I posted in the other thread as well, I think GT350 owners are fine.
There's a couple of different options for what the new GT500 will be and neither is a threat to the base 350s. Might be a threat to the value of the Rs.
If Ford decides to make a GT500 "track" car, which is essentially all the features and frills of the GT350 with more motor, I'd say their price point is still going to be high enough to keep value for the GT350's. They'd have to price point it from $70k-$80k (so imagine a GT350 with an Aluminator and either a supercharger or twins). That would threaten the R, but people are going to look at the GT350 with 529 HP as still a good value in the low 50s barely used, vs. the new GT500 in the upper 70s (without dealer markup) and wonder if it's worth the extra $25k for a couple hundred more horse.
IF the bean counters at Ford make the engineers cull their list of desires, then they'll probably have to give up on some of the "track" features and continue with more of a GT500 muscle car, meant to compete more with the likes of the Hellcat/Demon.
A blown 5.2 with a T56 and typical Ford wheels is gonna end up in the 4k lb range and be a drag pig, not a svelt curve cutter.
The only way they get down to being a nimble track car (and keep the blower) is adding cost, via trans, cooler, R carbon wheels, etc which is all going to push the price tag up and out of direct competition with the 350.
IF, the new GT500 is nothing more than a GT350 with a Factory eaton and warranty for $5k more, then most of us who bought 350's are screwed on the resale value, then again, if that's all it is, we're essentially okay because you can just dump $10k into the car and have an equivalent.
I agree with a lot you have to say...
The new GT500 will be a 'track' car. It will have a couple hundred more horsepower than the GT350. It will be more track focused; I mean look at the GT Performance Package Stage II, 315s all-around, definitely going on the GT500.
The new GT500 will out-do the GT350(R), I promise.