Well, after months of waiting my 2012 Boss 302 has finally shown up... The dealer said my $750 private cash offer doesn't apply to the Boss 302, so I'm getting it at MSRP if I want it. The Boss 302 that I ordered in is a base model, so it's $40,995 and after sales tax it comes out being ~$43,500 to get it. Not to mention the extra ~$300 for the Trackey when it comes out.

The dealer has a 2011 Mustang GT Premium w/ 401a and 3.73 gears options on the lot that they are willing to sell at invoice. They will take off the $2,000 in incentives and my $750 coupon is valid on it. That brings the car down to ~$28,000 and after sales tax I'm looking at ~$29,600. The GT Premium 401a interior and the extra features like Sync make the inside look so much nicer compared to the Boss 302 and the standard seats.

Looking at the numbers and seeing a ~$14,000 price difference is making me second guess the Boss 302. I'm sure the Boss 302 will hold its resale value better 4-5 years from now, but with $4 a gallon gas back and Mustang popularity fading (ie: the plant is shut down and they have twice the normal inventory) it makes me concerned.

I love the lore of the Boss 302, but having $14,000 in my pocket would allow me really beef up the GT Premium and put on that set of Boss 302R BBS wheels that I love. I'm looking for a weekend driver/racer and live in an area where we don't have any closed tracks to run the Boss, so unlike many of you guys this car won't be a race track queen.

What would you guys do? The dealer is giving some time to decide, but I'd like to hear your honest thoughts as I'm sure I'm not the only one that has looked at both models and the price gap.

 

No track? Buy the GT.

 

The closest track to me is Gateway International Raceway, but they went out of business recently. I heard it is to re-open under new owners, but no info on the road course they had. The road course there isn't bad though: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7KGnWj6-hg

 

Get the GT, put some Steeda Sports and Konis on it. Get the wheels you really like and still be ahead of the game by over $10k. I don't really think the Boss 302 is going to be a huge collector car any time in the near future, so unless you plan on keeping the B302 bone stock and holding on to it for 20 years, get the GT and make it the way you want it.

 

If it's going to be a daily driver for you then get the GT. Otherwise get the Boss. While I also think the Boss will hold it's value better than a GT or GT500 you won't make up that difference in 4-5 years.

 

It won't be a daily driver as I have a few cars, but it would be a for fun driver when the weather is nice.

 

I'd trade creature comforts for out of the box performance in a heartbeat. I'd take the Boss if the finances are not an issue.

 

It all depends on what you really want. The GT is a GREAT car, everybody from Consumer Reports nerds to high schoolers loves the thing. The Boss 302 is a specialty vehicle, very different from a GT. If you are looking for sunny day drives with the family, you can't go wrong with the GT; but if you are looking for the occasional (or not so occasional) track vehicle,the Boss is the one.

As for me personally, I always thought Mustangs were nice American cars, good acceleration, but basically unsophisticated and backwards in the handling department (at least compared to good European cars like BMWs). I saw pony cars as 1960s machines regardless of the decade that they were actually manufactured. Anyhow, it wasn't until Ford engineers released the Boss 302 on us last August that I actually stood up and took notice of what a special machine they were making. I was so impressed I bought a Boss 302; it's my first American car since a 1969 AMX with a 390, Go-Pack and 4 speed with a Hurst shifter. Imagine a muscle car that can turn, stop and accelerate better than an M3. Amazing Ford, keep it up!

 

Drive both if they let you and then decide what is best for you.

 

FYI - Boss works well as a daily driver, too!

 

however, mine will be pretty much a daily driver. I love the electronics/nav package on my F150, but the BOSS is built for a different type of driving experience. If you don't enjoy the actual driving experience whether in traffic or the open road. If you ever think it'll bother you to "ride the clutch" in rush hour traffic, the Boss ain't your gal.
(I don't have to drive at rush hour and enjoy taking longer to get home on backroads)

Don't forget parts under warranty.

It makes a pretty direct comparison with the Porsche Carrera S, GT3, and GT3 RS to the GT, Boss, and Boss 302 Laguna Seca. If you want all the creature comforts and really good performance you drive a Porsche S or Mustang GT, but for those who could give a ____ less about how acoustically magical Celine Dion sounds in their car while their rearend is groped by it's supple leather seats, there is the GT3 and Boss 302. The GT drivers can go to their scotch bars and wax poetic about how they prefer the more peaty varieties, but the Boss crowd picks up a bottle of Jack on the way home and chugs it down by themselves for one reason; to get drunk.

 

Well, I think KonnaBossMO is saying finances are a concern. To the tune of $14K difference between the two.

I would side with those recommending the Premium GT. Install your favorite Boss options to those in the Premium and not available in the Boss and enjoy! Besides (most) cars make lousy investments.

 

It depends on what's more important to you creature comforts or exclusivity.
Plus what the others said.

 

And sadly I'm at a point in life where that is dead even 50/50 split.

Oh to be back in my 20's again where it as all performance and exclusivity with no question.

 

To even say that, it sounds like you will get tired of the Boss' lack of comfort really quick.

 

Get the Boss 302

 

Is the GT an automatic?

 

Why are you even considering a Mustang GT/Boss to begin with? Fuel mileage is close and who gives a crap about popularity? You buy it for you regardless of what anyone thinks. You have a lot choices out there besides the Mustang to fill your personal joy.

Dave

 

3.73 gears

 

All kidding aside, I debated the same question before putting money down on the Boss. For me the deciding factors were; 1: when you start adding up the cost of the Boss parts that are available, they started to add up real quick. 2: I plan on tracking it someday just not right off the bat. 3: Even at MRSP it is still a good performance bang for the buck deal. 4: Lastly there's that exclusivity thing.