GT350 Base reviews?

[DIzings2k]

Hi guys! I'm coming from the Honda S2000 world and absolutely cannot wait to order or buy a GT350 this coming spring! I have a few questions though.

I'm not sure if I should stretch for the track pack or not. I will only track the car probably 5-10 times a year and it will be stored for our Pennsylvania winters. It will purely be a weekend driver. I'm not sure if the magnetic dampers and the additional cooling will be worth it to me. I was just about to purchase a GT Performance pack 5.0 but the deal fell through and the wife told me to wait until spring and get what my heart really is set on. The GT pp doesn't offer mag dampers and I was perfectly fine with the way that car handled.

So I'm curious how you base owners and track pack owners like your suspension? Is the difference between the "comfort" setting and "track" setting on the dampers all that different?

How does the base suspension feel? Overly rough?

Thanks!
-Dustin

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[UMDrummer]

I can't speak with facts, since I don't have mine yet, but I can give you some of my thoughts.

I am bouncing between the base model and an add-on pack as well. Specifically, I am looking at the tech pack. To me, the main selling points of the TECH pack are leather heated seats (I'm in Michigan), Magneride (may be good on bumpy roads here), and the touchscreen console. However, the more I think about it, the more I don't think I can justify the $7,500 (or the $6,500 for the track pack). This is my personal feeling. Here is why:

For starters, track pack buyers don't get the leather heated seats and the larger touchscreen, and I know they're happy with their purchase still -- so that makes me think I can do without those items. For the sake of your post, I can most relate to my thoughts on Magneride, and I have two big points to where I can't really justify it myself:

1) I'm coming from a 2012 GT Premium, which has a solid rear axle and no performance package, and I've been doing fine driving on Michigan roads (which are terrible) for the past 5 years. ANYTHING would be an upgrade to me. I think the base GT350 would be a huge improvement, for the independent suspension alone. I'm sure Magneride is awesome and a smooth experience, but I'm just saying it depends on what you're coming from...not sure how an S2000 drives. I bet the car will be lovable either way.

2) I believe Magneride is a lot more expensive to replace down the line vs. the stock suspension. I have read online that it can be $1500+ per pair (not sure if that is 100% accurate), which is not a fee I want to be incurring. Someone correct me if I'm wrong about this point.

Also, regarding the extra cooling... not sure how cold Pittsburgh will get, but I have read that some people were experiencing oil temp issues in cold states with the track pack. i.e. things were a challenge to warm up.

Edit: sorry, just noticed you said you're storing for winter, so my last point doesn't matter for you.

 

[46foxcoupe]

here's a thread i posted when i got my base car 2 weeks ago

http://www.mustang6g.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36489

 

[icormba]

Hi guys! I'm coming from the Honda S2000 world and absolutely cannot wait to order or buy a GT350 this coming spring!

I will only track the car probably 5-10 times a year and it will be stored for our Pennsylvania winters. ...


Thanks!
-Dustin

Nice to see another Japanese sports car convert!
I don't have my car yet and I was really on the fence with my choice as well. I thought I'd be fine getting the base until I started to think a little, yeah stupid move! ;)

I really want my wife to enjoy this car as much as I will so I knew she would have to have the heated seats (California??) and I knew I would like the cooled seats.

I also do not think I'd even have the time to track more than 2-3 times a year. :( I have a feeling this car will be used more as a weekend or day trip type vehicle where it would also be nice to know where the weekend "heavy" traffic areas are so we can avoid them. Hence the nav with traffic alerts? It's a pain to have to grab our smart phones when we see traffic ahead.

I see a lot of "backroads" driving in my future... Magneride also seemed the correct path for this thought.

... and yes, I am still saving money to pay off the $7500 choice. I should have it in full by the time the car arrives, maybe. :cheers:

Some here might be thinking why didn't I just get a GT?
We test drove a '16 GT w/ performance package and it just didn't seem as responsive as our current vehicles so I knew the GT350 was for me!!

 

[DIzings2k]

The numerous 15 and a 16 GT 5.0 with performance pack cars that I thoroughly enjoyed are why I'm questioning my personal need for the magneride. I was perfectly happy with that suspension.

The S2000 for reference will rattle your fillings over expansion joints. The GT PP was nowhere near the stiffness and jarring of the S.

I love the idea of the magneride, I'm an IT guy so I love the technology.. but I'm trying to be a responsible new father (10 month old and another on the way!) and save some money.

The temptation is as another has mentioned, backroad driving. PA has a lot of great twisty roads that get pretty rough.. so the suspension adjustment would be nice. I'm sure the base suspension is great, but 90% of the time I'm driving the car I'm really going to be ripping around town or what have you.

Fox, is the suspension extremely stiff? Do you find it diving under braking at all? How is it compared to a 15+ performance pack GT car suspension?

 

[46foxcoupe]

Suspension is firm but still easily comfortable enough for a daily driver. Dive and body roll seem to be less than my 2015 gtpp.


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[chuckty101]

If you want that racecar look. Get the Recarros seats.

 

[5.0 435]

Yes they look great but.....they are very comfortable and hold you in nice and snug. Like a baby in it's mothers arms.:lol:
Once you are used to recaros other seats feel like a park bench . They are a must. I'm 6'5" and 210 and they fit perfect. Big fellows might have a problem.

 

[nastang87xx]

If you want that racecar look. Get the Recarros seats.

Recaro seats are standard on the Base, Track Pack, and R cars.

 

[combustor]

Track pack owner here. I really like the magnaride. Being a "track car" I fully expected to be crashing uncomfortably over bumps and potholes. I was pleasantly surprised and it rides better than any vehicle I own. If you don't plan on tracking the car I'd go so far as to say the extra coolers are a hindrance (see my post on oil temps). I second the recaros, very comfortable but only if you're not overweight.

 

[DIzings2k]

Very cool, I know the magneride will be great.

So question is, if I order the car, do I start paying for the car soon as I order or sign the final financing and down payment paperwork when the car arrives at the dealer?

 

[bdub85]

Very cool, I know the magneride will be great.

So question is, if I order the car, do I start paying for the car soon as I order or sign the final financing and down payment paperwork when the car arrives at the dealer?

You don't officially buy the car until it gets delivered.

 

[UMDrummer]

You don't officially buy the car until it gets delivered.

This ^^

My current Mustang took 3.5 months to be built and delivered, but I didn't start paying until it arrived.

I also made sure to get in writing how much the dealer was going to give me for the trade-in on my previous vehicle.

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