Mach1 or PP2?

[Wobblin-Goblin]

Hi all, owner of a '14 Brembo/3.73 GT in Grabber Blue here. If I'm able to, I'd like to purchase either a Mach1 or a PP2, either of them preferably in Grabber Blue or Orange. I will not be tracking the car, so let's get that out of the way early.

As best as I can tell, the biggest difference between the two is the transmission, which would be the MT-82 in the PP2 or the Tremec in the Mach1.

I realize this is the Mach1 forum, but would still like to hear objective opinions on the subject. Which Mustang would you guys recommend? Again, this car would be mainly for cruising and having non-track fun.

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[lo-fi]

Given what you plan to do it really doesn't matter. I'd find your favorite color in the best condition you can and buy whatever that is. Yes, the tremec is light years better.

 

[Adam the Lighting Guy]

PP2 is rare as hens teeth. It would depend on your intent I suppose. If the M1 pulls at your heart strings and you've burned the friggin' interweb to the ground, it's partially an subjective deal with esthetics.

If your intent to have something rare that few recognize, then PP2 all day.

A significant amount has to do with what your future plans a number of years down the road are with the vehicle. If you are going to mod it for more power, I don't see it advantage in either choice. If you are going to keep it stock, the grab value of the Mach 1 I think may have an advantage.

 

[Mikepol2]

If you can afford the Mach, get it. I love PP2’s and they share the same Mach handling package wheel sizes and some suspension parts but the transmissions in the Mach are better and there are many other smaller improvements.

 

[MAGS1]

You won’t find a PP2 in Grabber Blue if that helps you make a decision

 

[Oakley]

M1 takes this pretty easily.

 

[I Bleed Ford Blue]

You won’t find a PP2 in Grabber Blue if that helps you make a decision

Exactly, the PP2's were 18-20 I believe and grabber blue did not return until 22.
BTW, the new grabber blue is not the same as the GB you have on your 14, You have the original GB that ford used off and on since 1969 and 2017 was the last year of the original GB. The new GB appeared in 21 on the mach E and in 22 on the real mustangs and is still available on the 25's

 

[The Demon]

in 22 on the real mustangs and is still available on the 25's

I thought I would highlight that for everyone.

 

[2BigPups]

If only driving on the street, the PP2 is essentially a GT PP1 with bigger wheels/tires. (Think after market... hint, hint)

Edit: A PP2 is a step down from a non-HP Mach 1. And, yes, before you ask, I've driven all three, a PP2, Mach 1 non-HP, and Mach 1 HP.

 

[Krankenstein]

As an owner of a grabber blue Mach 1, I am automatically inclined to recommend the Mach 1 over the PP2 lol. However, since you asked for an objective opinion on the two cars here it is.

The Performance Pack 2 is an excellent and pretty rare car from Ford and a slight step up from the PP1. With the PP2 you get unique 19x10.5/19x11 wheels and tires. Along with a double splitter in the front and unique spoiler in the back. You also get a larger radiator, magneride standard, as well as more aggressive track oriented tune and suspension. It is one of the more desirable factory packages out there and certainly has an aggressive road presence. Now on to the negatives, grabber blue is not an available color option for the PP2. It comes with the same GEN3 coyote and MT82 transmission as the standard GT and unfortunately you do not get any additional cooling or power upgrades with the PP2. Additionally, to the average person, it looks just the same as a normal Mustang GT. Personally, aside from the more aggressive factory look there isn't a whole lot that would make me choose it over a PP1 car, especially if you don't plan on tracking it. The appearance of the PP2 can easily be replicated thanks to aftermarket options out there and you will most certainly need an aftermarket exhaust for a more aggressive tone.

Moving on to the Mach 1, it is also an excellent car from Ford. Where as the PP2 is a step up from the PP1, the Mach 1 is a step down from the GT350. The Mach 1 comes standard with the same Tremec 3160 out of the GT350 but it also comes with a no-lift shift feature like in the PP2 cars. Unlike the PP2 package, the Mach 1 package gets you the modified GEN 3 coyote from the Bullitt (GT350 manifold, throttle body and CAI), additional/upgraded cooling taken from the GT350 and GT500, GT500 Subframe and exhaust, as well as a unique front bumper, emblems and decals. There are are also a few more components but those are more so the big ones. If you find a Handling Pack model, you will get the unique 19x10.5/19x11 wheels and tires, GT350/GT500 spoiler, double chin splitter and some stiffer suspension. Now on to the negatives, orange is one of the more rare colors and may be hard to come by. Additionally, the price of these cars are still up there but have started to come down recently. A Mach 1 is going to cost you just a bit more than a PP2 car. Again here, to the average person, it looks just like a normal Mustang GT BUT with stripes and badges. Some uninformed mustang owners may also tell you that you should have got a GT350 or that you drive an overpriced GT. You can also replicate the look of the Mach 1 but given the front bumper, emblems and decals it is a little more challenging to do so. To me the looks (specifically hp config.) is worth the price alone as it stands out significantly more than a normal GT.

On paper the Mach 1 offers more to a potential buyer than the PP2, but at a slightly higher cost. All that being said, if you do not plan on tracking either of these cars, it makes it a little harder to give a recommendation since they are both Track Specific packages. That pretty much narrows it down to appearance and transmission. The Mach 1s, especially with the Handling Package, stands out more than the PP2 cars and the bottom line is that the Tremec 3160 is a significantly stronger transmission than the MT82. That's why between these two I would recommend the Mach 1. But if you don't mind the MT82 transmission and you are just looking for a fun street car, I would recommend finding a nice PP1 car and spend the saved money customizing it to your liking or boosting it.

Edit: For me personally, it is hard to compete with the looks of a Grabber Blue Mach 1

 

[Nightmonkey]

The PP2 could be optioned with adaptive cruise control, which is not an option on the Mach1.
Same with ultrasonic parking aid in the rear Mach1 only com with camera.

But Tremec on Mach1.

Maybe test drive both?

 

[I Bleed Ford Blue]

If your more interested in electronic driving nannies, go buy a damn ecoboost with an automatic and blend in with the other sheep.

 

[Nightmonkey]

These are not nannies, only helpful functions that can be used but don't need to be used.
You can even fall back to conventional cruise control on an ACC equiped Mustang.
The nannies on all S550 are the same.
That's different e.g. on an EU-spec S650.

 

[skinnyb]

Also, the PP2 does not have the oil, trans and diff coolers. Not an issues for a street driver, you only need those on hot track days. Even the Non HP Mach 1 has these. And I agree, the PP2 is MUCH rarer car... But that said, the Mach 1 is more car for sure...

 

[Wobblin-Goblin]

Gents, I appreciate the replies. For clarification, I knew PP2s weren't available in Grabber Blue, but my post didn't make that clear. I meant to say a Grabber Blue Mach1 would be my first choice of a Mach1, but an orange M1 or an orange PP2 would be fine as well.

If I had to narrow it down to two choices, they would be a Grabber Blue Mach1 with the PP2 wheels (HP or not), or an orange PP2 with chrome pony and 5.0 badges.

I have test driven a few PP2s and I know what they are. I have not test driven a Mach1 yet, so I don't know how it compares.

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