Ordered GT350, second thoughts on GT350R

[R 350 gt Donson]

I ordered a GT350 two days ago with tech package. After watching all the winding roads videos just published I'm second guessing myself. I use to track a GT3 and really want to get back on the track. Reality is tires, track cost, fluids, pads and misc parts average about 2k per weekend so there's no way I'm going to get into it heavy again. Realistically, I think 4-6 times a year. My initial thoughts were to buy the GT350 and get a recaro seat for driver side and track wheels/tires(perhaps 18") for track days. My concern is whether or not the GT350 will handle a long track day without the additional coolers. Anyone else having the same concerns? Seems like the GT350R w tech package is the perfect car for my situation but the ADM plus additional cost make it tough to step up!

I would get a Track Pack, if your not able, or willing to pay a ADM...I like the spoiler and the seats better, plus for your purpose of tracking the car. With the factory cooling package sounds like a must for your needs. As many have stated use your smart phone for NAV.

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[krt22]

+1 on the track pack BTW...spend the money you saved on a lighter set of wheels, 305/315s, and a rear seat delete.

 

[Bosshog]

If you plan on tracking the car and are a semi-skilled, intermediate driver, get the TP.

Welcome Schilling. . . congrats on your order.

I was in a very similar position than you. . . To "R" or not to "R."?

After discussions with friends, wife, etc. . . I went with the track package.
(My wife bluntly said - "Your no race car driver.")

As I've said in other posts - a couple years ago a car without A/C, a radio and Recaro's was on the top of my list. . . but now I feel the car really belongs on a track (in my opinion.)

As someone like you that hits 4-6 track sessions a year, will we be able to get the extra performance out of the 350R vs. the GT350 track pack? Is the extra performance worth the extra cash? Perhaps when you just buy a base "R" - but what about adding the electronics package into the "R" ? - kind've defeats the purpose I.M.O and then we're into a $70K car (also I'd have to pay nearly 10% sales tax, so almost $80K!!)

Of course, since we've been inundated with "R" videos, after "R" videos and not a lot of press on the base GT350, tech or track pack cars - it's still somewhat of a mystery eh?? Ford definitely has done an amazing job at marketing this car but there's still a lot of unknown's about the other cars and these cars in general.

0.1 to 0.2 to 0.3 to 0.4 to 0.5 to 0.6 goes by amazingly quickly, and less you are racing yourself, racing others, or just racing - I guess that's not as important.

Anyhow, I'd definitely go with a track pack car, but that's just me.

The "R" will definitely hold it's value - but as I also said before in another post - there are 3-4 Foxbody "R"s on the market with NO miles - not selling.
There are a couple of 95 "R"s on the market, no miles - not selling.
There are a couple of 2000 "R"s on the market, no miles - not selling.

People buy these cars, never drive them - and now they can't be driven from a collectors stand point. Heck, I'd like to find a 20-30K mile 93' R and drive it! Not a 100 mile one! EEK!!

Keep us posted, I am sure either way you go you'll be STOKED!!

 

[Rated R]

While I fully agree with you about the consumable costs and the intensity/physicality of a hot lap on a bike, one thing you also must factor in is crashing. It's just 100x more punishing to make a mistake on a bike vs a car.

A single bad crash can set you back 10k+ once you factor in rebuilding the bike, medical bills (even with insurance), physical therapy, etc etc.

That and track days on bikes are much much more addictive than car days. Once you get that knee down, man, hard to stop

I agree 100%. However the vast majority of get offs (90%+-) don't involve anything more than rashed up leathers and scuffed rear sets, plastics etc. It really isn't as dangerous as people perceive. I've been track riding for over ten years and instructing for 8. I've seen my fair share of carnage and have only had to call the meat wagon a few times. Most days the ambulance sits and those who have crashed leave with only bruised egos.

And honestly, crashing a GT3 makes me cringe. That would be a terrible day.

 

[krt22]

Yes, I don't mind the garden variety low slide at the track, but the spectacular high side can and does happen, obviously I am speaking from experience.:cheers:

 

[Spa2k]

Change to a track pack.

In this case, absolutely.

Tech pack is for street-bred racetrack wannabes. ;)

That's a little harsh. Some of us (40-50% of the GT350 buyers so far) want an all-around performance car that may hit the track a couple of times a year. You should be thanking us for being the volume leader, adding to Ford's bottom line and making the more track-oriented versions possible for guys like you. :lol:

 

[blondie]

Change to a track pack. Tech pack is for street-bred racetrack wannabes. ;)

this is me. but seriously, i weighed the time i would spend on the street against the time on the track and thats why i am looking to get a tech pack. i plan to track it at most a handful of times in a year. i dont think i will miss the coolers and there is always the aftermarket.

the only real two options for me are the tech pack or full on R with the electronics back in and that is just a whole other price range of car.

 

[Cruzinaround]

this is me. but seriously, i weighed the time i would spend on the street against the time on the track and thats why i am looking to get a tech pack. i plan to track it at most a handful of times in a year. i dont think i will miss the coolers and there is always the aftermarket.

the only real two options for me are the tech pack or full on R with the electronics back in and that is just a whole other price range of car.

It would be far more rewarding for you to light-weight a Non-"R" and have rear seats you can remove and put back when you want. You can also swap the driver's and Passenger's seats or just remove the passenger side seat. Light-weight the exhaust...Wheel Swap etc etc. And do it for far less than buying a Track focused "R". Especially if you want to put a radio back in it with all the missing speakers and an AC. Are you kidding me? For the price of an "R" the AC should come in a separate crate ready for you to add at a later date.

Plus that Wild assed Wing and pushed out front Lip splitter will always come in an after Market solution later on. Also much cheaper than OEM.

I don't get the concept behind paying more for less car, which is what the "R" really is... Since the Wheels, Wing and Splitter are the main aero differences and as we all know... can be added later for less in the vast Aftermarket that always follows a Mustang. The Motor, Gearing and Tranny is the same. So is the suspension with possibly a different dampening program, which can be had with a simple ECU tweak after the boys at SCT get their hands all over these cars. In the Track Pack The Recaro's are the same, So is the reinforcement in the Nose and the strut bracing. Even the Brakes are the same.

So unless you're only going to drive the "R" on a weekend and are prepared to shell out for new tires after every weekend drive and/or track visit since those "R" tires are SOFT....you're in the long run going to possibly have to accept that as far as driving the "R".... you will likely be needing high tech curb feelers and parking proximity sensors to prevent the rash you're gonna put on the wheels, Tires and Splitter. Not to mention the tramlining those fat assed tires are gonna experience anyway. And as far as potholes... you might need to hire a person to always lead your car and give advance warning because the pothole detection system doesn't exist yet for the "R".

For less Money you Simply get more car in the Tech and Track Pack. And you can remove much of it to be just as light if not lighter than the "R". And Once removed you have the parts to put back on and no one's charging you more to delete them. So for the Novelty of an "R" the only joy is simply owning it... because if you're sensible then driving it should put the fear of damaging all that carbon and prematurely wearing out the tire treads front and center in your mind.

 

[krt22]

It would be far more rewarding for you to light-weight a Non-"R" and have rear seats you can remove and put back when you want. You can also swap the driver's and Passenger's seats or just remove the passenger side seat. Light-weight the exhaust...Wheel Swap etc etc. And do it for far less than buying a Track focused "R". Especially if you want to put a radio back in it with all the missing speakers and an AC. Are you kidding me? For the price of an "R" the AC should come in a separate crate ready for you to add at a later date.

Plus that Wild assed Wing and pushed out front Lip splitter will always come in an after Market solution later on. Also much cheaper than OEM.

I don't get the concept behind paying more for less car, which is what the "R" really is... Since the Wheels, Wing and Splitter are the main aero differences and as we all know... can be added later for less in the vast Aftermarket that always follows a Mustang. The Motor, Gearing and Tranny is the same. So is the suspension with possibly a different dampening program, which can be had with a simple ECU tweak after the boys at SCT get their hands all over these cars. In the Track Pack The Recaro's are the same, So is the reinforcement in the Nose and the strut bracing. Even the Brakes are the same.

So unless you're only going to drive the "R" on a weekend and are prepared to shell out for new tires after every weekend drive and/or track visit since those "R" tires are SOFT....you're in the long run going to possibly have to accept that as far as driving the "R".... you will likely be needing high tech curb feelers and parking proximity sensors to prevent the rash you're gonna put on the wheels, Tires and Splitter. Not to mention the tramlining those fat assed tires are gonna experience anyway. And as far as potholes... you might need to hire a person to always lead your car and give advance warning because the pothole detection system doesn't exist yet for the "R".

For less Money you Simply get more car in the Tech and Track Pack. And you can remove much of it to be just as light if not lighter than the "R". And Once removed you have the parts to put back on and no one's charging you more to delete them. So for the Novelty of an "R" the only joy is simply owning it... because if you're sensible then driving it should put the fear of damaging all that carbon and prematurely wearing out the tire treads front and center in your mind.

lol, wut?

 

[Spa2k]

Just give up and hit the Ignore button.

 

[DrumReaper]

People buy these cars, never drive them - and now they can't be driven from a collectors stand point. Heck, I'd like to find a 20-30K mile 93' R and drive it! Not a 100 mile one! EEK!!

Hell, I'd drive one with 100 miles... As if I stole it.

 

[DrumReaper]

In this case, absolutely.



That's a little harsh. Some of us (40-50% of the GT350 buyers so far) want an all-around performance car that may hit the track a couple of times a year. You should be thanking us for being the volume leader, adding to Ford's bottom line and making the more track-oriented versions possible for guys like you. :lol:

Lol... Yall guys need to respect the smiley face. He breaks down the frivolity of the post for me.

I was just yanking some chains guys... Hell, I look at is as a boat. I mostly wanna do inshore fishing and yet the family wants something to relax and cruise on. Will the family use it more than me?... No, so I got an inshore fishing boat and away we went.

Get what you are gonna use the car for 85% of the time and just make the best of the 15% alternate duty.

 

[ohtobbad]

I can't wait to get my Lesser R LMFAO
I had to read twice, to believe I read it.

 

[krt22]

I can't wait to get my Lesser R LMFAO
I had to read twice, to believe I read it.

You sir are a sucker, paying more for less And if you paid an ADM, you paid more to pay more for less. YIKES!

 

[Spa2k]

Lol... Yall guys need to respect the smiley face. He breaks down the frivolity of the post for me.

I was just yanking some chains guys... Hell, I look at is as a boat.

Hey, I was just playing poker ... I saw your Wink and raised you an LOL!

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