Advice/opinions = GT 350 VS. GT 350R

[PP0001]

WOW ! I did'nt know there was going to be a $ 5000.00 MSRP price increase coming in 2020. 2020 GT 350R prices = $ 73,000.00 + $ 5000.00 + $ 10,000.00 possibly ADM'S = $ 89,000.00 GT350 R potentially. I love the GT 350 and the GT 350 R but without a real interior upgrade almost $ 90,000.00 with ADM'S is a tough pill to swallow in 2020.

And you know Ford dealers will be beating the " last year drum with low production numbers". Makes me glad I got mine yesterday at MSRP.

Although for the sake of value and rarity I really hope Ford takes at least a 5 year brake from producing GT 350's and they don't dilute the market with them, because it will kill their value. I will be disappointed.

When I priced out a fully loaded 2020 R model the other day I believe that it came in at $79,110 and do remember that the MSRP was between $79K and $80K.

I know this is like comparing apples and oranges but my 2018 Base R model came ~$14,000 cheaper than a fully loaded 2020 R model and yes there are not many people such as me that enjoy giving up items such as a radio, AC, navigation and so on.

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[RedRaptorME]

When I priced out a fully loaded 2020 R model the other day I believe that it came in at $79,110 and do remember that the MSRP was between $79K and $80K.

I know this is like comparing apples and oranges but my 2018 Base R model came ~$14,000 cheaper than a fully loaded 2020 R model and yes there are not many people such as me that enjoy giving up items such as a radio, AC, navigation and so on.

I agree with you 100 percent !

I almost did not get the R yesterday because it does not come with air cooled seats, backseats, and power front seats. I know it sounds petty, and hardcore GT 350R guys would tell me to man up, but when you pay $ 73,000.00 for a high end performance car it should be 100 percent loaded ! Power everything in my opinion.

Please don’t get me wrong, I love my GT 350 R and for the performance and carbon fiber you get the gt 350 r is actually a bargain, but $ 79,000.00 MSRP is a lot , but I would not be surprised if ford adds power seats and heated and cooled seats for 2020.

Loaded gt 500 = $ 101,000.00.

Loaded gt 350 R = $ 79,000.00 2020.

I would take the GT 350 R at those numbers.

 

[I am Jeff]

Yep. You are the other instigator that pushed me over the edge. I'LL give you credit, you know how to spend somebody else's money ( LOL ). In all seriousness, everything you just said is exactly how I felt driving home from the dealership yesterday.

Hahaha. I've been told that I'm quite good at spending money. Take solace in knowing that it was money well spent.

Btw, your R seats are more comfortable than those air conditioned seats. That's the 1st thing my wife commented on when we were driving home.

 

[RedRaptorME]

Hahaha. I've been told that I'm quite good at spending money. Take solace in knowing that it was money well spent.

Btw, your R seats are more comfortable than those air conditioned seats. That's the 1st thing my wife commented on when we were driving home.

your wife is right, the seats are more comfortable in the R, no question.

 

[PP0001]

I agree with you 100 percent !

I almost did not get the R yesterday because it does not come with air cooled seats, backseats, and power front seats. I know it sounds petty, and hardcore GT 350R guys would tell me to man up, but when you pay $ 73,000.00 for a high end performance car it should be 100 percent loaded ! Power everything in my opinion.

Please don’t get me wrong, I love my GT 350 R and for the performance and carbon fiber you get the gt 350 r is actually a bargain, but $ 79,000.00 MSRP is a lot , but I would not be surprised if ford adds power seats and heated and cooled seats for 2020.

Loaded gt 500 = $ 101,000.00.

Loaded gt 350 R = $ 79,000.00 2020.

I would take the GT 350 R at those numbers.

Based on my calculations a Base GT500 starts at $73,995 and when ordered with option "67J" along with all other options including the Twister Orange paint and Painted OTT stripes a fully loaded GT500 2 seat car comes in with an MSRP of $107,080.

Being an old school guy and having lusted over 2 seat Mustangs since the very beginning namely the 1965 GT350 I personally would take a 2020 GT350R over a 2020 GT500 4 seat car but that is just me.

I have driven numerous R models since 2015 and am really in love with these 2 seat cars but also know that no matter how a new 2020 GT500 car is optioned it will be a terrific ride and IMO a great value for the performance dollar regardless of how many seats it has.

The determining factors for my decision to choose a 2020 GT350R over a Base GT500 would be based on a NA engine, manual transmission and a 2 seat car in the R model plus the fact the a 2020 R model will be extremely rare and suggest that this will be the last year for the R model as we know it.

Having said that I feel very fortunate to have been able to secure a 2020 CFTP car therefore with all of the horsepower, torque and outstanding, braking, steering and handling that will come with a 2 seat GT500 I know that I will be more than happy with this outstanding automobile and can't wait for it to arrive.

 

[I am Jeff]

I can’t believe more people don’t realize this !!!

Those wheels by themselves are worth the extra money payed for the R model!

OP, I would get the R. I spent the last 2.5 years looking for one. I’m about to finally close on a 19R !

Although it will still depreciate it won’t be as drastic as the base 350. It’s a legitimately limited production car with incredible capabilities and legacy.
Enjoy it responsibly and if you ever decide to get rid of it I guarantee you it won’t be hard to do. Especially after Ford stops making them.

Is it confirmed that 2020 is the last model year?

The OP said I'm good at spending other peoples money. Do you need my assistance with getting your butt into a Performance Blue R at MSRP?

 

[I am Jeff]

Based on my calculations a Base GT500 starts at $73,995 and when ordered with option "67J" along with all other options including the Twister Orange paint and Painted OTT stripes a fully loaded GT500 2 seat car comes in with an MSRP of $107,080.

Being an old school guy and having lusted over 2 seat Mustangs since the very beginning namely the 1965 GT350 I personally would take a 2020 GT350R over a 2020 GT500 4 seat car but that is just me.

I have driven numerous R models since 2015 and am really in love with these 2 seat cars but also know that no matter how a new 2020 GT500 car is optioned it will be a terrific ride and IMO a great value for the performance dollar regardless of how many seats it has.

The determining factors for my decision to choose a 2020 GT350R over a Base GT500 would be based on a NA engine, manual transmission and a 2 seat car in the R model plus the fact the a 2020 R model will be extremely rare and suggest that this will be the last year for the R model as we know it.

Having said that I feel very fortunate to have been able to secure a 2020 CFTP car therefore with all of the horsepower, torque and outstanding handling that will come with a 2 seat GT500 I know that I will be more than happy with this outstanding automobile and can't wait for it to arrive.

I absolutely agree with you on taking a GT350R over a GT500 any day. The dealership that sold me my 2018 GT350 offered me their unicorn GT500 Track/Carbon allocation at MSRP. I built it up to 106k, but it had a few fundamental faults for me. I wanted a old school manual transmission and the fact that I've been lusting over a GT350R since they released it in 2015.

The only thing I would be wary of is the "last year of production comment". Ford has been burning their customers with that statement since 2017. They did that with the 2017, 2018 and now 2020.... I would take that statement with a grain of salt.

 

[PP0001]

I absolutely agree with you on taking a GT350R over a GT500 any day. The dealership that sold me my 2018 GT350 offered me their unicorn GT500 Track/Carbon allocation at MSRP. I built it up to 106k, but it had a few fundamental faults for me. I wanted a old school manual transmission and the fact that I've been lusting over a GT350R since they released it in 2015.

The only thing I would be wary of is the "last year of production comment". Ford has been burning their customers with that statement since 2017. They did that with the 2017, 2018 and now 2020.... I would take that statement with a grain of salt.

Don't disagree with you but based on a conversation that I had with someone that seemed to be in the know when I toured the FRAP a couple of months back they seemed to be quite adamant that this will be the last year for the GT350/R.

Were they correct, I guess time will tell!

 

[svttim]

Don't disagree with you but based on a conversation that I had with someone that seemed to be in the know when I toured the FRAP a couple of months back they seemed to be quite adamant that this will be the last year for the GT350/R.

Were they correct, I guess time will tell!

Same with my contacts. As I had said, 2019 was supposed to be the last bt the delays in the 500 caused the 2020 model. Curious to see if another model shows up

 

[PP0001]

Same with my contacts. As I had said, 2019 was supposed to be the last bt the delays in the 500 caused the 2020 model. Curious to see if another model shows up

Just a shot in the dark Tim but I would suggest that if Ford decides to bring back another HP Mustang that is NA I would suggest that the Boss 302 program could be initiated within the next year or so if it has not been already.

It is hard to believe the "Project 747" was already launched ~10 years ago and that two of the very early 2012 Pilot Production Boss 302 cars will be 9 years old in less than 2 months.

I was very fortunate to have owned and driven PP0001 and PP0002 for a total of ~10 years combined and then to locate PP0004 which is the earliest known 2013 PP car to be released to the general public. After quite some time 2 cars went to great friends of mine with PP0001 going to a collector and now friend in Texas.

Those early Boss 302 cars were something very special with the LS being hand built on Monday, October 25th, 2010 and then PP0002 the PW 4 seat car being built the very next morning on Tuesday, October 26th.

I really hope that Ford decides to keep a NA HP Mustang alive in the near future and if so I really hope that it is a new generation Boss 302 including a LS model.

 

[MikeR397]

I agree with you 100 percent !

I almost did not get the R yesterday because it does not come with air cooled seats, backseats, and power front seats. I know it sounds petty, and hardcore GT 350R guys would tell me to man up, but when you pay $ 73,000.00 for a high end performance car it should be 100 percent loaded ! Power everything in my opinion.

Please don’t get me wrong, I love my GT 350 R and for the performance and carbon fiber you get the gt 350 r is actually a bargain, but $ 79,000.00 MSRP is a lot , but I would not be surprised if ford adds power seats and heated and cooled seats for 2020

Doesnt work that way. Power seats and more heating cooling and luxury items add a lot of weight, and that is not the thesis of a track focused handling variant car. My Ferrari has a MUCH higher msrp and I’m sliding the challenge carbon fiber seats back with a lever and reclining them with a manual knob...

Just be thankful you can get AC and a stereo ;), and if one wants all the goodies, there is a base 350 that can offer them.

Edit: I agree it’s too bad FP stopped offering a rear seat, but obviously there couldn’t be that many buyers for it to sustain things. I’m sure a custom shop can get a cloth mustang rear seat in for a couple grand.

 

[RedRaptorME]

Doesnt work that way. Power seats and more heating cooling and luxury items add a lot of weight, and that is not the thesis of a track focused handling variant car. My Ferrari has a MUCH higher msrp and I’m sliding the challenge carbon fiber seats back with a lever and reclining them with a manual knob...

Just be thankful you can get AC and a stereo ;), and if one wants all the goodies, there is a base 350 that can offer them.

Edit: I agree it’s too bad FP stopped offering a rear seat, but obviously there couldn’t be that many buyers for it to sustain things. I’m sure a custom shop can get a cloth mustang rear seat in for a couple grand.

Yep. I hear you, and I know you are right. I’m just spoiled. I agree with you 100 percent.

 

[I am Jeff]

Doesnt work that way. Power seats and more heating cooling and luxury items add a lot of weight, and that is not the thesis of a track focused handling variant car. My Ferrari has a MUCH higher msrp and I’m sliding the challenge carbon fiber seats back with a lever and reclining them with a manual knob...

Just be thankful you can get AC and a stereo ;), and if one wants all the goodies, there is a base 350 that can offer them.

Edit: I agree it’s too bad FP stopped offering a rear seat, but obviously there couldn’t be that many buyers for it to sustain things. I’m sure a custom shop can get a cloth mustang rear seat in for a couple grand.

That whole weight argument went out the front door when Ford started offering the B&O sound system upgrade with the Sub in the trunk. I'm not complaining, but that's just an observation a few people made when they saw the sub in the trunk and no backseat. It's like a giant oxymoron.

 

[MikeR397]

That whole weight argument went out the front door when Ford started offering the B&O sound system upgrade with the Sub in the trunk. I'm not complaining, but that's just an observation a few people made when they saw the sub in the trunk and no backseat. It's like a giant oxymoron.

Agree with you on that. The stereo for the car is fine without the sub and it’s hefty weight.

 

[honeybadger]

I always get a chuckle about wanting "luxury features" in the R variant of the GT350. Originally the R stood for "race specifications."

I like how Ford switched to Track Pack for the GT500 - simpler and doesn't conflict with any history (that I know of).

In a way, it's cool how many folks want both luxury features and performance out of the GT350R. Good indicator that they're capture Audi, BMW, Porsche, Mercedes, etc. enthusiasts.

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