I may have to trade her in or sell. It’s killing me.

[kwpony]

If the GT350 means so much to you I'd do everything I could to keep it. Like others have said get a beater to haul the family around. Sure, GT350's will be available years from now when your kids are older but you might not find the perfect car like you have now notwithstanding price and inflation in the future.

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[robvas]

Going against the grain - don't try to make a fast daily from an Explorer or something

You'll just spend money you could have used to keep a Mustang around plus dealing with that breaking etc is a pain

 

[9secondko]

Like the title says. I have reached a decision point. A few things have converged making the GT350 not too optimal for me.

1. I had free overtime for the last 3 years. I was working 70-80hour weeks every single week since then. I work from home on a laptop sitting on my ass. Long hours aren’t hard. I was CRUSHING IT financially. Now I’m restricted in OT to much less. I’m not broke, but I have less fun money. The car is worth more than I owe, so I won’t get hurt too bad selling or trading.
2. I have a kid on the way, and the GT350 is just not a good family car. I also like fishing and surfing and need a vehicle for carrying that stuff.
3. I have no warranty and if I had a catastrophic engine failure it would financially cripple me.
4. Because I work from home, I barely drive. I have this huge car payment for a car that just sits there. I do maybe 5-6k miles a year; sometimes less.

I really don’t want to do it. But it just seems like the rational thing to do right now. It’s got 44k miles and is in pretty good condition. Clean carfax, fresh tires, no dings or scratches bigger than a dime, it’s clean.

Chevy offered 42-44k trade in depending on condition. Checking prices that seems pretty fair.

This sucks. I don’t want to do it, but may have too. It really is the best car I have ever had. I probably will never be able to get another one. There just isn’t that many of them floating around that hit all my wickets. I was lucky to find this one.

non-op the 350 and store it. Get a nice famil friendly suv or truck and daily drive that.

the 360 is an investment st rhis point and will go up in value msny years from now.

I’d hang on to it if at all posdible and perhaps it will even be something great you pass on to your son ine day.

 

[jalts]

my 0.02 cents... get out now, but consider other places like Carvana for top dollar. Clean it up really nice and take photo's and video's to show your kid some day of the cool car papa had. Next buy a used family hauler or lease something economical for the next few year since you aren't driving much at all.

 

[RobZ71LM7]

Going against the grain - don't try to make a fast daily from an Explorer or something

You'll just spend money you could have used to keep a Mustang around plus dealing with that breaking etc is a pain

I was thinking the same thing: These ST's are not cheap and mods and no warranty will cost just as much if not more than his current car. I just priced a brand new one with 4wd and minimal options at $62K MSRP. Granted that is brand new but still.

I just became a first time dad at 43 and bought a brand new Mazda CX50 for less than half that price. I'm not planning to sell the Mach 1, but I wouldn't think twice about it if I had to make a decision.

 

[Kachow]

OP I was in the same boat as you before my daughter was born 2 years ago.

I sold the 350 and bought a FK8 Civic Type R. Manual, quick, and practical as hell with the hatchback. Is it as fast? No. Does it sound good? No. But its still fun and as a car guy I wanted manual, 4 doors, large enough back there for car seat and my child. It's a good one car solution IMO. Reliable as hell too and I got a 2021 with 12k miles for 40k.

Bought another 350 in Jan of this year and never selling the Type R. It's good.

 

[Nate22]

I have a car seat in my gt350 lol

 

[Kachow]

I got the Diono forward facing for my little girl when she was about 1.5. She LOVES the SHELBY. Screams whenever I give it gas. But having a large rear facing is not conducive and/or safe in our cars until they are old enough to move up. And a huge PITA too.

 

[Justsumguy]

Take a look at the Ranger Raptor. I have one for winter, it's been a great truck so far and still gives you a little performance with a tune whether FP or other tuner. Grown up decisions suck, I feel your pain.

 

[Mizicke5273]

I was thinking the same thing: These ST's are not cheap and mods and no warranty will cost just as much if not more than his current car. I just priced a brand new one with 4wd and minimal options at $62K MSRP. Granted that is brand new but still.

I just became a first time dad at 43 and bought a brand new Mazda CX50 for less than half that price. I'm not planning to sell the Mach 1, but I wouldn't think twice about it if I had to make a decision.

This is because Ford does not want the blue collar worker as a customer any longer. Their money is not good enough. They want the BMW and Audi Customer and their money. Why do you think they stopped selling small cars and sedans? The Edge and Escape? No one was going to pay $65k for any of them.

"Chris" Farley said as much in recent press conferences. You just need to read between their lies.

 

[CorralesR]

I do not have kids so take this with a grain of salt. I lean towards keeping the Shelby and get a used car. The 2010 and newer Fusions with the 2.5 are great cars if you can find a lowish mile one. And can get one in the 6 to 8k range. Not sure what your insurance is like and you do still owe money on Shelby so would have to factor that in. Buying another new car as a replacement just gets you where you are now from a financial standpoint. You are still getting some OT correct? All of this is dependent too on your other half and how she feels. If she is OK with you keeping the Shelby I'd probably keep it and get a nice newish beater to drive. Who knows, in a few years you could be making even more money and you'll have the Shelby paid off and can upgrade the beater!

 

[Inthehighdesert]

You realize the explorer starts at under 36k, and you can lease one for a little over $300 a month. Funny as well, blue collar here and just about everyone I know is, and none of us have a problem getting Ford to take our money.

This is because Ford does not want the blue collar worker as a customer any longer. Their money is not good enough. They want the BMW and Audi Customer and their money. Why do you think they stopped selling small cars and sedans? The Edge and Escape? No one was going to pay $65k for any of them.

"Chris" Farley said as much in recent press conferences. You just need to read between their lies.

 

[Craig Brown]

My dad always told me don't fall in love with them they are only sheet metal. I got rid of a nice green 1967 fastback 289 way back in the day. I now have two Mustangs, 6 Harley Davidsons, and a F150 Harley Edition, and the time to enjoy them. Follow the path in front of you, that new little one will bring you lots of fulfillment and joy. I too have a little one on the way, (Great Grand Child) The first. Congrats to you. Take lots of pics of the car to show your kids.

 

[Nightmonkey]

I have a kid on the way, and the GT350 is just not a good family car. I also like fishing and surfing and need a vehicle for carrying that stuff.

If you have the Recaros, that's fine—the power seats aren't actually that great for this, because they move forward so slowly.
Were the child seat anchors on the back seat omitted in the GT350?
The trunk is the same as in the GT; there's no problem fitting a stroller in there.

...and I don't know what kind of fishing gear you need, but if you have the back seat, you can fold it down.

It's all a matter of perspective; there are people who manage just fine with a smaller car even with a family of five.

P.S.: Should Kurt's trailer hitch also fit a GT350?

 

[BullittBoy]

Seems to me you are looking for responses to help you justify your decision. Sell it now and regret it later, because that is what will happen. Especially since you said you don't drive much anyway. There are very few cars that hold value, you don't buy cars for that, you buy them to either have fun or for practicality. Assess what your situation requires and go that route. If you want a do it all vehicle? The closest thing in my experience is a F-150 w/Coyote and a Whipple. They are great dailies, can take the family and all the gear you could ever want anywhere and can be quite fun at the drag strip. And you don't take a beating on the insurance. I pay more for insurance on my 2020 Bullitt than my 2024 Superchargred F150.

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