My Journey Starts Here... GT vs Mach 1 vs GT350

[5.2 liters of democracy]

No track use for me. Just to enjoy on the road and take to car shows (to look, not enter - or maybe enter, depending on what I get). I was leaning toward later models. What's the issue with the '18+ GT's?

Somehow I missed this in my post. Just driving around town you should be fine with the GT350. The reliability issues I've personally seen have all come from hard use so you shouldn't have to worry as much. You can't go wrong with either car though. Having driven both on and off track, Mach 1 is a sweet package.

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[Farkel]

You'll get a wide range of opinions on this forum; you know what they say about opinions, right?
Your decision should be based on what cars (and prices) are available to you and whatever floats your boat. Hopefully, you won't have to compromise on anything important to you, you'll find one that "speaks to you", and it'll be love at first sight.

 

[Paddles]

All three are honestly really cool cars

Based on your described use case I vote 2023 Mach 1 for sure
(if you can stomach the insurance cost)

Newest, best value, probably still under warranty, will absolutely still turn heads at car shows, and a comfortable powerful sporty drive.

GT 350 may be cooler or perform better but since you're after value and you're not tracking it's the Mach 1 or the GT all day.
If you've got money to throw around then it's the GT 350 all day.

 

[Brisvegas]

Get a late model Mach1 handling pack in anything but FJG and you are winning . Warranty , best looker and reliable

 

[icecreamtruckz]

I have had a laundry list of great cars. E46 M3, M5, S4, Challenger 392, C6 Z06, Golf R, and a few others.

None of them compare to the GT350. I was never a Ford guy. Corvette always was my flavor not Mustang. This last time I was looking for a manual car and just couldnt find a Vette that met my requirements. And now I am glad I couldn’t.

For fun factor, and a true drivers car, the Shelby can’t be beat. The seats, the wheel, transmission, driving position, sound, engine feel, steering, suspension, it’s a godamn dream. They hit it out of the park. I never keep cars longer than 4 years. I think that is going to change.

I find myself driving it just to drive it. Just to get behind the wheel. It never gets old. It’s my only vehicle, but I work from home. I don’t put more than 8k a year on my vehicles so I consider it my daily.

Go drive a 350 if you can. It’s not just a Mustang. It’s something completely different. The tactile experience you get driving this thing is unmatched. Ford knocked it out of the hemisphere with their changes. What a car.

 

[sox3]

Drive A GT350, you will see why I say it is the most addictive car to drive that I have ever owned! Does great at shows too.

 

[Hack]

GT350s are great! The transmission is not set up for fun on the street, but the engine note is one of a kind and the brakes are fantastic. The suspension setup is perfect for street driving in my opinion, and it also does well on track. Most Mustangs have way too soft of suspension in my opinion.

 

[jsp]

First, insurance. Since you have a DD, you should consider Specialty/Classic Car insurance. Like you, I have other vehicles to drive daily. I also have a locked garage (a requirement for my insurance). The policy I have is a zero deductible agreed value policy. I have comprehensive, collision and towing coverage. Also includes personal injury coverage and a bunch of other coverages that equate to full coverage. My policy does not limit driving activity (other than track use...not covered) but I had to select my approximate annual mileage...I selected 3,000/year. I could have opted for higher mileage (5k, 10k,15k, etc.) but 3,000 miles/yr works for me. My premium is $623/year for 2023 Mach 1. If my car is totaled, I get a check for the full agreed value, in my case, $68k, the sticker price of the car. I had a claim on this policy (different car) a few years ago. While parked in the locked garage, some drywall detached from the ceiling and fell on top of the car. The damage was visible (dent to top of quarter panel) but not extensive. Estimator came out, saw the damage and determined what needed to be done to repair the damage. No deductible. Great coverage IMO. So, my advice, look at this type of coverage to see if it meets your needs.

Like you, I looked at a bunch of options for my Mustang. Started with V8, manual transmission used GT's 2015 & up. The more I looked, the less I liked used car options because many of them appeared to be driven hard. Not so much track use/abuse just daily driver beat up...even those with low mileage. As I was looking, I determined I would likely add performance upgrades which add to the overall cost. I started to look at newer vehicles and new car options with more standard performance features PP, Mach 1, GT350 (used)...all considered. Ruled out the GT350 due to $$. Ended up with a new Mach 1 HP with nearly all options (no Recaros, no rear seat delete). It fit for me because it had many of the performance enhancements I wanted including some GT350 upgrades. It's a great combination of performance, looks, comfort, and value (even though it was one of the most expensive non-Shelby factory Mustangs at the time). No regrets.

 

[young at heart]

My advice is to forget about the insurance until you’ve decided on and bought a car. They’re two separate deliberations and if you’re letting one drive the other you likely shouldn’t be considering a performance Mustang in the first place. Get the car you want nailed down and then put the same effort into the insurance. You gotta have it anyway but it will be whatever it will be. Just deal with it.

So, which car? Well, forget about the GT350. There are a lot of fans of the car and very rightfully so. It‘s a wonderful machine and owners and fans love to chime in to that effect every chance they can. I get it and they aren’t wrong by any means, but that doesn’t mean it’s the right car for you. Based on your posts, it is not. It’s about as close to a streetable race car as Ford ever built, and if you were really a prospect for one you wouldn’t have to ask. You’d know. Ron Popeil didn’t build this thing and it’s not set it and forget it. It’s not really just a wonderful car as much as it is an obsessive hobby.

So, GT or Mach? Easy choice; how aggressively do you like to drive? Do you really like to throw it into corners hard? If so get the Mach. If not, a GT will do you just fine. And don’t worry about the HP, PP, etc. Not needed for what you describe.

Good luck in your search!

 

[petronix]

Sounds like a Bullitt might be a good fit, if you don't want an automatic. Be sure to get one with magneride.

While some don't like the gearing 2018+. The transmission was updated for durability a bit, including stronger shift forks.

 

[Sean22]

$1,200 a year for my 2022 GT, full coverage. I have an automatic, absolutely love it. I talked my dad into getting a 2020 GT (he was looking at Corvette’s) and he loves it. His is a manual, he doesn’t mind the taller gears of the MT-82D4 (18+ cars have the D4).

Plenty of people don’t track their Mach 1’s and love them. They do get the Tremec transmission in manual form, which most say is better than the MT-82 in the GT’s (I would agree with that statement as well). The Mach’s have extra coolers that you don’t need for street use, but I wouldn’t let something like that sway your decision. The Mach’s do share some parts with the Shelby’s, which is pretty cool. And good parts at that (such as the Tremec which is also found in the GT350’s).

The GT350 is such a special car, you can feel it when you drive it. Has a unique sound with that Voodoo motor too. The one downside to the motor is it’s expensive if something were to happen to it. Probably the best looking Mustang Ford has ever made. And the sound is intoxicating. Have I mentioned the sounds it makes?

Bro $1200/year full coverage? Not bad. What state are you in and may I ask what insurance company? I also have a '22 GT full coverage and insurance is crazy here in Washington state.

 

[MAGS1]

Bro $1200/year full coverage? What state are you in and may I ask what insurance company? I also have a '22 GT full coverage and insurance is crazy here in Washington state.

I’m in IL. Encompass Insurance, which is an Allstate company. Actually looking at changing, I hear Erie has even better rates and I’ll be adding a 16 year old to my insurance in a few months. I get discounts for multiple vehicles and home as well. Credit score also factors into rates a bit too if I recall

 

[Oakley]

just get whatever you want with magnaride.
its the only thing i wish i would've got with my car.

 

[cerbomark]

just get whatever you want with magnaride.
its the only thing i wish i would've got with my car.

I agree, good point.

 

[Sean22]

I’m 64 and last September I bought a 21 California Special for my retirement car. In Indiana 1000 a year full coverage with 100 deductible. At my age this car is everything I need. There is so much you can do with changing drive modes to make the car drive different when you want. I am still trying to figure it all out. Almost bought a Mach 1 but the performance feature's just more than I would ever use. I’m not a big fan of staggered wheel sizes. I’m old school and like to be able to rotate tires. I’m sure no matter which path you take you will love it.

64 with a Mustang, that's pretty cool! I bought my first GT as a retirement (military) gift to myself in 2016 then traded her in for a brand new '22 GT. Just turned 57 and love the car.

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