RE: Ford discontinues 2.3-litre Mustang in UK
Discussion
rockin said:
I love the way people like to diss the 2.3 Mustang - then jump into their Euro-weenie hatchback and potter to the shops.
People look at what engines I go for and can't understand that: "you can only do 70mph, why do you need such a large engine?" These people are to be avoided - you don't need that type of negativity in your life 
Seriously though, I'm not dissing the Ecoboom as such - if people like it then that's great. As has been mentioned before the halo models only exist thanks to the lower ranks(so to speak). I can actually see the sense in someone liking the Mustang and how it looks and thinking that's all they need. Who I am to criticse that choice? If someone has spent their hard earned on a 4 or 6 etc and they like it, great - that's what enjoying cars (in all its facets) is about
a7x88 said:
I had an ecoboost rental in North California around 2 years back, had the 10 speed auto. Took it up my some of my favourite roads over there (mount hamilton) and whilst it handled well I just found it infinitely frustrating.
The ecoboost engine felt weak and strained, especially at altitude and the noise was a disappointment. The gearbox just had way too many ratios, great round town and cruising but when out for a real drive you were just permanently swapping cogs and it never felt happy. I had the fore bearer to that engine around a year prior in my 6 MPS (2.3 DISI that was then further developed to create the ecoboost) which kind of worked in a 4wd manual saloon - it had been turned up to over 400bhp though. In the Mustang it just left me frustrated to be honest.
So much ditto it's untrue. We had a convertible one while on holiday 2019 in Florida. The ecoboost engine felt weak and strained, especially at altitude and the noise was a disappointment. The gearbox just had way too many ratios, great round town and cruising but when out for a real drive you were just permanently swapping cogs and it never felt happy. I had the fore bearer to that engine around a year prior in my 6 MPS (2.3 DISI that was then further developed to create the ecoboost) which kind of worked in a 4wd manual saloon - it had been turned up to over 400bhp though. In the Mustang it just left me frustrated to be honest.
At the time back home we actually still had a 6 MPS (but stock) and a Mondeo 2.5T. The Mustang on paper was quite a bit quicker than the Mondeo...but it never felt it. It felt like there was nothing between them. The MPS with (again on paper) far less power felt far quicker.
The gearbox was just terrible, too many gears, frustrating even in "manual" mode where it was very much a "request" for a gear that would sometimes take what felt like an eternity to arrive....but at least that was better than the fully auto mode which I *hated*.
Apart from the engine and gearbox I really liked the car though, I don't _regret_ hiring one one, it was great but it would have to be a manual v8 if I was ever to buy one.
MadDog1962 said:
These American cars look very stylish, and actually drive fairly well. But they're poorly packaged (poor trunk space and useless rear seats)
CaptainSensib1e said:
I have no problem getting both my kids in the back of Mustang. And the boot is big enough for a buggy, travel cot and a couple of good sized weekend bags.
As above we had a convertible for two weeks in Florida, family of 4, two adults, two kids (7&9) in car seats plus luggage. Did have to pack rather lighter than we may normally have for Florida but still a decent sized boot. Children absolutely loved it too and I'll be honest I liked the convertible bit far more than I thought I would (although probably not so much in the UK!)Sadly I think it's the concept of a 2.3 four cylinder that's more off putting about the Mustang than the power. 300bhp for daily driving is enough and can still be fun.
I just think for most of us the dream American car is a V8, a Mustang a V8 us that winning combination. Those who know about cars will want the V8 model. So I'm not surprised it didn't sell so well as a 2.3. I'd imagine most people that bought the 2.3 (not all I'm sure) did so based on it's look and image and weren't fussed by the engine.
That said, I can imagine in the future when the Mustang is more than a few years old, a 2.3 Mustang could make for a good daily car, I'm sure a re-map sees a good hike in power too.
I just think for most of us the dream American car is a V8, a Mustang a V8 us that winning combination. Those who know about cars will want the V8 model. So I'm not surprised it didn't sell so well as a 2.3. I'd imagine most people that bought the 2.3 (not all I'm sure) did so based on it's look and image and weren't fussed by the engine.
That said, I can imagine in the future when the Mustang is more than a few years old, a 2.3 Mustang could make for a good daily car, I'm sure a re-map sees a good hike in power too.
Alex_225 said:
I just think for most of us the dream American car is a V8, a Mustang a V8 us that winning combination. Those who know about cars will want the V8 model. So I'm not surprised it didn't sell so well as a 2.3. I'd imagine most people that bought the 2.3 (not all I'm sure) did so based on it's look and image and weren't fussed by the engine.
So people that bought the V8 did so based on image, and people who bought the 2.3 did so based on image....?FA57REN said:
So people that bought the V8 did so based on image, and people who bought the 2.3 did so based on image....?
Surely the main reason to choose the 2.3 is for a cheaper car? Anyone buying any Mustang is buying one as an emotive purchase, it’s the left field choice. Those choosing the V8 value the overall experience above any potential savings IMO. It’s like semi skimmed milk, looks the same and you can bake a cake. But it’s never quite as good
FA57REN said:
Alex_225 said:
I just think for most of us the dream American car is a V8, a Mustang a V8 us that winning combination. Those who know about cars will want the V8 model. So I'm not surprised it didn't sell so well as a 2.3. I'd imagine most people that bought the 2.3 (not all I'm sure) did so based on it's look and image and weren't fussed by the engine.
So people that bought the V8 did so based on image, and people who bought the 2.3 did so based on image....?My point about the 2.3 is that it's the looks and the image to many that means they don't care much for the engine. I know two people who contemplated buying the Mustang as a daily car. One of which isn't into cars but just likes to have a nice car didn't bat an eyelid at the 2.3 and would have gone for that. Ended up with a TT. The other was my uncle who hadn't realised the model he was intending to look at wasn't a V8 and the car lost it's appeal. He's not a huge petrol head but to him the Mustang wasn't worth thinking about without a V8.
As I said though, I doubt the 2.3 is actually a bad car at all and could make for a bargain daily car.
Alex_225 said:
I didn't say that though. I said that for many the appeal of an American car is a V8 and the Mustang is the epitome of an American motor. The appeal of a big V8 is one thing anyway and it's what people expect in the car like a Mustang, it's not the image it's the package.
My point about the 2.3 is that it's the looks and the image to many that means they don't care much for the engine. I know two people who contemplated buying the Mustang as a daily car. One of which isn't into cars but just likes to have a nice car didn't bat an eyelid at the 2.3 and would have gone for that. Ended up with a TT. The other was my uncle who hadn't realised the model he was intending to look at wasn't a V8 and the car lost it's appeal. He's not a huge petrol head but to him the Mustang wasn't worth thinking about without a V8.
As I said though, I doubt the 2.3 is actually a bad car at all and could make for a bargain daily car.
someone with the purchasing criteria of wanting "not a bad car" will find a renault or a nissan something. Someone spending over 40k generally wants something a bit more special than not bad.My point about the 2.3 is that it's the looks and the image to many that means they don't care much for the engine. I know two people who contemplated buying the Mustang as a daily car. One of which isn't into cars but just likes to have a nice car didn't bat an eyelid at the 2.3 and would have gone for that. Ended up with a TT. The other was my uncle who hadn't realised the model he was intending to look at wasn't a V8 and the car lost it's appeal. He's not a huge petrol head but to him the Mustang wasn't worth thinking about without a V8.
As I said though, I doubt the 2.3 is actually a bad car at all and could make for a bargain daily car.
J4CKO said:
Wonder what people would say if Ford plonked a V10 in a Mustang ?
They nearly did, back in 1999https://fordauthority.com/2020/11/v10-powered-1999...
But then why stop at 10 when you can have 12...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KY54wbxhUKk
Edited by LuS1fer on Sunday 7th March 15:15
How about replacing a GT 350 engine with a six cylinder ?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIF_MKzwJj8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIF_MKzwJj8
I was in traffic the other night and a could see a Mustang behind me. I thought to myself how I still think they are a great looking car and something that’s been remade as an actual decent homage to a classic . As I turned off it went past and then I heard the engine and suddenly realised....oh dear.. the Ecoboost 2.3 was just not delivering to expected rumble.
I liken it to booking a ticket to see the London Philharmonic and as you sit down with baited breath to hear the whole ensemble burst into life with the John Williams iconic Imperial March..... out comes the sound of a bloke on a Casio key board playing the Cantina song.
Imagine the scene. 3 kids stood by the car. You turn up and they await for you to depart to hear that engine. You turn the key and they look around waiting for a Mazda to sod off. Then they realise it’s you ??.It needs to do 60 in under 5 to outrun the embarrassment! Messing aside it’s definitely not my choice of engine.
I liken it to booking a ticket to see the London Philharmonic and as you sit down with baited breath to hear the whole ensemble burst into life with the John Williams iconic Imperial March..... out comes the sound of a bloke on a Casio key board playing the Cantina song.
Imagine the scene. 3 kids stood by the car. You turn up and they await for you to depart to hear that engine. You turn the key and they look around waiting for a Mazda to sod off. Then they realise it’s you ??.It needs to do 60 in under 5 to outrun the embarrassment! Messing aside it’s definitely not my choice of engine.
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