UK vs USA Main Spec Differences S550's
Discussion
croyde said:
This business with the bigger mirrors has made me notice them on a lot of newer UK cars. They look ridiculous.
When did that law come in and would it be illegal to fit 3rd party smaller mirrors. I realise that almost all of them have the side repeaters now.
I think it was ~2008/09 as that was when the BMW E90 had its LCI and the revised car got its massive mirrors.When did that law come in and would it be illegal to fit 3rd party smaller mirrors. I realise that almost all of them have the side repeaters now.
Have just seen this thread. I am in the UK and fell in love with the S550 black on black, but wanted to know the differences between the UK and US car, I have driven a S197 for 4 years in London and overseas, so a lefty held no fear.
The GT Auto Convertible worked out at £42k that's a lot of money for a car.
So far I have found there are 8 major differences in the US Car
California Special, which gives you memory seats and BLIS and Shaker Pro
Front vents and indicators
Sync 3
Adaptive cruise
Remote start
Red lenses
So I decided to go back to the US but with the $ so bad, worked out around £50k, way to much even with every extra going. So found a dealer who imports from Canada, £45k with everything. So that's still £3k more than the UK car, or is it?
For a US car the tax is £230 per year, for the UK car the 1st year is a crazy £1100 then the 2nd year is £500 then it goes down to £300 i think
So add the tax disc onto the UK one say another £1500, that's coming up to £44k and mine cost only a grand more
It does puzzle me and I have asked on other Mustang forums, why people who were happy to import a lefty and drive it in the UK, now would rather buy a UK car, when you can have a ton more extras for not much more. And the California Special will be a very rare car in the UK.
I mean to order a UK convertible around 9 months to delivery, a US one 4 months.
Anyway just my view
The GT Auto Convertible worked out at £42k that's a lot of money for a car.
So far I have found there are 8 major differences in the US Car
California Special, which gives you memory seats and BLIS and Shaker Pro
Front vents and indicators
Sync 3
Adaptive cruise
Remote start
Red lenses
So I decided to go back to the US but with the $ so bad, worked out around £50k, way to much even with every extra going. So found a dealer who imports from Canada, £45k with everything. So that's still £3k more than the UK car, or is it?
For a US car the tax is £230 per year, for the UK car the 1st year is a crazy £1100 then the 2nd year is £500 then it goes down to £300 i think
So add the tax disc onto the UK one say another £1500, that's coming up to £44k and mine cost only a grand more
It does puzzle me and I have asked on other Mustang forums, why people who were happy to import a lefty and drive it in the UK, now would rather buy a UK car, when you can have a ton more extras for not much more. And the California Special will be a very rare car in the UK.
I mean to order a UK convertible around 9 months to delivery, a US one 4 months.
Anyway just my view
Who's doing that though? I mean the people you say were happy to import a left-hooker but are now instead buying RHD?
It's one thing to import and drive a LHD car when that's all that's available, but you'd have to be stupid, or the differences would have to be so numerous/big, to make it worth getting the LHD over the RHD.
The ONLY reason I now own one of these cars is because it's RHD.
ETA: Shaker Pro audio is an option on UK cars, remote start is only available on autos, people have mentioned Sync2 as not only being perfectly adequate but preferable to 3, rear lights are easily tinted to red, which leaves ACC & the vents/turn signals. Not worth buying LHD for even if I were so inclined. I would like memory seats though.
It's one thing to import and drive a LHD car when that's all that's available, but you'd have to be stupid, or the differences would have to be so numerous/big, to make it worth getting the LHD over the RHD.
The ONLY reason I now own one of these cars is because it's RHD.
ETA: Shaker Pro audio is an option on UK cars, remote start is only available on autos, people have mentioned Sync2 as not only being perfectly adequate but preferable to 3, rear lights are easily tinted to red, which leaves ACC & the vents/turn signals. Not worth buying LHD for even if I were so inclined. I would like memory seats though.
Edited by Centurion07 on Wednesday 17th February 21:21
The 'crazy' £1100 first year tax is included in the OTR price on the Ford configurator, but I'm sure that's been pointed out before. There's nothing wrong with LHD, all my Mustangs over the last 28 years have been that way, nor is there anything 'wrong' with them being RHD. Its personal choice, Larry wants something different (Calif special) and if/when I get an S550 I'll probably buy something not available in RHD , as I quite fancy a Roush.
goldengooner said:
Have just seen this thread. I am in the UK and fell in love with the S550 black on black, but wanted to know the differences between the UK and US car, I have driven a S197 for 4 years in London and overseas, so a lefty held no fear.
The GT Auto Convertible worked out at £42k that's a lot of money for a car.
My GT Auto convertible custom pack was £40,300 on the road. Comes with a brilliant free accessory which you can't get on US cars; RHD. I have no problem with LHD in the UK but the car will be infinitely more useable for me in RHD.The GT Auto Convertible worked out at £42k that's a lot of money for a car.
Roo said:
Hello Larry.
Found your way over here from MOCGB then.
yea Found your way over here from MOCGB then.
just found it interesting, why people who have owned leftys for years, now seem to make such a big fuss about having a righty now?
Even Bill Shepard and the boys at CE feel that a Mustang should be a lefty, its part of the love of owning one, that difference.
I was prepared to buy UK, but for the amount of money, made much more sense to me to go back to the lefty.
I can understand people who have never driven a lefty over here, makes perfect sense. but for hardened lefty usuers does puzzle me, sorry if that dont make sense
croyde said:
Good point and I can't see the police stopping cars for mirror violations unless they are being particularly pedantic.
The modern ones on Vauxhalls and Fords are more giant pods then door mirrors.
Indeed, these elephants ears are a risk to pedestrian safety. The modern ones on Vauxhalls and Fords are more giant pods then door mirrors.
Biggest gripe I see in the Euro 'Tang is the lack of bonnet nostrils and tri-bar front DRL - these are cool and should be left as styling features.
K666ADM said:
Indeed, these elephants ears are a risk to pedestrian safety.
Biggest gripe I see in the Euro 'Tang is the lack of bonnet nostrils and tri-bar front DRL - these are cool and should be left as styling features.
the good thing is you can fold them in, on the US they are much smaller, and are different, as for the bonnet thats all to do with safety and special hood "raising" if you hit a pedestrian. And in the manual it says dont change anything as will affect the system. I wonder if you did change something like the hood, and you did hit a pedestrian if the insurance would cover you, as you are taking away a safety feature?Biggest gripe I see in the Euro 'Tang is the lack of bonnet nostrils and tri-bar front DRL - these are cool and should be left as styling features.
On the US they say dont change the wheels or muck around with the grill as could affect the cameras and the adaptive cruise control
I've had a few lefties but it is just a bit nicer to be on the correct side of the car for our roads.
I never would have attempted any of the outrageous overtakes that I can now do in my current UK Mustang GT.
A lot of big LHD US cars are normally driven quite gently so steering wheel wrong side is no problem.
Saying that, I was supposed to drive my big Mercury like that but I ended up driving it everywhere like I stole it
I never would have attempted any of the outrageous overtakes that I can now do in my current UK Mustang GT.
A lot of big LHD US cars are normally driven quite gently so steering wheel wrong side is no problem.
Saying that, I was supposed to drive my big Mercury like that but I ended up driving it everywhere like I stole it
Centurion07 said:
Who's doing that though? I mean the people you say were happy to import a left-hooker but are now instead buying RHD?
It's one thing to import and drive a LHD car when that's all that's available, but you'd have to be stupid, or the differences would have to be so numerous/big, to make it worth getting the LHD over the RHD.
The ONLY reason I now own one of these cars is because it's RHD.
ETA: Shaker Pro audio is an option on UK cars, remote start is only available on autos, people have mentioned Sync2 as not only being perfectly adequate but preferable to 3, rear lights are easily tinted to red, which leaves ACC & the vents/turn signals. Not worth buying LHD for even if I were so inclined. I would like memory seats though.
Remote start is only on the US cars, why am I stupid? cause I want the best car I can get for my money?It's one thing to import and drive a LHD car when that's all that's available, but you'd have to be stupid, or the differences would have to be so numerous/big, to make it worth getting the LHD over the RHD.
The ONLY reason I now own one of these cars is because it's RHD.
ETA: Shaker Pro audio is an option on UK cars, remote start is only available on autos, people have mentioned Sync2 as not only being perfectly adequate but preferable to 3, rear lights are easily tinted to red, which leaves ACC & the vents/turn signals. Not worth buying LHD for even if I were so inclined. I would like memory seats though.
Edited by Centurion07 on Wednesday 17th February 21:21
So you only brought the Mustang as its a Righty, would not touch it as a lefty? Have you driven overseas? Driving a lefty is not that big a deal, only hassles for me was:
Dartford Toll, but now thats gone, Roundabouts can be a pain, and car parks can be fun, but other then that, and one advantage is, going down a very tight road, cars parked both sides, you can judge much better how close you are to the parked car in your lane.
The one thing I really wanted was the BLIS as these are big cars, and the Blind Spots can be bad. For me this is one of the best safety features on the car.
Dont call someone stupid cause they dont agree with you and remember if it was not for us Leftys there would be no Righys as there are 1000s of imported LHD cars over here. Ford have done this to stop people importing cars and them losing a lot of money, and they have got it spot on, as the car has sold way more then they were prepared for.
Edited by goldengooner on Thursday 18th February 12:41
Edited by goldengooner on Thursday 18th February 12:42
I wasn't actually calling YOU stupid but hey-ho.
So you're saying that having a useful safety feature such as BLIS outweighs the very obvious safety disadvantages of owning a LHD here in the UK?
You can't have it both ways, either you want to be as safe as possible, which means RHD, or you're giving far too much credit to BLIS.
Yes, I have driven LHD over in France and I hated it. If you can get on with it, here or abroad then great, but as I said, I only own a Mustang now because it comes in RHD. I can understand the purists saying they should only be LHD, but then I didn't buy a Mustang first and foremost, I bought a V8 RWD Ford. The fact it's called Mustang is a nice little bonus.
The things you've mentioned just don't add up to enough of a benefit to go through the hassle of importing a LHD when it's available in RHD.
So you're saying that having a useful safety feature such as BLIS outweighs the very obvious safety disadvantages of owning a LHD here in the UK?
You can't have it both ways, either you want to be as safe as possible, which means RHD, or you're giving far too much credit to BLIS.Yes, I have driven LHD over in France and I hated it. If you can get on with it, here or abroad then great, but as I said, I only own a Mustang now because it comes in RHD. I can understand the purists saying they should only be LHD, but then I didn't buy a Mustang first and foremost, I bought a V8 RWD Ford. The fact it's called Mustang is a nice little bonus.
The things you've mentioned just don't add up to enough of a benefit to go through the hassle of importing a LHD when it's available in RHD.
Centurion07 said:
I wasn't actually calling YOU stupid but hey-ho.
So you're saying that having a useful safety feature such as BLIS outweighs the very obvious safety disadvantages of owning a LHD here in the UK? You can't have it both ways, either you want to be as safe as possible, which means RHD, or you're giving far too much credit to BLIS.
Yes, I have driven LHD over in France and I hated it. If you can get on with it, here or abroad then great, but as I said, I only own a Mustang now because it comes in RHD. I can understand the purists saying they should only be LHD, but then I didn't buy a Mustang first and foremost, I bought a V8 RWD Ford. The fact it's called Mustang is a nice little bonus.
The things you've mentioned just don't add up to enough of a benefit to go through the hassle of importing a LHD when it's available in RHD.
As I said I have been driving a Lefty for 4 years, this year done a 3000 mile trip round Europe, as for safety, other then quick overtaking why is it more dangerous then a RHD?So you're saying that having a useful safety feature such as BLIS outweighs the very obvious safety disadvantages of owning a LHD here in the UK?
You can't have it both ways, either you want to be as safe as possible, which means RHD, or you're giving far too much credit to BLIS.Yes, I have driven LHD over in France and I hated it. If you can get on with it, here or abroad then great, but as I said, I only own a Mustang now because it comes in RHD. I can understand the purists saying they should only be LHD, but then I didn't buy a Mustang first and foremost, I bought a V8 RWD Ford. The fact it's called Mustang is a nice little bonus.
The things you've mentioned just don't add up to enough of a benefit to go through the hassle of importing a LHD when it's available in RHD.
Yes for me the BLIS is important, even more so these days, when you get cyclists who come up on your blind spot, you hit him, who's fault would it be?
As for just buying a V8 RHD Ford, oh boy you are in for a shock, Driving a Mustang is way more then "a little bonus" you better be used to getting attention, people taking pics, asking you about the car. Its a Mustang with all its history, you are driving something a bit special !!
goldengooner said:
As I said I have been driving a Lefty for 4 years, this year done a 3000 mile trip round Europe, as for safety, other then quick overtaking why is it more dangerous then a RHD?
That's the ONLY reason. If you buy a +400bhp V8 and don't plan on doing a lot of overtaking then you bought the wrong car! Aside from the fact I grazed my knuckles raw by constantly smashing my left hand into the door card going to change gear, I just don't feel natural on the left side. It's the main reason I don't own an Intergrale Evo as I would've loved one of those.
goldengooner said:
As for just buying a V8 RHD Ford, oh boy you are in for a shock, Driving a Mustang is way more then "a little bonus" you better be used to getting attention, people taking pics, asking you about the car. Its a Mustang with all its history, you are driving something a bit special !!
TBH, it does get attention but not from Mustang fans. At least I don't think they're Mustang fans since the comments are either "that's a nice/beautiful/great car" or "what is it?". 
Centurion07 said:
TBH, it does get attention but not from Mustang fans. At least I don't think they're Mustang fans since the comments are either "that's a nice/beautiful/great car" or "what is it?".
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