Kraziken

Hello,

New to the forum, but hopefully I will be visiting more often.
I'm in the market for a 2018 GT350. Before I put my deposit down and pull the trigger on the purchase. I'm going to see if I can talk the dealer into a couple of options.

I prefer the more aggressive front splitter from the GT350R, and also the Carbon Fiber wing from the GT350R.

From what I can gather in my research. The Front Splitter doesn't seem to be any problem. Parts cost if I were to get it from the parts counter, $2064. And they have that item in stock.
Rear wing, $10,287. And that is something that is NOT in stock.

I've found several aftermarket Carbon Fiber wings. But if I go that route, I'd like to be as authentic as possible. Same mounting. And hopefully same design. Considering the factory option is $10k, I'd be willing to spend $5k aftermarket if I knew it was an exact replica copy and the same quality of Carbon Fiber.

I've seen Anderson Composites, Trufiber and Speedkore brands. I'm wondering if anyone here has one of these brands and can say anything positive or negative about them.

Thanks
Ken

orng302

You will probably get more responses on Track Mustangs Online.

typesredline

The R wing is 10k on purpose. It's not because that's the cost to make or it's value. Ford didn't want non R buyers to just buy the wing and make their car "look" like an R. So they made it ridiculously expensive.

You want the wing. Buy the R. Don't be like those guys that buy a 325i and put an M badge on it.

Kraziken

I plan on taking my GT350 to the track. So you can say what you want about the look of the R. I know the R wing is more effective. The GT350 is still a GT350, so your comparison of a 325i and M badge doesn't fit.

Rather B.Blown

If you're going to track it, personally I'd think the $5000 you want to spend on a wing would be much better spent on tires and brake pads over time.

typesredline

Example definitely fits. A 325i and m3 are both still 3 series cars. Only difference is trim level. Just because the gt350 is a nice, high trim car. It still ISNT an R, which is an even higher trim. Therefore putting an R wing on it, which will make it look like an R (even if it's not your intention) when it isn't is the same as taking ANY car and making it look like a higher trim. Maybe taking an m3 and putting an m3 gts wing on it will make a better example in your eyes. You don't see it done. Do what you like. I'm just saying it's frowned upon and ppl at the track will make fun of you. Which is exactly why Ford put the price for the factory wing out of reach.

Why not just get the R? You're talking about dropping $7k+ on top of the 350. So if you already plan on spending 70k+. Just go a little more for the R. Then you can have the wing, an even better track car, and won't look like a poser.

Also I agree that there are many, many other upgrades which would be more beneficial at the track instead of a wing. Or if you're dead set on getting a wing, strictly to enhance track times, go with an aftermarket, different, and most likely even more effective wing as opposed to an R replica.

All that said. Congrats on the sweet purchase

berzerk_1980

I don't agree. A wing is not a badge.

Nothing wrong with putting the Laguna Seca splitter or rear seat delete on any other S197 because they were effective. How is a wing different?

But the faux LS gas cap or the stripe package would be another thing.

5.M0NSTER

If you're willing to get $15k in upgrades, why not get the R? Do you need the rear seats?

If not, then the weight saving of the carbon wheels with the R alone is worth the price, not the mention the aero and weight saving from rear seat delete.

I track my car too. Every bit counts, so I get your logic, but at the price the R might be a better value in the long run.

berzerk_1980

That was my response not OP. Excuse the pun but we might be getting off track here.

OP seems to want a functional spoiler that doesn't cost 10k. Not spend an extra 5k to get the rest of the R package with the spoiler.

Devil's advocate, aren't the Rs a little hard to come by, and REALLY hard to come by for MSRP?

Kraziken

The R's are hard to come by. And trying to argue to MSRP, is just about impossible. You are right. At official MSRP, it does make sense to get the GT350R.

I also do need the rear seats. I also want the 2018 Kona Blue. I don't know how many they are making for 2018, but I know it is a shortened production year. Out of less than 5000 cars with 10 possible base colors, I figure that is less than 500 possible GT350R models in the color I want. This is my first new car for myself. I've always bought used cars. Normally color wouldn't matter to me. But it is what I want.

You can buy the R and put in the entertainment, and the seats. I'm still married. I have kids. The cost of doing the reverse breaks the wife acceptance factor. The GT350 is practical from the start, and the modifications don't have to come right away.

Folks are buying GT350 style wing and just putting it on the GT. I kind of get what you are saying. But the separation from the R and regular GT350, Especially the 2017 and 2018 years are not that great. Some of the optional packages in 2016 are now standard for 2018. The separation from a normal 3 series and M series is actually pretty big. I don't consider it the same.

The dealer I talked to had a GT350R, 2016. He would not budge on the price. While the GT350 I talked him down to MSRP.

Kraziken

Pic of my new ride.

Kraziken

Just to add fuel to the fire. This isn't my first fast car. I really come from the Import side.

I have a 1999 Subaru Legacy. I do have STi badges on it.
I was also the first person to ever do a complete STI swap into my generation car. Donor vehicle was a 2004 STI. That is complete engine and 6 speed drivetrain. I also swapped the 5x100 hubs for 5x114.3 Brembo brakes. All running gear DCCD and all. No one in the Subaru community has ever said anything negative about my car.

In Japan, my car came turbo charged. But there was never a STi version. The US version had a hood scoop, but it was just blocked off. I bought my car before the WRX even made it to the US.

13GetThere

I'd like to see more pictures of your new ride.

13GetThere

I can understand why you would want the GT350R rear spoiler. It looks great, and is no doubt functional, but I'm betting that the first time you looked in your rear view mirror with that spoiler on, you wouldn't be so fond of it anymore.

Kraziken

I watched a few of the videos and function wise folks have said it blocks a lot of the vision to the rear. I guess I am OK with that.

shurtual86

Love that Blue. I also liked the White/black stripe GT350 too!

Kraziken

More pics as requested. :-)

Kraziken

Thanks

2017 had a Lightning blue and a Grabber blue. They were not bad, but this Kona blue speaks to me.

2k7gtcs

This may be crazy but why not get some kind of true race wing spoiler for the track. You can even put it on a separate trunk lid and swap out trunk lids. I don't know just a thought. You could have an adjustable wing to setup the downforce you want for the track you're running. You could get the race trunk lid off a front end GT or eco wreck in a salvage yard. Might even be able to get the color too

typesredline

I wouldn't make fun of your legacy since it had an sti conversion. And I see your point that they are similar cars.

But I agree with 2k7. Get a better wing for less and a trunk lid to swap. That's a great idea. You wouldn't have the view obstruction in daily driving but still have the wing for the track.