normal mode. At a cars'n'coffee a guy with a 2019 noted that my exhaust sounder better than the 2019. Some tweaks I guess but it's totally fun!

anyway if you're concerned about rock chips, or deer hooves on the front might want to consider getting PPF done on the front of the GT too. Lovely ride!

Maybe Road America some day? hahaha

 

[Hoofer]

Looks great, congrats.

Take these with a grain of salt:
- Take it easy for the first 1k miles until the engine gets broken in.
- Purchase the Steeda *Convertible* Jacking Rails.
- Change oil at 1k. Super easy to do yourself, BUT research it first, so you know what to expect.
- Consider purchasing an aftermarket oil pan plug. Several choices. I have a Ronin.
- Purchase an oil separator. Lotsa choices. I have a JLT/OSC.

 

[BaileytheDog]

Thanks Boz.
I was going to ask about the oil separator. Looks like it is a necessity?
What are the jacking rails for? Can't you use what is under there to jack it up?

Lastly, I see you are in WI also. Do you cold store it for the winter? If so, what do you do with the tires? Jack the car up?

Looks great, congrats.

Take these with a grain of salt:
- Take it easy for the first 1k miles until the engine gets broken in.
- Purchase the Steeda *Convertible* Jacking Rails.
- Change oil at 1k. Super easy to do yourself, BUT research it first, so you know what to expect.
- Consider purchasing an aftermarket oil pan plug. Several choices. I have a Ronin.
- Purchase an oil separator. Lotsa choices. I have a JLT/OSC.

 

[Hoofer]

Thanks Boz.
I was going to ask about the oil separator. Looks like it is a necessity?
What are the jacking rails for? Can't you use what is under there to jack it up?

Lastly, I see you are in WI also. Do you cold store it for the winter? If so, what do you do with the tires? Jack the car up?

Again, take what I say with a grain of salt, and read all the threads and posts members have posted here, vendor websites, then make your decision.

Oh, and watch videos. Tons of good videos too.

To answer your questions:
I was going to ask about the oil separator. Looks like it is a necessity?
- Depends on who you talk to. I think so. For ~$175, simple install. Just monitor the container. I dump mine every oil change.

What are the jacking rails for? Can't you use what is under there to jack it up?
- Ya, kinda, but it can be a pita locating a spot at times. With jacking rails, you can pretty much lift from any point, about the length of the door. Lotsa videos out there too.

Lastly, I see you are in WI also. Do you cold store it for the winter?
-Yes in a car capsule, it's 13 yo. I paid $300 back then. Now they're $500.
IIRC, I've went a couple fans and a transformer. The round foam filters for the back are complete junk. The foam literally falls apart in your hand. I don't even cover the fan. My garage isn't that dusty, and the car gets cleaned when I take it out anyway.
I use it because:
- keeps mice out.
- keeps air circulating inside the capsule so condensation doesn't form. (Well, that's mostly true. It's possible if you parked it in a cool, very humid environment, then warmed it up, condensation will form on the car, especially the tyranny/engine).
- protects the car from 'stuff'.

I should get a new, free one from car capsule for this write-up.

https://carcapsule.com/16-carcapsule-indoor/

If so, what do you do with the tires?
Jack the car up?
- Nope, nothing. I just put carpet samples under each one of the tires inside the car capsule.
- I also change oil/filter, remove the antenna, remove the battery (put in my basement on a tender), and dump a can of Royal Purple MaxClean in the fuel tank. That's it.

 

[dstanky]

Fellow wisconsinite

 

[CVCashmere]

There are many threads how to treat the vert top to protect against water, dirt, etc.

Read them and pick the product you like. My post identifies a few options.

CVCashmere

 

[Jxp1962]

I also have a car capsule, i feel at the very least it will keep the mice out. Plus keeps the car safe from stuff piling onto it over the winter…

 

[Hoofer]

I also have a car capsule, i feel at the very least it will keep the mice out. Plus keeps the car safe from stuff piling onto it over the winter…

Nice!

Mice have to be every car guys potential nightmare.

 

[NOZ34ME]

Enjoy. I’m in VA and drive to PA to get my GT vert. I wanted a 6 spd manual, and they aren’t as available as the auto.
I’m not a fan of the catch cans but to each their own. Enjoy the ride tho. Your summers are a lot shorter than ours.
Curious which dealer down here did such a crappy job.

 

[Drock73]

I’m from Wisconsin as well. Live near Appleton,. I have a 2019 Mustang GT PP1 convertible. I have a few mods done to it.

I did have it ceramic coated and paint protection film applied. I highly recommend Ambrosius Graphics & Window Tinting in Little Suamico.. Rick the owner is a Mustang fan and does awesome work. He also does graphics a wraps. Let him know I sent you.

I added a Steeda H-Pipe. Unfortunately for me it was just too loud. Currently off my car and for sale if anyone is interested.

Also recently added 19x10 SVE SP2 wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport 4S. The shop recommended 275/35/19 tires which seem a little small. Should have done 285’s. So I also have basically brand new set of 4 - 275/35/19 tires. Tires installed on 9/20/23. Again let me know if you have interest.

Will be taking the Mustang to South Carolina next month and plan to do the Tail of the Dragon. Truly love this car, but next one will be a fighter jet gray Mach 1.

 

[BaileytheDog]

I have a good friend that lives in Appleton. I don't think I'll get up there this fall, but next spring I'll reach out.
I ended up finding a set of 275/40/19 Continental DWS 06 that are working for me. With those tires, I can use it for a daily driver until the end of October when it will get stores for the winter. I took a trip to Michigan last weekend and the car ran well. 22 MPG, more than my truck gets! Admittedly, I only got on it a few times, and it was all freeway on the way back.

I’m from Wisconsin as well. Live near Appleton,. I have a 2019 Mustang GT PP1 convertible. I have a few mods done to it.

I did have it ceramic coated and paint protection film applied. I highly recommend Ambrosius Graphics & Window Tinting in Little Suamico.. Rick the owner is a Mustang fan and does awesome work. He also does graphics a wraps. Let him know I sent you.

I added a Steeda H-Pipe. Unfortunately for me it was just too loud. Currently off my car and for sale if anyone is interested.

Also recently added 19x10 SVE SP2 wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport 4S. The shop recommended 275/35/19 tires which seem a little small. Should have done 285’s. So I also have basically brand new set of 4 - 275/35/19 tires. Tires installed on 9/20/23. Again let me know if you have interest.

Will be taking the Mustang to South Carolina next month and plan to do the Tail of the Dragon. Truly love this car, but next one will be a fighter jet gray Mach 1.

 

[Mossberg]

I’m from Wisconsin as well. Live near Appleton,. I have a 2019 Mustang GT PP1 convertible. I have a few mods done to it.

I did have it ceramic coated and paint protection film applied. I highly recommend Ambrosius Graphics & Window Tinting in Little Suamico.. Rick the owner is a Mustang fan and does awesome work. He also does graphics a wraps. Let him know I sent you.

I added a Steeda H-Pipe. Unfortunately for me it was just too loud. Currently off my car and for sale if anyone is interested.

Also recently added 19x10 SVE SP2 wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport 4S. The shop recommended 275/35/19 tires which seem a little small. Should have done 285’s. So I also have basically brand new set of 4 - 275/35/19 tires. Tires installed on 9/20/23. Again let me know if you have interest.

Will be taking the Mustang to South Carolina next month and plan to do the Tail of the Dragon. Truly love this car, but next one will be a fighter jet gray Mach 1.

What spoiler is that? Do you have a link for it? Thanks

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