Poll: Is a GT500 an upgrade over a GT350?

[Mikepol2]

In another thread it was suggested that a GT500 is NOT an upgrade over a GT350. I was surprised that anyone would seriously make that argument so I'm curious about what other Mustang owners think.

The poster's quote was "The gt500 is not an upgrade to the gt350".

THIS IS NOT A "WHICH ONE DO I LIKE BETTER" QUESTION. I would rather have my car than a 500 because I like manuals, but still think a 500 is an upgrade over my car.

Sponsored

 

[BlkMach10510]

Stolen from google ai:
"The Shelby GT350 and GT500 are two vastly different apex predators. The GT350 is a high-revving, naturally aspirated track car with a manual transmission, while the GT500 is a supercharged, straight-line monster utilizing a lightning-fast dual-clutch transmission. [1, 2, 3, 4]

Performance Comparison
While both cars share a 5.2L displacement, their engine setups and performance specs differ entirely: [1]

Feature [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]Shelby GT350 / GT350RShelby GT500Engine5.2L Voodoo V8 (Naturally Aspirated)5.2L Predator V8 (Supercharged)
CrankshaftFlat-Plane CrankCross-Plane Crank
Redline8,250 RPM7,500 RPM
Horsepower526 hp760 hp
Torque429 lb-ft625 lb-ft
Transmission6-speed Manual7-speed Dual-Clutch Automatic
0 ÷ 60 mph~ 4.0 seconds~ 3.0 seconds

Driving Dynamics & Purpose

• The GT350 (The Precision Tool): Designed for twisty tracks and road courses. Its flat-plane crank engine wails like a Ferrari, offering immediate throttle response and a visceral, analog driving experience. It is a lighter, sharper car prioritizing handling and driver engagement. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
• The GT500 (The Straight-Line Beast): Built to dominate the drag strip and highway pulls. The supercharger provides massive, asphalt-melting torque. With its dual-clutch transmission, it fires off shifts incredibly fast, making it a more effortless car to drive fast in a straight line, though it carries more weight over the front axle than the GT350"

 

[RJ787]

As others have said, they both serve different purposes. Objectively, the GT500 is an upgrade over a GT350/R, but I prefer owning the latter.

 

[HoldenSSVandGT350]

In another thread it was suggested that a GT500 is NOT an upgrade over a GT350. I was surprised that anyone would seriously make that argument so I'm curious about what other Mustang owners think.

Why? I answered you twice in that other thread that it wasn’t an “upgrade” in my personal opinion and then explained my position because I was only after a manual transmission. Can’t be an upgrade if you want a third pedal, right?

I also said the 500 is a weapon and obviously faster. Another user stated the 500 and 350 are totally different. They are very different, that’s certain. 3750 vs 4200lbs, 526 vs 760hp, and fabulous Tremec DCT vs fabulous Tremec manual just for starters.

So, unless this is just to incite animus/stir the pot, you may want to include context and details next time.

 

[HoldenSSVandGT350]

Stolen from google ai:
"The Shelby GT350 and GT500 are two vastly different apex predators. The GT350 is a high-revving, naturally aspirated track car with a manual transmission, while the GT500 is a supercharged, straight-line monster utilizing a lightning-fast dual-clutch transmission. [1, 2, 3, 4]

Performance Comparison
While both cars share a 5.2L displacement, their engine setups and performance specs differ entirely: [1]

Feature [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]Shelby GT350 / GT350RShelby GT500Engine5.2L Voodoo V8 (Naturally Aspirated)5.2L Predator V8 (Supercharged)
CrankshaftFlat-Plane CrankCross-Plane Crank
Redline8,250 RPM7,500 RPM
Horsepower526 hp760 hp
Torque429 lb-ft625 lb-ft
Transmission6-speed Manual7-speed Dual-Clutch Automatic
0 ÷ 60 mph~ 4.0 seconds~ 3.0 seconds

Driving Dynamics & Purpose

• The GT350 (The Precision Tool): Designed for twisty tracks and road courses. Its flat-plane crank engine wails like a Ferrari, offering immediate throttle response and a visceral, analog driving experience. It is a lighter, sharper car prioritizing handling and driver engagement. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
• The GT500 (The Straight-Line Beast): Built to dominate the drag strip and highway pulls. The supercharger provides massive, asphalt-melting torque. With its dual-clutch transmission, it fires off shifts incredibly fast, making it a more effortless car to drive fast in a straight line, though it carries more weight over the front axle than the GT350"

That ai response is awful btw. The GT500 is also far faster on road courses and is not simply a straight line beast. That’s some stupid base Gemini iteration response. Might as well be talking about a Hellcat. Add in one prompt saying the 500 is also great on road courses and that ai will correct itself faster than a GT500 1-2 shift lol.

 

[Mikepol2]

Why? I answered you twice in that other thread that it wasn’t an “upgrade” in my personal opinion and then explained my position because I was only after a manual transmission. Can’t be an upgrade if you want a third pedal, right?

I also said the 500 is a weapon and obviously faster. Another user stated the 500 and 350 are totally different. They are very different, that’s certain. 3750 vs 4200lbs, 526 vs 760hp, and fabulous Tremec DCT vs fabulous Tremec manual just for starters.

So, unless this is just to incite animus/stir the pot, you may want to include context and details next time.

Relax. I just wanted to know what the general community thought. You’re one person and yes, your voice has been heard.

 

[BlkMach10510]

I like the GT500 Code Red but not road legal

 

[UpACurb]

I looked at both when purchasing my R... both the R and CFTP were within my budget.

I chose the R but can't find any fault in someone decision to go with the 500.

There is a massive difference in driving dynamics. I test drove about 4 different 500s and 3 different 350s before making my choice. I think I changed my mind about 8546844643 times before deciding....

On paper the 500 is faster but so is a Tesla.

From a numbers standpoint the 500 is faster... but sometimes it's not always about all out speed...

The example I use is RWD vs AWD Huracans ... the AWD is definitely faster but many prefer the RWD due to driving dynamics ....

Also should add... there are 3 or 4 youtube videos out there that compare the two by owners who have both .... they also agree one is not an upgrade over the other

Example

 

[GTP]

What do I think? If I was trying to choose it would really come down to Total Cost of Ownership, including tracking the car.

EDIT - Although the DCT is telepathic and would surely influence my decision.

 

[icecreamtruckz]

Depends on who you ask.

If I could get the GT500 in stick I would definitely call it an upgrade.

I could have had a dozen faster cars, but manual was non negotiable. In my price range, for a manual, there isn’t anything better than the GT350.

 

[HoldenSSVandGT350]

Relax. I just wanted to know what the general community thought. You’re one person and yes, your voice has been heard.

I’m relaxed. But I still believe the other thread comments were misrepresented and important context was left out. Maybe intentionally maybe not, it doesn’t matter to me either way.

 

[HoldenSSVandGT350]

Depends on who you ask.

If I could get the GT500 in stick I would definitely call it an upgrade.

I could have had a dozen faster cars, but manual was non negotiable. In my price range, for a manual, there isn’t anything better than the GT350.

Bingo. This is the exact point I made in detail in the other thread and the translation over here is “GT500 not upgrade”. Disingenuous imo.

 

[MAGS1]

Depends on who you ask.

I would also ask what the intended use is. Also, do you prefer boosted or NA. Manual or DCT. To me, they’re very different cars so I’m not sure one could say the 500 is or isn’t an upgrade over a 350 without knowing the intended use of the car and what kind of driving experience the person is looking for. And you are 100% correct, you’ll get a different answer depending on who you ask

 

[MAGS1]

And to be clear, I don’t think Mike’s question is to intentionally stir the pot. I just think it’s a really tough question to answer in a vacuum. They’re too different to compare straight up, I think some use cases would be needed. It’s like asking which is better, chocolate or strawberry. Chocolate or strawberry what? Ice cream, the actual food, milk? And yes, I’m hungry

 

[skinnyb]

Definitely an apple and pear comparison. Similar, but has a different taste, made for different purposes for the most part. I personally would chose the 500 all day long and twice on Sunday, the ONLY car I would upgrade my Mach 1 from. But I am not a Voodoo fan at all. Just my opinion, nothing more nothing less. Hence why I got the Mach 1, the bulk of the handling, cooling, and Tremec trans, but a Coyote engine...

Sponsored