GT350R vs EVERYTHING

[Egparson202]

This is coming from a person who actually likes the R and sees it as a relative bargain at MSRP prices. However, the VIN and rarity argument is so weird to bring up to people who supposedly prioritize the driving experience of sports cars.

List of differences that matter to those who prioritize the sports car driving experience:

1. CF wheels - NICE
2. Weight reduction - YES!
3. Sticker tires - MMMHMM
4. VIN - ...okay?

VINs and rarity matter to collectors and...car show posers? Why is this brought up? No doubt it impacts resale but again if we're a forum of people who are interested in performance cars, then what are we doing here talking about VINs?

Why, indeed!

In all seriousness, I generally assign value to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That may be a bit old fashioned to some, but it’s worth holding on to. In the automobile enthusiast arena that usually means I support just about everyone who’s enjoying their cars even if it’s not my exact choice or rationale. So if people want to place the GT350R (or any other car) on a pedestal, I’m down with that.

Where I part company is when it becomes religion, and all others are looked down on. Sometimes we all do that to a degree if we’re being honest. So, express your love for [fill in the blank] all you want. Just don’t be a kill joy.

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[svttim]

Google is your friend.
Here’s just one reference.

https://www.cjponyparts.com/resources/gt350-vs-gt350r

Yes straight times are extremely close. Its a track car

I guess I'm extra screwed not only do I only have a 350, but it is also an 18! I guess I'll just have to keep daily driving I and driving it to and from the track, since it isn't valuable.

Its telling that not one R owner trashed the base GT350. But here are several Base model owners commenting on a R thread calling it an overpriced car with minimal performance gains. Seems the R guys are not but hurt but...............

 

[Whopperman]

This is coming from a person who actually likes the R and sees it as a relative bargain at MSRP prices. However, the VIN and rarity argument is so weird to bring up to people who supposedly prioritize the driving experience of sports cars.

List of differences that matter to those who prioritize the sports car driving experience:

1. CF wheels - NICE
2. Weight reduction - YES!
3. Sticker tires - MMMHMM
4. VIN - ...okay?

VINs and rarity matter to collectors and...car show posers? Why is this brought up? No doubt it impacts resale but again if we're a forum of people who are interested in performance cars, then what are we doing here talking about VINs?

You forgot that the R on the seat is -1.5 seconds per lap on any track

 

[Tomster]

Yes straight times are extremely close. Its a track car




Its telling that not one R owner trashed the base GT350. But here are several Base model owners commenting on a R thread calling it an overpriced car with minimal performance gains. Seems the R guys are not but hurt but...............

I know, who in their right mind would buy an R if all you have to do is get new wheels and tires?

It would be nice if people were fair. Well, life isn't fair.

 

[stanglife]

This is coming from a person who actually likes the R and sees it as a relative bargain at MSRP prices. However, the VIN and rarity argument is so weird to bring up to people who supposedly prioritize the driving experience of sports cars.

List of differences that matter to those who prioritize the sports car driving experience:

1. CF wheels - NICE
2. Weight reduction - YES!
3. Sticker tires - MMMHMM
4. VIN - ...okay?

VINs and rarity matter to collectors and...car show posers? Why is this brought up? No doubt it impacts resale but again if we're a forum of people who are interested in performance cars, then what are we doing here talking about VINs?

You're imposing your personal opinion against what is known as fact. Specific models (VINs) hold more value. You stamp that as only being desirable by collectors, again your own opinion vs actual fact. The fact is that even people into performance cars use their common sense when buying cars - knowing they might sell them some day to buy something else, or not, doesn't matter. The asset retains more value which leaves more flexibility to make choices later.

You're trying to tell car enthusiasts which specific aspects of the hobby should be important to them - good luck with that.

 

[Hack]

Go ahead. Knock yourself out. Take a 350 and convert it down to a gnats ass the spec of an R. You will spend a fortune and you will never get it back unless you tear it apart and return it to stock when you try to sell it. Maybe you missed it, but the value is in the VIN

Why convert? It depends on if you want a fun, relatively inexpensive car to use or if you want something that's worth a lot of money. Value is cool when you want to sell, but it's not great if you are buying, driving, tracking or insuring. In other words - if you want to use the car as a car and not just garage art.

I always thought the R was great. Definitely a faster car on a track, which comes down to a lot of details that are better for that purpose. But I also always thought the regular GT350 was better for me. It hits a lot fewer approaches - easier to drive on the street. The tires last longer street or track. And much easier to find one and less expensive to purchase. I probably never would have put 30,000+ miles on an R and that would have been a shame. Owning a car but not really using it (for whatever reason).

 

[svttim]

Why convert? It depends on if you want a fun, relatively inexpensive car to use or if you want something that's worth a lot of money. Value is cool when you want to sell, but it's not great if you are buying, driving, tracking or insuring. In other words - if you want to use the car as a car and not just garage art.

I always thought the R was great. Definitely a faster car on a track, which comes down to a lot of details that are better for that purpose. But I also always thought the regular GT350 was better for me. It hits a lot fewer approaches - easier to drive on the street. The tires last longer street or track. And much easier to find one and less expensive to purchase. I probably never would have put 30,000+ miles on an R and that would have been a shame. Owning a car but not really using it (for whatever reason).

Well said.

 

[Egparson202]

Its telling that not one R owner trashed the base GT350. But here are several Base model owners commenting on a R thread calling it an overpriced car with minimal performance gains. Seems the R guys are not but hurt but...............

To me the most interesting thing is that in a thread called “GT350R vs EVERYTHING” we’ve fallen into the never ending GT350R vs GT350 debate again. No way to see that one coming, LOL. I guess it’s sort of a sibling rivalry thing.

Some facts:

• Both cars are a tremendous value
• Both cars are very close in performance
• Both cars are quite special
• The R is quicker in stock trim (As it should be)
• The R is much more rare (There’s value in that)
• The Base 350 can be modified to close that gap and then some (That can be fun)
• The R could also be modified, but R owners are often more concerned with retaining value (There’s nothing wrong with that)

Some observations:

• The Base 350 owners that are inclined to mod, often make comparisons to the R (Why not, it’s great)
• The R owners sometimes find those comparisons to be unwelcome
• The debate resumes (Emotions follow)
• Proving that Ford hit the mark from both an engineering and marketing standpoint
• Predictably, most of us are still in love with the choices we’ve made.
• There will always be other cars. (That’s a good thing)

Online forums have pros and cons. If/when we see one another at the track or elsewhere, I’m betting we’d be fast friends and that online pettiness would be replaced with good-natured trash talk. Three cheers to you guys!

 

[stanglife]

Why convert? It depends on if you want a fun, relatively inexpensive car to use or if you want something that's worth a lot of money. Value is cool when you want to sell, but it's not great if you are buying, driving, tracking or insuring. In other words - if you want to use the car as a car and not just garage art.

I always thought the R was great. Definitely a faster car on a track, which comes down to a lot of details that are better for that purpose. But I also always thought the regular GT350 was better for me. It hits a lot fewer approaches - easier to drive on the street. The tires last longer street or track. And much easier to find one and less expensive to purchase. I probably never would have put 30,000+ miles on an R and that would have been a shame. Owning a car but not really using it (for whatever reason).

You don't have to not drive an R to make sure it's worth more. It's always going to be worth more for that VIN evne if you put 50k on it next to a 50k non-r. It's all personal preference if you want to drive them or not. You''re not going to sell it as a wrapper car, so there's that lol

 

[stanglife]

To me the most interesting thing is that in a thread called “GT350R vs EVERYTHING” we’ve fallen into the never ending GT350R vs GT350 debate again. No way to see that one coming, LOL. I guess it’s sort of a sibling rivalry thing.

Some facts:

• Both cars are a tremendous value
• Both cars are very close in performance
• Both cars are quite special
• The R is quicker in stock trim (As it should be)
• The R is much more rare (There’s value in that)
• The Base 350 can be modified to close that gap and then some (That can be fun)
• The R could also be modified, but R owners are often more concerned with retaining value (There’s nothing wrong with that)

Some observations:

• The Base 350 owners that are inclined to mod, often make comparisons to the R (Why not, it’s great)
• The R owners sometimes find those comparisons to be unwelcome
• The debate resumes (Emotions follow)
• Proving that Ford hit the mark from both an engineering and marketing standpoint
• Predictably, most of us are still in love with the choices we’ve made.
• There will always be other cars. (That’s a good thing)

Online forums have pros and cons. If/when we see one another at the track or elsewhere, I’m betting we’d be fast friends and that online pettiness would be replaced with good-natured trash talk. Three cheers to you guys!

Yes, true. I tried, at first, to keep it as what else could you really get vs an R for the money... Someone menttioned a 350, Mach and even a GT. Those are all downgrades but great values in their own right. How many 350 owners upgraded to Rs - many. How many R owners "upgraded" to a 350? I'll say none.

If this thread was about how to get the most track value for the money, we'd be discussing MX5 right now. Ecoboost is arguably the best deal in the Mustang lineup as well.

 

[WItoTX]

To me the most interesting thing is that in a thread called “GT350R vs EVERYTHING” we’ve fallen into the never ending GT350R vs GT350 debate again. No way to see that one coming, LOL. I guess it’s sort of a sibling rivalry thing.

Some facts:

• Both cars are a tremendous value
• Both cars are very close in performance
• Both cars are quite special
• The R is quicker in stock trim (As it should be)
• The R is much more rare (There’s value in that)
• The Base 350 can be modified to close that gap and then some (That can be fun)
• The R could also be modified, but R owners are often more concerned with retaining value (There’s nothing wrong with that)

Some observations:

• The Base 350 owners that are inclined to mod, often make comparisons to the R (Why not, it’s great)
• The R owners sometimes find those comparisons to be unwelcome
• The debate resumes (Emotions follow)
• Proving that Ford hit the mark from both an engineering and marketing standpoint
• Predictably, most of us are still in love with the choices we’ve made.
• There will always be other cars. (That’s a good thing)

Online forums have pros and cons. If/when we see one another at the track or elsewhere, I’m betting we’d be fast friends and that online pettiness would be replaced with good-natured trash talk. Three cheers to you guys!

This 100%. If I had an R, I would feel horrible with all the weight reduction I have done on my 350. I would stress about being on the track with it, and where I parked it, and all that. The R is special, and should be treated as such!

You should see the R guys I race with. They are none too pleased when they lose to "just a 350", and make excuses. Just like Porsche and BMW guys. I don't tell them I have track rat friends in 5.0's that make me look like a turtle LOL

It really is weird how emotion people get about cars in general. Buy what you want, and run it like you want!

 

[Hack]

You don't have to not drive an R to make sure it's worth more. It's always going to be worth more for that VIN evne if you put 50k on it next to a 50k non-r. It's all personal preference if you want to drive them or not. You''re not going to sell it as a wrapper car, so there's that lol

Yes it will be worth more, and it will also cost you more to drive. Many people don't use the factory GT350R equipment due to cost.

Yes, true. I tried, at first, to keep it as what else could you really get vs an R for the money... Someone menttioned a 350, Mach and even a GT. Those are all downgrades but great values in their own right. How many 350 owners upgraded to Rs - many. How many R owners "upgraded" to a 350? I'll say none.

If this thread was about how to get the most track value for the money, we'd be discussing MX5 right now. Ecoboost is arguably the best deal in the Mustang lineup as well.

I downgraded to a GT and am considering a GR86. I test drove an R and decided not to buy. It was used with an engine replacement and IIRC the price at the time was $54k. I didn't think that specific car was worth that money at the time. I like the gearing of the GT on the street, and with the FP track suspension I think the ride is similar to a 350. But the experience as a whole will always fall short. I know the GT will let me down on track by comparison to the GT350.

I realize I'm off topic because I'm not saying for a second these cars are better than an R (unless you have budget/mental constraints that won't let you drive an R due to cost, then these other choices are superior for you).

 

[Egparson202]

This 100%. If I had an R, I would feel horrible with all the weight reduction I have done on my 350. I would stress about being on the track with it, and where I parked it, and all that. The R is special, and should be treated as such!

You should see the R guys I race with. They are none too pleased when they lose to "just a 350", and make excuses. Just like Porsche and BMW guys. I don't tell them I have track rat friends in 5.0's that make me look like a turtle LOL

It really is weird how emotion people get about cars in general. Buy what you want, and run it like you want!

Couldn't agree more. On all points.

 

[WItoTX]

Yes it will be worth more, and it will also cost you more to drive. Many people don't use the factory GT350R equipment due to cost.

I downgraded to a GT and am considering a GR86. I test drove an R and decided not to buy. It was used with an engine replacement and IIRC the price at the time was $54k. I didn't think that specific car was worth that money at the time. I like the gearing of the GT on the street, and with the FP track suspension I think the ride is similar to a 350. But the experience as a whole will always fall short. I know the GT will let me down on track by comparison to the GT350.

I realize I'm off topic because I'm not saying for a second these cars are better than an R (unless you have budget/mental constraints that won't let you drive an R due to cost, then these other choices are superior for you).

I've been beat by 5.0's. It's more the driver knowing their car, where to place it in going into a corner, when to get off brakes and into the throttle, how weight transfers around as you go through the turn, and whether or not the driver knows the course. I'd be the first to admit, I am not that great at all those things. My car has far more potential than I am capable of right now.

If you have the GT, you are the underdog. I always cheer for the underdog!

 

[Egparson202]

Yes, true. I tried, at first, to keep it as what else could you really get vs an R for the money... Someone menttioned a 350, Mach and even a GT. Those are all downgrades but great values in their own right. How many 350 owners upgraded to Rs - many. How many R owners "upgraded" to a 350? I'll say none.

If this thread was about how to get the most track value for the money, we'd be discussing MX5 right now. Ecoboost is arguably the best deal in the Mustang lineup as well.

You’re right. When I was searching for a weekend/track car my choices narrowed to the 350/350R and 981 Cayman S/GTS. At the time I was struck by the stark differences. Seeing later how much overlap there is between Shelby and GT3 ownership/desire, it doesn’t seem as odd as it did then.

Not surprisingly, when I did pull the trigger on my Base 350 it was because of the combination of bang for the buck value, uniqueness and availability. Thrilled with the choice. No regrets on passing on the Cayman, Camaro, Corvette, M2, M4… or 350R.

But there’s always tomorrow. Can’t say I won’t ever get the itch for the GT3. It really is something special.

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