What’s better Boss 302 or a GT350?

[mick289]

I’m contemplating selling my 2012 Boss 302 that I’ve owned since new. I’d like to replace that with a GT 350. I’ve read many different takes but I’m torn if it’s worth the money? Power? Seems like the Boss is better on street. I’m old, more of a car show type than a track guy. I like spirited driving but don’t need to be in competition at 71. Any owners here that have had both cars?

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[lfunk11]

here is a comparison video. I love my 350, and I do not think there is much of a comparison. That is my opinion though.

 

[wingnutt]

There’s a couple 350 guys up there…see if you can catch a ride in one first!

 

[Paddles]

If car shows are important I would keep the Boss, those cars are amazing.

The GT350s can be really nice, get one with the tech package and it'll be a huge interior upgrade from the Boss.

I recommend a 2022-2023 GT with 401A.
Way better street cruiser.
Less car show cred but still some cred.

 

[Gen 6 Mach1]

Boss302 , I wanted a 350 , but the reliability of the voodoo was a deal breaker. Even tho the 19-20 s were more reliabile to the redesign and better internal parts , I still veered away to the Mach1. The Coyote has an unbelievable reliability record. It also has the 350 intake, throttle body and CAI . 480 flywheel HP. Good luck on you dicision.

 

[Champale]

OP - I owned a Kona Blue 2012 Boss then traded it for a 2013 black Laguna Seca. I absolutely LOVED both of them. But then I got a 2020 GT350R while I still owned the 2013 and it was over. I basically never reached for the key to the Laguna. I had done a ton of upgrades to it - RST clutch, big brakes, suspension, etc - but the 350R was better in every single way so the Boss got sold to a friend.

I will say that the Bosses are just plain cool as sh-t to me. I still think I will buy another Boss at some point (and will install a GT350 transmission in it). Ideally, you would get a test drive in a 350 to see what you think.

 

[Rated R]

I've had two B302's, both 2013's and the last one being a yellow LS. I had rear muffler deletes, open side pipes. Drove that car w/ the red key all the time and loved LOVED the sound of that ghost cam. The two problems with the B302's are the live axle and that crappy MT-82. I could deal with the the axle but that shift under power from 2nd to 3rd not engaging; or that crunch to 3rd really put me off.

When I got my '16 GT350 I sold the LS. Then a few months later the engine in my 350 crapped out. Several years later I bought a M1 HP, had that for a year, sold it and now have a '20 GT350R HEP w/ an extended warranty out to 2030. Love my HEP, it's a great no problem low mileage car. But in hindsight the best overall car with zero problems or potential concerns whatsoever was my '23 Mach 1 and probably should not have sold that car. Good power, great Tremec transmission, updated dash and imo a better looking front end design than the GT350's.

 

[BlkMach10510]

OP - I owned a Kona Blue 2012 Boss then traded it for a 2013 black Laguna Seca. I absolutely LOVED both of them. But then I got a 2020 GT350R while I still owned the 2013 and it was over. I basically never reached for the key to the Laguna. I had done a ton of upgrades to it - RST clutch, big brakes, suspension, etc - but the 350R was better in every single way so the Boss got sold to a friend.

I will say that the Bosses are just plain cool as sh-t to me. I still think I will buy another Boss at some point (and will install a GT350 transmission in it). Ideally, you would get a test drive in a 350 to see what you think.

The best color Laguna Seca "Black"

 

[Cobra Jet]

The comparison is apples to oranges really…

The live axle Mustangs will ALWAYS have the raw road feel with all the jarring/bumpity-bumps:/wheel hop or skipping under torque etc…. That’s the nature of the live axle Mustang with any V8 drivetrain.

The 2012-13 B302 was not designed to be the “luxo-cruiser” with creature comforts - the intent of the design was for the driver to experience the raw performance and feel of the Mustang, period. It was to be a retro of the original 69/70 B302, which again was basic raw performer in its own right.

The 2012 B302 was more raw as far as it was the last before the Mustang Team started implementing all sorts of digital doo-dads into the main dash cluster - and various future-state electronic modules etc. The 2013 started getting the future-state dash cluster with creature amenities that was eventually improved in the 2014 and then carried over into the S550 with even more features than it had since 2013.

There was not much difference between the 2012-13 B303 aside from that upgrade and the minor exterior revisions - the car remained the same overall.

The S550 (doesn’t matter the platform), was totally revamped and is an entirely different handling, feel, and driving Mustang experience than any before it. It’s more “luxo-performance feel” where Ford was trying to imitate the Euro/German platforms giving the driver a more tamed ride, quiet interior, mushy-like hugging ride as opposed to the pre-S550 experience. If one were to look under an S550 and then look under BMW’s E36 M3 series and compare, the S550 is damn close to the same chassis setup…. That only took Ford how many years to “catch up” to that type of performance? Many years, even when Mustang Owners past and present were wanting a better driving platform.

Even the SVT Cobras with the rear IRS prior to the S550 won’t compare to the S550 because the earlier IRS setup was still primitive and still feels like a live axle in some mannerisms.

I think with your decision making process - you have to gauge what it is you want out of the car. Are you into the “raw” road feeling and torque, or are you more into the “luxo-sport-comfy cabin” feel?

Also the re-placement of the mufflers pre-S550 when compared to the S550 will also affect the “sound” of the 2 Mustangs. Pre-S550, the mufflers were located mid chassis (where the S550 fuel tank is now) and S550, the mufflers are at the far rear…. That gives a totally different interior sound experience too as far as driving and hearing the car breathe. The B302 of course has the side pipes, where the S550 never had that option (although there are some aftermarket pipes that mimick the B302 setup).

IMO, and I’m sure I will get kickback on here about this comment - which is fine, everyone is entitled to their thoughts - but the 2012-13 Roadrunner Coyote is a more reliable engine overall vs the Voodoo - it’s also less expensive LONG TERM as far as maintenance costs, parts costs and rebuild costs..

The MT82 “complaints” - show me a Mustang of ANY generation where someone did not complain about the manual transmission it was equipped with…. Everyone and their ancestors has bitched about XYZ manual trans under XYZ Mustang platform…. LMAO. Anyone can drop out the MT82 and put in a “better” trans based on their liking, so to me, it’s a moot point to say the MT82 in the 2012-2013 B302 is problematic…. On this very forum there’s people complaining about . . . You guessed it, the S550 MT82 as well.

Either vehicle is an attention grabber - both will command car show discussions and gatherings around it. I believe your decision will be based on how the vehicle drives, sounds, and performs. Go to a local Dealer who might have an S550 Shelby or even a S550 Premium GT if you can’t find a Shelby - and really take it for a test drive - a good test drive, (not the Dealer “round the block at 35mph)…. You will be able to tell from that test drive if an S550 is something for you and if you’d like to get into the platform and sell your B302.

 

[fpa1974]

I still have both and still enjoy them quite a bit. This is what I wrote a bit back: https://www.mustang6g.com/forums/threads/gt350-vs-boss-302-hear-me-out.208334/post-4157888

 

[s2ms]

I had the exact opposite situation last year, had a 2017 GT350 I owned since new and was thinking of selling. The main reason was I'm 70 and want to experience different cars. Had a long wish list of potential replacements with a 2013 Boss 302 very high on the list. Made an offer on a 64 K-code Fairlane (also high on the list) but that didn't work out. Then found a really nice 10K mile 2013 Boss, pulled the trigger and couldn't be happier. The Boss is every bit as fun as the GT350 on the street. I do miss the GT350 but don't regret selling at all.

IMO you can't go wrong with either car, but since you've already experienced the Boss my recommendation would be to sell and get a GT350, you will not regret it.

 

[mick289]

Thank you all. I am concerned with change. I don’t like it. If I only had room for a third Mustang I keep them all. I won’t sell my first Mustang that my dad sold new. 1964,.5 d code 4spd coupe

 

[80FoxCoupe]

If car shows are important I would keep the Boss, those cars are amazing.

The GT350s can be really nice, get one with the tech package and it'll be a huge interior upgrade from the Boss.

I recommend a 2022-2023 GT with 401A.
Way better street cruiser.
Less car show cred but still some cred.

I wouldn't consider either one has much car show cred, but I suppose I'd take the gt350. Superior in every measurable metric.

 

[sumfoo1]

Gt350 is a better car with more power and a better transmission but the road runner engine is more reliable. The voodoo will give up its rod bearings it’s just a matter of when. The roadrunner won’t.

 

[Pudmullet]

How bad is the VOODOO? It sounds like a POS. I just purchased a 2018 R and now I'm concerned about the engine.

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