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.
Quick enough to embarrass pricier metal, practical enough to haul a 65-inch TV, and genuinely fun in a way most modern performance cars forgot how to be. The Mk7 and 7.5 (2015-2021) hit the sweet spot: bulletproof EA888 engine, sharp handling, and interiors that punch above their weight. The catch is maintenance, skip an oil change or ignore a clogged sunroof drain and you'll meet your VW specialist more than you planned. The Mk8 stumbled with maddening touchscreen controls and software that occasionally forgets how to play music, though the 2026 refresh claws back the driving feel. If you're the type who actually enjoys cars and doesn't mind being on a first-name basis with your mechanic, this is still one of the best daily drivers under $40k. Skip it if you want appliance-grade reliability.