Drove a 2.3Eco Premium (Auto)
Thread Starter
I Have No Life
Joined: January 30, 2004
Posts: 10,446
Likes: 12
From: Canada
Drove a 2.3Eco Premium (Auto)
So I head on down to Eastgate Ford in Hamilton, ON to visit my friends there and check out the '15 they have on the lot.
They have a White 2.3Eco Premium Automatic with Nav and Anniversary Package.I wasn't in love with that package seeing it online, but it REALLY looks nice on white.
Words I never thought I'd say.
The Outside
The only other time I've seen the car in person was at the reveal in Dec 2013. We weren’t allowed to get into it, so I could only really talk about the exterior lines. I still say photographs will not do this car justice. You really have to see it in person.
The front is sportier in person and not as bulbous as it might seem in photos.
The rear is muscular, wide and beefy as it flows into those gorgeous looking hips tapering towards the front of the vehicle. Looking at the side of the car,you can see how low it is and how it all flows together.
The more you look at this car, I swear you start to see lines that you didn't know existed.
It really is a VERY sweet looking piece of machinery.
The Inside:
WOW and HOLY ****... and that's really all that needs to be said.
It feels and works as amazing as it looks in pictures. It really does feel like it's out of a car twice it's price. The door closing even feels more upscale. Sounds weird, but it does. Everything inside the car feels like it was sculpted or moulded to a very precise spec's. The toggles are pretty cool, the nav system easy to use and pretty much a necessity (to me, with the big screen/tech centre).
Steering wheel is smaller and absolutely everything is at your fingertips (wheel, nav screen, shifter etc). It does feel like you're in a fighter jet, but not claustrophobic.
Standard seats are an absolute godsend, especially coming from 1st gen S197. Recaro's aren't even in my vocab. They are really snug, comfy and the heating/cooling just locks me in for those seats.
Long distances would be welcome in those seats.
The Drive:
Tight like a tiger....yesh....
Fired up the Eco, and it sounds...not bad. I'm used to a snarling V8, but this was better than I expected. Same with driving it. It actually sounds good for a 4banger. Windows down or up, it's got a bit of a bite.
Overall the car is just insanely quiet on the inside though. I mean borderline hear a pindrop quiet. As much as I love the snarling V8 in my car,this would be a welcome addition, or at least a fraction of it.
The feel of the car driving was unreal. My car feels like a bucket o' dung compared to this. And so it should. 10 years and a whole new chassis makes oneheck of a difference. Train tracks? No problem. Highway expansion joints. No problem. It clung to the road where I would usually cringe and hope for the best.
The acceleration on the Eco was fun, I can't wait to see what the tuners do to it. Has a nice spot in the rev range where you get thrown back in your seat,and then it tends to back off a bit in the upper range and run out of steam. I have to say I wasimpressed at how it rode and drove. Definitely a step in the right directionfor the entry cars.
Bringing it back to the dealership felt like an episode of the Walking Dead.
People are drooling and clamoring over the car. Had to fight them off to get out of the car. Well it wasn't that bad, but the fingerprints on the car from people made me cringe!
Overall Impression:
Ford...keep up the amazing work. This car is a HUGE step in the right direction. They have definitely not rested on their laurels, and I cannot wait to see what they have to offer when the time comes and I can afford another Mustang. Can't wait to drive the GT. If they have improved the levels below theV8 this much, I can imagine the improvements with having a V8 and PP.
If I had the money now, I'd join the stampede to the dealers to get one.
They have a White 2.3Eco Premium Automatic with Nav and Anniversary Package.I wasn't in love with that package seeing it online, but it REALLY looks nice on white.
Words I never thought I'd say.
The Outside
The only other time I've seen the car in person was at the reveal in Dec 2013. We weren’t allowed to get into it, so I could only really talk about the exterior lines. I still say photographs will not do this car justice. You really have to see it in person.
The front is sportier in person and not as bulbous as it might seem in photos.
The rear is muscular, wide and beefy as it flows into those gorgeous looking hips tapering towards the front of the vehicle. Looking at the side of the car,you can see how low it is and how it all flows together.
The more you look at this car, I swear you start to see lines that you didn't know existed.
It really is a VERY sweet looking piece of machinery.
The Inside:
WOW and HOLY ****... and that's really all that needs to be said.
It feels and works as amazing as it looks in pictures. It really does feel like it's out of a car twice it's price. The door closing even feels more upscale. Sounds weird, but it does. Everything inside the car feels like it was sculpted or moulded to a very precise spec's. The toggles are pretty cool, the nav system easy to use and pretty much a necessity (to me, with the big screen/tech centre).
Steering wheel is smaller and absolutely everything is at your fingertips (wheel, nav screen, shifter etc). It does feel like you're in a fighter jet, but not claustrophobic.
Standard seats are an absolute godsend, especially coming from 1st gen S197. Recaro's aren't even in my vocab. They are really snug, comfy and the heating/cooling just locks me in for those seats.
Long distances would be welcome in those seats.
The Drive:
Tight like a tiger....yesh....
Fired up the Eco, and it sounds...not bad. I'm used to a snarling V8, but this was better than I expected. Same with driving it. It actually sounds good for a 4banger. Windows down or up, it's got a bit of a bite.
Overall the car is just insanely quiet on the inside though. I mean borderline hear a pindrop quiet. As much as I love the snarling V8 in my car,this would be a welcome addition, or at least a fraction of it.
The feel of the car driving was unreal. My car feels like a bucket o' dung compared to this. And so it should. 10 years and a whole new chassis makes oneheck of a difference. Train tracks? No problem. Highway expansion joints. No problem. It clung to the road where I would usually cringe and hope for the best.
The acceleration on the Eco was fun, I can't wait to see what the tuners do to it. Has a nice spot in the rev range where you get thrown back in your seat,and then it tends to back off a bit in the upper range and run out of steam. I have to say I wasimpressed at how it rode and drove. Definitely a step in the right directionfor the entry cars.
Bringing it back to the dealership felt like an episode of the Walking Dead.
People are drooling and clamoring over the car. Had to fight them off to get out of the car. Well it wasn't that bad, but the fingerprints on the car from people made me cringe!
Overall Impression:
Ford...keep up the amazing work. This car is a HUGE step in the right direction. They have definitely not rested on their laurels, and I cannot wait to see what they have to offer when the time comes and I can afford another Mustang. Can't wait to drive the GT. If they have improved the levels below theV8 this much, I can imagine the improvements with having a V8 and PP.
If I had the money now, I'd join the stampede to the dealers to get one.
Last edited by Boomer; Oct 14, 2014 at 09:06 AM.
Super Boss Lawman Member
Joined: January 17, 2006
Posts: 4,148
Likes: 3
From: Temecula,CA
Nice review, the look from the rear is what shocked me the most from seeing it in person. Absolutely stunning. Can't wait to drive one myself!
Edit- stoked on the new season of the walking dead :-)
Edit- stoked on the new season of the walking dead :-)
Last edited by SONICBOOST; Oct 14, 2014 at 10:33 PM.
Thread Starter
I Have No Life
Joined: January 30, 2004
Posts: 10,446
Likes: 12
From: Canada
Oh yeah, forgot that.
I was suprised at how much you CAN see in that car.
Visibitlity was fantastic. I was not quite expecting Camaro bunker windows, but when I was driving, every view...zero problems with the view.
Front end was easy to see as well, although I didn't adjust the height on the seat.
2 long ridges down the hood look pretty aggressive.
The only thing about the view that I wasn't used to is the newer smaller mirrors on the later gen S197s. I'm used to the oversized truck mirrors on mine.
Materials felt and looked awesome. Like I said, feels like its way more upscale and expensive than it really is for the price.
I only really got a 15 minute drive in it, and wish I had way more time to explore the car.
And yeah the rear end is so commanding.
I compare the whole car to, and this might be a really bad comparison, a baddass mullet. Sleek and sporty in the front, and absolute bone crushing muscle in the back. The side view blends the changes nicely from front to back.
The experience left me wanting more. It was begging to be driven.
I came home and told my wife I went and drove it. She asked 'How was the drive?'
I said: "BIG Mistake"
I was suprised at how much you CAN see in that car.
Visibitlity was fantastic. I was not quite expecting Camaro bunker windows, but when I was driving, every view...zero problems with the view.
Front end was easy to see as well, although I didn't adjust the height on the seat.
2 long ridges down the hood look pretty aggressive.
The only thing about the view that I wasn't used to is the newer smaller mirrors on the later gen S197s. I'm used to the oversized truck mirrors on mine.
Materials felt and looked awesome. Like I said, feels like its way more upscale and expensive than it really is for the price.
I only really got a 15 minute drive in it, and wish I had way more time to explore the car.
And yeah the rear end is so commanding.
I compare the whole car to, and this might be a really bad comparison, a baddass mullet. Sleek and sporty in the front, and absolute bone crushing muscle in the back. The side view blends the changes nicely from front to back.
The experience left me wanting more. It was begging to be driven.
I came home and told my wife I went and drove it. She asked 'How was the drive?'
I said: "BIG Mistake"
Last edited by Boomer; Oct 15, 2014 at 06:32 AM.
Thread Starter
I Have No Life
Joined: January 30, 2004
Posts: 10,446
Likes: 12
From: Canada
Honestly,
Unless you have will power... do NOT drive this car.
If you weren't ordering one, you'll want to.
If you did order your car, it'll make the wait that much worse.
Unless you have will power... do NOT drive this car.
If you weren't ordering one, you'll want to.
If you did order your car, it'll make the wait that much worse.
Thread Starter
I Have No Life
Joined: January 30, 2004
Posts: 10,446
Likes: 12
From: Canada
Cobra Member
Joined: October 12, 2004
Posts: 1,188
Likes: 7
From: Milwaukee, WI
Did you use the paddles to manually shift at all? How responsive were they to your inputs?
I've always had Manuals but I'm moving from Florida to Wisconsin and am seriously considering the automatic for the remote start.
I've always had Manuals but I'm moving from Florida to Wisconsin and am seriously considering the automatic for the remote start.
Thread Starter
I Have No Life
Joined: January 30, 2004
Posts: 10,446
Likes: 12
From: Canada
I deal with Eastgate all the time, even though I'm not from the GHA
I get around
Bullitt Member
Joined: July 24, 2014
Posts: 216
Likes: 2
From: Arizona
GTR Member
Joined: October 18, 2006
Posts: 5,553
Likes: 11
From: England
A great review, Boomer, thank you.
I wish I could explain why the S550 looks better in the metal than photographs. It doesn't sound logical, but you just have to accept the fact it looks SOOOOOOOOOOO much better when you're standing next to it. Perhaps it's because many photos are not taken at "eye level"? I don't know. All I do know is every time I've seen it in the metal, I can't help but drool
I'm looking forward to my first opportunity to sit in/drive one. The UK's leading Mustang specialist (there aren't many lol) is scheduled to get some in before Christmas, and will be holding a special event when they arrive. I can't wait.
I recently had the opportunity to drive a friend's '13 Boss 302 and I said he ruined my car for me........only half jokingly! My '05 GT feels every bit the poor relation in terms of ride/handling/fit and finish. Good job I still love her! I can't wait to experience a similar quality jump again to the '15GT. Whilst I'm interested in the Ecoboost, the V8 (to me) needs to be the dominating factor in the driving experience. The fact that'll be in a better riding, better built package? Awesome.
I can't wait to see how S550 develops over the years. Ford have clearly built a superb platform, so it can only get better
I wish I could explain why the S550 looks better in the metal than photographs. It doesn't sound logical, but you just have to accept the fact it looks SOOOOOOOOOOO much better when you're standing next to it. Perhaps it's because many photos are not taken at "eye level"? I don't know. All I do know is every time I've seen it in the metal, I can't help but drool
I'm looking forward to my first opportunity to sit in/drive one. The UK's leading Mustang specialist (there aren't many lol) is scheduled to get some in before Christmas, and will be holding a special event when they arrive. I can't wait.
I recently had the opportunity to drive a friend's '13 Boss 302 and I said he ruined my car for me........only half jokingly! My '05 GT feels every bit the poor relation in terms of ride/handling/fit and finish. Good job I still love her! I can't wait to experience a similar quality jump again to the '15GT. Whilst I'm interested in the Ecoboost, the V8 (to me) needs to be the dominating factor in the driving experience. The fact that'll be in a better riding, better built package? Awesome.
I can't wait to see how S550 develops over the years. Ford have clearly built a superb platform, so it can only get better
Legacy TMS Member
Joined: November 13, 2005
Posts: 2,193
Likes: 46
Hmmmm... guess I am going to have a dissenting opinion here.
I test drove this bad boy right here:
2.3l Ecoboost, auto, leather, seemed pretty loaded.
To me, the Ecoboost was not that impressive. Remember I'm coming from a 2005 GT with only a CAI, so I was expecting something comparable to my current 300hp. The Ecoboost didn't really have the launch that I am used to in my Pony - and most certainly not worth a large car payment for.
The interior disappointed me as well. I could recognize the same switchgear as my 2005, notably in the overhead console and power window/lock switches in the doors. I could not get comfortable in the seat no matter how I adjusted it. I was constantly squirming around during the test drive, and trying different settings with no luck.
Granted, this is a mule car that a LOT of people are flogging on in short test drives, and maybe pre-production as well, so maybe my experience was star-crossed.
My verdict: In all honesty the Ecoboost didn't impress me at all, and most certainly not enough to trade my paid-for 2005 for it. Maybe I might change my mind with the 5.0 with a stick - I'm hoping that there will be some spark of interest there. Otherwise, I will chalk it up to a disappointing experience and a letdown after all the hype and expectation.
My final take: This is the "Phantom Menace" of 2015...
I test drove this bad boy right here:
2.3l Ecoboost, auto, leather, seemed pretty loaded.
To me, the Ecoboost was not that impressive. Remember I'm coming from a 2005 GT with only a CAI, so I was expecting something comparable to my current 300hp. The Ecoboost didn't really have the launch that I am used to in my Pony - and most certainly not worth a large car payment for.
The interior disappointed me as well. I could recognize the same switchgear as my 2005, notably in the overhead console and power window/lock switches in the doors. I could not get comfortable in the seat no matter how I adjusted it. I was constantly squirming around during the test drive, and trying different settings with no luck.
Granted, this is a mule car that a LOT of people are flogging on in short test drives, and maybe pre-production as well, so maybe my experience was star-crossed.
My verdict: In all honesty the Ecoboost didn't impress me at all, and most certainly not enough to trade my paid-for 2005 for it. Maybe I might change my mind with the 5.0 with a stick - I'm hoping that there will be some spark of interest there. Otherwise, I will chalk it up to a disappointing experience and a letdown after all the hype and expectation.
My final take: This is the "Phantom Menace" of 2015...