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      09-07-2021, 01:13 AM   #23
photorph
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An update after driving a GT500 and g80 m3 for 300+ miles each.

-M3 has an interior that’s 5 levels above the GT500

-GT 500 has sound that is 10 levels above the M3

-practicality, no competition…the m3 blows it out of the water

-looks: subjective, won’t discuss

-performance: m3 will always win because it can put the power down, gt500 just spins and fishtails. From a roll starting at higher speeds, if you have traction Gt500 wins

-transmission: easy win for GT500

-price: tie, both are exactly same. Dealership experience with bmw is better than Ford.

-value retention: GT500 wins

-handling: m3 wins for most drivers, for pros with properly heated tires on track the gt500 will take it

Summary: these are two different cars, if you drive more the m3 will suit most people. If you want a weekend toy for fun, want to rev your engine and enjoy that beautiful exhuast note…then GT500 wins. Keep in mind the gt500 demands respect or it can be dangerous, while the m3 is much easier to manage and you’re less likely to end up in a ditch vs the GT500. Simply put for most of us it's easier to drive the M3 and easier to put its power down without feeling nervous.

Edit: 5 second clips of the two cars I'm comparing

https://youtube.com/shorts/lXur7Ik8_EM?feature=share

https://youtube.com/shorts/7dWXFx5kBKI?feature=share

Last edited by photorph; 09-07-2021 at 02:04 AM..
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      09-07-2021, 01:31 AM   #24
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I think you're right on most/all points. I recently did a track weekend with my GT350. The new M3 was the only car in my run group I couldn't catch. (Others included F80 M3, E90 M3, F87 M2, R32, Genesis Coupe, and another GT350.) The GT350 and GT500 are both really something, though the G8x makes it easy to drive fast and access its capabilities, as you said.

The Voodoo V8 is also a pretty machine to see in the engine bay. Love this photo from a recent BMWCCA event of a 550i owner checking out what an engine bay without plastic cladding looks like.
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      09-07-2021, 07:02 AM   #25
Fangi0
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I have driven/owned S550s including Shelbys and M2/3/5s including F8x but not G8x, and drove once a ZL1.

The ZL1 is a beast -- belongs on the track, for all the reasons posted here.

The GT350 is IMHO a mechanical marvel; the 2020 350R is the only model year with the front geometry of the GT500 (no tramlining), plus other revised bits. This is what I would get for a summer car, assuming availability, and add the rear seats if needed. And if not worried about voiding warranty, forced induction (low boost) is an option.

But if I had to choose between the GT500 and M3/4 Comp, mpg not being an issue, GT500 hands down -- one of my S550s has > 800rwhp (315 rears) and knowing how to gas it, I have no problems putting down power in spirited circumstances. For the extra amount that a similarly spec'ed M3/4 Comp Xdrive + CF seats would cost, I'd widebody the GT500 (similar to Shelby American's kit) and fit 345s in the rear for better traction.

Also IMHO, the GT350/GT350R is a better dual-purpose car vs the GT500. Perhaps even a better track car from an overall cost perspective, if you care about that... unreal as it is, the GT500 is going to eat tires and gas like a devil.


PS: that is one gorgeous GT350 Mr. Maboomba
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Last edited by Fangi0; 09-07-2021 at 07:31 AM..
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      11-13-2021, 02:14 PM   #26
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I've included these cars in my decision process as well. When my son and I test drove the gt350, we couldn't stop smiling and laughing it was such crazy fun. Would have bought one a few years ago, but the numerous engine issues are incredibly scary for me. The ZL1 (I would never go 1LE), was scary fast. Definitely not as big a fan as the Ford, but 650hp and a seemingly more reliable car is definitely a decision-point for me. I also had the RS5 in my search, but the 2019 models are within $10k of my spec for an M4 (lightly optioned other than comp and xdrive, offered MSRP - $2,500 from the dealer). Cost is a consideration for me, so I'm (right now at least, this is always subject to change) deciding between a used ZL1 (which I can get a 2018 with under 10k miles for less than $65k), or spend the extra 15-17k for a new M4. M4 is much more refined and the interior spanks the ZL1 (plus a new car warranty), but not an easy decision. First world problems I suppose.

If I felt more confidence in the reliability of the GT350, I'd be all over one like Mr. Maboombas, it's the absolute best color out there.
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      11-13-2021, 02:59 PM   #27
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Just buy a 2019+ GT350 with the revised Voodoo engine and spend $2,000 on a Ford extended powertrain warranty that will cover it for eight years. Flood Ford is the cheapest place in the country to buy these warranties.
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      11-13-2021, 05:39 PM   #28
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr. Maboomba View Post
Just buy a 2019+ GT350 with the revised Voodoo engine and spend $2,000 on a Ford extended powertrain warranty that will cover it for eight years. Flood Ford is the cheapest place in the country to buy these warranties.
We actually went and test drove a ZL1 today, believe it or not at a local BMW dealer (that also had a slightly used M4 asking over MSRP). That ZL1 is brutal fast, but I don't think I can get past the the whole seating position (plus my 16 year old was sitting in the back with his head against the headliner lol). Plus, sitting in it, then sitting in the M4 was like night and day...thought about the extended warranty GT350, but I don't think you can get that price or close to it on this side of the country...
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      11-13-2021, 06:02 PM   #29
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You can buy a Ford ESP online from Flood Ford regardless of where you live, except Florida, which requires warranties to be bought locally at MSRP.

The only three things I don't like about my GT350 are the seating position (I wish I was about 3" lower; you feel like you're sitting on the car not in it), the width of the Recaros (I need to lose weight) and the range (low gas mileage and smallish fuel tank means I have to fill it up every 3-4 hours of driving).
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      11-13-2021, 06:37 PM   #30
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I was inches away from buying a ZL1. It's a blast to drive makes all the right noises, is bullet proof, is easy and cheap to mod all at a very reasonable price.
Only trouble for me was I'm just too big. With the seat in it's lowest position and near gangster lean I still couldn't see overhead traffic lights. And this was without a sunroof.
Sadly I'm also too big for a GT350 as I'd buy one in a second if I could fit. As mentioned why Recaro's in Fords sit so high has always been a mystery.
Anyway they're all great cars but for me the M3 feels like home.
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      11-14-2021, 09:10 PM   #31
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In the actual real world, a bone stock G80 M3CX and a bone stock GT500 are gonna run near identical quarter miles. GT500 cannot hook for shit on street tires and when on stock tires I have seen runs anywhere from 11.1 to 11.4 and that's at a prep'd track. It's gonna literally come down to how much traction they can get. I have personally run an 11.1 in my M3CX bone stock.

Only place a bonestock GT500 is gonna walk the M3CX in stock form is a roll where traction isn't an issue for the GT500 as much anymore.

I came from a 2019 Mustang GT PP2, while the s550 interior is night and day better from previous generations, it's nothing compared to the M3. PP2 ride wasn't bad at all with magnaride and I would say the ride is smiliar.

The Mustangs are always gonna win in a sound competition, my PP2 sounded brutal with long tube headers, x-pipe, and exhaust. GT500 is gonna sound even better with the 5.2...

Price is exactly the same pretty much plus or minus options.

I went with the M3CX for a lot of reasons. I wanted a better interior, I can't justify 80k for a s550 interior and ford sync. I wanted a more practical 4 door car. Driving the coupe got old and I never been much of a coupe person. I think sedans are more sleeper too, although there's a lot of 4 door sports cars no one expects one to blow by them. GT500 invites attention period.

ZL1 isn't even in the conversation because that interior is complete trash, It rides rough on the streets, and it's like driving a tank. It's so weird GM built such an insane track weapon but it has horrible blind spots.
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      11-15-2021, 03:59 PM   #32
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KevinMO91 View Post
In the actual real world, a bone stock G80 M3CX and a bone stock GT500 are gonna run near identical quarter miles. GT500 cannot hook for shit on street tires and when on stock tires I have seen runs anywhere from 11.1 to 11.4 and that's at a prep'd track. It's gonna literally come down to how much traction they can get. I have personally run an 11.1 in my M3CX bone stock.

Only place a bonestock GT500 is gonna walk the M3CX in stock form is a roll where traction isn't an issue for the GT500 as much anymore.

I came from a 2019 Mustang GT PP2, while the s550 interior is night and day better from previous generations, it's nothing compared to the M3. PP2 ride wasn't bad at all with magnaride and I would say the ride is smiliar.

The Mustangs are always gonna win in a sound competition, my PP2 sounded brutal with long tube headers, x-pipe, and exhaust. GT500 is gonna sound even better with the 5.2...

Price is exactly the same pretty much plus or minus options.

I went with the M3CX for a lot of reasons. I wanted a better interior, I can't justify 80k for a s550 interior and ford sync. I wanted a more practical 4 door car. Driving the coupe got old and I never been much of a coupe person. I think sedans are more sleeper too, although there's a lot of 4 door sports cars no one expects one to blow by them. GT500 invites attention period.

ZL1 isn't even in the conversation because that interior is complete trash, It rides rough on the streets, and it's like driving a tank. It's so weird GM built such an insane track weapon but it has horrible blind spots.
Interesting. I as well came from a 19 GT PP2, and although enjoying the car for what is was, it was no where near as refined and elegant as the M3. Although I never planned on owning the Mustang for long (Only had it for two/three months), I grew tired of it rather quickly, especially with seeing a couple at every single traffic light in the city. I as well considered all my options prior to the m3, but the price you pay brand new for the entire package is hard to beat.
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