GT350 vs Boss 302... Hear me out.

[AZ_Ryan]

I just drove a friend's 2012 Boss over the weekend. As a former S197 owner it brought me back a little.

Its a fun little car that drove well for having a solid rear axle. The recaros were surprisingly comfortable, the MT-88 felt better than advertised, and it's a very easy driver over all.

But man, that interior, was a bland plastic waste land. Even in 2012 I can't believe Ford was going that route. The lack of gauges and driver info was jarring. I was also (slightly) underwhelmed with the power coming from my M1. I know in 2012 that was a legit car, but by today's standards it just seemed a little underpowered. Especially when compared to a GT350.

I suppose the lack of technology might make the Boss age better from a repair standpoint. But I can't image it would be THAT significant.

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[young at heart]

I just drove a friend's 2012 Boss over the weekend. As a former S197 owner it brought me back a little.

Its a fun little car that drove well for having a solid rear axle. The recaros were surprisingly comfortable, the MT-88 felt better than advertised, and it's a very easy driver over all.

But man, that interior, was a bland plastic waste land. Even in 2012 I can't believe Ford was going that route. The lack of gauges and driver info was jarring. I was also (slightly) underwhelmed with the power coming from my M1. I know in 2012 that was a legit car, but by today's standards it just seemed a little underpowered. Especially when compared to a GT350.

I suppose the lack of technology might make the Boss age better from a repair standpoint. But I can't image it would be THAT significant.

I‘m sorry, help me here. Were you underwhelmed with the power from your ‘23 Mach 1?

 

[Trap]

I just drove a friend's 2012 Boss over the weekend. As a former S197 owner it brought me back a little.

Its a fun little car that drove well for having a solid rear axle. The recaros were surprisingly comfortable, the MT-88 felt better than advertised, and it's a very easy driver over all.

But man, that interior, was a bland plastic waste land. Even in 2012 I can't believe Ford was going that route. The lack of gauges and driver info was jarring. I was also (slightly) underwhelmed with the power coming from my M1. I know in 2012 that was a legit car, but by today's standards it just seemed a little underpowered. Especially when compared to a GT350.

I find the Boss quicker than my 2020 was with the PP1 handling pkg and 6-speed MT Transmission. (460hp. and 3.73 gears) the Boss had 444hp
The tighter gearing in the older transmission is a huge improvement. The M-1, with the Tremec is geared lower than the newer 6-Speed MT in the GT's. So you probably did notice a difference in power.

I don't mind the interior, cause in my opinion the Boss was meant to have a raw look and feel to it. The look may not be there for you but you definitely feel the rawness of it. It is 10 years older than the M-1

 

[526 HRSE]

I‘m sorry, help me here. Were you underwhelmed with the power from your ‘23 Mach 1?

Maybe he had a BMW?

 

[Cobra Jet]

B302 was meant to be “raw”, it wasn’t designed to be a “creature comfort” Mustang at all. The whole intent was to give the driver the feel of the road with a basic cockpit, period.

That raw feeling is what many Mustang Enthusiasts enjoy, as you feel the road and the jarring nature of the solid axle rear….

As far as longevity and this is just thoughts:
- The S550 GT350 FPC engine and its components will be harder to come by as years pass.

- The S550 in general (and all other vehicles of this time period) are over stuffed with too many electronics and circuit boards that are linked to make things work. Solder joints, capacitors, resistors, and other components do go bad over time. How many times have you updated to a new mobile device, new computer, new tablet because the Manufacturer AND Applications vendors stopped supporting the OS OR the app all together? In 20-30 years, I think it’s going to be hard for any CAN BUS multiple module, multiple PCM equipped vehicle to be maintained and supported.

That doesn’t mean the car will be a driveway paperweight - it does mean that the cost to repair and cost to replace such components will not be cheap. The same would be true trying to source used components from salvage facilities where those parts themselves are still aged… in who knows what condition. Salvage facilities right now are junking/recycling these modules, those electrical boards etc… they don’t care about anything other than scrap value…. They’re not going to hoard shelves and storage facilities full of these electrical modules, it’s too costly.

S197’s and prior - not as much electrical BS to deal with, so likelyhood of component failure is obviously less. Engine - it’s a 5.0 Coyote not a FPC Coyote variant; parts are everywhere for Gen 1, 2, and 3 5.0 Coyotes….

It’s really personal preference and subjective as to what platform will last the test of time or which someone decides to “invest” in for a retainer to cash out on later. Put it this way for the “collector” mindset - a limited production vehicle will only be worth big $$$ if it is a lower production figure, it has all paperwork, it has specific options the buyer is seeking, it has almost no miles on it (mothballed) and its overall condition is near new. Anyone else with the same exact vehicle that is outside that criteria, you’re not going to cash out big if the car was modded, has miles, isn’t a low prod # etc etc etc.

All I will say is - stock up now on the harder to find parts and or specific parts to the FPC platform that will not be easy to get your hands on in the next 10-15 years…. I don’t say this as a “the sky is falling”, I say this factually speaking where such Mustang parts do become obsolete and such parts on the used market or NOS market become extremely expensive….

Ford inventory for parts in the event no one knows this:
10 years after the vehicle production year, Ford discontinues stocking inventory of those parts. This is hard parts, soft parts, electrical,, you name it. They’re put on pallets and sold off in auctions where places like LMR, NPD, and other resellers buy them and then mark up for their resale. Some places will sit on the pallets for years where they know the parts will be harder for people to get which = more markup and profit for them. So if there’s something available from Ford today, even as simple as “GT350” embroidered floor mats, now is your time to get it before it gets discontinued.

 

[AZ_Ryan]

I‘m sorry, help me here. Were you underwhelmed with the power from your ‘23 Mach 1?

You misunderstood. Probably poor writing on my part. I should have said I was underwhelmed with the power of the Boss compared my M1.

 

[AZ_Ryan]

Ok, I got to laugh at all the "Rawness" comments. The Boss has the exact same interior and solid rear axle as all the other S197s. It wasn't designed to be "raw", it just suffered from the same bland design of that platform era.

I'm not knocking the car at all. But you all act like the car was designed that way intentionally. It wasn't.

 

[Trap]

Ok, I got to laugh at all the "Rawness" comments. The Boss has the exact same interior and solid rear axle as all the other S197s. It wasn't designed to be "raw", it just suffered from the same bland design of that platform era.

I'm not knocking the car at all. But you all act like the car was designed that way intentionally. It wasn't.

I think your missing the point also, we are stating that the rawness and plain design of the Boss is part of it's appeal. My thoughs on a 2013 GT as a daily driver would be different.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

2012 Boss I'd take the GT350.
On the same token I'd take a 2013 Ford Mustang Boss 302 over a GT350,
unless it's a GT350R.

I much prefer the '12 front and stripes over the 13, but the diaper in the back

 

[Nfs1000f]

B302 was meant to be “raw”, it wasn’t designed to be a “creature comfort” Mustang at all. The whole intent was to give the driver the feel of the road with a basic cockpit, period.

That raw feeling is what many Mustang Enthusiasts enjoy, as you feel the road and the jarring nature of the solid axle rear….

As far as longevity and this is just thoughts:
- The S550 GT350 FPC engine and its components will be harder to come by as years pass.

- The S550 in general (and all other vehicles of this time period) are over stuffed with too many electronics and circuit boards that are linked to make things work. Solder joints, capacitors, resistors, and other components do go bad over time. How many times have you updated to a new mobile device, new computer, new tablet because the Manufacturer AND Applications vendors stopped supporting the OS OR the app all together? In 20-30 years, I think it’s going to be hard for any CAN BUS multiple module, multiple PCM equipped vehicle to be maintained and supported.

That doesn’t mean the car will be a driveway paperweight - it does mean that the cost to repair and cost to replace such components will not be cheap. The same would be true trying to source used components from salvage facilities where those parts themselves are still aged… in who knows what condition. Salvage facilities right now are junking/recycling these modules, those electrical boards etc… they don’t care about anything other than scrap value…. They’re not going to hoard shelves and storage facilities full of these electrical modules, it’s too costly.

S197’s and prior - not as much electrical BS to deal with, so likelyhood of component failure is obviously less. Engine - it’s a 5.0 Coyote not a FPC Coyote variant; parts are everywhere for Gen 1, 2, and 3 5.0 Coyotes….

It’s really personal preference and subjective as to what platform will last the test of time or which someone decides to “invest” in for a retainer to cash out on later. Put it this way for the “collector” mindset - a limited production vehicle will only be worth big $$$ if it is a lower production figure, it has all paperwork, it has specific options the buyer is seeking, it has almost no miles on it (mothballed) and its overall condition is near new. Anyone else with the same exact vehicle that is outside that criteria, you’re not going to cash out big if the car was modded, has miles, isn’t a low prod # etc etc etc.

All I will say is - stock up now on the harder to find parts and or specific parts to the FPC platform that will not be easy to get your hands on in the next 10-15 years…. I don’t say this as a “the sky is falling”, I say this factually speaking where such Mustang parts do become obsolete and such parts on the used market or NOS market become extremely expensive….

Ford inventory for parts in the event no one knows this:
10 years after the vehicle production year, Ford discontinues stocking inventory of those parts. This is hard parts, soft parts, electrical,, you name it. They’re put on pallets and sold off in auctions where places like LMR, NPD, and other resellers buy them and then mark up for their resale. Some places will sit on the pallets for years where they know the parts will be harder for people to get which = more markup and profit for them. So if there’s something available from Ford today, even as simple as “GT350” embroidered floor mats, now is your time to get it before it gets discontinued.

I’d better buy a new Voodoo to put on the shelf. Where is that $30,000 I misplaced?

 

[Champale]

Ok, I got to laugh at all the "Rawness" comments. The Boss has the exact same interior and solid rear axle as all the other S197s. It wasn't designed to be "raw", it just suffered from the same bland design of that platform era.

I'm not knocking the car at all. But you all act like the car was designed that way intentionally. It wasn't.

The Lagunas in particular have less sound deadening, no back seat, etc. They are very primitive even compared to most Mustang GTs of the same era. The engine spins up a lot more aggressively, too, than the 5.0 Coyotes. Then the quad exhaust is also much louder than a regular GT. Overall, they are just rougher around the edges, which some of us loved.

 

[AZ_Ryan]

The Lagunas in particular have less sound deadening, no back seat, etc. They are very primitive even compared to most Mustang GTs of the same era. The engine spins up a lot more aggressively, too, than the 5.0 Coyotes. Then the quad exhaust is also much louder than a regular GT. Overall, they are just rougher around the edges, which some of us loved.

Fair enough. I didn't drive a Laguna Seca. But the one I did drive sure didn't give me rough around the edges vibes. I actually thought it was a very comfortable and well behaved driver.

 

[matthewr87]

350 > 302 ∴ GT350 > Boss 302
QED

 

[Strokerswild]

The Lagunas in particular have less sound deadening, no back seat, etc. They are very primitive even compared to most Mustang GTs of the same era. The engine spins up a lot more aggressively, too, than the 5.0 Coyotes. Then the quad exhaust is also much louder than a regular GT. Overall, they are just rougher around the edges, which some of us loved.

A friend has a '12 LS (one of the silver/red ones), and I absolutely love it for all these reasons.

I'd buy it from him if it wouldn't be sacrilege to future collectibility to change the red trim bits to black, since I'm not a fan of the clown car treatment they went with on the '12 LS cars.

 

[Champale]

Fair enough. I didn't drive a Laguna Seca. But the one I did drive sure didn't give me rough around the edges vibes. I actually thought it was a very comfortable and well behaved driver.

They are incredibly comfortable if the Recaros suit you. And they are very well behaved even when driving very hard. But the OE rear swaybar is way too thick and it caused them to be a little more skittish than most people preferred, especially accelerating out of bumpy corners.

They are wonderful cars. The engine alone is worth the price of admission to me. They are the best old school muscle car combined with modern seats, safety equipment, chassis, etc.

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