Arent the brembos pricey come maintence time?

 

Not really. Pads are a few bucks more, but nothing outrageous.

 

This is good news! Didn't think it would be too terrible. I just like having a vented brake system. Screw it, I'm going to try for both. Seems reasonable I should be able to get both.

I should have thrown in the quote about the glass roof. I am still not super sold on the glass roof, it's a sweet option but not totally a necessity. I will miss my moon roof and I love that it opens up the cabin so much. Though it would come down to hey if the dealer somehow has one on the lot and wants to get rid of it. I doubt I will see a Black/Brembo/Premium/Premier/EP/Glass Roof on the lot unless I order it. So more than likely it will be, sorry glass roof, no option for you.

 

You should be able to get factory pads for the front for under $100. That's not a bad deal for pads. I've heard that for factory they're pretty darn good too. Wonder how dusty they are.

 

I wondered this as well. I am just hoping for a ceramic style so the dust is light and removes easily. That's all I ask. I'll take the hit for $100 pads on a semi-performance pad, won't be going through them that often on my daily drive.

 

My dealer had a 2010 Black/Black (400A though) GT on the lot for like 7-8 months. It had Glass Roof, EP, 19" Machined wheels, 3.73s, Backup Cam, Comfort, Security and HIDs. The MSRP was like $40k. If it didn't have the wheels, HIDs and Security, I probably would have bought it. I didn't want Black/Black but if it had just a few less options, I could have lived with it. Sigh...

 

Garmin also does firmware updates to keep older products current. My handheld Garmin GPS has only needed it once in ten years and it still is up to date with mapping features.

My opinion, between the two, is the EP. The car comes with darn good brakes and I don't like the Brembo wheels. As far as a glass roof, I'm already geting a convertible.

 

Sounds like a nice ride. So why no Security pkg for you?

I could have lived without the HID's though, I can get hyperwhites. Though I'd rather have the HID's. I am a personal fan of the Machined wheels. They really caught my eye when I got my interest back in the Mustangs.

 

HIDs are an option I'm not going to do without. Sure, you can do them aftermarket, but the OEM projector lens is a much cleaner option. If they came standard with projectors, I could maybe see putting them in later, but with two lens options, I have to opt for the HIDs. The Security pkg is a nice insurance buffer. I didn't think more security was ever a bad thing.

 

Security package will be a must and the HID's may not look the best but I have finally gotten used to them. No, I'd never do an aftermarket kit either. Just wouldn't mind putting some bulbs in the driving lights that would look more white/blue to match the HID's rather than the yellow'ish hue of the standard bulbs. I think I'd opt for the HID's before glass roof.

That's looking like the last option I would add as an absolute luxury.
Hell I didn't even start this thread with thoughts about the glass roof, but the opinions have been great. It's good to get everyone's take on things.

 

Getting the bigger brakes / wheels / tires upgrade from Ford makes sense, paying for the difference not the whole enchilada.
Calculator?

 

I like the Security Package, but could get a much more comprehensive security system installed at my old work for about the same price, although it wouldn't be factory. I also am one who loves HID lights, but I really don't like the way they look. And for having to spend almost $1000 just to get them from the factory, makes them not worth it to me. I have a buddy who can get me plug and play kits with a lifetime warranty. Yeah they won't be as good as the projectors, but I could live with it (I have one of the kits in my 2000 now). I also toyed with the idea of getting the standard lights, and picking up an extra set of standard housings to do a custom retrofit of the HID projectors...but I know how expensive that would be (really lol).

Really I should have gone down to SoCal and bought the 2010 I had my eye on, Sterling Gray/Black 400A, Glass Roof, EP, 3.73s and Backup Cam. I really wanted Saddle, but could have lived with black. I'll be kicking myself for years for not buying that car when I had the chance.

 

I agree with your main points. I keep thinking I will just find a 2010 with every option on it but I really want but I won't let go of the advances made to the car. Certainly not degrading the car and if that's what I wind up with for some crazy reason, that's what I will be happy with.

I understand the aftermarket security thing, I used to advocate all that aftermarket equipment back when I was MECP cert. but now I'm just like whatever makes my life easier. I can't get remote start on a manual (technically) so I figure the security pkg is fine. I like all the aftermarket offerings from alarm manufacturers but I really won't be using any of the fancy features they offer now. Most factory alarms are comming with window roll down and glass breakage sensors. That's enough for my taste.

Does anyone know why the HID's require the security pkg? Just a nice tie in to the wiring and an easy way to make the lights seem less expensive than they are?

 

wish they would test Brembo and Non-Brembo cars on the same day and time. All the tests show about a 2 foot difference in stopping distance. Now the Brembos stand up to more repeated hard stops. But if you are talking about safety, the first one is the only one that matters....

For me I would go with the EP, just for the cleaner center stack with the Nav Screen. And yes doing the whole Droid thing is cheaper...but dont forget the $30 a month added to your phone bill for the Verizon data service. and Then you would still have some mount stuck on your car with a 3 inch screen with wires running every where b/c of the crappy battery charger you need to keep the Droid charged.

 

I think the 30 a month for internet in your pocket/dashboard is worth it but I'm a software developer so I need to stay connected. $2,300 is a lot of money. It would take 7 years for the $30 monthlies to pass that cost. The insane number of useful apps far outweighs the options available on the nav and you can take it with you when you leave the car (not an option with the EP).

As for the small screen, mount, and wires I think you're right. The EP has a bigger screen (8" vs 3.7") and is built in to the dash nice and tidy. For a little over twice the screen size and little clutter control I still can't justify spending the money on the EP.

I could pay someone for a professional mount for the droid and hide the wires like this:

 

It's been said that the two packages go together because of the high risk of theft for HIDs.

 

I think the whole "high risk of theft on HIDs" is utter BS. I remember when the Acura TLs and Lincoln Mark VIIIs started coming with them, people were in fact stealing them because the bulb size fit other cars (Honda Accord, F150s etc). But that was over 10 years ago. I could see someone stealing them and selling them on eBay for half the price the dealer charges, but that is a hell of a lot of work for a quick buck. I just done see it.

 

You make some logical points but I will point out one error. The EP navigation screen isn't twice as big as a Droid screen. It's approximately twice as tall AND twice as wide, giving it approximately four times the screen area.

 

You caught me, I was comparing the diagonals not the surface area.

3.5 times larger screen. Worth the 2.1k difference? Up to you.

 

Yeah, I think it is at this point. I really don't like any form of mounts or external wires showing in my car. I did car audio for about 5 years and it just made me appreciate simplicity.

And not to be a dick but I shouldn't be screwing around with apps on my phone while I'm driving, let alone a stick. It's a valid idea, even as an electrical engineer, dealing with flight instruments all day, I just like my in dash nav system. Plus, it would be a pain in the *** to use HD radio and Nav as an auxillary through a Droid phone. Sorry I'm not a droid advocate so I don't really stand behind them yet. Nor do I think it's the be all, end all in mobile platforms. Anyway, that aside, I still say you have a valid idea but just not one I am willing to venture into. I enjoy tucking away my phone and having it hands free.