Which One?

[Mustang_Scotty]

Ive owned around 20 Mustangs in my life and I'm on the hunt for another. It's between a 2012 Boss 302 or a 15 50th. I love both. Opinions please?

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[Hoofer]

Boss.

 

[Gen 6 Mach1]

The Boss Man

 

[MAGS1]

What’s your goal with the car? The Boss is a really good car, but it shows its age vs S550 in certain areas (mostly the interior). Both are unique in their own right, although the 50th is harder for most people to distinguish from any other S550. The Boss sticks out a little more, especially the LS. It’s also more track ready than the 50th if that’s a future use for you. The Boss will be a little more raw, with the S550 being more refined. I personally would take the 50th, but I prefer more of the creature comforts of S550 these days

 

[Swtbabybilly]

For me personally boss all the way, hope you find exactly what your looking for, best of luck

 

[Mustang_Scotty]

What’s your goal with the car? The Boss is a really good car, but it shows its age vs S550 in certain areas (mostly the interior). Both are unique in their own right, although the 50th is harder for most people to distinguish from any other S550. The Boss sticks out a little more, especially the LS. It’s also more track ready than the 50th if that’s a future use for you. The Boss will be a little more raw, with the S550 being more refined. I personally would take the 50th, but I prefer more of the creature comforts of S550 these days

Well I was always drawn to "rare" unique vehicles. I like the exhaust and in your face flashiness of the boss. like having a car that begs for looks. I also love the 50 especially in kona. Love the interior but as you said nobody can really tell the difference and if both were driving down the street you would look at the boss especially in white. Just a pleasure car with an occasional car show and honestly just love owning and caring for a Mustang. If I could put it in my living room I would.

 

[TonyNJ]

The S550. The IRS, interior, and overall styling wins. Go sit in both cars. For me the decision is easy before the car is even started. I kept walking away from the S197 cars when they were new in the dealerships after just sitting in them.

Edit: Looks like you already have/had an S550 M1 and GT350, so you know half of it already.

 

[Cobra Jet]

BOSS 302, more so if you already own or have owned S550’s. The true 50th Anniversary S550 is a GT produced in white or blue with aesthetic add-ons. The most important add-on being the rear 1/4 glass that was and is only specific to the 50th LE and can only be purchased from salvaged 50th’s OR a Ford Dealer if shown proof of 50th ownership by VIN.

The 50th is limited in provision #’s and has its own Certificate. It was also the only S550 where the last characters of the VIN were the actual Build # on the certificate. I think some S550 Shelby’s might have had a match, BUT the 50th was the only S550 where ALL of the VIN’s were the Build #.

The 50th will and has been commanding higher values now since many have been wrecked (see thread on here where we tracked quite a few). Due to it’s 50th rare parts, that makes it “rare” in that sense, BUT it’s basic platform is just “GT all day”.

The BOSS (2012-2013) on the other hand is a performer - it too was built it limited quantities and today is harder to find on the road. These cars were sought after not only because of the BOSS Heritage, but also because they were the last of the “raw” performers. Raw being they were not coddled with digital doo-dads, creature comforts, IRS etc like the upcoming S550. The Road Runner Coyote is stout, it produced more HP than was on paper and it’s been a proven track performer (IF that is your game). Many bought the B302 because of its raw performance, the side exiting exhaust, the “plain Jane” interiors, and the feel from the road with the no-nonsense tuned suspension.

The Road Runner did not have the common S550 Coyote 5.0 issues we see on this forum - it was built very well with good internals, a strong runner with many of these B302’s running around today with excess of 100k on them, and some run hard. Even one with 100k on it still commands a solid $28k-$30k on the open market.

You want better than the base B302, then go for the B302 Laguna Seca edition. It’s an even more stripped down version of the B302 - these are currently in the $45k-$85k range depending on overall condition, low miles, documentation, no mods, etc. I’ve seen some as low as $40k, but they are “runners” with high miles and have been used well.

One more thing - the B302 Track Key - if it was not purchased with the car when new - it’s obsolete NOW. Ford Performance used to sell the B302 Track Key and tune, but last I remember it’s been discontinued as of 2-3 years ago? Someone can clarify that if I’m wrong.

If you’re seeking a B302, make sure to find one that has the B302 Track Key AND one that’s been activated. Ford Dealers (some) can still get the Track Key Tune implemented, but not many (today) are experienced with the “how”. The B302 Track Key (red key) wasn’t any different from the standard B302 key (black key). The difference was the needed programmed B302 tune that was loaded to the PCM and how it communicated through PATS. You could get a black key programmed with the B302 tune.

 

[Mustang_Scotty]

BOSS 302, more so if you already own or have owned S550’s. The true 50th Anniversary S550 is a GT produced in white or blue with aesthetic add-ons. The most important add-on being the rear 1/4 glass that was and is only specific to the 50th LE and can only be purchased from salvaged 50th’s OR a Ford Dealer if shown proof of 50th ownership by VIN.

The 50th is limited in provision #’s and has its own Certificate. It was also the only S550 where the last characters of the VIN were the actual Build # on the certificate. I think some S550 Shelby’s might have had a match, BUT the 50th was the only S550 where ALL of the VIN’s were the Build #.

The 50th will and has been commanding higher values now since many have been wrecked (see thread on here where we tracked quite a few). Due to it’s 50th rare parts, that makes it “rare” in that sense, BUT it’s basic platform is just “GT all day”.

The BOSS (2012-2013) on the other hand is a performer - it too was built it limited quantities and today is harder to find on the road. These cars were sought after not only because of the BOSS Heritage, but also because they were the last of the “raw” performers. Raw being they were not coddled with digital doo-dads, creature comforts, IRS etc like the upcoming S550. The Road Runner Coyote is stout, it produced more HP than was on paper and it’s been a proven track performer (IF that is your game). Many bought the B302 because of its raw performance, the side exiting exhaust, the “plain Jane” interiors, and the feel from the road with the no-nonsense tuned suspension.

The Road Runner did not have the common S550 Coyote 5.0 issues we see on this forum - it was built very well with good internals, a strong runner with many of these B302’s running around today with excess of 100k on them, and some run hard. Even one with 100k on it still commands a solid $28k-$30k on the open market.

You want better than the base B302, then go for the B302 Laguna Seca edition. It’s an even more stripped down version of the B302 - these are currently in the $45k-$85k range depending on overall condition, low miles, documentation, no mods, etc. I’ve seen some as low as $40k, but they are “runners” with high miles and have been used well.

One more thing - the B302 Track Key - if it was not purchased with the car when new - it’s obsolete NOW. Ford Performance used to sell the B302 Track Key and tune, but last I remember it’s been discontinued as of 2-3 years ago? Someone can clarify that if I’m wrong.

If you’re seeking a B302, make sure to find one that has the B302 Track Key AND one that’s been activated. Ford Dealers (some) can still get the Track Key Tune implemented, but not many (today) are experienced with the “how”. The B302 Track Key (red key) wasn’t any different from the standard B302 key (black key). The difference was the needed programmed B302 tune that was loaded to the PCM and how it communicated through PATS. You could get a black key programmed with the B302 tune.

Excellent write up, thank you. I'm looking at a white 2012 w/ under 7000 miles for $39,000 and also an ingot silver LS same miles for $49,000. I should be getting a walk around vid today of the white. I did inquire about the key and tune. IMO the car is not worth the big money without it.

 

[MAGS1]

Excellent write up, thank you. I'm looking at a white 2012 w/ under 7000 miles for $39,000 and also an ingot silver LS same miles for $49,000. I should be getting a walk around vid today of the white. I did inquire about the key and tune. IMO the car is not worth the big money without it.

Pretty good prices considering the mileage. The silver LS would be pretty cool. There’s a couple black & red LS’s in my area, always cool to see. They are definitely attention grabbers, more so than a 50th car IMO. Kona Blue is a beautiful color so I’d lean to that color over Wimbledon White on a 50th car if you decide to go the 50th route

 

[Mustang_Scotty]

Pretty good prices considering the mileage. The silver LS would be pretty cool. There’s a couple black & red LS’s in my area, always cool to see. They are definitely attention grabbers, more so than a 50th car IMO. Kona Blue is a beautiful color so I’d lean to that color over Wimbledon White on a 50th car if you decide to go the 50th route

The thing that gets me is, I can get a 50th anniversary a lot cheaper. I just saw one, but I wasn’t ready Kona blue like 4000 miles for 32,000 maybe 34.

 

[Cobra Jet]

Excellent write up, thank you. I'm looking at a white 2012 w/ under 7000 miles for $39,000 and also an ingot silver LS same miles for $49,000. I should be getting a walk around vid today of the white. I did inquire about the key and tune. IMO the car is not worth the big money without it.

If you have the extra $$ to spare, go for the LS…. It’s more unique than the base B302. It already has the rear seat delete with rear shock tower cross brace, the front brake ducting, the upper dash pod gauge set, and not to mention other minor LS specific upgrades. As far as future value, the LS will always be worth more than the base B302’s because there were far less of those made and because they have the specific LS equipment.

Again the LS had the Track Key too, so if looking at one be sure to ask if it has it and if it does have it demo’d to confirm it goes into Track Mode on dash and how it functions. You’ll hear a definitive difference in engine performance and engine idle sound (more aggressive and lumpier exhaust note).

2012 LS’s were:
- black with red decals LS aesthetics
- silver with red decals LS aesthetics (less produced of the silver)

2013 LS:
only black with gray decals LS aesthetics - more sinister and stealthy than the 2012’s.

 

[SBR70.3]

LS Boss, if you can find one.

Or a Mach 1 w/HP. I'm biased, but damn......they are sexy as hell.

 

[MAGS1]

The thing that gets me is, I can get a 50th anniversary a lot cheaper. I just saw one, but I wasn’t ready Kona blue like 4000 miles for 32,000 maybe 34.

Admittedly, I don’t track the pricing on 50th cars so I really have no idea what they actually go for. But that feels like a pretty good price too.

The LS’s, especially the 2012’s with the red trim, really stand out. So if you want something that really grabs eyeballs, that’s the route to go

 

[Mustang_Scotty]

Do you guys think the silver LS w/ 7000 miles is worth $49,000?

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