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Longtime GT driver test drives GT 350

JM7225

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I've had a Mustang GT since 2013 when I bought a 2011 Mustang. I have since owned 2 different 2015 GTs, but haven't owned one since selling my last GT the day I bought my wife's engagement ring a couple of years ago.

I've recently been looking to get back into a GT so I was pricing some out and found one I wanted to test drive. I test drove the 2018 GT PP and it was a familiar feeling. Some slop in the driveline and a lot of slop in the transmissions / shifting. The clutch was difficult to get the engagement point spot on. It was enjoyable, yet underwhelming. Maybe I'm just too used to them? Idk.

When I got back from the test drive I noticed there was a used GT 350 on the lot, and asked the salesman if I would be allowed to drive it. He said they aren't supposed to, but he didn't have anything better to do so we got in and took it for a spin.

I have to say, if I didn't know I was sitting in a Mustang I would never have guessed it was one. It was absolutely INCREDIBLE the difference in the two cars. The GT 350 is simply head and shoulders better in the categories of engine, transmission, clutch, driveline, and steering. I only got the car up to 5k during the test drive and even that felt like it was screaming. My world is now flipped upside down knowing what I've been missing out on. Honestly if those things don't matter to you then you probably aren't on this forum.

Anyways, thought I'd just give my $0.02 on my reaction to the differences after finally driving a GT 350. I'm currently looking to buy one lol.
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lenFeb

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I was looking to purchase between M2, M3, M4 and RS5. One day guy in my office offer me to test drive his GT350. The rest is a history....
 

Wildcardfox

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Congrats and great read. I own both a GT350R and a PP2 and the difference between those two cars is night and day. If you blindfolded someone and gave them a ride, they wouldn’t even know they were related, and the PP2 is heads and shoulders above a standard PP1 Mustang GT in road handling.
 

key01

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They are very special indeed. Take a few laps around a race track in one and wind up those rpms and you will really get a feel for what Ford Performance has done here. Thanks for stopping in
 

Michael_vroomvroom

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As a new GT driver for the first time ever in a car he wanted, rather than just something to get from A to B, I'm not at all happy to hear stuff like this. ;-)
 

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Voodoo Velocity

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Welcome to the spell of Voodoo.
 
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JM7225

JM7225

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As a new GT driver for the first time ever in a car he wanted, rather than just something to get from A to B, I'm not at all happy to hear stuff like this. ;-)
Knowing what I know now...my advice is to not drive a GT 350 unless you're ready to buy one!
 

Mikepol2

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As with everything else, to each their own...I have spent a lot of time in a GT350 and don't mind my GT one bit. I prefer the GT's clutch feel and torque curve over the GT350's. This is all of course based on how and where I use the car, which is not on a track - if that was the case I'd have the GT350. With the mods I've done, including adding GT350 wheels and sway bars, I'd never trade in my GT on a GT350, unless there was no money difference.
 

volcanogod

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Great post! My last Mustang before my 2016 GT 350 was a 1991 White with porno red interior Mustang GT. Both my wife and loved the car and we held on to it till 2005. I've always loved mustangs for MANY years. My wife knew my love and in 2018 she started looking for a used Mustang GT 350. She spent months looking and digging for the perfect one. Exit to February 2019 she revealed her covert plan for my birthday and on Feb 9th I drove home my 2016 GT 350 tech pack mustang which only had 5600 miles and had never seen the rain and was a resident of a climate controlled hanger. The car got baptised to rain on my birthday when I drove it home. It is my daily driver and has been the dream I've had for MANY years. I'm sad to see it has been discontinued in the coming year, but am very happy with my car. it has a light taste for oil and only needs a quart sip every 1800 miles. I think once you try and Shelby you will be in love. :) Enjoy!
 

FDHog

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Came from a 2018 Corvette GS to a 2019 Mustang GT. After 5 months of ownership I made the mistake of driving a 350.
Traded the gt for a 19 GT350. Night and day is an understatement. People that think the PP2 is just as good probably couldn't afford to get into a 350. The drivetrain itself is worth it. My Corvette was a convertible 7spd, and it still didn't smile as much as when I rev up the Shelby.
 

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dpAtlanta

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You are now a "VooDoo Head"... similar to a "Meth Head". One dose, and you are hooked for life.
You can't use VooDoo in moderation... if you think you can, then you are fooling yourself.
VooDoo does not discriminate against age, gender, financial & social status.

I found this on the American Addiction Centers website:

The GT350 is one of the most devastating and vicious vehicles on the market. The PBS documentary series Frontline explains that, like most vehicles, the GT350 derives its effectiveness from forcing the brain to pump out dopamine, the neurotransmitter that induces a sense of satisfaction from mere sound of the exhaust note to a drive on twisty roads. Any number of activities and tasks can cause a release of dopamine from the brain, but the GT350 hijacks that system and pushes the brain to secrete more dopamine than is normal and healthy. The GT350 is so powerful that it is instantly habit-forming, opening the door to long-term consumption.

Voodoo Velocity was being polite above... it's NOT a spell, it's much worse (or better when you own one)!
 

MNGT350

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As with everything else, to each their own...I have spent a lot of time in a GT350 and don't mind my GT one bit. I prefer the GT's clutch feel and torque curve over the GT350's. This is all of course based on how and where I use the car, which is not on a track - if that was the case I'd have the GT350. With the mods I've done, including adding GT350 wheels and sway bars, I'd never trade in my GT on a GT350, unless there was no money difference.
I hear you. For street driving, the coyote puts up a good fight. I can't find it now, but there used to be a dyno comparison online b/w current coyote and the voodoo, and under 3500 (maybe even 4000) RPM the coyote made more power everywhere. Stoplight to stoplight and most normal day to day driving, the normal GT likely feels faster.

I still would take my 350 though. Sound, looks, manners, corners, and the few times on the road you get to let her loose.
 

Mikepol2

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I hear you. For street driving, the coyote puts up a good fight. I can't find it now, but there used to be a dyno comparison online b/w current coyote and the voodoo, and under 3500 (maybe even 4000) RPM the coyote made more power everywhere. Stoplight to stoplight and most normal day to day driving, the normal GT likely feels faster.

I still would take my 350 though. Sound, looks, manners, corners, and the few times on the road you get to let her loose.
For sure. If they were the same cost I'd definitely take the GT350. But I paid $34,000 for my car and have spent $1900 on upgrades so about $36K in the hole. Not sure I'd pay the difference for a GT350 unless I was able to take it to the track where you can really appreciate its advantages over the GT. I only get to drive the GT on roads with speed limits of 50 mph or less 99% of the time so a GT350 just wouldn't be worth it.
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