The mid-engine C8 runs with Porsches and Ferraris through corners, not just in drag races, and delivers legitimate supercar performance at half the price, no excuses needed anymore. But if you're shopping used to save money, know what you're getting into: the C5 needs an AGM battery to prevent corrosion eating the vacuum lines underneath, and EBCM modules and torque tubes wear out predictably (cheap if you wrench, painful at a shop). The C7 has scattered reports of trim separation and paint problems that aren't confirmed systematic yet. Buy the C8 if you want a world-class sports car today; buy a C5 or C6 if you can turn wrenches and want accessible performance; skip the Corvette if you need a carefree daily driver.
Ford's latest GT delivers everything you'd want from a V8 sports car, a 5.0L Coyote that howls, handling sharp enough to embarrass the Camaro, and a cabin you can actually live with daily. The problem is the sticker shock: a base GT that cost $33k in 2021 now starts at $50k, and the Dark Horse pushes $70k-$80k, which is GT350 territory from just a few years ago. The car itself hasn't gotten worse, it's objectively better, but Ford has priced it out of reach for the young enthusiasts and budget-conscious buyers who made the Mustang a cultural icon. If you can afford it or find a deal, you're getting a legitimately great sports car. If you're shopping on the budget this nameplate used to own, you'll be cross-shopping used Corvettes and wondering what happened to affordable V8 thrills.