Used car purchase: 2011 GT500 vs 2012 Boss 302--which would you pick?
4/23/14, 08:10 AM
#1
Shelby GT350 Member
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Used car purchase: 2011 GT500 vs 2012 Boss 302--which would you pick?
Both seem to land in the mid $30K range right now with the GT500 probably fetching a few thousand more in identical condition...
GT500 got the aluminum block for 2011 this year, absolute horsepower monster with Shelby prestige...but overshadowed by the (soon to be) legendary 2013-14 cars that picked up another 100hp.
Boss 302 is claimed by many to be the best driving Mustang ever (so far), beloved by reviews, great looking appearance package...but possibly soon to be rendered somewhat obsolete as the S550 GTs may borrow a lot of the important mechanical bits.
So which is your pick?
GT500 got the aluminum block for 2011 this year, absolute horsepower monster with Shelby prestige...but overshadowed by the (soon to be) legendary 2013-14 cars that picked up another 100hp.
Boss 302 is claimed by many to be the best driving Mustang ever (so far), beloved by reviews, great looking appearance package...but possibly soon to be rendered somewhat obsolete as the S550 GTs may borrow a lot of the important mechanical bits.
So which is your pick?
4/23/14, 08:13 AM
#2
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As much as I LOVE the BOSS 302, I would get the GT500. Already having the headstart with a supercharged 5.4 aluminum block, you can make the suspension as good or better than the BOSS 302. Just my .02
4/23/14, 08:16 AM
#3
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I'd absolutely go GT500 over the Boss for the reasons stated above. No doubt. While the Boss is probably a little more unique in my opinion, the prestige of the Shelby name, with the power and performance to back it up make the decision for me in that case.
4/23/14, 08:18 AM
#4
Legacy TMS Member
Under debate in my mind too. Boss leads most categories that I consider. But I always come back to the GT500. It would have to be the perfect Boss (low miles, right options, specific color) to keep me out of the Shelby.
4/23/14, 08:19 AM
#5
GT Member
I think I will go against the grain and say Boss 302. Mainly because I want to use a Hellion twin turbo system, and the Roadrunner is a great base for it. The Shelby can make draw dropping power as well, but for some reason (just my personal preference) I think I would side here with the Boss.
4/23/14, 08:58 AM
#9
It depends on how much you enjoy driving. I own a Boss and previously owned a GT500. If all you care about is a low ET and hard acceleration, than the Shelby is the ticket. But if you want a car that stays planted on rough pavement much better and handles the curves much better, than go with the Boss.
Read the magazine comparisons and you'll see there is no comparison between the Shelby and the Boss in handling dynamics. One magazine, after taking the Boss around the track, said the Shelby had the handling of a FedEx truck. The Shelby really is a pig because of all the extra weight up front. And it's riding on basically an antiquated suspension, which is no match for the car's power. On the other hand, the Boss is the most amazing Mustang I've driven, and I've owned half a dozen. With the lighter weight, the 444 HP of the Boss is plenty, and the suspension sticks like glue. It's also more planted over rough pavement, an issue that caused some pucker time a few times in the Shelby.
Adding more power to the Boss is easier and more effective than trying to upgrade the suspension of the Shelby to Boss standards. Plus, the Shelby will still have too much weight in the front.
If you want to show off and have horsepower bragging rights, buy the Shelby. If you truly enjoy driving and appreciate a precision piece of machinery, buy the Boss.
Read the magazine comparisons and you'll see there is no comparison between the Shelby and the Boss in handling dynamics. One magazine, after taking the Boss around the track, said the Shelby had the handling of a FedEx truck. The Shelby really is a pig because of all the extra weight up front. And it's riding on basically an antiquated suspension, which is no match for the car's power. On the other hand, the Boss is the most amazing Mustang I've driven, and I've owned half a dozen. With the lighter weight, the 444 HP of the Boss is plenty, and the suspension sticks like glue. It's also more planted over rough pavement, an issue that caused some pucker time a few times in the Shelby.
Adding more power to the Boss is easier and more effective than trying to upgrade the suspension of the Shelby to Boss standards. Plus, the Shelby will still have too much weight in the front.
If you want to show off and have horsepower bragging rights, buy the Shelby. If you truly enjoy driving and appreciate a precision piece of machinery, buy the Boss.
Last edited by JonW; 4/23/14 at 09:02 AM.
4/23/14, 10:46 AM
#12
A Man Just Needs Some....
If you plan on replacing the stock Shelby blower, might as well add a blower on the Boss. If you would prefer leaving the motor stock, go with the Shelby. You can get the Shelby to handle cheaper than a blower will cost you.
4/23/14, 01:08 PM
#13
Love them both but I would go with a Shelby. They have a ton of power from the factory and you can swap the pulley and get a tune and make a bunch more. I think it would be more fun to drive and maybe more comfortable.
4/23/14, 03:20 PM
#15
Shelby GT350 Member
Thread Starter
Great feedback, guys.
The Boss is more my kind of car but looking forward a few years, I suspect that the Boss will end up like the 2003 Mach1 models where it was widely praised at the time but it was so far surpassed by standard GTs that they're somewhat forgotten after 10 years.
The Shelby on the other hand can be easily modded (pulley/tune) to insane power levels that stock cars will likely never reach and they will always have the status of being the highest trim level...
...and while the Boss is better balanced, is the all aluminum 5.4 really that much heavier than the Roadrunner 5.0? The blower and plumbing obviously add some weight but these cars are not as nose heavy as the 2007-2010s.
The Boss is more my kind of car but looking forward a few years, I suspect that the Boss will end up like the 2003 Mach1 models where it was widely praised at the time but it was so far surpassed by standard GTs that they're somewhat forgotten after 10 years.
The Shelby on the other hand can be easily modded (pulley/tune) to insane power levels that stock cars will likely never reach and they will always have the status of being the highest trim level...
...and while the Boss is better balanced, is the all aluminum 5.4 really that much heavier than the Roadrunner 5.0? The blower and plumbing obviously add some weight but these cars are not as nose heavy as the 2007-2010s.
4/23/14, 03:34 PM
#16
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This is probably troll bait, but I actually don't think the Shelby is that good looking of a car.
For some reason it looks fat, bloated, and tall compared to the GT or Boss. I also hate the wide open grille, which might be part of the reason.
For some reason it looks fat, bloated, and tall compared to the GT or Boss. I also hate the wide open grille, which might be part of the reason.
4/23/14, 05:50 PM
#17
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I'd go with the Boss 302...
Understand the comment about the Mach1 becoming dated, but the Boss 302 is a bit more special (no offense to the Mach1 owners- saw a number out in Charlotte and they are a cool ride).
Shelbys are awesome and everything- but the Boss is just, well- pretty darn unique! As for power vs. handling- I think both produce plenty of the former, but the Boss is a special driving experience in a corner.
Yeah, if you haven't guessed, I test drove a Boss and a Shelby during the process of ordering my '14 (ended up going with a factory ordered GT to get the exact options I wanted, understandably there is no glass roof option on the Boss
).
Also agree the '13 Boss looks better than the '12, but either one stands out in a crowd.
Enjoy either!
Understand the comment about the Mach1 becoming dated, but the Boss 302 is a bit more special (no offense to the Mach1 owners- saw a number out in Charlotte and they are a cool ride).
Shelbys are awesome and everything- but the Boss is just, well- pretty darn unique! As for power vs. handling- I think both produce plenty of the former, but the Boss is a special driving experience in a corner.
Yeah, if you haven't guessed, I test drove a Boss and a Shelby during the process of ordering my '14 (ended up going with a factory ordered GT to get the exact options I wanted, understandably there is no glass roof option on the Boss
).Also agree the '13 Boss looks better than the '12, but either one stands out in a crowd.
Enjoy either!
4/23/14, 06:23 PM
#19
Currently a Corvette Owner!
Both are great, indeed. You will be happy either way. Both are fast, fun, unique, and turn heads everywhere they go. I love them both, and they are each pretty special. Like others have said above, you can improve the suspension of the Shelby, and you can add more power to the Boss. Both will move you around a road course quickly, with a lot of fun. IF you want some luxury items (leather, better stereo, etc.), then go Shelby. IF you don't mind no-frills, then go Boss. This was my reasoning for getting a GT Premium instead of the Boss. Wifey wanted leather, GPS, power & heated seats, better stereo, dual-zone climate, etc. That was my deal. Good luck and keep us posted on your purchase!
4/23/14, 06:44 PM
#20
Shelby GT350 Member
Thread Starter
