GS vs GT350 Shelby
07-31-2018, 09:41 PM
#21
Have recently owned both with manuals - sold them and considering getting one of them again-- real sellers remorse. Am a Porsche 911 guy also.
Both markets- vet/mustang-- in disarray- too many cars on ground and receding demand.
I know this a Vette forum but curious as to thoughts about either car. For me both represent the muscle car era.
Both markets- vet/mustang-- in disarray- too many cars on ground and receding demand.
I know this a Vette forum but curious as to thoughts about either car. For me both represent the muscle car era.
07-31-2018, 09:42 PM
#22
Instructor
OP--I came from a Boss 302 which was an incredible muscle car with a ton of character. Very much the last of the old Mustangs and I thoroughly enjoyed every second driving it. The GT350 is even better than the Boss, and I would love to tool around in one someday, but it wont come at the expense of my Z06. They are totally different cars, and in my view the Vette, much like the Porsche does it all.
Obvious performance differences aside, here is what differentiates the Vette from the Mustang in my humble opinion:
-Exotic looks.
The car is on par to many exotics in the looks department. Whether you like it not, or assume we are all fan-boys on this forum, the reality is that a LOT of people stop, stare, ask questions about the Vette. It's about the closest you can get to an exotic in terms of wow factor for way less money. I'm in a major city and I can tell you it easily draws a lot more attention than a Porsche which are frequent sight. I think the GT350 is a real looker, but it's still a dressed up Mustang from a looks perspective--and I happen to love Mustangs.
-Dress it up/Dress it down
I can hop into the Vette wearing jeans and a t-shirt to grab a case of beer, just as easily as I can in a suit for a night out on the town to a fancy restaurant with my wife. That may not matter to some, and I totally get it, but I occasionally did not drive my Boss because it was too loud and too much in your face 'muscle' for the event. The Porsche is very much like the Vette that way--good on the track, for a business meeting, jeans, suit, wedding etc...
-Comfort.
In tour mode with the exhaust on stealth, the Vette is as quiet, comfortable, and luxurious a ride as you can get in a sports car of its type.
I haven't driven the GT350 but I'm guessing it's a bit rougher around the edges--again I can only use my Boss as a comparison here, but I've heard the flat plane crank engine causes some cabin vibration and the exhaust (as glorious as it sounds) can get quite loud.
-City Driving
High revving engines are fun, but not always the best choice for day to day driving as they take a bit of time (and space) to wind up. The Vette is on all the time.
Just my .02.
Obvious performance differences aside, here is what differentiates the Vette from the Mustang in my humble opinion:
-Exotic looks.
The car is on par to many exotics in the looks department. Whether you like it not, or assume we are all fan-boys on this forum, the reality is that a LOT of people stop, stare, ask questions about the Vette. It's about the closest you can get to an exotic in terms of wow factor for way less money. I'm in a major city and I can tell you it easily draws a lot more attention than a Porsche which are frequent sight. I think the GT350 is a real looker, but it's still a dressed up Mustang from a looks perspective--and I happen to love Mustangs.
-Dress it up/Dress it down
I can hop into the Vette wearing jeans and a t-shirt to grab a case of beer, just as easily as I can in a suit for a night out on the town to a fancy restaurant with my wife. That may not matter to some, and I totally get it, but I occasionally did not drive my Boss because it was too loud and too much in your face 'muscle' for the event. The Porsche is very much like the Vette that way--good on the track, for a business meeting, jeans, suit, wedding etc...
-Comfort.
In tour mode with the exhaust on stealth, the Vette is as quiet, comfortable, and luxurious a ride as you can get in a sports car of its type.
I haven't driven the GT350 but I'm guessing it's a bit rougher around the edges--again I can only use my Boss as a comparison here, but I've heard the flat plane crank engine causes some cabin vibration and the exhaust (as glorious as it sounds) can get quite loud.
-City Driving
High revving engines are fun, but not always the best choice for day to day driving as they take a bit of time (and space) to wind up. The Vette is on all the time.
Just my .02.
07-31-2018, 11:00 PM
#23
07-31-2018, 11:05 PM
#24
if its track performance, i'll leave it to the mags who test such things comparatively to guide you. but on the street i seem to see more people looking at vettes than I do mustangs. i think more people perceive vettes as high end sports cars; whereas mustangs (and camaros) are flaunted weekly in the dealer newspaper ads as $22,999 specials. You can make both supercars, but who besides the enthusiast notices? Porsches, in basically the same form since 1963, people look past to see a wealthy individual in the drivers seat. There are just so many body panels that Porsche can blow up like a balloon to say "hey I'm a special Porsche" before people stop seeing the car as more than "just a Porsche." So the Porsche is just a rather common expression of wealth, not a noticeable car outright, by non-Porsche aficionados. Corvette C7: hasn't stopped drawing the stares of the passerby five model years into production. I'd say you would have to jump into a McClaren, or Lambo or Ferrari if you want to get noticed more than you will in a GS, it's styling is just that unique, and drop dead gorgeous in coupe form.
Last edited by SilverGhost; 07-31-2018 at 11:08 PM.
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Thatguygb (11-15-2020)
07-31-2018, 11:11 PM
#25
Moderator
This is always my take on this topic, just like Jay Lenno I'll take one of each please (now if I had his money).
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IRMB (08-09-2018)
07-31-2018, 11:40 PM
#27
Burning Brakes
First I don't think that the regular GT350 compares to the Grand Sport, on performance what compares with the regular Shelby GT350 is the Camaro SS, and the 1LE would easily beat it. What could compare with the GS is the Shelby GT350R but the Camaro ZL1 would also beat the R at the track. Also think that the C7 compares in performance to the Porsches.
07-31-2018, 11:52 PM
#28
Melting Slicks
First I don't think that the regular GT350 compares to the Grand Sport, on performance what compares with the regular Shelby GT350 is the Camaro SS, and the 1LE would easily beat it. What could compare with the GS is the Shelby GT350R but the Camaro ZL1 would also beat the R at the track. Also think that the C7 compares in performance to the Porsches.
07-31-2018, 11:52 PM
#29
Burning Brakes
When I had my awsome looking muscle car 5th. gen Camaro ZL1, I went to test drive a Shelby GT350, at first the car's look did not impressed me, it looked like a modified Mustang GT, nothing great, but after driving it two things pick up my attention immediately: the great macho exhaust sound and driving at 8000 rpm, very addictive, still not impressed by it looks, after driving it, I steeped on my ZL1 and right there my car felt more powerful, wasn't interested on the GT350 and told the sales guys, that they were crazy of asking 10K above markup for their car. ( and this is comming from a prior Mustang and Porsche owner). Instead I went to my Chevy dealer and bought for almost the same $ a much better looking and better performer Stingray Z51.
Last edited by 911Hunter; 08-03-2018 at 07:42 AM.
07-31-2018, 11:56 PM
#30
Melting Slicks
Performance between the C7 and newer 911’s are fairly similar. I just recently made the decision to sell my 2015 z51 c7 and purchased a 2017 911 S. While I loved my C7 it does not match the 911 in several areas. The 911 is a quicker and faster car with a better ride, better sound insulation and better fit and finish. It will take a very nice C8 ME to pull me away from buying the 992 when it comes out next year.
08-01-2018, 12:32 AM
#32
Melting Slicks
08-01-2018, 12:37 AM
#33
Burning Brakes
The Corvette looks better
08-01-2018, 01:06 AM
#35
Le Mans Master
I own a brand new ZO6, but I have had the pleasure of driving a new GT350R, and it's an awesome car in every way. That engine is one of the greatest powerplants on the planet, and the sound of it at 8,000RPM is nothing short of incredible. Either car is a win-win in my opinion, if you don't love driving either one than you don't like cars at all.
08-01-2018, 01:21 AM
#36
Le Mans Master
If you like Ford, then wait until next year and get the new GT500, although the ADMs will be insane. At least the thievery has faded on the GT350, however, I’ve seen some lingering on the GT350R. The ‘19s have been tweaked... grille, rear spoiler & gurney flap, interior updates, and the availability B&O Play.
08-01-2018, 01:44 AM
#37
I own a brand new ZO6, but I have had the pleasure of driving a new GT350R, and it's an awesome car in every way. That engine is one of the greatest powerplants on the planet, and the sound of it at 8,000RPM is nothing short of incredible. Either car is a win-win in my opinion, if you don't love driving either one than you don't like cars at all.He's never owned the GT350. I'm thinking he doesn't have a C7 either.
I'd like to drive a loaded GT350. I doubt if any Ford
dealer has a new one to drive though.
3 years ago, I was in the market for a Shelby Mustang, but only heard esoteric info on em. I was rather intent on a new C7. Fortunately, I found one perfect for me. As I've been a member here since 2010, and a I owned a 1977 brand new C3 too, I felt that I could trust a new Corvette more than a test market GT350. I bought a new C7.
.
One bada** 2017 Stingray 3LT convertible. FE2 - Z51 Package. M7 MSRC
08-01-2018, 06:39 AM
#38
Burning Brakes
...however, 30 mpg for the Vette......15 mpg GT350...my friend has one. Told him you did not buy for mpg LOL
08-01-2018, 07:45 AM
#39
Instructor
