[NPTM]

On a journey to build my "dream garage" of timeless, special edition cars that offer unique experiences and are increasingly rare...soon to be extinct actually. My hope is to eventually have one car of each "class" that I love...my CS filled the biggest void of all (no explanation necessary), my Tacoma TRD Pro (6 spd) is my personal daily / zombie apocalypse vehicle that will never die, and my wife's X3 m40i handles all the family stuff. I eventually want a Porsche in the stable, but that's further down the road. Two "realistic" and more near-term goals are something JDM, and something with an N/A V8 and an incredible exhaust note paired to a perfect manual gearbox. The JDM path will likely be something nostalgic for me, since I'm really not hot on much in this class, so I'd probably scoop a low mile 06/07 STi like the one I owned 15 years ago. Have a line on a low-mile / super clean 2010 GTR, but not sure I want auto...OG NSX would be top pick, but we'll see where pricing is when the time comes.

The V8 was next up! Was obviously hot on an E9X - the natural car for guys like us to gravitate to. I spent many months searching for the perfect car, and read just about every page on this forum learning as much as I could. My desire for special / rare / limited spec cars pushed me to the Lime Rock Park, but I couldn't wrap my head around the price tag, and no matter how much I loved the color, I struggled seeing myself in it. I then started searching for for late model year, moderate mile, manual, single hump, cloth, slick top spec cars. Clean ones were almost impossible to come by, and to be honest, the more I thought about it, the more I realized that I already own the perfect BMW! If I'm trying to build a garage of diverse experiences, I should do just that, and seek something a bit more different.

Can't believe I am saying this, but I bought I Mustang. I know, I know...I never saw myself as a "Mustang guy" and trust me, I'm struggling with that fact to this day. But holy **** is this car special! It's a Shelby GT350R Heritage Edition. For those who don't know, the R basically took the Shelby GT350 and added several track-focused goodies (cooling, carbon fiber wheels, Cup 2s, suspension/steering tuning, rear seat delete, louder exhaust, front spoiler, carbon fiber wing, etc.). The Heritage Edition (~250 Rs made) came in the colors of the original GT350 we all have pictured in our heads - Wimbledon (off) White with Guardsman Blue stripes. Final model year, super low mileage, bone stock (aside from the simple enthusiast stuff), collector owned, the list goes on. The PO even had a custom vest made for when he was driving the car with the chassis number on it...you will NEVER see me wearing it, but I like buying cars from guys like that, hah!

I personally feel this is hands down one of the best sounding production cars ever made. Flat plane crank N/A V8 that revs up to 8250. Incredible gearbox, carbon fiber wheels, brakes that rival the CS, Recaro seats, the list goes on. I get the Ford production quality stuff (interior plastics, body panel gap, etc.), but you buy this car for the driveline and the driving experience. Trust me, I'm no blue oval die hard...I just wanted the best, reasonably modern, manual transmission V8 drivers car out there, and my years of searching kept leading me to this beast.

I'm sure there are many guys here that just "get it" - it's a shocking departure from the Mustangs of the past and likely a combination that Ford will never make again. And for those who don't, trust me, I understand the gut reaction...just pull up an exhaust video on Youtube and promise me you withhold judgement until you sit in the drivers seat, fire one up, and get her north of 6K RPM

No worries for the CS as she is keeping her "pole position" spot in the garage! They first meet this Friday when the R comes up from Florida (my poor neighbors have no idea what's coming). Will snap some pics of them together when the weather turns!

[Davil]

Very cool. There’s nothing like a naturally aspirated V8 manual. Pure therapy. Not something you drive every day, but when you do it is smiles for miles.

[NYNick]

My initial reaction was negative, but then I realized my own stable (see signature) was or has been similar. I'm glad you didn't get the GTR or the NSX. Don't bother.

I'm betting you and I are different generations, but our tastes appear similar. My garage once sported a modern 911 TT, a classic 1965 GTO and a 1988 Landcruiser. Today, only the LC remains, along with a classic 911 and of course, the CS.

The CS satisfies my ass kicking muscle car needs, plus, I've whittled my holdings to 3 toys. You sound like your on your way to 4. Just remember, you can only drive one at a time and in the northeast, that's limited to 6 months a year. I doubt I put 1000 miles a year on any of the 3.

The GT350R is a great choice. My dream car has always been the OG GT350 but alas, I won't spend the money for one now and my garage is full.

Enjoy your car. Sounds like a lot of fun.

Nick

[NPTM]

Appreciate the kind words! And I hear you Nick, the season is limited but the Taco loves playing in the snow and I put all seasons on the CS so she’ll get some good use in the off season when the roads are clean and clear and the sun in shinning. The 350R will be summer only given the carbon fiber wheels and Cup 2s.

Hear on you the GTR / NSX - I’m least drawn to JDM, and may never do it…but the right car can be a special experience in its own way.

Will keep you guys posted, and look forward to meeting some of you in person at some local meets this season!

[IcewaterPete]

Oh I get it all right! Excellent choice. I have that same one on my short list too. I may just add a dark horse for now, but you just can’t beat the package on the GT350R and the classic color combo is perfect. I’m always dreaming of that redline and exhaust sound. Flat plane baby all the way.

[mfarrzhp]

Beautiful, and definitely a worthy stablemate to the CS!

I was pre-ordering a Bronco when they first announced it a few years ago, and the dealer has one of these in the showroom. I was stunned at how far Mustangs had come since my coworker buddy had a 2002 or so Mustang GT.

I may have to test drive one of these someday. My shortlist right now is between an Evora GT, 981 GT4, C7 Z06 (my uncle would give me a killer deal on his), and I should add this to the list. Of course the E90 M3 Competition and 1M are also both on this list.

Congrats! These look and sound amazing.

[BMW003E]

Excellent choice! A family member has one and it is an incredible machine. I've never been that impressed with Mustangs, including the GTs. But, the GT350R and GT500 are on a completely different plane (hmm, sounds like the M2C vs M2CS argument...). I rode in one around Laguna Seca and that thing screamed around the track. It was most impressive (of course, the driver is very experienced). We did a car club drive last fall, my family member in the GT350R and us in the CS. It was a heck of a drive and we really were impressed by the sounds of it, especially when we were in a sea of Teslas.

I think the world would have more respect for the Mustang if the GT350 was more of the standard car.

[NPTM]

Thanks so much for the kind words guys - happy to see folks here know what these things are about, honestly expected a few more "WTFs" haha! Incredible pic of the R and CS together, that must have been one fun trip...exhaust note on these things is pure nirvana so would be fun to cruise with one like that. Closest I've seen a production car get to race car DNA, aside from the GT3 RS of course. Will keep you guys posted and thanks again!

[Hedoniste]

Awesome car congratulations ! V8 are something (power & soundtrack) in those things

[BRAKE!]

This is exactly the car I want in my garage too. I have NEVER been a Mustang guy, never drooled over one, never even wanted one until I got in the GT500 and realized what a monster it was. The 350R, imo, takes it up a notch with more useable HP and a manual transmission. Definitely a different experience all together. Congrats on your acquisition!

[BMW003E]

Originally Posted by NPTM

Thanks so much for the kind words guys - happy to see folks here know what these things are about, honestly expected a few more "WTFs" haha! Incredible pic of the R and CS together, that must have been one fun trip...exhaust note on these things is pure nirvana so would be fun to cruise with one like that. Closest I've seen a production car get to race car DNA, aside from the GT3 RS of course. Will keep you guys posted and thanks again!

The drive was a blast. We spent 3 days driving around the Sierras. We were both running on Cup2s, so we had to make sure not to follow too closely. Granted, the drive was limited by the skill of the drivers but both cars handles admirably and equally as well. If I had more garage space, I would have added a R to the stable.

The glorious exhaust note coming from the R did make me miss my E92 M3 a little bit, but the CS would quickly remind me of why it’s a very special car. It definitely was in its element on the twisty mountain roads.

[sdhotwn]

The 350R was on the shortlist I cross shopped against the CS actually and was in the #2 slot for me with the GT4 in #3. So I definitely get it! The sound is unlike most anything and it has a great presence.. And I've never really loved mustangs. But these... Lovely! Enjoy!

[OG Shark]

Congratulations! Not a whole lot of cars out there that can replicate the experience of one of these that's for sure. A lot of people would complain about the build but although it might not be great I never found it lacking to point it was a negative. Everything else about the car more than makes up for it when driven for the experience.

I wouldn't sleep on the 90's to mid 00's JDM cars. I have an R33 GTR and it is absolutely sublime driving it. The sounds, feel, power - so fun to drive. Will be looking for an R34 now that they are coming on line here in the US. An NSX is also on my list and very much expect it to be just as good albeit in a bit different manner. Right now the R33 and my Pcar are my favorites in my collection - that does tend to change from time to time but right now they are the two that put the biggest smile on my face.

[///MPhatic]

The shifter was so good in the last one I drove that it made my M2 shifter feel like it was in a Neon. Beyond that it's not my thing, but congrats!!!

[OG Shark]

Originally Posted by ///MPhatic

The shifter was so good in the last one I drove that it made my M2 shifter feel like it was in a Neon. Beyond that it's not my thing, but congrats!!!

Don't dog a Neon like that - not cool. No way the shifter in them was as bad as what BMW is putting in these things...

[Hulk Smash]

Congrats OP! I wish I never sold my GT350R, it is an amazing car to own and drive.

[gofast182]

I'm an instructor for NASA and I've spent a good bit of time instructing students in the right seat of of GT350s, they are awesome machines (and I'm not really a Mustang guy). I can only imagine how the Shelby treatment takes that to the next level. Congrats!

[NPTM]

Man, I was honestly NOT expecting the love for the 350R here...this is awesome to see, and proof that good, enthusiast sports cars can cut across genres/communities and be universally loved, just like the CS. So awesome to see...

Will be sure to report back, and after I have some proper time behind the wheel, I'll post some driving impressions relatively to the M2 when I actually have an informed opinion.

Thanks again guys, will post pics when I get them together this Spring!

[ThreeStripes]

Originally Posted by NPTM

Man, I was honestly NOT expecting the love for the 350R here...this is awesome to see, and proof that good, enthusiast sports cars can cut across genres/communities and be universally loved, just like the CS. So awesome to see...

Will be sure to report back, and after I have some proper time behind the wheel, I'll post some driving impressions relatively to the M2 when I actually have an informed opinion.

Thanks again guys, will post pics when I get them together this Spring!

The appeal of truly kick ass cars knows no bounds. Enjoy it. I can hear it from here.

[Reddevils7]

The 350R is pretty sick. Congrats to the addition OP. I myself had the v8 itch for awhile and added an E92 in addition to the CS a few months ago

[ThreeStripes]

Originally Posted by Reddevils7

The 350R is pretty sick. Congrats to the addition OP. I myself had the v8 itch for awhile and added an E92 in addition to the CS a few months ago

The more I drive my pals E92 M3 the more I want one and the less I feel like I need a GT3. V8 go brahhhhhhhhh and gives the feels above 6k. Great compliment to a F87 stable mate.

[medphysdave]

Great looking car. Let us know which one you gravitate to more, or if it's about the same!