Poll: Is a GT500 an upgrade over a GT350?

[Mikepol2]

People are answer the poll with their personal preferences. Its retarded. If you like manual you like manual for a preference, but the car is seated well below the GT500(which is an upgrade). That manual transmission will help it be slower than the 500, on top of the extra 234hp its missing and being completely guttless in the mid range. Its fine if peole LIKE the 350 or its sounds. But it slower in a straight line and around a track and worth LESS. Not sure where this upgrade lies?

Yeah this is why I tried really hard in the original post to say that I'm not asking which car people like better, it's whether a 500 is an upgrade.

They're both performance cars built on the S550 platform. The 500 has better performance and you pay accordingly. I'd rather have a manual but nobody will ever convince me that a 500 isn't an upgrade over a 350.

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[TonyNJ]

Upgrade? To which metric does the subjective term apply?

Engine power? Yes, upgrade.

Gas mileage? No, not an upgrade.

Lighter weight and handling? Not an upgrade

Transmission? Lateral move.

Dash? Possibly an upgrade.

 

[Mikepol2]

Upgrade? To which metric does the subjective term apply?

Engine power? Yes, upgrade.

Gas mileage? No, not an upgrade.

Lighter weight and handling? Not an upgrade

Transmission? Lateral move.

Dash? Possibly an upgrade.

Well, if it was a Focus versus a Focus hybrid then maybe I’d consider the hybrid to be an upgrade with gas mileage, but do people really care about mileage if they’re buying a 350 or a 500?

I don’t ever remember seeing a track comparison test where a 350 beats a 500 but of course could be wrong. Car and Driver lightning lap has a 2020 GT500 at 2:44.6 around VIR, and a 2016 GT350R at 2:51.8.

And as far as the transmission goes, almost every post I’ve seen suggesting the 500 is suffering because it doesn’t haven’t a manual prompts a 500 owner to tout the brilliance of that DCT and inform you that it is NOT an automatic. Makes them almost as mad as 350 owners when people suggest the Mach 1 is just as good

 

[UpACurb]

They're both performance cars built on the S550 platform. The 500 has better performance and you pay accordingly.

Pay accordingly .....prices for 2020 GT350Rs and 2020 CFTP cars...they are not that far off......(just looking at 2020s as same year - comparing 19s to 21s not 100% fair since one is 2 year newer vehicle)

That being said- some of the CFTP prices are a little out there.......so lets look at BAT - will use heritage editions as easier to match up on date sold and mileage......

Most recent example-

458-Mile 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R Heritage Edition for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $134,000 on June 3, 2026 (Lot #245,656) | Bring a Trailer

No Reserve: 514-Mile 2022 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Heritage Edition Carbon Fiber Track Pack for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $125,000 on May 14, 2026 (Lot #242,644) | Bring a Trailer

Prior example when both listed around the same time

7-Mile 2022 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Heritage Edition Carbon Fiber Track Pack for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $126,000 on May 15, 2025 (Lot #191,874) | Bring a Trailer

9-Mile 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R Heritage Edition for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $123,750 on May 24, 2025 (Lot #193,186) | Bring a Trailer

...

 

[Mikepol2]

Pay accordingly .....prices for 2020 GT350Rs and 2020 CFTP cars...they are not that far off......(just looking at 2020s as same year - comparing 19s to 21s not 100% fair since one is 2 year newer vehicle)

That being said- some of the CFTP prices are a little out there.......so lets look at BAT - will use heritage editions as easier to match up on date sold and mileage......

Most recent example-

458-Mile 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R Heritage Edition for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $134,000 on June 3, 2026 (Lot #245,656) | Bring a Trailer

No Reserve: 514-Mile 2022 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Heritage Edition Carbon Fiber Track Pack for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $125,000 on May 14, 2026 (Lot #242,644) | Bring a Trailer

Prior example when both listed around the same time

7-Mile 2022 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Heritage Edition Carbon Fiber Track Pack for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $126,000 on May 15, 2025 (Lot #191,874) | Bring a Trailer

9-Mile 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R Heritage Edition for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $123,750 on May 24, 2025 (Lot #193,186) | Bring a Trailer

...

I stand corrected.

 

[PP0001]

Pay accordingly .....prices for 2020 GT350Rs and 2020 CFTP cars...they are not that far off......(just looking at 2020s as same year - comparing 19s to 21s not 100% fair since one is 2 year newer vehicle)

That being said- some of the CFTP prices are a little out there.......so lets look at BAT - will use heritage editions as easier to match up on date sold and mileage......

Most recent example-

458-Mile 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R Heritage Edition for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $134,000 on June 3, 2026 (Lot #245,656) | Bring a Trailer

No Reserve: 514-Mile 2022 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Heritage Edition Carbon Fiber Track Pack for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $125,000 on May 14, 2026 (Lot #242,644) | Bring a Trailer

Prior example when both listed around the same time

7-Mile 2022 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Heritage Edition Carbon Fiber Track Pack for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $126,000 on May 15, 2025 (Lot #191,874) | Bring a Trailer

9-Mile 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R Heritage Edition for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $123,750 on May 24, 2025 (Lot #193,186) | Bring a Trailer

...

We also need to keep in mind that the GT500 CFTP HE model has an MSRP that is anywhere from $25,000 to $35,000 higher than the MSRP for a 2020 GT350R HEP.

When taking the above into consideration with respect to selling over MSRP, the clear winner is the GT350R HEP and suggest the same scenario comes into play with respect to GT350R V GT500 CFTP models.

Plain and simple, a 2-seat GT350R model has much better long-term value/desirability than a 2-seat GT500 CFTP model regardless if they are HEP or HE models or none HEP/HE models.

 

[HoldenSSVandGT350]

People are answer the poll with their personal preferences. Its retarded. If you like manual you like manual for a preference, but the car is seated well below the GT500(which is an upgrade). That manual transmission will help it be slower than the 500, on top of the extra 234hp its missing and being completely guttless in the mid range. Its fine if peole LIKE the 350 or its sounds. But it slower in a straight line and around a track and worth LESS. Not sure where this upgrade lies?

Nice. Everything you listed as an upgrade, objective or not, is your preference, not those of respondents that said “No”. Then you denigrate other’s preferences as “retarded”. Come on, find a better word.

And, why are Mach 1 owners trying so hard to push the case that the GT500 is a definitive upgrade over the GT350 anyway? I don’t get it. I drove Mach 1s, GT350s, hell, I almost bought a brand new ‘25 ember DH Tremec/Recaros for $60,500 after $8500 in dealer and Ford discounts. And I thought the 500 I drove in ‘22 was great, but I didn’t want a dial selector and 2 pedals.

 

[Whitedevil95]

Nice. Everything you listed as an upgrade, objective or not, is your preference, not those of respondents that said “No”. Then you denigrate other’s preferences as “retarded”. Come on, find a better word.

And, why are Mach 1 owners trying so hard to push the case that the GT500 is a definitive upgrade over the GT350 anyway? I don’t get it. I drove Mach 1s, GT350s, hell, I almost bought a brand new ‘25 ember DH Tremec/Recaros for $60,500 after $8500 in dealer and Ford discounts. And I thought the 500 I drove in ‘22 was great, but I didn’t want a dial selector and 2 pedals.

Incorrect. I even said I myself bought the mach because i preferred a manual. Using the idea that “it’s more fun” or “lacks the manual experience “ are just opinions. Concrete facts are things like lap times, acceleration data, braking data, value and price point and the GT500 is an upgrade in all of those actual items of measurable data.

 

[Mikepol2]

And, why are Mach 1 owners trying so hard to push the case that the GT500 is a definitive upgrade over the GT350 anyway? I don’t get it.

Mach 1-owning OP here. Since I don’t own either a 350 or a 500 and obviously don’t have a dog in the fight, I didn’t think anyone would play that card, but OK.

it was more a natural curiosity about something that I did not think could possibly be argued, but saw it argued in another thread. So I started this one to see if anyone else felt the same way and clearly they do. To me it’s no different than someone saying there’s more beer in a 12 ounce can than a 16 ounce can, and not being able to comprehend how anyone could make that argument.

 

[MAGS1]

I think the beauty of the S550 platform in general is that the various trim levels all offer a different driving experience. An Eco will be different than a GT which is different than a Mach which is different than a GT350/R which is different than a GT500/CFTP. Some models may share some similarities/parts, but each experience is a bit different. Whether one is considered an upgrade over the other is entirely subjective and will vary by each individual.

And I know, I left out the Bullitt, PP1, PP2, HPP, etc. but you all get the gist. Don’t want to ruffle those folks feathers LOL

 

[9secondko]

The Tesla Plaid then would be better then both because its the faster car?

thought the poll was strictly comparing the gt350 to its upgrade; the gt500.
Probably best to focus on the topic and not get crazy.

 

[wingnutt]

from the “no” side, consider strictly from the drivetrain aspect…

a +600hp 7.3 Godzilla with a T56, now THAT woulda been an upgrade for the 350R lineage

whereas the 500 is just too different an animal to be an upgrade in anything but acceleration times, for at least 50% of us…carry on 🫡

 

[HoldenSSVandGT350]

Incorrect. I even said I myself bought the mach because i preferred a manual. Using the idea that “it’s more fun” or “lacks the manual experience “ are just opinions. Concrete facts are things like lap times, acceleration data, braking data, value and price point and the GT500 is an upgrade in all of those actual items of measurable data.

In my opinion, a GT500 is not an upgrade to a GT350. Because I’m not after a 10.9@134 or a 2:44 VIR lap. The word upgrade does not by definition mean only objectively faster or more powerful vehicles. Because, if so, a Lucid Air Sapphire is an upgrade to a GT500. 9.0@155 and a 2:40 VIR lap, ouch.

 

[HoldenSSVandGT350]

Mach 1-owning OP here. Since I don’t own either a 350 or a 500 and obviously don’t have a dog in the fight, I didn’t think anyone would play that card, but OK.

it was more a natural curiosity about something that I did not think could possibly be argued, but saw it argued in another thread. So I started this one to see if anyone else felt the same way and clearly they do. To me it’s no different than someone saying there’s more beer in a 12 ounce can than a 16 ounce can, and not being able to comprehend how anyone could make that argument.

I wouldn’t have played that card until the “rod knocking oil burning” and other comments about “retarded” answers came from……. Lemme check, oh yeah, Mach 1 land.

It’s not really that difficult. I’ve been on these forums since I joined Corral.net in ‘95 when I bought my ‘95 GTS and immediately started modding it. You’re genuinely surprised 50% of us don’t see the GT500 as an upgrade, and that’s perfectly fine. I’m genuinely surprised anyone could create any poll about any subject on the Internet and be surprised others think differently. But, here we are. And, I still like Mach 1s too

 

[geep81]

Upgrade? To which metric does the subjective term apply?

Engine power? Yes, upgrade.

Gas mileage? No, not an upgrade.

Lighter weight and handling? Not an upgrade

Transmission? Lateral move.

Dash? Possibly an upgrade.

Sound? A downgrade without a doubt. Still sounds great tho.

Trading finesse for brute? An upgrade.

Overly aggressive hood vs a truly gorgeous hood? A downgrade.

Side vents? A major downgrade.

Spoiler? Downgrade sort of because it did nothing new or better than the 350.
A carry over spoiler from the 350 which truly knocked it out of the park with the swing imo the best spoiler for the S550.

Wheel design? Downgrade.
I'll take the designs the 350 came with all day over the 500. The carbon 350 wheels are 10x cooler than the carbon 500 wheels. The 7 spoke 350 wheels are truly killer.

Gonna also argue have never read anywhere near the praise for the driving characteristics of the 500, while the 350 is a legendary modern car for doing what it does.

The 500 fans and 350 fans and regular Mustang fans got their opinions but to the rest of the world sure seems like the 350 is what's known as the knocked it out of the park pony.

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