[Mr. Meh]

Wasn't sure if posted just yet

[HyperBlueX2]

Nice find....

[Mr. Meh]

As usual... don't read the comments unless you want a headache.

[evanescent03]

If you could get a GT350R for $67k I'd probably have one to be honest. They're a really cool and special vehicle for sure. I'm not sure the current going rate but expect it's still at least $20k markup. No thanks.

[RideZX6R]

I feel like the GT350R is a great deal (better than a ZL1 if you like road racing over drag) as long as 2 conditions are met...
1. You don't pay markup
2. It's a second car that you don't have to drive daily

It's too stiff for daily use and too often marked up.


I was debating between the 1LE, ZL1, Corvette Grand Sport, GT350, GT350R, and BMW M2 when I was shopping.

I decided the Corvette was too expensive as I'd like it configured. The 1LE was faster around a lot of road courses in the US than the GT350 and M2 for less money, so they were both out.
The 350R was constantly marked up way over the cost of the ZL1 and while it is lighter and more handler than a drag car (which I liked), I just couldn't justifty Z06-level money for a "slightly better than a 1LE"-level car.
So I decided I'd get a 1LE and add a little power to it and likely be happy.

My 1LE now has 470whp (a little less than 100 over stock) and I'm in love. I'd be willing to bet it's as fast around a road course as a GT350R as well (if not faster) and the mods and tune cost $2500 on top of a $46K sticker price. Still under $50k!
That being said, if I could have bought a 350R at sticker, I'd have looked REAL REAL HARD at it as an option.

[Mr. Meh]

How is the GT350R a better deal than a ZL1? They're practically the same price.

ZL1 doesn't need to be your 2nd car.
ZL1 is faster and will pull away in straights on road courses.
ZL1 does all this with a back seat intact
ZL1 still has nav/camera, etc.
ZL1 as built in PDR
ZL1 doesn't need ultra expensive CF wheels.

I'm not really seeing where the GT350R is winning anything other than being more rare.

[Joe's_cool_1le]

I'll be honest! I looked at the GT350 and GT350R first but it was either they weren't available or hugely marked up.

[67Builder]

Two things.

1. You're on a track. Do a timed lap in each you clowns!
2. Mustang driver Zach really needs to drop the DJ voice and speak like a normal person.

[cleoent]

Originally Posted by Mr. Meh

How is the GT350R a better deal than a ZL1? They're practically the same price.

ZL1 doesn't need to be your 2nd car.
ZL1 is faster and will pull away in straights on road courses.
ZL1 does all this with a back seat intact
ZL1 still has nav/camera, etc.
ZL1 as built in PDR
ZL1 doesn't need ultra expensive CF wheels.

I'm not really seeing where the GT350R is winning anything other than being more rare.

Special factor, rare factor, n/a factor and resale factor mean a lot to some people.

[hotlap]

Originally Posted by cleoent

Special factor, rare factor, n/a factor and resale factor mean a lot to some people.

Sure. The R is unattainable due to limited availability and mark up. But hey...they made a bunch of $49,995 base models for those who just want to look special.

[Mr. Meh]

Originally Posted by cleoent

Special factor, rare factor, n/a factor and resale factor mean a lot to some people.

The comment was "(better than a ZL1 if you like road racing over drag)"

That suggests a performance based relationship, not a rarity or "I'm different" one as you state and thus my reply.

[RideZX6R]

Originally Posted by Mr. Meh

How is the GT350R a better deal than a ZL1? They're practically the same price.

ZL1 doesn't need to be your 2nd car.
ZL1 is faster and will pull away in straights on road courses.
ZL1 does all this with a back seat intact
ZL1 still has nav/camera, etc.
ZL1 as built in PDR
ZL1 doesn't need ultra expensive CF wheels.

I'm not really seeing where the GT350R is winning anything other than being more rare.

I thought I covered these points with my 2 caveats (not to mention that I said I preferred the 1LE/ZL1 over either Ford as well), but I'll take your points line by line...

"They're practically the same price" - If you mean MSRP, sure.
However in the real world, the GT350R simply doesn't sell for that. Which was caveat #1 (if you can buy for sticker).

"ZL1 doesn't need to be your second car" - Neither car does. However caveat #2 said the GT350R is a better second car and more rewarding to drive. While this is subjective, I can say I've driven both cars and find the 350R more engaging, and it's not even close.

"ZL1 is faster and will pull away in straights" - Well no... It will regain the ground it loses to the GT350R in the corners. If a course that doesn't have a particularly long straight or the course has a medium sized straight but many very technical corners, the power will work against it as the electronics reign in the torque. You'd be better off with a stock/modded 1LE here. The weight of the ZL1 matters, and it does change the driving feel.

"The ZL1 has nav/camera" - caveat #2 covered this. Nav? Smarthphone - You shouldn't need nav to get to the track or you fav driving road.
ZL1 needs a camera for the same reason ALL camaros do... visibility is SEVERELY LACKING compared to other sports cars. As the Mustang doesn't have this problem nearly as bad, Ford didn't fit a camera.

"The ZL1 (h)as built in PDR" - All the drivers tools in the world don't make a car weigh less or feel better.

"ZL1 doesn't need CF wheels" - No car does. That's not the point. The point is Ford did this for to better the overall driving FEEL of the car and it shows.
After driving a ZL1 I found the acceleration and overall predictability great. I felt that the electronics do a great job of helping the driver while letting the driver think he's on his own and doing it himself, and my 1LE does the same.
However the 350R has better feedback, better feel, is more of an assault on the senses etc.

The GT350R feels special because it IS special. However, it's not a car that you'd drive daily. For the same practical (not cosmetic) reasons you don't drive a Ferrari daily. It's loud, it's sensory overload, it's not very comfortable for long periods of time and it's certainly not something you'd want to dilute to be comfortable in.

However the cost of entry (ie over MSRP pricing) is simply too much for me to justify as an/my only car. So I went 1LE.

Does this explain why IF IT'S A SECOND CAR, AND YOU DON'T PAY OVER STICKER that I think the GT350R is better?

Originally Posted by 67Builder

Two things.

1. You're on a track. Do a timed lap in each you clowns!
2. Mustang driver Zach really needs to drop the DJ voice and speak like a normal person.

Motor Trend will do that soon - plenty of Instagram pics to support this one

Originally Posted by cleoent

Special factor, rare factor, n/a factor and resale factor mean a lot to some people.

Sadly those are a lot of the same people that won't actually DRIVE the car :(

Originally Posted by Mr. Meh

The comment was "(better than a ZL1 if you like road racing over drag)"

That suggests a performance based relationship, not a rarity or "I'm different" one as you state and thus my reply.

Covered it all above.

[KMPrenger]

I can't really argue with these results.

Basically...Mustang has a slight edge on extreme handling and feel. *Might* be able to carry a bit more speed in the turns. Also...the high revving engine and the noise (I'm not as in love with the exhaust as many people seem to be) makes it feel more exciting. Feeling means a lot, so I'm not dismissing that.

But overall, the Camaro does pretty much it all, better than the Mustang.

For a few grand more (MSRP) than the GT350R, the ZL1 1LE will best it in all categories. (well again...maybe except for the noise lol)

[Skwibbs]

Originally Posted by KMPrenger

For a few grand more (MSRP) than the GT350R, the ZL1 1LE will best it in all categories. (well again...maybe except for the noise lol)

The ZL1 1LE will best almost any sports car for sure.