Need Advice: 19-20 GT350 or 19-20 GT350R?

[Mach 307]

Hey guys,

I’ve been in the market for a GT350 again and was hoping to get some input from owners. I’m 26 years old, and this car will not be my daily driver.

I’ve narrowed my search down to a few must-haves and a few wants.

Must-haves:

* 2019–2020 model year
* Technology Package
* Recaro seats
* Around a $70,000 budget (give or take a few thousand for the right car)
* Summer-built car and a clean, salt/rust-free history

Wants:

* Carbon fiber instrument panel
* Heritage Package

I’m much more concerned with condition and history than mileage. My search has basically narrowed itself down to cars in the 15,000–20,000 mile range.

Right now, I have a deal lined up on a 2020 Heritage GT350 with 18,500 miles for $73,500 that checks every box for me. Unfortunately, it’s currently on hold due to circumstances outside my control, so I’m continuing to look in case it never materializes.

While searching, I found a 2019 GT350R nearby for about $7,000 more with similar mileage.

That said, I’d be stretching my budget to make the R work. At the same time, if I end up keeping the car for 10+ years, part of me wonders whether that extra $7,000 would matter much in the grand scheme of things.

My question is: is the R worth the premium?

I understand the performance differences and the collectability, but I’m also trying to think about long-term ownership. The carbon fiber wheels and carbon wing are incredible, but their replacement cost is definitely something I’m considering as someone who plans to keep the car long term.

I’m not planning to track the car. It’ll mainly be a weekend/fair-weather car that I hope to keep for a long time. That said, I’d certainly welcome the added capability of the R, and I don’t mind a firmer or more raw driving experience.

For those of you who have owned or driven both, did you ever regret buying the standard GT350 instead of the R? Or, if you own an R, do the higher replacement costs ever influence how you use or enjoy the car?

I’d really appreciate hearing from people who have actually lived with these cars and can share their experiences.

Thanks,
Alec

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[wingnutt]

My question is: is the R worth the premium?

…yes [/thread]

 

[Mach 307]

…yes [/thread]

Fair enough. I suppose I should word that slightly differently… is it worth the premium for myself? I guess only I can answer that. I lean towards no, as the 19-20 base car seemed to close the gap somewhat between both models, and seems to be more street friendly. Which, is where the majority if not all my driving will be. The R also seems to be in a different tax bracket, LOL. If I f up a wheel or the wing or something, I’d probably be in a bad situation, where as with the base 350 wheels or wing, it’d be okay.

 

[Champale]

Original owner of a 2020 GT350R here. The CF wheels have two "issues", actually: yes they are expensive but the other problem is that pebbles get caught between the barrel and front calipers, scratching both up. There is very little clearance between the 2. You can always opt for aftermarket wheels if you want (I went with lightweight 20" HREs years ago and haven't looked back).

For your use case of a weekend/fun car, I would go 350R all day long if you can swing it. I suspect that in the long run they will start to distance themselves from the base models in terms of value due to the super trick parts and much lower production numbers. I find the Recaros to be very comfortable and have done 750+ mile days with zero issues but I am tall/thin and they fit me perfectly.

And I am in the small minority about the CF dash panel: it is just too darned shiny to have in such a track-focused, bad boy car like a 350R. I specifically ordered mine without it. Also, my car is a zero option car other than color and even the base stereo sounds half decent when running it through plugged-in Android Auto (it sounds better than Sirius or FM radio). I mean it's never going to overpower the sound of the Voodoo but it has worked great for me on road trips.

 

[jpalmerino]

Fair enough. I suppose I should word that slightly differently… is it worth the premium for myself? I guess only I can answer that. I lean towards no, as the 19-20 base car seemed to close the gap somewhat between both models, and seems to be more street friendly. Which, is where the majority if not all my driving will be. The R also seems to be in a different tax bracket, LOL. If I f up a wheel or the wing or something, I’d probably be in a bad situation, where as with the base 350 wheels or wing, it’d be okay.

The CF wheels are exactly why I went with the 350, especially in NY, it was that cut and dry for me. I imagine your roads look a lot like ours do. I took the extra cash, went to a reputable detailer near me, hit her with a small paint correction and a bunch of PPF and I never looked back

 

[wingnutt]

Fair enough. I suppose I should word that slightly differently… is it worth the premium for myself? I guess only I can answer that. I lean towards no, as the 19-20 base car seemed to close the gap somewhat between both models, and seems to be more street friendly. Which, is where the majority if not all my driving will be. The R also seems to be in a different tax bracket, LOL. If I f up a wheel or the wing or something, I’d probably be in a bad situation, where as with the base 350 wheels or wing, it’d be okay.

no, I get it…not everyone can handle the level of panty drop that the R carries around on the daily 🫠

 

[galaxy]

A lot of typing, a lot of dumb words. Didn’t read. Get the R.

 

[FISH22]

Bottom line up front, go with the R.

My 2 cents; I went with a base Heritage a couple years ago. Only reason I went for a non R was because I planned on daily driving the car. I was hesitant to commit to a stiffer ride, no back seats, aggressive aero, and carbon wheels.

Fast forward to today, the car now has stiffer FP springs, FP rear seat delete, GT350R factory front splitter, Anderson R wing, and Apex forged wheels. Oh yeah, and R calipers….

I say all this because if you’re like me, the next trim up will have desirable components. As they say, hindsight is 20/20.

 

[wingnutt]

Agreed with all of the above…

When I was shopping for mine, a wise m6 forum member once told me something to the effect of, “if you have ever wanted an R but buy a nonR…you will always want the R”

 

[Mach 307]

Appreciate the input so far guys. I agree the R is obviously the better performer on the track and does have some upgrades. Thing is, I can’t say I per se want one for my own ownership. When I was shopping for my current Mach 1, I knew I wanted the handling pack as I purchased one without it and two months later got this one with it. The more videos I watch and threads I read, the more I feel my ownership may align more with the base car? Also, the cheapest R model 2019-2020 are listed for 80-85k, which is more than I want to spend with my $70k budget to begin with. Hm. Decisions, decisions.

 

[buggy whip]

Couldn't find a '16 R model that wasn't 10k - 20k over msrp.
Ordered the Track Package at msrp.

R/R - the rubber bushings for solid bushings in the rear suspension. Larger adjustable front sway bar w/ end links. R splitter. R wing. Rear seat delete. Braided clutch & brake lines. Lower the engine 1/2". Square Apex wheels 19" x 11" and tires. Rear shock mounts. Sullivan pedals. MGW shifter. And some other stuff.

Love how it works now than when it was in stock form.
Would like to have more seat time on the track.

It's only $$$.
Get what you want.
You can't take any of it with you when you check out. . .

 

[TonyNJ]

You're 26? Get the R. Especially if it's your 2nd car. When you ditch the daily driver Mach 1 and get an SUV next year when you start having children, at least you'll still have an R.

 

[Mach 307]

You're 26? Get the R. Especially if it's your 2nd car. When you ditch the daily driver Mach 1 and get an SUV next year when you start having children, at least you'll still have an R.

It would be my second car. The Mach 1 will be leaving the stable all together and getting traded in for whatever 350 I end up with! Currently have an 08 Toyota Yaris hatchback as the daily lol. Has around 60,000 miles on it, so lots of life. Don’t put that “voodoo” on me Tony I don’t want kids for many years, if at all! Prefer spending the $$ on cars.

 

[Mach 307]

You know, something I didn’t consider at first too. Those of you who know, what’s the insurance premium difference on an R versus a regular 350? Also, is an ESP more expensive for the R as well?

 

[TonyNJ]

Insurance should be similar, so should ESP. But if that's a concern, get another Yaris.

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