Help choose: Best for twisties?

[BmacIL]

You could always get a used V6 since it was the lightest S550 (Here come the flame wars hehe)...If ford offered the V6 with better engine tuning and tires, I bet a lot of ecoboosters would be in the 6 instead.

A V6 with the Performance Pack would've been a very attractive option for me, to be honest. I didn't like the EB sound but the V6 felt similarly light/nimble and with the manual and 3.55 axle, was definitely quick. Obviously my GT is far, far faster but for an autocross car the V6 with some tires, brakes & suspension would be pretty good.

Sponsored

 

[martinjlm]

Just based on what I’ve driven and/or owned....

If you have to have a Mustang AND handling / canyon carving is more important than power, EB all day. It’ll feel a lot closer to your old Boxster, engine placement and weight balance not withstanding.

If you have to have a Mustang AND handling / canyon carving is important AND you want to uncork the genie from time to time, GT plus suspension mods.

If you want handling / canyon carving AND you want to uncork the genie from time to time, but it doesn’t have to be a Mustang, look at a Camaro SS convertible. The Alpha chassis is no joke. You may want to take your kids with you for the test drive, though, because even though the chassis is no joke, the rear seats sorta are.

 

[wilkinda65]

I test drove both a 2018 GT Coupe with A10 and a 2018 Ecoboost w/Perf Pack with A10 and I really enjoyed the Ecoboost and I was positive I wouldn't. The A10 makes a huge difference in the Ecoboost. For what i wanted... I bought the Ecoboost tonight and I'm enjoying the hell out of it. I've had nothing but V8 Mustangs since I was 18 and I'm now 52.

 

[Grintch]

Huh? 4 seats? Just get two Miatas.

Has anyone ever fitted a human in the back seats of a Mustang? It would take a legless 8 year old to fit behind my driver's seat.

 

[SVT-DADDY]

Has anyone ever fitted a human in the back seats of a Mustang? It would take a legless 8 year old to fit behind my driver's seat.

I just got from a 4 hour trip with my sister in law(small human) and son(small human) in the back seat. In the trunk I had a folding table, 4 folding chairs, 2 coolers, duffle bag, and portable grill. We weren't exactly stretched out but we made it work.

@CDN_Icecube In my opinion the V-8 is the reason to buy these cars. If not for that you might find better options in other brands. Besides, the aftermarket is so robust for these cars it will be easy enough to make it handle as you would like. I have a Whippled GT vert(Worlds heaviest s550) and while it did take a little trial and error I absolutely love the way my car rides/handles.

 

[Vonroll]

I feel like I stole my 2018 Ecoboost, 6-speed, performance pack. 24K... basically a 20% discount off list. This is the time of year to buy. I'm super happy. Of course I'd like the V8, having sellers remorse after recently selling my 69 Z/28 Camaro. But another 10-15K was out of the question for a GT. With that said, this vehicle really rocks. The handling is on par with new euro vehicles and does remind me a lot of my old 944S..but with a LOT more HP. No regrets. Great car. YMMV.

 

[Jetnoise]

HI!. New to the forum. Been reading a lot.

I am debating between purschasing either a 2018 convertible EB or GT. I love driving on small twisties roads. I have a 1999 Boxster that drive amazing but it is a 2 seater and need now a 4 seater. I test drove both a 6MT 2018 EB and GT. But the roads were mostly straight near the dealership. So I couldn’t test them in smaller country roads. Hence I need input from those who have driven GTs and EBs on such roads.

Which one is best for canyon carving? I am not looking too much for horse power, but I would be happy going with a GT if the drive on twisting roads is not marginally worse than a EB. But if the EB is that much better than a GT, then that would be a model I would then considere. What about GT with PP or magnaride vs EB base, and vs EB with same? Thanks for sharing

You'll love the GT !!!
PP and magnaride if it's in the budget in that order....

 

[Bear376]

For the price of a GT, you can have a EB with performance package and Magneride which will out handle the GT on most curves. As far as HP, you can improve the EB by over 100 rwhp by install a 3" downpipe, performance air intake, better intercooler and running the Ford 93 octane tune. And it will be more reliable than factory.

 

[Jetnoise]

For the price of a GT, you can have a EB with performance package and Magneride which will out handle the GT on most curves. As far as HP, you can improve the EB by over 100 rwhp by install a 3" downpipe, performance air intake, better intercooler and running the Ford 93 octane tune. And it will be more reliable than factory.

Your right!
I just was thinking about the EB with PP and Mag ride was over 33k
The visceral experience of the GT won me over. Could have gone with either. Getting to the twistys would be fun too. Everyone has a take on it and hopefully the prospective buyer post his decision after the 2nd or more and suggested test drive on roads he is wanting to enjoy it on & all the roads between.

 

[Bear376]

Everyone has different needs and wants. That is why there are options. Those who love a V8 can stick with the basics and keep the price low. As a person who loves twisty roads, but will never push the limits too far, I prefer the balance of a lighter engine and the promise of the PP1 w/Mag ride. I love the power of a V8 and if that was more important, I would buy one. If they had come out with a Mach 1 edition, I would get the V8. Rather than spend the money on just the V8 motor, I can get a lot of amenities for the long trips I love and get much better gas mileage. I now a lot of people who love their Mustangs, but rarely drive them. I want a car practical to take on trips since i routinely travel long distances.

 

[sdiver68]

Has anyone ever fitted a human in the back seats of a Mustang? It would take a legless 8 year old to fit behind my driver's seat.

We fit 3 not 4 with me driving. The front passenger needs to give up stretch legroom.

My wife driving can fit 4. As long as 1 of those 4 is not me having a heart attack lol.

 

[Lorne34]

Has anyone ever fitted a human in the back seats of a Mustang? It would take a legless 8 year old to fit behind my driver's seat.

Headroom is an issue in the coupe, the convertible gives you more height so a regular person can sit back there without leaning forward less they scrape their head on the slanted roof line. I've had my young adult aged kids in the back comfortably. The person up front just has to move forward a bit. As long as you don't have someone 6ft plus it is very manageable.

 

[CDN_Icecube]

Again. Thank you all. I’ll try both again. Thanks!

 

[Shifting_Gears]

Go drive a Focus ST, if it wasn’t already suggested. Drive one with the summer tires, not all seasons. They are VERY responsive with the 2.0 turbo and VERY fun to throw around. They aren’t as fast straight-line, but you can literally drive it hard anywhere. With two kids, the rear seats offer plenty of room and the hatch is an added bonus.

I had a 2013 and that thing would stick corners INCREDIBLY hard all stock. About the same cornering ability of a 15-17 PP GT, but FWD. They will rotate through a corner with a little throttle lift. They’re also very affordable, if that’s a factor.

Edit: After looking at your price point, skip the ST and drive an RS. Same engine as the EB Mustang, plus AWD.

 

[nrc]

I would agree on the Focus ST/RS but OP wants a vert.

Coming from a Miata the Mustang is a bit of a dancing elephant on tight, twisty roads. I imagine it will seem the same coming from a Boxster.

It's amusing to see so many here saying that sound and power are the prime considerations for enjoyable driving on tight, twisty roads. I suppose that explains why Ford seems to spend more time and effort on engine note (real and fake) than steering feel or weight reduction.

If your tight twisty roads are like mine, you spend most of your time in mid-range in second and third with occasional spurts in fourth. On roads like this WOT is a fleeting experience unless you're looking to plow into a nice Amish family in their buggy over the next rise. In that environment the EB is right in it's sweet spot on the torque curve. It's only disappointing when you try to wind it out.

So for pure driving experience I think the EB PP is your best bang for the buck. It's still no agile sports sports car so if you're stepping down to a GT car anyway, maybe a dancing elephant with a V8 that can bellow like one will sooth your soul.

One problem you may run into with an EB is that dealers tend to option them as cruisers. Finding a manual EB vert with PP on a lot may be challenging. I would only consider an EB with PP. If a EB w/PP and 101A is equipped well enough for you then you're saving $9k over the GT. If you need to go up to the Premium trim then you're down to $4k and the choice gets tougher. The fact that there may be GT verts on your local lot that you can deal on vs having to search for a EB PP may mean the difference.

Sponsored