Guys, should I get the performance package?

[mustang_guy]

did you need a second to stroke yourself on the internet? I don't recall anyone asking how much money you make....

He said that they make 10x the amount i make. I didnt just bring it up for shits as a conversation piece.
;)

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[hiccup]

yes, PP.

I don't know why people keep saying the 3.73s are 'difficult' to drive in traffic...

I know. Those are the perfect gear. With that trans I stay in fourth all the time in town. Come up on signal light and it's back to second. Even a good mileage gear in town.

 

[GTP]

"It's a bargain so you have to get it."

Let's parse that.

It's surely a bargain, but it creates a car of a certain personality and appearance that you may or may not prefer. Advice to drive cars with and without the PP is spot on. Many guys like the PP, many think it rides badly. Some are happy with the 3.73s, some wish for and prefer longer legs. (The car has plenty of performance no matter the gears or transmission. 435 HP will do that for you.)

So if you want the 20s and a more relaxed cruising mode, I'm guessing you may prefer the non-PP. You are not tracking so the 4-piston brakes are more than fine (remember, these are not Pinto brakes, they came on the 2010 GT500). Really hard to do this "wrong," but there are ways to get it more "right" for your preferences.

^This, BUT

You must decide on whether you prefer manual or automatic transmission FIRST. Test drive both trannies with an open mind.

The only way to get both auto and PP is to find a 2015 Limited Edition car, but when you price those out (even at MSRP) you will find that you still pay a premium for the car.

Ultimately, I decided the auto was more important for my requirement that the car do many things (nearly) equally well. I plan to implement the PP parts via DIY over the first couple years. Keep in mind that while the PP package is a great value, if you want to change out the wheels/tires (~$3k), then it is not such a great value after all.

 

[dannycoconuts]

worth every penny

 

[MagneticMan]

I would gotten the if available on the GT convertible, but it wasn't. I really wanted the gauges

 

[Horde5.0]

I say you should consider what you are actually going to use and not give in to the peer pressure (the first corner's free man, try it...). If you don't think you need it, don't get it.

I decided not to get the Performance package mostly because of the ride quality. My last car was pretty stiff and I finally got tired of the noise and the harsh ride. California roads suck pretty hard, if the roads where you live are better maintained then maybe it isn't an issue for you. I test drove a GT with the PP and found it too bumpy for comfort. I also went with 18 inch wheels for better ride quality.

Don't get me wrong, I drive my car pretty hard and make good use of that beautiful V8 but there is only so much suspension upgrade I really need. I did buy a new rear sway because IMO it does needs one but the stock suspension is pretty good.

The non-suspension part of the PP has some good stuff but I can't really see myself needing the bigger brakes on my daily driver. The radiator interests me far more because my first car was a old fox body that overheated all the time and has left me permanently paranoid about it but still...stuff I don't need.

For gearing I went with the 3.55s to get a little more power than 3.31s but a little better drivability than the 3.73s and it is a really enjoyable drive. I get about 19mpg over the course of the week...about half city, half highway.

I also decided to go with the Premium GT so I could enjoy all the little upgrades that make a DD more pleasant. Depending on your needs that might be better than the Performance package

 

[BEASTS550]

I say you should consider what you are actually going to use and not give in to the peer pressure (the first corner's free man, try it...). If you don't think you need it, don't get it.

I decided not to get the Performance package mostly because of the ride quality. My last car was pretty stiff and I finally got tired of the noise and the harsh ride. California roads suck pretty hard, if the roads where you live are better maintained then maybe it isn't an issue for you. I test drove a GT with the PP and found it too bumpy for comfort. I also went with 18 inch wheels for better ride quality.

Don't get me wrong, I drive my car pretty hard and make good use of that beautiful V8 but there is only so much suspension upgrade I really need. I did buy a new rear sway because IMO it does needs one but the stock suspension is pretty good.

The non-suspension part of the PP has some good stuff but I can't really see myself needing the bigger brakes on my daily driver. The radiator interests me far more because my first car was a old fox body that overheated all the time and has left me permanently paranoid about it but still...stuff I don't need.

For gearing I went with the 3.55s to get a little more power than 3.31s but a little better drivability than the 3.73s and it is a really enjoyable drive. I get about 19mpg over the course of the week...about half city, half highway.

I also decided to Premium GT so I could enjoy all the little upgrades that make a DD more pleasant. Depending on your needs that might be better than the Performance package

This +1:clap2: And gives you a great starting point for ppl who plan on building their own race/track car.

 

[WeinerDog]

Obviously everyone has a different opinion of what constitutes an uncomfortable ride but when I was test driving and comparing versions I took the cars on the worst, bumpiest rides I could think of...and also some very nice twisty roads. My dealer let me have the cars for hours, so I had the opportunity to really try them out.

The PP suspension is just about perfect for what I want. I found the non PP car too soft, a bit too much body roll although it really does stick well if you ignore that. And the brakes are fine on the non PP, but they are amazing with the Brembos. I live in the mountains and have wonderful twisties at my disposal every day. So, a no-brainer for me.

My 2010 has Steeda springs and Koni dampers...it's pretty rough/loud. The PP S550 is in another world in terms of handling and comfort.

 

[lazarus870]

This car is going to be my impractical secondary vehicle. I don't need to ever drive it in the rain or snow since I have my Corolla. I set out to get a fun car, practicality be damned. I guess my biggest concerns with the performance package are whether it has useless 1-2 or so around town, and its highway mpg for road trips compared to a regular GT.
I love, love, love the gauges and the aluminum trim dash.
The idea of being able to take corners with less roll and to have more off the line power are appealing but I don't want a car that becomes asininely impractical and gets comparatively horrible mileage (not that I'm buying ti for that).
I recognize you get a lot of features for the dough, though. Bigger brakes and radiator and the suspension upgrades seem really tempting, even if just as a road trip car.

I've always been more of a Camaro guy but these new Mustangs won me over and hard.

And of course, I want a manual. Been driving manual cars now for 12 years.

 

[Trackaholic]

I think the HWY mileage will be slightly worse simply due to the shorter gearing. However it is also possible that the difference in mileage could be very small compared to the effect changes in driving style might give. IOW, you may not really notice the difference.

I do think you should give both versions a test drive to see how you feel about the ride. For me, even the PP felt a bit too soft and disconnected from the road. However it was something I could deal with. I didn't drive a non-PP, but I know that it would be much too soft for what I wanted in a sporty car.

I think the difference in feel might help you determine which way to go. And if the PP still doesn't give you the feel you are want, there's always the aftermarket.
-T

 

[Shibaman]

I think for the money it is a real bargain. Really a great package for that money! Just about perfect for a street hot rod.handles well...won't over heat....great brakes.. I spent about 9 hrs with guys with old old hot rods. 70 chevelle 454..ford galaxy show car. Very nice cars. Neither could handle the drama of overheating..handling.

 

[Khyber]

it's a v8...throw the mph out the window because you'll be having too much fun...

the comments about pp being a harsh ride, well mine's even lowered too and I've been in what you call a harsh ride...my cousins 240 that's on the ground...so i don't consider pp harsh at all...lowering only helped it too by taking out the body roll but the difference in springs between pp and non pp isn't THAT big of a deal. non pp is definitely softer but not by some crazy margin though.

I also get 18-19.5 mpg in town at 35-45mph speed limits...17 when I play around...and get up to 24 on interstate. 3.55 isn't going to magically get you THAT much better mpg and you will really hardly notice it in a DD situation. we are all shifting at decent rpm's if you want good gas mileage anyways. Really if you keep your foot out of it... difference between 3.55 and 3.73 is just negligible.

 

[lazarus870]

You guys with PP cars...what RPM do you spin at around 70 mph?
Do you use 1st around town at all? Or is it and to a certain extent 2nd, useless?

 

[Khyber]

I can't remember rpm but maybe 2800 or 3k at 70? Can't remember. Might be 3200. Dunno

I use first just depends on where and traffic. Got creep assist that locks in at 800 rpm so I use that at lights and going slow

 

[hiccup]

More like 2200 I think..:headbonk:

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