Things I dislike so far..

[firestarter2]

I honeslty didnt know panel gap was a issue on cars till recently.

Sponsored

 

[Mspeedster]

I've had my car home for just over 2 weeks and have spent many evenings going over it and my Audi and Porsche. Here's a brief summary:

1) Panel fit: Panel fit is not as good on the GT350. My 20 year old Boxster has huge panel gaps, but they are consistent along the gap. The Audi has tighter gaps, which are also consistent. The GT350 has some gaps which are tight, but are not consistent along the gap, and some which are not tight and also inconsistent.

2) Paint: Paint on my GT350 is great. I haven't found any major flaws, though I suspect the paint is weak, as I already have a chip/scratch on my hood. The 17 year old Audi paint job is better, and the Porsche paint is about the same in quality, but definitely stronger. With 56K miles, it looks brand new.

3) Interior materials: Audi has the best materials, in terms of the plastics. The Porsche has terrible plastics in the interior, which is why I ordered mine way back when with the full leather interior ($2450 option, as I recall). GT350 is a little better than the Porsche.

I have zero issue with whatever shortcomings the GT350 has. I knew what I was buying, and that is all the underlying systems and technology, which make the GT350 the great icon that it is. My hope is it remains as reliable as it's garage mates.

As for the quality issues, in my opinion, as a Mechanical Design Engineer, these panel fit issues, etc. are not production issues, but engineering issues. I think, looking at the way my hood is assembled, the builders of the car are doing their best to even out the panel gaps, but you can only work with what they've given you. Kudos to the builders!

I agree with your assessment on just about every point. Except I'm not quite with you on the interior materials. Compared to current Porsches, I don't feel the GT350 has better interior materials. Compared to Porsches of the early-mid 2000s, yeah maybe in terms of the soft touch plastics Porsche used. These Porsches had plastics that were easily scratched, especially as the plastics got older. I also have full leather and went further to replace just about every other bit of plastic with leather in my 997 Carrera S. This makes my Porsche feel very luxurious, the whole cockpit is like one leather glove. In contrast, what I love about the GT350's interior is that it feels very no nonsense and racy. The alcantara Recaros and steering wheel are real highlights. But I wouldn't rate it better than my Porsche and certainly not better than the latest 911, Cayman or Boxster models.

What I'm most impressed with is the paint job and the overall construction of the car - given that it's basically based on a $30k Ford Mustang. Everything is tight and rattle free (again knocks on wood), hope it stays that way.

 

[Mspeedster]

I honeslty didnt know panel gap was a issue on cars till recently.

I think it depends some on the given car and/or maybe how anal a given owner is about such things. Compared to high-end luxury makes of cars costing $60k and up, yeah the gaps could be better.

But I don't have any real complaints about the gaps on my car. It's not even something I think about until others start to mention it.

 

[VOODOO 6G]

I'm very picky, I just went over my car front to back, top to bottom. I'm very happy with my car. Great paint quality and the panel gaps are tight and consistent.

 

[Zombo]

I agree with your assessment on just about every point. Except I'm not quite with you on the interior materials. Compared to current Porsches, I don't feel the GT350 has better interior materials. Compared to Porsches of the early-mid 2000s, yeah maybe in terms of the soft touch plastics Porsche used. These Porsches had plastics that were easily scratched, especially as the plastics got older. I also have full leather and went further to replace just about every other bit of plastic with leather in my 997 Carrera S. This makes my Porsche feel very luxurious, the whole cockpit is like one leather glove. In contrast, what I love about the GT350's interior is that it feels very no nonsense and racy. The alcantara Recaros and steering wheel are real highlights. But I wouldn't rate it better than my Porsche and certainly not better than the latest 911, Cayman or Boxster models.

What I'm most impressed with is the paint job and the overall construction of the car - given that it's basically based on a $30k Ford Mustang. Everything is tight and rattle free (again knocks on wood), hope it stays that way.

I agree. My brother has a 2015 Cayman GTS with a lot of extra leather, which is far superior to the GT350. For almost double the price, it better be. I was just comparing it to my 20 year old 986, which I paid ~$47K for all in. Twenty years later, for ~$15K more, the GT350 is far superior in terms of engineering content: brakes, gearbox, engine, suspension...this thing has 135HP more than my Porsche and Audi combined! I'm loving it! No complaints. Oh, and I think the doors, trunk and hood all have a nice solid thunk when you close them.

 

[Julio]

I guess I'm with you on the panel gaps but not something I think of if not mentioned by others.

Interior is definitely under average for the price you pay for this car in Europe, but that only annoys me when somebody else raises the point.

The paint is a significant issue for me right now as I thought brand new cars would come without scratches and "polish waves" (not sure how to say that in English). However, I then learnt most cars, even very high end, come with similar issues and mine will be fully detailed in a few days which will fix everything.

Other than that next issue for me is the oil stick which for some reason I cannot manage to properly read... And this is too important IMO on a sport car for it not to also have a reading inside the car (or at least a safety alarm in case of very low level). I love the fact that you can follow all temperatures and levels but every day (yes) I wonder about oil level and whether I properly read the thing.

Also I think the car misses one additional gear, as it really is a 5+1 gearbox, which is fine 95% of the time... But just not ideal on autobhan
When you "cruise" at 190-220 km/h, you're a little bit too high on RPM and I would have preferred a proper 6th speed (and why not an additional 7th overdrive like corvette or Porsche). Also I wonder if this would haveimproved the top speed as it is a little bit "low" compared to the power the beast delivers

But most importantly (!!) I cannot manage to have the Windows automatically closing when long pushing the close button on the remote. I can open them automatically (one short click and then long click on open button), but not close them... Normal ?

Do you agree ?

 

[Zombo]

I guess I'm with you on the panel gaps but not something I think of if not mentioned by others.

Interior is definitely under average for the price you pay for this car in Europe, but that only annoys me when somebody else raises the point.

The paint is a significant issue for me right now as I thought brand new cars would come without scratches and "polish waves" (not sure how to say that in English). However, I then learnt most cars, even very high end, come with similar issues and mine will be fully detailed in a few days which will fix everything.

Other than that next issue for me is the oil stick which for some reason I cannot manage to properly read... And this is too important IMO on a sport car for it not to also have a reading inside the car (or at least a safety alarm in case of very low level). I love the fact that you can follow all temperatures and levels but every day (yes) I wonder about oil level and whether I properly read the thing.

Also I think the car misses one additional gear, as it really is a 5+1 gearbox, which is fine 95% of the time... But just not ideal on autobhan
When you "cruise" at 190-220 km/h, you're a little bit too high on RPM and I would have preferred a proper 6th speed (and why not an additional 7th overdrive like corvette or Porsche). Also I wonder if this would haveimproved the top speed as it is a little bit "low" compared to the power the beast delivers

But most importantly (!!) I cannot manage to have the Windows automatically closing when long pushing the close button on the remote. I can open them automatically (one short click and then long click on open button), but not close them... Normal ?

Do you agree ?

According to the manual, you can only open the windows with the key; you can't close them. My Audi does both.

 

[Zombo]

I was able to do a back to back drive with my Boxster (top down) and GT350 (windows open) on a beautiful Sunday here in Jersey. No doubt the GT350 is superior in all performance categories. But, there were a few things that stood out in the Boxster’s favor; first and foremost, the steering. The Boxster’s steering is far superior in operation and road feel; you can practically feel every pebble you drive over, and the steering weights up nicely during cornering. The GT350 steering is a bit numb in comparison.

The other Boxster advantage is in its size and weight. At 1000 lbs. lighter, and significantly smaller and lower, with a much lower polar moment of inertia, it is much more tossable on the back roads. I measured both rear tracks (from outside tire to outside tire), and the GT350 is 7.5 inches wider! That’s a lot of extra width to toss around on narrow back roads, so narrow that they only have a single yellow line down the middle.

The GT350 is so capable, that I cannot even begin to approach its limits on public roads. With the Boxster, I can safely use up more of its capabilities. I can do redline acceleration runs in first and second, and carry a bit of full throttle into third and soak in the sound for 8 or 9 seconds. In the GT350, it’s violently over in less than 5.

I love the GT350. I knew what is was when I wanted it and then bought it. It’s my go to car, as the Boxster has now been relegated to preservation mode. However, this Sunday drive made me realize I need to take it out once a month if possible, just to regroup, and spend some quality time with my old friend of 20 years.

Brothers from another mother - I am so grateful to have both.

 

[Zombo]

For Base & Track Pack cars, the A/C blower control is kind of weird to me. If you want more fan, you turn the control knob clockwise, which is intuitive. However, the fan speed indicator lights are on the right side of the knob, and start at the bottom and move upward as the fan speed increases.

Thus, when you want the fan speed to increase, you have to turn the knob in the opposite direction you want the indictor lights to move. I mess this up all the time....anyone else?

This does not meet MIL-STD-1472 Human Factors requirements.

The indicator lights should be on the left side of the knob.

 

[lemers]

For Base & Track Pack cars, the A/C blower control is kind of weird to me. If you want more fan, you turn the control knob clockwise, which is intuitive. However, the fan speed indicator lights are on the right side of the knob, and start at the bottom and move upward as the fan speed increases.

Thus, when you want the fan speed to increase, you have to turn the knob in the opposite direction you want the indictor lights to move. I mess this up all the time....anyone else?

This does not meet MIL-STD-1472 Human Factors requirements.

The indicator lights should be on the left side of the knob.

Or run horizontal above the knob.

 

[MAV]

Or not be there at all.

 

[firestarter2]

For Base & Track Pack cars, the A/C blower control is kind of weird to me. If you want more fan, you turn the control knob clockwise, which is intuitive. However, the fan speed indicator lights are on the right side of the knob, and start at the bottom and move upward as the fan speed increases.

Thus, when you want the fan speed to increase, you have to turn the knob in the opposite direction you want the indictor lights to move. I mess this up all the time....anyone else?

This does not meet MIL-STD-1472 Human Factors requirements.

The indicator lights should be on the left side of the knob.

HAHA I didnt notice that, but now that you mention it is weird.

Random other thing the body lines give you no frame of reference to see if you are straight relative the curb.

This makes reversing past my steps with a wall on the other side surprisingly hard

 

[Zombo]

I was loitering around my garage, as I often do and decided to try something for the first time - I locked the doors - I don't get out much. It was after this I noticed the fuel door doesn't have a lock on it. Is this acceptable in this day and age? Anyone can come by and siphon fuel out, or worse, poison your fuel?

I also find it funny that the plaque on the strut bar says "Developed and Engineered by Ford Performance" - It really should say Engineered and Developed, as the engineering always comes before the development...

 

[oldmachguy]

I was loitering around my garage, as I often do and decided to try something for the first time - I locked the doors - I don't get out much. It was after this I noticed the fuel door doesn't have a lock on it. Is this acceptable in this day and age? Anyone can come by and siphon fuel out, or worse, poison your fuel?

I also find it funny that the plaque on the strut bar says "Developed and Engineered by Ford Performance" - It really should say Engineered and Developed, as the engineering always comes before the development...

"loitering" . . . "polar moment of inertia" ...

You must be an aeronautical engineer, pilot, or both.

 

[Zombo]

"loitering" . . . "polar moment of inertia" ...

You must be an aeronautical engineer, pilot, or both.

Not a pilot, but yes, a Mechanical Design Engineer in the Aerospace/Defense industry for over 31 years.

Sponsored