GT350 vs Mach 1 vs Dark Horse (Same Price Now?) – Real Drive Comparison

[ChitownStang]

If I wasn’t so scared of the engine rattling itself apart the gt350 is the coolest engine and looks imo.
Had a 21 Mach 1 automatic for over 3 years and loved it but couldn’t wait to get back in a manual so traded it for a DH premium Tremec. I will keep this car a long time. It out performs the Mach 1 in every way.
I did think my Black and red Mach 1 was a sick looking car though.

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[Upacurb]

Ive driven all 3 multiple times (well my 350R I guess you could say have driven it more then multiple times lol)

But I would say the comparison and comments have been pretty spot on based on my experience

350 - more raw/ more character - fun for a weekend car but can be a little much if daily driving (I wouldnt want to drive mine every day)
Dark Horse - more refined
Mach 1 - in the middle

Many years ago in the GT350 forums you used to see engine failures all the time....now not so much- they had a few 19/20s that were built with a bad batch of valves but they were able to narrow it down and do a recall - I think last year one guy had an engine failure due to that .....

The rumor is that the failure rate on the gen 2 motor cars (built in 19/20) are the same as the Coyote ....of course they are definitely more expensive on the used car market as well- with most "base" GT350s in the high 60s - I think the cheapest clean title gen 2 R was around 85K last time I checked.....

There is one guy that just hit 80K miles on his boosted 18 350R - still on the original motor.....and many others hitting some higher mileage marks on their odometers......

The problem with the VooDoo is to keep it reliable you have to follow the "rules" where the Coyote will take a TON of abuse and ask for more.....

Keep it stock
Dont track it excessively
Check oil when you check gas
Oil temps up to 190-200 before you go over 3K RPM

 

[Rated R]

I gotta say, I miss my '23 M1 HP. Of modern Mustangs, I've had two B302's (one LS) three GT350's (currently my R Hep) and out of the six the M1 HP was the sweet spot.

 

[Gojiras breath]

Gt350 is lower to ground than DH. It caused problems in my area. Scraping on my driveway and the street intersections. No issues w dh

 

[R3G]

Dark Horse, non-handling pack 6M for me. Its only been a few months but it has more punch down low and is a smoother refined ride. The joy from my GT350 came from the engine above 4500 rpm, which is unrivaled eargasm that I have never heard from another engine, if I had unlimited garage space totally would have kept it just for that-but I have a budget for 1 fun car and I have since learned that I definitely prefer low end torque, comfy seats, rev matching and “refined” ride. I also like looking at the engine bay and seeing dual intakes that pipe to the front end snout…just badass.

 

[Cody5.0]

Can’t lie, if there weren't so many issues with the 5.2 I’d have a GT350 sitting where my Dark Horse is now.

 

[erocker]

I'm just waiting for someone to throw a 5.2L into a Dark Horse.

 

[MidwayJ]

Sorry 550 fans, I don't like the look of the older cars at all.

I was never 100% sold on the front end of the 2018-23 S550 (even though I owned one, lol), but I think the GT350 and Mach 1 are the two best looking S550s. I like the S650 front end too, though, so it's all good.

 

[NegativeMultiplier]

I'm just waiting for someone to throw a 5.2L into a Dark Horse.

Hopefully with a refresh...

 

[smurfslayer]

If I wasn’t so scared of the engine rattling itself apart the gt350 is the coolest engine and looks imo.
Had a 21 Mach 1 automatic for over 3 years and loved it but couldn’t wait to get back in a manual so traded it for a DH premium Tremec. I will keep this car a long time. It out performs the Mach 1 in every way.
I did think my Black and red Mach 1 was a sick looking car though.

I'd like the Mach 1 more if it didn't look so much like an older Camaro.

What wheels are those on your Dark horse?

 

[ChitownStang]

I'd like the Mach 1 more if it didn't look so much like an older Camaro.

What wheels are those on your Dark horse?

20” SVE CFX 10” front and 11” rear
285/35 and 315/35 with Continental DWS sport all seasons for winter months

 

[AZ_Ryan]

I was never 100% sold on the front end of the 2018-23 S550 (even though I owned one, lol), but I think the GT350 and Mach 1 are the two best looking S550s. I like the S650 front end too, though, so it's all good.

100%. Ever notice how the S650 basically recycled the Mach 1 lower valance? Because it looks damn good.

 

[MidwayJ]

I'd like the Mach 1 more if it didn't look so much like an older Camaro.

What wheels are those on your Dark horse?

What makes a Mach 1 look more like a Camaro vs. other S550s? And what generation of Camaro?

 

[BimmerDriver]

Dark Horse, non-handling pack 6M for me.

Ditto.

When I was shopping, I almost bought a very low mileage M1 grey with orange stripe, but it got away from me. I preferred it for the looks and old style instrument panel. I then decided that for about the same money I could buy a nearly new DH with different but newer tech in the IP and I'd get used to the looks.

And I did. No regrets at all.

 

[SpeedLu]

Sorry 550 fans, I don't like the look of the older cars at all.

Why would we care about that?

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