Is the PP right for my driving needs?

[austinnh]

So I am planning on test driving, and possibly ordering, an Ecoboost with manual this weekend. At first I didn't want the performance pack but some cogent points in another thread have me reconsidering, and I have some questions. I'm not really concerned about overall performance nearly as much as day-to-day driving pleasure, safety, and economy.

Suspension/chassis bits: This car will most likely never see a track or have any use for 1g lateral acceleration. On the other hand, if these suspension/chassis upgrades noticeably improve the taughtness or responsive feel of the Mustang in daily driving conditions (on-ramps, winding roads taken at sane speeds) that would be of interest to me. Can anyone comment on this?

Brakes: If these legitimately improve stopping distance on dry pavement, that's of interest because safety. But if they're more about having less fade in track use conditions, that's 100% useless to me. Does anyone know if they improve stopping distance?

3.55 differential: This is perhaps my biggest concern with the PP. The Mustang has far more straight line acceleration than I need with or without the shorter diff. But if the taller diff on the non-PP will meaningfully improve fuel economy, that is important to me. Can anyone comment on this? I grew up on a BMW e30 with a 5-speed manual, and while I loved having a manual, I never felt that I wanted to shift more frequently than I already did. From this perspective the 3.55 diff of the PP might actually be undesirable if it means I'm just going to have to shift more often in traffic.

Wheels and tires: This car will be used for winter daily driving and will probably wear winter tires during the winter. Winter tires seem to be more readily available in smaller wheel sizes. Of course I could just get smaller wheels and put them on, with winter tires, during the winter. Furthermore base Mustang wheels will probably be readily available on Ebay/Craigslist since so many people swap their wheels. But, will the base mustang wheels (or other ~17in wheels) fit over the PP brakes? Does anyone know? Keep in mind these are the 4-piston Ecoboost PP brakes not the 6-piston GT PP brakes.

TLDR: I don't care about performance but I do care about good handling and taught feel in day-to-day driving at sane speeds. I also care about safety and fuel economy. I will also want winter tires in the winter. So should I get the PP?

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[NewSVO]

Same reason I didn't opt for the PP was because of the 3:55s, some people like them but for boost 3:31s are great and economical. Only thing I wanted from the PP were the brakes and the gauges, the spoiler delete was also a turn-off since I actually wanted it.

I say you don't need the PP since speed and handling don't seem to be at the top of your list and the car does amazing without the PP.

 

[davidw76]

How good are the roads where you live? The ride in the PP is pretty harsh and if your local roads are in bad shape, it will get old real fast.

I noticed that the PP is standard equipment in the UK but not here in the states. I think this reflects not just different driving tastes (going fast around corners is more of a priority there), but also the fact that road quality here is highly "variable" shall we say. I know Brits always complain about their roads too, but really they should try coming to somewhere like Tucson.. the roads look like a war zone.

 

[Mustang1260]

davidw76 nails it- what is it like where you live?

With the manual tranny the rear gearing is not as a big a factor in my opinion and the 3.31 just fine. In daily drive ability with the auto tranny then the 3.55s make a substantial difference in daily driving-car just seems peppier (if that is a word) when driving around town,smoother off the line. NOT an issue with a manual and yeah, you will lose 1-2 mpg on the freeway, simple factor of turning more RPMs.

Brakes- 4 piston over 2 piston, yeah shorter stopping distances (net research may give you Ford's numbers), but again, how often did you need it? Are you the type that heads toward the stop sign at full bore and then brakes as late as possible because that 2 seconds you just saved is critical to you .... but in reality you can tell the difference in terms of bite and bringing the car down-test drive both if possible.

The tire factor- as soon as the summer tires are gone..replace will all season-last 2-3x as long in miles and get better mpg.

Stiffer suspension-again, your local roads control. You will feel the difference in the twisties, but again your driving style controls.

One thing I do like about the EB PP is the larger radiator on a boosted engine...but your not out in the California Valley with 110 degree August days..so might not be of interest. Any mountain travel which will stress the engine for you?

 

[SVTFreak]

Just a note. The bigger brakes do not decrease stopping distance. Any decrease is due strictly to the stickier tires on the PP. the larger brakes are SOLELY for improving brake feel under hard use such as track, repeated slows from high speeds with less fade. If two cars, one Pp and one not have the exact same tires, the PP will stop no shorter than the non PP the first and maybe even second time.

 

[huachucastang]

I don't see it unless you track it

 

[huachucastang]

Spend the money on the premium package so you get the variable driving modes...sport mode is a must

 

[Tim Hilliard]

For what you intend to use it for I would not opt for the PO. The new car is very good. Bravo for honestly stating your intended use. Everyone wants a race car to drive to work then complain about living with it. Like a hot psycho girl friend, fun for a while

 

[Kahboom]

Test drive them. I test drove the base gt vs the base pp gt it was night and day in handling. Corning is much tighter and feeling in control is better in the pp.

 

[doulos4jc]

How good are the roads where you live? The ride in the PP is pretty harsh and if your local roads are in bad shape, it will get old real fast.

I noticed that the PP is standard equipment in the UK but not here in the states. I think this reflects not just different driving tastes (going fast around corners is more of a priority there), but also the fact that road quality here is highly "variable" shall we say. I know Brits always complain about their roads too, but really they should try coming to somewhere like Tucson.. the roads look like a war zone.

For what you intend to use it for I would not opt for the PO. The new car is very good. Bravo for honestly stating your intended use. Everyone wants a race car to drive to work then complain about living with it. Like a hot psycho girl friend, fun for a while

Get the PP...Mine is a daily driver on arguably some of the worst roads in the country. I would describe the ride as supple, not harsh. The eco with the PP is the consummate daily driver, striking the perfect balance between performance and practicality, hardly a race car. I have zero complaints living with it. Several members have described the ride on non PP mustangs as "floaty", so take that into consideration. Also it's a relatively big car so the 3.55 rear really helps the 4 cylinder move that mass down the road.

 

[SINBUSTER007]

I got the PP for the handling and brakes. Mine prob will never see track but in case I get the itch I have the boss for that. I like the cornering since I'm pretty aggressive in my driving. I don't know what all the fuss about the gears is. I had 3:55 in my 2006 gt and loved them. When I got the GT/CS. It had the 3:73 and likes the quick starts and acceleration for pulling out onto roads and highways. It's your choice. I knew the PP would be a little bumpy but I expected that. I knew what I was getting. If you like fun driving and have smooth roads go for it!

 

[austinnh]

Spend the money on the premium package so you get the variable driving modes...sport mode is a must

Wait what? The base Ecoboost does not have selectable drive modes? Is this true? Anyone?

 

[doulos4jc]

Wait what? The base Ecoboost does not have selectable drive modes? Is this true? Anyone?

True...wasn't a deal breaker for me. The only thing I would have liked is snow/wet mode.

 

[Gdyup50]

I think some of us have gotten the Premium package, and Performance Package mixed up in this thread....:doh:

 

[doulos4jc]

If you're getting a manual "sport mode" is your right foot. Selectable drive modes have a heavy influence on how the automatic shifts.

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