What should you know about Shelby GT350 reliability and maintenance?

I’m curious to hear from the Shelby owners here about their experience with the GT350. I had a bit of a disagreement with a friend over whether the Shelby is worth choosing over the GT. Personally, the GT350 is my dream Mustang, and I’ve always admired it. Ford’s Special Vehicle Team engineers even echoed similar thoughts when it was first released. I think we all know why the GT350 is such a beast, so I’ll skip the fanfare.

Here’s my question: My friend argues that the GT is the better choice because the Coyote engine is more reliable. I know the Voodoo engine had its quirks, especially in the early 2016 models. But from what I’ve gathered from other owners, it seems like the later models have held up much better. So, to all the GT350 owners out there, what has your experience been like? Is it as unreliable as some critics suggest, or is this just overblown? :thinking:

I’ve got a 2017 GT350, so it’s the first generation of the Voodoo engine. I bought it used, but the previous owner barely drove it, so it was practically new when I got it. I’ve put over 5,000 miles on it, and so far, no issues.

I had a 2016 GT with a Coyote engine before this, and honestly, the GT350 is on another level. The engine sound, the smooth shifting, the handling, it’s all a step up from the GT. Even the seats are more comfortable. The GT feels like a tractor compared to the Shelby :joy:. Plus, the GT350 is rarer, which means more heads turn when you drive it.

I think your friend has a point, though, the Coyote is more reliable just because the Voodoo is hand-built and meant for high RPMs on the track. I’ve heard of some 2020 models having issues because people weren’t driving them hard enough, keeping the RPMs low in city traffic. The Voodoo engine isn’t built for that kind of driving. If you get one, don’t baby it, drive it like it’s meant to be driven. Just respect the break-in period for the first 1,000 miles.

There’s a bit more risk with the GT350 than the GT because of the Voodoo engine. My engine could break tomorrow, and I wouldn’t be shocked. But for me, the GT350 was the car I’ve always wanted, so I bought it. If you’ve got the money and don’t need to take out a long loan or sell your house for it, I’d say go for it. It’s worth the risk, in my opinion. The car is just awesome.

Oh, and if you’re thinking about maintenance, here are a few things to keep in mind:

  • The Voodoo consumes oil, this is normal. I check mine every 400-500 miles just to be safe.
  • Always warm up the engine. It doesn’t like the cold.
  • The GT350 is lower than the GT, so watch out for parking ramps and speed bumps.
  • Insurance and maintenance are more expensive for the GT350.
  • The fuel consumption is higher compared to the GT.

Also, the Voodoo engine draws a lot of attention, especially from the police :wink:.

Thanks for that detailed response! I work from home, so if I used the GT350 as my daily driver, it’d barely rack up any miles it’d be more of a weekend car :joy:. That’s interesting about the cold weather. I don’t really think about it since I live in Vegas, but I do always warm up my cars. Makes sense that the Voodoo would need that extra care.

That was a solid write-up! I see a few GT350s weekly here in LA, so while they’re rare, they’re not unicorns. It’s definitely a head-turner, though I feel like most of the owners I see don’t push their cars hard enough.

I’m still planning to get one despite the known issues because I’ve always wanted a Shelby. I’ve been considering a Mach 1 too, but the GT350 is the one I’ve wanted since I was a kid. What year would you recommend? I’ve been thinking about a 2019-2021 model, but I’d love to know what to look out for before buying.

I’d recommend going for a 2019 or 2020 model, they’ve got some engine upgrades compared to the earlier ones. But finding one at a good price with a clean carfax can take a while. It took me months to find mine.

That makes sense. I’m also looking for a GT Premium Convertible, but finding either one with low miles and a good price is tough. I might have to compromise on the color, but it’d be nice to find something other than grey or white. Hopefully, by next year, prices will drop a bit, and I’ll have my current car paid off, so I can trade up :crossed_fingers:.

I’ve got a 2016 GT350, and it’s been solid. It does consume some oil, about a quart every 1,000-2,000 miles.

If you’re okay with keeping an eye on that and being more hands-on with the engine, this car is worth it. But if you want something you don’t have to worry about, the Coyote might be a better option.

Thanks for sharing! That seems to be the consensus, the oil consumption is something to watch out for. I’m pretty hands-on with my cars, so I’m okay with the extra maintenance. The Coyote is awesome too, but I think the Voodoo is worth the extra effort.

Have you considered the Mach 1 at all? It’s got the Tremec manual and the aero and suspension bits from the GT350/500. I think it’s going to surprise a lot of people. The Coyote powerband is more satisfying for everyday driving too.

Funny enough, the Mach 1 is what started this whole debate with my friend. It’s definitely a tempting option.