[50MileSmile]

Originally Posted by Eldi Z

Can you compare the M2 to the 1LE? I would have thought that the M2 is a serious all-rounder and in some form would be a match for the 1LE + feeling a lot lighter / agile in DD duty.

I thought the updated ('18) M2 would be a great choice, based on all the reviews and reports from owners - but the best word I can use to describe it is boring. I got the DCT, since I wanted the highest-performing M2, but after several times of banging off seriously fast shifts, the novelty was gone and there just wasn't anything left to interest me. It was also irritating that the there were only two mode choices for the exhaust/steering/suspension, and you couldn't mix settings; you had to pick one or the other. (This is fixed in the new "M2 Competition.") In fact, there wasn't any mystery or challenge in getting the most out of the handling that was there; it was easy to figure out the limits of the car.

In most uses, being in the M2 felt like driving my 87-year-old mother's Altima around town - no need to push it. Plus, the M2 was outrageously expensive for what it delivered ($21K more than my 1LE, out the door). And the construction quality (rattles and creaks), quality of materials (touch the plastic and you'll leave a mark), overly complicated controls (something like 7 button pushes and knob spins to pick a radio station) and a lot of hidden, illogical and distracting functions made it irritating to drive. I've never been more disappointed in a car - OK, it was a tie with the GT 350 for the bottom of the list, but for totally different reasons.

Interestingly, the M2 didn't really feel more "agile" than a 1LE - a little lighter on its feet, maybe. Although the M2 felt a little more sophisticated, the 1LE feels more like a hot rod and a car that just wants to have fun. Yes, the 1LE is heavier, and some would say that it's not as "cool" as a BMW, but it's a helluva lot more interesting to drive in most uses than the M2 - and the 1LE will run circles around the M2 on the track.

This time, I wanted a real "ultimate driver's machine," and the 1LE is it. Chevy has made a mistake by not really marketing the 1LE - it really is one of the fastest, most interesting, well-balanced, fairly priced, high-performance cars on the market today. It's not perfect (Did I mention the rear vision?), but it's the first car I've owned in awhile that really makes me want to get out and drive it - instead of getting pissed off at it when I see it taking up space in my garage.

[Gunkk]

Originally Posted by Eldi Z

Can you compare the M2 to the 1LE? I would have thought that the M2 is a serious all-rounder and in some form would be a match for the 1LE + feeling a lot lighter / agile in DD duty.

Watch the head to head video.

https://youtu.be/bCp3KOJ4jZQ

hint: it’s the LT not SS.

[Atlas24601]

My first car was a 97 Mustang GT. Second was a 97 Cobra Convertible. I was heavily biased to go for the Mustang, but test driving proved the 6th Gen SS 1LE was simply on a different level.

[metros11]

Originally Posted by mulage

I just did and WOW what a car this 1LE is,

That's what i did last week, just purchased a black 18 1ss 1le and I love it!

what a car this is and I got a heck of a deal on it!, have owned mustang since 18 years old, (39 now) and
have to admit mustangs are in trouble

If sales are to go by, the Mustang has nothing to worry about. Congrats on the 1LE though.

[Bosse'sBoss]

I had a great looking and good track handling '11 Mustang GT 5.0 trackpackaged with aftermarket suspension parts (springs, shocks, adjustable sway bars, shock mounts and wider tires) that I enjoyed taking to my local PCA and after test driving a 5th gen Camaro SS 1LE and a Camaro ZL1, both stock, that I felt like driving on rails, great handling cars. I switched for a great looking '14 ZL1. Afterwards I switched to a great handling Corvette Stingray Z51, great looking car but a big headache on the repairs side. Very sorry to let go of my bulletproof ZL1, also a great looking Muscle car.

In this order of preference:
1.-5th gen '14 Camaro ZL1
2.-'11 Mustang GT 5.0
3.-'05 Infiniti G35 sport coupe
4.-'14 Corvette Stingray Z51
5.-'02 Porsche 911 Carrera

Both the Corvette and 911 are way below on my list because of their poor reliability.

[Atlas24601]

I was heavily biased to go for the Mustang. My first car was a Mustang GT and my second was a Cobra Mustang convertible. Test driving proved the SS 1LE was on a totally different level than the new Mustang though.

The only things I liked better about the Mustang was the visibility, the styling, the trunk space, and the potential to try to find one in the now cancelled Guard Green color which I think is one of the best looking colors ever put on any car.

[Bosse'sBoss]

Another picture that I found of my prior '11 5.0. I think that that Mustang gen was better built than the actual Mustang.

[AZ_1LE]

I've have a 2000 GT that was a fun car (back in the mid 2000's), then a few other cars, then a new-at-the-time 2011 5.0 which I really did like, but sold it for an Audi S4 a little while later.

Two of my friends race their S197's in NASA and Pro Autosports, one of them dailies a 2015 GT. They were both VERY happy for me when they found out I got a 2017 1LE, they both gave me props and we've had fun out on track.

[Eldi Z]

Originally Posted by 50MileSmile

I thought the updated ('18) M2 would be a great choice, based on all the reviews and reports from owners - but the best word I can use to describe it is boring. I got the DCT, since I wanted the highest-performing M2, but after several times of banging off seriously fast shifts, the novelty was gone and there just wasn't anything left to interest me. It was also irritating that the there were only two mode choices for the exhaust/steering/suspension, and you couldn't mix settings; you had to pick one or the other. (This is fixed in the new "M2 Competition.") In fact, there wasn't any mystery or challenge in getting the most out of the handling that was there; it was easy to figure out the limits of the car.

In most uses, being in the M2 felt like driving my 87-year-old mother's Altima around town - no need to push it. Plus, the M2 was outrageously expensive for what it delivered ($21K more than my 1LE, out the door). And the construction quality (rattles and creaks), quality of materials (touch the plastic and you'll leave a mark), overly complicated controls (something like 7 button pushes and knob spins to pick a radio station) and a lot of hidden, illogical and distracting functions made it irritating to drive. I've never been more disappointed in a car - OK, it was a tie with the GT 350 for the bottom of the list, but for totally different reasons.

Interestingly, the M2 didn't really feel more "agile" than a 1LE - a little lighter on its feet, maybe. Although the M2 felt a little more sophisticated, the 1LE feels more like a hot rod and a car that just wants to have fun. Yes, the 1LE is heavier, and some would say that it's not as "cool" as a BMW, but it's a helluva lot more interesting to drive in most uses than the M2 - and the 1LE will run circles around the M2 on the track.

This time, I wanted a real "ultimate driver's machine," and the 1LE is it. Chevy has made a mistake by not really marketing the 1LE - it really is one of the fastest, most interesting, well-balanced, fairly priced, high-performance cars on the market today. It's not perfect (Did I mention the rear vision?), but it's the first car I've owned in awhile that really makes me want to get out and drive it - instead of getting pissed off at it when I see it taking up space in my garage.

Thanks for this detailed overview. You enlightened me. A friend has a black 2016 M2 and seeing it from the "outside" and the way it drives next to me (I am in my 1LE) it always seems as if he is more agile in turns...but this is street, not track.

[Eldi Z]

Originally Posted by Gunkk

Watch the head to head video.

https://youtu.be/bCp3KOJ4jZQ

hint: it’s the LT not SS.

Yep. Seen this vid

[madscotsman]

Long time Mustang owner here. Had an 06' a 13' and a 12'. 12' was a Roush Stage 3, Phase 3 I traded for my 1LE. Although I really like my 1LE, I do miss the 675 horses the mustang had. NOTHING compares to the sound and never ending acceleration g's of a supercharged V8. Never had anyone mess with me in the Roush, but have had at least 3 different Mustangs mess with me in the month I've had the 1LE.

[Boost Creep]

Turbo.

[Eldi Z]

Originally Posted by madscotsman

Long time Mustang owner here. Had an 06' a 13' and a 12'. 12' was a Roush Stage 3, Phase 3 I traded for my 1LE. Although I really like my 1LE, I do miss the 675 horses the mustang had. NOTHING compares to the sound and never ending acceleration g's of a supercharged V8. Never had anyone mess with me in the Roush, but have had at least 3 different Mustangs mess with me in the month I've had the 1LE.

Very clear path to accomplishing power goals with your 1LE: SC Centri, SC PD or all the way to Turbos. It then remains a Warranty consideration if to do it or not.

[arpad_m]

Originally Posted by madscotsman

Long time Mustang owner here. Had an 06' a 13' and a 12'. 12' was a Roush Stage 3, Phase 3 I traded for my 1LE. Although I really like my 1LE, I do miss the 675 horses the mustang had. NOTHING compares to the sound and never ending acceleration g's of a supercharged V8. Never had anyone mess with me in the Roush, but have had at least 3 different Mustangs mess with me in the month I've had the 1LE.

Give her a blower and you'll roust those Mustangs messing with you.