[Mister_Bevilaqua]

Let me introduce myself. I have always been a Ford Mustang guy, mostly due to my father being one as well. Growing up he had a slew of Fox Bodies and then a few S281's followed by more modern gens. Since high school I have owned a Terminator, a Roush Stage 3 and a couple of GT500's so needless to say I am a fan of the platform. I haven't owned a sports car now in some eight years and I am starting to get the itch again and the 350 was at the top of my list. I'll be honest, the oil consumption and reported engine failures have me concerned for reliability and longevity as I'd like to buy a low mile car and keep it for the foreseeable future. The old adage, "have a good experience and you might tell one person but have a bad experience and you'll tell everyone you know" sort of comes to mind with this haha. I truly believe the PR is worse than the reality of the situation but I could be wrong!?

I've read that most suggest a 2019+ in order to get the second gen motor but I am still reading (on this very forum) that even 20's have recalls and reported failures so who knows if that even matters? Should I be limiting my search to 2019 and 2020 MY only or are 2017-18 still valid? Who offers the best extended warranty and do they actually pay? What can you all here tell me as owners to ease my fears or to better protect myself from costly or catastrophic issues should I end up bringing one home?

I still need to land on a preferred color, Avalanche and Leadfoot have both long been my favorites but I am a fan of Ford Performance Blue and I could maybe live with Velocity Blue or white with a black roof or black stripes as well. Thanks in advance for any advice and hopefully I'll be back in the coming weeks with a post showing pics of my new to me GT350.

 

[Thor 142]

A great many people buy products and only provide feedback or a review if they have a problem. Now, I'm not a "Ford guy" or Chevy or Dodge or anything else guy so I'm about as unbiased as it gets. I currently have cars from all the big 3 in my garage. My last track car was a Camaro 1LE.
That being said, I do think this motor has had a high percentage of failures in its short production run. But there is nothing else out there to compare it to. Its a special engine after all. When I bought mine it was solely to experience what all the hype was about and put it on the race track where it belonged. I bought an extended warranty and if I can't get another one when this one runs out I'll likely get rid of it.
If you are buying it for collector value there may be some merit to that. Park it. Drive it to car shows and don't worry about it.
If you are buying it to track it get an extended warranty and don't worry about it. You can blow up any car with extensive track time.
If you are buying it to daily drive it get an extended warranty and don't worry about it.
If the one you find is too old to buy an extended warranty and its not a car show/ collectible I would pass.
Not a slight against the car by any means. I love this car. Its so analogue and exciting to drive. This nothing but my personal opinion based on research.
Flame retardant suit on..... lol

 

[Mister_Bevilaqua]

A great many people buy products and only provide feedback or a review if they have a problem. Now, I'm not a "Ford guy" or Chevy or Dodge or anything else guy so I'm about as unbiased as it gets. I currently have cars from all the big 3 in my garage. My last track car was a Camaro 1LE.
That being said, I do think this motor has had a high percentage of failures in its short production run. But there is nothing else out there to compare it to. Its a special engine after all. When I bought mine it was solely to experience what all the hype was about and put it on the race track where it belonged. I bought an extended warranty and if I can't get another one when this one runs out I'll likely get rid of it.
If you are buying it for collector value there may be some merit to that. Park it. Drive it to car shows and don't worry about it.
If you are buying it to track it get an extended warranty and don't worry about it. You can blow up any car with extensive track time.
If you are buying it to daily drive it get an extended warranty and don't worry about it.
If the one you find is too old to buy an extended warranty and its not a car show/ collectible I would pass.
Not a slight against the car by any means. I love this car. Its so analogue and exciting to drive. This nothing but my personal opinion based on research.
Flame retardant suit on..... lol

Oh I agree, I think if you are using it sparingly for shows and joy rides it's more than likely going to be fine. If you plan to track it then you're rolling the dice just like any other car. I'd like to daily one to some degree but it wouldn't be my only daily. That said, I wouldn't feel comfortable doing so without an extended warranty and once that's gone then you're just back to chancing it and I am not sure I want to bother with that.

 

[Thor 142]

Oh I agree, I think if you are using it sparingly for shows and joy rides it's more than likely going to be fine. If you plan to track it then you're rolling the dice just like any other car. I'd like to daily one to some degree but it wouldn't be my only daily. That said, I wouldn't feel comfortable doing so without an extended warranty and once that's gone then you're just back to chancing it and I am not sure I want to bother with that.

I guess the only other thing I would add is that it would be a shame to miss experiencing this machine because you're nervous about engine failure. It really is exhilarating and all I've done was a few twisty mountain roads so far. I wish I could explain the raw feedback and connection you feel with the machine and the road when running it hard in it's powerband. If you have no intention of running this car hard or collecting it, you'd probably be better off with something else. Especially if all you're planning is a few straight line hard pulls once in a while. A regular GT, Camaro SS or Chally are all tons of fun to daily and have a more street friendly powerband.

 

[jabberwoki]

There was a post somewhere about the extended warranty , in a nutshell its not the safety net you think it`s going to be.
Honestly i`m thinking about selling mine .

 

[Mister_Bevilaqua]

I guess the only other thing I would add is that it would be a shame to miss experiencing this machine because you're nervous about engine failure. It really is exhilarating and all I've done was a few twisty mountain roads so far. I wish I could explain the raw feedback and connection you feel with the machine and the road when running it hard in it's powerband. If you have no intention of running this car hard or collecting it, you'd probably be better off with something else. Especially if all you're planning is a few straight line hard pulls once in a while. A regular GT, Camaro SS or Chally are all tons of fun to daily and have a more street friendly powerband.

I have driven both the GT350 and the 350R, they are a very raw and analog experience which is rare this day and age. If I did what I really wanted to do I'd have a GT3 in the garage but I am married to a forensic accountant and I'd like to keep it that way lol.

There was a post somewhere about the extended warranty , in a nutshell its not the safety net you think it`s going to be.
Honestly i`m thinking about selling mine .

Bummer, what exactly about your ownership experience has you thinking about abandoning ship now? It's comments from owners like this that have my hesitant to purchase one myself.

 

[Carbide]

I love mine. Hope to keep it for decades. Mine was a late arrival, so I've had it just over a year.
I just did the 1st oil change, now I'm ready for that rev limiter! 😁

 

[Mister_Bevilaqua]

I am half tempted to just wait out this failing economy, high inflation, rising fuel prices, etc. and see where the values are at on these towards the end of the year.

 

[Carbide]

I am half tempted to just wait out this failing economy, high inflation, rising fuel prices, etc. and see where the values are at on these towards the end of the year.

Not a bad plan.

 

[jabberwoki]

I have driven both the GT350 and the 350R, they are a very raw and analog experience which is rare this day and age. If I did what I really wanted to do I'd have a GT3 in the garage but I am married to a forensic accountant and I'd like to keep it that way lol.




Bummer, what exactly about your ownership experience has you thinking about abandoning ship now? It's comments from owners like this that have my hesitant to purchase one myself.

I really cannot pinpoint it.
Hard to get the most out of it with so much traffic, worried about after warranty issues, A lot of money just sitting there . i bought it xmas 2020 and iv`de just got 1200 miles on it.
The car itself is bloody fantastic though, i`m grinning like a school boy with a porno every time i have the room to get on it especially around corners.

 

[Thor 142]

I really cannot pinpoint it.
Hard to get the most out of it with so much traffic, worried about after warranty issues, A lot of money just sitting there . i bought it xmas 2020 and iv`de just got 1200 miles on it.
The car itself is bloody fantastic though, i`m grinning like a school boy with a porno every time i have the room to get on it especially around corners.

Sign up for a couple HPDE days. Traffic or not you'll never see what a track oriented car can do safely on the street. Also most organizations have an option for you to ride some laps with an instructor. I highly recommend this. It will 100% make you a better driver on the street and you'll have a better appreciation for the car.

 

[jabberwoki]

Oh i appreciate the car ok it`s just finding roads to let it rip properly .

 

[Thor 142]

Oh i appreciate the car ok it`s just finding roads to let it rip properly .

Thats why i suggested track days. If you're looking for a car you can explore the full potential of on public roads this isn't it.

 

[jabberwoki]

Fair enough.

 

[Carbide]

Fair enough.

Thor is correct. Now that I finally got my first oil change out of the way I thought it was about time I get up near redline.
Impossible to do (legally) beyond 2nd gear.

 

[johnnytequila]

All I can say is my Shelby makes me grin from ear to ear every time she rev’s over 5k rpm’s. Not a single issue and the best performance car I have ever owned. I’ll never sell this beauty and beast.

 

[Shelbyneeds]

Here is my experience with my 2016 GT350 and my 2017 GT 350R. Both cars started out great, then both used a bit (1 qt) in less than 500 miles. Talked to tons of owners who were divided between racers and street drivers. Racers that did track events had a few issues with their motors using a lot of oil. Probably four out of twenty guys. One lost a motor. Street drivers had some oil issues, four out of fifty. Two street drivers (1400 miles on one) had new motors under warranty with one of those two on his second factory replacement! I don’t mean to scare anyone as the cars are phenomenal to drive. But, I sold both of mine and purchased a 2021 GT500 CFTP and walk all over the 350’s. It is a five step up change over the 350’s minimum! Proven motor over time and I don’t worry about my previous 350’s! If you buy a used 350, you need to talk to the previous owner(s) and get a feel about how they drove it. Those motors needed 1000 miles and be up to temp before spinning them hard. Good luck whatever you decide!

 

[daalbert]

I have a 2018 GT350. I bought it new. There are 19000 miles on it. I live in Western NY. It has been to shows in W. Virginia, Georgia and is going to Florida in Sept. I have driven it to AZ, CO, UT, WY and NM. Last year I drove to Arkansas to a show and competed in a road rally. One of the post above got it right, This site has only a handful of the owners of the 350. A lot of them don't post. Some of the other ones only post when something goes wrong. I am posting because things are going wright. So far my 350 has been has been a dream and the most fun out of the two other Mustangs I own. It is a tough daily driver in traffic but it loves the open highway and thrives on back roads and twisty turney roads. It is a keeper for me, and brings a smile to my face every time I drive it. Drive it, or sell it.

 

[johnnytequila]

I have a 2018 GT350. I bought it new. There are 19000 miles on it. I live in Western NY. It has been to shows in W. Virginia, Georgia and is going to Florida in Sept. I have driven it to AZ, CO, UT, WY and NM. Last year I drove to Arkansas to a show and competed in a road rally. One of the post above got it right, This site has only a handful of the owners of the 350. A lot of them don't post. Some of the other ones only post when something goes wrong. I am posting because things are going wright. So far my 350 has been has been a dream and the most fun out of the two other Mustangs I own. It is a tough daily driver in traffic but it loves the open highway and thrives on back roads and twisty turney roads. It is a keeper for me, and brings a smile to my face every time I drive it. Drive it, or sell it.

Well said buddy! You would make Carroll Shelby proud. 😎🐎 🐍 🏁🏆

 

[meateater5.2]

So here is another positive story for you to consider. I found a used 2107 in Avalanche Grey 3 years ago. I bought it to track. Read some of the stories about engine failure but once I heard it start, it really didn’t matter. During my first track season, summer of 2019 I had the oil filter housing and oil pressure sensor replace under tech recal and had the A/C pump replaced under warranty. Other than that, it ran like a thief in the night. No issues in year two what so ever and I ran hard, Brainerd Raceway in MN, Road America and Blackhawk farms. Ate some brake pads but the boys at G-Loc hooked me up. This year after my first two events, saw a small leak in the trans cooler line replaced it and have no issues. I love this thing! I drive it as hard as I can, have bumped the rev limiter a time or two and have put it 4 wheels off once or twice. But I do my best to take care of it, oil changes every couple events, tranny fluid and diff fluids replaced this season. Mine has been a dream car of sorts. Head turner at shows and a beast at the track. If you find one that speaks to you, take a shot.