First Impression Poll

[Dave2013M3]

I'm still excited and still plan on getting one, but now brand new. First I want to see what happens with the GT350 but realistically I will probably end up buying someones 20-40k mi modded GT/GTPP in a few years, or maybe get lucky and get a used GT350. In the meantime I picked up an 06 e46 M3 comp pack manual with 30k miles and I'm _really_ enjoying it. It could use a louder exhaust and about 100 more hp though I just bough 245/275 pilot SS's and can't wait to get them on.

I find myself disappointed only with the weight gain. It seems like a lot of people here are focusing on a few negative points in the reviews and missing a lot of the positives. For people who want to mod their cars, I think the s550 is going to be an incredible platform. I really want to drive one for myself.

Congrats on the M3..a pic of my 2004 E46 M3.

PM me if you got any questions on what works on these cars. An extra 100hp won't be possible without forced induction.

I too was waiting for a little better reviews of the Mustang. I currently have a 2013 E92 M3 ZCP car and although I love the car, I really am a Mustang guy at heart. Thrilled that Ford has finally brought the Mustang into the world car category. However, nothing I've seen here so far will have me release my M3 other than he GT350. There is a triple yellow coming into my dealer hopefully next week. Im going to take a look at it and hopefully a test drive.

Dave

Sponsored

 

[Fenderaddict2]

I loved the E46 M3.

 

[REX-RACER]

Well I tell you what. You go try to hunt down Dave, and have him add it to the list of things he has to do as chief engineer.

In the mean time, I'm going to go test drive one and see how I like it. In addition I plan on also test driving a C-class and A4 (optioned at about the same price). If I think it holds its ground, I'ma buy one. If not, I'll go Focus ST and enjoy my fuel economy and $15k in savings.

Did ya know the difference in cost between a base eb Mustang w/ M6 / PP / Recaros and a fully optioned Focus ST is just slightly less than $1k? I was looking at the F-ST myself and then sorta stumbled across this factoid.

 

[Sterling Archer]

Did ya know the difference in cost between a base eb Mustang w/ M6 / PP / Recaros and a fully optioned Focus ST is just slightly less than $1k? I was looking at the F-ST myself and then sorta stumbled across this factoid.

Does it even matter? I don't care for a base model. I've got the money; I'm going premium materials.

As for ecoboost vs ST, I frankly think the ST is a better vehicle from a performance perspective given the weight of the ecoboost. RWD really means nothing to me given the understeer. Besides, FoST offers a lot in the direction of functionality. In short, if I'm not going to get exactly what I want out of the mustang, I'm just going to go for something practical. I think that's a perfectly pragmatic view point on spending $40k.

 

[Todd15Fastback]

I too was waiting for a little better reviews of the Mustang. I currently have a 2013 E92 M3 ZCP car and although I love the car, I really am a Mustang guy at heart. Thrilled that Ford has finally brought the Mustang into the world car category. However, nothing I've seen here so far will have me release my M3 other than he GT350.

Not to derail this thread....I have started looking the 2013 M3's over the last week or so. This is my favorite M3 due to the high revving V8 (8400RPM redline) and love the looks and total setup of this car. Looks like I can get a fully loaded one for about 60-62k that is an Elite CPO car with about 2-5k miles.

If you want to send me a PM on your thoughts on that car, I would be forever grateful .

I am curious about performance, reliability, maintenance, handling. How is the car holding up over the last couple of years, etc. Anything and everything you want to share, I am all eyes and ears. Thanks, Dave!

 

[REX-RACER]

Does it even matter? I don't care for a base model. I've got the money; I'm going premium materials.

As for ecoboost vs ST, I frankly think the ST is a better vehicle from a performance perspective given the weight of the ecoboost. RWD really means nothing to me given the understeer. Besides, FoST offers a lot in the direction of functionality. In short, if I'm not going to get exactly what I want out of the mustang, I'm just going to go for something practical. I think that's a perfectly pragmatic view point on spending $40k.

Eh I was just saying man. Your budget obviously has more latitude but yes I do think it might matter for other people who's goal may be to stay below $30k as that F-ST vs base eb car fall into that category. For me the dreaded torque-steer on a high hp fwd car is a deal breaker no matter how balanced the chassis is otherwise.

But I get your point that there's a certain utility in the F-ST that makes it not a real apples-to-apples comparison to a Mustang. For myself I'll actually be trading in a Jeep Cherokee for whatever I end up getting and given my wife isn't particularly overjoyed by the idea of having a second Mustang I actually find myself cross-shoping F150s.

 

[tbonez3858]

From the information we have and the reviews I've read the one word I would use to describe the car would be "compromise". That isn't a term that generally excites me to buy a new car. We got a lot but it appears we lost some to get it and what we did get doesn't appear to be sorted out.

At this point the styling and the interior are the highlights to me...Performance is meh.

 

[NRMStand]

From the information we have and the reviews I've read the one word I would use to describe the car would be "compromise". That isn't a term that generally excites me to buy a new car. We got a lot but it appears we lost some to get it and what we did get doesn't appear to be sorted out.

At this point the styling and the interior are the highlights to me...Performance is meh.

Pray tell, what car is not a compromise at this price point?

Is the current Mustang/Camaro not? Is the next Camaro not going to be? I have been reading you beat on about it and it amazes me the simple fact that the car can not be everything to everyone seems to allude you. They took a cross section of things that needed to be fixed and took the biggest bite they could given the budget and the price point of the consumer. Things fall to the side, as they always do.

 

[tbonez3858]

Not to derail this thread....I have started looking the 2013 M3's over the last week or so. This is my favorite M3 due to the high revving V8 (8400RPM redline) and love the looks and total setup of this car. Looks like I can get a fully loaded one for about 60-62k that is an Elite CPO car with about 2-5k miles.

If you want to send me a PM on your thoughts on that car, I would be forever grateful .

I am curious about performance, reliability, maintenance, handling. How is the car holding up over the last couple of years, etc. Anything and everything you want to share, I am all eyes and ears. Thanks, Dave!

You can probably have a brand new M2 for that price that will murder that gen of M3. If you want a competitor at Mustang price why not a m235i. If you dont need a 4 doors you have 99% of the speed and passion of an M3 while knocking off 15 to 20k off of the price you are looking at.

 

[tbonez3858]

Pray tell, what car is not a compromise at this price point?

Is the current Mustang/Camaro not? Is the next Camaro not going to be? I have been reading you beat on about it and it amazes me the simple fact that the car can not be everything to everyone seems to allude you. They took a cross section of things that needed to be fixed and took the biggest bite they could given the budget and the price point of the consumer. Things fall to the side, as they always do.

The Mustang is a performance car...It appears the performance in multiple categories will be no better and appears to be worse than the outgoing version.

Is it a typical trend for a later generation of a performance car to have less performance? Did the m3, did the Vette? Are luxury cars typically less luxurious than the previous generations? Will the next gen of hybrids have worse gas mileage?

Chevy has clearly stated that they try to exceed the performance of their last generations tiered up cars with their entry level (or one level down)

The C7s goal was to best the C6 Z06
The C7 Z06 was to best the ZR1


You can bet your paycheck that Chevy will have a goal to best the 1LE with the new SS. If the GT can't beat the current 1LE where does that leave us with the SS...It means a major upgrade in 2016/17 or watching tail lights. What happens if they come out with a 1Le version 3k upgrade out of the gate? What will its target to beat be..the Z28. Make no doubt they have the engine to do it...Ford knows what the LT1 has and it's why there is a FPC in the works.

I get that compromises have to be made but it appears other manufacturers are making other compromises with their performance cars in other areas than performance. Maybe not blow all of your R&D making this a global car for starters.

Exactly what generation of M3 and 911 was Ford benchmarking against?

 

[Wildcat]

LOL! This is where I fall too. I have, however, calmed down a bit since yesterday.

Yeah, I'd have to say that I've calmed down a bit too since yesterday. I think a lot of the reactions (including mine) may have been at least partially a result of how long it's taken to get reviews of this car. Expectations may have built up a little too high.

Still not that impressed with the Ecoboost but I will still drive one with performance pack and see if it changes my mind.

I agree with Sterling that a Focus ST might be in the picture if I don't care for the Ecoboost and can't swing a GT purchase.

 

[erne75]

Is 200lbs to 300lbs less pork too much to ask? Specially on a new platform built from the ground up? I'm actually pretty happy with the Coyote numbers of 435HP/400ft-lb.
I think with 300lbs less it would have gone from slightly less performance than M235i/CLA45 AMG/WRX STI to a better performer than those cars...Yes, those cars are more expensive but that is exactly what the GT w/PP is supposed to do (And beat the 1LE of course)

 

[T8stang]

I'm not impressed. I was looking for a car to be at least faster than the previous models. If I want handling and luxury I'd go buy a used 550I or a GS350 with less than 20k miles in the same price range. I didnt order this car because of the interior. IJS

 

[Sterling Archer]

Is 200lbs to 300lbs less pork too much to ask? Specially on a new platform built from the ground up? I'm actually pretty happy with the Coyote numbers of 435HP/400ft-lb.
I think with 300lbs less it would have gone from slightly less performance than M235i/CLA45 AMG/WRX STI to a better performer than those cars...Yes, those cars are more expensive but that is exactly what the GT w/PP is supposed to do (And beat the 1LE of course)

Yes. Actually it is. I take you aren't an engineer, so I'll give you the benefit of the doubt, but you have no idea just how difficult it is to meet all the new safety regulations and also try to increase the quality while keeping costs down. Something has to give.

 

[Sterling Archer]

Just go see the car in person guys. It'll make you do this:
[ame]

Sponsored