Help choose: Best for twisties?

[CDN_Icecube]

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

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[Brian V]

Either of the mentioned vehicles would be uncompatable for twisty roads . Therefore you need to look into upgrading the suspension accordingly .. the body role in these heavy platformed mustangs just do not come equipped with stiff enough springs and dampers . I have had to install GT PP struts and shocks plus some chassis bracing , plus better tyres ... bring on the twisties .

Lowering springs brings upon other complications as the geometry of the suspension changes with a lower roll center ...

In conclusion get the Power Performance option .....

 

[sdiver68]

I'm having trouble getting past the 4 seater part.

I can tell you my GT PP1 Vert handles back roads very well. My great fear when wife said she wanted to at least test drive the vert was washy handling. Its great, no cowl shake, no obvious loss of rigidity. Much of the aftermarket bracing sold for the coupe comes standard on the vert.

I didn't even consider the EB so sorry cant help you with direct compare.

Other than magneride and A10, FRPP and the aftermarket can easily solve almost any specific tuning desire. I really like my PP1, but I'm not convinced I couldn't replicate the important parts of the package for same cost or cheaper.

 

[jonrjen]

I feel that the lighter weight EB is a better back road twisty choice. 19" tires and wheels, throw on a Ford Performance strut and cowl braces and go have some fun. You may not find that the seat is as comfortable in the EB however, but that will be due to sitting on that wad of $15,000 in your back pocket that you saved not going with the GT.
I started with a EB back in May and traded it in on a GT 2 weeks ago. The GT feels heavy going into the corners.

 

[w3rkn]

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

Buying new?

I would suggest a EB (fully loaded?) w/magneride & the new A10 transmission. It is going to do everything you want your convertible to do and canyon carve with more agility, than the much heavier V8 GT convertible. I also say this, because the EB with the A10 trans, just lets that turbo engine come alive...

 

[scrubber3]

If horsepower doesn't come into the equation, I'd say EB. Having said that, if power isn't a big deal to you, might a suggest a Toyota 86 or Subaru BRZ? I think those might fit the bill. Cost of ownership will be less and they are super fun. Or if you really need an open top: a Miata. I say give them a test drive before you buy.

 

[w3rkn]

If horsepower doesn't come into the equation, I'd say EB. Having said that, if power isn't a big deal to you, might a suggest a Toyota 86 or Subaru BRZ? I think those might fit the bill. Cost of ownership will be less and they are super fun. Or if you really need an open top: a Miata. I say give them a test drive before you buy.

??
Some of those^ suggested cars are not convertibles... which the OP is looking to buy.

 

[scrubber3]

??
None of those^ suggested cars are convertibles... which the OP is looking to buy.

Miata.

 

[sdiver68]

I guess people cant read. OP wants a convertible not a BRZ. 200 lbs is not much heavier for the GT. He wants 4 seats, not a Miata.

A used M3 Vert maybe.

 

[scrubber3]

I guess people cant read. OP wants a convertible not a BRZ. 200 lbs is not much heavier for the GT. He wants 4 seats, not a Miata.

I can read just fine. I was only making a suggestion. You know, trying to be helpful and adding considerate content to this post.

 

[sigintel]

He wants 4 seats, not a Miata.

Huh? 4 seats? Just get two Miatas.

 

[CDN_Icecube]

Thank you for your input all. You are all being helpful! Yes, 4 seater.... the back seat would be for my 2 young girls, and only occasionally. But I hear you; thei are small (back seat)...

I will not race nor autocross this weekend toy, if this helps... convertible too. I had a miata before and was is fun, and now have a Boxster, but need something more “substantial” for longer drives and so I don’t feel like a peanut next to 18-wheelers on our crazy highways, and more modern as well. Love manual trans...New or used, but I felt the 2018+ had a nicer manual compared to 2015 I also test drove, hence the 2018+ comment.

Am I correct to conclude that in stock form, there is a significant positive and seat of the pants difference in cornering capabilities of the EB over the GT, or am is that difference not that significant. Sorry again if this opens a can of worms.

 

[66Bronc1]

My experience is the lighter the weight in the front the better so I would have to say between GT and EB, the EB- and I would get light weight aftermarket wheels and different struts/shocks- like Bilsteins or something. I would not lower the car, it's not my thing, just my preference. While the GT has more HP it is heavier in the front- I feel the weight up there, compared to my 2017 Camaro RS, V6. the money you save by not getting the GT you could invest in wheels and suspension. And I would get M/T- that way you can let the engine rev to where you want it and stay in boost, and it will be more fun to drive.

Unfortunately the best and affordable sporty handling cars have no back seat- Miata, BRZ, 86, etc. What about a Subaru WRX- they handle pretty good. You could go all out and get a BMW- 135I or M235I, but very expensive. Or a very low cost option and a car with much aftermarket support- a Fiesta ST. I have one as a commuter- I know- it's a blast to drive and in the turns very quick and light weight. I love having both the GT and a Fiesta ST- best of both worlds- HP and straight line fun and something so quick and agile in the turns.

 

[Norm Peterson]

Am I correct to conclude that in stock form, there is a significant positive and seat of the pants difference in cornering capabilities of the EB over the GT, or am is that difference not that significant. Sorry again if this opens a can of worms.

Purely on the basis of behavior in the twisties . . .

In real-world street driving, the differences are going to be in "feel" rather than capability. The lighter EB is going to feel more nimble than the GT (if 'nimble' is a reasonable term to describe any car that weighs as much as these do). On the flip side, there's the matter of power delivery, which will be different (with the NA GT being better in this respect when you're adding throttle starting at the apex of a corner).

Either way, you should strongly consider getting the Performance Package. Here, the 'square' setup on the EB wants to be less understeerish than the GT/PP1's staggered setup. I don't know if Ford tunes these two PP suspensions differently, or whether they're letting the GT understeer a little more as a little extra cushion against on-throttle oversteer.



Mustangs can be made to handle surprisingly well, but they're always going to have a 'heavier' / more deliberate feel about them than something like the Miata or BRZ.


Norm

 

[BmacIL]

The turn-in will be better on the EB, but just about everything else will be better on a GT. I did quite enjoy the few EB PP cars I've driven, but they still don't have the power delivery (smooth, NA, loves to rev), sheer grunt or sound (a significant part of what makes driving enjoyable, IMO). The GT can be made to feel MUCH more responsive and nimble with very little dollars beyond the PP, so keep that in mind, too. Only you can decide, though. Regardless, get the Performance Pack.

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