What do we know about the Ecoboost Mustang.

I'm looking for the good the bad and the ugly. Thinking about replacing my wife's 03 GT. 

How are their 6 and 10 speed automatics. 

Engine issues? 

It will be her primary transportation as well as her autocross and TT car. 

Can't say anything from personal experience, but we did review an automatic 2020 model with the 2.3-Liter High Performance Package:

2020 Ford Mustang EcoBoost 2.3-Liter High Performance Package Review

I have one as a daily driver with the occasional weekend autocross. No serious mechanical problems so far at about 65,000 miles.  

The HPDE 2 lead instructor with NASA Great Lakes tracks one with hand controls (Auto obviously).  It's shockingly fast but does get hot enough at the end of 20 minute sessions that he has to nurse it on the last few laps.  

I know nothing of long term reliability.  I sent you a PM with contact info.  

Colin Wood said:

Can't say anything from personal experience, but we did review an automatic 2020 model with the 2.3-Liter High Performance Package:

2020 Ford Mustang EcoBoost 2.3-Liter High Performance Package Review

It's too bad what that package costs vs what you get. 

$6200 for 20 hp and a larger radiator is a BIG ask, IMHO. And another $2k is you want the EcoBoost handling pack. 

Which means a Premium Ecoboost with the engine and suspension upgrade is a $44k MSRP 4 banger Mustang. 

In reply to z31maniac :

It's also brakes, wheels, tires and a suspension and aero package.  It's the 1LE competitor to the Camaro from Ford.  I agree as a sum total its pretty pricey.  I was considering these and a 1LE 4 cylinder Camaro as a fun decent mileage car. 

I recall seeing a modified one beating a same year GT in the 1/4.

I will tell you this, the eco-boost automatic that I drove as a rental loved to do donuts, but the automatic did not want to release the power very quickly. I found that very dangerous. Just when you let off the gas pedal and expect the tires to start hooking up, they just keep on spinning

I have read some reviews saying that the 6 speed auto suits the car better

Vajingo said:

I will tell you this, the eco-boost automatic that I drove as a rental loved to do donuts, but the automatic did not want to release the power very quickly. I found that very dangerous. Just when you let off the gas pedal and expect the tires to start hooking up, they just keep on spinning

Those rentals are deceptive, aren't they?  You give it a little go-pedal to overtake someone in the slow lane on the interstate, then you look down and you're doing damn near 90.

The Performance Pack engine upgrades are pretty limited - basically the Focus RS compressor wheel, cams and the tuning to match. These modifications make the 2.3 EB stronger everywhere and should have been evolutionary upgrades, not an option pack. If you want to replicate it, here's how:

The turbo upgrade retails at $1,250 and can be found cheaper elsewhere: https://performanceparts.ford.com/part/M-9348-23T

The cams are dirt cheap for a brand new OEM cam upgrade at $200 retail: https://performanceparts.ford.com/part/M-6250-23EBH

With a good tune, it's a 300 whp car pretty easily with OEM reliability. The 6R80 and 10R80 are great transmissions; they'll be faster, more economical, and I've heard a lot of people say they are fun enough to make them forego the clutch pedal. 

My experience in the right seat as an instructor convinced me that the premium you'd pay for a GT is unnecessary. Very impressive car, if a bit portly for track duty.

AnthonyGS (Forum Supporter) said:

In reply to z31maniac :

It's also brakes, wheels, tires and a suspension and aero package.  It's the 1LE competitor to the Camaro from Ford.  I agree as a sum total its pretty pricey.  I was considering these and a 1LE 4 cylinder Camaro as a fun decent mileage car. 

I'm only going off what the Ford website says. I do see when selected it changes the wheels, but if it adds all those other things, Ford should specify it. 

And then to get the even better suspension, Torsen, etc, is another $2k that requires the first $6200. $8200 for 20hp and suspension/wheels/diff/brakes. Although, I will admit, I like the idea of everything being all factory vs being kluged together with aftermarket stuff. But man do you pay a price for it. 

I really want a Mach 1 with Recaro's and the handling package.........but that's $62k MSRP, even with a down payment, the monthly payment would be the same as my mortgage which is silly.

If I buy one it will be used and in the $20k-$30k range. 

No way would I shell out what they want for a new one. 

Perhaps something is wrong with me. While the auto trans EB Mustang I test drove would physically move plenty quick, I found the sensation of speed to be such that it felt pretty pedestrian... Then there was the sad trombone noise that came out of the tail pipe.

Driven5 said:

Perhaps something is wrong with me. While the auto trans EB Mustang I test drove would physically move plenty quick, I found the sensation of speed to be such that it felt pretty pedestrian... Then there was the sad trombone noise that came out of the tail pipe.

I had the same feeling.  The thing is fast. Some thing just feels off and the noises are very not exciting. 

Toyman01 + Sized and said:

If I buy one it will be used and in the $20k-$30k range. 

No way would I shell out what they want for a new one. 

 

I posted a couple of weeks ago about a some dealers here that had new, EcoBoost premiums for ~$10k off MSRP. So a new premium EB for low 20s. 

Toyman01 + Sized and said:

If I buy one it will be used and in the $20k-$30k range. 

No way would I shell out what they want for a new one. 

 

Here's a new one for $28k and you could probably get it for less than that. 

https://www.metrofordofokc.com/new-Oklahoma+City-2020-Ford-Mustang-EcoBoost+Premium-1FA6P8TH8L5167354

z31maniac said:

Colin Wood said:

Can't say anything from personal experience, but we did review an automatic 2020 model with the 2.3-Liter High Performance Package:

2020 Ford Mustang EcoBoost 2.3-Liter High Performance Package Review

It's too bad what that package costs vs what you get. 

$6200 for 20 hp and a larger radiator is a BIG ask, IMHO. And another $2k is you want the EcoBoost handling pack. 

 

Which means a Premium Ecoboost with the engine and suspension upgrade is a $44k MSRP 4 banger Mustang. 

Weren't SVO Mustangs $20k in the mid 80s, at a time when a loaded GT was $16k?

Mr_Asa said:

Vajingo said:

I will tell you this, the eco-boost automatic that I drove as a rental loved to do donuts, but the automatic did not want to release the power very quickly. I found that very dangerous. Just when you let off the gas pedal and expect the tires to start hooking up, they just keep on spinning

Those rentals are deceptive, aren't they?  You give it a little go-pedal to overtake someone in the slow lane on the interstate, then you look down and you're doing damn near 90.

The Florida toll booth was the best. Come to a stop on the interstate. Pay the man. Green light to an 80mph speed limit=I got my money's worth. 

Toyman:  If buying used, why an Ecoboost and not a V6?  

Fueled by Caffeine said:

Driven5 said:

Perhaps something is wrong with me. While the auto trans EB Mustang I test drove would physically move plenty quick, I found the sensation of speed to be such that it felt pretty pedestrian... Then there was the sad trombone noise that came out of the tail pipe.

I had the same feeling.  The thing is fast. Some thing just feels off and the noises are very not exciting. 

I could care less. The car is fast and I like it. Most of our autocross venues are db limited and they check it with a meter while you are doing the runs. I don't have to worry about getting disqualified for having a noisy car. My neighbors don't complain about my #$%@#% noisy Mustang either. Plus less attention from law enforcement when you are going a bit over the speed limit. 

The Tesla 3s that run at our autocrosses are plenty fast and they make no noise at all except for the tire noise. I gave up on glasspacks and fartcan mufflers years ago. 

pres589 (djronnebaum) said:

Toyman:  If buying used, why an Ecoboost and not a V6?  

Honestly, torque. 300 hp 280 torque vs 310 hp and 320 torque. 40 lb-ft is a good bit.

Her current car is a 03 GT with 260 hp and 302 torque.