Saddled up for an S550 test drive, left with my hopes dashed.
GT Member
Joined: June 19, 2014
Posts: 124
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Good point, and I've read this elsewhere today. The various driving modes do seem to make a BIG difference. And I also agree that a more refined car can make it feel slower. I was blown away the first time I drove a 2011 GT.......but more in terms of how well the car rode, steered and felt screwed together so much better than my 2005 GT. Did it feel 112hp more powerful? Not to me, at least not on first acquaintance, but I knew it was in reality. I can't wait to try my first S550 
The switch from the ST to the 5.0 made me feel like I grew a third but for a while, then I realized a lot of it is feel, and at some point you get used to the power... It's corrupting... But the mustang, as great as it is, is nowhere near the sporty/economical/fun dd that my ST was... That said, the mustang has more going for it in my mind... The nvh actually enhances the experience ... Something I worry about with the s550 being to tame! I wish my 2014 had that interior, and maybe some of the paint options... But I wouldn't trade much else
V6 Member
Joined: June 11, 2011
Posts: 69
Likes: 1
From: New Jersey
The sport mode is much faster than normal mode. I've only had my 2015 a few days and haven't tried track mode yet but I sure will. The only thing thing I see with sport mode is it doesn't feel right for just everyday cruising to and from work. But a simple push of the toggle switch changes it up. I think I'll use sport and track mode just when I want to have a little fun. I think the sport mode is what a mustang with a tune would fell like. No throttle lag at all. I was meaning to get a tuner for my 2010 but never got around to it. Now I know what I was missing.
Cobra Member
Joined: February 18, 2011
Posts: 1,023
Likes: 0
From: South Carolina
I'm one of the folks here who could be consided squarely on the fence about this car. I really, really love my S197 but the improvements and the new equipment in the 2015 have me drooling. I can comfortably afford a new car...but I would have to finance the bulk of the difference between my 2011 trade so there would be some sacrifice involved.
Ok...hopped in the 2011 and ripped around town before heading to the dealership to see if the 2015 that my salesman informed me about was still there. Sure enough, as soon as I pulled up, there was a silver GT premium with the performance pack, 6 speed. I got to climb all over it and drive it with no salesman looking over my shoulder.
First impressions-
Yep, the lower roof profile and lower hood give the impression of a meaner shape. The are some angles of this body that are just eye-popping...and IMO all of those good looking angles omit any view of the front clip which while not as Fusion-esque as one might initially think, it is bulbous, overlong, and just misshaped somehow. It's not ugly, just odd and incongruent with the rest of the body... The tail section with the duck tail molding and the "3D" lenses is stunning but on a second glance, it looks very concept car-ish...perhaps a bit unfinished? Regardless, it's better than the hefty, angular butt of my 2011 overall, the syling is a wash between the S197 and the S550 for me. S550 nailed the proportions, S197 is better as a composition.
The interior was superb. I'm not an interior snob of any variety but I can honestly say that the interior of this car is as pleasing to me as I would ever want in any car. Visually tasteful, interesting and well matched finishes, plentiful gauges (including a real OPG? Wow.), good looking shifter with a tastefully small ****. The steering wheel feels perfect, the pedals spacing is at least as good as in my S197. My only complaints are related to the visibility and "airiness" which are a step down from the outgoing car. It feels like you sit lower in the car which does take away from the experience a bit.
Driving the car...left me totally flat. It feels solid, stiff, competent. Steering was heavier than the s197 and slightly more tactile but still very "electric" feeling. The shifter action is improved...much crisper through the gates. Brakes felt nice with a much firmer pedal than what I'm used to in my own Brembo package car. Suspension improvements did show themselves when I turned down a rough side road. Yep. It's much better behaved and this could conceivably be a huge benefit on a race course.
So here's the thing. It was almost dull! I was able to wind the car up a few times and it pulled well, but somehow lacking the raw sensations and the snap that my 2011 GT has. I realize that a green motor will often not perform up to its potential and that is probably the case here (40 miles on this one) but rolling onto the throttle in 2nd gear offered a surprisingly flaccid response...despite the 3.73 axle. I'd bet cash that my 21,000 mile, stock, 3.55 axle car would eat this one for lunch. The drive was relatively isolating and sterile and honestly less enjoyable than the more raw experience of previous Mustangs. I was overcome with the same sensation as when I drove my NA Miata to the dealership to drive a new NB2. "Better but not preferable."
Also I did "accidentally" spin the tires once and found that it does still wheelhop (though with less reciprocating mass, the experience is less jarring) and it only left one strip of rubber. Go figure.
Driving home in my 2011, I couldn't help but think that had I not had seat time in my current GT, i might have fallen in love with the s550...but without that serious performance bump over my current car or vastly preferable body style, I just can't write the check. I would much sooner buy a used Boss 302.
Purely my opinion. Opposing viewpoints are welcome.
Ok...hopped in the 2011 and ripped around town before heading to the dealership to see if the 2015 that my salesman informed me about was still there. Sure enough, as soon as I pulled up, there was a silver GT premium with the performance pack, 6 speed. I got to climb all over it and drive it with no salesman looking over my shoulder.
First impressions-
Yep, the lower roof profile and lower hood give the impression of a meaner shape. The are some angles of this body that are just eye-popping...and IMO all of those good looking angles omit any view of the front clip which while not as Fusion-esque as one might initially think, it is bulbous, overlong, and just misshaped somehow. It's not ugly, just odd and incongruent with the rest of the body... The tail section with the duck tail molding and the "3D" lenses is stunning but on a second glance, it looks very concept car-ish...perhaps a bit unfinished? Regardless, it's better than the hefty, angular butt of my 2011
overall, the syling is a wash between the S197 and the S550 for me. S550 nailed the proportions, S197 is better as a composition.The interior was superb. I'm not an interior snob of any variety but I can honestly say that the interior of this car is as pleasing to me as I would ever want in any car. Visually tasteful, interesting and well matched finishes, plentiful gauges (including a real OPG? Wow.), good looking shifter with a tastefully small ****. The steering wheel feels perfect, the pedals spacing is at least as good as in my S197. My only complaints are related to the visibility and "airiness" which are a step down from the outgoing car. It feels like you sit lower in the car which does take away from the experience a bit.
Driving the car...left me totally flat. It feels solid, stiff, competent. Steering was heavier than the s197 and slightly more tactile but still very "electric" feeling. The shifter action is improved...much crisper through the gates. Brakes felt nice with a much firmer pedal than what I'm used to in my own Brembo package car. Suspension improvements did show themselves when I turned down a rough side road. Yep. It's much better behaved and this could conceivably be a huge benefit on a race course.
So here's the thing. It was almost dull! I was able to wind the car up a few times and it pulled well, but somehow lacking the raw sensations and the snap that my 2011 GT has. I realize that a green motor will often not perform up to its potential and that is probably the case here (40 miles on this one) but rolling onto the throttle in 2nd gear offered a surprisingly flaccid response...despite the 3.73 axle. I'd bet cash that my 21,000 mile, stock, 3.55 axle car would eat this one for lunch. The drive was relatively isolating and sterile and honestly less enjoyable than the more raw experience of previous Mustangs. I was overcome with the same sensation as when I drove my NA Miata to the dealership to drive a new NB2. "Better but not preferable."
Also I did "accidentally" spin the tires once and found that it does still wheelhop (though with less reciprocating mass, the experience is less jarring) and it only left one strip of rubber. Go figure.
Driving home in my 2011, I couldn't help but think that had I not had seat time in my current GT, i might have fallen in love with the s550...but without that serious performance bump over my current car or vastly preferable body style, I just can't write the check. I would much sooner buy a used Boss 302.
Purely my opinion. Opposing viewpoints are welcome.
Member
Joined: August 7, 2013
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: New Orleans, LA
I just sold my 2005 Mustang GT Premium Convertible after test driving a 2015 Mustang GT Premium Stock no PP. It was light years ahead of my 05 in every way. I test drove the 2013 and 2014 in the past couple of years and the both destroyed my 05 as well. I didn't pull the trigger on either of those because the interiors were not a big enough upgrade from my 05 for me and they just weren't very comfortable. The 2015 is not really an upgrade engine wise, and keep in mind it may be a placebo effect, but I love the way it drives and the interior is top notch. Overall I found it to be much smoother than previous years; granted I am not ever going to a track so huge performance gains are not high on my list. As someone else stated, the GT350 will be the one to get for those performance enhancements but I can understand the disappointment some have for needing to spend that much more money.
Bullitt Member
Joined: October 3, 2012
Posts: 499
Likes: 0
From: Near Chattanooga, TN
I just drove a ecoboost 2 days ago and I can honestly the power train leaves a lot to be desired, Ford will sell them to little girls and divorced women but no mustang guy is gonna buy an ecoboost. They sound like a 4cylinder and drive the same.
Having said that, the 5.0 is clearly the winner for this car, it sounds good and was similar to my 13 gt, except the seats in the new mustang are 10 times better than my 13, the ergonomics are superior and the ride is definitely better. So to me the 15 GT is a winner, now I have to figure how to convince my wife that I need to upgrade.
Having said that, the 5.0 is clearly the winner for this car, it sounds good and was similar to my 13 gt, except the seats in the new mustang are 10 times better than my 13, the ergonomics are superior and the ride is definitely better. So to me the 15 GT is a winner, now I have to figure how to convince my wife that I need to upgrade.
Member
Joined: November 30, 2007
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
I just drove a ecoboost 2 days ago and I can honestly the power train leaves a lot to be desired, Ford will sell them to little girls and divorced women but no mustang guy is gonna buy an ecoboost. They sound like a 4cylinder and drive the same.
Having said that, the 5.0 is clearly the winner for this car, it sounds good and was similar to my 13 gt, except the seats in the new mustang are 10 times better than my 13, the ergonomics are superior and the ride is definitely better. So to me the 15 GT is a winner, now I have to figure how to convince my wife that I need to upgrade.
Having said that, the 5.0 is clearly the winner for this car, it sounds good and was similar to my 13 gt, except the seats in the new mustang are 10 times better than my 13, the ergonomics are superior and the ride is definitely better. So to me the 15 GT is a winner, now I have to figure how to convince my wife that I need to upgrade.
I don't know - I didn't think the EB felt all that different from my 13 v6, which didn't feel all that different from my 08 GT. I think the EB is a great car, though I did end up getting a GT this time around. Truthfully I would've gotten another v6 if they had it with the nice interior. Regardless, after one week with the 2015, and after having 3 S197s - those things are dinosaurs! Do not miss even a little bit.
SUPERCHARGED RED ROCKET ------------------Master-Moderator
Joined: May 11, 2006
Posts: 10,648
Likes: 2,519
From: Carnegie, PA
I don't know - I didn't think the EB felt all that different from my 13 v6, which didn't feel all that different from my 08 GT. I think the EB is a great car, though I did end up getting a GT this time around. Truthfully I would've gotten another v6 if they had it with the nice interior. Regardless, after one week with the 2015, and after having 3 S197s - those things are dinosaurs! Do not miss even a little bit.
If your referring to just size alone ? The wheel base between the S-197 and S550 are pretty similar despite the S550's sleeker profile and shorter greenhouse, however the S550 is actually wider in size when compared to the outgoing S-197..
Therefore if your considering the S-197 as a dinosaur based upon just size alone ? I strongly disagree.. Technology on the other hand, I'll agree with you on that..
But If you still think of the S-197 as a dinosaur ? Park one side by side with either the current Camaro or Challenger, and then discover for yourself which car is the real dinosaur
Last edited by m05fastbackGT; Dec 5, 2014 at 07:40 PM.
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SUPERCHARGED RED ROCKET ------------------Master-Moderator
Joined: May 11, 2006
Posts: 10,648
Likes: 2,519
From: Carnegie, PA
I also really like the design of the new Mustang.. But even after seeing it in person 3 different times, I honestly can't say that I prefer the new S550 over my current 2006 GT.. As they're both great looking cars in their own unique ways
Last edited by m05fastbackGT; Dec 5, 2014 at 11:51 PM.
V6 Member
Joined: March 19, 2005
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
The are some angles of this body that are just eye-popping...and IMO all of those good looking angles omit any view of the front clip which while not as Fusion-esque as one might initially think, it is bulbous, overlong, and just misshaped somehow. It's not ugly, just odd and incongruent with the rest of the body...
Lastly, why only 1 strip of rubber? broken diff?
Team Mustang Source
Joined: January 30, 2004
Posts: 3,738
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From: Montreal
Very nice write up on the 2015. I feel the exact same way as i was expecting more out of the 2015.
I was about to pull the trigger on a '15 GT this coming spring and trade in my 2011 GT but will probably end up getting a ShelbyGT350 , just hoping for a reasonnable price tag. Keeping my fingers crossed.
Dan
I was about to pull the trigger on a '15 GT this coming spring and trade in my 2011 GT but will probably end up getting a ShelbyGT350 , just hoping for a reasonnable price tag. Keeping my fingers crossed.
Dan
Shelby GT500 Member
Joined: September 8, 2009
Posts: 2,586
Likes: 4
From: Lithia, FL
Those who are coming from the pre-5.0L mustang to a 2015....the power difference is huge and the interior is light years ahead. Those coming from the S197 w/5.0L engine are not going to "feel" the a huge power difference because.....well, there isn't one. It's only a few ponies more. The advantage is the upgrade in the interior. I drive a 2014 and although I love the body style and the 5.0L I still found the car lacking.....in the interior. For me the 2015 is the perfect combo now with looks, power AND the interior i have been yearning for in the Mustang for several years.
For those with who go and drive the 2015. Don't discredit this car until you have used the Sport and track mode. In Sport mode the performance is comparable to my 2014 w/Trackey.
For those with who go and drive the 2015. Don't discredit this car until you have used the Sport and track mode. In Sport mode the performance is comparable to my 2014 w/Trackey.
Legacy TMS Member
Joined: January 6, 2006
Posts: 14,053
Likes: 166
From: Bay Area, CA
Those who are coming from the pre-5.0L mustang to a 2015....the power difference is huge and the interior is light years ahead. Those coming from the S197 w/5.0L engine are not going to "feel" the a huge power difference because.....well, there isn't one. It's only a few ponies more. The advantage is the upgrade in the interior. I drive a 2014 and although I love the body style and the 5.0L I still found the car lacking.....in the interior. For me the 2015 is the perfect combo now with looks, power AND the interior i have been yearning for in the Mustang for several years. For those with who go and drive the 2015. Don't discredit this car until you have used the Sport and track mode. In Sport mode the performance is comparable to my 2014 w/Trackey.
I sat in a fully loaded 2015 GT Premium at the car show, and I was a little let down with the interior quality. It was the biggest thing that I was jealous of when the 2015 was unveiled, but the materials aren't really that much better. And the toggle switches felt kinda cheap to me. I suppose I'll still end up in an S550, but I expected more from a clean sheet redesign.
V6 Member
Joined: October 4, 2014
Posts: 99
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I sat in a fully loaded 2015 GT Premium at the car show, and I was a little let down with the interior quality. It was the biggest thing that I was jealous of when the 2015 was unveiled, but the materials aren't really that much better. And the toggle switches felt kinda cheap to me. I suppose I'll still end up in an S550, but I expected more from a clean sheet redesign.
Legacy TMS Member
Joined: January 6, 2006
Posts: 14,053
Likes: 166
From: Bay Area, CA
Well I didn't say I didn't like it, just that I expected materials to be higher quality than they are. To me, it feels like they just moved stuff around, but the same materials are still there. Hard plastic door panels, hard plastic center tunnel, plasticky feeling ***** and switches (which actually felt worse than my 2014 *****).
Legacy TMS Member
Joined: March 7, 2010
Posts: 993
Likes: 2
From: Texas
I'll say again (for probably the 19t time) that if it cost $300 more to put the nice, soft touch door panels in the anniversary package... and I doubt it cost that much... they should've put them in ALL the models and raised the base price $300 across the board. It may not be important to a lot of folks, but the door panels just scream 'cheap'.
Super Boss Lawman Member
Joined: January 17, 2006
Posts: 4,148
Likes: 3
From: Temecula,CA
This, I felt like it was a privilege being about to experience the S550. I was looking at 3 different 5.0s at the dealership yesterday and the interior is one of my favorite aspects of the car. The fit and finish was great and the overall look is excellent IMO. When I adjusted the seat for my height I noticed there was minimal room in the back seat which is my only complaint so far. I love love the cockpit feeling. It is definitely a leap ahead of the S197 and I cannot wait for my purchase!
Bullitt Member
Joined: March 13, 2013
Posts: 335
Likes: 4
From: Kirkland
I am looking forward to my '15 being delivered sometime in Jan.
I have driven 2 GT's one with PP, and one without. Both with the premium leather interior.
I loved them both, and am anxiously counting the days, as this car is light years ahead of my current Mustang, an '03 GT.
I have been playing with over 400 hp to the ground, as my GT is Kenne Bell supercharged, and very quick, even through the stock 3.27:1 rear gears. I expect the '15 PP to be as quick with the 3.73's.
The biggest thing for me, is the new car will be 1. back to the interior quality of my '04 Lincoln LS Sport(when I had it), and 2. back to the silky, buttery, super smoothness of the latest gen 4v v8.(which the Lincoln shared with the 4v 3.9L v8).
Counting the days.....
I have driven 2 GT's one with PP, and one without. Both with the premium leather interior.
I loved them both, and am anxiously counting the days, as this car is light years ahead of my current Mustang, an '03 GT.
I have been playing with over 400 hp to the ground, as my GT is Kenne Bell supercharged, and very quick, even through the stock 3.27:1 rear gears. I expect the '15 PP to be as quick with the 3.73's.
The biggest thing for me, is the new car will be 1. back to the interior quality of my '04 Lincoln LS Sport(when I had it), and 2. back to the silky, buttery, super smoothness of the latest gen 4v v8.(which the Lincoln shared with the 4v 3.9L v8).
Counting the days.....
Last edited by Garbone; Dec 9, 2014 at 12:48 PM.
Tasca Super Boss 429 Member
Joined: February 2, 2004
Posts: 3,621
Likes: 5
From: Dallas, TX
And ... No. Congratulations on being narrow minded though. I'm sure it takes work.
V6 Member
Joined: December 10, 2014
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: Anchorage, AK
Big change for me
This is going to be a BIG change for me. I've been up here in Alaska since 1985 driving 4WD's, hunting & fishing. The last muscle car I had was a 1965 Impala 327 with 300 HP, 3 on the tree manual tranny. I could wind that little 327 to 60 mph in 1st gear in about 4.5 seconds though, & with a good power shift into 2nd.... good ol 327's, a great nemesis for the 289 lol. Anyway, I'm moving to Missouri this spring/summer (depending when we sell our house) from Anchorage to Missouri. Our Ford dealers aren't even getting a Mustang in Anchorage here til June. I can't even sit in one. I'm going by your-all's posts. Whatever the 2015 GT has to offer will be a BIG change for me. I'm not gonna know the difference.