If you really want to do a lot of tuning you may find more proven options on the GT350, it is still very early days for FoRS3 tuning, and it is unclear how much headroom the more complex FoRS3 drivetrain has. Plus now may be the best possible time to sell a s'hand foRS3 while demand is still very high.

Only you can balance out how much you want (not need !) each car.

 

GT350s are awesome so I say go for it.

Lol at people considering trading their RS before I've even got an ETA on mine. FML.

 

2 doors or 4 doors
trunk or a hatch
rwd or awd
NA vs boosted

really comes down to what you need to do with the car.
a rwd stang is no where near utilitarian enough for my needs.

 

You mean 5 doors, its a 5dr hatch, not a 4 door!

 

If your into to drivers cars then go for it. The GT350 is to the Mustang what the RS is to the Focus. They sound so amazing as well. The only reason I wouldn't would be due to the need for a all year round vehicle or the ease of owning a hatch.

 

Couldn't talk you out of that. It's a superior car which will hold its value better, and I am an RS die-hard. If you don't need 4 doors or AWD and can afford it, go for it.

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#5 Doors not 4 doors!

 

I did a corner weigh day on Mustangs. There's not a lot of info here, but I'll share what I did: Mustang S550 Corner Weight Day - EvolutionM.net

Negatives:
1) Mustangs are heavy
2) Fit, finish, and refinement is not as high as the RS
3) Interior and back seat space is nonexistent
4) Practicality is low
5) Utilization of all the car's performance takes a reasonably high degree of skill due to RWD and high power
6) Every Mustang owner from the beginning of time will be swinging off your nuts anytime you drive the car

Positives:
1) One of the few cars that would have higher resale value than an RS.
2) Voodoo, baby! What an engine!
3) Ultimate performance ceiling is much higher

Now, a word of caution. If you don't have a background in high power RWD cars, the ability to handle one at 10/10ths is a completely different ballgame. You can crash any car acting silly, but car control on something like this is even more vital. I'd totally recommend autocrossing it at first, than doing track days with other Mustang guys and an instructor next to you so you can really safely learn the limits.

Finally, would I do it or not? It depends. For a tech package GT350 that loses the Recaros, absolutely not! A standard GT350, I would consider if it was optioned the exact way I wanted it. For a GT350R, I definitely would. That car is super rare and special. The only negative thing I can say about it is that I would feel guilt putting lots of miles on it, as I would want to keep it for decades, and would want it to be my fun car, so I would want another daily driver.

Everything I've written above is assuming I had unlimited money. In the real world, I have two kids, and we can only comfortably afford two cars right now. The real world practicality, performance, and bang for the buck with the RS would mean it would be the one that is an option for me at this time in life.

Drive one. It'll clear up the fog in your head quickly and make the decision easier. Good luck!

 

I to was contiplating the two cars when ordering the focus in October. They are two different driving experiences. Power wise the gt350 is the winner. Agility, dartness, practicality and rarity the focus shines. There is no reward in taking a gt350 into the 9's or even 8's as the old 5.0 have been doing that for two decades. Taking a Focus into them 10's now that to me is interesting. There are tons of mustang only a few RS. That will always be a collectors demand. I see these holding there value much more than the gt350.

If your post mentioned the gt350r then you would have my attention and support. There's already rumor of the gt500 which will out perform the 350. I would wait and see how that materialise. To me the focus is daily driver. I can see the gt350 sitting in your garage rather than being used. That was also another factor in my decision. I didn't want another trophy as ive had and still have one for 27 years now.

Stick with the focus mustangs are a dime a dozen.

 

No doubt the GT350 is an awesome car, BUT all its power comes with HIGH RPMs. So if you are cruising at 60mph in 6 gear, my Mini cooper JCW will accelerate faster. My point is this, the GT350 is NOT a daily driver because who drives around town between 5000-8250rpms?

Get both and you will have the best of both worlds. BTW .. I am on a waiting list for a 2017 GT350 and my RS will be here in 2 months, hopefully.

 

your assessment of the gt350 is deeply flawed.
I do agree with you, though, that having both is a terrific situation.

 

I have a 16 GT350 Track pack with 238 miles,possible trade for RS plus $$$$

 

View attachment 39593 View attachment 39601

I have a 16 GT350 Track pack with 238 miles,possible trade for RS plus $$$$

Hey check your PM please when you get a chance, I'm in NJ. Depending on the offer I might pull the plug if you're serious


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Financially this is a stupid move. You've gotten the car, take the immediate depreciation hit, and now you want to go after a new, more expensive car while you are still likely upside down on your current car.

Financially its just like burning money.

As for those who say the RS out handles the GT350? You are out of your cotton pickin' mind. The GT350 may weigh more, but it has far more grip, and a much better weight distribution. No to mention all that extra power.

I've driven both the GT350 and the RS in anger. The chassis response and handling are better than the RS. If the GT350 was riding around on 235 wide tires then yes, the RS would be better, but its not.

 

I'll buy your RS lol.

 

I almost bought a gt350 before I changed my mind and went with the rs.

Gt350 is overall a better beast and better drivers car though. It's faster, will handle way better, sounds insane and is more comfortable for cruising with magneride.

But here's why I changed my mind:

I have cold temps and or snow up to 5 months a year. I would have had to buy another winter car. So cost would be +15k for gt350 then another 10 for a winter car that I don't hate.

4 doors: with 2 kids the gt350 backseat is smaller than my m3 coupe was which was difficult enough.

Those were the main reasons.

Other things: I had a rwd m3 and I will echo an above comment: it was really fun to drive and even more so on performance days, but losing the rear end was easy. Add 100 hp and I can't imagine.

I feel much more comfortable with my rs not only dd but on track than I did in my m3 or I would in the gt350 as I know replacement parts are cheaper

You are probably not going to want to tune and or mod the gt350 and its 18k engine. Listing a 5k rs engine to a tune is one thing. 18k is a different story. Also it doesn't really need any mods so there's that.

Maybe most importantly, long term miles on the gt350 are going to be important. With all the vibrating it's doing there's a decent chance they won't last much past 100k and values will tank as miles get high. It's a car you want to keep miles low on. I don't think it's a great dd candidate.

Ground clearance is super minimal. The rs is probably 3" higher off the ground and I still have scraped a few times in a month.

The hearing is soooo high. 2nd gear takes you to like 75 in the gt350. That's not really usable power for the street.

That being said when my rs is paid off and will be my dd and winter car, I'll probably buy a gt350 used because they are awesome.


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The GT350's is not bad. Its similar to what my GTA has. My GTA redlines at these speeds:
1st, 51mph
2nd, 82mph
3rd, 126mph
4th, 170mph
5th, 212mph
6th, 274mph

Obviously its not going to do 274mph, or 212mph (though it'll get close to 200 if given the chance)

Basically with gearing like this, any time you want to accelerate hard you will be downshifting to either 2nd, and if on the highway, maybe 3rd for highway speeds. Now, you don't have to downshift that far, maybe you can get the torque you need in 4th gear. You don't have to downshift to the perfect power band, the GT350 makes enough torque in the 3000-4500rpm range that you an down shift 1 gear and probably accelerate comfortably. Its not like you have to go for maximum acceleration.

In my GTA I do a 6th to 4th downshift all the time, even though maximum acceleration tells me I might want 3rd gear. Above 50mph I usually use 4th gear for passing when not in a hurry. It puts the engine at the bottom of its power band, which is about 2200rpm. Power band is from 2200-7200rpm. But it make enough torque at 2000rpm that it can accelerate slowly on the highway for a planned pass.

Just because peak power is at 7500rpm in the GT350, doesn't mean you NEED to downshift into that band just to accelerate.

Even at 3000rpm the GT350 is still making close to 300lb/ft torque.

 

GT350 is really a nice toy to have. i would not get it as my only car and a daily driver though. in my opinion the RS is the best option for fun/daily/all weather drive combination. If you can afford it as a second car get it, absolutely! I wanted a beast next to my daily driver RS and looked at GT350, but in the end I loved more the Hellcat. Good luck!

 

There is no such thing as too much power. The louder they are the faster they go!
Just don't go around a corner too fast.

 

If I would have had the opportunity to get a track pack GT350 at MSRP, I would have gone that route.

The RS was like an unexpected back up plan, I am no where near upset with the outcome either, it's my favorite car I have ever owned.

I won't be getting rid of the RS though, even if the opportunity to get a GT350 presented itself. I think.

God I hope not.

 

The GT350 definitely sounds like my kind of car, but given the gas mileage, lack of all-weather usefulness, and size (I find it unbelievable that it weighs more than the 3500 lb RS!), not to mention price... It'd just be an expensive toy for me. I'd rather have the RS, then get something simple, less expensive, and with an open top for a weekend blaster.

 

Went on a cruise last sunday.

There was a GT350, and my RS. We both filled up at the gas station and both drove somewhat aggressivly on the cruise.

I got like 13mpg, he got like 12mpg.

On throttle the RS isn't exactly a dainty drinker. I'd be shocked if I got better than 7MPG on track.

 

Different leagues fellas. Like @fuhrius said and me too.... "deeply flawed" thinking the 350 only makes power at high rpm's. We both hit the tracks with ours as well as spirited driving on the road.... the 350 is absolutely more fun to drive, period. BUT the FoRS is not far behind especially in terms of handling & balance. But on straights or powering out of entry ramps, even in 4th gear, the GT350 is plenty quick and swift. I did an entire session in Sebring only in 4th gear.... and I still posted fast lap times.

So if you can financially swing both at the same time.... then do it. It's a great combination! Take it from me as well! Double permagrin...

 

+1 on that

 

I wish I could talk you off the ledge put apparently I'm standing next to you. I currently have:

Focus ST daily (putting on 20K/year mileage)
FD RX7 swapped LS1 weekend/autoX/track (375whp 2800lb little monster)

My current plan is to trade ST for the RS and daily drive it. I haven't even gotten my RS yet and am highly anticipating it as it will be such an awesome and capable car and an even more practical daily then the ST! I also plan to seek the last 100whp still on the table for my FD's LS1 keeping it NA.

But...

The GT350... oh the sound it makes and I think it looks gorgeous not to mention the ridiculous performance for a 3700 lb sports car in GT car clothing! Almost everyday I am contemplating going the GT350 route and am not totally sure what I will do yet. I even test fit my kids car seat in my stepson's '16 Mustang just to be sure it would fit. Guess what? It fits easily! :victorious:

But like everyone said there are the drawbacks if you cant afford to just buy the GT350 as a weekend toy:

• I would have to daily it so in 3 years it will have 60 to 75K miles on it. Ouch!
• A new model will come out very soon and make me feel jealous, and contemplate getting even more upside down.
• I would have to sell both my ST and LS FD to get it and therefore lose a dedicated, very capable weekend toy that likely already out performs the GT350 in many ways, and that I already own and should hold value at $20-25K.
• I will likely need a reliable winter daily (like a Pick-up truck) in addition for the practicality the GT350 lacks, said winter salt beating, and 4 wheel drive snow driving needs.

Luckily for me I have until my RS is loaded onto a boat and crosses the sea to make a decision. What to do...

 

If you get the GT350 you have to keep the ST. Period. If you can't make that work then get the RS.

Considering its wearing NT05s? It won't do well in snow at all.

However, shod in a set of good snow tires? It would do well enough. Its RWD, but with the right tire it will grip well enough. That said, I don't have ABS, or Traction control, or stability control, or really any nannies of any kind. There is me, my right foot, and God.

A 11:1 compression 350 making near 500hp and cammed to the moon does not like winter.

You can listen to it here if you want.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CqOuPfT3aM

It might get traction but 3.5" ground clearance is not going to be enough in the snow. I don't think it's a car you can drive year round north of TN.

 

GT350
All day long!!

 

So, back when I wasn't sure if my car was ever going to arrive, I asked this question on the GT350 forums. Two -R owners who also owned RS both said to go for the RS. They claimed it was FAR more fun to drive than the GT350s, where you really have to be going quite fast to get fun out of it. They pretty much single handedly convinced me to keep the RS.

 

Did you get your car?

 

Just saw a black GT350 and follows it for several miles on I5 last Saturday. Even tho it looks killer, sounds killer, and can kill the tires at almost any rpm, I can't picture myself in one. So the RS it is for me and it's way more practical.

 

Conclusion: Ruin savings, get both.

 

McDaddy lol

 

Each are great weapons in the right hands for a different "job". Just have to figure out which will be more practical for what you intend to use it. Don't forget these bad boys too if you just want all-out POWER :

Lebanon Ford Inc. | New Ford dealership in Lebanon, OH 45036

 

I wouldn't talk you out of it. The GT350 is the better car for almost all of what I want. I just ordered the RS before I could get a GT350 @ MSRP or below.