GT350 vs Boss 302... Hear me out.

[526 HRSE]

I initially got a 2017 GT350 and then a couple of years later after I had the chance to drive an R thanks for a member here, I swapped it for a GT350R (and yes you can definitely tell the difference especially for a pre 2019 GT350 vs the R - the suspension in general is better button-ed up and as many said the car feels smaller and nimbler as you drive it even on the street.
Anyways a bit later another member here convinced me to drive a Boss 302 and I really enjoyed it. Totally different experience than the GT350 but not in a worse way. I was able to find a Boss 302 in really good shape and snatched one around the bottom of the market for these. The result is below

Now the GT350 is mostly good enough OOB. The definition of 'good enough' is very personal. But the Boss, required a little work to bring it up to snuff. I ended up modifying the suspension quite a bit, but the result is awesome. At least with the current setup I almost can enjoy the Boss more on the street (and by no means it is faster than the GT350). It is a bit narrower, sounds awesome, the MT82 is not nearly as bad as people make it out to be, handles great now, has better ground clearance in the front even lowered on FP springs, in other words I worry less It is not nearly a right now type of car that the GT350 is but in the end it is not meant to be. And yes the interior is basic but it has all the things you need and works great. And TBH the initial quality, fit and finish etc (at least for mine) was quite a bit better than the GT350. I think the GT350 is objectively the better car but if we only cared about objectivity we would be all driving electric cars these days.

You have an R without the carbon wheels on it - which is the by far the most discernible factor.

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[Trap]

Both of these vehicles are fun and special. They work and handle great. While the GT350 may be a little better for track use, neither one is a real race car. If I wanted one solely for track use or to race, by the time I had it set up, it would not be any fun on the street at all. It is all about personal preference. In my case I like the rawness of the Boss, but I will say I would enjoy having a GT350 if I couldn't have the Boss

 

[fpa1974]

You have an R without the carbon wheels on it - which is the by far the most discernible factor.

Old picture They are back on And I did not do it to show off the CF set. I still have a set of AL wheels I occasionally use.

TBH, I think a lot of folks think the R is just a 350 with lightweight wheels. It is a lot more than those wheels (which help of course). The wheels on it at the time I took this picture are only 2lbs or so heavier (ignoring the other differences between aluminum and CF like stiffness etc). Talking about wheels, the Boss has the opposite problem. Stock wheels work very well design wise with the car but are boat anchors. I have a decent set of APEX EC7s now on it which are miles better (and lighter).

In the end there are different ways to optimize for desired outcomes - for example my AL wheels have a lot better clearance between brake calipers and wheel barrel than the CF ones. Having aftermarket wheels is perfectly ok.

 

[galaxy]

Everyone that’s posted in this thread is correct and yet, everyone is also wrong. Well, those of you that tried to apply logic to this topic anyways! This thread (and thus, these two cars) have absolutely nothing to do with modern technology, horsepower, or any of the like. These two cars are pure passion, matters of the heart, and personal preference. Sell it as hard as you may, as I walk around the garage tonight and look at my 197 car, if you put me in a corner at gunpint and forced me to choose only one, I absolutely cannot say it would be the 350 hands down. Quite the contrary. It would be quite the dilemma.

 

[dgi82]

I just logged back in after so long to review and am happy that this thread has so many responses. Alot of good feedback.

I've actually toyed with the idea of getting a new GT Performance Pack with Magnaride as the car will be a 10K mile a year daily driver but I think Im leaning towards finding the cleanest 2012 Boss I can find.

Drove a GT350 a while back and it was amazing. A part of me worries about buying the 350 from a random dealer with no service history. A Boss is a simpler machine. A new GT would be all mine.

Will make a decision soon as my current semi-daily driven 2004 CL55 is almost sold.

 

[rcald]

Let me start by saying...I have the best wife ever, which allows me to have both; 2012 Boss 302 and a 2020 GT 350 (and a few others). Without typing 1000 words comparing both, the Boss and the Shelby are similar in many ways but if I had to choose one, it would be the Shelby as its the totally complete package.

 

[WItoTX]

Boss 302R. Get the 350 for a daily. The 302R for track time.

Best of both worlds.

 

[wingnutt]

FP350S. Get a 350 for a daily. The 350S for track time.

Best of both worlds.

…fixed that for ya

 

[WItoTX]

…fixed that for ya

The first way was right LOL (I have a soft spot for the 302R, but agreed, the FP350S is a better track toy)

 

[rocsteady]

Had to go back and read the original post again to see if the OP was talking about increasing value, track car, sunny day cruiser that makes you feel like you own the road, or just what was the question.

Appears to me that it comes down to which makes you feel that certain, "difficult to put into words" feeling when you drive, park, wash, service, or just look at the car that just does it for you.

For me, so far, it was hands down a 2019 GT350. I've felt good about other cars that I've owned, looked back at a lot of them more than a few times each time I parked and walked away, felt better about myself/cool in more than a few, but none of them did all of that like the GT350. Even with the red anodized wheels that were cooler in my head than I found them when I test fit them to the car, it was still my favorite of the nearly 20 vehicles I've owned for any length of time.

So if one or the other looks great to you from every angle; puts a smile on your face every single time you drive it; makes sounds that just send chills up your spine; and simply makes you want to drive it more every time you start it up; THAT's the one you get.

Is it possible that the GT350 might create some issues down the line getting parts, maybe; but I think that if it does to you what it does to me, it'll still be well worth it.

(With all that being said, I am still trying to convince myself that I would feel the same about a 65-66 Fastback with a well built 289 (maybe even stroked to 331) as my mechanical experience/skills are much more on par with a car I can fix rather than just being stupefied with how anything worked in the GT350. )

 

[dpAtlanta]

I think Im leaning towards finding the cleanest 2012 Boss I can find.

You just missed one here in Atlanta.
I guy in our local Mustang Club, bought a 2013 Boss 302 with about 150 miles that had NEVER been titled. The owner of the dealership was a collector and bought one and stored it... he drove it occasionally just to keep it active and alive. The fella from the club bought it in 2024 as a NEW vehicle and got the factory warranty since he was going to be the original owner... he also bought an extended warranty. The car currently has about 1000 miles. I believe he bought it for sticker price also.

I'll attach pictures next time I see him and his car.

 

[CrazyHippie]

Assuming ICE vehicles will be around in 20-30 years (I’m in the camp that they will be), I don’t think you have much of anything to worry about to be honest. The aftermarket is there for classic muscle cars right now as far as digital gauges, engines (Ford, Chevy, etc are still selling crate motors for the old muscle/pony cars) and the like, so I would expect similar treatment when these cars are classics in 20-30 years. ECU, PCM, BCM, harness kits, etc are concerns, but again, I would expect the aftermarket to be there if Ford isn’t still churning them out.

Biggest question mark would be if the engine in either one let go and needs to be fully replaced. I suspect the Voodoo will be much harder to come by than the Roadrunner.

Both are great cars from a driving standpoint, the S550 is the better ride and interior IMO. The GT350 is in my top 3 of most beautiful Mustangs ever made. Both are also iconic nameplates that likely won’t be seen again from Ford (Dark Horse and other new nameplates appear to be taking their places), which is sad. So I say, get one of each, that way you only have to choose which one you will drive each day

1971 AMX Javelin.

 

[BlkMach10510]

I like Shelby's but I would have to pick the BOSS Laguna Seca:

Not mine but maybe some day, lol.

 

[dgi82]

Had to go back and read the original post again to see if the OP was talking about increasing value, track car, sunny day cruiser that makes you feel like you own the road, or just what was the question.

Appears to me that it comes down to which makes you feel that certain, "difficult to put into words" feeling when you drive, park, wash, service, or just look at the car that just does it for you.
ith a car I can fix rather than just being stupefied with how anything worked in the GT350. )

Im looking for a car I can drive. I'll get it to a track from time to time, maybe the odd AutoX course but I want to enjoy a car daily.

Will it annoy the neighbors when I leave for work at 5am? Will it be finicky with weather? Will I be able to find parts if/when they brake?

My 2004 CL55 was down a door lock actuator for a month because MBUSA no longer makes the damn thing... You cant drive a car if you cant part the darn thing when you get to your destination...

GT350:

Need to mind oil level, A bit more sensitive to maintenance
Has modern creature comforts
More $$$ to buy (and likely maintain)
Would likely be enjoyed bone stock


Boss 302:

More robust drivetrain
Would have to add in Car Play/Backup camera
About half the price of a GT350.
Would possibly need some mods to get the most out of the experience (shifter, lighter wheels, etc)

To those with both cars... How are insurance premiums? Im assuming that a 2012 car would be considerably less on a regular car policy than a 2020 car?

This car will NOT be put on my collectors policy. I want a genuine street car. Not one that I "drive only for leisure"

 

[cerbomark]

as you stated . "1/2 the price", I m taking the BOSS all day for your usage.

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