Keep or ditch my S550 Mustang

[wildcatgoal]

I'd get the Lexus.

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[Fatguy]

Get the Cayman.

That timing cover oil leak will not go away and this bothers women the most beacause of the smell but guys don’t mind as much cause we are gear heads. You would have been better off with the V6 but that was probably not exported to your country.

My motto is not to trust what big corporations say I should want. So when they pushed the Ecoboost and maligned the V6 with no options and an active anti-purchase campaign. Well I got the V6 and couldn’t be happier. No oil leaks and not one rattle, nothing! This car has now surpassed all my previous Mustang 5.0s in reliability. There is a reason this is a rental car icon. The thing is bullet proof. So my argument stands. Don’t do what large corps want you to do - they are full of shit! Do what you want to do and in this case get the Porsche!

BTW: I’m also active in the music industry (what’s left of it) and the V6 is the only S550 without sound augmentation. That’s a plus for me like it is for you!

 

[Fatguy]

I should also add that the op knows his stuff, everything he said including the aircon problem is correct.

 

[StealthStang]

So you're going from a sub 30k car to a 60k+ car? Why didn't you start out with a GT?

A GT costs more than a Porsche Cayman here in my country, also the GT also has the aircon issue anyway.
An ecoboost costs the same as the Lexus RCF, and more than a Nissan 370z.

So your price comparison doesn't apply here.

 

[Zelek]

I don't have an air conditioner issue. Shouldn't believe everything you read on a forum.

 

[Fatguy]

To the OP, don’t let those guys get to you. The Cayman is much better than a GT all things equal. Everyone will agree on that even if it’s secret and they are a fan boy...

 

[StealthStang]

Ford shortens the warranty when you add an ECU tune and that is proof that the engines will not last? That makes about as much sense as the AC Evaporator fails because it sits in the sun. When you ECU tune an engine it adds more stress to an engine and therefore shortens the lifespan. Adding an ECU tune increases stress on the powertrain correct? More stress, less life shouldn't be a surprise to anyone.

No other car ive had the option of adding a factory tune to has shortened the warranty (AMG, Polestar)...though maybe that's Ford just covering their own ass, but I still see it as suspicious.

I am also a previous Porsche owner and I can tell you those cars are not cheap to maintain and they will break just like every other car. I am a huge Porsche fan but decided against owner another due to the expense of maintaining the car. Nissan isn't even on the radar for me. The Lexus is probably the best overall car of the group and would be my choice. Keep in mind that the Porsche and Lexus are 20k+ more expensive than the EB Premium.

An Ecoboost Mustang ( which only comes in Performance Premium trim here) costs almost the same as a base Cayman 718 or Lexus RC350F. The Nissan 370z is cheaper. A GT costs significantly more, in line with a BMW M3 or Mecedes C63 AMG here.

The 2.3 engine doesn't seem to be a problem in the Explorer, or MKC, or in the Mustang when left un-molested. The Ranger is going to get the 2.3 as well and possibly the Bronco?

That's good to know, but what about the MK3 Focus RS which have lots of engine failure ? And lots of Mustangs I saw gettings repairs for oil leaks from either the turbo or timing chain cover ? The problems seem quite rampant...
Though id love some real evidence to prove otherwise, it would help me on deciding wheter to give the car another chance...

Having said that, other items have needed attention like the AC evaporator(replaced), squeaking PP brakes(TSB), Door latch recall, and body panel alignment issues fixed by the dealership.

I don't seem to have the brake squeak, or door latch issues ? That's a bit worrying, since maybe they will happen once I used the car more. I have the body panel alignment issues on the trunk side, but dealership says it has to go to a body shop to fix and it will again take lots of time to align since the boot hinge is tricky. I was thinking of maybe taking it to a body shop that I trust myself...but would be my own cost though at least it wont take ages and less chance of it being made worse.

I understand your concern about the Mustang overall, but the AC failing because it sits in the sun, weak block, and a timing chain cover that can't be fixed theories are nonsense. With all of the faulty items in my rearview mirror I do expect a more reliable car going forward. I am however going to get the extended warranty just in case for an additional 3 years for an additional $700.00 just in case.

The AC failing, I was told the following from an A/C specialist: In the mustang the evaporator core is prone to leaking, some leak from the start. Others will start to leak if the AC was running then the car is parking in the sun. At this point the pressure in the evaporator core is already very high, the heat will increase the pressure further and put lots of strain on the evaporator core and will leak out of weak spots. You must try and shield the dash from heat if the AC was running and you stop and park in the sun.

Regarding the timing chain cover, I got it from a experienced source that the leaks will occur because:
1. The timing chain cover factory sealant is inadequate for the EB, its basically a silicone type sealant without any kind of gasket, and the heat and pressure cycle from the engine will degrade this seal. Better sealant or a gasket is needed for a better long lasting fix, neither of which Ford is doing or planning to do on existing EBs. Maybe something we will see on future variants of this engine.

 

[Lionorion]

Its been a pretty rough year and a half owning this car. Bought my 2016 Mustang Ecoboost Performance Premium from new. Have done less than 10000km (6000 Miles) on it so far since its given so many problems, its been the worst new car ive ever owned by quite a distance (at the moment i really regret buying it). Its spent almost two months total time in the dealership so far, largely due to ineptitude...but if the car hadn't had so many problems maybe it wouldn't have to go to the dealership so much. Its still there as i type this.

Problems:

1. Day-time running lights failed on the first day. Entire front bumper had to come off to fix.
2. Aircon unit failed during the first summer it had to deal with, dashboard had to come off, new HVAC unit fitted. Big job, took lots of time to fix.
3. Oil leak from the timing chain cover...oil leak after 5000 miles on a new car ?! Thats ridiculous IMO.

Then all the nonsense regarding the active noise cancellation and sound symposer that i cant seem to full disable in order to get a decent sounding sound system in the car (which ive posted about on the forums before). Dealership threatens to void warranty if the ECU is touched.

Ive been told the following by other owners: the timing chain cover leak will ALWAYS come back since its not got a gasket, and the sealant can only hold for a limited time under the constant heat and pressure.
Same goes for the aircon, its prone to the evaporator core failing if parked out in the sun, its a design problem that cant be permanently fixed (not in pre facelifts at least).
Then the turbo lines are also prone to oil leaks. As well as the engine block being pretty weak and cracking easily on stage 1 tunes.

Im currently planning to take a big hit on resale and sell the car because i foresee more problems on this car, build quality appears to be shoddy, its just not build to last long, i generally keep my cars more than 5 years. This car has already had more problems in two years than cars ive owned for 7+ years.
Basically looking to get a Porsche cayman 718, Lexus RC350F or Nissan 370z as a replacement purely based on reliability research.

My mind isnt made up yet but its close, is its worth keeping the Mustang after all these issues ? Am i going to keep having problems like this like some guys say ?

The RC 350 is your best bet if you can live with the track pad. It’ll be the most reliable and have the best paint quality of all the cars listed.

Since you’re throwing the 350Z in the mix, have you thought about purchasing a used V6 S550? No sound tube in that, so pretty easy to upgrade the stock audio if you want, and with a good tune, this car comes alive!

 

[GOTdaBLACK1]

I've had a 911 in the past. Given the opportunity, I would go Cayman over 911. Just a better buy for the $$$$.

 

[JCFoster]

OP, I wouldn’t wave the white flag just yet. All the issues you had, four, have all been corrected minus the radio issue with fake engine noise have been corrected, right? If it were me, I’d keep it till the three year warranty is up and by then you shouldn’t be upside down on it and if you don’t have any more issues then I’d feel safe that the few bugs it has been cleared. If it continues to have problems, I’d wait till your atleast at a break even point or you just can’t stand it and need to get rid of it.

 

[StealthStang]

The RC 350 is your best bet if you can live with the track pad. It’ll be the most reliable and have the best paint quality of all the cars listed.

Since you’re throwing the 350Z in the mix, have you thought about purchasing a used V6 S550? No sound tube in that, so pretty easy to upgrade the stock audio if you want, and with a good tune, this car comes alive!

Unfortunately the V6 was never made in RHD, hence never was brought into the country here.

Oh as for the trackpad on the Lexus, my dads NX200T has that and its ruddy aweful ! But its better than having leaking oil...

 

[Maggneto]

The Cayman starts at 57k in the US, and my fully loaded EB Premium PP was MSRP 37k, but with a discount it was only 32k. If the price was nearly the same I would have went Cayman or Lexus for sure.

The AC issues are a defective part and nothing to do with the sun. The timing chain cover is not an issue for me as it is bone dry after 3< years. There was a forum post in ecoboost.net from a user that fixed the leak himself with little effort. Not sure if it is the same issue.

The PP squeaky brakes only affected some PP cars and not all. Porsche has the same issue in some cars as PP brakes are larger and more prone to squealing.

The door latch was a recall on 2015. Not sure about 2016 and beyond.

Ford.Performance is a division of Ford and not Ford per se, so the warranty is handled by Ford Performance when using the FP tune if the engine fails.

 

[jtmat]

718 without a doubt... best in the list, if it fits your lifestyle.

 

[Wriggly]

I own an 18 718 GTS and also a 17 GT350. Cayman is faster in a straight line, corners better, steers better, rides better. It sure don't sound like a GT350 though.

The RCF is a brick. Nice car, but weighs over 4000 pounds and ain't all that fast. The new Mustang GT is faster zero to sixty and handles better.

The 2018 718's get the first service at 10,000 miles free. Porsche just started that. Second year will cost about 400 bucks. Long term they can be a bit pricey to maintain, but they do have a great reliability track record.

 

[martinjlm]

As far as I know, the car comes untouched from the US. With the engine being assembled in Cleveland USA.

The problems Ive had affect all Ford Mustangs (aircon, DRLs) and the Mustang ecoboost (oil leaks) from the factory. Ive been told the issues are fairly common and can reoccur, at least that's what ive been told.

Why do you not like the Nissan 370Z ? It has more power than the Lexus and is cheaper ? Engine is also said to be very reliable.

I don’t DISLIKE the 370Z, I just like it a whole lot less than the other two. It’s like saying I like Prime Rib and I like Lobster Tail and I like a good Rueben. As much as I like Reubens, put a plate of Prime Rib or Lobster on the table and I will ignore the Reuben. The 370Z is a good Reuben. Not in the league with the Prime Rib and Lobster Tail. It’s a dated design with dated mechanicals. The mechanicals work well. Not great, but well. I really don’t like the bulbous rear end. The ones I drove felt heavy. Even though I think it is lighter than the Cayman, or especially the Lexus, those cars wear their weight better (in my limited experience driving a Cayman and the previous gen Lexus). They just handled so much better. The 370Z has good hp, but it’s lacking torque. The Cayman has good torque on the S models and reaches 80% of max torque at very low rpm and holds it forever. That and the chassis tuning make it a blast to drive.

The “upside” would be if shortly after you acquire one, Nissan comes to market with the long overdue upgrade. Then you’d be kicking yourself for not waiting.

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