I have a good friend—we’ll call him “Jerry” to respect his privacy—who once owned a 1969 Mustang as a young man. It’s not the one above, but you get the picture. “Jerry” is no longer a young man and is probably retiring after a successful career and about to begin a second one, likely making more money. I made more money in my second career, and “Jerry” is way smarter than me, so I’m confident in my logic. His next career may or may not involve commuting. “Jerry” is pondering his next car purchase and ping-ponging between a rational choice and something more exciting.
“Jerry” is a car guy. As his friend, I think it’s my responsibility to help him weigh the pros and cons of a sound purchase and then do all possible to encourage him to ignore all that and jump into a badass Mustang with both feet. Let’s quickly run through an assortment of Mustang unicorns, although unfortunately, there are no Dark Horse models, his favorite, at this time. We all have to make compromises.
I couldn’t help but start with an older red Mustang because it’s currently the cheapest Mustang V-8 in the CarMax inventory. (We won’t even entertain a four- or six-cylinder Mustang.) This is a 2014 model, the last year before the car came with an independent rear suspension. Car and Driver described it this way: “This fifth-generation Mustang felt like a reborn car, even if its solid axle is to automotive componentry what the polyester leisure suit is to modern menswear. The Mustang fully exploited its mix of new and old tech to win multiple comparison tests, knocking off higher-powered offerings from Dodge and Chevy in the process. Not insignificantly, it also collected three consecutive 10Best trophies (2011–13).” I did not know the Mustang was honored as one of their 10 Best three years in a row!
Automatic transmission, cruise control, MP3 jack, and a CD player. Surprisingly, Bluetooth. No seat heaters or rear-view camera. This isn’t a car for commuting. Drop your first private sector executive bonus check on this and drive it in your spare time. Spend the rest on a responsible second car.
It does have two keys, even if they aren’t very smart. It also has the 420 horsepower 5.0-liter V-8 motor that hits 60 mph in 4.5 seconds – about the same as in newer Mustang GT’s. And despite the criticism of the rear axle, the car spins for .94 lateral G on the skidpad. Ron Session of Car and Driver also said this car “is one of the best 1965 Mustangs I’ve ever driven. Modern shock tuning has done wonders with the ox-cart rear axle.”
This two-owner, accident-free 2014 Ford Mustang GT is currently reserved here in Riverside, California. It’s high mileage, and yet you can get Maxcare for another five years and up to 150,000 miles. This could be your car if you’re looking for low-dollar Mustang fun. And it does have a red steering wheel. There’s that.
Stock No: 27152830 VIN: 1ZVBP8CF1E5257291
When I moaned in a previous post that if I could just get over my fixation with horsepower, there’s probably a more logical car for me than my 600-hp 2021 Mercedes GLE63 AMG, blog reader Nate wrote a comment: “Don’t stop chasing the horsepower! Never acquiesce!” If it’s horsepower you want, in a Mustang or any CarMax unicorn, this 2021 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 with 760 horsepower should fit the bill. And the bill is quite costly.
The Shelby GT500 continued in 2021 after the Shelby GT350 was discontinued. It sold for $75,000 and up – way up with the track package – and was the most expensive Mustang you could get. Four years later, it’s selling for about the same. So much for depreciated unicorns. My buds at Car and Driver said, “The Shelby GT500 mixes the accessibility of a Mustang with the excessive thrills of a rollercoaster.“
Before we get to performance, let’s cover the more civilized features: heated and air-conditioned seats, Apple CarPlay, and remote start. The car even has Wifi, so you can pay your tickets online from the road.
I dig the race car toggle switches, including the one to make the exhaust louder. I don’t dig the skimpy one key for a $90,000 car. Not sure how I feel about the rotary PRNDL. It doesn’t look or feel like a muscle car shifter to me. The push-button manual mode might be nice.
The supercharged 5.2-liter V-8 (did I mention it has 760 horsepower?!) and 7-speed dual-clutch automatic will scream the car to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds, and hit a claimed 180 mph top end. The suspension is good for a .99 lateral G on the skidpad, and much more with the track package. I cannot tell, but I do not believe this car has the $18,000 Carbon Fiber Track Pack. It don’t need it.
I expect “Jerry” to buy this car when he begins his next career with a huge signing bonus, stock options, and a generous car allowance. Negotiate hard, my friend. You deserve this. You can find this 2021 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 here in Clearwater, Florida, although it’s also on reserve for now. It only has 12,000 miles, but get MaxCare anyway.
Stock No: 27147030 VIN: 1FA6P8SJ0M5500152
If the 2014 Mustang GT is too cheap, and the 2021 GT500 too expensive, then perhaps we should be looking for the Goldilocks “just right” GT. I limited the price and mileage, and checked the boxes for some modern stuff to make the car more enjoyable for commutes and road trips alike. Those selections spit out a very nice 2021 Ford Mustang GT Premium with both the California and Performance packages.
This Mustang has a proper six-speed manual transmission and automatic cruise control. It also has heated and air-conditioned seats, a heated steering wheel, Apple CarPlay, Bang & Olufsen audio (with a CD player!), automatic high beam headlights, and all the safety stuff like lane departure and blind spot warnings. This is a very modern Mustang.
Car and Driver suggested, “Sticking with the standard manual transmission, we’d opt for the GT Performance package, which adds upgraded Brembo front brakes, a limited-slip differential, stickier summer tires, unique chassis tuning, and more.” What’s the California Package, you ask? It’s a $2,000 option that includes the upgrades below. I looked hard at the CarMax photos, and all I could see was the “California Package” badge on the strut brace. You have to zoom in a couple of times, but it’s there. I couldn’t find the “faux gas cap on rear appliqué,” but I’m not sure I want to. Sounds cheesy.
The California Special Package includes:
•19-inch machined-face aluminum wheels with high-gloss Ebony Black-painted pockets
•Side stripe
•California Special badge on strut-tower base
•Pedestal rear spoiler
•Miko® suede seat inserts with GT/CS logo and red contrast stitching
•Unique grille with offset tri-bar Pony logo
•Side scoops
•Unique instrument panel badge with California Special script
•Faux gas cap on rear appliqué
The 2021 Mustang GT Premium with the Performance package makes 460 horsepower and runs to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds. The top end is governed 155 mph.
CarMax has just over 50,000 cars on the lots today; of those, 510 are Mustangs. Only 162 are V-8’s, and 135 are coupes (“Jerry” doesn’t want a noisy soft-top convertible, I know). Cap the price tag at $40,000, mileage at 40,000, and check a few features like Apple CarPlay and auto cruise control. We are down to just eight cars. This 2021 Ford Mustang GT Premium with the California and Performance packages may be “just right” for “Jerry”. It’s not reserved – just “Coming Soon” to Modesto, California. (I wonder what Californians think of the “California Package”?) Track it here if you want to know when it becomes available.
Stock No: 26643217 VIN: 1FA6P8CF6M5117813
