Want to buy a 350 but I'm skeptical

[mysta_sandman]

I was driving by a Ford Dealership today and noticed a 17 Avalanche Gray 350 with the track pack sitting curbside and it put that desire for a 350 again in my head.

My only concern is the potential engine issues if read about or have seen YT clips on.

So how many of you have owned your 350s for a couple of years? I want to know if issues are limited to a niche group or very common.

I have my 16 GT that would stay as my daily but I really want a 350. I just don't want to worry about replacing an engine after dropping 40k+.

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[DCShelby]

Get a 19 then or find a pre 19 thst had the motor replaced with the 19 version.

 

[Droopy1592]

Get a 19. Updated motor and is more robust

 

[mysta_sandman]

I had no idea that the 19s are doing better than pre 19 350s.

I'll start looking into them. That'll put me back a year for sure lol.

 

[jvandy50]

if it were a 16 track pack i might say go for it too... but i agree with the others on shooting for the 19-20 models

 

[thill444]

I’m not convinced the 19’s are any better. In the past few days 2 2020’s and a 19 all had engine failures with low mileage.

Op you either come to terms that these cars have questionable engine reliability or you don’t and move on. I love the car too much and just drive it. If my engine goes I will warranty it and go from there.

 

[Docscurlock]

No problems with either of my '16s.

 

[DCShelby]

I was speaking of the oil consumption issues for the most part. The 19 does not seem to have those problems.

 

[mysta_sandman]

I’m not convinced the 19’s are any better. In the past few days 2 2020’s and a 19 all had engine failures with low mileage.

Op you either come to terms that these cars have questionable engine reliability or you don’t and move on. I love the car too much and just drive it. If my engine goes I will warranty it and go from there.

I can make my peace with that because it's an awesome car. And sure, Ford might not want to admit that the engines do have legimiate issues but it's still a lot of money to drop.

I'm gonna buy one regardless. It's too awesome of a car to pass up. Hopefully I just get lucky don't end up with an issue that major in or out of warranty.

 

[Nfs1000f]

What's your budget?

 

[mysta_sandman]

What's your budget?

Right now? I'm looking around 45k for a used one. Next year, I could do more once I pay off my GT.

 

[TDC]

4 years, 30+ track days, NNJR SCCA A stock regional autox championship win, and 17000 miles with NO oil consumption and I am still a happy owner. 2016 with Tech pack and added trans cooler, 50th off the production line.

Issues to date all covered under warranty are:
- oil lines replaced (this was a recall due to insufficient crimp on all early GT350’s)
- extremely small leak from engine coolant radiator
- sensor on transmission output shaft needed to be replaced (there’s a TSB for it)

 

[Hack]

I owned my GT350 for 3 1/2 years with no problems. I know a local guy that owned two and had oil consumption problems with both. They were repaired under warranty, but he decided to sell.

 

[TxGT350-52]

I have put 700 miles on my low mileage 2018 and I have had zero oil consumption since I bought it. The previous owner changed the oil at 1200 miles, so the car has almost 900 miles without losing a drop of oil according to the dipstick reading.

To the OP, it is possible to find a good low mileage GT350 for less than $50K and if you get one with a warranty, you will be covered if it has issues.

 

[mysta_sandman]

It really sounds as though that the engine/oil issues are not as common as I originally believed.

I'm fine with a good 16. I'd like to find a tech/track pack with some Recaros for sure.

Thanks for the input, everyone.

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