GT350 vs Mach 1 vs Dark Horse (Same Price Now?) – Real Drive Comparison

[MACHtobers Very Own]

I hate comparisons like this sometimes. Like anything something from the past is new and exclusive then it gets handed down as the years go on.

350 lead to the Mach 1 then the dark horse picks up the ball. There will be another version after the fact before the s650 is done.

Many cars the base model of one gen performs as good as the outgoing gen's highest model.

To me this is how most products operate in a capitalist society.

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[Hack]

I believe the DH has engine internals upgraded for better durability. So, I can understand why some would pick it. I don't really like the direct injection the DH and the Mach 1 have. The extra pump and injectors are more failure points. I think port only injection is superior in every way.

I don't like the idea of brake by wire on the DH. Maybe it works wonderfully. I just don't like it. Also, for general usage I don't like that a lot of the physical controls in the interior went away.

I still miss my GT350. It was a great car. You can modify a regular GT to get around a track well enough that you wouldn't be able to tell the difference without a stopwatch, but the GT doesn't have the drama on the street, and the GT350's Magneride is great on track. The brakes and traction control tuning on the GT350 are also superior. Cheaper consumables with a GT, but a lot less drama. For track use I think an older GT was right for me, but money no object I would have the GT350.

 

[Brisvegas]

Mach 1 ticks all the boxes

 

[NuclearDiode]

Mach 1 ticks all the boxes

And without a shadow of a doubt. Coyote motor inside a GT350(R) chassis. Icing on the cake is that it looks amazing as well, and weights less than the DH.

 

[dpAtlanta]

60,000 miles on my 2019 GT350.
Treat the VooDoo with care and change oil properly, and you will be fine.
Most of the negative comments come from non VooDoo owners.
l love my Shelby…!!!

 

[MikeR397]

My current track cars are 17R and 25 Z06/Z07. Hard choices for events each time!

So is the gt350 warranty really done? I grabbed a 6yr (longest I could find) in October good through 10/31 as my original 8yr was expiring. Thrilled to have another half decade+ with this wonderful machine!

 

[Mach 307]

My current track cars are 17R and 25 Z06/Z07. Hard choices for events each time!

So is the gt350 warranty really done? I grabbed a 6yr (longest I could find) in October good through 10/31 as my original 8yr was expiring. Thrilled to have another half decade+ with this wonderful machine!

Sadly, I believe it is done on the warranty front. From what I’ve seen and heard. I checked this a few months ago, because before I purchased my Mach 1, I was interested in 2020 GT350R’s. Engine debates aside, I am someone who wanted a long term warranty regardless what car I have. It just helps me sleep at night. I like insurance and warranties, sue me!

Beautiful cars by the way!

I tried to plug in this 2020 GT350:
https://www.autostoday.com/cars-for...579&gbraid=0AAAAACohmEsF9sw78qdfZJYclEDzEdCso

This is what I received,

So, it’s at least a no from Ford themselves, Flood Ford and Granger Ford. I think I remember Granger also posting no about doing it on here somewhere.
Zeigler Ford actually lets you proceed to their quote page when selecting a 350/R, but doesn’t allow you to purchase online without a human approving everything so who knows if they’d reject it once seeing what kind of car it was. I can’t say. Though that is what Ford, and as far as I’m concerned “the big 3” of ESP coverage lets you do. Maybe local dealers are different, I just remember also hearing rumors that Ford wanted them off the books and is no longer offering coverage.

 

[Kachow]

Per the Facebook GT350 group, confirmed Ziegler and others are letting you still get a warranty upon inspection. Just have to bring car to dealership for inspection.

 

[NuclearDiode]

Nice. so

My current track cars are 17R and 25 Z06/Z07. Hard choices for events each time!

So is the gt350 warranty really done? I grabbed a 6yr (longest I could find) in October good through 10/31 as my original 8yr was expiring. Thrilled to have another half decade+ with this wonderful machine!

So around 2032, when the Voodoo gives out, and they don’t have any warranty crate engines left, you might end up with a Mach 1 with GT350R stripes.

Nice Z06.

 

[T7TheLama]

My 2016 GT350 has around 50k miles. Original engine and trans (except synchros). Survived the track and even an automatic zf8 swap for a year without issue! Just keep an eye on the oil and you'll be fine. The engine is pretty sturdy, at least in my case (:

 

[wingnutt]

Nice. so

So around 2032, when the Voodoo gives out, and they don’t have any warranty crate engines left, you might end up with a Mach 1 with GT350R stripes.

lol, is there an expiration date on the voodoo? If his 17 will give out in 32, will my 16 stop in 31? Gosh what shall I do?!? I’ve been out of warranty for 5 years now, does that shorten my expiration date then? 2031-5 is, oh crap…2026 🫣

maybe, just maybe, if we are lucky…there will be places of business one day, possibly located in some of the bigger metro areas? Im told these places will be called “machine shops” and I hear tell, they will have the capability to “rebuild” the crappy voodoo engine, but who knows what the future holds for the poor souls

 

[Whitedevil95]

This is funny, Ive been doing this exact comparision for the past 3 months. Weighing all the pros and cons of these 3 cars. In the end I went with a Mach 1 Handling Pack manual. Seemed to hit everything I was looking for. Overall Its a blast to drive, Ive had it for a few weeks now.

 

[TonyNJ]

I'm reading a lot of comments about the redline and high revs. It's not just that the the Voodoo revs higher, it revs faster. That's what makes the car feel so much different to drive IMO. Many reviewers say the car has personality. I think that might be what they're referring to.

I recall my PP2 feeling much less responsive as well as being a slightly heavier car. The extra horsepower out of the 5.2 along with a slightly lighter weight really gives it a different vibe vs a 5.0 powered car.

We can all go round and round here comparing what's better. It's subjective, but it's not just about how high a car can rev, it's how it revs.

 

[Mikepol2]

I'm reading a lot of comments about the redline and high revs. t's not just that the the Voodoo revs higher, it revs faster. That's what makes the car feel so much different to drive IMO. Many reviewers say the car has personality. I think that might be what they're referring to.

I recall my PP2 feeling much less responsive as well as being a slightly heavier car. The extra horsepower out of the 5.2 along with a slightly lighter weight really gives it a different vibe vs a 5.0 powered car.

We can all go round and round here comparing what's better. It's subjective, but it's not just about how high a car can rev, it's how it revs.

I always come away from driving a 350 thinking “it would be nice to not have to wait so long for the power to kick in.” Once you get up there and can keep shifting at 4000+ I agree, it definitely feels different.

The first time I drove one, my wife was in the car videoing. The first chance I had to open it up from a stop she got me saying “jeez, when you hit the gas it just does nothing. I was so looking forward to driving this, but it just feels slow.” Now, that was street driving. I would definitely love a track day with one. That would be a whole another story.

 

[kellyreno]

For me, Mach 1 = performance, appearance and Coyote engine reliability.

Dark Horse = modern (i.e. updated) tech and mechanical which is good but looks, including dash, not quite so much.

GT350, has that "OMG" factor... Still has it 6 years since production stopped. But landing one now with low(er) mileage, good condition that hasn't been beat, plus engine reliability concerns is a no for me.

If I had to replace my Mach 1 tomorrow due to a catastrophic event... sigh... I'd probably go with a slightly used Dark Horse because it is new, has factory warranty, and does perform. For me, simply looking at it from a cautious perspective, I just can't take a risk of buying an older used high performance car and inheriting a problem. And I just cannot get excited over the C8 Corvette as an option but that's a topic for another thread.

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