I did it...test drove the new S550, my thoughts compared to my 12
Mach 1 Member
Joined: April 17, 2013
Posts: 678
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From: Hickory Creek, TX
Bmw are overrated. Plus the M3 is not that much lighter . I have driven BMWs and i am not impressed with them. They do handle good, but my car with a slight suspension modification and live axle has really impressed me.
Well, I guess everyone has their own impressions. The car I traded in on my '14 GT was a Z4 Coupe with sport suspension. My Mustang weighs about 250 pounds more than the Z4, has a live axle and a higher center of gravity. If we're talking about differences in how the car "feels," the difference between that car and my Mustang are night and day.
I guess that's why I would characterize the difference between the '14 and '15 GT as almost negligible. There may be some minute differences, but relatively speaking its the same basic experience (and its an experience I like- the Mustang is just as fun to drive as the Bimmer, its just a different experience). Now, if you could put the Coyote in the Z4... drool!
Well, I guess everyone has their own impressions. The car I traded in on my '14 GT was a Z4 Coupe with sport suspension. My Mustang weighs about 250 pounds more than the Z4, has a live axle and a higher center of gravity. If we're talking about differences in how the car "feels," the difference between that car and my Mustang are night and day.
I guess that's why I would characterize the difference between the '14 and '15 GT as almost negligible. There may be some minute differences, but relatively speaking its the same basic experience (and its an experience I like- the Mustang is just as fun to drive as the Bimmer, its just a different experience). Now, if you could put the Coyote in the Z4... drool!
Bullitt Member
Joined: June 18, 2014
Posts: 243
Likes: 6
Ah, yes...see, my point I tried to make earlier...exactly. You already have a 2014 GT. It becomes a matter of perspective. What if you were driving a 2012 Focus SE Sedan and wanted to get another Mustang like you had before the appliance like Focus (er...like me 
)? If I already had a 2010-2014 Mustang I would not have given the S550 a second glance. This is totally okay. I liked my 2004 V6 before it went off to college with my son and if I were still driving it I may not have even looked at an S550 in that case either! LOL....
)? If I already had a 2010-2014 Mustang I would not have given the S550 a second glance. This is totally okay. I liked my 2004 V6 before it went off to college with my son and if I were still driving it I may not have even looked at an S550 in that case either! LOL....
Bullitt Member
Joined: May 25, 2014
Posts: 229
Likes: 24
From: Southern Cali
Bmw are overrated. Plus the M3 is not that much lighter . I have driven BMWs and i am not impressed with them. They do handle good, but my car with a slight suspension modification and live axle has really impressed me. Well, I guess everyone has their own impressions. The car I traded in on my '14 GT was a Z4 Coupe with sport suspension. My Mustang weighs about 250 pounds more than the Z4, has a live axle and a higher center of gravity. If we're talking about differences in how the car "feels," the difference between that car and my Mustang are night and day. I guess that's why I would characterize the difference between the '14 and '15 GT as almost negligible. There may be some minute differences, but relatively speaking its the same basic experience (and its an experience I like- the Mustang is just as fun to drive as the Bimmer, its just a different experience). Now, if you could put the Coyote in the Z4... drool!
Last edited by Wild5.0; Mar 25, 2015 at 01:41 PM.
Mach 1 Member
Joined: April 17, 2013
Posts: 678
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From: Hickory Creek, TX
Ok fair enough, is your 14 gt stock? Because i think the stock GTs handle like crap lol.
Mods are in my signature as well- just stiffer rear springs and upgraded LCAs.
I wouldn't characterize the '14 GT's handling as "crap." (As a marketer, I would probably try to come up with a positive term, like "enigmatic."
) Its not that it can't handle quite well- you just have to stay on top of it to make it handle well (vs. a car that basically just keeps you completely out of trouble with minimal/no effort). The only aspect of the handling that just drove me crazy was the wheel hop (which I've got about 90% resolved).
The absolute WORST part of the car isn't the handling anyway- its the shifter.
Mods are in my signature as well- just stiffer rear springs and upgraded LCAs.
I wouldn't characterize the '14 GT's handling as "crap." (As a marketer, I would probably try to come up with a positive term, like "enigmatic."
) Its not that it can't handle quite well- you just have to stay on top of it to make it handle well (vs. a car that basically just keeps you completely out of trouble with minimal/no effort). The only aspect of the handling that just drove me crazy was the wheel hop (which I've got about 90% resolved).The absolute WORST part of the car isn't the handling anyway- its the shifter.
Shelby GT350 Member
Joined: July 16, 2011
Posts: 2,040
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I was driving a 2012 STI when I made the mistake of stopping at a Steeda dealer in May. My 2014 GT TP Premium w/Recaros came right out of the dealer with Steeda HD Strut Mounts, Steeda Sport Springs, Steeda Panhard Bar and Brace, Steeda STB, Boss 302 Manifold, Steeda CAI, Boss 302 Side Exhaust, and a custom 93 tune. Just waiting for warmer weather to install my Koni Sports and Steeda LCA's. It still is ending up costing me less than a stock 2015 GT PP would have so for me it was monetary also.
Thread Starter
I Have No Life
Joined: September 24, 2011
Posts: 10,141
Likes: 172
. I prefer the one that bites you back if you're not careful.Frankly, I don't much care which is faster. I'm more interested in how the car feels. S550 is very different in feel compared to the S197. That's odd, because I think they both feel very similar- i.e. like the heavy sports cars they are. Having felt both, the difference was negligible. An IRS is not going to fix heavy- if they want the car to be a nimble Euro-type ride, they need to shed some serious weight and get things a bit more compact. Don't get me wrong, I like the way my '14 handles (sometimes a fight to see who is going to handle whom ), but coming out of a much lighter BMW you definitely feel the weight of the car fighting against you- and the '15 does nothing to solve this. If the '15 were 400 pounds lighter and just tons more nimble, then yes- perhaps it would come down to performance. But a 1.5 second difference on a 85 second road course says "go with whichever looks better" to me.
), but coming out of a much lighter BMW you definitely feel the weight of the car fighting against you- and the '15 does nothing to solve this. If the '15 were 400 pounds lighter and just tons more nimble, then yes- perhaps it would come down to performance. But a 1.5 second difference on a 85 second road course says "go with whichever looks better" to me.So, all you guys that think the rough edges and crudeness of the S197 makes it a muscle car (and the lack of those things makes you dislike the S550), what do you think of the Challenger? It's the softest of the three and still rides on a 10+ year old Mercedes platform.
. Maybe the new ones are better???
Shelby GT500 Member
Joined: November 26, 2011
Posts: 2,633
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Hey pascal. Yes, like I said the s550 drives probably better, and faster around a road course etc. but it doesn't necessarily mean more fun or something I prefer
. I prefer the one that bites you back if you're not careful.Oh it's VERY different. Like I said, most folks will probably say the s550 feels better and that's ok. It feels more car like etc. But that's fine. I'd prefer it too for a daily commute. But for a fun car? No sir. Just my preference, not saying it's right, but give me my old s197
Challenger at least what I drove before sucked. Talk about floaty and heavy
. Maybe the new ones are better???Chrysler designed a retro Challenger and they were spot on. Its the most retro and true design of the three pony cars back to the originals. The Challenger was and is not a carve corning muscle car. That's what's so awesome about the car and its design.
Bullitt Member
Joined: September 8, 2009
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As an early adopter of the last refresh (ordered in February '09) I remember the exact same comments being levied against the 2010 (i.e., "too quiet", "too refined", "I like the rawness of the '05-09'").
Everything old is new again!
Everything old is new again!
Shelby GT500 Member
Joined: November 26, 2011
Posts: 2,633
Likes: 4
Lol. So true. I would imagine majority of tbose people still don't like the 2010 plus models.
Thread Starter
I Have No Life
Joined: September 24, 2011
Posts: 10,141
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Of course the Challenger is floaty and heavy. What do you think the 70's Challenger was? They were big, heavy, floaty with big displacement muscle.
Chrysler designed a retro Challenger and they were spot on. Its the most retro and true design of the three pony cars back to the originals. The Challenger was and is not a carve corning muscle car. That's what's so awesome about the car and its design.
Chrysler designed a retro Challenger and they were spot on. Its the most retro and true design of the three pony cars back to the originals. The Challenger was and is not a carve corning muscle car. That's what's so awesome about the car and its design.
Legacy TMS Member
Joined: September 6, 2011
Posts: 1,892
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From: Kansas City, MO
I haven't driven a Camaro but I have to think it feels more like the S550 than the S197...since it has an IRS just like the Challenger.
Thread Starter
I Have No Life
Joined: September 24, 2011
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In other words, just bring back the S197.
Shelby GT350 Member
Joined: April 29, 2005
Posts: 2,133
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I would definitely buy a Hellcat if I could afford one. I like the Camaros too but I don't think I would buy one. I love the larger engines of both cars.
Shelby GT500 Member
Joined: November 26, 2011
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Super Boss Lawman Member
Joined: October 16, 2012
Posts: 4,414
Likes: 215
From: Vancouver BC
Just back from the vancouver car show. Sadly nothing ford has in it's new lineup appeals to me. nothing. first time ever! However I like the stingray and the ZL1 though
Severla s550's there but as nice as they are they don't draw me in
BUT...
Of course porsches stole the show
However I like the stingray and the ZL1 though Severla s550's there but as nice as they are they don't draw me in
BUT...
Of course porsches stole the show
Last edited by DarrenGT; Mar 27, 2015 at 11:53 PM.
GT Member
Joined: June 26, 2011
Posts: 144
Likes: 1
The 2012 GT is a better looking car than the '15. Looks like a Mustang, and yes, drives a bit raucous, like a Mustang. I can't pick a '15 Mustang out in a crowd, but it's easy to find a pre- '15 Mustang. THAT's a mistake.
GT Member
Joined: July 21, 2012
Posts: 110
Likes: 9
From: Auckland, New Zealand
Bmw are overrated. Plus the M3 is not that much lighter . I have driven BMWs and i am not impressed with them. They do handle good, but my car with a slight suspension modification and live axle has really impressed me.
Well, I guess everyone has their own impressions. The car I traded in on my '14 GT was a Z4 Coupe with sport suspension. My Mustang weighs about 250 pounds more than the Z4, has a live axle and a higher center of gravity. If we're talking about differences in how the car "feels," the difference between that car and my Mustang are night and day.
I guess that's why I would characterize the difference between the '14 and '15 GT as almost negligible. There may be some minute differences, but relatively speaking its the same basic experience (and its an experience I like- the Mustang is just as fun to drive as the Bimmer, its just a different experience). Now, if you could put the Coyote in the Z4... drool!
Well, I guess everyone has their own impressions. The car I traded in on my '14 GT was a Z4 Coupe with sport suspension. My Mustang weighs about 250 pounds more than the Z4, has a live axle and a higher center of gravity. If we're talking about differences in how the car "feels," the difference between that car and my Mustang are night and day.
I guess that's why I would characterize the difference between the '14 and '15 GT as almost negligible. There may be some minute differences, but relatively speaking its the same basic experience (and its an experience I like- the Mustang is just as fun to drive as the Bimmer, its just a different experience). Now, if you could put the Coyote in the Z4... drool!
Mach 1 Member
Joined: March 10, 2014
Posts: 564
Likes: 0
From: Manchester, NH
Has anyone else noticed that ford advertises the 2015 GT on their website under specs with 435 HP with a disclaimer in parenthesis (93 octane) ? The 420 rating on the outgoing 2014 had no such disclaimer. Anything to this?
http://www.ford.com/cars/mustang/specifications/
http://www.ford.com/cars/mustang/specifications/
Bullitt Member
Joined: January 6, 2014
Posts: 345
Likes: 1
From: NYC
Has anyone else noticed that ford advertises the 2015 GT on their website under specs with 435 HP with a disclaimer in parenthesis (93 octane) ? The 420 rating on the outgoing 2014 had no such disclaimer. Anything to this?
http://www.ford.com/cars/mustang/specifications/
http://www.ford.com/cars/mustang/specifications/