Ordered GT350, second thoughts on GT350R

[Cruzinaround]

EDITED:
My bad. I misread. Yeah, best of both worlds if those worlds are worth another $10K.

Ummmm.... not 10k. You pay another 13k over the base "R" for SOME of those previously Deleted features to be added back in. So when all said and done.... More like 23k

Once added back on if the best of both Worlds is putting the previously deleted weight back on the car to be more like the GT350 Tech or Track Pack.... okay I guess you're right.

Otherwise.... the cars are really the same. The chassis tuning can likely be done on a weekend, etc etc. There's nothing Nothing modder's can't and/or won't do to a tech or track pack that comes on an "R".

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[krt22]

Ummmm.... not 10k. You pay another 13k over the base "R" for SOME of those previously Deleted features to be added back in. So when all said and done.... More like 23k

Once added back on if the best of both Worlds is putting the previously deleted weight back on the car to be more like the GT350 Tech or Track Pack.... okay I guess you're right.

Otherwise.... the cars are really the same. The chassis tuning can likely be done on a weekend, etc etc. There's nothing Nothing modder's can't and/or won't do to a tech or track pack that comes on an "R".

Fuzzy math bro, fuzzy math. The R+electronics pack is 10k over the track pack only. For that 10k extra you get AC, navi/upgraded radio, CF wing, splitter, and a 12-15k set of wheels

 

[krt22]

And I bet you can buy a set after the cars hit the streets for a lot less. It will be interesting to see if these become an inexpensive popular mod like the Cobra R wheels did in 95 and in 2000 or if they stay high. My bet is that the first sets will go for $5-7K and then the price will drop pretty quickly. I expect Ford to make a bunch to satisfy the aftermarket.

I'm not sure about that. Only 500 R's made, so its not like a ton will be on the open market. The company that makes the wheels already sells them in the aftermarket (for porsches) at 15.5k a set.

 

[FTD]

If you are going to DD the car with the occasional track day and care about creature comforts get the tech package.

If I could have bought a R at MSRP I would have because my GT350 will be almost exclusively used for motorsports. I called 124 dealerships and the closest I found to MSRP on an R was a $15k ADM. For $25k more than a GT350 track I'll pass, I could have bought a lot of differenet cars at that price point (I considered a z07 or a 09+ 911T).

My plan is to wait for the carbon wheels to hit the used or parts market at a reasonable price or pickup a 17/18/19 GT350R closer to MSRP, if its possible and still desired.

 

[speedracermustangfan]

I'll be getting the tech pack gt350, sync in the raptor I had was pretty nice. There were some bugs that I hope have been sorted out, but it's a nice feature.

I'll be stretching just to afford this, I couldn't make the jump to an R. I would if I could. I'm with others, the wheels alone are at a discount when you buy the R from ford. This car is definitely an all around bargain. I've seen z51 stingrays at my local dealer cresting 70k. If an an R can be had at msrp, it's an obvious choice R<Stingray.

The R will definitely be faster, and obviously post better times on the track vs the gt350tp. There is that...that alone is reason enough to spend 10k more for some people.

 

[Cruzinaround]

Fuzzy math bro, fuzzy math. The R+electronics pack is 10k over the track pack only. For that 10k extra you get AC, navi/upgraded radio, CF wing, splitter, and a 12-15k set of wheels

Uhhh no I know the math... You pay 10 k more to delete it all. Then 13 k to add SOMe of it back.

 

[Belobog]

When both cars are using the same tire type, the track time difference of a techpack R vs. trackpack won't be noticeable.

 

[Mustang1260]

reasons to pay an additional 10K (or more..ADM ;) in my book..

1) exclusivity (500, or so per year)
2) wheels, and tires
3) front and rear spoiler
4) red painted brake calipers
5) special tune suspension (i.e lighter wheels etc..)
6) unique exhaust note
7) red deviated stitching on seats and steering wheel
8) ability to have the best of both worlds (i.e. A/C Nav. and Track coolers)
9) wider back tires
:cheers:

Bingo! Donson understands it!

When (or should I say if) the market gets sane I'd buy a R long before a standard version of the GT350. My intended track time-NONE. I just want the car for what the heck it is as it comes out of the factory. Would I be paying an arm and leg to get less--damn right...just the way it goes. But Ford is not hiding that from me, it is just me being an idiot.

As noted in various posts MOST of the differences of the R cannot be justified beyond the idea of "I have the money and I want it" AND you can get the cool toys of the R with the tech package for realistic streetability of the car for that admission price.

As for real racers....they will buy either a base GT350 or the GT350 with the track pack. Although Ford pushed this car's development guys (and gals) who spend serious time on the track are gonna make changes. That Recaro seat is great-for the street. If you think it is a real race seat and your a real racer boy because you have "Recaros" it is time to wake up and get out of Fantasyland.

Same with the wheels. Those CF wheels are stunners and real weight savers but will not last in the track environment. Track fiends change tires way too much..those wheels will be eaten alive on tire machines....They are poser boy racy wheels and that is fine; just like the factory Recaros.

Ford learned their lesson a LONG way back....50 years back. Very serious changes were made to the GT350 between the 1965 and 1966 model years. The 1965 model (all 560ish of them) were basically race cars that could be run on the street (once you changed the drivers seat out etc) but the street crowd really didn't like them and bitched to Ford heavily.

Ford (and Shelby) quickly learned that American's didn't want a race car on the street, what they wanted was a street car that looked like a race car. Huge difference as the neutered 1966 model ran up sales to almost 2400 units .

And that is what Ford is doing now. Now--they are really pushing the performance envelope in terms of a current GT350 street car and meeting legal requirements (noise, safety, warranty etc)...and they have done a great job, hell a fantastic job...but it is still a street car and real racers will modify it further along that path and in that regard the R will not be their tool of choice...unless they got lots of money to burn and want the "R" status symbol- and understand there are weekend racer boys (usually aged 45-60) with more money then talent who will just have to have a R for the name and then strip off every R limited part to replace them with stronger race parts.

There is a great series of posts on one of the Boss 302 sites of a guy who just had to have a School Bus Yellow Laguna Boss 302. He then made it track ready..really improved the suspension, cooling, braking etc. When he was done the only unique factory Laguna Seca version parts on that Boss 302 were the rear seat delete bracing and the Laguna version of the faux gas cap on the rear. He paid over $5000 extra (MSRP difference between the base and Laguna) for a Laguna and only kept about $1100 in original parts. The guy could have bought a standard Boss 302 and built the exact same car for a lot cheaper. But he wanted the "Laguna" name on it... (before it basically destroyed it as a "Laguna").

Lastly-- the cool factor that many have mentioned. The "big" cool Mustang movie is of course Bullitt with that highland green '68 fastback. Now, was Steve McQueen "cool" because of that car or was that 68 Mustang cool because of Steve McQueen. Sorry guys...if your a dork your still gonna be one whether your driving a GT, a standard GT350 or an R- this car will not make you cool. Steve McQueen in an Ecoboost and you in a GT350R...you ain't gonna be the cool one.

 

[cjgt350]

A few observations...no one needs to fear their rims getting messed up by a shop with a new technology tire machine in the hands of someone that knows what they are doing. I will race with the CF wheels and change tires yet they will remain undamaged. You can bank on that. The endurance testing is proven. There are other reasons racing teams are not using them yet cost being the biggest reason. And yes I will be the cool one with the shit eating grin as I pass your ass! Lol

 

[Hack]

Steve McQueen in an Ecoboost and you in a GT350R...you ain't gonna be the cool one.

Umm, you do know SMQ died 35 years ago, right?

Yes he was cool in '68. It's fine with me if someone wants to buy a GT350 to look good in front of others, but IMO that's not the best reason to buy one.

For me, it's not about being cool, it's about having fun. The GT350 isn't fun because of what you think about me. It's fun because of what I feel when I drive it.

 

[Mystic_Cobra]

If you are going to DD the car with the occasional track day and care about creature comforts get the tech package.

If I could have bought a R at MSRP I would have because my GT350 will be almost exclusively used for motorsports. I called 124 dealerships and the closest I found to MSRP on an R was a $15k ADM. For $25k more than a GT350 track I'll pass, I could have bought a lot of differenet cars at that price point (I considered a z07 or a 09+ 911T).

My plan is to wait for the carbon wheels to hit the used or parts market at a reasonable price or pickup a 17/18/19 GT350R closer to MSRP, if its possible and still desired.

The only creature comforts I'm missing out on by getting the Track Pack instead of the Tech pack are the dual zone climate control, sync/sirius, and what else? I don't have the list handy. I'll give up all of that to get the coolers and the alacantara seats over leather.

I did open track/HPDE/Time Trials for five years before road racing for ten years. I'm one of those one percenters who WILL need the coolers and who WILL take the car on track. I won't be paying over MSRP. If I have to wait a year, so be it. I'm in no rush. I'm not wasting money on ADM.

The CF wheels are awesome don't get me wrong but if I never own a set, who cares?

 

[Mystic_Cobra]

Over-the-counter prices of OEM parts and OEM replacement parts rarely are lower than when they're priced within the total cost of a vehicle; e.g., if Ford says the wheels are worth $2K each as part of the R package (to pull a number out of the sky), you'll pay $2.5K-$3K in the parts department - which also is a profit center for Ford and its dealers. (Have you ever seen the price of an entire car built from parts, compare to the cost of the same car from the factory?)

And that's if Ford makes them available to anyone who doesn't own a GT350. If they're for sale by Ford, the prices on these OEM wheels will start high and stay high for a few years, I'll bet - although a couple of aftermarket companies surely will try to do knock-off versions for less.

During the years when the 95R/00R wheels were in production (yes, I know those are aluminum and we're talking about CF) you could buy them for $125/$175 each. At the time the best bang for the buck in a strong, light and big (for the time) wheel for track use. I still own four sets and have been running some of them on track for over ten years. My Mystic had a set on it in 2000 and I still race on them.
Anyway, I'm STILL betting the CF wheels and the GT350 wheels will be available at a reasonable price. We'll find out later this year or early next year.

 

[cjgt350]

The only creature comforts I'm missing out on by getting the Track Pack instead of the Tech pack are the dual zone climate control, sync/sirius, and what else? I don't have the list handy. I'll give up all of that to get the coolers and the alacantara seats over leather.

I did open track/HPDE/Time Trials for five years before road racing for ten years. I'm one of those one percenters who WILL need the coolers and who WILL take the car on track. I won't be paying over MSRP. If I have to wait a year, so be it. I'm in no rush. I'm not wasting money on ADM.

The CF wheels are awesome don't get me wrong but if I never own a set, who cares?

That is basically it Tech vs Track on the GT350 except for one major difference. The Tech pack drops the Recaros and uses the GT seats with some addtl Alcantara. You have to get the R to keep the Recaro seats with the tech package. Check the order guide on the sticky as there are some other minor differences.

 

[Blk2015GT]

During the years when the 95R/00R wheels were in production (yes, I know those are aluminum and we're talking about CF) you could buy them for $125/$175 each. At the time the best bang for the buck in a strong, light and big (for the time) wheel for track use. I still own four sets and have been running some of them on track for over ten years. My Mystic had a set on it in 2000 and I still race on them.
Anyway, I'm STILL betting the CF wheels and the GT350 wheels will be available at a reasonable price. We'll find out later this year or early next year.

Yeh totally different process with a CF wheel. It is many times more expensive than aluminum in the materials/process. CF is done by hand vs milled on a machine.

I highly doubt you will find them anywhere near under $1,000/wheel. And they won't be producing 6,000 sets of wheels per year selling 500Rs; and likely don't have the capacity to produce some inflated amount.

 

[cjgt350]

I thought I had read that you have to produce a vin of a GT350 and/or R in your name to be able to order the parts. Could be old news though. Any truth to that or was it interweb lore?

No responses on this yet. Any insight? I thought I had read Ford intended to do this so the GT350 could not be cloned at least visually.

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