Mach 1 vs GT350... anyone driven back to back.

[james cole]

Hey guys,

So looking to get a Mach 1 before they are fully sold out... what got me interested in one is that my buddy has a 2017 350, I loved everything about it but mostly the planted feel of the suspension when driving and the tranny which is the Tremec for both =). I have driven other "standard" GTs before without magnetic suspension and they feel floaty and not as stable plus the ride is not much softer than the 350, they just dont feel special at all.

I dont have Mach 1s locally to test drive, but since Ive heard the suspension bits of the 350 and Mach 1 are exactly the same down to the bushings... can I expect the same "planted feel" driving dynamics in the Mach 1...? If the the ride is similar to a standard GT without mag shocks, I prefer to pass and get a Supra Manual.


Thanks!
JC

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[gimmie11s]

In for the laughs!

I think you answered your own questions. The main diff between 350 and M1 is the motor.

 

[james cole]

In for the laughs!

I think you answered your own questions. The main diff between 350 and M1 is the motor.

Yes, I understand they have different motors, but mainly looking for feedback on ride and feel.

 

[Vertex]

I have not tracked mine nor had the opportunity to drive a 350, however, I have read a couple posts from people who have driven both and mentioned if I recall correctly, that the Mach 1 is just as planted as the 350 (although I don't think it was a 350R).

From my personal driving experience in my Mach it feels amazing when I've taken some fast tight turns and does feel just planted right on the road. Can't recommend the car enough if anyone has an opportunity to purchase one!

Edit: also want to note that my car has never at any speed or during an maneuver I've done felt floaty at any time. I do have the track pack on mine as well. I have also not cranked out the car to top end yet but have had it up to 140 and it felt extremely smooth when I was at that speed, not that I went a couple miles or anything at that speed but it felt good and like I was in total control still.

 

[sakman84]

Not back to back but only some weeks apart, I was trying to decide between the Shelby and the M1 too. Here is in-depth thread about it.

https://www.mustang6g.com/forums/th...d-mach-1-vs-gt350-gt-etc.165163/#post-3360422

I know what you are referring too, for a long time Mustangs "felt like you were riding on top of it, not in it". This was a real problem going back to the S197s days. The M1 and Shelby DO NOT exhibit this behavior, both the cars I drove were magneride equipped. There is no excessive vertical motion in the chassis, no massive brake dive, and the rear end actually inspires confidence rather than white knuckles. This is a definite highlight of the M1, the rear is planted, I have much more confidence driving the M1 than the GTs I drove, even the GTs with magneride, so I don't think that is the single factor why this car carries its rear so much better.

Between the Shelby an M1, to me the Shelby was too hard for a daily driver, it is very track focused. For more details see the post.

 

[WItoTX]

I have a 350. Love it. But looking back, the more prudent purchase for what I wanted to do with the car was the M1 with the track pack.

Life lesson. If I could go back and get the M1 with track pack, I'd still get the 350. I don't always make the prudent decision, and there is something special about the 350.

 

[james cole]

Not back to back but only some weeks apart, I was trying to decide between the Shelby and the M1 too. Here is in-depth thread about it.

https://www.mustang6g.com/forums/th...d-mach-1-vs-gt350-gt-etc.165163/#post-3360422

I know what you are referring too, for a long time Mustangs "felt like you were riding on top of it, not in it". This was a real problem going back to the S197s days. The M1 and Shelby DO NOT exhibit this behavior, both the cars I drove were magneride equipped. There is no excessive vertical motion in the chassis, no massive brake dive, and the rear end actually inspires confidence rather than white knuckles. This is a definite highlight of the M1, the rear is planted, I have much more confidence driving the M1 than the GTs I drove, even the GTs with magneride, so I don't think that is the single factor why this car carries its rear so much better.

Between the Shelby an M1, to me the Shelby was too hard for a daily driver, it is very track focused. For more details see the post.

Thanks Sakman! could not have said better: "felt like you were riding on top of it, not in it". Exactly describes my feeling when driving a normal GT.

 

[james cole]

I have a 350. Love it. But looking back, the more prudent purchase for what I wanted to do with the car was the M1 with the track pack.

Life lesson. If I could go back and get the M1 with track pack, I'd still get the 350. I don't always make the prudent decision, and there is something special about the 350.

There is something special about the 350 of course and its also rare... seems like it might become a collectors item.

 

[RocketGuy3]

I have ridden in a 2019 GT350, but not driven it yet, so the experience is not quite the same, but I've gotten a feel for at least things like body roll, which seemed to be similar to the Mach 1.

However, I can speak more authoritatively on how it compared to my last Mustang, a 2015 GT with PP, as well as to my GT4.

First I would agree that, while I still loved my '15 GT PP, I was a bit disappointed in the factory handling. Understeered like mad, the spring rate made it feel bouncy on bumpy roads, and it just didn't feel all that planted. The Mach 1 (even without the HP, as mine doesn't have it) is LEAGUES better. It feels more solid while still not being overly stiff*. I swear this car might be the best balance between streetability and trackability that I've ever driven.

* On that note, I'd like to mention the limitations of the Mach 1's road feel IMO. While I would never describe it as "floaty", the car doesn't feel quite as tight and precise to drive as some other more track-focused cars, such as my GT4. The steering is slightly numb (that's one place where, at least from what I've read, the GT350 may have the advantage), and the responsiveness isn't quite instantaneous... And it's possible the handling pack "fixes" some of this at the cost of streetability. But something something having cake and eating it.

 

[james cole]

I have ridden in a 2019 GT350, but not driven it yet, so the experience is not quite the same, but I've gotten a feel for at least things like body roll, which seemed to be similar to the Mach 1.

However, I can speak more authoritatively on how it compared to my last Mustang, a 2015 GT with PP, as well as to my GT4.

First I would agree that, while I still loved my '15 GT PP, I was a bit disappointed in the factory handling. Understeered like mad, the spring rate made it feel bouncy on bumpy roads, and it just didn't feel all that planted. The Mach 1 (even without the HP, as mine doesn't have it) is LEAGUES better. It feels more solid while still not being overly stiff*. I swear this car might be the best balance between streetability and trackability that I've ever driven.

* On that note, I'd like to mention the limitations of the Mach 1's road feel IMO. While I would never describe it as "floaty", the car doesn't feel quite as tight and precise to drive as some other more track-focused cars, such as my GT4. The steering is slightly numb (that's one place where, at least from what I've read, the GT350 may have the advantage), and the responsiveness isn't quite instantaneous... But something something having cake and eating it.

Perhaps the steering can be sorted with the HP wheels and tires?

But it might tramline a lot!

 

[RocketGuy3]

Perhaps the steering can be sorted with the HP wheels and tires?

But it might tramline a lot!

Hah, you quoted me right before my edit. I said almost exactly what you're saying here lol. The HP might solve some of the [relatively small] issues I brought up (not sure about steering feel, but at least responsiveness and tightness when cornering), but as you're getting at, it'll come at the cost of streetability. You'll tramline more, and the ride will be harsher, and those front splitters LOVE to find the bottom of every dip or speed bump in the road. I would not recommend the HP unless you just love the look and/or you plan to track the car and know you want similar tires/wheels to do so. Just not worth it otherwise.

 

[2007GT500]

I owned a 2019 GT350. Sold it for a 20 GT500 which was a piece of shit to say the least. The build quality was awful. Now I own a 22 Mach 1. The 350 had a stiffer ride. The brakes were much better on the 350 but the brakes on the Mach 1 are very good. The 350 only had 2 exhaust modes while the Mach 1 has 4. I preferred the recaro seats in the 350 over the Mach 1. IMO if you are tracking the car the 350 is the choice but if you are daily driving the Mach 1 is the better choice.

 

[GT350 deuce]

Hey guys,

So looking to get a Mach 1 before they are fully sold out... what got me interested in one is that my buddy has a 2017 350, I loved everything about it but mostly the planted feel of the suspension when driving and the tranny which is the Tremec for both =). I have driven other "standard" GTs before without magnetic suspension and they feel floaty and not as stable plus the ride is not much softer than the 350, they just dont feel special at all.

I dont have Mach 1s locally to test drive, but since Ive heard the suspension bits of the 350 and Mach 1 are exactly the same down to the bushings... can I expect the same "planted feel" driving dynamics in the Mach 1...? If the the ride is similar to a standard GT without mag shocks, I prefer to pass and get a Supra Manual.


Thanks!
JC

I had a 2020 GT350 HP with the GT350R exhaust that I just traded out the other week for the Mach 1 HP.

Long story short, what made me trade in the 350 was just the longevity of the 5.2 Voodoo. Whether it be 20k, 50k, 75k miles, I just couldn't get comfortable/find peace with the durability of the engine always in the back of my mind as a ticking time bomb.

Thoughts on direct comparison of the 2:
GT350 is a diamond in the rough, the rowdy middle brother between the 500 and M1. Hands down, if it wasn't for the *potential* engine concerns 350 all day every day. It has a meaner look to it and certainly unique. I loved the analog dash with the 200mph, cobra badges, and most importantly - the sound of the engine is perfection. I swapped out the 350 exhaust with the 350R exhaust rather than doing a resonator delete to keep the truest sound possible. You simply cannot beat the sound of the voodoo with a coyote. Driving wise, it just wants you to get on it and handles like a dream.

Mach 1 is more refined feeling is my biggest take away. Very similar mechanically to the 350, less the voodoo and shifter. I did throw on a 350 shifter in the M1. How the tech features many like such as my color and digital dash that you can customize gauges. I'm trying to find the way to get the best sound out of the M1, currently running corsa extremes for now. Undecided if those will stay. Rides extremely smooth.

Driving wise, I felt like the 350 was an amped up bull just waiting to go. Though under 3.5k rpms it lagged a little because of the power band. But when you're on it, you're not going to be under 4k when shifting and it just shines. And the 8,250 redline just lets you wind out like no other. The M1 feels a little more zippy to me. I wouldn't say either feels faster, but they feel different driving. Raw power vs zip.

End of the day, you can't go wrong. Both are unique and limited. Both are fast. Both will be head turners. Both are pretty much same price range-ish.

For me, the decision ultimately came down to the motor and wanting to have a long-term car that I wouldn't have to worry too much about. And because of that, I had to say goodbye to the voodoo

Note: this is my driving mustang. I still have a 2020 heritage GT350 with only 14 miles on it that I'm keeping pristine.

 

[RobZ71LM7]

I dont have Mach 1s locally to test drive, but since Ive heard the suspension bits of the 350 and Mach 1 are exactly the same down to the bushings... can I expect the same "planted feel" driving dynamics in the Mach 1...? If the the ride is similar to a standard GT without mag shocks, I prefer to pass and get a Supra Manual.


Thanks!
JC

Springs and sway bars are different on the Mach 1, Mach 1 HP (okay shares same sway bar up front as non-HP), GT350, and GT350R. The HP also has bonded front sway bar bushings. I've driven my Mach 1 with standard suspension and HP. HP is still soft but noticeably stiffer. A good alignment made a big difference though.

 

[superspartan]

I owned a 2019 GT350. Sold it for a 20 GT500 which was a piece of shit to say the least.

Weird, how can the GT500 have bad quality if they're the same care more or less other than the engine and some exterior cosmetic differences? (talking about interior quality here)

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