Hi all!
On Thursday I did it. I went to Galpin Ford in LA and put $1000 down to order a 2016 Ecoboost Premium A/T. Here's my order list:
2016 EcoBoost Premium Automatic
- Exterior: Guard Interior: Dark Saddle
- 401A Package
- Performance Package
- Reverse Sensing System
- Adaptive Cruise package
- Voice-Activated Navigation
I went back and forth on the GT versus the EcoBoost. In the end, the lack of the PP on the GT Automatic was my deciding factor (Without droning into a long story, a military injury has left me with nerve damage in my right leg and I can't safely manipulate three pedals anymore).
I'm coming from a 2014 Fiesta Titanium (and a 2011 Fiesta SES before that). That little car is flipping amazing. I've taken it to Willow Springs' Horse Thief Mile, a Go Kart track in Perris, and numerous canyon and mountain roads in between. I was able to upgrade the suspension, exhaust, and intake for the most I can get performance and handling-wise. It's been to numerous shows across Southern California It's been a fun ride, but in the end, the naturally-aspirated 1.6L engine platform was being completely ignored by the performance companies. I wanted more power, and because of the issues noted above, the Fiesta ST simply was not an option available to me.
So, I looked into options. In the hot hatch category with two pedals, there are really only two options. I looked at the VW Golf GTI and Golf R. Great cars, even with their problems. But I found the Golf to be aesthetically boring. I also love technology and expect to use my car as a daily driver as well. Even though Audi has a fantastic MMI system, VW has a horribly outdated system. Next, I looked at the 2015+ Mini John Cooper Works. It had everything I was looking for ... at $40k. Through my Grandfather, I'm eligible for Z plan so the $7000 +/- savings for the Mustang won over that.
And here I am.
I've got plans to start on the car already. I like the look of the 'euro spec' tail lights and will probably look at a way to retrofit the rear foglight assembly as well. Getting a Cobb AP is also #1 on the list of things to get. I'm looking forward to tweaking the car and getting the most I can from it.
In the meantime, here's some shots of my Fiesta in action. I've recently begun parting the car back to stock condition, so no more fun until the Mustang shows up.
IMG_0354 by Aaron Slater, on Flickr
IMG_0417 by Aaron Slater, on Flickr
TARDIS @ Apex Time Attack by Aaron Slater, on Flickr
TARDIS @ Apex Time Attack by Aaron Slater, on Flickr
TARDIS @ Apex Time Attack by Aaron Slater, on Flickr
Tour d'Orange 2015 by Aaron Slater, on Flickr
XS Horse Thief Mile 030814-346-X3 by Aaron Slater, on Flickr
IMG 3480 by Aaron Slater, on Flickr
On Thursday I did it. I went to Galpin Ford in LA and put $1000 down to order a 2016 Ecoboost Premium A/T. Here's my order list:
2016 EcoBoost Premium Automatic
- Exterior: Guard Interior: Dark Saddle
- 401A Package
- Performance Package
- Reverse Sensing System
- Adaptive Cruise package
- Voice-Activated Navigation
I went back and forth on the GT versus the EcoBoost. In the end, the lack of the PP on the GT Automatic was my deciding factor (Without droning into a long story, a military injury has left me with nerve damage in my right leg and I can't safely manipulate three pedals anymore).
I'm coming from a 2014 Fiesta Titanium (and a 2011 Fiesta SES before that). That little car is flipping amazing. I've taken it to Willow Springs' Horse Thief Mile, a Go Kart track in Perris, and numerous canyon and mountain roads in between. I was able to upgrade the suspension, exhaust, and intake for the most I can get performance and handling-wise. It's been to numerous shows across Southern California It's been a fun ride, but in the end, the naturally-aspirated 1.6L engine platform was being completely ignored by the performance companies. I wanted more power, and because of the issues noted above, the Fiesta ST simply was not an option available to me.
So, I looked into options. In the hot hatch category with two pedals, there are really only two options. I looked at the VW Golf GTI and Golf R. Great cars, even with their problems. But I found the Golf to be aesthetically boring. I also love technology and expect to use my car as a daily driver as well. Even though Audi has a fantastic MMI system, VW has a horribly outdated system. Next, I looked at the 2015+ Mini John Cooper Works. It had everything I was looking for ... at $40k. Through my Grandfather, I'm eligible for Z plan so the $7000 +/- savings for the Mustang won over that.
And here I am.
I've got plans to start on the car already. I like the look of the 'euro spec' tail lights and will probably look at a way to retrofit the rear foglight assembly as well. Getting a Cobb AP is also #1 on the list of things to get. I'm looking forward to tweaking the car and getting the most I can from it.
In the meantime, here's some shots of my Fiesta in action. I've recently begun parting the car back to stock condition, so no more fun until the Mustang shows up.
IMG_0354 by Aaron Slater, on Flickr
IMG_0417 by Aaron Slater, on Flickr
TARDIS @ Apex Time Attack by Aaron Slater, on Flickr
TARDIS @ Apex Time Attack by Aaron Slater, on Flickr
TARDIS @ Apex Time Attack by Aaron Slater, on Flickr
Tour d'Orange 2015 by Aaron Slater, on Flickr
XS Horse Thief Mile 030814-346-X3 by Aaron Slater, on Flickr
IMG 3480 by Aaron Slater, on Flickr
