Any weak points in the manual 2020 Ecoboost Mustang?

alfadriver (Forum Supporter) said:

In reply to Snowdoggie :

Dealers are known to make up stuff just to make themselves look smart.  Especially when they can't actually explain what went wrong to themselves.

Didn't really think of it. The reason for the new car was that I was working 60 hours a week and maintaining 5 old cars that could all be broken at once. I am also the sole caregiver for my  89 year old mother and a bunch of rescue dogs. Mrs. Snowdoggie was getting tired of driving me to work in her new Honda CRV with a driveway full of broken cars so something had to give. The agreement is that the Mustang goes to the shop for everything including oil changes, and the other cars (and motorcycles) are my toys I can wrench on myself when I have time. 

She really wanted me to look at Camrys and Civics. Getting a Mustang with four cylinders was the in between option. Cheaper on gas and insurance than the GT. Cheaper and more reliable than the European alternatives.

My son has one and loves it. He bought his last october, end of the year deal with enough incentives to bring it down to $20K. He just had the Ford Tune installed, and the suspension work done. I haven't driven it yet, but he says it is impressive.

PS, he has owned a 2014 GT, a 2008 GT, and a 2004 Mach 1. He says before the tune it was faster than the Mach 1.

Was just thinking about this on the way to the store earlier. The N has a useable back seat, I am not sure that the mustang does.

Also iirc the 2011 v6 mustang was faster than the 2010 GT. I am not a mod motor fan.

MrChaos said:

Was just thinking about this on the way to the store earlier. The N has a useable back seat, I am not sure that the mustang does.

If you fold down the back seat and throw in a doggie bed you can haul a 120 pound Alaskan Malamute. Foot room back there is not so great for humans. 

alfadriver (Forum Supporter) said:

In reply to Snowdoggie :

I can see it failing, I can't see it getting plugged up- it just deals with gas vapor.  But that is interesting.

I think I had it confused with a PCV valve that can get pretty nasty. I take it the purge valve is the one that comes from the fuel tank. It set off the check engine light. 

I'm getting flashbacks to when I was trying to decide between a 2012 GT Perf Pack and a 2012 STI Hatch (both new at the time). I went home that night with the GT only to find out the next day I was going to be a dad. Luckily, Gary Yeoman's Ford in Daytona Beach gave me not at all scummy call the next day saying "we messed up your financing paperwork, come bcak in to renegotiate this deal" even though it was an X-plan purchase. I used that to get out of the car and buy a WRX hatch instead. 

With that....drive both cars again and see which one fits you the best. I know how you feel, in 2018 I was in Texas for 8 months and I took my S2000 with me. I felt like a toy car compared to every other vehicle on the road, especially in the DFW metroplex. 

They're fun cars for sure, the 2018+ models really addressed the shortcomings of the early model cars.  2015 models are getting really cheap now , can be had for around $14-15k easily.

The 2.3L ecoboost is NOT the same between all applications.  The 2.3L in the RS is most similar to the mustang, aside from cylinder head material, head gasket, turbocharger size, and intake manifold is different due to transverse / longitudinal orientation.   The 2.3L in the Explorer early years is quite different than the mustang and RS, and also changed in later years and is more similar to the 2.3L in the Ranger as far as I know.

If you're looking to the EcoBoost to be easily upgraded to big power later, don't expect an easy path.  Beyond 400ft-lbs the integrity of the block becomes an issue.  If you think you'll get the "mod bug" I'd seriously consider a GT.  An ecoboost can be quite competitive with suspension mods only on short course tracks though!

On the Mustang, does Fords have any exclusive colours that are only for Ecoboost, GT, 350, and Cobra? Or can you have all colours, regardless of engine choices?

engiekev said:

They're fun cars for sure, the 2018+ models really addressed the shortcomings of the early model cars.  2015 models are getting really cheap now , can be had for around $14-15k easily.

The 2.3L ecoboost is NOT the same between all applications.  The 2.3L in the RS is most similar to the mustang, aside from cylinder head material, head gasket, turbocharger size, and intake manifold is different due to transverse / longitudinal orientation.   The 2.3L in the Explorer early years is quite different than the mustang and RS, and also changed in later years and is more similar to the 2.3L in the Ranger as far as I know.

If you're looking to the EcoBoost to be easily upgraded to big power later, don't expect an easy path.  Beyond 400ft-lbs the integrity of the block becomes an issue.  If you think you'll get the "mod bug" I'd seriously consider a GT.  An ecoboost can be quite competitive with suspension mods only on short course tracks though!

If I was building a track car instead of a daily driver I would go for the GT. In fact for big money you can order the Shelby GT 500 with 760 hp. How much horsepower do you need? 

I'm going to watch this thread.

The lease on my Toyota 86 is coming up next year and I'm trying to decide whether to buy it or look at getting something else.  The Ecoboost Mustang has been at the top of my alternative list.

mr2s2000elise said:

On the Mustang, does Fords have any exclusive colours that are only for Ecoboost, GT, 350, and Cobra? Or can you have all colours, regardless of engine choices?

Im looking now for the 2020 cars.

The Shelby cars; the GT350 and GT350R both have Wimbledon White as an option while the GT500 does not. The stripe packages are different with the GT500 having more than the 350/R

The Ecoboost and GT do not have Wimbledon White or Ford Performance Blue as options and less stripe options than the shelby's

The Bullitt has its special green. You can only get the Bullitt in Black or the special green.

So basically there are only 4 special colors, not counting stripe options.

MrChaos said:

mr2s2000elise said:

On the Mustang, does Fords have any exclusive colours that are only for Ecoboost, GT, 350, and Cobra? Or can you have all colours, regardless of engine choices?

Im looking now for the 2020 cars.

The Shelby cars, the GT350 and GT350R both have Wimbledon White as an option while the GT500 does not. The stripe packages are different with the GT500 having more than the 350/R

The Ecoboost and GT do not have Wimbledon White or Ford Performance Blue as options and less stripe options than the shelby's

The Bullitt has its special green. You can only get the Bullitt in Black or the special green.

So basically there are only 4 special colors, not counting stripe options.

 

Thank you VERY much for the info. My friend locally has been looking to get a Abarth 124. MSRP 35K. Dealers offering 24K. He wants it at 22K, and no dealer has bitten at that price. I sent him this thread. He went and test drove the Ecoboost last night, and he is going to pull the trigger on it. (22K). 

I passed your post to him now. Thank you so much. 

Looking for a ride in the Ecoboost this weekend. 

MrChaos said:

mr2s2000elise said:

On the Mustang, does Fords have any exclusive colours that are only for Ecoboost, GT, 350, and Cobra? Or can you have all colours, regardless of engine choices?

Im looking now for the 2020 cars.

The Shelby cars; the GT350 and GT350R both have Wimbledon White as an option while the GT500 does not. The stripe packages are different with the GT500 having more than the 350/R

The Ecoboost and GT do not have Wimbledon White or Ford Performance Blue as options and less stripe options than the shelby's

The Bullitt has its special green. You can only get the Bullitt in Black or the special green.

So basically there are only 4 special colors, not counting stripe options.

 

What about the California Special? Is that still available?

STM317 said:

ultraclyde (Forum Supporter) said:

My S197 is plenty of power on the street with 325, but I still would have a hard time making the justification for a more complex, more high strung engine with 150 less HP if the real world pricing was the same. 

You say you don't want a GT - what makes the EcoBoost more attractive? Not downing your choice by any means, but it sounds like there are advantages I don't know about. Please share.

What makes the Ecoboost more complex than the Coyote? Just a turbo? These days the Coyote runs 12:1 compression, has VVT, and essentially has two fuel systems with both port injection and direct injection. So it's not exactly a low stressed, simple engine that can be fixed with a rock and some twine for a couple of bucks like older v8s.

Well, OK, that's valid. I hadn't really dug into the late model Coyote that far.  But it's still 150HP jump, that's a lot if you can get it for the same $. Again, what makes the EcoBoost special? Is it that much lighter? Better balance? Better torque/HP curves that make it more fun?  I mean, really, I'm curious here. And if it's just that someone want's a turbo 4 because it's the normal choice, hey that's cool too. I bought a 3.5L EB F150 because it felt better suited to a truck in throttle and power response than the 5.0. I'm just interested how the EB Mustang differs that makes it someones preference. I mean, 6mpg on averages I guess is good, but doesn't seem like a trump card.

Snowdoggie said:

MrChaos said:

mr2s2000elise said:

On the Mustang, does Fords have any exclusive colours that are only for Ecoboost, GT, 350, and Cobra? Or can you have all colours, regardless of engine choices?

Im looking now for the 2020 cars.

The Shelby cars; the GT350 and GT350R both have Wimbledon White as an option while the GT500 does not. The stripe packages are different with the GT500 having more than the 350/R

The Ecoboost and GT do not have Wimbledon White or Ford Performance Blue as options and less stripe options than the shelby's

The Bullitt has its special green. You can only get the Bullitt in Black or the special green.

So basically there are only 4 special colors, not counting stripe options.

 

What about the California Special? Is that still available?

didnt look at the verts cause the verts are usually 6k+ more than the coupes, just looked and no more California Specials

ultraclyde (Forum Supporter) said:

STM317 said:

ultraclyde (Forum Supporter) said:

My S197 is plenty of power on the street with 325, but I still would have a hard time making the justification for a more complex, more high strung engine with 150 less HP if the real world pricing was the same. 

You say you don't want a GT - what makes the EcoBoost more attractive? Not downing your choice by any means, but it sounds like there are advantages I don't know about. Please share.

What makes the Ecoboost more complex than the Coyote? Just a turbo? These days the Coyote runs 12:1 compression, has VVT, and essentially has two fuel systems with both port injection and direct injection. So it's not exactly a low stressed, simple engine that can be fixed with a rock and some twine for a couple of bucks like older v8s.

Well, OK, that's valid. I hadn't really dug into the late model Coyote that far.  But it's still 150HP jump, that's a lot if you can get it for the same $. Again, what makes the EcoBoost special? Is it that much lighter? Better balance? Better torque/HP curves that make it more fun?  I mean, really, I'm curious here. And if it's just that someone want's a turbo 4 because it's the normal choice, hey that's cool too. I bought a 3.5L EB F150 because it felt better suited to a truck in throttle and power response than the 5.0. I'm just interested how the EB Mustang differs that makes it someones preference. I mean, 6mpg on averages I guess is good, but doesn't seem like a trump card.

A number of people call the ecoboost stangs the new S chassis.  They seem to this it handles and performes similarly to the s13/14/15's that we never got.  Plus other than the brz/86 the ecoboost mustang is the cheapest rwd 2 door coupe you can get with a stick.

STM317 said:

ultraclyde (Forum Supporter) said:

My S197 is plenty of power on the street with 325, but I still would have a hard time making the justification for a more complex, more high strung engine with 150 less HP if the real world pricing was the same. 

You say you don't want a GT - what makes the EcoBoost more attractive? Not downing your choice by any means, but it sounds like there are advantages I don't know about. Please share.

What makes the Ecoboost more complex than the Coyote? Just a turbo? These days the Coyote runs 12:1 compression, has VVT, and essentially has two fuel systems with both port injection and direct injection. So it's not exactly a low stressed, simple engine that can be fixed with a rock and some twine for a couple of bucks like older v8s.

Adding a turbo, intercooler, all the the intake/exhaust piping, oil/coolant lines to the turbo........................none of that is more complex than an NA engine.........that still has the features you mentioned. Definitely no more heat under the hood with a turbo engine either. 

Are you just being contrarian for fun?

 

A coworker has an EB mustang. It has a Ford tune, aftermarket intercooler and charge pipes. It traps like 108 in the 1/4. He had the engine replaced at ~36K miles, under warranty. He said his IATs would get crazy with the stock intercooler and have a noticeable affect on performance, which is why he did the aftermarket cooler. No problems I know of since.

No one has mentioned sound yet.  The EB Mustangs sound awful.

Not sure if that's important to you or not. 

The other thing I haven't seen mentioned is resale values.  V8 Mustangs have terrible depreciation, and though I haven't really looked, I can't imagine the EB Mustangs being better.  And your target market will be much smaller.

ultraclyde (Forum Supporter) said:

My S197 is plenty of power on the street with 325, but I still would have a hard time making the justification for a more complex, more high strung engine with 150 less HP if the real world pricing was the same. 

You say you don't want a GT - what makes the EcoBoost more attractive? Not downing your choice by any means, but it sounds like there are advantages I don't know about. Please share.

There's a couple reasons.  The GT just seems like overkill for mainly commuting and back road enjoyment.  I really like the idea of the Performance Pack EB Mustang just because it seems like a lot of the better suspension and brake parts you can add to a GT on a package that is lighter and better balanced.

I'll even kinda disagree with the poster regarding the sound.  I like the stock valved exhaust on the Ecoboost, but am kinda tired of hearing every single GT and F-150 around here with straight pipes.  They're almost reaching Harley levels of annoying.  

In reply to Tactical Penguin :

I'll agree with the sound on most mod motors. Mine still has the stock exhaust because there aren't any gains in axlebacks and most of them sound horrible. 

In reply to ultraclyde (Forum Supporter) :

Agreed.  I had my obnoxious V8 exhaust phase.  I am out at all hours, so I prefer exhausts that can be quiet or can be made to be quiet so my neighbors don't have any more reasons to hate me.

In reply to Tactical Penguin :

I've had comments on mine with the stock pipes and an aftermarket tune. Its got a little more volume and will pop lightly on decel but it sounds smooth. It's almost got a more european kind of sound. The standard harsh rattley mustang makes me want to hurl.

Now, an old school iron five liter with good deep, loud exhaust is a different thing...

Usually the weakest point in an Ecoboost Mustang is the driver.  Yeah I said it!  

In reply to JBinMD :

Can't be any weaker than your jokes.