2018+ GT350

[thePill]

Having an exclusive Mustang goes against everything the Mustang stands for now. Like the Harley, the Mustang established a vast community of car owners like no other car. In my opinion, as long as another example exist, it's not exclusive to me.

What the GT350 was intended to be was the same as the Boss 302, the pleasure of driving. To race the car into the ground like I have with the 7 Mustang's before it... because it is a Mustang.

The desire for Ford to sink to product just so a few owners have better resale value is just... the worse thing I've ever had to endure in the Mustang community. Did the 2000 Cobra R become outlandishly priced? Not really... there are plenty of rarer Mustang's that have been made. When I buy a GT new, every time I buy one new, I customize it... that's as exclusive as I'd want to get.

I am glad the GT350 is here to stay. Ford knows Chevy can't touch it without doing some serious work on the LT engine.

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[Voodooo]

The point is, the GT350 as it is today will be out gunned by the competition. To say competitive ford would have to upgrade it. And where exactly do you think they can upgrade it? They can't shed any more weight from it, they can't put better brakes on it, they could reduce some weight with forged aluminum wheels and they could use carbon ceramic rotors but that goes against the affordability. I don't see them bumping the power much at all if any. The boss was a two year run and then came along the gt350. The S550 days are numbered and so should the S550 GT350. Same reason why GM ended the gen 5 with the Z28 and now the 1le is as fast as the Z28. I really hope ford ends the GT350 in 17 and builds the next great mustang. Take what they did with the gt350 suspension and brakes add a 5.2 cpc and add a power adder and go from there. But don't call it a GT350. Let the 2015-2017 GT350 end on top with its legacy and awesome 5.2L fpc naturally aspirated goodness.

 

[J_Maher_AMG]

The point is, the GT350 as it is today will be out gunned by the competition. To say competitive ford would have to upgrade it. And where exactly do you think they can upgrade it? They can't shed any more weight from it, they can't put better brakes on it, they could reduce some weight with forged aluminum wheels and they could use carbon ceramic rotors but that goes against the affordability. I don't see them bumping the power much at all if any. The boss was a two year run and then came along the gt350. The S550 days are numbered and so should the S550 GT350. Same reason why GM ended the gen 5 with the Z28 and now the 1le is as fast as the Z28. I really hope ford ends the GT350 in 17 and builds the next great mustang. Take what they did with the gt350 suspension and brakes add a 5.2 cpc and add a power adder and go from there. But don't call it a GT350. Let the 2015-2017 GT350 end on top with its legacy and awesome 5.2L fpc naturally aspirated goodness.

Couldn't agree more man. By 2019 the GT350 will be at the back of the pack. Camaros will be walking on them by then and I can't imagine Dodge will stay out of the game for too long either. I mean seriously, a 1LE is not that far off of an R, and probably could best a 350 around a track, especially with the 8spd auto... time to move on while the 350 is still on top.

They had fantastic success both sales wise and racing wise in the two model years they have had. Absolutely agree they should let it end off on a high note and bring out the next special variant to do battle with the others. To continue with the 350 until 2019, by then it will be criticized and not up to par with its competitors, whereas now it is being praised for all of its special aspects.

It would be no different than when we see an athlete or a fighter competing well beyond their prime. Everyone likes to think of when they performed at their best, but they just can't keep up with the younger generation, so they oftentimes end up making a fool of themselves attempting too. Sometimes ya gotta know when its time to quit and go out on top rather than stretching things out and having your last runs be considered second-rate in comparison.

 

[Voodooo]

Exactly!
If I had to compare the GT350 to a person I would say it best describes itself to Muhammad Ali.

 

[machsmith]

Who is to say the current 5.2 won't be reworked a little internally and capped with TT and stuffed into the next GT500. ;)

 

[J_Maher_AMG]

Exactly!
If I had to compare the GT350 to a person I would say it best describes itself to Muhammad Ali.

I may have been thinking of Ali when I wrote that, but I did not want to say his name to offend any hardcore fans. I will always believe he is the GOAT, but it really was sad when he ended his career, he simply couldn't perform in the ring anymore. Worst part about being a fighter/competitor, you never want to give up or call it quits, even when your mind knows you should the heart never wants to.

Who is to say the current 5.2 won't be reworked a little internally and capped with TT and stuffed into the next GT500. ;)

I would say a 5.2 TT CPC V8 is probably the most likely outcome for the GT500, and I would love to see that!

 

[Voodooo]

Who is to say the current 5.2 won't be reworked a little internally and capped with TT and stuffed into the next GT500. ;)

I'm fine with a 5.2 TT / supercharged GT500. I just don't want the GT350 to continue past 2017

 

[Voodooo]

I may have been thinking of Ali when I wrote that, but I did not want to say his name to offend any hardcore fans. I will always believe he is the GOAT, but it really was sad when he ended his career, he simply couldn't perform in the ring anymore. Worst part about being a fighter/competitor, you never want to give up or call it quits, even when your mind knows you should the heart never wants to.



I would say a 5.2 TT CPC V8 is probably the most likely outcome for the GT500, and I would love to see that!

Ali never quit. Even when he no longer boxed he was still a great man. You will never see another like him.

 

[machsmith]

I would say a 5.2 TT CPC V8 is probably the most likely outcome for the GT500, and I would love to see that!

I have been sayin that for the last 2 years but after the leak about continuing the 5.2 FPC, maybe it IS the FPC. Doubtful though.
She could have asked, "is the 5.2 continuing?" And the fella in Egineering could have said, " we will have A 5.2 for 3 more years."

 

[MCarsFan]

There is always going to be something better. Always. Forget all that, just enjoy what you have. Life is too short;)

 

[JohnZiraldo]

The point is, the GT350 as it is today will be out gunned by the competition. To say competitive ford would have to upgrade it. ...
I don't see them bumping the power much at all if any. The boss was a two year run and then came along the gt350. The S550 days are numbered and so should the S550 GT350. Same reason why GM ended the gen 5 with the Z28 and now the 1le is as fast as the Z28. I really hope ford ends the GT350 in 17 and builds the next great mustang. Take what they did with the gt350 suspension and brakes add a 5.2 cpc and add a power adder and go from there. But don't call it a GT350. Let the 2015-2017 GT350 end on top with its legacy and awesome 5.2L fpc naturally aspirated goodness.

...
By 2019 the GT350 will be at the back of the pack. Camaros will be walking on them by then and I can't imagine Dodge will stay out of the game for too long either. I mean seriously, a 1LE is not that far off of an R, and probably could best a 350 around a track, especially with the 8spd auto... time to move on while the 350 is still on top.

They had fantastic success both sales wise and racing wise in the two model years they have had. Absolutely agree they should let it end off on a high note and bring out the next special variant to do battle with the others. To continue with the 350 until 2019, by then it will be criticized and not up to par with its competitors, whereas now it is being praised for all of its special aspects.
....

Assuming exclusivity and investment value are not part of the above reasoning, it sounds like you are suggesting that Ford, Multimatic, Roush and others cannot continue to enhance and win with the S550 GT350 FPC until the S650 arrives, and therefore should get out of GT4 racing while they are ahead. Or maybe you think they should proclaim that OEM track racing is no longer important, now let me show you our new Hellcat fighter.

And just in case they do have the confidence in their ability to keep winning, they shouldn't take any risk with the GT350 name and should instead come up with another name that can take the rap as a loser until the S650 arrives.

Am I reading this right?

Any suggestions for what they should call the 2018-2019 GT4 racing loser?

 

[Voodooo]

Assuming exclusivity and investment value are not part of the above reasoning, it sounds like you are suggesting that Ford, Multimatic, Roush and others cannot continue to enhance and win with the S550 GT350 FPC until the S650 arrives, and therefore should get out of GT4 racing while they are ahead. Or maybe you think they should proclaim that OEM track racing is no longer important, now let me show you our new Hellcat fighter.

And just in case they do have the confidence in their ability to keep winning, they shouldn't take any risk with the GT350 name and should instead come up with another name that can take the rap as a loser until the S650 arrives.

Am I reading this right?

Any suggestions for what they should call the 2018-2019 GT4 racing loser?

What I am saying is as of today's GT350/R it's a awesome car! It has the following of all media, magazines, drivers, enthusiast, and is still talked about and wanted just as it did when it was first announced to the public. It's proven its place of greatness! But let's face it, better will come sooner then you are willing to admit. Just as awesome the boss was, today's GT 5.0 is as fast or faster. Just as good as the gen 5 z28 was the new gen 6 1le is better. The 1le is 25k less then the z28 and it's as fast with less hardcore goodies. The next GT 5.0 will more then likely match the current gt350 for less also. History repeats itself all the time. I have a GT350 and I love it and never see myself parting with it even when it becomes a has been. I accept the fact that it won't be the fastes baddest car around. But it will always be a special car no matter what and no matter when. 20 years from now it will still be remembered as the car it is today. Nobody can take that away. Sure ford can improve on it and make it better. But please kindly give examples of where you think they can improve it while still using the S550 chassis?
Weight loss? As I said forged wheels and carbon brakes? Unlikely.
Chassis weight loss? Where do you see them removing weight?
Chassis tuning? Yeah maybe from a new damper program but that's unlikely.
Engine power? Sure but again it's unlikely.

With my car I removed weight from..
-52 pounds Wheels
-32 pounds Rear seat delete
-20 pounds Exhaust
-18 pounds Carbon driveshaft (guessing as I haven't received it yet)
-77 pounds if I decide to go with the Recaro profi carbon fiber seats.
-199 total weight loss. Ford will never do that. Period.

 

[JohnZiraldo]

What I am saying is as of today's GT350/R it's a awesome car! It has the following of all media, magazines, drivers, enthusiast, and is still talked about and wanted just as it did when it was first announced to the public. It's proven its place of greatness! But let's face it, better will come sooner then you are willing to admit. Just as awesome the boss was, today's GT 5.0 is as fast or faster. Just as good as the gen 5 z28 was the new gen 6 1le is better. The 1le is 25k less then the z28 and it's as fast with less hardcore goodies. The next GT 5.0 will more then likely match the current gt350 for less also. History repeats itself all the time. I have a GT350 and I love it and never see myself parting with it even when it becomes a has been. I accept the fact that it won't be the fastes baddest car around. But it will always be a special car no matter what and no matter when. 20 years from now it will still be remembered as the car it is today. Nobody can take that away. Sure ford can improve on it and make it better. But please kindly give examples of where you think they can improve it while still using the S550 chassis?
Weight loss? As I said forged wheels and carbon brakes? Unlikely.
Chassis weight loss? Where do you see them removing weight?
Chassis tuning? Yeah maybe from a new damper program but that's unlikely.
Engine power? Sure but again it's unlikely.

With my car I removed weight from..
-52 pounds Wheels
-32 pounds Rear seat delete
-20 pounds Exhaust
-18 pounds Carbon driveshaft (guessing as I haven't received it yet)
-77 pounds if I decide to go with the Recaro profi carbon fiber seats.
-199 total weight loss. Ford will never do that. Period.

Yes Voodoo! I get all that. The Alpha has some real advantages over the S550 and the S650 will not be here until 2020. Agreed!

I am sure that is not new news to Ford and company. They still seem very much ready to push forward with a GT4 standard for racing beginning in 2017, not when the S650 is ready. However, some enthusiasts seem to say "Fine. Just don't risk the value of my property. Call it something else, just in case".

So I am asking, 'What should they call it so that if it doesn't do great for the next two years it won't impact some part of the Mustang history and it won't look like Ford is trying to protect the GT350 from the Z28 or 1LE?'

 

[MCarsFan]

The one thing Ford must do is not improving the engine or adding more power or using wider tires or better transmission.

It is to reduce weight and reduce size. The car, in its current form, is too big. Its probably at the limit as it is both from a wheelbase perspective and also from a weight perspective.

It needs to be 3400 pounds and probably 1-2 inches narrower and 3-4 inches shorter. That's all.

They either have to produce a proper GT4 variant and charge more or they need to scale the entire mustang line up.

If anyone wants a big ass pony car, they got camaros. Let them go for Camaros with their atrocious look and minimal to no visibility

 

[Voodooo]

Yes Voodoo! I get all that. The Alpha has some real advantages over the S550 and the S650 will not be here until 2020. Agreed!

I am sure that is not new news to Ford and company. They still seem very much ready to push forward with a GT4 standard for racing beginning in 2017, not when the S650 is ready. However, some enthusiasts seem to say "Fine. Just don't risk the value of my property. Call it something else, just in case".

So I am asking, 'What should they call it so that if it doesn't do great for the next two years it won't impact some part of the Mustang history and it won't look like Ford is trying to protect the GT350 from the Z28 or 1LE?'

Well I'm not to familiar with the GT4 racing but wasn't the last great mustang in that class called the FR500C ?
Perhaps they could call it the FR350C ? I'm not sure. The FR500C wasn't a street vehicle. But I know what you mean. I do know the GT350S is in the works but that's a different class.

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