Selling GT350R for new Porsche 718 Spyder?

[car crazy]

Did you ever make a decision on this? You got me thinking about selling my GT350 and picking up a GT4.

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[dpAtlanta]

Did you ever make a decision on this? You got me thinking about selling my GT350 and picking up a GT4.

Uhhhhhhhhhhh..... see page 8 of this thread.
Answer - YES (I won't spoil the surprise by telling you)

 

[CoolHandLuke]

Did you ever make a decision on this? You got me thinking about selling my GT350 and picking up a GT4.

Yes, I took the plunge and bought the Porsche. For anyone interested in my opinion between the two, here goes:

In typical Porsche fashion, both the exterior and interior fit and finish, paintwork etc. are exemplary. To quote Matt Farrah, there is a specific “slickness” to the Porsche aesthetic which I’ve loved since I was a young boy. Automotive journalists are beginning to criticize the interior for beginning to look slightly dated but I personally love the interior quality, ergonomics and solid, vault-like feel. Panel fitment / alignment is remarkable. You typically won’t hear any squeaks or rattles in these cars no matter how hard they’ve been driven unlike the new spectacular new 911 which is plagued with all kinds of interior noises which are “teething issues” at the moment. My GT350 interior did have some minor rattles that I ignored and even though most journalists condemned the interior as being cheap and pedestrian, I disagree. I thought the retro interior was very befitting and a great place to spend time- especially in the R trim.

Comparing engines, the 4.0 flat six in the Spyder is similar to the Voodoo in that it makes serious power past 4500 rpms. 416 hp is a lot of power in a car weighing between 3150 and 3200 pounds. Porsche is also known for sandbagging their hp ratings. No six cylinder can come close to the sound of the Voodoo engine but it has a very satisfying banshee like “howl” mixed with pure mechanical engine and induction noises. You have to drive one to understand or appreciate it. In addition, the sensation of a mid-engine car “pushing” you from behind is pretty damn cool. Yes, she feels a little bit faster than the Shelby overall
and like the Shelby, it also has tall gearing so winding it out means jail time in as little as second gear If one isn’t careful. The gearbox is very satisfying and precise and has short throws. I find that it feels more delicate than the Tremec and less forgiving if one isn’t careful. In other words, I don’t think it can handle anywhere near the abuse of the Tremec. The Tremec is clearly the best manual gearbox in the business. Again, like the Shelby, while fast 0-60, it isn’t a drag car. It has long legs and incredible midrange and top end grunt. It shines best at hunting down other cars at triple digit speeds. I plan on ditching the Euro 6 compliant “corked”up, “heavy as a tank” exhaust and replacing it with a much lighter (25-30 pounds) race exhaust system good for roughly 25-35 more hp. Should be very interesting.

The suspension is where this car really shines and I will say that there is nothing and I mean nothing except a Lotus Evora GT on the road less than $200k that comes close to this cars “telepathic” steering and handling- and braking. The faster you drive this thing, the more planted it becomes. It’s absolutely insane. The car is considerably smaller and much lighter (500 plus lbs) than the mustang and it absolutely shrinks around you like a well tailored suit as you get down to business and really push it hard. I’ve constantly raved about the GT350R’s handling, especially for a larger, heavier car-it also feels superbly glued to the road no matter what set of twisties it encounters but this Porsche with the GT3 suspension components raises the bar a few more inches- with ease. If the ass end does step out, it takes minimal effort to “snap back” into line and continue on.

Finally, in the looks department, like my first generation Spyder, It draws a ton of attention- with the top up or down, it doesn’t matter. Someone in an earlier comment stated that the decision comes down to which car suits me best. To be completely honest here, my personality can identify with both cars. Yes, the Porsche is the car to have if (besides performance) you want people to perceive that you’re very successful. I don’t personally give a damn about the image, I love the overall design and attention to detail of the Porsche. The Shelby is a stunning vehicle as well- especially if you understand the engineering behind the sheetmetal and aero differences plus carbon bits but it didn’t stand out to most people (again, I didn’t care), looking like a heavily modded GT to most but ironically, Porsche drivers, especially the 911 GT3/2RS crowd gave me frequent thumbs up- a clear sign of a purist’s respect for the GT350 and rightfully so...

To wrap up, I predict that I will have days where I’m glad I bought the Spyder and days I miss the R. They are such different animals that have a very similar purpose- To win. For the money, I’ll say it again. Nothing comes close to the GT350.

I absolutely love my new Porsche and from an exclusivity perspective I do admit that I feel more special driving it vs. the Shelby but I can’t say it’s as fun to drive as the Shelby. On a 1-10 “fun” meter the Shelby was a 12 and the Porsche is a 10 or 11 primarily because the Porsche handles speed so damn well, you have to push it past roughly the 130 mph mark to get the same level of excitement as the Shelby at about 90mph...

To be continued...

 

[AdamIsAdam]

That was a very good, honest write up. Thanks for taking the time to write it. I can relate to everything you said. I think the bottom line is the old adage: So many cars, so little ______ (time/money/garage space).

 

[503rwhp]

As a Porsche and Mustang owner the review resonated with me. The fit and finish of my 2017 911S cab is impeccable. I agree on all of the exterior and interior excellence and love the new 718 with the 4L H6 but it desperately needs different gearing as a street car IMO.
I’m still on the hunt for the right GT500 to add to the garage as well, mostly for the fact it makes me smile, which is the whole point.

 

[MNGT350]

Nice review. I like the mechanical analog nature of the soft top on your car as well. Reminds me of messing with my old wrangler.

Makes sense at the price point the higher level of quality. Love my GT350, but it is a Ford. That's part of the charm, having so much performance and fun in a "working man's" brand. Quality is quality though, and to see the execution of engineering and build quality in a Porsche must be rewarding.

I think your "fun rating" is key. Speed limits and traffic and crappy roads mean most driving enjoyment comes from the intangibles as we can't really push the cars anywhere near their limits. Exhaust note, steering feel, clutch/shifter action, looks, history, emotional connection are what we experience day to day. Figuring that out, choosing what you connect with, that's the key to finding a car to enjoy for years. Lap times and quibbles about how a car acts "at the limit" are, for the most part, meaningless for a car you plan to drive on regular roads.

 

[dpAtlanta]

Having both... I can appreciate the input my friend, thanks for the feedback!
Enjoyed the write up!

 

[Stevbas]

Yes, I took the plunge and bought the Porsche. For anyone interested in my opinion between the two, here goes:

In typical Porsche fashion, both the exterior and interior fit and finish, paintwork etc. are exemplary. To quote Matt Farrah, there is a specific “slickness” to the Porsche aesthetic which I’ve loved since I was a young boy. Automotive journalists are beginning to criticize the interior for beginning to look slightly dated but I personally love the interior quality, ergonomics and solid, vault-like feel. Panel fitment / alignment is remarkable. You typically won’t hear any squeaks or rattles in these cars no matter how hard they’ve been driven unlike the new spectacular new 911 which is plagued with all kinds of interior noises which are “teething issues” at the moment. My GT350 interior did have some minor rattles that I ignored and even though most journalists condemned the interior as being cheap and pedestrian, I disagree. I thought the retro interior was very befitting and a great place to spend time- especially in the R trim.

Comparing engines, the 4.0 flat six in the Spyder is similar to the Voodoo in that it makes serious power past 4500 rpms. 416 hp is a lot of power in a car weighing between 3150 and 3200 pounds. Porsche is also known for sandbagging their hp ratings. No six cylinder can come close to the sound of the Voodoo engine but it has a very satisfying banshee like “howl” mixed with pure mechanical engine and induction noises. You have to drive one to understand or appreciate it. In addition, the sensation of a mid-engine car “pushing” you from behind is pretty damn cool. Yes, she feels a little bit faster than the Shelby overall
and like the Shelby, it also has tall gearing so winding it out means jail time in as little as second gear If one isn’t careful. The gearbox is very satisfying and precise and has short throws. I find that it feels more delicate than the Tremec and less forgiving if one isn’t careful. In other words, I don’t think it can handle anywhere near the abuse of the Tremec. The Tremec is clearly the best manual gearbox in the business. Again, like the Shelby, while fast 0-60, it isn’t a drag car. It has long legs and incredible midrange and top end grunt. It shines best at hunting down other cars at triple digit speeds. I plan on ditching the Euro 6 compliant “corked”up, “heavy as a tank” exhaust and replacing it with a much lighter (25-30 pounds) race exhaust system good for roughly 25-35 more hp. Should be very interesting.

The suspension is where this car really shines and I will say that there is nothing and I mean nothing except a Lotus Evora GT on the road less than $200k that comes close to this cars “telepathic” steering and handling- and braking. The faster you drive this thing, the more planted it becomes. It’s absolutely insane. The car is considerably smaller and much lighter (500 plus lbs) than the mustang and it absolutely shrinks around you like a well tailored suit as you get down to business and really push it hard. I’ve constantly raved about the GT350R’s handling, especially for a larger, heavier car-it also feels superbly glued to the road no matter what set of twisties it encounters but this Porsche with the GT3 suspension components raises the bar a few more inches- with ease. If the ass end does step out, it takes minimal effort to “snap back” into line and continue on.

Finally, in the looks department, like my first generation Spyder, It draws a ton of attention- with the top up or down, it doesn’t matter. Someone in an earlier comment stated that the decision comes down to which car suits me best. To be completely honest here, my personality can identify with both cars. Yes, the Porsche is the car to have if (besides performance) you want people to perceive that you’re very successful. I don’t personally give a damn about the image, I love the overall design and attention to detail of the Porsche. The Shelby is a stunning vehicle as well- especially if you understand the engineering behind the sheetmetal and aero differences plus carbon bits but it didn’t stand out to most people (again, I didn’t care), looking like a heavily modded GT to most but ironically, Porsche drivers, especially the 911 GT3/2RS crowd gave me frequent thumbs up- a clear sign of a purist’s respect for the GT350 and rightfully so...

To wrap up, I predict that I will have days where I’m glad I bought the Spyder and days I miss the R. They are such different animals that have a very similar purpose- To win. For the money, I’ll say it again. Nothing comes close to the GT350.

I absolutely love my new Porsche and from an exclusivity perspective I do admit that I feel more special driving it vs. the Shelby but I can’t say it’s as fun to drive as the Shelby. On a 1-10 “fun” meter the Shelby was a 12 and the Porsche is a 10 or 11 primarily because the Porsche handles speed so damn well, you have to push it past roughly the 130 mph mark to get the same level of excitement as the Shelby at about 90mph...

To be continued...

What a great right up here!! Love all of the great posts and feedback.

 

[PA_R_DUDE]

Great discussion in this thread. I think pairing up my Shelby with a 718 Spyder might be the best career motivation I have right now

 

[ThreeFiveO]

Great write up. Car looks good. Saw you on Hwy9 South today at Francis about noon. Enjoy!

 

[jMB350R]

Yes, I took the plunge and bought the Porsche. For anyone interested in my opinion between the two, here goes:

In typical Porsche fashion, both the exterior and interior fit and finish, paintwork etc. are exemplary. To quote Matt Farrah, there is a specific “slickness” to the Porsche aesthetic which I’ve loved since I was a young boy. Automotive journalists are beginning to criticize the interior for beginning to look slightly dated but I personally love the interior quality, ergonomics and solid, vault-like feel. Panel fitment / alignment is remarkable. You typically won’t hear any squeaks or rattles in these cars no matter how hard they’ve been driven unlike the new spectacular new 911 which is plagued with all kinds of interior noises which are “teething issues” at the moment. My GT350 interior did have some minor rattles that I ignored and even though most journalists condemned the interior as being cheap and pedestrian, I disagree. I thought the retro interior was very befitting and a great place to spend time- especially in the R trim.

Comparing engines, the 4.0 flat six in the Spyder is similar to the Voodoo in that it makes serious power past 4500 rpms. 416 hp is a lot of power in a car weighing between 3150 and 3200 pounds. Porsche is also known for sandbagging their hp ratings. No six cylinder can come close to the sound of the Voodoo engine but it has a very satisfying banshee like “howl” mixed with pure mechanical engine and induction noises. You have to drive one to understand or appreciate it. In addition, the sensation of a mid-engine car “pushing” you from behind is pretty damn cool. Yes, she feels a little bit faster than the Shelby overall
and like the Shelby, it also has tall gearing so winding it out means jail time in as little as second gear If one isn’t careful. The gearbox is very satisfying and precise and has short throws. I find that it feels more delicate than the Tremec and less forgiving if one isn’t careful. In other words, I don’t think it can handle anywhere near the abuse of the Tremec. The Tremec is clearly the best manual gearbox in the business. Again, like the Shelby, while fast 0-60, it isn’t a drag car. It has long legs and incredible midrange and top end grunt. It shines best at hunting down other cars at triple digit speeds. I plan on ditching the Euro 6 compliant “corked”up, “heavy as a tank” exhaust and replacing it with a much lighter (25-30 pounds) race exhaust system good for roughly 25-35 more hp. Should be very interesting.

The suspension is where this car really shines and I will say that there is nothing and I mean nothing except a Lotus Evora GT on the road less than $200k that comes close to this cars “telepathic” steering and handling- and braking. The faster you drive this thing, the more planted it becomes. It’s absolutely insane. The car is considerably smaller and much lighter (500 plus lbs) than the mustang and it absolutely shrinks around you like a well tailored suit as you get down to business and really push it hard. I’ve constantly raved about the GT350R’s handling, especially for a larger, heavier car-it also feels superbly glued to the road no matter what set of twisties it encounters but this Porsche with the GT3 suspension components raises the bar a few more inches- with ease. If the ass end does step out, it takes minimal effort to “snap back” into line and continue on.

Finally, in the looks department, like my first generation Spyder, It draws a ton of attention- with the top up or down, it doesn’t matter. Someone in an earlier comment stated that the decision comes down to which car suits me best. To be completely honest here, my personality can identify with both cars. Yes, the Porsche is the car to have if (besides performance) you want people to perceive that you’re very successful. I don’t personally give a damn about the image, I love the overall design and attention to detail of the Porsche. The Shelby is a stunning vehicle as well- especially if you understand the engineering behind the sheetmetal and aero differences plus carbon bits but it didn’t stand out to most people (again, I didn’t care), looking like a heavily modded GT to most but ironically, Porsche drivers, especially the 911 GT3/2RS crowd gave me frequent thumbs up- a clear sign of a purist’s respect for the GT350 and rightfully so...

To wrap up, I predict that I will have days where I’m glad I bought the Spyder and days I miss the R. They are such different animals that have a very similar purpose- To win. For the money, I’ll say it again. Nothing comes close to the GT350.

I absolutely love my new Porsche and from an exclusivity perspective I do admit that I feel more special driving it vs. the Shelby but I can’t say it’s as fun to drive as the Shelby. On a 1-10 “fun” meter the Shelby was a 12 and the Porsche is a 10 or 11 primarily because the Porsche handles speed so damn well, you have to push it past roughly the 130 mph mark to get the same level of excitement as the Shelby at about 90mph...

To be continued...

Just received update my Spyder is due in Early March. I would like to keep in contact with you in regards to the exhaust change over.

 

[CoolHandLuke]

Great write up. Car looks good. Saw you on Hwy9 South today at Francis about noon. Enjoy!

Thank you! Honk next time, I’ll assume you’re from the forum. One can never have too many enthusiast/ gearhead friends. Happy New Year!

 

[CoolHandLuke]

Just received update my Spyder is due in Early March. I would like to keep in contact with you in regards to the exhaust change over.

Awesome! What color combo? Transmission? I’m going with all Fabspeed components- race exhaust, over axle pipes (GPF delete) and possibly the race headers. Should be good for roughly 40+ hp with everything installed- even more once a good tune hits the market. That’s pretty damn significant!

 

[jMB350R]

Awesome! What color combo? Transmission? I’m going with all Fabspeed components- race exhaust, over axle pipes (GPF delete) and possibly the race headers. Should be good for roughly 40+ hp with everything installed- even more once a good tune hits the market. That’s pretty damn significant!

Black with Black top yellow accent with manual transmission. I am excited. Test drove one this fall and had to have one..

 

[galaxy]

Uugghhh...currently dealing with my first temptation ever to sell/trade the 350. This is absolutely gorgeous in person. Just. Plain. Sexy. Manual trans also. This is the only time in 3+ years I’ve been sooooo tempted.

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