I like MS's theroy about cheap pads are softer...therefore they stop good. Swat-eye used on my disc update.
Since I "work" at Pep Boyz lot of people go with the ceramic pads. Big selling point is they don't make the blk/brown brake dust tht stick to your rims. They dust....just not blk/brown....cost more.....harder than  cheaper pads....sooo the stopping issue. NOT say'in they won't stop ya.....just logical  that softer pads "should" grip a little better. BUTT.....they wear out quicker!
6sal6

When we used to race, most guys that didn't use the porterfield r4 for racing or r4s for street, then the cheapest organic pads were used for track events in norcal saac.  I highly recommended the porterfield r4s carbon Kevlar street pads that are low dust and work really well.  I try to stay away from ceramic pads, as they tend to create hot spots, and on some rotors, warpage occurs. Some ceramic compounds have too many aramid fibers, which cause these hot spot, warping problems, and after awhile glaze rotors which make them sound like a garbage truck. Sometimes it makes a difference how you break /bed them in, or if they are going on a used rotor.  Years ago, if you put semimetallic pads or ceramic pads on rotors made for organic pads, the metallic pads would superheat and sometimes catch on fire. Now days, I think the rotor material is all the same.

BobC wrote:

Good information about brake pads.  I have a take off set of calipers, rotors and pads to install on the wifes 05 GT. Her current brakes (original) have produced very little dust in the 8 years they have been on. I hope the new ones don't suprise me with a lot of dust when installed. Hope to hear how the expensive pad perform. I believe my take offs were from a 2010 GT.

 BobC, you can upgrade to the 13.2" brakes from a newer Mustang also.  Roush sells the rotors and caliper set for $125 shipped now !!!  Those new original pads won't dust on you.  My 07 never made brake dust.  The GT500 brakes are notorious for turning wheels black in a day.  I hope I am not disappointed in the HAWK pads I bought for them.  I have the HAWKS in the rear and they do not turn the wheels black.