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

[RNM]

You don't want to wait for the S650 GT350?

/sarcasm

Sponsored

 

[13GetThere]

Bullitt wouldn't be a bad choice for the OP. It has more HP than a standard GT, unique styling features, can come with magnaride if he can find it, and has low production numbers making it unique at a cars and coffee.
The Bulitt was the first Mustang to get me interested in the S550's.

 

[skinnyb]

Bullitt wouldn't be a bad choice for the OP. It has more HP than a standard GT, unique styling features, can come with magnaride if he can find it, and has low production numbers making it unique at a cars and coffee.
The Bulitt was the first Mustang to get me interested in the S550's.

Agreed. I looked for a nice Bullitt for quite a while but ended up buying my first Mustang, a 22 GT Premium. But I have several friends with Bullitt's that I can see and drive on occasion. It is a really nice package... And the highland green is really spectacular.

 

[-RAC-]

Ray. Something else you should know. You will spend a lot of money on tires and fill up the gas tank. When driving my GT350 I am filling up the car every other day. I also seem to be buying tires every year too. Not cheap but so worth it.

 

[ramu3527]

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

Do you not like the Fighter Jet Gray? I'm not saying it's the only color for me but I do really like that color.

 

[Strokerswild]

My '15 could possibly be on the block for the right price, just under 15K miles. Rare spec, one owner, what I consider to be minor mods, all reversible, all OE parts included (click 'Mods' in my signature).

I absolutely love the car, but recently ran across a bucket list classic I'm convincing myself I'd like to buy and have no space for more vehicles without giving one up.

 

[ramu3527]

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.

Insurance is a big part of this decision. As stated, I was quoted over 2k annually. It was like over $2600, actually. Not only is that ridiculous but may deter me from doing this at all. I suggested reducing coverage to comprehensive for 4 months out of the year to try and knock that premium down a little. I think she said it would knock 600+ off of it, which I will admit, made it a little more palatable. I'm in Michigan. I probably wouldn't be driving it in December through March anyhow. So, that may be acceptable. The conversation with my insurance company has all been email to this point so I'm not 100% clear on all of it. I plan on putting in a call today to discuss it in detail.

It's really starting to look like the Mach at this point. I'm not counting out a well equipped GT or a GT350. That said, the Mach seems to be the best of both worlds. I'm even starting to think I don't even need the HP based on my reading and other factors.

 

[ramu3527]

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!

On the insurance part, I can't agree. It is a part of my consideration. Like you said, it may not be a good idea for me to consider one in the first place. The insurance costs are definitely part of that equation.

Which car? Yeah, I think we're on the same page there. As far as I have researched to this point anyway. As super cool that 350 is, there just doesn't seem to be a good argument for me to own one. Between the cost of the car itself, insurance costs (I'm assuming it'll be considerably more than the Mach), the unneeded race/track specs and the potential issues with the Voodoo, I'm leaning toward the Mach. Yes, I would be driving it aggressively from time to time. I'm not totally against the HP yet either. Maybe just the thing I'm looking for. Time (and research) will tell...

Thanks for the input. It all helps!

 

[ramu3527]

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

Michigan sucks then! lol

I'm with Auto Owners. No 16 year old's, I also have discounts for home and auto (two vehicles and 3 bikes) and a credit score through the roof. Maybe time to start shopping around.

 

[ramu3527]

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.

Turning 56 in June. I would consider this a retirement gift as I'm planning to go sooner than later.

 

[ramu3527]

Ray. Something else you should know. You will spend a lot of money on tires and fill up the gas tank. When driving my GT350 I am filling up the car every other day. I also seem to be buying tires every year too. Not cheap but so worth it.

I'm leaning toward a Mach. I'm not sure if I need the HP either. I'm guessing a non-HP Mach would use a tad less fuel and have tires that would last longer. Although, I could always change out the tire to a more reasonable street tire if I were to get the HP. But yeah, it's a toy. Toys cost money! lol

 

[young at heart]

On the insurance part, I can't agree. It is a part of my consideration. Like you said, it may not be a good idea for me to consider one in the first place. The insurance costs are definitely part of that equation.

Which car? Yeah, I think we're on the same page there. As far as I have researched to this point anyway. As super cool that 350 is, there just doesn't seem to be a good argument for me to own one. Between the cost of the car itself, insurance costs (I'm assuming it'll be considerably more than the Mach), the unneeded race/track specs and the potential issues with the Voodoo, I'm leaning toward the Mach. Yes, I would be driving it aggressively from time to time. I'm not totally against the HP yet either. Maybe just the thing I'm looking for. Time (and research) will tell...

Thanks for the input. It all helps!

I’m not against the HP either. I have a ‘23 Mach 1 without it and a ‘24 DH with it. I love them both but I’m just a high spirited street jockey. I just personally wouldn’t let that drive the decision one way or the other. Truth be told in a heads-up street encounter between the two cars it would probably come down to the better driver anyway. Both cars are easily more fun than the law allows! Probably literally…

 

[ramu3527]

My '15 could possibly be on the block for the right price, just under 15K miles. Rare spec, one owner, what I consider to be minor mods, all reversible, all OE parts included (click 'Mods' in my signature).

I absolutely love the car, but recently ran across a bucket list classic I'm convincing myself I'd like to buy and have no space for more vehicles without giving one up.

Read your thread. Beautiful car with cool upgrades. It's enjoyable doing the work yourself. Don't always have time for it these days. I did a Stage II upgrade on a '09 Super Glide back in '12. Headers, pipes, cams and all the bits associated with that. It was very satisfying and the bike still rips to this day (relatively speaking).

I'll keep your '15 in mind. Honestly, looking for something a little newer. That Mach 1 is really growing on me.

 

[MachNroll]

On the insurance part, I can't agree. It is a part of my consideration. Like you said, it may not be a good idea for me to consider one in the first place. The insurance costs are definitely part of that equation.

Which car? Yeah, I think we're on the same page there. As far as I have researched to this point anyway. As super cool that 350 is, there just doesn't seem to be a good argument for me to own one. Between the cost of the car itself, insurance costs (I'm assuming it'll be considerably more than the Mach), the unneeded race/track specs and the potential issues with the Voodoo, I'm leaning toward the Mach. Yes, I would be driving it aggressively from time to time. I'm not totally against the HP yet either. Maybe just the thing I'm looking for. Time (and research) will tell...

Thanks for the input. It all helps!

I'm around $2600/yr for my M1 HP insurance. These cars are expensive to insure. They have horsepower, are driven a little more aggressively than a Prius, are more appealing to thieves than a Nissan Sentra, are known to have the expensive tires and wheels stolen and are costly to repair. Then factor in where the car is registered (i.e. big congested state, data shows high likelihood for claims etc.), and voila, $$$$ to insure. It pretty much comes down to if I want to play I gotta pay. Side note, my wife asked me the other day if I thought I would still want to drive a Mustang when I'm in my 70's (a ways away). I replied is that even a question?

 

[ramu3527]

I’m not against the HP either. I have a ‘23 Mach 1 without it and a ‘24 DH with it. I love them both but I’m just a high spirited street jockey. I just personally wouldn’t let that drive the decision one way or the other. Truth be told in a heads-up street encounter between the two cars it would probably come down to the better driver anyway. Both cars are easily more fun than the law allows! Probably literally…

Love it! The more reading and video research I do on this the bigger my smile gets. I'm 56. I've worked hard and invested well. I'll be gone in 30 year or so, if I'm lucky! Now's the time!! "High spirited street jockey!" Well put! Just noticed your list of vehicles in your garage. Nice collection!

Sponsored