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.
The GR86 is a purist's sports car: lightweight, rear-wheel drive, naturally aspirated, and manual-first. It excels at what it was designed for, carving backroads and delivering steering feedback and chassis balance that punch far above its price. Owners consistently call it 'the most fun you can have under $30k' and many who cross-shop faster cars (Supra, Mustang GT) still choose the 86 for the analog driving experience. The tradeoff is clear: it's slow in a straight line, loud on the highway, and the interior feels budget. If you want a daily commuter or need rear seats, look elsewhere. If you want to learn car control and enjoy driving at legal speeds, this is the answer.