Comparing EB with 2012 GT

[Ebm]

My car was in service over the weekend getting the heated and cooled seat element fixed. I saw a beautiful 2012 Mustang GT on the lot that was grabber blue. It really draws your eyes to it. The price they were asking wasn't too bad, but it had quite a few miles on it. Overall, car looked like it was in excellent shape. I started it up and took it for a test drive. The car had an aftermarket exhaust on it and the horses were singing. It sounded great. The leather seats actually felt better than my 2016. The shifting was actually much smoother in this 2012 than my 2016 as well. I got down on it several times and liked what I heard. But one thing was kind of disappointing. I expected the GT to be so much faster, but it wasn't. Yes, it was faster than my boost, but not by as much as I thought. I was kind of shocked considering the 2012 GT is faster than the S550.

My boost definitely handled better and that was apparent from the get go. You could tell the IRS in the new cars is more comfortable, handled a little better, but didn't launch as well as the solid axle in the back of the 2012. Just thought I'd share my experiences.

On a side note, hopefully everything that's going to break does it during the warranty period. The cost of parts and labor on the S550 rivals that of a BMW. Not good... :tsk:

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[K-Roll302]

I wanna compare a 2010 GT to an EB, stock and modified. The stock EB's hp/tq figures rival that of the 2010 4.6, so I'm very curious as to how they'd compare.

 

[gtmorgan23]

The 4.6 3 valve was a dog. Dont waste your time be happy with your Eco.

 

[Manders Mustang]

In other comparisons I had (at the time) a cobb OTS s1 tuned EB, and drove a wortec tuned V8.... Didn't enjoy th v8 at all, power hit at like 4k rpm (to redline), below that it was boring and sluggish to drive, also was an auto. got back in my EB, didn't regret the V8. Barring the sound... I prefer the EB. the V* did feel slow, but it was quicker than my EB. However, sometimes 'bum on seat' feel, sells it all.

Yes, yes I am a black sheep lol!

 

[tw557]

I went thru the exact same thing a few months ago. I really like my ecoboost but really felt I wanted the grunt of the GT and of course the "respect" that an ecoboost does not get. I then proceeded to test drive 5 different GT's with cash in hand and a decent trade value. I was just so shocked also that I was not impressed with the GT power. I expected so much more low end roll on power. The revs to redline from 4000 per pretty good. Much better then the Ecoboost. But I just kept pushing the throttle more and more looking for that low end, short shifting pull that was just not there. All gt's were stock and one was a 13 though.
I then took a 05 GT for a drive for the heck of it with a fair amount of work done but still naturally aspirated, and it felt a little better then the stock power of the newer GT's. It looked tough, all black, ran strong, Rousch suspension, gt500 wheels, sounded great and was cheaper then just upgrading to a same as my ecoboost to a GT. 10000 vs 12000 to trade up. So now I have 2. The 05 gets more looks and comments from others. Its fun in its own way but really does not compare to the ecoboost especially in handling and even the roll on torque. Yes, a stock 4.6l is really pretty low on power and handling.

 

[csmaan12]

I had a personal debate to go with an Ecoboost or GT. I drove a stock boost, cobb ots ecoboost with an intake and HUGE intercooler and a few GTs, including one PP. The only thing that turned me off the Ecoboost was the exhaust noise really, and the fact that I have some sort of creeping anxiety driving a turbo-4 that is very sensitive to basically everything, especially if modding came into the picture, not ecoboost specific, just turbo-4. Fun to mod and wrench on, but always something lingering in the back of my mind that CAN go wrong.

The V8 on the other hand, on the PP and the 3.55 gears specifically, still felt like it had a good grunt under 4000RPM, and climbed fast enough to not be too much different to me than the EB. Plus it's got a lot of power out of the box, a nice exhaust/engine noise so I said "screw it" and got that. Though for the price I paid I probably could've got a fully loaded EB with the 6R80 (would definitely choose the auto if I went with the EB) and saved like $2-3k, instead of a base GT with black accent pack.

 

[tw557]

There really is no question that the ecoboost really doesn't sound very exciting. I had a full exhaust from the previous owner and I went back to stock. Quiet sounded better to me. Then there is the whole lack of respect the ecoboost gets. Its really a marvel of a motor but I just hate when I get asked what motors in it and. I have really grown to like forced induction motors now. My previous car was a Audi TTS with a full APR tune and the roll on torque was amazing. Just something a N/A motor can't do. But I will admit I did and do miss the top end pull of the GT's I drove. But I kept in mind that its not easy in my area to be running up the revs above 4000 let alone 7000 easily very often without causing a scene. Granted my 05 I can hear a 1/2 mile away. Its just not my everyday car. I did want an automatic since my wife and daughter will drive it too. The ecoboost works good as the auto shifts at low rpms and is always in the torque curve. The Auto GT shifted quick for me also, but I was always pushing the peddle farther for more torque and then it would downshift and rev up. That was annoying. The stick shift GT worked better though. I would just let it rev to a higher RPM before shifting or just pushed the peddle a lot farther and that helped. I just didn't expect that I was going to need to do that. I still think I will end up with a GT S550 in the future. When I get it at a price I feel comfortable tuning it.
As much as I did not worry about tuning in the past and I planned on tuning this ecoboost, I can't bring myself to do it. I have a CPO warranty and just don't trust this motor enough. Plus if I blow it and need to invest to fix it, that would surely push back the plan farther for a GT purchase any time soon.

 

[8borerifle]

I owned a 2010 GT stick with 3.73 gears, a 2012 GT auto both stock and now a 2015 Ecoboost auto Premium with PP option. The 2015 stock would definitely pull on the 2010. I added the FP tune in April and now it is no contest with the 2010. Much stronger on the bottom end and quicker on top. The 2015 with the FP tune is more fun to drive than the 2012 GT. Throttle response because of the bottom end torque of the 2015 feels quicker in normal driving (nice shove you back in the seat at part throttle), and no comparison on handling with the PP on the 2015. If you floor both at 40 MPH there is no comparison. The 2012 pulls much stronger. I am sure the 2012 would put a few cars on the 2015 in the quarter mile, but I enjoy the 2015 as a daily driver more. Gas mileage was 27 on a trip with the 2012 and 33.8 (both calculated) on the 2015. When you throw in the difference between 87 oct in the 2012 and 93 oct used in the 2015, the cost per mile is ABOUT THE SAME. Bad knees (almost 70 years old) dictate I have an auto now!

 

[TorqueMan]

I went thru the exact same thing a few months ago. I really like my ecoboost but really felt I wanted the grunt of the GT and of course the "respect" that an ecoboost does not get.

If you want to feel better blow kisses as you pass the GTs parked at the gas station.

 

[csmaan12]

As much as I did not worry about tuning in the past and I planned on tuning this ecoboost, I can't bring myself to do it. I have a CPO warranty and just don't trust this motor enough. Plus if I blow it and need to invest to fix it, that would surely push back the plan farther for a GT purchase any time soon.

If you plan on getting a GT, I'd just drive the EB and enjoy it as is. Maybe throw some mods at it because they do respond very, very nicely to an E85 blend tune, plus having a 30-35% mixture in there is a nice safety blanket for pre detonation.

On my old car, I went straight to an E30 tune and I felt safer having that than the stock or a 93 tune. Pretty much never had any KR whatsoever, even with the watered down E70 in the winter. So I'd say if you really have an itch to mod give that a shot, or else just stay stock and and enjoy your car!

 

[tw557]

8BORERIFLE, I probably have the exact same comments as you have posted. My 05 is probably a little faster flat out. But for every day driving and part throttle mountain climbs the ecoboost is a lot of fun. The handling is really so much better then the 05. I will admit though, starting up the 05 with the rumble of the opened up exhaust of the v8 to go for a cruise down thru town is fun also. My 12yo son loves the 05, the look and the sound. Also the sound of the new GT's with an exhaust just don't sound as good as the older v8's to my ears. Too raspy I think.

My gas mileage isn't all that great on a daily basis of 26MPG. Certainly not bad. It is fun to go on a trip and watch a little how I drive and see 35 though.

Other then the sound and stigma of the ecoboost, I actually think I would enjoy driving a tuned ecoboost more then a stock GT. The incredible roll on power coupled with the great handling (i have the Ford performance suspension kit) really makes a heck of a sports car. If I do plan to Mod this I do think that alcohol added one way or another is the way to go. I have contemplated a Water Meth injection kit just for the octane safety factor. I still feel that with a good 93 tune and the methanol added just for octane, not performance, could make a pretty clean reliable motor. But like you mention, I'll probably just drive as is. It does have a street intercooler also which I assume helps some too.

 

[Shawnski]

EB>GT

I had a ‘15 EB PP A6, loved the car so much I thought “mo is betta”; went ‘16 GT PP M6. Not a mistake, but not as impressive in terms of handling, fun to drive torque, and fuel economy. Since moved on to a ‘17 GT350 for the long term. Sold the the EB to my son and its been flawless. I have first right of refusal if he moves on.

Stigma is ones own perception. Underdog virtues FTW.

 

[tw557]

Very interesting perspective from someone owning all 3 models and keeping it subjective. I did a lot of roadbike and go-kart racing and always loved being the underdog. I was always proud to say a smaller motor or older model. I guess now it's all bench racing talk at work or at the gas pumps. Bigger is always better. Lol So I've pretty much gotten over the stigma but can't lie, sometimes emotionally I want the gt more. But I usually only have those thoughts while I'm NOT driving the ecoboost. I am always quite impressed while I'm driving it especially with the racing suspension and effortless torque. For now the 05 gt fills my need for a louder muscle car.

 

[ElAviator72]

Compare the mileage. 'nuff said :headbonk:

What's crazy to me:

We're about the same size as a '72 Mach I ( I chose 1972 because it was the last year of high compression engines). An Ecoboost is about 200 lbs. lighter than a stock Mach I, and slightly lower in HP, but just as quick, and a heck of a lot safer, and don't even approach the fuel economy angle with the Mach I.

I've never owned a V8, not even in a pickup or SUV, so I guess I don't know what I'm missing

 

[tw557]

Coming from a g35 and audi tts, I figured this ecoboost will be "ok" for a 22000 used car. But I just became more impressed as I owned it. These ecoboost really don't get enough credit. Just like Shawnski said. If the ecoboost is great the Gt has to be unbelievable."more is better" I think i just hyped the gt up too much in my head. I was so sure the gt was "It" that I sold my motorcycles to get a gt. I should have drove them first. It was time for the bikes to go anyway. At least the bike money bought the 05 the whole family can enjoy and not worry about Dad with another broken bone.

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