GT350 $110k

[Ninjak]

I will share this with you. I came out of a 700+ 10 sec 11 GT500 with a lot of upgraded goodies. Yes it was fast. very fast. But in no way shape of form could it drive and handle like my 17 GT350. The GT350 is a 'driver's' car. If you like to drive, then that is the car for you. Planted, maneuverable, and yes, the howl it makes at 8k rpm is a symphony. Sure there are faster cars. There are cars with more HP. But the 350 is special. I do not miss my GT500 at all.

As I tell many people. You can make ANYTHING faster....but a pure driver's car is totally different. (Besides do what I did and my sig, and you will be plenty fast N/A)

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[marks]

I will share this with you. I came out of a 700+ 10 sec 11 GT500 with a lot of upgraded goodies. Yes it was fast. very fast. But in no way shape of form could it drive and handle like my 17 GT350. The GT350 is a 'driver's' car. If you like to drive, then that is the car for you. Planted, maneuverable, and yes, the howl it makes at 8k rpm is a symphony. Sure there are faster cars. There are cars with more HP. But the 350 is special. I do not miss my GT500 at all.

As I tell many people. You can make ANYTHING faster....but a pure driver's car is totally different. (Besides do what I did and my sig, and you will be plenty fast N/A)

Agreed. That's why I said above that the GT500 would not interest me. The GT350 seems like perfection to me as its simple, sounds great and looks fantastic. I can see the GT500 being over engineered and overly complicated. Modifying doesn't always give you a well rounded car.

Are you looking to sell your GT350?! ;)

 

[combustor]

Extensive? Not sure about that. Added cooling and off the shelf wheels, tires, and suspension components.

"Added cooling" requires either some very creative solutions for the MT82 or a transmission swap, and a pump and heat exchanger setup for the differential. Major surgery that will be expensive and less robust than an already engineered and tested solution found in the 350

 

[marks]

Anyway, still not got an answer! ;)

GT350, 911 or Grand Sport?

 

[Twin Turbo]

You mention you don't want to mod your S550 for fear of losing the warranty...........if you import an GT350 (or Grand Sport), that won't come with a warranty either (unless you buy a 3rd party warranty which will likely be useless)

 

[combustor]

Anyway, still not got an answer! ;)

GT350, 911 or Grand Sport?

You want something that sounds great, and like the look of the 350. Are you asking for our permission to buy one? Nothing else sounds like it, you can't get a high performance 911 with a manual transmission anymore. Just be warned that the GT350 is not more carefully assembled than a base ecoboost. If you care about paint quality, panel gaps, plastic interior etc, you'll be happier with a 911 which is much better in these areas (and also much more expensive in the US). I don't care about those things and am glad Ford spend the whole budget on making the car faster and more robust in a performance sense.

 

[The_Phantom]

Anyway, still not got an answer! ;)

GT350, 911 or Grand Sport?

911.

It has always been, and likely will always be, considered the best driver's car out there. Plus, they hold their values very well, have much better build quality, etc.

It sounds to me like you want to buy the GT350 and are just looking for a wave of people to help you justify it. Buy what you want...it's your money.

 

[w3rkn]

Marks...

The Mustang is an American icon. Detroit just had the Woodward Dream Cruise that had every car maker & models from all over the world, & from every era and year. Almost none of those cars were stock. People who desire to feed their passion, do not compromise. As such, the Mustang typically is a car you buy once and keep... and while you keep it, you MODIFY it to your particular interests.

That is what the Mustang is.




So, I do not know how valid you claims of "insurance", "depreciation", or "warranty", .. are, or why they apply. Do you not drive your car..? Or is it just a garage queen, meant for looks..?

Do you have a Ford Performance book..? I suggest you take some time and INVEST into searching/finding a flex-tune and modifying your car to breath better. If you want your car to dance better, then give it better suspension & shoes, etc. None of that effect insurance, depreciation, etc...

Make your car, yours...!

 

[marks]

You mention you don't want to mod your S550 for fear of losing the warranty...........if you import an GT350 (or Grand Sport), that won't come with a warranty either (unless you buy a 3rd party warranty which will likely be useless)

You can get the Grand Sport officially from Chev with a warranty. You can get an insurance backed warranty with the GT350.

 

[marks]

Nothing else sounds like it, you can't get a high performance 911 with a manual transmission anymore.

Yes you can. All the standard 911s plus the GT3 has now been made stick again

 

[sdiver68]

"Added cooling" requires either some very creative solutions for the MT82 or a transmission swap, and a pump and heat exchanger setup for the differential. Major surgery that will be expensive and less robust than an already engineered and tested solution found in the 350

I'm far more interested in enabling the 10R80. Software and hardware.

Towing experience (and that of the A10 Camaro) suggests it's as easy as adding the available external cooler. Google '10R80 overheating', you won't find much and what you do find is addressed with the cooler and clean air.

 

[combustor]

Yes you can. All the standard 911s plus the GT3 has now been made stick again

the choice is easy then. $110k is so close to GT3 money it would be foolish to spend that on a GT350. I love the GT350 but the GT3 is a hell of a car. The price difference in the US is over 100% though.

 

[combustor]

I'm far more interested in enabling the 10R80. Software and hardware.

Towing experience suggests it's as easy as adding the available external cooler. Google '10R80 overheating', you won't find much and what you do find is addressed with the cooler.

I don't have much experience with autos but I'm sure at the minimum you'll need a giant cooler to avoid limp mode. Towing is not even in the same universe of stress as track driving though. The differential cooling hardware alone is $2k, and without that one component you'll be in limp mode or trash the diff in short order. Now upgrade the brakes, add provisions for brake cooling, upgrade the suspension, bigger oil cooler, wheels,...you'll end up spending more than the 350, with less reliability because it's cobbled together. You can still have fun with the GT w/PP, and get some good laps in, but it will not withstand a full session of hot laps without $10k+ in parts.

 

[IronG]

Anyway, still not got an answer! ;)

GT350, 911 or Grand Sport?

I would go with the 911 without too much thought, but I love Porsches. I really think it depends on what you want and the money you want to spend. A Carrera 4s would be my choice if you can swing it. I had the pleasure of driving my neighbors for some track time. It is sweet! It puts my Cayman to shame as good as it is. I have not driven a GT350 or GS so can't compare them.

 

[Wriggly]

Anyway, still not got an answer! ;)

GT350, 911 or Grand Sport?

I wouldn't dream of trying to tell someone what car to get. However, I can tell you I own a 17 GT 350 and it's a fantastic car. I also own an 18 718 Cayman GTS and hands down overall it's the winner. Slightly faster straight line, gobs more low end torque than the VooDoo, rides better, handles better and it's more comfortable. The Grandsport is the best bargain of all the iterations of the Corvette. Personally, I wouldn't own a Corvette.

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