I do know what you are considering. PJ why the hell are you writing a shopping for information on a mustang? Imagine me, I perceive. I did not assume I might ever see the day both, however when a automotive is a hack it needs to be admitted and whereas many American vehicles are NOT hacks, this explicit trim mannequin is of the mustang line.
The Ford Mustang GT350R is comparatively latest within the lengthy line of Mustangs, so maintain this in thoughts. It’s within the third technology of Shelby tried Mustang, i.e. Ford Efficiency fashions.
In 2015 on the North American Worldwide Auto Present, the GT350R was launched to be the extra track-focused, hardcore and LIMITED PRODUCTION (packability being the important thing right here) model of the Mustang GT350. The automotive’s efficiency stats would tie it towards the Chevy Camaro Z28 and Porsche 911 GT3, some extent that even shocked me.
Now I do know these are EXOTIC automotive hacks, however once more, I am unable to deny when a automotive is hackable, whether or not it is EXOTIC, JDM, American, International, Luxurious, no matter. So in case you’re the kind of one that’s taken with a heavy, loud, handbook and heritage-centric trip, maintain studying as a result of the GT350R may be for you.
Driving expertise
These days we all know that handbook vehicles are being phased out, heck even petrol powered vehicles are being phased out slowly however certainly. So robotically the availability and demand for handbook vehicles is questioned, which after all offers the handbook vehicles a bonus in relation to estimating worth. However that does not imply all handbook vehicles will respect or be secure from depreciation.
The truth that the GT350R is a restricted manufacturing, high-trim, handbook automotive is what offers it its chops in comparison with different vehicles. With a flat-plane 5.2-liter V8 engine, producing 526 horsepower and 429 pound-feet of torque, it takes the automotive from 0-60 in 3.9 seconds and down a quarter-mile observe in 12.1 seconds.
What could shock you is that the engine within the GT350 and GT350R are precisely the identical, however different mechanical variations are answerable for the upper pace and superior observe dealing with of the GT350R. The R gives beefy springs that provide a stiffer suspension, though this will not be ideally suited for each day driving, this can be a track-focused automotive, so maintain that in thoughts. The R engine additionally gives radiators that assist cool the engine and the fluids inside it, offering a smoother and smoother combustion sequence, permitting the automotive to carry out higher.
The GT350R additionally options carbon fiber wheels, serving to to scale back the general weight of the automotive the place it issues most. Doing rational intertia general improved as a consequence of much less weight needing to be moved. The automotive then spends much less power shifting the wheels and might distribute the facility elsewhere. The carbon wheels additionally require a extra becoming tire. The inventory GT350R acquired Sport Cup 2 Summer time Solely tires from Michelin, that are street-legal slicks, which also needs to basically discourage you from making an attempt to take this beast down a wet street to select up groceries.
After all there are different additions to the GT350R to make it extra of a pace demon, aerodynamic options just like the small rear wing, bigger entrance vents and grill, and so on. So there needs to be no questioning the place this automotive performs greatest, the reply is a powerful: on the observe.
Ford Mustang GT350R Frequent issues
One of many greatest issues that folks have reported with their GT350R is that they’ve problem sustaining constant oil strain. That is mentioned to have been addressed with a recall again in 2017, however newer fashions are nonetheless being manufactured with issues much like this, and all are linked to the oil cooler, a hose connecting the pipe tends to fail, inflicting an oil leak and resulting in mentioned drawback. That is one thing {that a} PPI could not catch as a result of it’s a very inner a part of the engine and except the leak is VERY vital, it will not be seen to the store doing the inspection on the time. But it surely’s one thing you must keep watch over.
Ford Mustang GT350R Value of possession/upkeep
Some of the wonderful issues concerning the GT350R, relying on who you ask, is that it is a Ford. Because of this the price of possession for these vehicles is actually comparatively low in comparison with most of the different unique and luxurious fashions we speak about on this group. The automotive is made in America, as are the elements, making them cheaper. The automotive itself has a comparatively easy building which signifies that most mechanics can and can work on these vehicles with out hesitation.
One drawback chances are you’ll encounter is that in case you intend to make use of the automotive for the observe, you’ll spend extra on tires and brakes as a result of you’ll blow them by way of. The tires on the GT350R are particular Michelins that are road authorized slicks that have to be adorned on the automotive for the most effective trip in addition to for the pace score, preserving the driving force secure. These tires will not be as mass produced as others in order that they are usually on the costlier aspect.
The wheels on the Ford GT350R are additionally value mentioning as they’re carbon fiber. They price $4,000 a chunk, which implies in case you’re not paying consideration and brake a wheel, not solely are you able to not do a fast repair, however you may be out quite a lot of change to get a substitute.
When coping with larger degree trims on efficiency vehicles there’ll at all times be extra {dollars} concerned. As these are observe centric vehicles it will be extremely sensible of you to get your automotive PPI, this can mean you can know the situation of the tires/brakes/automotive and you’ll want to ask the store to get an ECU studying to see how the monitoring went, as some prefer to redline greater than others. And whereas observe days are enjoyable, they will get pricey over time, so maintain this in thoughts when selecting your GT350R.
Ford Mustang GT350R Trim variations
There aren’t any further trim ranges to the GT350R as it’s itself the very best trim degree of the GT350 Mustang.
Ford Mustang GT350R different
There aren’t actually any particular choices for the GT350R because the R is a trim degree that makes the automotive come customary with extra carbon fiber, carbon fiber wheels, the rear wing, and so on. The one actual variations the automotive can have are the inside and exterior coloration combos, however these are additionally restricted as a result of this can be a restricted manufacturing automotive, so there is not any actually BAD coloration mixture for the GT350R, some would possibly select the white exterior with blue stripes as a nod to Ford’s racing heritage (very similar to the Ford GT), however there’s nothing higher or worse between the already handful the choices.
Finest Ford Mustang GT350R To purchase
The GT350R was produced from 2015-2020 and when it comes to hackability and likewise specs/miles to worth, the 2019 fashions are those you may wish to go for over the sooner years.
Conclusion
I do know there’ll at all times be individuals who have an attraction to American vehicles. Whereas I personally do not, I do know I am unable to communicate for everybody. There are only a few American vehicles I might even dare to whisper about on this group, however the Mustang GT350R is one I am nearly proud to speak about. Many members of this group are present homeowners of this automotive and plenty of members are additionally previous homeowners, with dozens extra trying to develop into potential members, so I needed to offer you some info from my unbiased perspective.
If you would like American, with a racing heritage, track-centric focus, handbook transmission, to me there isn’t any higher automotive to tick all these containers for the worth than the Ford Mustang GT350R.