Advice/opinions = GT 350 VS. GT 350R

[RedRaptorME]

I currently own a 2017 GT 350 in lightning blue with all the options you could put on the 350 base at the time. So far I have zero complaints and I love the GT 350. My GT 350 has 14,500 miles on it. I bought it used in January for $ 47,500.00 plus tax and title with $ 11,900 miles on it. I have also invested $ 6500.00 in PPF and ceramic coating and vehicle detailing as well. So far like I said earlier, zero problems so far and I love the car. The GT 350 is also ford certified for 12 months as well after the original warranty expires.

OK, so the ford dealer that I bought my raptor from just got in a 2019 GT 350R in early July. The general manager notified me that he had received the R and thought I might be interested. Timing could not be worse with me just purchasing the GT 350 in January. I had read a lot of articles about the R and seen a lot of videos on the GT 350 R but had never seen one in real life, so I thought I should at least put my eyes on it for myself. The R is black with the red pinstripe and is fully loaded, $ 73,000.00 MSRP. I have never been a fan of the Recaro seats in other GT 350's, but this 2019's Recaro's are actually more comfortable than my leather trimmed seats in my 2017. Upon visual inspection I was very impressed with the R from a looks standpoint, although I prefer blue or red over black, because in my opinion black is a pain in the ass to keep clean, although it looks great when cleaned. And if I bought it I would put PPF over the entire car and ceramic coating as well.

I have to say after taking it for a test drive, twice, I am very impressed. I can feel the suspension difference and the handling difference between my GT 350 and the 2019 R. The only 2 things I do not like are the back seat delete and no air conditioned seats. This summer has been very HOT ! When I first left the dealership I did not think I would trade in my GT 350 for it, but after really thinking about it after the test drive I can definitely notice the difference in driving dynamics.

The dealer has offered me $ 46,500.00 for my GT 350, which means that with him wanting $ 73,000.00(MSRP) for the R I would be paying $ 28,000.00 tax and title as a difference. KBB lists a 2017 GT 350 with 14,000 miles at a trade in value of $ 43,500.00. I did not think this was a bad price. I actually think it is very fair. Although I have $ 6500.00 in PPF and ceramic coating on the 2017 that I would be eating.

My feeling is when you consider that for 2019 and 2020 ( last year of the GT 350) ford is only producing 400 GT 350 R'S per year, less than that of the GT 500. When you go online and look for used R's even 2015-2018 with miles are being sold at MSRP, I am feeling like the R might be worth the price of admission.

A few THINGS I was wondering for GT 350 owners who have experience with both vehicles , am I imagining things when I feel like I notice the difference in performance or is it in my head ? Next is do you guys feel the price difference is FAIR ? Will the low production numbers of the R make it a more valuable GT 350 in time ?Does it make sense to own both GT 350's, or if I get the R will the 2017 GT 350 just sit in my garage ? And does the R really hold it's value that much better than a base GT 350 ?

Would appreciate some advice/input from mustang owners who have owned both and or have experience with both.

Thank You.

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[RJay]

Have you driven a 2019 GT350 base? There have been a lot of improvements between 2017 and 2019 MY's.

It's your money, but for $73,000 (+ T&T), it would have to be a color I loved and set up exactly the way I wanted it.

Although, and I'm sure R owners will correct me if I'm wrong, you can only get the Recaro seats so heating/cooling is not an option.

Your R production numbers are a little low - other than (37) R's produced in 2015, subsequent years were: 2016 = 526, 2017 = 942, 2018 = 633, 2019 = TBD, and 2010 = 840 (Projected).

 

[RedRaptorME]

Have you driven a 2019 GT350 base? There have been a lot of improvements between 2017 and 2019 MY's.

It's your money, but for $73,000 (+ T&T), it would have to be a color I loved and set up exactly the way I wanted it.

Although, and I'm sure R owners will correct me if I'm wrong, you can only get the Recaro seats so heating/cooling is not an option.

Your R production numbers are a little low - other than (37) R's produced in 2015, subsequent years were: 2016 = 526, 2017 = 942, 2018 = 633, 2019 = TBD, and 2010 = 840 (Projected).

Thank you for the input.

I apologize if my production numbers are a little low, as I got them from the regional sales manager for ford performance for the New England region. And yes I agree with you when you say “ exactly the way you want it” . As black would be my fourth color choice. Although it looks great in black. Intimidating in black.

 

[jmn444]

I would venture a guess that unless you beat the hell out of it on the test drives, you prob didn't really feel a difference in handling capabilities... I've not driven an R, so take it with a grain of salt, but the biggest difference is cup 2's vs super sports for actual performance differences... the car IS better, as it's a bit lighter and stiffer sprung and of course the lighter wheels... but unless you are tracking it, that marginal difference will never matter.

That said, life is short, if you can afford and you want, fuck it! But i'd use the $28k to travel around the country in your VERY capable and fun 2017 and hit some cool famous race tracks and make some priceless memories....

 

[svttim]

I have made the move and I am happy I did. I loved my 350 (16) but was offered the R and decided to go for it. The car is faster, handles better and is not a bad street car. I miss the heated seats but hated the cooled part. The R will always be worth more but, I dont think that would play into my decision. CF wheels are 6K ea. So, yes, the value is there

 

[TDC]

As jmn444 said, the big difference is the PSC2 tires. I have used the following tires on my car, factory Super Sports, RE11, RE71R, Sport Cup 2’s and Nitto NT01’s. Of these tires the Cup 2’s made the cars handling feel so lively and exciting. However that is an illusion of capability and a tire shouldn’t feel so twitchy as a Cup 2. To require having two hands on the wheel in heavily grooved pavement is ridiculous in my opinion and unnecessary. It does make for an entertaining short drive but becomes tiresome with no benefits over the long term.

The other change I made was to add the Ford Performance springs which lower the car a bit and feels a little more connected to the road as a result.

In case you are wondering the reason I’ve gone through so many tires is my car is primarily for the track.

 

[ZipGT350]

As jmn444 said, the big difference is the PSC2 tires. I have used the following tires on my car, factory Super Sports, RE11, RE71R, Sport Cup 2’s and Nitto NT01’s. Of these tires the Cup 2’s made the cars handling feel so lively and exciting. However that is an illusion of capability and a tire shouldn’t feel so twitchy as a Cup 2. To require having two hands on the wheel in heavily grooved pavement is ridiculous in my opinion and unnecessary. It does make for an entertaining short drive but becomes tiresome with no benefits over the long term.

The other change I made was to add the Ford Performance springs which lower the car a bit and feels a little more connected to the road as a result.

In case you are wondering the reason I’ve gone through so many tires is my car is primarily for the track.

Out of the factory Super Sports, RE11, RE71R which one would you prefer for daily use?

 

[TDC]

For a daily driver used in heavy rain the RE11 would've been my pick but they are discontinued. Therefore would stick with the Super Sports; now the Pilot Sport 4 has replaced Super Sports.

If daily driver with no heavy rain use than RE71R. Just street miles should get you 15-20k miles on a set. Plus if you ever want to track it the tires are very quick with good feel through the sidewall since they are stiff. Only available in 30 series however so the sidewall is shorter.

 

[ZipGT350]

Yeah I was looking on all the options to replace the PSS when times come but no options available to keep the 295/305/35 profile. Do you see any problem going with a 305/35/19 all around? With that there's the Nitto NT05, NT555 G2 and a few others.

 

[TDC]

If you don’t have a lot of camber in the front than you should be fine with 305/35 around on the stock wheels.

 

[PP0001]

Have you driven a 2019 GT350 base? There have been a lot of improvements between 2017 and 2019 MY's.

It's your money, but for $73,000 (+ T&T), it would have to be a color I loved and set up exactly the way I wanted it.

Although, and I'm sure R owners will correct me if I'm wrong, you can only get the Recaro seats so heating/cooling is not an option.

Your R production numbers are a little low - other than (37) R's produced in 2015, subsequent years were: 2016 = 526, 2017 = 942, 2018 = 633, 2019 = TBD, and 2010 = 840 (Projected).

For the 2019MY we already know that "KR666" is out there and presently for sale up in Ontario at MSRP so we know at least 666 R's have been built for the 2019MY.

With respect to your projected R numbers for the 2020MY I would suggest that those projected numbers may be on the high side as it has already been confirmed that Canada will only be getting 10 R's in total for the 2020MY which indicates to me that the U.S. market may be down substantially as well for this next production year.

 

[FLETCshooter]

These cars are NOT an investment! You pay more for a R so it may be worth more, but in the short term they will both lose money. Holding value is a percentage game and based on the fact cars are getting better, the won’t have that same nostalgia that the early cars do for the next generation buyer. So depreciation value will be only realized if you find a buyer who wants old school tech.

 

[RedRaptorME]

These cars are NOT an investment! You pay more for a R so it may be worth more, but in the short term they will both lose money. Holding value is a percentage game and based on the fact cars are getting better, the won’t have that same nostalgia that the early cars do for the next generation buyer. So depreciation value will be only realized if you find a buyer who wants old school tech.

I agree with you. These vehicles are to be driven and enjoyed, but for me when any vehicle hits $ 70,000.00 and up, whether it is a car or truck it does become a investment when you take into account insurance, taxes, registration, maintenance, and things like PPF and ceramic coatings to protect your car ( investment). Unless the vehicle is a tax write off for work or the vehicle is bringing in income like a work truck, they really are investments today. Unless you have jay Leno like money.

On another note, at a local vehicle show/car auction up here in maine a 1965/66 Shelby GT 350 brought in $ 300,000.00, highest priced selling vehicle at the auction.

 

[I am Jeff]

I agree with you. These vehicles are to be driven and enjoyed, but for me when any vehicle hits $ 70,000.00 and up, whether it is a car or truck it does become a investment when you take into account insurance, taxes, registration, maintenance, and things like PPF and ceramic coatings to protect your car ( investment). Unless the vehicle is a tax write off for work or the vehicle is bringing in income like a work truck, they really are investments today. Unless you have jay Leno like money.

On another note, at a local vehicle show/car auction up here in maine a 1965/66 Shelby GT 350 brought in $ 300,000.00, highest priced selling vehicle at the auction.

I made the switch from a 2018 Lightning Blue GT350 to a 2019 Performance Blue GT350R. It was substantial enough for me to make the jump. I would not pay over sticker for the R. The R will always be more highly sought after in the future than a standard GT350. Irregardless of investment status, you're paying more, but you're also retaining more value on the vehicle. If you love the R, go for it because the dealership has made your decision a lot easier by offering you a very strong trade offer.

 

[IronSooner]

Have you driven a 2019 GT350 base? There have been a lot of improvements between 2017 and 2019 MY's.

This. Go check out a 19 GT350 with all the options. Having driven a 17 and a 19, I think the 19 is loads better. It still has the heated cooled seats, has the PSC2's, has better suspension and braking, etc. And, its not 75 thousand dollars. Just something I would encourage you to look into before you make the move.

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