Prices are on the rise......

[460Fred]

One of the many reasons I went with the GT350 above other off the scale modern muscle cars was it being very easy to drive around town. That lack of power down low is a good thing for me.
The whole horsepower war thing has developed some pretty nasty street cars I would not want as a daily.

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[PP0001]

I have both and say that they are really not compatible cars. You like one for certain characteristics and the other for different values.

I certainly would not say one is better over the other. They are very different cars.

Which do I drive the most? Its not the '17 R. Its not the '18 base R. Its the CFTP.

To each his own, and that is really what its all about.

Appreciate your comments especially based on your long and extensive history with Mustang and as well as your many hours of track/seat time in both the GT350 and the GT500.

Having said that and for me and many other enthusiasts it does not come down to which is a "better" model but most importantly which is the more "enjoyable" model to drive.

Based on my experience of owning all 6 generation of Mustang and starting with the 1st generation GT350/GT500 models (1965 - 1970) it was always agreed amongst my fellow car buddies back in the day that the 6 year run of the GT350's which were powered by the 289, 302 and 351 engines they were a much better drivers cars that the 4 year run of the big block 428 powered GT500's which were obviously boulevard cruisers and nothing more.

Once the 2nd generation GT500's launched in 2007 I chose to purchase a 2008 and two 2009 GT500's after which time I enjoyed them to some degree but once I was able to drive a 2012 Boss 302 LS in the Spring of 2011 I could not get rid of my 3 GT500's fast enough.

Fast forward to the 2nd generation GT350/R's and the 3rd generation GT500's I cetainly agree that they are very different automobiles.

For many enthusiasts such as myself it does not come down to which is the "better" model to own and drive but which is the more "enjoyable" model to own and experience therefore suggest that this is where some of us differ in our opinions.

Based on pure "performance data" there is no question that the 2020/2021 GT500 is the best handling and best performing Mustang that Ford has ever built therefore in my mind the 2020 GT500 is certainly a better performing model than any 2nd generation GT350/R.

When it comes to pure "driving enjoyment" and "driver engagement" the reason why I chose to stay with owning a GT350/R over a new GT500 CFTP model was based on many years of previous ownership and experience which lead to me happily staying with the NA and FPC powered GT350/R's.

For myself and many other Mustang enthusiasts it is not all about owning the better, best, newest or fastest Mustang out there but it is more about owning a Mustang model that provides us with the most enjoyable and engaging driving experience and for very many of us that is why we have chosen to own and drive the 2nd generation GT350/R's.

As you so correctly stated earlier, "to each his own, and that is really what it is all about".

 

[ecoboost321]

With the release of the Mustang Mach E, the writing is on the wall in regards to future of the V8 powered mustang. I decided to buy my GT350R to replace my 2007 911 Turbo and my 1967 Mustang GT 390 bullitt clone. I wanted to still have that Mustang styling and V8 experience, but with a car I could daily drive and use at the racetrack. I have been very happy on all of these aspects. There is some special magic from the Ford Performance team with these GT350s in regards to driver engagement and experience.
My neighbor when I lived in Detroit years ago was Jamal Hameedi, who was chief engineer at that time. The enthusiasm he expressed with their vehicles, along with the other engineers I met left impression on me, and I definitely appreciate with my car.

 

[Wildcardfox]

I would disagree with this. While my 19-GT350 sounded great especially in the high rpm band, I thought it was a little lacking down low. I think this is the reason many GT350 owners are quick to modify the exhaust. In comparison my GT500 sounds nasty throughout the RPM band. If you have never been in a GT500 in track mode I suggest you give it a try, the exhaust is thrilling and it has the incredible power to back the sound up.

I respect your opinion, but I would correct you: everyone changes the base GT350 exhaust or removes the resonators off of those vehicles—GT350R comes with no resonators and you don’t see so many people changing the exhaust. Some do, but not it as prevalent as you’re describing in the GT350R line and is a common occurrence for owners of your previous vehicle—2019 GT350. You would also see many articles that rave about “the sound” of the GT350R.

I’m a journalists so I’ve been in lots of GT500s in track mode on tracks for photo shoots and Ford marketing drives. Yes GT500 sounds nice, but the sound of a cross plane crank is not distinctive from other Mustangs. It sounds very similar to every other crossplane Mustang in that pulses create that traditional rumble sound. Flat plane sounds completely different—they are a mix of Ferrari/Lamborghini (choose your favorite) & Ford.

I think I want I point something out in my comment that perhaps is being overlooked: I was not passing judgment over which is better as in “the GT350R is better than the GT500”, I said that I know of multiple people who switched from a GT350R to a GT500 and then sold the 500 quickly after. I also recalled one persons reasoning and then I said that another person may have a very different idea, they may prefer the other—my overall point is to say the GT350R is still highly sought after because of its uniqueness and special qualities despite it not being faster or as powerful as the GT500. What we are seeing is that although many were wondering if the 500 would make the GT350R seem old or trite because it lacks some 200 horsepower, that doesn’t matter to many—many Would still choose it over the high horsepower and faster vehicle just like many lust over the Porsche GT3/GT3RS versus the GT2RS.

 

[Wildcardfox]

With the release of the Mustang Mach E, the writing is on the wall in regards to future of the V8 powered mustang. I decided to buy my GT350R to replace my 2007 911 Turbo and my 1967 Mustang GT 390 bullitt clone. I wanted to still have that Mustang styling and V8 experience, but with a car I could daily drive and use at the racetrack. I have been very happy on all of these aspects. There is some special magic from the Ford Performance team with these GT350s in regards to driver engagement and experience.
My neighbor when I lived in Detroit years ago was Jamal Hameedi, who was chief engineer at that time. The enthusiasm he expressed with their vehicles, along with the other engineers I met left impression on me, and I definitely appreciate with my car.

Being a neighbor to Hameedi is pretty cool. But for him, we wouldn’t have the Raptor, new GT350/GT350R, 2020 GT500 and the third gen. Ford GT. This new generation of Fords that ditched fake scoops and made serious engineered cars that can complete with the rest of the world’s top auto manufacturers. If you have his number you should try to get a signature because you are driving in his creation.



Video of Jay with Hameedi

 

[oldbmwfan]

Closest I got was driving Hameedi's personal '13 GT500 at Mid-Ohio. He graciously loaned it to a friend of mine who works at FP, and gave explicit permission to let anyone in our group drive it. Amazing level of trust there. Of course, he also drove that car as a daily in all weather, including through winters with snow tires, so ...

 

[Wildcardfox]

Appreciate your comments especially based on your long and extensive history with Mustang and as well as your many hours of track/seat time in both the GT350 and the GT500.

Having said that and for me and many other enthusiasts it does not come down to which is a "better" model but most importantly which is the more "enjoyable" model to drive.

Based on my experience of owning all 6 generation of Mustang and starting with the 1st generation GT350/GT500 models (1965 - 1970) it was always agreed amongst my fellow car buddies back in the day that the 6 year run of the GT350's which were powered by the 289, 302 and 351 engines they were a much better drivers cars that the 4 year run of the big block 428 powered GT500's which were obviously boulevard cruisers and nothing more.

Once the 2nd generation GT500's launched in 2007 I chose to purchase a 2008 and two 2009 GT500's after which time I enjoyed them to some degree but once I was able to drive a 2012 Boss 302 LS in the Spring of 2011 I could not get rid of my 3 GT500's fast enough.

Fast forward to the 2nd generation GT350/R's and the 3rd generation GT500's I cetainly agree that they are very different automobiles.

For many enthusiasts such as myself it does not come down to which is the "better" model to own and drive but which is the more "enjoyable" model to own and experience therefore suggest that this is where some of us differ in our opinions.

Based on pure "performance data" there is no question that the 2020/2021 GT500 is the best handling and best performing Mustang that Ford has ever built therefore in my mind the 2020 GT500 is certainly a better performing model than any 2nd generation GT350/R.

When it comes to pure "driving enjoyment" and "driver engagement" the reason why I chose to stay with owning a GT350/R over a new GT500 CFTP model was based on many years of previous ownership and experience which lead to me happily staying with the NA and FPC powered GT350/R's.

For myself and many other Mustang enthusiasts it is not all about owning the better, best, newest or fastest Mustang out there but it is more about owning a Mustang model that provides us with the most enjoyable and engaging driving experience and for very many of us that is why we have chosen to own and drive the 2nd generation GT350/R's.

As you so correctly stated earlier, "to each his own, and that is really what it is all about".

Growing up in a world record drag race team, my old cars always had engines and parts from our 5 second 1/4 mile race car. I grew up at Accufab Racing. Among Accufab’s racing successes was first Ford Mod Motor into the 5 second zone, and first pistoned powered car to break 300 mph in the standing mile.



Article on the Ford GT:

Article on the Ford GT:
https://www.hotrod.com/articles/2006-ford-gt-road-300-mph/



I was fortunately to spend almost twenty years learning from Accufab and all the other great fabricators who were in their orbit from the late Shawn Carlson of Nuformz and Dodge drifting to Robbie Miller of Robbie Miller Fabrications.

So all of my previous cars were made of the parts that came off of race cars. So my engines were always detuned drag engines. So engines that were built for 1500hp. It used to be easier to drive these cars and get around SMOG, now it’s impossible.

A weird thing happened when I came back from law school, I got tired of only caring about horsepower. My cars couldn’t turn worth a damn, they could reach warp speed but that was it. I meet another famous person, the late Paul Brown of Tiger Racing, and we became friends. I got to see his race cars and I started to care more about handling. I then bought a friend’s v6 mustang who had passed away. He had put over 20k into the suspension with every part available from BMR. That car made me fall in love with corners. It had 429rwhp with its Procharger, but it was on rails.

Right before law school, Accufab built a naturally powered 5.4L engine to compete in the Engine Masters Competition. It was the first year that the mod motors would compete. They built this engine that revved to the heavens, and made between 600-700hp. That engine blew me away. It’s was so unique. It now resides in the engine bay of a Detroit Speed Boss 302 customer. It’s high rev capability seemed out of this world to me especially since my redline was 6500rpm.



That unique engine and that V6 are the reason why I bought a GT350R. They changed me.

Now that V6 became my daily. 500hp car, but I found it mostly boring because most of the time you’re out of boost. You’re in traffic and since it’s an auto, there’s no shifting. With the GT350R no moment is ever boring. On ramps and off ramps are playgrounds, traffic is an opportunity to practice heel toe. I’m never bored, so I agree, it’s not always fastest, it’s what puts a bigger smile on your face and for me it’s a fun car that I can play with and heel and toe till my hearts content.

The funniest thing about car building is that many of the guys who build customers 2000 horsepower monsters would never want that for themselves. When you ask them you often hear that they would want a 400 horsepower car that is complete, corners and stops well and is just the total package. It may be that when you’re around hp for so long that you get tired of the horsepower wars. It doesn’t matter if your not the fastest—there are other things that are important.

 

[Rev Happy]

I have a clip of Hameedi's old R with equal length headers. Sounds more like a Ferrari FPC once he get's on it. I just got to upload it to youtube so I can link it here.

@Wildcardfox,

So I take it you know Mihovetz pretty well? Is he still building motors? I remember him from my 96-98 Cobra days. He was the pioneer for big performance for the modular motors in my opinion.

 

[Wildcardfox]

I have a clip of Hameedi's old R with equal length headers. Sounds more like a Ferrari FPC once he get's on it. I just got to upload it to youtube so I can link it here.

@Wildcardfox,

So I take it you know Mihovetz pretty well? Is he still building motors? I remember him from my 96-98 Cobra days. He was the pioneer for big performance for the modular motors in my opinion.

yah. I’ve known John since my college years. He is practically family. For mod motors, he was the king. Those days are over now, now he just focused on Lenco Tranmssions which he now owns.

 

[526 HRSE]

No question that the 3rd generation GT500 cars are a faster and quicker Pony Car than the 2nd generation GT350/R models but that does not necessarily equate to more of a demand for the 3rd generation GT500 models.

What about a supercharged gt350? What would you rather drive?

 

[Inthehighdesert]

Waiting on my whipple, so for me one reg 350 boosted, and stock heritage r.

What about a supercharged gt350? What would you rather drive?

 

[Hack]

I honestly dont even use my AC 99% of time. but thats because I use heated and cooled seats, but my first car was a 81 z28 Camaro and the ac didn't work Lol. so I drove that for a few years. got used to it, I always enjoyed windows down, but I lived in key largo Florida.. where it rains a lot and scolding hot, so it was not the best experience always.

but I another reason I actually try not to use my AC much at all, because I read about all the ac's going bad. I figure if I dont strain it all the time, it'll last more years. vs someone living in desert running it 24/7.

That's funny - we are opposites. I have my AC on 99% of the time. But it's wet here. In the winter I need defrost. It's usually either too hot or too cold. There are maybe 5 nice days a year in MN, so AC it is.

Market is getting flooded with GT 350’s now. The party has to end pretty soon. Maybe 68-9 on this one

I saw this and went onto cars.com right away. There are 2 GT350s - regular GT350s not Rs - for sale within 100 miles of me. And one was a 2018 that they wanted $66K for.

I wish GT350s would flood the market. I'd buy one in a heartbeat if they got cheap. But I think it will be a few more months to a year at least. And if Ford never builds a car to equal the GT350, they might not ever go down much.

I respect your opinion, but I would correct you: everyone changes the base GT350 exhaust or removes the resonators off of those vehicles—GT350R comes with no resonators and you don’t see so many people changing the exhaust. Some do, but not it as prevalent as you’re describing in the GT350R line and is a common occurrence for owners of your previous vehicle—2019 GT350. You would also see many articles that rave about “the sound” of the GT350R.

I’m a journalists so I’ve been in lots of GT500s in track mode on tracks for photo shoots and Ford marketing drives. Yes GT500 sounds nice, but the sound of a cross plane crank is not distinctive from other Mustangs. It sounds very similar to every other crossplane Mustang in that pulses create that traditional rumble sound. Flat plane sounds completely different—they are a mix of Ferrari/Lamborghini (choose your favorite) & Ford.

I think I want I point something out in my comment that perhaps is being overlooked: I was not passing judgment over which is better as in “the GT350R is better than the GT500”, I said that I know of multiple people who switched from a GT350R to a GT500 and then sold the 500 quickly after. I also recalled one persons reasoning and then I said that another person may have a very different idea, they may prefer the other—my overall point is to say the GT350R is still highly sought after because of its uniqueness and special qualities despite it not being faster or as powerful as the GT500. What we are seeing is that although many were wondering if the 500 would make the GT350R seem old or trite because it lacks some 200 horsepower, that doesn’t matter to many—many Would still choose it over the high horsepower and faster vehicle just like many lust over the Porsche GT3/GT3RS versus the GT2RS.

I thought my GT350 sounded great, but just a little too loud. I never dreamed of removing the resonators. But I leave for work at 5:30 am and have a conscience.

 

[526 HRSE]

I thought my GT350 sounded great, but just a little too loud. I never dreamed of removing the resonators. But I leave for work at 5:30 am and have a conscience.

With the exhaust closed, you can't tell the difference.

 

[PP0001]

I have a clip of Hameedi's old R with equal length headers. Sounds more like a Ferrari FPC once he get's on it. I just got to upload it to youtube so I can link it here.

@Wildcardfox,

So I take it you know Mihovetz pretty well? Is he still building motors? I remember him from my 96-98 Cobra days. He was the pioneer for big performance for the modular motors in my opinion.

Agreed that once Jamal initially gets on the first 2017 R model that came equipped with unique 4 equal length headers namely on his chassis number "HR001" which he specifically ordered for himself the aural sound is absolutely outstanding!

Hope that you are able to download the link for the rest of our members in order to witness for themselves!

 

[RJ787]

Just a reminder, this LFG R is crossing the block next Friday at mecum, https://www.mecum.com/lots/SC0521-471140/2018-ford-shelby-gt350r/

They've also added a Heritage R to the block that will also cross the same night. It's the first non tech package heritage. https://www.mecum.com/lots/SC0521-462136/2020-shelby-gt350r/

Should be fun to watch and see what they bring.

Watched it live, 2018 LFG "JR021" sold for $75k, reserve was off at $70k-75k. Mileage was never disclosed, (on TV at least). Didn't make it to the HEP R.

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