[inbruCHes]

Hoping to get a little help here. I had my heart set on a 2019 GT Premium, which I could get for around $45k (without performance packages). When going to the dealership today, they had a 2016 Shelby GT350 on the lot, and it looked FANTASTIC. Given that it's a 2016, price comes in pretty much the same as the 2019 GT Premium.

As you can probably tell from me not picking the performance packages in the 2019, I actually feel the GT has plenty of power for me. The reason I love the Shelby is for its looks, not the increased performance. Which probably isn't worth a $20k difference in a brand new model, but if I could get it at the same price...

Doing some more research, I found additional 350s under $50k ('16/'17 model years). I am new to the Mustang world, so what do I need to consider when making this decision? Any trade-offs?

Much appreciate your help!

 

[Old Goat Ninja]

A 18+ GT with performance packages will actually hang, if not beat, a Shelby GT350, even with the HP difference. I'd buy a 18/19 GT with performance package and 10 speed auto over a GT350. A standard GT (no performance package), or a stick shift GT, I'd pick the GT350 over the GT, mostly because the Tremec is a better transmission, but also, because, well, the GT350 is a sexy looking car.

 

[JBert]

The GT350 is a road-track oriented car; I think the '19 GT Premium is more of a street and strip oriented car.

The GT350 has already taken a big depreciation hit since the new price; a new '19 GT Premium will take a big hit the minute it is sold.

The '19 GT might be close to the GT350 on the drag strip, but I doubt it would be close on a road track.

I would go for the GT350 because I'd love to get it out on a road track. For the street I'd probably go for the '19 GT, though that new car depreciation would give me second thoughts. But I've never paid anywhere near that much for a car so your mileage may vary.

I don't know of any major problems or issues with the GT350, except that it is a track oriented car, which means that the suspension is stiff and the tires are expensive and the seats might not be the most comfortable for long trips, ....

 

[inbruCHes]

Thank you, @Old Goat Ninja and @JBert - very helpful. I did go for a test drive and really liked the GT350. Also, I hear you as it comes to depreciation. May just want to buy an extended warranty if going with a used (and potentially abused) GT350.

 

[JBert]

. . . . used (and potentially abused) GT350.

Yeah you'd have to accept that the GT350 probably was road tracked by the previous owner . . . personally that would not bother me at all, they are built for it, my 2010 GT which was not built for it the way the GT350 was, has seen a good bit of track time and it seems to be fine. Usually people who track their cars, also take very good care of them.

But if that is going to bother you, it might be a point in favor of the '19 GT.

 

[Old Goat Ninja]

Yeah you'd have to accept that the GT350 probably was road tracked by the previous owner . . . personally that would not bother me at all, they are built for it, my 2010 GT which was not built for it the way the GT350 was, has seen a good bit of track time and it seems to be fine. Usually people who track their cars, also take very good care of them.

But if that is going to bother you, it might be a point in favor of the '19 GT.

Personally I'd say possibly road tracked, not probably. I know 2 people with GT350's and neither one of them has ever road tracked it. Maybe it's just the people I know though. Or maybe our location. If I owned one, I wouldn't either, but mostly because it's not worth the drive IMO to do it. *shrug*

 

[MustangLife]

Hoping to get a little help here. I had my heart set on a 2019 GT Premium, which I could get for around $45k (without performance packages). When going to the dealership today, they had a 2016 Shelby GT350 on the lot, and it looked FANTASTIC. Given that it's a 2016, price comes in pretty much the same as the 2019 GT Premium.

As you can probably tell from me not picking the performance packages in the 2019, I actually feel the GT has plenty of power for me. The reason I love the Shelby is for its looks, not the increased performance. Which probably isn't worth a $20k difference in a brand new model, but if I could get it at the same price...

Doing some more research, I found additional 350s under $50k ('16/'17 model years). I am new to the Mustang world, so what do I need to consider when making this decision? Any trade-offs?

Much appreciate your help!

Where to start on this... hmmm. Not sure, but I will just jump in and start with the following.

I am kinda of in the same boat considering purchasing a S550 (2015-2019) GT Premium with track pack. The track pack isn't so much power oriented as it is brakes and different wheels. I am not sure if the track pack actually adds power does it? I know on the S550 track pack is actually called performance pack and they have a level 1 and level 2. Both levels get brembo brakes, two gauges in replace of the center dash vent, and different wheels. Level 1 sticks with the listed while level 2 gets almost drag slick tires and a larger radiator. I could be missing some things like gearing and all that, but this is the gist of the performance packs.

With the GT350 you are getting a different motor and whole setup. The GT and GT350 are more like compare apples and oranges. GT350 is much more capable of turns and that is the focus where as the GT is more straight line focused. Both fast cars all around.

2016 GT350's without the track pack are dangerous cars to buy as there value has been already and will be in the future the hardest hit as they have overheating issues when driven hard or tracked due to lack of coolers on the trans, diff, and oil. This was resolved in 2017 with all GT350's coming with this coolers standard no matter how you optioned the GT350. 2016 GT350 I have heard of them selling for 40 and seen some in the past couple months while watching and deciding what direction to go listed anywhere from as low as 41K. 2017's the lowest I have seen is 44K. All these are of course low mileage and looked like great condition 1 owner cars.

As far as pricing on the 2019 GT I think you could haggle them down. Not sure where you are located, but in NC I am already seeing dealers getting aggressive to clear 2019's before 2020's arrive later in the summer. It's surprising as it is a little early than I remember in past years, but whatever. They are selling 2019 GT Premium with track pack and all that for about 5-7K off sticker. So for instance I am looking at one with a MSRP of 47,430, but they have a list price of 40,960 pre tax, tag, title, and doc fee of course. (Car has some other options like active valve exhaust and a couple other options as well in addition to performance pack 1.) If you don't want performance pack or any of that you could easier get closer to the 35-38K range.

Lots to consider right? Like mentioned if resale is important buying a used 2017-2018 GT350 for under 44-48K is best choice as majority of deprecation has happened. Buying a new GT you are going to take a decent hit as say 2016 GT's are selling for 26 so a pretty big loss from he 40's in only 3 years. Now on this subject there is one other factor and that is the new GT500 depending on MSRP and dealer sales prices has the potential to bring down the value of the GT350 and GT350R like we saw happen to the 2012/2013 Boss 302's when the GT350 came out. This last part is what really has me on hold from buying my next car as I am awaiting the annulments of the price and all that to see what people do and where the market heads as we likely won't see prices increase on a GT350, but there is a great chance we will see it decrease.

Sorry for the long post and if I am rambling. Been a long day and going on almost 9pm here and no dinner yet. haha

 

[Blazin72]

2016 GT350's without the track pack are dangerous cars to buy as there value has been already and will be in the future the hardest hit as they have overheating issues when driven hard or tracked due to lack of coolers on the trans, diff, and oil. This was resolved in 2017 with all GT350's coming with this coolers standard no matter how you optioned the GT350. 2016 GT350 I have heard of them selling for 40 and seen some in the past couple months while watching and deciding what direction to go listed anywhere from as low as 41K. 2017's the lowest I have seen is 44K. All these are of course low mileage and looked like great condition 1 owner cars.

There is nothing "dangerous" about any of them as long as they haven't been run into the ground. Yes, non-track pack cars can have issues with transmissions or differentials getting hot if driven on track but that shouldn't stop somebody from purchasing one if they have little to no intention of using one on track. Cars without the Track Pack are typically priced a good bit lower than Track Packs or 17-up cars and they could be a great opportunity for the right person.

ALL GT350s have engine oil coolers.

 

[Jackson3010]

Buy the one you like because at the end of the day that’s all that matters

 

[Mike1982]

If you actually track the car (like I do), I would choose a 2017 or new GT350. If you don't ever track it or even just like once or twice a year, get the newer car. Less miles, newer design, under warranty etc. The GT was made as an everyday driver and it does it GREAT! The GT350 was made as a track car and it is great there. I bought my 2012 GT back in November 2011 and have put 27,000 miles on it. Most of it has been ON the actually track. While it has been a blast, I can tell even the huge differences the Mustang Boss is on the track compared to my car in it's current setup. The GT350 is a huge improvement over that. In the next year or two I am going to making the move to a 350. If I drove it on the street mostly, I would get a GT with the performance package.

 

[MustangLife]

There is nothing "dangerous" about any of them as long as they haven't been run into the ground. Yes, non-track pack cars can have issues with transmissions or differentials getting hot if driven on track but that shouldn't stop somebody from purchasing one if they have little to no intention of using one on track. Cars without the Track Pack are typically priced a good bit lower than Track Packs or 17-up cars and they could be a great opportunity for the right person.

ALL GT350s have engine oil coolers.

I have heard complaints of issues even when spirited driving on the streets. Now I don't own one so can't confirm and maybe the issue is blown out of perspective like the famous tick issue. Not sure, but just mentioned in my long post all my research and opinions I have formed from all that.