Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 (S550) buying guide

There are two versions. The GT350 is the one most buyers want. GarageBinder describes it as combining capability with daily usability. Magnetic Ride Control was standard on both versions.

The GT350R is the track-focused one. It gets wider Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 rubber, lightweight Carbon Revolution wheels and more aero, and loses its back seats. Exotic Car Hacks adds that air conditioning and the stereo go too. GarageBinder lists carbon-ceramic brakes and a stiffer spring rate, and says it is faster on a track but harder to live with on the street. CarBuzz notes that Rs are harder to find used. Each has its own page: GT350 coupes and GT350R coupes.

Year by year: 2017 made the Track Package standard on every GT350, with a strut tower brace plus transmission, engine oil and rear differential coolers. A rearview camera and updated Sync 3 became standard for 2018. For 2019 Ford revised the suspension, aerodynamics and tires, and fitted a redesigned rear spoiler with an optional Gurney flap. 2020 brought no major changes and was the last year, with Heritage Edition packages returning.

Exotic Car Hacks says the earliest cars were more prone to the engine failures that have been reported, and that some engines were replaced under warranty. It describes those failures as not widespread. That points to a later car with the updates, if your budget allows. The optional Recaro seats are wider and softer than those in the Mustang GT, which suits long drives.

Oil consumption is the main worry, and the other faults are mostly wear items and software.

Oil consumption

Exotic Car Hacks says oil use is frequently reported, and blames tired piston rings, a bad PCV valve or a blocked air filter. Ford's NHTSA-filed program notice says hard driving, track use and long spells at high rpm can mean about 1 quart per 500 miles, and tells owners to check the level at every fill-up. GarageBinder puts typical street use at roughly 1 quart per 2,500-3,000 miles.

Engine failure

A Voodoo that runs dry can need a rebuild, which GarageBinder prices at $8,000-15,000. Exotic Car Hacks says failures have been reported but are not widespread, and that early cars were more prone.

Oil filter and cooler leaks

On 2015-2017 cars built February 24, 2015 through November 22, 2016, an under-torqued oil filter assembly can loosen and leak, according to NHTSA's customer satisfaction program record. A separate recall covers an oil cooler hose that may separate on some 2015-2017 Mustangs.

Surge or hesitation

Cars from 2015 to 2020 may surge or hesitate with no fault codes stored, sometimes with the cruise control dead. Ford's service bulletin traces it to a loose transmission output shaft flange nut, and the fix is to replace the nut.

Failed MagneRide dampers

The adaptive dampers can fail, typically above 70,000-100,000 miles according to GarageBinder, or sooner on cars that were tracked heavily.

Clutch and shift issues

Owners report clunky shifts and occasional clutch trouble, particularly when cold, linked to synchro problems or clutch noise. GarageBinder says clutches wear faster on daily-driven cars, typically at 50,000-80,000 miles depending on use.

Panel gaps and electronics

Exotic Car Hacks lists uneven body panel gaps and some electrical glitches, Sync 3 included, among reported complaints.

GarageBinder gives replacement MagneRide dampers at $600-900 per corner and a clutch replacement at $1,200-1,800. Exotic Car Hacks puts an oil change at $150 to $250, and with the oil habits above you will be topping up between changes.

NHTSA's brake service bulletin says rotors on 2015-2018 cars must be replaced rather than machined. It also calls brake squeal and extra brake dust normal. For the big number, remember the engine rebuild figure above.

Buy a standard GT350 if you want one car to drive on the street and take to a track day. A 2017 or later car brings the standard Track Package, and later years the updates Ford made in 2018 and 2019. The newer S650 Mustang guide covers the next generation. Choose the GT350R only if you accept the lost comfort and the deleted equipment, and be ready to search harder for one. Compare asking levels in our Mustang price guide, and see the best used sports cars for rivals.

Insist on a documented oil history, a pre-purchase inspection and a clean check of the oil cooler and filter recalls. Skip any car with no maintenance record, or one whose owner cannot say how much oil it uses between changes.