Madlock
Well-Known Member
- Thread starter
- #1
One of the most important questions to any person who is considering a GT350 is which option package to choose, the Track Package, Technology Package or neither.
Absent egregious dealer markups, a bare bone GT350 probably represents one of today's best performance values at $50K. It may be rather spartan for daily use, but even a base car is a terrific track car which is deficient only relative to any further benefit the Track Package's more aggressive and sophisticated suspension and robust powertrain components yield. There's no question about which I'd rather own to flog around a track on a regular basis, but I also never would hesitate to track a base GT350 on any given weekend.
Despite the greater distinction between intended purposes, the differences between the Track and Technology Packages and, more precisely, which Package to choose when ordering can be far more difficult to delineate. The choice of which box to tick for those who intend only to drive their GT350 at the track is simple. But I suggest that represents an overwhelmingly small slice of all buyers, even those who intend to buy GT350 as a direct replacement for BOSS 302 which, despite being virtually devoid of any advanced creature comfort, most drove regularly on public roads too.
Personally, I believe those who may be replacing a GT or GT500 have a far simpler decision to make in favor of the Technology Package because of the inherent amount of everyday use both of these models generally see, notwithstanding those who've modified and improved a GT and GT500 to be more track-capable. Especially for GT500 owners, for all the many terrific things S197 GT500 evolved into being, particularly good on a track with the massive Condor and Trinity mills heaving so much mass on the nose.
With GT350 having been created so specifically with the track in mind, especially those looking for a direct replacement for a more-powerful GT500, a great many are likely to do so with the intent of logging more time than ever on road courses where their cars are at their best. For these two groups whose GT350 ownership will straddle both worlds to the extent that neither will be insignificant, the choice seems to boil down to one key question.
Does GT350 with Technology Package make a more capable track car than a GT350 with Track Package for everyday use?
Cloth Recaros versus Heated and Cooled Buckets is one obvious difference, as is the existence of a bona fide infotainment system. Yet both cars have magnetic dampers which greatly improve handling, but with very different calibrations and stiffer springs and bars for the Track Package cars, but no one seems able to quantify these difference in terms of either specification or their practical performance. The two cars have subtle aerodynamic differences (why?) but otherwise rely on the same powertrain, brakes, wheels and tires.
Although the Technology Package is outnumbering the Track Package 2:1 so far, this is a question I haven't yet resolved for myself. For those who intend their GT350 to straddle both worlds, I'd appreciate knowing your minds.
Absent egregious dealer markups, a bare bone GT350 probably represents one of today's best performance values at $50K. It may be rather spartan for daily use, but even a base car is a terrific track car which is deficient only relative to any further benefit the Track Package's more aggressive and sophisticated suspension and robust powertrain components yield. There's no question about which I'd rather own to flog around a track on a regular basis, but I also never would hesitate to track a base GT350 on any given weekend.
Despite the greater distinction between intended purposes, the differences between the Track and Technology Packages and, more precisely, which Package to choose when ordering can be far more difficult to delineate. The choice of which box to tick for those who intend only to drive their GT350 at the track is simple. But I suggest that represents an overwhelmingly small slice of all buyers, even those who intend to buy GT350 as a direct replacement for BOSS 302 which, despite being virtually devoid of any advanced creature comfort, most drove regularly on public roads too.
Personally, I believe those who may be replacing a GT or GT500 have a far simpler decision to make in favor of the Technology Package because of the inherent amount of everyday use both of these models generally see, notwithstanding those who've modified and improved a GT and GT500 to be more track-capable. Especially for GT500 owners, for all the many terrific things S197 GT500 evolved into being, particularly good on a track with the massive Condor and Trinity mills heaving so much mass on the nose.
With GT350 having been created so specifically with the track in mind, especially those looking for a direct replacement for a more-powerful GT500, a great many are likely to do so with the intent of logging more time than ever on road courses where their cars are at their best. For these two groups whose GT350 ownership will straddle both worlds to the extent that neither will be insignificant, the choice seems to boil down to one key question.
Does GT350 with Technology Package make a more capable track car than a GT350 with Track Package for everyday use?
Cloth Recaros versus Heated and Cooled Buckets is one obvious difference, as is the existence of a bona fide infotainment system. Yet both cars have magnetic dampers which greatly improve handling, but with very different calibrations and stiffer springs and bars for the Track Package cars, but no one seems able to quantify these difference in terms of either specification or their practical performance. The two cars have subtle aerodynamic differences (why?) but otherwise rely on the same powertrain, brakes, wheels and tires.
Although the Technology Package is outnumbering the Track Package 2:1 so far, this is a question I haven't yet resolved for myself. For those who intend their GT350 to straddle both worlds, I'd appreciate knowing your minds.
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