How I stopped defending the Ecoboost Mustang

"Jayhawk Jake" (jayhawkjake) 02/16/2018 at 19:00 • Filed to: None

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Two years ago I purchased my first Mustang. It was a beautiful silver rear wheel drive, manual transmission, chariot that fully expressed my growing dedication to car enthusiasm. It had twice as much power as any car I’d previously owned and never failed to put a smile on my face. The only time that smile ever faltered was when I tried to share my passion for it with other so-called enthusiasts only to have them pass their unwelcomed judgement on my pride and joy:

“Oh, it’s the Ecoboost? Why didn’t you buy the V8? I’d never buy a Mustang without a V8…”

I was well aware that buying a 4 cylinder Mustang would come with a certain stigma, but I was ready to defend it. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! to explain my decision, how I wanted the ecoboost, how I sought out the ecoboost because it offered such a perfect balance of power, handling, style, and economy. My ecoboost, especially once tuned, was an over 300 horsepower, nearly 400 foot-pound torque, snarling sports car with great balance that earned me a top street-tire raw time finish at an autocross and 25 miles to the gallon on the trip back home.

Now, almost 2 years after I took that silver, four cylinder hearted pony home, where do I stand with it now?

I stand with a black Mustang GT, Coyote 8 cylinder and all, finally owning the right Mustang. And laughing every day with it.

My background as an enthusiast feels a little different than many I meet. At 28 years of age, I did not grow up in the backseat of a ‘72 Mach 1. My parents did not take me to school in loud, stinky V8 powered land yacht, only for my uncle to pick me up in a sweet European sports car. I did not go to the drag strip, I did not watch F1, I did not attend Friday night show ‘n shines featuring brightly colored cars of the golden age long past. I rode to school first in a 1994 Nissan Quest and then in a slightly newer, significantly greener, Chrysler Town & Country. My father took me to the Houston Auto Show to watch him decide which luxury SUV he should purchase to replace his 3 year old Lexus RX300. I was always around newer cars, non-enthusiast cars, cars that served not to inspire enthusiasm but to serve as comfortable transportation.

I always had an interest in cars, but mostly a passing one. I enjoyed countless hours in Gran Turismo and Rallysport Challenge 2. I read car magazines occasionally, watched Motorweek, and dreamed of driving. I was certainly an enthusiast, but my enthusiasm didn’t shine until after college. Until that point I was relegated to driving borrowed parent’s cars or hand-me downs from my brother, always nice but never exciting. The 2004 Honda Accord I drove my last two years of college got me from A to B and even C, but in no hurry. Once I was on my own, and the time came to make an enthusiast’s choice, I had to build from what I knew and purchased a 2013 Chevrolet Sonic RS.

That Sonic was a hoot. Powered by a 1.4 liter turbocharged engine, it made the right noises and a decent amount of power. It was a blast to autocross and even more of a blast to rev out only to let off to a resounding *PSHHHHhhhhh* from the blow-off valve through my aftermarket intake. It showed me how great new car technology was: here I had a fun, quick, turbocharged car that returned 29 miles to the gallon and brought me endless smiles on my drive to work.

Naturally, as I looked to upgrade my vehicle to something faster, something better, something with rear wheel drive, I took to turbocharged motors. I’d certainly read plenty of opinions that a car needs “character” and “emotion” but I didn’t care. Cross shopping a Ecoboost Mustang with a V8 anything led to compromise: sure, I could stretch my budget and get the V8 but to what benefit? Loud noises, crappy gas mileage, and moderately better straight line performance?

It made no sense. I did not understand why people were so hung up on what a Mustang should be, ignoring what it had become. For many years the base models had offered more than sufficient performance, but had been relegated to rental lots to be abused by business travelers with a hot streak or scratched by teenage drivers with more care of how their selfies turned out than their position relative to other cars or fixed objects scattered along the road. I made my choice, knowing that I was right, knowing that it was the better option, and I spent 18 months defending it logically.

The thing is, logic is meaningless when it comes to a pony car. No matter how fast the car was, no matter how low the running costs, no one cared. I could be 8 seconds faster around an autocross course than a person in an SN-95 GT making half as much horsepower as me and I would still get sideways looks when I opened the hood. Everyone wanted to explain to me why I made the wrong choice, why I needed a V8, and I kept insisting I didn’t need to listen.

Eventually it wore me down, I couldn’t do it anymore. It’s not that I didn’t like my car, I loved it, but I kept asking “what if”? What if I owned a V8? What if people didn’t judge my cylinder count? What if MPG really didn’t matter? What if I could afford to get a GT? With the help of depreciation and a good friend that scored me a deal I couldn’t pass, I finally did it: I bought a 2015 Mustang GT.

There are plenty of reviews of the GT, so I won’t bore you with one. Instead I’ll finally get to the point, the inspiration for this article, the reason I am so in love with this car. To be honest, day to day it’s kind of awful. The Ecoboost is better for that commute to work. My performance package GT makes annoying noises in the cold, it’s loud, it burns a lot of gas, it costs more to insure, and it’s just a stupid car to drive daily. But when I roll down the window, switch it into sport mode, and put my foot down, god damn is it a stupid car that makes me grin from ear to ear.

Under load the V8 pulls like a freight train, the raw, guttural sounds it makes slap off buildings and trees like a marching band in a thunderstorm. In a tunnel it reverberates so loudly that a redline pull causes genuine pain to the ears, so much so that my girlfriend hates when I lower the windows approaching a tunnel and often rolls hers up. It leaves slower traffic like its standing still, makes passing a slow semi on the highway an absolute joy until I look down at my speedo and let off giggling in shame. Shame? Nah, I’m not ashamed. I’m in love.

For everything that the Ecoboost did well, the GT does well with authority . The Ecoboost isn’t bad, and seeing as mine sold for only $18,500 with 25,000 miles on the clock it’s a performance bargain that’s very hard to pass up. With a healthy aftermarket you could even buy that Ecoboost, make some changes, and have a car that’s faster than a GT while being lighter and more efficient. Logically, it’s the better car. But logic has never mattered in this debate. The GT, with that oh so sweet sounding Coyote heart, is just a better car to own. It brings emotion to the fray, it exudes passion, it excites all the senses in ways that an Ecoboost simply can’t. It’s the right motor for a Mustang, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Chariotoflove > Jayhawk Jake 02/04/2018 at 15:12

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Anyone with that license plate clearly doesn’t worry about getting shit from anyone. :)

I won’t disagree with anything you said. Rather, I’ll just say that my drive in an Ecoboost Mustang left me disappointed, not with the engine (although it didn’t have the punchy feel I was expecting from that engine), but rather from the plasticky feel of the interior and the ordinariness of the car. I thought I’d feel like I was in something special, and I didn’t. I don’t know if any of that was down to the engine. It just was.

Jewish Stig > Jayhawk Jake 02/04/2018 at 15:15

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That was the most clear and honest review /explanation, for the reasons behind owning an ecoboost mustang ive read.

Thank you!

HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute > Jayhawk Jake 02/04/2018 at 15:24

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Oh. My. God. Your backstory is exactly like my current life that I live as a 14 year old dude. We have had no interesting cars at all. Born and raised around a 1996 TL, 2003 Stratus, 2005 MDX, 2006 T&C, 2013 Odyssey, 2013 CR-V, and a 2018 CR-V. All with automatics/CVTs. But I’m gonna be the opposite of it all, and what I want as my first car that I’m buying myself is a 1989-1992 Toyota Supra that I’ll drive as it is for a bit as a workhorse doing only routine service, and when I get more money and more settled and stuff, and even if/when I run the 7M-GE/GTE to the ground, I’mma swap a 2JZ-GTE motor into it, lightly mod the exterior and then race it. And then go from there.

Jayhawk Jake > Chariotoflove 02/04/2018 at 15:24

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I think a lot of that is on you. Was it a base model? My ecoboost was a premium with the extra premium package, it was a very nice place to be. There were very few places that you interacted with hard plastic, and I think Ford has done a decent job of making it feel “special”, with the double hump dashboard throwing back to older Mustangs, switch gear and gauges with an aerospace inspiration, the badge on the dash, and lack of Ford logos.

dogisbadob > Jayhawk Jake 02/04/2018 at 15:25

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I remember that Sonic with the googly eyes!

WRXforScience > Jayhawk Jake 02/04/2018 at 15:38

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I’m only a little bit saddened by your acquiescence to the cries of the herd; however, the true enemy of the crowd will always be the Mustang.

TheDutchTexan > Jayhawk Jake 02/04/2018 at 15:45

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You will never have the soundtrack with an ecoboost or a v6 for that matter. But, another fact is that I got my ass handed to me by a modded ecoboost. I already knew it was coming since I reviewed the car and it felt significantly faster than my now obsolete (and bone stock) 4.6 3V. The only thing that will forever be something I miss if I’d end up in an ecoboost myself is that exhaust note. That symphony of 8 cylinders firing is hard to beat.

interstate366, now In The Industry > Jayhawk Jake 02/04/2018 at 15:56

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The sound is definitely a big part of it. The EB lost me when I heard what I thought was a Civic with a bad fart can and an eBay turbo kit and turned around to see a Mustang. How the same engine sounds so much better in the RS is a bit of a mystery to me.

Spanfeller is a twat > Jayhawk Jake 02/04/2018 at 15:57

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You bought this car (the v8) because from the beginning you were justifying the four cyl too much, deep down you wanted that v8. I am happy for you because you finally got it! Don’t blame the social pressure... they don’t matter.

To be honest man, if someone was messin with you for getting a four cyl, just tell them to stick a muffler up their ass. No replacement for displacement is a farse, they were just butthurt that you moved on with the times (or perhaps someone else had already stuck a muffler up their ass.

However, I happen to think that the best way to go is probably the ecoboost as you pointed out, its better but without the authority. It’s probably because I’m very wierd and I happen to think that most v8s (save for the Mopars, yeah, I’m that wierd.) sound obnoxous and the only thing I want people to listen to as I overtake them is my turbos spooling quietly on the background.

E90M3 > Jayhawk Jake 02/04/2018 at 16:00

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This is sort of like the E90 335i vs the M3. Could you make the 335i faster for cheaper? Yes you could, but then you still couldn’t put the window and listen to the V8 scream all the way to its 8300 RPM red line. The 335i can be faster, but the M3 is still better.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > E90M3 02/04/2018 at 16:09

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That said, the 335 sounds quite nice in it’s own right, the Ecoboost really doesn’t.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > interstate366, now In The Industry 02/04/2018 at 16:10

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It does have a different head, manifold, turbo, and exhaust system.

E90M3 > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 02/04/2018 at 16:13

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It does sound good, there is something about a BMW straight 6, but I think I prefer the V8.

interstate366, now In The Industry > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 02/04/2018 at 16:20

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Yeah, I figured at least the exhaust was different just due to the engine layout. Just wasn’t sure what else is different.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > E90M3 02/04/2018 at 16:26

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I like the idea of a budget(It’s a strange world in which the BMW is the budget version of a Toyota) 2JZ-GTE, which the N54 is turning out to be.

E90M3 > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 02/04/2018 at 16:27

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I would love a tuned N54 or N55 BMW, I just can’t afford that and my M3.

Nick Has an Exocet > Jayhawk Jake 02/04/2018 at 16:36

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I believe firmly in the idea that you should buy with your heart and never a spreadsheet. Logic does not form an emotional connection to a car. A friend of mine told me that were comparing a few cars for their next vehicle - I told them to go drive a few and pick the one that made them feel the best - not the one that had the best number of cubit feet of cargo volume. We’re humans, not Excel, and the sum of a car is more than its parts.  

Wagon Guy drives a Boostang > Jayhawk Jake 02/04/2018 at 18:02

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I’m glad you’re happy with your loud gas-guzzling V8. I will admit that they are awesome.

I’m sticking with my ecoboost.

3 Jeeps and a Mazda wants a Fiata > interstate366, now In The Industry 02/04/2018 at 18:19

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If you want to go even further back its nearly the same engine as the Mazda MZR found in the speed3/6 and it sounds damn good. Not a single one of the ecoboost engines has sounded good to me in any application.

interstate366, now In The Industry > 3 Jeeps and a Mazda wants a Fiata 02/04/2018 at 18:24

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I have a friend with a modified RS, and it sounds quite good.

Chariotoflove > Jayhawk Jake 02/04/2018 at 20:00

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No, it was a premium convertible. I mean, the entire center console is hard black plastic. But really, it’s not that the car felt cheap. Just that it didn’t feel special to sit in or drive. My wife echoed the sentiment. Maybe if it had had the growling V8, that would have changed things? I don’t know. Maybe I was just expecting too much. But, that’s the way I felt.  

CB > HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute 02/04/2018 at 20:19

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“what I want as my first car that I’m buying myself is a 1989-1992 Toyota Supra”

Uhhh yeah, that’s not a great plan.

NotUnlessRoundIsFunny > Jayhawk Jake 02/05/2018 at 00:40

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Can totally relate to your feelings, especially about the V8 Mustang and all the silly fun it can be.

Although, I’m bummed you got any crap for the Ecoboost version...at least you had fun with that one, too.

HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute > CB 02/05/2018 at 04:40

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How not? I meant the first car I’m buying with my own money, but I’m still inheriting my dad’s ‘13 CR-V as my “sensible car”.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Jayhawk Jake 02/05/2018 at 08:40

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V8 über alles

Jayhawk Jake > Chariotoflove 02/05/2018 at 09:33

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What car does feel special to you?

Jayhawk Jake > Spanfeller is a twat 02/05/2018 at 09:35

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I genuinely did want the Ecoboost when I bought it. I test drove a GT and was more impressed by the EB. It simply took time to determine that I did want the GT. It’s like telling yourself you don’t want dessert when you go to dinner, but at the end of the meal you realize you can’t resist that chocolate cake you spotted on the menu.

Spanfeller is a twat > Jayhawk Jake 02/05/2018 at 09:40

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“It’s like telling yourself you don’t want dessert when you go to dinner, but at the end of the meal you realize you can’t resist that chocolate cake you spotted on the menu.”

Couldn’t have said it better.

Chariotoflove > Jayhawk Jake 02/05/2018 at 12:51

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Well my K900 certainly does. But my Sedona also does. It’s not as upscale, but the interior quality feels like it’s hitting over its price level. The Miata interior didn’t feel upscale. It was more on a par with the Mustang, but to drive it felt very special.

I drove a couple of 10 year old Jag XKs, and although they felt dated, they were special. These were on a price level with the used Mustang I drove.

Chariotoflove > Jayhawk Jake 02/05/2018 at 12:59

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You know, what I think makes an interior feel blah to me is when it’s all black. Then plastic really bothers me. I like lighter or especially two tone interiors. That makes a huge difference in my perception.

Jayhawk Jake > Chariotoflove 02/05/2018 at 15:09

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You can option a Mustang in a two-tone with white, red, or brown seating surfaces. In a premium, there’s customizable accent lighting. All of them have the trim pieces that run across the dash, the material depends on the options but it’s a brushed silver look for some, a turned metal look in performance packages, and I think there’s a few new options there as well.

If your opinion isn’t great on the Mustang, that’s fine, I suppose I just disagree. It’s not an S-Class, but I feel like it’s a nice place to be with just enough character to have swooned me over the comparable Camaro and Challenger.

Chariotoflove > Jayhawk Jake 02/05/2018 at 16:06

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I very much liked the blue car with brown seats. It looks much more upscale to me. I also like the brushed metal trim. Unfortunately, the ones I could find to drive were always just black.

I don’t think it’s a bad car. I may have just been expecting something different. I’m sorry if I offended you with my opinion. That was not my intention. I’m glad there are so many cars to choose from and so many different people to love them.

Jayhawk Jake > Chariotoflove 02/05/2018 at 16:59

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No, I’m absolutely not offended. I was just curious to understand more as it’s not an opinion I’ve heard.

MonkeePuzzle > Jayhawk Jake 02/06/2018 at 12:02

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but thats not a mustang? thats a camero!

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Jayhawk Jake 02/06/2018 at 12:28

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This is good kinja! I definitely have had the same thoughts about Mustangs. That if I were to buy one, why wouldnt I get the “future” and get an ecoboost? Its so much cheaper, it will save me on gas, and blah blah like you said. But really what you are saying makes so so much sense that it needs to be purchased with emotion, not cold hard facts. Thats why you buy a muscle car to begin with. Screw stats when I can just giggle myself to death! I found out why V8s are awesome when I rented a C7 Corvette. I need a straight piped V8 in my life some day, I know that for sure.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Jayhawk Jake 02/06/2018 at 12:34

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I think in general its a love/hate thing with newer Ford interiors. I have found plenty of people complain about them but I have found the interior particularly stylish on even the base model Fiesta, Focus, and Fusion. It just puts the interiors on cheap Hyundais, Chevys, and Nissans to absolute shame. I think the problem with the Mustang is that it is more of the same basically which isnt “special” enough. But the Mustang isnt really in the price bracket of special anyways.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Nick Has an Exocet 02/06/2018 at 12:39

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This is why I had a Miata as my only car for 3 years lol. Any car can be made to fit your needs if you try hard enough and dont have that family crap to deal with. So you might as well pick what makes you smile the most and fits your budget. I think purchase cost and maintenance cost are the only metrics worth nitpicking over. MPGs are largely irrelevant unless you drive 200+ miles a day.

CobraJoe > Jayhawk Jake 02/06/2018 at 12:49

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To be honest, day to day it’s kind of awful. The Ecoboost is better for that commute to work. My performance package GT makes annoying noises in the cold, it’s loud, it burns a lot of gas, it costs more to insure, and it’s just a stupid car to drive daily.

All of the best cars I’ve ever owned had annoying quirks.

Not just “that switch acted funny” quirks either, things that affected the ease of how the car drove. Heavy clutches, stiff throttles, quick revving engines... even not being able to cruise a parking lot in 1st gear.

There is something entertaining about a car that forces the driver to compromise instead of the other way around.

Sovande > Jayhawk Jake 02/06/2018 at 12:54

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That’s a lot of premium.

Sovande > Chariotoflove 02/06/2018 at 12:55

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I think you offended him.

Future next gen S2000 owner > Jayhawk Jake 02/06/2018 at 12:57

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So you caved to peer pressure, huh? Can’t blame you. More HP is addictive.

Chariotoflove > Sovande 02/06/2018 at 13:02

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That’s what I thought, and I feel bad about it.

Sovande > Chariotoflove 02/06/2018 at 13:14

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Eh. I wouldn’t. I was joking and he said he isn’t. Plus you raised real, quantifiable opinions, based on actual experience, which is refreshing. Different strokes, etc.

gawdzillla > Jayhawk Jake 02/06/2018 at 13:21

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as much as i understand why Ford doesnt sell a v6 ecoboost rustang, i still want to see it ...

feather-throttle-not-hair > Jayhawk Jake 02/06/2018 at 13:21

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Ahhh the classic story with a happy ending!

Chariotoflove > Sovande 02/06/2018 at 13:24

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Thanks.

Jayhawk Jake > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 02/06/2018 at 13:36

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I actually think Hyundai and Kia have great interiors for how cheap they are. My girlfriend’s base Sonata has a lot of plastic, sure, but it’s well designed and feels reasonably well put together.

Jayhawk Jake > CobraJoe 02/06/2018 at 13:37

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It’s entertaining at first, annoying in the long run. I still would rather make a compromise than not have the upside.

My bird IS the word > Jayhawk Jake 02/06/2018 at 13:45

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My only problem with the turbos vs v8s is power delivery. Torque is a wonderful, wonderful thing that our overseas friends just don’t get. It makes every pedal press that much more enjoyable, and can turn an otherwise shitty car into something fun. Handling is all fine and dandy, but I will trade power for it any day of the week.

Also anyone who shits on the lower tier cars doesn’t understand that they make just as much power as v8s 7 years ago did.

RallyWrench > Jayhawk Jake 02/06/2018 at 13:56

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This was excellent, thanks. I’m hopelessly in love with the S550 (pre-facelift, now) and have defended the Ecoboost cars partly because of what I’ve read from you, because I haven’t driven any. They remain a cool car, the right option for most buyers, but you know what? I haven’t been dreaming of owning a 4 cylinder Mustang my entire life.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Jayhawk Jake 02/06/2018 at 14:38

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Well yeah, I dont actually hate Hyundai interiors. I apologize for putting them in the same category as Nissan! It does feel cheap though whereas I just didnt find that with the Fords. Its very subjective at that point though. I mean I still consider power windows and cruise control to be luxury features so anything will make me happy. I only get mad at Hyundai for making new cars without cruise control still!!

Ilike_cougars > Jayhawk Jake 02/06/2018 at 14:49

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I kinda get what you are saying.. I own a Z4M roadster, and everyone tells me I should have bought a Coupe. but to be honest the roadster was my choice and I stick by my decision.

CobraJoe > Jayhawk Jake 02/06/2018 at 15:28

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It definitely can be annoying, but the pain of driving a heavy clutch with a snappy engine in traffic is more than paid off for driving it on open roads.

Still makes me enjoy having a second car for the occasions when I crave driving something different.

Your boy, BJR > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 02/06/2018 at 15:34

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I’m gonna call BS on that tho. Before we broke up, my ex leased a brand new focus sedan and it had probably the worst interior I’ve ever been in.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Your boy, BJR 02/06/2018 at 15:44

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Well yeah, its very subjective, a love it or hate it type of thing. Its funny because I really loved the base model fiesta I rented once. Other than the transmission, Ford automatic transmissions are so much garbage that it makes me write off the rest of the good lol. Everything else just seems to work. The colors and materials seemed pretty good to me, very inoffensive and effective. Sync was kind of shitty though.

Your boy, BJR > Jayhawk Jake 02/06/2018 at 15:49

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I agree 100%. My 300 is my favorite car I’ve ever owned, and one I’ve consistently wanted since the LX 300 came out back in the day. I love my car. It feels special, it looks fantastic, and it is a genuinely good handling and driving car. Mine is the V6 8-Speed. I got it because it was what was available to me and what I could afford at the time. I had to defend it at first to assholes who were like “YOU SHOULD HAVE GOTTEN THE HEMI”, and even stating the 8 Speed was better than the 5 speed in the Hemi, and that the V6 is far more economical, the cars look identical, the limited premium package in my car made it just as nice as the Hemi cars on the inside, and all that. I even got an aftermarket exhaust to make the V6 sound great! I love my car, I think it is special and perfect. However, it would be perfect-er with a Hemi. I know the gas mileage will be shit, the transmission is worse, and the car will be more a month, but holy fuck I wanna press the start button one cold morning and here that Hemi growl to life. I love my car more than any other car I’ve ever owned and think it’s fantastic, but I’d love it even more with a Hemi.

Your boy, BJR > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 02/06/2018 at 15:54

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I had no problem with design, it was build quality that was garbage.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Your boy, BJR 02/06/2018 at 15:59

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What is this build quality thing you speak of, I can’t hear you over all of the rattles in my Subaru and Mazda lol.

Nick Has an Exocet > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 02/06/2018 at 21:48

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Funny you say that - my daily is 91 Miata. I own a 2011 Lancer Ralliart that I drive just enough to sometimes not let the battery go dead. I need to get rid of that car.

Saracen > Jayhawk Jake 02/16/2018 at 19:09

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Yep, reinforcing what I’ve been saying for years. Just go straight to the GT.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Spanfeller is a twat 02/16/2018 at 19:34

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If I had 300 HP and 400 lb/ft of torque in my car, I’d be too busy hauling ass to sit around counting cylinders. Mr. Eco-Boost said it’d drift all day long. Haul ass, drift, and get 25 mpg. But gosh, isn’t that Coyote nice to listen to? Yes, for a few minutes until you want a sensible car for your drive to work. But any of these pony cars are far from sensible, so back to the driveway to work on my GMC Safari. I’m replacing the tie rod ends.

Chan - Mid-engine with cabin fever > Chariotoflove 02/16/2018 at 20:19

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My opinion is that the Mustang and Camaro are solid performance values. No, it won’t have the cushy interior of a BMW 650i no matter how you spec it, but it’s a far cry from the plastic-fantastic 1990s and early 2000s.

LJ909 > Jayhawk Jake 02/16/2018 at 20:30

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Its weird your purchases mirror mine. I remember when you suggested what aftermarket parts for me to get when I first got my Sonic. But you’re attitude towards the Ecoboost mirrors mine as well. I’m fed up and was never really impressed with the Ecoboost and I want the V8 now. Seeing this and other GT’s running around literally makes me wish I had gotten a V8.

Chan - Mid-engine with cabin fever > Jayhawk Jake 02/16/2018 at 20:32

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Congrats, and I’m glad that the V8 turned out to be all that it’s cracked up to be!

I’ve never owned a rumbling American V8, but Ford did a good job modernising it with the overhead cams.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > My bird IS the word 02/16/2018 at 20:37

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His Ecoboost actually made more torque than his V8 lol.

Under_Score > Jayhawk Jake 02/16/2018 at 20:55

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Assuming you were on a loan when you bought the EcoBoost, what did it do to you financially to quickly turn around and buy a GT? My parents have great credit and payments, and it still takes them a few years to pay off a car. I’d feel there are big financial consequences (thousands of dollars) to give up a car before you paid it off.

Jayhawk Jake > Under_Score 02/17/2018 at 00:15

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I certainly lost some on the EB. It helped that I purchased it under sticker with a fairly significant over book trade in. Financially other than the downpayment I actually came out ahead: I owe less relative to value on the GT by virtue of it being used and bought at wholesale price.

My bird IS the word > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 02/17/2018 at 15:27

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I mean power curve. It’s the instantaneous power delivery that I am hooked on.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > My bird IS the word 02/17/2018 at 15:57

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The Coyote doesn’t really open up until after 3500.

My bird IS the word > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 02/17/2018 at 16:04

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hmm. Guess I need to drive one then. Very unlike an american v8.

Metal-maro > TheDutchTexan 02/19/2018 at 13:46

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I know the feeling. I love my dated car, but know I’m outgunned when compared to newer offerings. I’ve been trying to justify spending money on making my current car faster or just getting at something newer. Then you fall into the never-ending game of spending money.

Metal-maro > Jayhawk Jake 02/19/2018 at 13:52

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The video doesn’t do it justice... Wanna help record each other’s tunnel run?

Jayhawk Jake > Metal-maro 02/19/2018 at 15:31

0

I’m down

Don B > Jayhawk Jake 05/20/2019 at 08:21

0

Still, I'll stick with my EB...

Don B > Jayhawk Jake 06/12/2019 at 20:04

1

Meh, I'll still keep my EB ..

SlideshowOhNO - Fixit Union, Chapter of Kinja > Jayhawk Jake 06/14/2019 at 17:15

1

I tune both and I enjoy both, but I also prefer the Coyote. It is completely illogical, and an Ecoboost with mild modifications will match a Coyote for performance numbers while being more nimble, but the Coyote will feel more appropriate to the lore established for the Mustang as a whole . (There is a reason I have a Mach1)

I have to have an Ecoboost for development purpsoses, which will include a larger turbocharger. The long game is to pickup a used Performance Pack GT or preferably GT350, to keep mostly stock (tune and intake) and just enjoy while still making sneaky rockets out of Ecoboosts for others.

SlideshowOhNO - Fixit Union, Chapter of Kinja > Don B 06/14/2019 at 17:26

0

No harm, they are lovely little engines that deliver great power and fuel economy . I am a lover of V8's in Mustangs, but see the Ecoboost as an appropriate alternative when you can’t live in excess, or need to uphold a budget while having a properly fun car.

They are still relatively new to the tuning world. We’ve already seen huge numbers, but they aren’t common yet. There is still some conjecture about the weak points too, which time will normalize like any other platform. We are working on some engineering projects for the EB, I’m sure other shops are too.

I see the EB being the modern SR20. It is compromised a bit for emissions,efficiency , and cost of manufacture, but will overall deliver fantastic performance and be a jewel to tuners that aren’t a berr ant to other options than a V8 .

Welfarebandit > Jayhawk Jake 07/26/2019 at 23:50

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Change article name to.."How I became a biter."

ZombieBatman > Chariotoflove 08/12/2019 at 03:08

0

You do know the Ecoboost and the GT have the same insides right? Jesus.

ZombieBatman > Jayhawk Jake 08/12/2019 at 03:10

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I have a 16 Ecoboost I test drove two GTs I didn’t feel like paying and extra $250-275 a month for a little louder engine. Im not drag strip punk or hot rod look at me fag. One  was even modified to be a strip race car. If you really wanted a GT over an ecoboost because people laughed at you that’s sad man grow a backbone. Alot of those people who say that shit can’t or won’t have a V8 . I see more ecoboost around then GTs. I also own a 69 fastback V8 Cleveland. This Ecoboost out performs it by a mile. Alot of people brag on me about my ecoboost I got some slack from a co worker who has a GT and a guy who owns a V8 Challenger. Rode with me down the road. Both took back their hate. To each their own man 

Chariotoflove > ZombieBatman 08/12/2019 at 18:14

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If you read my post, you should see that I asserted no distinction between Ecoboost and GT interiors.

Also, if you intend to hang around Oppositelock, you should understand that this is not like a  usual internet forum. We try to treat each other as friends here and avoid sneering and condescending comments. 

smoky > Jayhawk Jake 08/31/2019 at 09:30

0

You have a whole sale license or are you a car buying expert / master negotiator?

Jayhawk Jake > smoky 09/01/2019 at 07:17

0

I know a guy 

jvolstad > Jayhawk Jake 09/15/2019 at 14:32

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Did you finance or pay cash for your new Mustang?