Optioning a new Mach 1

[Johnny maverick]

Most unfortunate. Then I revise my recommendation to include all of my A10 Brothers. My guess is that there are a lot of techs that do not do the pre-delivery inspection completely when it comes to checking the transmission given the fact that it is such a PITA.

Geeze all this talk about low transmission fluid. Now I'm going to have to throw mine on a lift and check everything.

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[ChitownStang]

Inconsistent shifting in the lower gears especially when cold while in normal mode. Sometimes it felt as though it was bogging down. Moderately better in sport and Sport+. Even after it warmed up the A10 still felt clunky and inconsistent. I put 3K miles on it waiting for it to smooth out but it never did so I took it in to the local Ford transmission tech. I was able to witness the topping off process. It is a PITA. He had to use a pressure pot to top it off. Dipstick is in an area near hot exhaust components. He toasted his hands more than once inserting and pulling the dipstick. My theory is that the assembly line organic robots do not take into account the extra capacity that the M1 A10 setup has with the M1 transmission coolers. My recommendation for all of my M1 A10 brethren is to have your transmission fluid levels checked by a competent tech, hopefully while you are watching. Have them reset the adaptive learning while they are at it and go drive it like it was meant to be driven.

So, are you saying after the fluid topped off, all the harsh jerky downshifts in sport mode are gone? If I leave it in D, mine is good but D is boring and non responsive. It's in Sport that it is super inconsistent. I wish I knew the exact symptoms of low fluid. My car has no issues when shifting from park to other gears, it just eh jerky feeling that happens when driving aggressively which I'm starting to think is normal for this trans.

 

[TrackMeisterWannabe]

So, are you saying after the fluid topped off, all the harsh jerky downshifts in sport mode are gone? If I leave it in D, mine is good but D is boring and non responsive. It's in Sport that it is super inconsistent. I wish I knew the exact symptoms of low fluid. My car has no issues when shifting from park to other gears, it just eh jerky feeling that happens when driving aggressively which I'm starting to think is normal for this trans.

I put about 250 miles on mine yesterday mostly in normal as that is what my tech advised post top off and adaptive learning reset. It shifted MUCH better than it did before. The short period of time I had it in sport mode seemed to be operating nominally as well. From your signature it looks like you are driving a 2015 model. Others on this site would know better than I but earlier years may have had other issues causing less than smooth shifting. From my reading and experience I would highly recommend to anyone with an A10 that they have at minimum the fluid level checked by a competent tech. If you are experiencing shifting issues I would have them reset the adaptive learning as well. It only takes a few minutes.

 

[DadzMach]

After a year of hand-wringing, I finally decided to get a new Mach 1 instead of a '19-'20 Gt350. Part of me feels like I'm selling out, but hey, realistically the car will only see a session of two at Big Willow. Most of the time it will be zipping in and out of all the EV's that clog my local roads. The handling package and Tremec are a must for me. I already noticed that this narrows my choices down to 2% of the M1's available. I have found 3 cars nationwide that excite my brain. One is in Race Red, and the other is in Mischievous Purple. No Fighter Jet Grey, white or silver for this cowboy. Sorry to offend, but those might as well be Beige.
So, past the first two criteria, I see that the Recaro's and maybe the B&O might be a good price from the factory. Am I missing something here? More options to pick? Is the Red too old school, and the Purple to trendy?
I hate to admit it, but this might be my last fun car, and I want a good bang for the buck. Dark Horse you say? No thank you. I don't want a rolling TV that looks like it ate a Camaro.
Cheers..

Race Red is a perfect color on the M1.

 

[DadzMach]

The B&O is quite overrated. If you're an audiophile your money will be better spent by upgrading whatever sound system your pony comes with. Make sure you sit in the Recaro's before you pull the trigger. They fit some folks just fine. Others, like me, find them too tight on the sides. I really like my leather heated & cooled seats.

Agree 100% with all this. I used to be a huge audiophile but as I’ve gotten older I realize most of the time I don’t even have it on. I have never heard the standard radio but I would think that the B&O is at least a step up from that. Recaro’s, while I have had them in all my Boss 302’s and many GT500’s, I decided I would rather have the heated and cooled seats. If I’m lucky, my car will see the track, but it won’t be often. I just don’t have the time anymore nor the desire to spend the money it costs to track it. Mine is a non HP but I have the full Steeda package and there stop the hop kit. I don’t know how much better a HP car would be on the track compared to a full Steeda setup, but my guess, for me at least, it’s more than sufficient. Costs about the same amount of money in the end if you also want to change the wheels and tires as I did. I also prefer the smaller rear spoiler. Hope this helps even a little.

 

[jsp]

After a year of hand-wringing, I finally decided to get a new Mach 1 instead of a '19-'20 Gt350. Part of me feels like I'm selling out, but hey, realistically the car will only see a session of two at Big Willow. Most of the time it will be zipping in and out of all the EV's that clog my local roads. The handling package and Tremec are a must for me. I already noticed that this narrows my choices down to 2% of the M1's available. I have found 3 cars nationwide that excite my brain. One is in Race Red, and the other is in Mischievous Purple. No Fighter Jet Grey, white or silver for this cowboy. Sorry to offend, but those might as well be Beige.
So, past the first two criteria, I see that the Recaro's and maybe the B&O might be a good price from the factory. Am I missing something here? More options to pick? Is the Red too old school, and the Purple to trendy?
I hate to admit it, but this might be my last fun car, and I want a good bang for the buck. Dark Horse you say? No thank you. I don't want a rolling TV that looks like it ate a Camaro.
Cheers..

While you were "selecting options" for the Mach 1 for your garage, I was doing the same...from those cars that were/are available as optioned by dealers or special ordered and not picked up because the order window for 2023's was/is closed. Always wanted a Mustang and have tried several times but never pulled the trigger. Got to the point it was finally time.

I went with Tremec, HP, heated cooled seats, B & O, red calipers, and a bunch of other options like security package and elite package in Mischievous- (oil slick blue)-purple. I found the same Mach 1's you found (Cali, Virginia & Massachusetts) and one, only one, that had the heated cooled seats which happened to be in my home state of Maryland. I have other cars with the heated/cooled seats and think it is one of the best options offered on any car.

The color...love it. I'd be happy with any color, but I have white, black, and green cars. Race Red looks great, even came close on a 2009 Shelby GT 500 but didn't.

I look forward to Mach 1 Track Attack, hope to learn the limits this new pony in my stable. I realize the one-day experience is not enough and the second day is in a PPGT...and neither will take the car to the limit... but I can hope to get close. Track Attack was the reason I decided new vs used...Yeah, I know, I can do track time and do the HPDS...but with an instructor who knows these cars...icing on the cake!

 

[DadzMach]

While you were "selecting options" for the Mach 1 for your garage, I was doing the same...from those cars that were/are available as optioned by dealers or special ordered and not picked up because the order window for 2023's was/is closed. Always wanted a Mustang and have tried several times but never pulled the trigger. Got to the point it was finally time.

I went with Tremec, HP, heated cooled seats, B & O, red calipers, and a bunch of other options like security package and elite package in Mischievous- (oil slick blue)-purple. I found the same Mach 1's you found (Cali, Virginia & Massachusetts) and one, only one, that had the heated cooled seats which happened to be in my home state of Maryland. I have other cars with the heated/cooled seats and think it is one of the best options offered on any car.

The color...love it. I'd be happy with any color, but I have white, black, and green cars. Race Red looks great, even came close on a 2009 Shelby GT 500 but didn't.

I look forward to Mach 1 Track Attack, hope to learn the limits this new pony in my stable. I realize the one-day experience is not enough and the second day is in a PPGT...and neither will take the car to the limit... but I can hope to get close. Track Attack was the reason I decided new vs used...Yeah, I know, I can do track time and do the HPDS...but with an instructor who knows these cars...icing on the cake!

Where in Maryland are you? I am in Potomac.

 

[350 Feet]

While you were "selecting options" for the Mach 1 for your garage, I was doing the same...from those cars that were/are available as optioned by dealers or special ordered and not picked up because the order window for 2023's was/is closed. Always wanted a Mustang and have tried several times but never pulled the trigger. Got to the point it was finally time.

I went with Tremec, HP, heated cooled seats, B & O, red calipers, and a bunch of other options like security package and elite package in Mischievous- (oil slick blue)-purple. I found the same Mach 1's you found (Cali, Virginia & Massachusetts) and one, only one, that had the heated cooled seats which happened to be in my home state of Maryland. I have other cars with the heated/cooled seats and think it is one of the best options offered on any car.

The color...love it. I'd be happy with any color, but I have white, black, and green cars. Race Red looks great, even came close on a 2009 Shelby GT 500 but didn't.

I look forward to Mach 1 Track Attack, hope to learn the limits this new pony in my stable. I realize the one-day experience is not enough and the second day is in a PPGT...and neither will take the car to the limit... but I can hope to get close. Track Attack was the reason I decided new vs used...Yeah, I know, I can do track time and do the HPDS...but with an instructor who knows these cars...icing on the cake!

Congrats on the purchase! I have not pulled the trigger yet. I have been apprehensive about what color to pick; go figure. I really like several of them. But Black, R Red and the Purple talk to me.
Realistically, I should ask my cats what color car they prefer to sleep on; as I'm sure they will end up perched on top! Just one scratch though... I hear they taste just like chicken!
I have taken some of my faster cars to Willow Springs. It is always educational and tons of fun. Leaving $1000 worth of rubber behind on track makes my butt pucker, but hey you only live once.
Enjoy!

 

[W0rkH0rse]

Hmm that’s a bit harsh lol. In no way am I offended, obviously everyone has their opinions and some love certain colors and hate others, that’s why everyone doesn’t just get the same color which is certainly a good thing. I previously had a ruby red mustang, which to this day I still personally think was one of the best colors. Very deep and rich and just looked so beautiful, especially in the sun. That being said, I also think FJG is a beautiful color. Like with most, it always looks much better in person. Maybe it’s the car (Mach 1 vs Ecoboost, it does have more presence but my other car was modded in a way where it looked good imo), but in the short time I’ve owned this car I’ve gotten 20x the compliments I got previously in the almost 5 years of having that car. And a lot of the times the compliment includes “wow, that’s a beautiful color.” I also really like the orange accents and how it breaks up the gray. But if I had to choose a different color, I think the top of my list would be eruption green.

I am with this. I have a 22 FJG HP, leather seats (not Recaro). Would not change a thing. I picked FJG for the same reason. I see lots of pics of M1s with this color, but have yet to see another one in person. Hell, I have yet to see another M1 on the road. I got lots of complements on the color, but I think Mach 1s will get lots of compliments regardless of color. Due to all the parts shortages and the pandemic, this production vehicle seems more limited than was the plan.
All that being said, MP is a great color. It’s more unique than the red. It is a solid choice.

 

[kellyreno]

That's a great tip and reminder that the factory is not perfect. Check and double check!

How do you check? There is no dipstick.

 

[cerbomark]

if it s like other cars without dip stick it s a PITA. Need tool to read temp then there is an overflow bolt to remove on side of trans looking for a slow drip to be at correct level. Think the Mustang may be the same?

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