Test Drove and Ordered a 2023 Premium LFP Battery Mach E

[BadgerGreg]

I just test drove the 2023 Mach E Premium RWD SR (LFP battery version) to confirm whether this is the right car to replace my wife's Ford Explorer. I was 95% sure we would commit to the purchase, but I just wanted to get behind the wheel of this particular model to make sure it would meet our needs. I was very happy, and I committed to purchasing a Rapid Red model that is already in transit (we should get it in a week or two).

This Mach E will be our second Mach E purchase (last one was a 2021 Premium AWD ER, which I sold over a year ago) and our third EV purchase (I currently drive a BMW i4 M50). We've finally made the full commitment to EVs, although our kids will inherit the older Explorer and they'll still have to pump gas for a few more years.

My impressions of the test drive were really positive. I knew how the Mach E handled, although I like the playfulness of the RWD...really easy to apply a bit of oversteer around curves. The acceleration is going to be more than enough (at least for my wife ). I'm a bit ambivalent over the new aero wheels. They look better from a distance, IMHO, but I understand the need for efficiency.

After recently renting a couple of Teslas (3 and Y) for long road trips, I can confidently say that Ford is still keeping the build quality at a higher level with the Mach E. I'm glad to have one back in the garage! Also, I'm looking forward to experiencing Blue Cruise 1.2 (and 1.3)!

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[4sallypat]

Looks great!

I really wanted LFP for my order, as I prefer to charge to 100% every time.

RWD is lots of fun - reminds me of the BMWs I drove many models back in the 1990-2010.

The price point is the really nice part and since the mobile charger is not included, I could care less.

BC 1.3 is a trial - is that correct ?

Will you be paying for BC after the trial ?

 

[RickMachE]

All BlueCruise is a trial. The difference is the term of the trial, and the renewal price.

 

[BadgerGreg]

The price point is the really nice part and since the mobile charger is not included, I could care less.

BC 1.3 is a trial - is that correct ?

Will you be paying for BC after the trial ?

Can't argue with $49K and 0% financing for 60 months, which incidentally ends later this week. The car should hopefully come with BC 1.2, and we'll be waiting patiently with the rest of you for 1.3.

I will almost definitely purchase the 3-year BC package after the trial, given that I'm used to the ADAS on the BMW, and I really don't want to live without it. Everything I've seen and read on BC 1.3 is really positive, and it looks like a bargain compared to the much more expensive (and inferior) autopilot options on the Tesla. I've used Tesla Autopilot on long road trips, and it's honestly not that great.

 

[LincolnLuvr]

Those wheels look great up close! How was the ride? Was it bouncy?

 

[JeffGo]

Those wheels mostly hide the ugly calipers and rusty discs.

 

[alexgorod]

I will almost definitely purchase the 3-year BC package after the trial, given that I'm used to the ADAS on the BMW, and I really don't want to live without it. Everything I've seen and read on BC 1.3 is really positive, and it looks like a bargain compared to the much more expensive (and inferior) autopilot options on the Tesla. I've used Tesla Autopilot on long road trips, and it's honestly not that great.

That's interesting. How much are you willing to pay, and is your wife doing a lot of driving on BC-mapped freeways, or you both are planning to use this car for long trips?

 

[BadgerGreg]

Those wheels look great up close! How was the ride? Was it bouncy?

The ride was pretty similar to my 2021 AWD ER, mainly because the SR LFP battery is probably about the same weight as the ER battery. I didn't test it on the highway. Didn't seem bouncy, and I'm not sure whether that means Ford has adjusted the suspension or if I just wasn't sensitive to it in the first place.

 

[Ford Motor Company]

I just test drove the 2023 Mach E Premium RWD SR (LFP battery version) to confirm whether this is the right car to replace my wife's Ford Explorer. I was 95% sure we would commit to the purchase, but I just wanted to get behind the wheel of this particular model to make sure it would meet our needs. I was very happy, and I committed to purchasing a Rapid Red model that is already in transit (we should get it in a week or two).

This Mach E will be our second Mach E purchase (last one was a 2021 Premium AWD ER, which I sold over a year ago) and our third EV purchase (I currently drive a BMW i4 M50). We've finally made the full commitment to EVs, although our kids will inherit the older Explorer and they'll still have to pump gas for a few more years.

My impressions of the test drive were really positive. I knew how the Mach E handled, although I like the playfulness of the RWD...really easy to apply a bit of oversteer around curves. The acceleration is going to be more than enough (at least for my wife ). I'm a bit ambivalent over the new aero wheels. They look better from a distance, IMHO, but I understand the need for efficiency.

After recently renting a couple of Teslas (3 and Y) for long road trips, I can confidently say that Ford is still keeping the build quality at a higher level with the Mach E. I'm glad to have one back in the garage! Also, I'm looking forward to experiencing Blue Cruise 1.2 (and 1.3)!

We can't wait to get you in your new Mach-E! Thanks for sharing.

 

[BadgerGreg]

That's interesting. How much are you willing to pay, and is your wife doing a lot of driving on BC-mapped freeways, or you both are planning to use this car for long trips?

I believe the 3-year plan is $1,200 $2,100 [edited]. Given how well the system works, I'm willing to pay for that. For comparison, I think Tesla charges $6,000 for enhanced Auto Pilot.

We live in the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area, and most of our nearby highways are pre-mapped. Lots of trips to the ocean and to the Blue Ridge Mountains. I don't worry too much about long-distance driving, as our destinations are pretty well covered with charging options.

 

[HuntingPudel]

The ride was pretty similar to my 2021 AWD ER, mainly because the SR LFP battery is probably about the same weight as the ER battery. I didn't test it on the highway. Didn't seem bouncy, and I'm not sure whether that means Ford has adjusted the suspension or if I just wasn't sensitive to it in the first place.

It’s probably because your speed and road combination didn’t trigger the uncontrolled rebound oscillation. The thing is that if your normal roads are what you test drove on, you won’t experience the “bounciness.” If not, Konis might be in your wife’s future. ??

 

[generaltso]

The car should hopefully come with BC 1.2, and we'll be waiting patiently with the rest of you for 1.3.

The 2023.5 cars come with BC 1.3 from the factory.

 

[RickMachE]

I believe the 3-year plan is $1,200. Given how well the system works, I'm willing to pay for that. For comparison, I think Tesla charges $6,000 for enhanced Auto Pilot.

We live in the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area, and most of our nearby highways are pre-mapped. Lots of trips to the ocean and to the Blue Ridge Mountains. I don't worry too much about long-distance driving, as our destinations are pretty well covered with charging options.

I believe it is $2,100.

 

[BadgerGreg]

It’s probably because your speed and road combination didn’t trigger the uncontrolled rebound oscillation. The thing is that if your normal roads are what you test drove on, you won’t experience the “bounciness.” If not, Konis might be in your wife’s future. ??

Well, we're driving on North Carolina roads now, which are WAY better than Michigan roads. The relative smoothness of our local roads and highways may help offset that a bit.

 

[BadgerGreg]

The 2023.5 cars come with BC 1.3 from the factory.

That would be great...good to know that!

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