LE as a Driver

[Madlock]

Ha ha, wise ass. LOL

I'm afraid I don't understand. Are you keeping an S197 too?

I'm referring to the Ford Racing Power Adder which is only a filter and tune. It does amazing things to the low end torque, throttle response and shift points that make a terrific car even better. My only wish would be for a shorter final drive option on autos like the 15 offers. Although the 15 is terrific, there's nothing not to like about that car whatsoever, which is why giving it up so new is so tough.

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[Madlock]

Well, after having taken out a 2015 GT Automatic with 3.55s for the first time last night, I had the even-better fortune of being able to drive a full-blown LE this afternoon which the dealer had taken in trade. It was a VERY interesting experience.

I was shocked by how much my '14 GT Automatic Coupe with 3.15s and FR Power Adder Tune pulls. There's simply no comparison. Given the 2015s inherent gearing and performance advantage, the Power Adder Tune must be to credit for MUCH more than I previously realized. That isn't necessarily a feather in the '14s cap, but the lack of any equivalent to date truly disadvantages the heavier 2015 - since one simply can't presume such a future tune option will exist for it.

Although the 2015 stock Performance Pack suspension is FAR more buttoned down, and its brakes seem to bite much harder than the '14s Brembos, the 2015 LE felt much heavier to drive. Despite Ford intending the 2015 to have far better handling that would MORE than offset somewhat slower acceleration, the unmodified 2014 simply felt more nimble at the wheel - regardless of whether or not it actually was. The LE felt bigger and more deliberate, and just not quite as powerful, even with Sport+ engaged to help offset the Power Adder tune by making the LE's throttle, steering and shifting more aggressive (which it absolutely did).

I'm not sure I would describe the LE in terms of better or worse as much as being very, very different, in the same way Mustang's live axle came to be regarded by the time Ford had worked with it for so long. Don't misunderstand. I'm thrilled to own a pair of LE's as historical artifacts and thoroughly enjoyed actually driving one. And maybe the Power Adder Pack made the comparison completely unfair, but the stirring in the groin I had hoped the LE would deliver that would've made my decision easier simply never materialized for me during the half hour I was given one to play with - notwithstanding its many interior and aesthetic improvements. There's absolutely nothing wrong with an LE, but there's also not enough that's MORE right to make me give up my '14 willingly.

As a side note, even though TX will receive almost 300 of the 1750 or so U.S. destined LE cars, the odds of actually running into one on the street remains extremely remote. And so I was tremendously surprised to see another WW LE pull alongside me at a traffic signal which was purchased only last week from a different dealer nearby.

I still haven't made up my mind about LE #3, but the WW & KB are done deals.

 

[JWS]

Nice problems to have!

If you really need the room, just cut a large, French Door-size hole in your Living Room wall. Then it really will be furniture!

 

[Siggy550]

Someone already traded an LE? I was at least hoping to make it until I saw my first GT350 for sale! :ford:

 

[Siggy550]

After following this thread because it's interesting and I can only dream of this problem, I will present my one argument. Also, I traded an S197 I flat loved for this LE. Anyway, park a stock 14 next to this. I rest my case! ;)

 

[Madlock]

After following this thread because it's interesting and I can only dream of this problem, I will present my one argument. Also, I traded an S197 I flat loved for this LE. Anyway, park a stock 14 next to this. I rest my case! ;)

WAAAAY ahead of you. Didn't help one damned bit. But thanks for the suggestion.

 

[SVTFreak]

Lol. No I didn't keep a s197. I traded one in.

I bet dimes to dollars that a tune in the s550 would make it feel as good or better down low than the 14. I'll let you know next week. Base tune for base tune, the 15 feels much better down low than my 11 did.

As far as weight, I felt the same way at first. The 550 felt heavier and I had read that here. After 2500odd miles in it, I have changed my mind. When actually playing a little, it feels lighter to me. The false sense of weight, I suspect, comes from a quite cabin. Less noise, less body upsetting on less than perfect expansion joints, and less upset rear end on bumps in curves. When in truth it isn't heavier, it just deals with them much better.

I too was amazed to see someone traded one in when you said that. How many miles? How much they aaking for it?

 

[Husker]

My last Mustang, 12 Boss...LE-AT is more pleasing/enjoyable & more 'FUN' to drive than the Boss was-->IMO-->I don't notice the extra weight-->;)

Sell your LE's and get a GT (Not Mustang GT) or a couple of GT350s, one for fun, one to maybe go up in value, depending on production #s. The LE is not gonna go up in value from its MSRP price-->IMO.

Debbie Downer

 

[MKW]

WAAAAY ahead of you. Didn't help one damned bit. But thanks for the suggestion.

To me the LE looks way better. I like both but LE is the way to go. :ford:

 

[robb]

The GT Performance Package gives you:

Strut Tower Brace
Larger Radiator
Unique Chassis Tuning
Upsized Rear Sway Bar
Heavy Duty Front Springs
K-Brace
Brembo Brakes
Unique Stability Control, EPAS & ABS Tuning
3.73 Torsen Differential

Point is - you can add all this stuff after market to a garden variety GT Premium with Automatic Transmission. I am not sure what "unique chassis tuning" means or " Unique stability control" but all the other parts can be had for not a lot of money and you save $1300 by by dropping the PP (-$2495) and adding the AT )(+$1195). This is what I plan to do.

You're forgetting about a lot of parts. The PP has a completely different front link suspension that's stronger and tighter, monotube shocks, engine turn dash, unique underbelly pan, stronger tranny tail shaft, stronger rear-end cage, and probably other things we haven't discovered yet.

 

[robb]

To me the LE looks way better. I like both but LE is the way to go. :ford:

My GT PP looks pretty damn good too!

 

[Husker]

You're forgetting about a lot of parts. The PP has a completely different front link suspension that's stronger and tighter, monotube shocks, engine turn dash, unique underbelly pan, stronger tranny tail shaft, stronger rear-end cage, and probably other things we haven't discovered yet.

Hope that welcome package with the manual gets here soon-->:ford:

 

[MKW]

Hope that welcome package with the manual gets here soon-->:ford:

Me too!!! :ford:

 

[MKW]

My GT PP looks pretty damn good too!

I agree. I really like the new 2015 Mustang. Ford did a great job. :ford:

 

[MKW]

After following this thread because it's interesting and I can only dream of this problem, I will present my one argument. Also, I traded an S197 I flat loved for this LE. Anyway, park a stock 14 next to this. I rest my case! ;)

Love the Kona Blue. :ford:

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