pcdrj
forum member
Well I got to spend 4 days with a 2015 Ecoboost convertible while in Florida. It had about 2k miles and smelled brand new. My first impression was a rather nice throttle note for a 4 cylinder and improved sightlines. Seats were reasonably comfortable and supportive and interior quality is much improved from my previous '06.
Then I drove it. My first trip was about a 15 minute run to the bed and breakfast which included highway and around town driving. I must admit all the noise this car has made in the media had set my expectations fairly high. Power seemed adequate for a fun run but the EB won't win too many drag races against contemporary sport models. The car felt lighter than my '06 and fairly tossable. I was curious as to how the IRS would behave leaving on hard throttle from stop. Although it definitely didn't have the odious "snap" feel of s live axle I felt the wheel break loose too easily considering it's power level. The next thing we noticed was the engine was very rough at about 55 mph, almost as if it had a misfire. I sped up and slowed down but it continued around that speed (didn't pay attention to RPM's). I played with sport mode and steering track mode. As expected sport mode maintained higher shift point and "feels" like it makes more power but gets annoying for if you're just commuting. Driving with the top down through cobblestone roads in St. Augustine, you could hear rattling from the suspension. Not what I'd expect from a new car with 2k miles.
The strangest thing about this car was the steering and handling. Contrary to EVERYTHING I've read, this car floated and drifted at highway speeds so much my wife asked if I was swaying on purpose? Do a sudden lane change at 70 MPH and you'd better be alert. I really couldn't believe how bad it was. My '06 had morphed into a track beast so I can't say I remember exactly how it felt when stock but my impression is it was not this bad. I set the handling to "soft" and it felt like a 1978 LTD. Again the passengers also commented on the ride so I don't think it was just me.
Now I've read tons of reviews and the 7:32:xxx 'Ring lap time claims for the GT350 but I cannot understand right now how to qualify my experience. I am considering a GT350 and plan on driving one when they come out later this year. I hope I'm equally shocked in the other direction.
Then I drove it. My first trip was about a 15 minute run to the bed and breakfast which included highway and around town driving. I must admit all the noise this car has made in the media had set my expectations fairly high. Power seemed adequate for a fun run but the EB won't win too many drag races against contemporary sport models. The car felt lighter than my '06 and fairly tossable. I was curious as to how the IRS would behave leaving on hard throttle from stop. Although it definitely didn't have the odious "snap" feel of s live axle I felt the wheel break loose too easily considering it's power level. The next thing we noticed was the engine was very rough at about 55 mph, almost as if it had a misfire. I sped up and slowed down but it continued around that speed (didn't pay attention to RPM's). I played with sport mode and steering track mode. As expected sport mode maintained higher shift point and "feels" like it makes more power but gets annoying for if you're just commuting. Driving with the top down through cobblestone roads in St. Augustine, you could hear rattling from the suspension. Not what I'd expect from a new car with 2k miles.
The strangest thing about this car was the steering and handling. Contrary to EVERYTHING I've read, this car floated and drifted at highway speeds so much my wife asked if I was swaying on purpose? Do a sudden lane change at 70 MPH and you'd better be alert. I really couldn't believe how bad it was. My '06 had morphed into a track beast so I can't say I remember exactly how it felt when stock but my impression is it was not this bad. I set the handling to "soft" and it felt like a 1978 LTD. Again the passengers also commented on the ride so I don't think it was just me.
Now I've read tons of reviews and the 7:32:xxx 'Ring lap time claims for the GT350 but I cannot understand right now how to qualify my experience. I am considering a GT350 and plan on driving one when they come out later this year. I hope I'm equally shocked in the other direction.
