Move from GT500 to GT350

[Stang65]

Anyone here come from GT500 to GT350? Interested to hear what pushed you and if any regrets at all.

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[svttim]

I moved in 16. Initially I regretted the loss of torque until I realized I had to drive the car differently. On my second now and would not go back although I loved my 500's

 

[JR369]

Not directly from a 500 to the R. There was a HC A8 in between. ZERO regret. Out of all the cars I've had I'd rank them as follows:

1. 2018 GT350R - currently own
2. 2015 Stingray Corvette Z51 convertible M7 - currently own
3. 2012 Boss - wish I still had
4. 2016 HC A8
5. 2014 GT500
6. 2000 SS Camaro 6spd
7. 1993 5.0 LX white Limited Edition convertible

I guess if you analyze the rankings in my list, I prefer balance and handling more than power. The HC was a lot more fun in a straight line than the GT500. The GT500 was a poorly engineered car from a handling standpoint. The 3:31 ratio was terrible unless you roll race. I look back on it and think the GT500 was waste of my time but I had to do it to see I guess.

 

[PP0001]

Anyone here come from GT500 to GT350? Interested to hear what pushed you and if any regrets at all.

If you are speaking of the last generation of GT500's I originally owned a 2008 convertible and a 2009 coupe and convertible.

They were okay cars but certainly did not provide me with the driving pleasure of the 2012/2013 Boss 302 cars that I had owned especially the LS optioned cars.

Within in the last 6 weeks I turned in my GT500 CFTP allocation and ordered a 2020 GT350R with the HEP and would have never ordered the 2 seat GT500 car had I known that the HEP optioned R model would be launched many months later.

Certainly no disrespect to the new Shelby GT500 as it is an outstanding automobile but when the iconic Wimbledon White/Guardsman Blue colors from the 60's were being offered on the 2020 R along with a manual transmission and of course a NA engine it was an easy choice for me to make.

Being old school I grew up with one hand on the shifter, one hand on the steering wheel and two feet working the peddles down below and with both eyes on the road and tach at the same time therefore I feel that I will have a much more engaging driving experience with the 2020 R model compared to the CFTP even though the GT500 is a much faster automobile in all aspects.

 

[TxGT350-52]

Being old school I grew up with one hand on the shifter, one hand on the steering wheel and two feet working the peddles down below and with both eyes on the road and tach at the same time therefore I feel that I will have a much more engaging driving experience with the 2020 R model compared to the CFTP even though the GT500 is a much faster automobile in all aspects.

I agree wholeheartedly... When I was deciding between the various cars that would replace my aging Viper, the DSG auto trans cars always fell to the bottom of the list. I almost pulled the trigger on a 2019 Bullitt Mustang, but after driving a GT PP2 and then, the GT350, I was hooked on the VooDoo sounds and the smooth shifting Tremec.

I have no real interest in the GT500 at this point...

 

[meterman]

I had a 2007 GT500 for 10 years, 650RWHP and this past September I bought the GT350R. What pushed me was the heat soak and overheating at the track. I don't do the drag strip, only road courses. I've got 50 track days under my belt and I was just tired of having to pay more attention to the gauges rather than enjoy the ride. I even remember saying to a racing buddy Ilove my GT500 and will never sell it. I can't spend $70,000+ for a car that only gets driven 1000-2000 miles a year, but I should have never said never and here I am with a 2019 GT350R LOL.

AS you can see below my GT500 was heavily modified and I did everything other than put an ice cooling system in the trunk and it just still would not help.
JBA Off Road X Pipe
BMR-SP009 – Lowering Springs
BMR- SB022 – Front Sway Bar
BMR-SB023 – Rear Swaybar Kit w/ Billet End Links Solid 22mm
BMR-ELK010 End link kit for sway bars
Tokico D-Spec DSP-12
Cortex Xtreme-Grip Watts Link System, Track, 2005+ Mustang (#CWL-40-1000)
Cortex Xtreme-Grip Torque Arm System for 2005+ S197 Mustang
Cortex Xtreme-Grip LCA System, 2005+ Mustangs, Street
FORD RACING BOSS 302 TORSEN DIFFERENTIAL -- M-4204-MB
DSS Aluminum drive shaft from www.ModifyMyStang.com
MGW 2007 - 2014 GT500 Short Throw Shifter
2007-2011 Shelby GT500 High Capacity Radiator
Goodridge G-stop Stainless Steel Brake Line Kit
JLT BIG Air Intake Kit, Black Textured (2007-09 GT500)
VMP GEN II-R TVS 2.3L SUPERCHARGER w 2.6 pulley
VMP TWIN JET 67MM THROTTLE BODY
FRPP 56 LB/HR FUEL INJECTORS
Mcleod Shelby GT500 RXT Street Twin Disc Clutch Kit
VMP DUAL FAN TRIPLE PASS HEAT EXCHANGER

The 1st impression of the GT350R once I broke it in was WOW!! Now it didn't take off initially like the GT500 did but the GT500 wouldn't hook up until 3rd gear either. I always needed a rolling start and even then it still didn't hook up. The first time I jumped on the 350R from a red light I thought WOW (again) the tires are not spinning and as soon as I passed 3000 RPM I felt the car take off just like the GT500 did. I can't wait until I test launch control.

Do I miss the SC whine, yeah!

Do i miss the power, yeah!

Does GT350R offer something special, HELL YEAH!

As soon as I got in the car the biggest thing that jumps out is the Recaro seats. They fit so snug and plant you were you want to be. The 07 didn't have them (I don't think they offered them either) but that was one of the biggest disappointments in the GT500. The handling technology is also so different. Again, I've not taken it to the road course yet, but I have 10 track days scheduled this year so I will test that out thoroughly.

My GT500 was louder that the 350R but it's just so weird having to wait another 2000 RPM before I have to shift. I was able to do it by feel in the GT500 and now I feel myself having to say DON'T shift yet LOL. The sound is amazing but everything about this car is amazing.

So, bottom line, do I regret it, no, not at all but I'm sure I will be really emphatic after a couple track days.I

I hope that helps.

Jim

 

[newmoon]

Great to see the high regard for the Boss. I've had a lot of cars through my time and spent many hours researching and driving the competition but my list remains the same.

1. My 2019 GT350
2. My 2013 Boss
3. My 2004 Cobra,
4. All others.

 

[PP0001]

I had a 2007 GT500 for 10 years, 650RWHP and this past September I bought the GT350R. What pushed me was the heat soak and overheating at the track. I don't do the drag strip, only road courses. I've got 50 track days under my belt and I was just tired of having to pay more attention to the gauges rather than enjoy the ride. I even remember saying to a racing buddy Ilove my GT500 and will never sell it. I can't spend $70,000+ for a car that only gets driven 1000-2000 miles a year, but I should have never said never and here I am with a 2019 GT350R LOL.

AS you can see below my GT500 was heavily modified and I did everything other than put an ice cooling system in the trunk and it just still would not help.
JBA Off Road X Pipe
BMR-SP009 – Lowering Springs
BMR- SB022 – Front Sway Bar
BMR-SB023 – Rear Swaybar Kit w/ Billet End Links Solid 22mm
BMR-ELK010 End link kit for sway bars
Tokico D-Spec DSP-12
Cortex Xtreme-Grip Watts Link System, Track, 2005+ Mustang (#CWL-40-1000)
Cortex Xtreme-Grip Torque Arm System for 2005+ S197 Mustang
Cortex Xtreme-Grip LCA System, 2005+ Mustangs, Street
FORD RACING BOSS 302 TORSEN DIFFERENTIAL -- M-4204-MB
DSS Aluminum drive shaft from www.ModifyMyStang.com
MGW 2007 - 2014 GT500 Short Throw Shifter
2007-2011 Shelby GT500 High Capacity Radiator
Goodridge G-stop Stainless Steel Brake Line Kit
JLT BIG Air Intake Kit, Black Textured (2007-09 GT500)
VMP GEN II-R TVS 2.3L SUPERCHARGER w 2.6 pulley
VMP TWIN JET 67MM THROTTLE BODY
FRPP 56 LB/HR FUEL INJECTORS
Mcleod Shelby GT500 RXT Street Twin Disc Clutch Kit
VMP DUAL FAN TRIPLE PASS HEAT EXCHANGER

The 1st impression of the GT350R once I broke it in was WOW!! Now it didn't take off initially like the GT500 did but the GT500 wouldn't hook up until 3rd gear either. I always needed a rolling start and even then it still didn't hook up. The first time I jumped on the 350R from a red light I thought WOW (again) the tires are not spinning and as soon as I passed 3000 RPM I felt the car take off just like the GT500 did. I can't wait until I test launch control.

Do I miss the SC whine, yeah!

Do i miss the power, yeah!

Does GT350R offer something special, HELL YEAH!

As soon as I got in the car the biggest thing that jumps out is the Recaro seats. They fit so snug and plant you were you want to be. The 07 didn't have them (I don't think they offered them either) but that was one of the biggest disappointments in the GT500. The handling technology is also so different. Again, I've not taken it to the road course yet, but I have 10 track days scheduled this year so I will test that out thoroughly.

My GT500 was louder that the 350R but it's just so weird having to wait another 2000 RPM before I have to shift. I was able to do it by feel in the GT500 and now I feel myself having to say DON'T shift yet LOL. The sound is amazing but everything about this car is amazing.

So, bottom line, do I regret it, no, not at all but I'm sure I will be really emphatic after a couple track days.I

I hope that helps.

Jim

Good post with a great deal of modifications to your 2007 GT500.

Even with all of your modifications I am sure that you can understand and appreciate just how much technology that Ford put into the recent generation GT350/R's with the 2019 being the best R model up to that point.

On top of that you were able to snag one of the very last 2019 R's that was probably built during the last half of August last year.

 

[Madstork97]

Yes I had a 2014 GT500 it's super fast going straight but that's all!
I order a GT350R 12/14/18 and I didn't get my allocation till 7/23/19, and I'm still waiting on my build date ! With a very big down payment

 

[Wildcardfox]

Yes I had a 2014 GT500 it's super fast going straight but that's all!
I order a GT350R 12/14/18 and I didn't get my allocation till 7/23/19, and I'm still waiting on my build date ! With a very big down payment

You’ll love it. I grew up in a drag race team so all of my previous mustangs were big power straight line cars. I guess I grew tired of going Warp Speed in one direction. I bought a friends mustang who had passed away and it was a 500 horsepower v6 with over 15k of suspension. He built it as a sleeper so it even had the grocery cart bumpers on the doors. I dropped the sleeper look immediately. I thought I would hate only have 500, but it was just a daily; however, that car made me fall in love with cornering and handling. A few years later I bought my GT350R and it is hands down the best Mustang, best car that I have ever had.

 

[QCGoose]

When I was deciding between the various cars that would replace my aging Viper...

What year Viper? If you don't mind my asking, how would you compare your old Viper to the GT350? Anything you liked or disliked about one over the other?

I ask because since I was a child the Viper has been one of my favorite cars, especially the '96-'02 GTS Coupe. I was initially wanting one badly, but the wife wasn't too keen on a two-seater as she preferred I get something with back seats for our two young boys (ages 3 and 5), and while I was initially looking at 19+ GT PP1s, I felt a GT wouldn't have had the overall thrill and "every drive is an event"-feeling that I would have had in a Viper, so I moved my search to a GT350. I know the Shelby is packed with modern tech so it won't be as raw and trying to kill me every chance it gets like a Viper (that's part of why I love Vipers!), but I've read enough reviews to know the car is special and every drive will hopefully feel as such.

 

[GT30fan]

https://www.hotcars.com/70000-for-a-2020-mustang-gt500-no-thanks/

 

[Inthehighdesert]

Not much original thought in that.

https://www.hotcars.com/70000-for-a-2020-mustang-gt500-no-thanks/

 

[GT30fan]

Not much original thought in that.

It is an interesting article to me in so far as why the author was waiting until the end of the article to reveals his preferences for the GT350. I'm just sharing the article and letting each person see if they agree with the thoughts this author has. I'm sure they are both wonderful cars but it is becoming increasingly clear Ford has made 2 different beasts and each will appeal to a different kind of Cobra consumer

 

[meterman]

Good post with a great deal of modifications to your 2007 GT500.

Even with all of your modifications I am sure that you can understand and appreciate just how much technology that Ford put into the recent generation GT350/R's with the 2019 being the best R model up to that point.

On top of that you were able to snag one of the very last 2019 R's that was probably built during the last half of August last year.

Thanks, yeah I do appreciate it and will appreciate it even more this summer with 10 track days lined up

It arrived at the dealer on Saturday Aug 30th, I saw it on Labor day Sept 2nd. The sales rep was bored at his wife's parents house picnic and said he'd meet me at the dealership that afternoon. On Sat Sept 7th I took her home.

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