Ordered on 2/3, took delivery on 4/30.

Nothing outrageous. I'm in a different mindset than I was with my black '14.

Lightning Blue
6spd
400A
Active Exhaust (must have option)
Black Accent Pkg
Spoiler Delete
Spare Tire

That's it...no upgraded electronics, no PP, no Magna-ride. I've installed a removable front license plate bracket and a retro cue-ball shift ****. It's unlikely I'll go much further with mods...maybe some engine bay dress-up but that's down the road.

I didn't even care for LB when I first saw it on a coupe. I strongly considered Kona Blue or Royal Crimson, with Race Red as a wild card. When I saw an LB with black wheels I was sold.

 

Congrats she's a beauty!

 

I like the color. Congratulations on the new ride.

 

Ooooooo, that's a might purdy car my friend. Enjoy.

 

Nice. How has your mindset changed?

 

Very nice. Really liking that Laser Blue! Sharp!

So did you trade in the '14?

 

The 2014 was my first Mustang. I loved it to death but I got it after the order cutoff when Ford was tooling the S550. I had to 'settle' so to speak, and the color choice and certain options were not what I would have ordered if I was able to. I modded it cosmetically along with suspension and wheel upgrades at considerable expense as most of us do. I gifted myself the '14 as a combo retirement/divorce present and it served well as a great attitude adjustment. That was it's purpose. I got the modding thing out of my system with the '14 and I was lucky to score a nice collection of trophies and awards along the way.

This time I ordered the car the way I wanted it....first time ever in fact. I wanted a nice top-down cruiser that could turn heads on it's own merits. I'll still attend shows with my club and other buddies but I have no expectations of competing against far nicer hot-rodded Mustangs and others. I'm just happy to have an awesome performance car when most guys my age are driving Camrys and SUV's.

 

So black Mustang don't matter anymore?
Do Blue Mustang Matter now?

 

LOL

All Mustangs matter Gabe.

 

Beautiful car Tom!! One of the best colors on a Mustang!
Congrats and enjoy.

 

Congrats, Tom. Glad you're happy and finally got the Mustang with everything you really wanted. Enjoy

 

 

Hi.

 

My regular dealer offered a trade-in price so low that I considered it an insult and walked out. I'll never use them again.

On the recommendation from the VP of my Mustang club I visited his dealer of choice. The sales mgr went over my '14 like he was a judge at a show, declared it in excellent plus condition and offered $6500 more than the first dealer, plus he discounted the '18 by $500 more. I signed on the spot.

I'd have liked more but the offer was fair. Besides, I saved over $1500 because of the trade-in tax differential and avoided the stress of selling privately.

At the time I ordered, Ford's incentive was 2.9%/60 mos or $500 cash back, but not both. I didn't have to decide at that moment. When my new Mustang went into production in April, the incentive increased to $2000. On top of that I qualified for an additional $750 private cash offer from Ford.

I got a great deal.

 

Tom,

What's the driving experience like in the new car vs. the old? I think you're one of the first to upgrade from a late model s197. Can't say I haven't considered it.

 

Hi Patrick....what's new?

 

Been raining a lot here since I took delivery...not as much driving as I'd like, but from the little bit of road time, it feels much different than an S197.

My first impression is that it seems larger and a bit heavier. It's tight and agile and of course with 40 more hp and more torque it's decidedly quicker. I haven't really been noting shift points but 2nd gear takes me a lot further. Shifting is more precise than before, and the clutch has a different feel....by comparison the S197 felt spongy....not that it was, but the S550 clutch is just smoother and tighter. I'm still getting used to it. I drive in Sport+ Mode and it doesn't let you get complacent....excellent road feedback so far. I can't wait to get it out on some rural, winding roads.

I haven't driven any BMW's/MB's for comparison, but if there is such a thing as a Euro performance experience, then the S550 is it. It feels both refined and brawny at the same time. And it's made in 'Murica!!!

Admittedly my perceptions might be influenced by the active exhaust which I also use in Sport Mode, yet there isn't much of a difference in Normal Mode. The exhaust emits a deep throaty rumble at low speeds and retains that sound, only louder as you accelerate. It growls. Clearly this is a 'must have' option. My only complaint is that it defaults to Normal when you shut down. But a quick flip of the switch solves that. I haven't tried Track Mode yet...I'll need to set up the Track Apps on the dash for that.

But like my 2014, the 2018 does not like being in the garage.

 

Glad to hear you got a decent price for the '14, Sounds like the timing on incentives was very good to you. It seems like '14s they are going dirt cheap around here. Saw a fairly well equipped automatic '14 with under 2k miles on it for around $27K, and it has been listed for about a month.

https://boise.craigslist.org/cto/d/2...581279672.html

I think everyone is after the S550 HP. Still love my S197, so I guess I will keep it for now. Congrats! Beautiful new ride! Very sharp ride!

 

Tom, congrats & good luck with the new ride..........time to change that user name !!!
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