17RubyShelbyGT350
First Ford - First Shelby
- Joined
- Nov 15, 2017
- Threads
- 13
- Messages
- 135
- Reaction score
- 149
- Location
- Gainesville, FL
- Vehicle(s)
- 2017 Shelby GT350-Conven Pkg - 1st Perf Mods Done
Which One?
Which one - well, what are you going to do with this toy and how are you going to use it? Are you one of a relatively few people who can effectively take advantage of the performance differences between this car? Is this just a purchase to impress others? Honestly, how will the car be used? Do you think that 25 years from now you will cash in big time because it is an "R?" All very personal decisions for each us.
In my case, this toy will be in my garage 90+ percent of the time and 90+% of the rest of the time it will be on the street where you cannot come close to utilizing the capabilities of either car. And, now well into my 60's, whatever track skills I had cannot be at the same level as they were decades ago....just a fact. And being my age, I could care less what differences in value these two cars will have in the market place in 2042, as I will either be dead or at least not driving (unlike some folks I see around here!).
If I could have bought an R with a convenience package at MSRP, I might have done it, but Rs don't come that way, and none I saw nearly two months ago were less than 12k over MSRP. The standard Recaros do not blend well with folks who have football knees or a lower spinal fusion, no matter how HWP they might be. And the R tires are extremely high wear, street marginal rubber - so even at MSRP, not sure I would have bought it. And it is nice to have air conditioned seats, even in northern FL.
All that said, the one area of disappointment for me was finding out that Ford put 31 lb boat anchor wheels on the GT350 when they could have easily sourced wheels 5-6lbs lighter on a mass purchase, for not that much more money. Just my opinion, but I don't think this was just about pinching pennies, but also a way to exacerbate the improvements brought by the insanely expensive 18 lb carbon fiber wheels on the R. The market is awash with true forged aluminum wheels running 21-23 lbs, which is a huge rotational mass reduction from the stockers. Add a set of Michelin PS 4S tires and you will minimize performance difference with the Sport Cup tires without suffering the severe wear and weather limitations of those track specials. I had a conversation with a lead Ford aftermarket performance supplier who told me that running the lighter wheels will be perfectly fine. And no, I will not have the precise shock tuning or front springs of the "R" but as previously mentioned - realistically I am no longer a good enough driver to take advantage of those.
So, whatever you choose, it's the right choice for you and just go out and enjoy the hell out of it. That's what I am going to do - especially after making a few changes. :cheers:
Which one - well, what are you going to do with this toy and how are you going to use it? Are you one of a relatively few people who can effectively take advantage of the performance differences between this car? Is this just a purchase to impress others? Honestly, how will the car be used? Do you think that 25 years from now you will cash in big time because it is an "R?" All very personal decisions for each us.
In my case, this toy will be in my garage 90+ percent of the time and 90+% of the rest of the time it will be on the street where you cannot come close to utilizing the capabilities of either car. And, now well into my 60's, whatever track skills I had cannot be at the same level as they were decades ago....just a fact. And being my age, I could care less what differences in value these two cars will have in the market place in 2042, as I will either be dead or at least not driving (unlike some folks I see around here!).
If I could have bought an R with a convenience package at MSRP, I might have done it, but Rs don't come that way, and none I saw nearly two months ago were less than 12k over MSRP. The standard Recaros do not blend well with folks who have football knees or a lower spinal fusion, no matter how HWP they might be. And the R tires are extremely high wear, street marginal rubber - so even at MSRP, not sure I would have bought it. And it is nice to have air conditioned seats, even in northern FL.
All that said, the one area of disappointment for me was finding out that Ford put 31 lb boat anchor wheels on the GT350 when they could have easily sourced wheels 5-6lbs lighter on a mass purchase, for not that much more money. Just my opinion, but I don't think this was just about pinching pennies, but also a way to exacerbate the improvements brought by the insanely expensive 18 lb carbon fiber wheels on the R. The market is awash with true forged aluminum wheels running 21-23 lbs, which is a huge rotational mass reduction from the stockers. Add a set of Michelin PS 4S tires and you will minimize performance difference with the Sport Cup tires without suffering the severe wear and weather limitations of those track specials. I had a conversation with a lead Ford aftermarket performance supplier who told me that running the lighter wheels will be perfectly fine. And no, I will not have the precise shock tuning or front springs of the "R" but as previously mentioned - realistically I am no longer a good enough driver to take advantage of those.
So, whatever you choose, it's the right choice for you and just go out and enjoy the hell out of it. That's what I am going to do - especially after making a few changes. :cheers:
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