[fmandel]

I currently have a 2017 Ford GT350R that I track regularly. I am considering trading it for a new M2 Comp


I enjoy the GT350R on the track but am looking for a car that is more refined and nimble.

Do you think that the M2 is a good choice?
Do you recommend the manual or M-Double Clutch Transmission?


Any thoughts and advise would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[FSU_Logan]

Two totally different cars. The m2 is not more refined nor nimble. The R wins in every category.

[mbrunner]

I would stick with the GT350R personally for track duty. Just all around better for that sort of thing. I can hear you a bit on the more refined, but apart from a slightly nicer interior you are not getting much else earth shattering in the dynamics department.

The only thing I worry about them though are engine issues. I have known 4 people personally that have had motor failures, 1 resulting in a buyback. But even the friend with the buyback bought another one.

[fmandel]

I know its a tough comparison, but I drove a GT3RS recently and really enjoyed the auto trans and the advanced traction control. i felt like I was able to push the car hard without fear of something major going wrong.

I love driving the GT350R on track but only in Track Mode which greatly limits (or maybe even eliminates) traction control. The result, at times is a little scary. But in Sport Mode the traction control is way overreaching.

Will the M2 Comp address any of the above?

thanks!

[chris719]

Originally Posted by fmandel

I know its a tough comparison, but I drove a GT3RS recently and really enjoyed the auto trans and the advanced traction control. i felt like I was able to push the car hard without fear of something major going wrong.

I love driving the GT350R on track but only in Track Mode which greatly limits (or maybe even eliminates) traction control. The result, at times is a little scary. But in Sport Mode the traction control is way overreaching.

Will the M2 Comp address any of the above?

thanks!

Have not driven a Mustang in a few years so can't really say, but it sounds like you are looking for a Cayman S / GTS... or if you want really benign handling, an Audi TT-RS.

[FSU_Logan]

Originally Posted by mbrunner

I would stick with the GT350R personally for track duty. Just all around better for that sort of thing. I can hear you a bit on the more refined, but apart from a slightly nicer interior you are not getting much else earth shattering in the dynamics department.

The only thing I worry about them though are engine issues. I have known 4 people personally that have had motor failures, 1 resulting in a buyback. But even the friend with the buyback bought another one.

You must have friends with horrible luck. Ours sat at 900whp for ages and never had an issue. Our shop has had dozens and dozens of gt350x come through and only one has a motor failure. It had 600 miles and over 1100whp. Cam bearings were so messed up. Block was recoverable, though, and then sleeved. Car now is about the same power and runs 1/2 / 1 mile pretty regularly. The 5.2 voodoo is a pretty decent motor. I still prefer the coyote, but it's definitely a stout setup

[ONLYA6]

Throttle House has a video comparing a Regular 350 with an OG M2 you should check out. On a tight track they were dead even with lap times IIRC.

I debated the two as well and went with an M2C since I wanted a more refined car to DD in the summer and handle track duties. This is coming from a Mustang guy at heart.

[fmandel]

Are you happy with the decision to go with the M2 rather than a Mustang?
Do you enjoy the M2 on track?

Manual vs. Auto Trans:
Does anyone have thoughts on the manual versus auto for a track car?

[carl44]

GT4? Lots on the market from low 80s . Great track car out of the blocks . Carl

[kpaso]

Originally Posted by fmandel

Are you happy with the decision to go with the M2 rather than a Mustang?
Do you enjoy the M2 on track?

Manual vs. Auto Trans:
Does anyone have thoughts on the manual versus auto for a track car?

The auto will be significantly easier and faster for a track car.

[Mr Pete]

I’m not too crazy about the GT350/R interior, but I would keep the R vs the M2 Comp. That’s a special car you have. I think you’ll end up missing the car a lot.

[FSU_Logan]

Originally Posted by SSDadMobile

I’m not too crazy about the GT350/R interior, but I would keep the R vs the M2 Comp. That’s a special car you have. I think you’ll end up missing the car a lot.

I find the GT350R (prior to 2019 as it is standard now..) with tech package to be on par or better than the M2, but definitely agree with the latter.

[cptobvious]

OP, I have no experience whatsoever with the GT350R, but I will say the following: We're all grown men with the maturity of 6 year-old boys on this forum! That being the case, I remember I would harangue my parents for the Trans Am Hot Wheels for weeks on end. They would finally buy it for me, and exactly 2 hours after purchase, I had to have the Lamborghini Countach!

I found that if I got a particular Hot Wheels, and felt buyer's remorse afterward, my friend Phil Smith would almost always be willing to make a trade from his collection at lunch time. Good news is that now that we're grown ups, there's a thriving used car market, and it effectively works the same as the lunch time Hot Wheels market.

If you're like the rest of us man-children, then I would have to guess that getting a new car is really about getting a new toy. And if money is no object, hell, get that Hot Wheels toy, man!

[mbrunner]

Originally Posted by FSU_Logan

You must have friends with horrible luck. Ours sat at 900whp for ages and never had an issue. Our shop has had dozens and dozens of gt350x come through and only one has a motor failure. It had 600 miles and over 1100whp. Cam bearings were so messed up. Block was recoverable, though, and then sleeved. Car now is about the same power and runs 1/2 / 1 mile pretty regularly. The 5.2 voodoo is a pretty decent motor. I still prefer the coyote, but it's definitely a stout setup

Yeah fair enough. Like any performance car things get amplified with the internet, with the volume produces I think the failure rate is in reality low. I am sure the Road Runner/Coyote had its fair share of failures as well. The luck of my friends had me spooked to not get one which is kind of sad because that motor is really something though.

I run with a club and you regularly will have 5+ GT350 at the track and have only seen 1 failure in the last 3 years otherwise they run hard, many running Hoosiers and never skip a beat.

One friend of mine was heading home from the track and the engine wouldn't start at the gas station. Engine seized (not sure root cause) but Ford replaced for him. He is happy now on the replacement.

Another that had his go recently seemed like a hole in the block (He texted me pic of the pool behind his car). It was already having random cold start misfires that the dealer couldn't address so was heading towards a buyback anyway. He picked up the R recently, and couldn't be happier.