RBK
Member
- Thread starter
- #1
Long read, I know, but it may help a few people. I rented a 2015 Mustang Ecoboost Premium from Avis for 3 days last week—automatic, white with Granite leather interior, and 3500 miles. Got to drive it 40 miles to my motel. After checking in I tried to lock the doors using the key fob but nothing happened—it was dead, and of course the car would not start either. Had to call emergency road side service and they just brought another car and towed the old one away. However, this time they gave me a base v6 in Competition Orange.
A few observations and opinions:
1. This whole electronic key/push button start thing is causing me to re-think a Mustang purchase. Being unable to start the car in the middle of a desert at 1:00 am because of a failed key fob was pretty scary. I can’t believe there is no mechanical key to start the car? Good thing it was a rental and I had someone to call.
2. Not much difference in power in Ecoboost vs. V6, but I was quite surprised there is a big difference in Premium vs. Base. I tend to be a minimalist guy and usually always buy the base car, but if I do get a Mustang I think I’m going to have to spring for the Premium. The color contrast in the granite leather interior was striking, and the big screen on the console was very useful and looked nice (the small screen in the base with the tiny button on each side looked cheesy to me). The Base had an endless sea of black on the dash and console—not my cup of tea. Also, the cooled seats on the Premium were awesome—really made the trip comfortable.
3. I did not get to test the “legs” on the Ecoboost, but I did on the V6. Generally it was an OK experience, but nothing exciting as far as power and handling were concerned. The car had 3:15 rear gears, and was sluggish. Turning off traction control, however, woke things up noticeably (I’m guessing traction control electronically dampens throttle response). I did not like “sport mode” on the transmission for around town driving—it did not make the car faster, just more annoying (holding lower gear too long). I think I would go manual now that I’ve decided the auto is nothing special. The steering felt artificially heavy to me in sport mode, but not precise enough in normal mode.
4. The car is big on the exterior, but kind of cramped for me as far as legroom and seat cushion legth were concerned (I’m 6, 3”), and the backseat not very useful. One time I had 4 full size guys in the car—it was not fun for anyone. Interestingly, when I picked up the Mustang it was parked next to a 2014 Challenger, which seemed immense by comparison—no way I want to drive that in any kind of urban setting.
5. Competion Orange attracts a lot of attention—which I hated. Every red neck wanted to race, and unfortunately the V6 with tall gearing was not up to the challenge. People can see you coming for miles, and will remember you too (I was constantly driving into an army base for each of the 3 days, and the guard knew me by the 2nd time I came in). You sure will not be able to drive fast in a CO car without every cop in the county being on to you.
All in all I was a bit disappointed in the whole experience, but maybe I was expecting too much. I’m going to have to try again with a GT next time.
A few observations and opinions:
1. This whole electronic key/push button start thing is causing me to re-think a Mustang purchase. Being unable to start the car in the middle of a desert at 1:00 am because of a failed key fob was pretty scary. I can’t believe there is no mechanical key to start the car? Good thing it was a rental and I had someone to call.
2. Not much difference in power in Ecoboost vs. V6, but I was quite surprised there is a big difference in Premium vs. Base. I tend to be a minimalist guy and usually always buy the base car, but if I do get a Mustang I think I’m going to have to spring for the Premium. The color contrast in the granite leather interior was striking, and the big screen on the console was very useful and looked nice (the small screen in the base with the tiny button on each side looked cheesy to me). The Base had an endless sea of black on the dash and console—not my cup of tea. Also, the cooled seats on the Premium were awesome—really made the trip comfortable.
3. I did not get to test the “legs” on the Ecoboost, but I did on the V6. Generally it was an OK experience, but nothing exciting as far as power and handling were concerned. The car had 3:15 rear gears, and was sluggish. Turning off traction control, however, woke things up noticeably (I’m guessing traction control electronically dampens throttle response). I did not like “sport mode” on the transmission for around town driving—it did not make the car faster, just more annoying (holding lower gear too long). I think I would go manual now that I’ve decided the auto is nothing special. The steering felt artificially heavy to me in sport mode, but not precise enough in normal mode.
4. The car is big on the exterior, but kind of cramped for me as far as legroom and seat cushion legth were concerned (I’m 6, 3”), and the backseat not very useful. One time I had 4 full size guys in the car—it was not fun for anyone. Interestingly, when I picked up the Mustang it was parked next to a 2014 Challenger, which seemed immense by comparison—no way I want to drive that in any kind of urban setting.
5. Competion Orange attracts a lot of attention—which I hated. Every red neck wanted to race, and unfortunately the V6 with tall gearing was not up to the challenge. People can see you coming for miles, and will remember you too (I was constantly driving into an army base for each of the 3 days, and the guard knew me by the 2nd time I came in). You sure will not be able to drive fast in a CO car without every cop in the county being on to you.
All in all I was a bit disappointed in the whole experience, but maybe I was expecting too much. I’m going to have to try again with a GT next time.
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