Ford's big mistake

[Davisflyer]

I decided to rent a 2015 Mustang to see how it was to live with in real life vs a 10 minute test drive. I get what Ford is trying trying to do with it's EB engine, but what Ford has done marketing wise with the V6 is both a shame and a mistake. Keeping in mind that the vast majority of buyers won't mod their cars, the V6 is much more pleasurable to drive than the EB. Throttle response is instant where the EB has a slight lag, particularly from a stop. Power is linear, building all the way to redline vs the EB which runs out of steam above 5k rpm. Then there is the sound. EB would sound fine in a hot hatch or even a theoretical Fusion ST, but it just doesn't fit the Mustang's muscle car roots. This V6 sounds fantastic! The exhaust is pretty quiet though, so I'd recommend at least headers or an exhaust to spice things up. Taking the car on a mix of very twisty back roads and city streets and interstate, I can say that this car has a great ride/handling balance with the stock suspension. The only negative i could think of is that the long hood, while looking bad ass while driving straight, is a bit of a hindrance when going over a hill with a blind turn. In my Mini Copper, the visibility for tight, twisty, hilly roads is so much better. Also noticed that long hood while parking between cars. That being said, turning circle is surprisingly tight!

So all in all, love the car! BUT, I probably won't be getting one because even the kids felt tight in the back but mostly because the car won't fit in our small garage:(. I can drive it in, I just can't open the door. I considered leaving it outside, but I'm really spoiled not having to warm up and defrost my car in the winter, plus my Mini has been vandalized a couple times when I've left it outside.

I'll probably end up with another hatchback. Such are the compromises one makes in life. I'll live vicariously through you guys, so post lots of pics!

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[traxiii]

I can't imagine why they don't offer a premium V6, I think they are trying to force the non-GT buyer into the EB, even though the real world mileage and power are pretty much identical. It couldn't cost Ford any extra to offer parts that are in the other two models, I mean throwing in leather seats and a GPS, ect. isn't any harder than doing it in a GT or EB.

I have a 2.0L EB in my 2013 Edge and, yes the torque in nice, but my mileage, is about maybe 1 mpg better than the standard V6 that my friends have, and around town is actually worse.

 

[JeffreyDJ]

While my experience was the opposite in both the V6 I drove for 3.5 days and my EB, I do get it. My EB is a MT while the six was an AT. The EB has plenty down low and I don't notice any real delay in the power kicking in. Also, unfairly, my EB has the PP which made the 6 not feel nearly as tight to me. My EB was a much more fun drive and I was glad to get it back from repairs.

As far as hood, no disagreements but you get used to it. Having driven Mustangs all of my life I don't even notice it myself anymore!

I also agree that it would have been nice to offer the 6 in the same trims as the EB and GT. I would have still chosen the EB (even over the GT), but there isn't a bad choice of engines in a Mustang currently, except one is hindered by options.

 

[Davisflyer]

I imagine the turbo lag is much reduced with a manual tranny!

 

[Phlyguy]

I decided to rent a 2015 Mustang to see how it was to live with in real life vs a 10 minute test drive. I get what Ford is trying trying to do with it's EB engine, but what Ford has done marketing wise with the V6 is both a shame and a mistake. Keeping in mind that the vast majority of buyers won't mod their cars, the V6 is much more pleasurable to drive than the EB. Throttle response is instant where the EB has a slight lag, particularly from a stop. Power is linear, building all the way to redline vs the EB which runs out of steam above 5k rpm. Then there is the sound. EB would sound fine in a hot hatch or even a theoretical Fusion ST, but it just doesn't fit the Mustang's muscle car roots. This V6 sounds fantastic! The exhaust is pretty quiet though, so I'd recommend at least headers or an exhaust to spice things up. Taking the car on a mix of very twisty back roads and city streets and interstate, I can say that this car has a great ride/handling balance with the stock suspension. The only negative i could think of is that the long hood, while looking bad ass while driving straight, is a bit of a hindrance when going over a hill with a blind turn. In my Mini Copper, the visibility for tight, twisty, hilly roads is so much better. Also noticed that long hood while parking between cars. That being said, turning circle is surprisingly tight!

So all in all, love the car! BUT, I probably won't be getting one because even the kids felt tight in the back but mostly because the car won't fit in our small garage:(. I can drive it in, I just can't open the door. I considered leaving it outside, but I'm really spoiled not having to warm up and defrost my car in the winter, plus my Mini has been vandalized a couple times when I've left it outside.

I'll probably end up with another hatchback. Such are the compromises one makes in life. I'll live vicariously through you guys, so post lots of pics!

We've all been there...I had an 88 Saleen Mustang back in the day when I was married but no kids (yet) but fast forward four years later and I sold it after child #2 arrived for a Mercury Sable Station wagon!! Now that we're childless once again (including the Grandkids), I felt it was time to relive my "Vida Loca" by purchasing the GT (just think what it'll be like for you in a few years when the 2025 'stang comes out with Hydrogen cryogenic power as an alternative to nuclear power). :cheers:

 

[JeffreyDJ]

I imagine the turbo lag is much reduced with a manual tranny!

That could be it - I have NOT driven an automatic EB, so I have nothing to compare to on that front

Regardless, I was impressed with the power delivery of the six and how smooth it was across the RPM range. In the absence of the EB, it would have been my choice over the GT for various reasons (as long as I could get all of the doo-hickeys that make my life easier in that premium trim).

 

[wireless]

Most enthusiasts will want an EB over the V6. Period. Your average buyer will still likely buy a regular V6 just because it's a Mustang...

I love my Ecoboost. I don't need to wind it out. It's a pleasure to drive and there is a ton of room under the hood, plus the potential already being unleashed is great.

 

[JimmyTwoTimes]

I can't imagine why they don't offer a premium V6, I think they are trying to force the non-GT buyer into the EB, even though the real world mileage and power are pretty much identical.

It's that "real world" part that's the problem -- Ford (rightly) doesn't care about real world mileage; it's all about CAFE requirements. That's why every manufacturer is going with smaller turbo engines; they can game the fuel economy tests even if it doesn't provide real-world fuel economy benefits. Ford doesn't want people buying less-efficient engines for less money that hurt their CAFE numbers.

 

[Diode Dynamics]

I haven't driven an EB auto, so I can't comment on the lag. However, I didn't notice any lag or lack of pull until 5700 rpms or so. If you shift earlier, you'll never notice it.

For city driving, the manual EB is a great choice IMO

I wouldn't call the V6 a mistake, but I don't understand why Ford didn't add a little more power to make it more attractive than the EB for people who don't go with a GT. Having a 4-cylinder turbo makes the EB attractive to a much wider audience than the V6.

I'm on over 70 forums (everything from Acura-Toyota) and the EB got a lot of entry-level buyers excited about the 2015 Mustang. Even people on Camaro5 were talking about it

Nick C.

 

[superdave592]

I imagine the turbo lag is much reduced with a manual tranny!

Correct.. Ecoboost turbo with auto you will feel lag plus with the high rpm sign off the feeling of power is not there. I don't mean to down it I am sure the potential is there. But drive it before you buy it. For me V6 3.55 gears auto

 

[MagneticA]

Most enthusiasts will want an EB over the V6. Period. Your average buyer will still likely buy a regular V6 just because it's a Mustang...

Disagree.
Most Mustang enthusiasts will want an actual engine (v8) over a turbo. And the average buyer will go for the EB because it's marketed as being "eco-friendly" and is still a Mustang.

 

[petraman]

Disagree.
Most Mustang enthusiasts will want an actual engine (v8)

I guess I haven't done enough research... does the EB have pistons, spark plugs, cams and a crank? Does it not suck, bang and/or blow? Sorry guys, I'm new at this.

 

[MagneticA]

I guess I haven't done enough research... does the EB have pistons, spark plugs, cams and a crank? Does it not suck, bang and/or blow? Sorry guys, I'm new at this.

Enthusiast: a person who is filled with enthusiasm for some principle, pursuit, etc.; a person of ardent zeal.

It's hard to have ardent zeal for a relatively new and untested engine.

It's more likely your average buyer would be in the pursuit of better MPG while being filled with enthusiasm driving a Mustang.

Generalizations never fit everyone, so don't take it personally.

 

[JeffreyDJ]

Disagree.
Most Mustang enthusiasts will want an actual engine (v8) over a turbo. And the average buyer will go for the EB because it's marketed as being "eco-friendly" and is still a Mustang.

Lol.:headbonk:

 

[Davisflyer]

I wouldn't call the V6 a mistake

I never said the V6 was a mistake. What I tried to impart was the marketing of the V6 at the bottom with no premium options or optional performance package was a mistake. Some people prefer normally aspirated to turbo.

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