i have a 2012 performance package. the strut brace is 150 the sway bars are a few hundred and need to pay to install, the calipers are nice, the high friction pads are b.s., the rims are really nice and good size and so are the tires, the black mirrors are 150 and look much better with them, trust me, the engine cover is nice for appearance, the traction control is great, gives you 5 options, idk how you would buy that, the 3.31 gears are perfect, great for acceleration and good mpg, that with install would probably cost around 500, and it comes with a posi rear which means it puts power and traction down to both rear wheels rather than one so you don't leave one tire mark and do a one wheel wonder. overall its a great package and helps with handling a lot and better acceleration and appearance. i think that its worth it. no regrets.

 

Good to know! Thanks for the info. I'm sold.

I was just looking for ways to bring down the cost since it's just slightly out of my price range. Hopefully the X plan discount is as good a discount as I need!

 

i have a '13 v6 on order also and found that for what you get the performance package is a joke. it's all just slightly better than stock stuff and on top of the actual performance part the wheels are ugly as sin on the '13. along with ugly wheels you're getting 19" wheels that will cost alot more to put tires on than 18's. we decided to go with the mca package instead and i'll add suspension parts that will do a MUCH better job later.

 

I actually prefer the wheels that come with the MCA package too.

You guys seem to confirm what I was originally thinking. How much is a decent quality total aftermarket suspension?

 

The performance package stuff is just GT parts. You'd be better off not getting the perf package, and just adding stuff that *you* select. You're gonna end up doing that anyway, so there's no point in letting Ford charge you for it. And that's precisely the reason that I selected a base V6 - it's just a starting point.

 

And that's precisely the reason that I selected a base V6 - it's just a starting point.

Thats exactally the same reason why I bought my 2012 base V6 manual. I bought my car for HPDE events and I'm already saving up for replacement wheels and front SVT brake conversion & upgrading the rear rotors to 13" ones from Steeda. I also plan on getting the Steeda sport springs and front/rear sway bars by end of year. I just feel that aftermarket is better.


Now just for informational purposes only I came up with this.

PERFORMANCE PACKAGE PARTS LIST;

Front Springs~ BR33-5310-DB
Front struts~ BR33-18042-BD
Front sway bar~ 34.6mm
Rear springs~ BR33-5560-AB (same as the base V6 & GT models)
Rear shocks~ BR33-18080-BC
Rear sway bar~ 24mm

GT500 rear lower control arms (not bad, but not the best either. I'm changing mine to SVT's)
Boss 302 front upper strut brace (what can I say? it works)
3:31.1 axle (the 2:73.1 is nothing to sneeze at IMO, just keep your RPM's over 3000 and its fine)

GT's front rotors
GT's struts/shocks

The base V6 shares the same rear rotors and calipers as the GT's along with the same rear springs. Seems like the PP is basically different front springs and slightly firmer shocks/struts and sway bars. The thing is the PP V6 actually does very well on HPDE course's.


As far as wheels, I chose the 2007 GT500's staggered 255/45/18's front and 285/40/18 rears

 

depends on what you are expecting to do with the car. if you are having issues w/ wheel hop you can just change out the LCA's. you can spend up to 5 or 6 grand on suspension, but that's pretty literally going all out. i'd say most people that just DD their car and want it lowered and to handle better will spend about 1500-2000

 

I have the performance package and love it. Only thing i would add is that doing some of this stuff aftermarket has a high chance of voiding the warranty. Just another thing to consider.

 

if you change the suspension and your engine dies you'll be fine. if you lower the car and then start having issues w/ the rest of the suspension they aren't going to do anything for you.

suspension is actually very easy to do even if you've never worked on a car. you're mechanically inclined so just do it yourself. if you don't have basic tools just go buy a basic tool set and a torque wrench. the tools themself don't have to be super expensive, but i wouldn't buy your torque wrench from autozone. get at least a decent one. you could also just get a loaner from autozone.

 

what's the point in saying you'd be spending 6k for the PP. you're not at all. sure i get that if the sole reason you would get the premium is for the PP then maybe, but who would actually buy the premium for literally no other reason than to get some crap "upgrades". they wouldn't just for that. you buy premium because you want a nicer car from the start w/o having to spend that same 5-6 grand to have the same features

 

If you want a 2013 then get it with the Recora seats, if you want to save money go with the 2012 which you can save anywhere between $2000 and $4000 over the 2013. I wastalking to the tecs at Ford Racing this morning and they said that the FRPP handeling pack if by far better then the Preformance Pack equipment and its running at $1199 rightknow too. I like the 11-12 rims better then the 13s and if you plan on changing them any way just get the base model or what every you can get the better deal on. I was going to order a 12 when i got my 11 and save 4k by going with the 11.
other then that I like the recaro seats option and the gt500 look of the 13. I wish I would have waited but I neededa new car.oh and the tack apps only come witht the premium package .

 

Here are the links to the hamdling pack and seats.
2005-2012 MUSTANG V6 COUPE HANDLING PACK (1" DROP) | Part Details for M-FR3-MV6A* | Ford Racing Performance Parts
Ford Racing Mustang Handling Pack - Coupe (11-13 V6) M-FR3-MV6A - Free Shipping!
Ford Racing Recaro Mustang Race Seats - Set of 2 (11-13) M-63660005-MB - Free Shipping!
here is a link to build your own mustang. enter your zip and it should pop up with a 2013 base model v6 manual with pp and recaro seats. $26,585 this is as cheep as it gets that I would go if I were to order one. if you pay any more then get a GT they start out at $30k
Build Your 2013 Ford Mustang[|Ford|Mustang|2013|1|1.|100A.P8A....88U.~YZKAA.44X.V6.COU.LESS.67B.]

 

Build Your 2013 Ford Mustang

the last link did not work so try this one.

 

it's crazy that they want nearly 3k for the seats.

 

ya I know thats why Im tempted to trade in my 11, to get the seats and hid lights and have the same boddy at the gt. but i heard the 2015 is suppose to be a mager change so i my gust wait.
but if i would get a 13 I would get with the seats. i went to one of the local ford dealers and they had all the BS option that I would never get like the teck option, that the seats. Im not going to pay 26k for a base model with a teck option the priem is the same price.