mabcim
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- Nov 6, 2025
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- Rochester, New York
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- Mark
- Vehicle(s)
- ‘19 GT350; ‘64.5 289 Mustang Vert; ‘25 Maverick Lariat; ‘23 Escape ST Line
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Inspired by other build threads, I figured I’d document mine.
The GT350 search started mid-summer of 2025.
I will back up a little:
I had planned to get a new Mustang as a retirement gift to myself, although I have not yet retired. So I put my name on a DH list at my dealer, figuring it would take a few years to bubble to the top. Loved the Ember Blue with blue interior. Was never fan of the dash, but thought that by the time my name came up, a years later, maybe it would be changed. And hopefully line up with my retirement. Well, since the DH didn’t sell so well, my name came up sooner than expected. I had started to be over the Ember Blue, and they took away the blue interior. Also, the DH was at MSRP and a GT w/PP could be had at invoice; so for the things I wanted, the price delta was too much. By this time my brother convinces me with “why wait until you retire”, so I decided to order a ‘25 GT. I test drive a bunch and decided to go Automatic, the stick wasn’t doing much for me. I finalized my options, then the day I decide to go in, the order banks closed. The ‘26 prices go up and Ford de-contents things. I say forget it. Would still have the dash I don’t like. A little later, I see a ‘22 Heritage GT500 for sale, with plastics still on the seats. It peaks my interest. I find a GT500 locally to get a better sense of it. I come away thinking I really do not need all that power, and I have never been a fan of a supercharger whine (just personal preference), want the sound of pure V8. Then I remember how I have always loved the “reverse C” on the GT350, and have always wanted Ford Performance blue; almost got an Edge ST with it. Being a stick is fine, it is a Termec and I like driving a stick. And heck, we are now talking about a Shelby, not just a GT. I do some research and deter it has to be a ‘19 or ‘20, to get Ford Performance Blue, plus the newer tech items.
Back to the search:
Needed to be ‘19 or ‘20 (preferred ‘20) Ford Performance Blue w/White stripes, had to have heated/cool seats (personal preference), clean CarFax, wanted the owners kit, somewhat low miles (preferred 12k, but a little more was ok). I put watches on all the typical places. Many came up, but didn’t fit the bill. Then one day, on a significant day of the year for me, one pops up. Fate? It was a ‘19 with 19k miles, so as close to ticking all the boxes as you can get. It is out of state, so I take it slow and get pics and vids. Price is good as well, since the only things ’wrong’ are rim curb rash (current owner didn’t get around to fixing them, as them came to him that way), and typical road rash on front valance. It was driven, which is what I want to do with it; no trailer queen. And since I have never been a fan of black wheels, I have a good excuse to decide whether to repair these or get the wheels I want; I have always been partial to chrome wheels (I know old school). I talk with the seller, and he turns out to be a great guy. Everything was smooth and great transaction.
Arrival and first drive:
I arrange for shipping and it arrives on 11/20/25. And immediately gets put away, as I’m in the north east and some salt is on the road. As luck would have it, we got a good rain and a good day, so I took it for a spin. WOW! Instant smile and joy. I did not feel that at all with the ‘25 GTs I drove. And that stick is so great. So happy to have a stick.
My first set of plans:
1. Get paint correction and ceramic coating in the Spring. There are a couple door dings to get popped as well. The rear deck lid black plastic has scratches from closing it, so will see if those can be taken out.
2. Leaning towards getting the wheels repaired, while I decide on different rims or not.
3. Add jacking rails. Not only for tire rotations, etc, this will help to get is up on jack stands so I can send the wheels out.
4. Get a Ford Performance filter on it (I order on over the holidays, so that just needs to get put on)
5. Decide whether to get the passenger side catch can or not.
6. Decide whether to get a Ford ESP Plan or not.
Things found after my short time having it:
1. I realize the original owner put on GT500 Snakes on the front fenders, so will have detailed remove those.
2. There is a small crack in the temp indicator on the dash, so will replace that.
My dealer was kind of enough to run an OASIS report for me. Only thing on there is the original owner had some issues with the passenger seat sensor, which lead to the center console coming out. That is my guess as to how the temp piece got broke.
The GT350 search started mid-summer of 2025.
I will back up a little:
I had planned to get a new Mustang as a retirement gift to myself, although I have not yet retired. So I put my name on a DH list at my dealer, figuring it would take a few years to bubble to the top. Loved the Ember Blue with blue interior. Was never fan of the dash, but thought that by the time my name came up, a years later, maybe it would be changed. And hopefully line up with my retirement. Well, since the DH didn’t sell so well, my name came up sooner than expected. I had started to be over the Ember Blue, and they took away the blue interior. Also, the DH was at MSRP and a GT w/PP could be had at invoice; so for the things I wanted, the price delta was too much. By this time my brother convinces me with “why wait until you retire”, so I decided to order a ‘25 GT. I test drive a bunch and decided to go Automatic, the stick wasn’t doing much for me. I finalized my options, then the day I decide to go in, the order banks closed. The ‘26 prices go up and Ford de-contents things. I say forget it. Would still have the dash I don’t like. A little later, I see a ‘22 Heritage GT500 for sale, with plastics still on the seats. It peaks my interest. I find a GT500 locally to get a better sense of it. I come away thinking I really do not need all that power, and I have never been a fan of a supercharger whine (just personal preference), want the sound of pure V8. Then I remember how I have always loved the “reverse C” on the GT350, and have always wanted Ford Performance blue; almost got an Edge ST with it. Being a stick is fine, it is a Termec and I like driving a stick. And heck, we are now talking about a Shelby, not just a GT. I do some research and deter it has to be a ‘19 or ‘20, to get Ford Performance Blue, plus the newer tech items.
Back to the search:
Needed to be ‘19 or ‘20 (preferred ‘20) Ford Performance Blue w/White stripes, had to have heated/cool seats (personal preference), clean CarFax, wanted the owners kit, somewhat low miles (preferred 12k, but a little more was ok). I put watches on all the typical places. Many came up, but didn’t fit the bill. Then one day, on a significant day of the year for me, one pops up. Fate? It was a ‘19 with 19k miles, so as close to ticking all the boxes as you can get. It is out of state, so I take it slow and get pics and vids. Price is good as well, since the only things ’wrong’ are rim curb rash (current owner didn’t get around to fixing them, as them came to him that way), and typical road rash on front valance. It was driven, which is what I want to do with it; no trailer queen. And since I have never been a fan of black wheels, I have a good excuse to decide whether to repair these or get the wheels I want; I have always been partial to chrome wheels (I know old school). I talk with the seller, and he turns out to be a great guy. Everything was smooth and great transaction.
Arrival and first drive:
I arrange for shipping and it arrives on 11/20/25. And immediately gets put away, as I’m in the north east and some salt is on the road. As luck would have it, we got a good rain and a good day, so I took it for a spin. WOW! Instant smile and joy. I did not feel that at all with the ‘25 GTs I drove. And that stick is so great. So happy to have a stick.
My first set of plans:
1. Get paint correction and ceramic coating in the Spring. There are a couple door dings to get popped as well. The rear deck lid black plastic has scratches from closing it, so will see if those can be taken out.
2. Leaning towards getting the wheels repaired, while I decide on different rims or not.
3. Add jacking rails. Not only for tire rotations, etc, this will help to get is up on jack stands so I can send the wheels out.
4. Get a Ford Performance filter on it (I order on over the holidays, so that just needs to get put on)
5. Decide whether to get the passenger side catch can or not.
6. Decide whether to get a Ford ESP Plan or not.
Things found after my short time having it:
1. I realize the original owner put on GT500 Snakes on the front fenders, so will have detailed remove those.
2. There is a small crack in the temp indicator on the dash, so will replace that.
My dealer was kind of enough to run an OASIS report for me. Only thing on there is the original owner had some issues with the passenger seat sensor, which lead to the center console coming out. That is my guess as to how the temp piece got broke.
Sponsored
, so that is another thing I will keep in mind when I repair them.
