[Joe603]

Hey guys, I know I'm in a ZL1 forum, but most of those who can afford a ZL1 are capable of rational discussion. So...my next vehicle will be a manual. I was only looking at the ZL1, but the wife likes the Shelby's. What do you guys think? I don't think I can do the GT500...maybe in a year or so used. But the GT350 and ZL1 are attainable.

I've seen some videos...read some online stuff about both cars, seems the interior of the ZL1 is a bit nicer, but the exhaust of the GT350 is magnificent...Thoughts?

[20Bluezl1]

I love my 2020 Zl1 and not a ford guy but they sure look nice. Performance wise the zl1 is a monster stock and with a couple of bolt on it just wakes the beast up even more. I haven't drove the GT350 but they have tried to keep up with me

[GreenZLE]

If you're not tied to one brand, I'd drive both and decide. Its a lot of money to spend for either car to wind up disappointed.

[Mark R]

Doesn't the GT 350 have big-time engine problems?

[Joe603]

I think the GT350 consumes oil...but that is due to the flatplane crank design of the voodoo engine. Not sure if other issues are out there.

[ZX-10R]

Oil consumption and motor failures on the GT350 would keep me far away. ZL1 can be had for less to boot

[Chris357]

Originally Posted by Joe603

I think the GT350 consumes oil...but that is due to the flatplane crank design of the voodoo engine. Not sure if other issues are out there.

Friend of mine is gen mgr at a large Ford dealer and a 100% certified car nut/racer. Per him, GT350 motor is a hot mess---they see a lot of them in for service/issues.

Not saying that makes the decision, just be prepared for issues if you go that direction.

[Joe603]

Thanks Chris, that helps. I wonder how the new GT500 engine is holding up?

[Vigilante375]

Too early for the new GT500 since that car hasn't been out but a few months.

Depending on what you want to do with the car. I'd still go with the ZL1. As mentioned with the GT350 engine problems, thats a big concern.

There's hardly any issues with the ZL1 minus the early models having oil pump issues. Though that's been worked out.

[SJFGTO]

A good friend of mine with a GT350 and less than 5,000 lost his engine due to a bad cam lobe. Ford replaced under warranty, but still! My friend is active in the GT350 community and he readily acknowledges that there have been chronic serious engine issues with that car.

[keystonemedical]

I drove two GT350s back before I bought my ZL1 /LE. I was trading in my 2013 GT500 at the time and felt I needed to atleast drive a GT350 since the GT500 wasnt released yet and the est. MSRP was going to be out of my budget. Ford made a nice car there, handles good ,the engine note is fantastic. However, I just needed more horsepower. I was used to the 662 in the GT500 and the GT350 obviously wasnt anywhere near that number. Buy, the ZL1 if your a horsepower guy like myself, if your not, the GT350 is a sexy car other wise.

[Alponcho]

I too considered the GT350. It's a terrific looking car, the engine sounds amazing--even magnificent, and I suspect it will hold its value very well over time. The ZL1, however, seems much more solid, and much easier to drive fast. I initially preferred the outward visibility of the GT350, but over time I've grown very comfortable in the Z and now prefer it.

[racer01]

I owned a 2018 GT350 and now have a 19' ZL1. Just a few quick points, but both are really fun cars but obviously I like the ZL1 quite a bit better.

1. I'll try to be objective on other non reliability items. My GT350 threw a rod through the block with 1800 miles on it. Before that my thermostat stuck wide open and splitter came off (improperly installed by dealer) during the first track day. I did two laps at VIR when the rod came through the block. This motor has some serious reliability issues...oil filters coming off, burning massive amounts of oil, oil pumps failing, cam bearings, etc. Hope Chevrolet gets the FPC motor in the Z06 done properly, as this is a fun motor design, but Ford just didn't get it right.
2. Transmission in the ZL1 is much better shifting, and rev matching is really nice. 650 hp is noticeably faster as you would expect, and quite a bit more torquey than the 5.2 NA overhead cam ford motor.
3. GT350 engine has more "character" and is really unique and feels special. Not much torque however, especially in 6th gear. Sounds really good.
4. I don't really get the visibility complaints in the ZL1. Not great, but not as big of deal as I keep reading in all the magazine reviews.
5. Chevrolet backs their cars for track use. Not heard of any warranty issues for stock cars being tracked. ZL1 brakes pads are more durable for track use out of the box. PDR, e-diff, and track modes of traction control and active handling are quite superior for track use.
6. ZL1 Recaro's are way more comfortable and easy to get in and out of than GT350 Recaro. GT350 Recaro were too narrow and I am 5'11" and 180lbs.
7. Tramlining (follow grooves in road) is horrible in GT350, and non existent in ZL1. ZL1 is much better as daily driver for me...better stereo, air conditioned seats, better backup camera, better NAV, etc.

I still would love to have a GT350. Great car, and truly unique feeling to drive. Motor is something special, and car just really feels and sounds good. I have had over 50 cars however, and the reliability was really uniquely special as the worst of anything I have ever owned. I traded the day after I got it back after waiting 2+ months for a new motor to be put in with no loaner car. Local Ford dealer also refused to fix the splitter and thermostat when I brought it to local dealer before motor blew. Splitter because it was installed at another dealer, and thermostat because they re-set check engine light and it didn't immediately come back on. CEL came on a day later and I installed a thermostat myself just to avoid the horrible dealer experience.

[passwords]

I have both a ‘19 GT350R and a ‘19 ZLE. I would say that outside the GT350 community the engine issues are overblown - they happen at a greater rate than the GM LS/LT motors, but still a relatively low percentage of total cars produced. Inside the GT350 community most die hards will tell you there’s no problem with them at all. The truth is somewhere in between. The actual problems with the Voodoo motors vary by model year and iteration but oil consumption seems to be what catches most attention from the forum members. Most 2019 and 2020 engine failures seem to be related to swallowed valves, not oil consumption. And let’s not forget about the LT4 oil pump issues which, like the swallowed valves on the Voodoo, appear to be a vendor quality control issue.

I like both cars A LOT and I’m thrilled to be able to afford to own both. The ZL1 has a very noticeable horsepower advantage, despite the clear transmission gearing advantage of the GT350. And you can get another 150+ horsepower out of the LT4 without trying too hard. Modding the Voodoo is much more difficult without taking a decent amount of risk.

The ZL1 has more features in the interior that I personally find to be more of an annoyance in a performance vehicle. And both vehicles look great. That being said, I like the GT350R better. It would take me an hour to go over all the little things that sway my preference to the Shelby, but in the end it’s really just my personal preference and many people would completely disagree with me (just not over on the Mustang6G forum).

My thoughts are this: you can’t really go wrong with either car. If getting into the car is a bit of a stretch for you financially, I would say you are taking less risk by getting the ZL1. If you have a bit more room financially, I would say get the GT350, not because it would cost you more to buy, but because it has a better chance of leaving you in a pinch. My GT350R is our 4th car for two drivers in the family so it’s not something we need to be drivable all the time.