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No, it isn't a Corvette. But it is on my short list of cars I am interested in. Since our new house will have ample garage space thinking seriously about buying another car next spring just for summer use. One car on the short list is a new GT Mustang with the 6 speed manual.
Anyone have any seat time with one? Thoughts? Car will never get tracked, just be used for fun and some daily driving when the weather is nice. I Know I can always go with another Corvette but the M6 Mustang intrigues me.
No direct experience, but I've always liked v8 Mustangs.
They're getting pricey these days (especially for a Mustang), but then again most car prices are increasing quickly. My only other criticism is the move to a fully digital dash. Not a fan, though some folks like the tech.
If you get one, just make sure you never turn it into a crowd plow.
I have been a car nut for all my life, having owned several muscle/performance vehicles thru the years. Now, at 78 yrs old, my set includes a Corvette C8, CT5 Blackwing, and a 2019 Mustang Bullitt. When I want to take something out for errands, there are times I like to use something other than my "daily" which is an F150. And I sometimes do have to do a mental coin toss as to which fun car to drive. From my perspective, the Bullitt does not have the performance of the others regarding cornering or acceleration, but it is still fun to drive. And part of this is because it is the only stick shift car I have now. And when I set the exhaust in Track Mode, it sounds great.
I owned a C7, then a ZL1, then a Blackwing. All autos’s. Then I bought a Honda Type R Civic and rediscovered how much fun a manual was again. I’m not looking for a sub 4 second 0-60 or 12 second 1/4 mile car.
Last edited by Snowwolfe; May 13, 2026 at 04:50 PM.
So about 8? years ago decided we wanted a long distance hot rods. Just sold my 71 C3 with a LS1. Great project but not great for luggage with the top down.
So we located a 2014 Mustang GT 5.0 vert in SD. It had the 6 speed. The stock shifter was junk. Really vague as you shifted thru the gears. I replaced it with a Barton shifter. So much better. Maybe the newer GT's shifters are better?
The 5.0 with the 6 speed is a great combo. Zero issues with it.
But 3 years ago I got tired of shifting. So locally I found a mint 20 Mustang GT 5.0 with the 10 speed auto. 17K on the clock. Now 27K. Great car. You can select different shift patterns. Exhaust sounds. Sounds very sweet at the 7500 rpm redline.
Just got back from a 2 hour drive in the vert around the lakes today with the top down. Was 68-70 degrees today so the heated seats set on low felt really nice.
Pic of the 20.
Yeah plastic hood scoop is gone.
I owned a C7, then a ZL1, then a Blackwing. All autos’s. Then I bought a Honda Type R Civic and rediscovered how much fun a manual was again. I’m not looking for a sub 4 second 0-60 or 12 second 1/4 mile car.
Love my '24 Integra Type-S - M6! Still have a C5 Z and some other toys, but agreed, OT, but what a fun platform to drive.
Grew up a classic Mustang guy and was my primary draw until I bought the Vette. Wife and i rented a new Mustang convertible last fall in Florida. A turbo 4 (I think) auto. It rode and drove decent enough. Would chirp the tires going into 2nd. Only other later model I have driven was around 2008 Gt500. That car had a wonderful drivetrain, but I walked because the interior looked like a fleet/rental car. Nothing special aside from a GT500 badge in the steering wheel
Back to the one I drove last year. I honestly did nothing for me. Preface with saying I know most manufacturers are doing this now, but that Mustang had 2 ipads for a dash. Neat graphice, but again, not impressed with the interior design, layout, materials used, etc. My 10-year-old 2LT interior us much nicer.
Depends on what you want to do with the car I suppose. We have a 2019 GT convertible and love it. We find It has plenty of performance if desired. Not a track car like a C7, but much more refined out on the highway and the sound of the 5.0L V8 is really sweet! We enjoy it so much we just traded our 2014 C7 Z51 coupe for a 2024 Mustang GT coupe. So we are now a 2 Mustang GT family. I must add though that both are 10 speed automatics. The Mustangs are not as harsh riding as the Z51 and much more quiet in terms of road and cabin noise. They also have the added benefit of a little easier entry and exit and much better outward visibility. We especially appreciate the rear camera and blind spot mirrors. Have loved all our Vette’s (C4 through C7) over the years, but with our advancing age they just no longer held the same appeal. Our Mustangs are a much better choice for us now. Also, while I’ve always been a fan of the older more traditional dash display, got to admit the new iPad style screens are growing on me. While not as esthetically attractive, it is very intuitive and easy to use.
The S550 Mustang is my favorite gen and muscle car ever. Ford did a really good job on that car, and if the day comes that I can own a GT PP2 or Mach 1- I'm all over it
One big difference between a mustang GT and a Corvette is resale. Mustangs will BLEED money for a long time past when a Corvette stabilizes in price, so they get so cheap that high school kids get them and destroy them, then they're price shoot back up as they get rare. The S197 is currently in that "super cheap" section, and the new edge has turned the corner on it going up. Special edition mustangs don't really follow this and tend to just basically not lose value after an initial drop.
Personally, the S650 doesn't do it for me, it looks like a cheapened S550 to me (it kind of actually is). I'd probably be looking for an S197 Bullitt or Boss 302, or an S550 Bullitt or Mach 1. Probably the Mach 1 as it comes with a Tremec transmission whereas the rest are stuck with the garbage Chinese Getrag manuals
FYI, under the skin the S550 and the S650 are mechanically similar if not identical. There are some component upgrades due to the electronics platform being a generation newer, but the vehicle platform (the hard mechanical parts) are substantially similar to the S550.
The interior is similar minus the dash which has so many electronics it was significantly updates. But the S650 is more like an S550.2 than a whole new car.
I’d say you are correct. Other than being a convertible, our 2019 version feels and drives very similar to the 2024 coupe. Would very much have been happy with a coupe version of the S550, but couldn’t find one that checked all the boxes I wanted. Used, one owner, low miles, light color, 2 tone interior (very hard to find), chrome or silver wheels, and the blind spot mirrors. I also like the redesign of the rear end on the 2024 but kind of prefer the front end of the 2019.
We always loved our Corvettes and would never disparage one. It’s the only true American sports car IMO. Beautiful styling and tremendous performance. Will certainly best the Mustang on a track. But they are a bit more form fitting (dare I say claustrophobic?) and exact a cost in the comfort category. Especially for an aging body on a several hour road trip. That’s the ONLY reason we let ours go.
added……
Might also mention that I wanted something iconic, Made in America, somewhat affordable and with only 2 doors and the muscle of a great V8! Other than another Corvette, there wasn’t much left to choose from that satisfied those requirements. Thank goodness Ford ( unlike GM and the Camaro) has not yet abandoned that segment.
Last edited by Squeaky Wheel; May 14, 2026 at 10:41 AM.
Glad I have 7-8 months before deciding what to do. Just “built” a loaded 26 GT with most of the goodies and it comes in at $66k or so. X plan might drop that to $64k.
Comparing that to a C8 2LT from a forum vendor for $76k or so.
Decisions decisions
Glad I have 7-8 months before deciding what to do. Just “built” a loaded 26 GT with most of the goodies and it comes in at $66k or so. X plan might drop that to $64k.
Comparing that to a C8 2LT from a forum vendor for $76k or so.
Decisions decisions
I’ve always opted to buy a gently used one if it can be found that checks off all my squares. Always a damage free, low mileage, one owner with a lot of remaining warranty. Each model year (of the same generation) changes very little these days. Should be able to save a substantial amount vs what you are mentioning for a new one. My latest one (2024) is loaded with only 2.5k miles and not a mark on it. Priced OTD for roughly $47k. I would never pay over $50k for a regular Mustang GT.
I can pretty much promise I won’t be able to find the used car I want in Alaska. And doubt it would be worth the expense of shipping it back or flying to lower 48 and then driving it back.
I can pretty much promise I won’t be able to find the used car I want in Alaska. And doubt it would be worth the expense of shipping it back or flying to lower 48 and then driving it back.
Ha Ha. 🤣 Didn’t notice where you were at. I’m guessing you are right. Good luck with whatever you decide.
The Mustang GTs are great every day cars that are still sporty and fun. The old man in me isn't a huge fan of the tv screens across the dash but you can't go wrong with one.
I wouldn't drive one over a Corvette but I'd absolutely have one as a daily driver that can fit the entire family while retaining a RWD V8 with a manual transmission.
I seem to alternate between Vettes and Mustangs. I like both. On the Mustang side I have had a 85 GT vert, 87 LX 5.0, 90 GT, 93 Cobra, 2004 Mach 1 and now a 21 Mach 1.
I looked at the new Dark Horse but hate the iPad dash on the thing so I found a low mile Mach 1. Love the car. Fast, handles well, comfortable and looks good to me.
Mustang GT 6 speed
