I don't get the Dark Horse vs GT

[coltgus]

I have a 2024 GT with PP, Auto, NP, active exhaust. MSRP $52,575 but I got Plan X price plus a $1250 discount so total $48,838 and that was last December. My car looks and drives fantastic and I get a lot of compliments and people often ask if it's a dark horse. I don't know if I could have got a DH last year which I doubt and if I did it probably would have been $30K more. I have 486 HP vs 500 and the tuning you get with the PP. So that's why I don't get the DH, enlighten me.

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[Skye]

I haven't noticed a similar comparison, but I'm attaching some files published when the Mach rebooted; these highlight the main differences.

There are practical considerations, such as drivetrain components. For someone wanting a factory-built, warrantied, integrated system of performance components, the DH might be the best route. For someone tracking more often or building a race-only car, a DH might not make any sense at all. A stripped-down GT could be better, then purpose-built to suit their needs. It depends.

Then there are the subjective reasons, to include the uniqueness. It's why someone buys a Z0# or an 8-series when they'd rarely exceed the capabilities of a more available model. Countless reasons, most often specific to those individuals.

I cannot speak to pricing on the S650. I've never attempted to do a GT-to-DH $ comparison. Thirty large is a huge step up for any person, any make and model.

 

[kagemusha2662]

Suspension is tuned slightly better for track purposes, magneride is standard (big difference IMO), brembo brakes are standard. The biggest thing really is that the engine is a little stronger with some forged internals ported over from the GT500. This will make boosting the car an easier decision for those who want to. It also has a bunch of coolers that help for those who worry about oil temperatures.

 

[cosmo73]

Biggest difference IMO is the Tremec.

 

[Ryunker]

I have a 2024 GT with PP, Auto, NP, active exhaust. MSRP $52,575 but I got Plan X price plus a $1250 discount so total $48,838 and that was last December. My car looks and drives fantastic and I get a lot of compliments and people often ask if it's a dark horse. I don't know if I could have got a DH last year which I doubt and if I did it probably would have been $30K more. I have 486 HP vs 500 and the tuning you get with the PP. So that's why I don't get the DH, enlighten me.

I have the DH 700a, no pp as no need. Went to my local dealer they have a pretty cool GT on the lot, went side by side one to the other, can't list specifics as no desire to, there is no way I could have settled for a GT version vs the DH as both were in budget.

Main use of mine is the family "grocery getter". Just took it on a road trip a 1,600 mile trip and it still amazes me every day.

I am an "anti ecoboost" tech guy, we see such a huge amount of failed turbo's across all manufactures at work. I get it it's an economy thing, but I choose to avoid it like extreme left politics.

That being said, to me the GT is an entry level Ford car as it's the only car produced by Ford without a turbo.

I have no preference on what anyone chooses for their mustang, as there is a mustang built and designed for everyone and believe they are all great choices.

 

[DevilDog]

Funny, I've had several people ask me if my GT is a Dark Horse.

 

[robvas]

Funny, I've had several people ask me if my GT is a Dark Horse.

Because of the color? I know I'm guilty of thinking 'Dark Horse' the second I see vapor blue.

 

[Sf22giants]

A pinned thread answers the technical questions about the specific differences between the DH and GT. There are many mechanical differences between the two vehicles; not all of which can be seen when simply looking at the car.

Gen 4 Coyote 5.0L V8 Specs & Photos (S650 Mustang)

 

[kinelisch]

From a loaded GT, the DH is not much different IF you drive it on the streets. Differences like the suspension, Cooling, 14 HP, plus some body aesthetics make the Dark Horse and Dark Horse.

 

[DevilDog]

Because of the color? I know I'm guilty of thinking 'Dark Horse' the second I see vapor blue.

Yup, I think that's it.

 

[roadpilot]

I have a 2024 GT with PP, Auto, NP, active exhaust. MSRP $52,575 but I got Plan X price plus a $1250 discount so total $48,838 and that was last December. My car looks and drives fantastic and I get a lot of compliments and people often ask if it's a dark horse. I don't know if I could have got a DH last year which I doubt and if I did it probably would have been $30K more. I have 486 HP vs 500 and the tuning you get with the PP. So that's why I don't get the DH, enlighten me.

The DH was not/is not $30K more than the GT ... unless you're stupid enough to pay $20K ADM.

Prior to buying my DH, I optioned out a GT with as much as I could get to make it the equivalent of the GT. INCLUDING the ~$8K I would have saved with my AZ Plan on the GT, the sticker was ~$11K more for the DH than the GT.

 

[coltgus]

The DH was not/is not $30K more than the GT ... unless you're stupid enough to pay $20K ADM.

Prior to buying my DH, I optioned out a GT with as much as I could get to make it the equivalent of the GT. INCLUDING the ~$8K I would have saved with my AZ Plan on the GT, the sticker was ~$11K more for the DH than the GT.

I didn't say the DH was $30k more than a GT, I said it was $30k more than my GT because I didn't want a premium or any of the nanny options.

 

[roadpilot]

I didn't say the DH was $30k more than a GT, I said it was $30k more than my GT because I didn't want a premium or any of the nanny options.

You said in your first post that you paid just short of $49K for your non-nanny GT base model.

I paid $68K for my DH Premium (and $8K of that was the DH wasn't eligible for AZ Plan pricing).

That's $19K, not $30K.

 

[steyr]

I planned on getting a DH then drove both. With A/Z plan my GT was about $15k less than the Dark Horse I was going to get.

In terms of speed I felt no difference at all. The DH is 500hp, my GT is 486hp, but the Dark Horse is an extra 150lb over the GT. You can't feel the speed difference at all.

The DH suspension definitely felt better especially since my GT doesn't have Magneride. The DH just drove smoother and I could definitely feel the handling advantage over my PP1 GT.

Like someone else said it's mostly cooling and suspension upgrades that matter with the DH. It's essentially just a PP2 GT with a beefed up 5.0 like someone said if you want to add a blower. The exhaust is also very slightly louder on the DH. I think I read somewhere the resonators are different on it than the GT.

 

[Farmer Fran]

Up to you, why would you need an excuse?

If the top came off the DH, I probably would have one, but alas, this chassis cannot handle it.

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