Performance per dollar, or top factory trim? It’s been a running debate for decades, renewed anew with the latest Mustang to reach the market—the Dark Horse. That high-po model, like the Mach 1 and others before it, flaunts a heightened image and puts out the best numbers from the factory, but it’s also the most expensive (and likely will be the most valuable when it becomes a classic). Another option is the GT with the Performance Package, offering most of the Dark Horse’s performance for less cost. There’s logic to both approaches, and threads of both arguments can be made for different trims across every Mustang generation. And, because the Mustang has been available in so many different flavors over the years (140 submodels according to our database, with 43 of those in the Hagerty Price Guide), we can use data to explore this heated comparison across the pony’s history.
From its introduction, the Mustang was available with a swath of engines, body styles, and submodels. As its competition caught up, even more engines and submodels arrived, which brings us to the 1968 model year, the first of our subject data. In the Hagerty Price Guide, we maintain values for four different V-8s available in the Mustang that year, ranging from the 289 two barrel with 195 hp to the 428 four barrel Cobra Jet with 335 hp. For a coupe, the values of the different submodels reveal an interesting pattern for a given engine: if you don’t need the extra bits that come with a GT or a California Special, the high-performance engines in the base model are a great deal.
As the horsepower goes up, the better the deal gets for the base model. The difference between the condition 3 ("Good") value of the base model and the GT with the 230-hp 302-cid engine is about $12,700, or around 43% of the value of the base model. However, for the 325-hp 390-cid engine, the difference between the base model coupe and the GT is $25,400, or 82% of the value of the base model.
The pattern holds for the 1970 model year engine options, too. Looking at the SportRoof (fastback), the engine options are more clearly separated by trim level. However, a Boss 302 with 290 hp has a condition 3 value that is $28,700 (68%) more than a Mach 1 351 cid/ four barrel with 300 hp. Further up on the performance hierarchy, however, we see that a Boss 429 with a 375-hp rating has a condition 3 value that is $116,200 (155%) more than a 428-cid Super Cobra Jet rated at 360 hp. Comparing across engines is not precisely apples to apples, as each has their own distinctive personality and power delivery, but pragmatic shoppers do have the opportunity to find a deal.
Fox-body Mustangs show how the performance bargain theme carries forward. For the 1993 model year, a 5.0 SVT Cobra with 230 hp has a condition 3 value that is $25,500 (172%) greater than a 5.0 LX hatchback (fastback) with 205 hp. Similarly, a 230-hp SVT Cobra R has a condition 3 value that is $54,600 (323%) more than the condition 3 value of the 205-hp 5.0 GT hatchback. It all comes down to whether you prefer a bit of history with the pinnacle of one of the Mustang's most popular generations, or enjoying the more subtle model and perhaps using the money you saved to make up that horsepower differential.
Which brings us full circle. Mustangs are enduring classics because there's something for everyone—enthusiasts can find a model that meets their objectives whether they want a top-tier collector pony car, something they can modify to the moon, or simply tool around with a V-8 soundtrack. Part of the fun is in finding that blend of personality and performance that suits your budget and goals. Which path is best? That's for you to decide.
I think the current car kind of ends my interest in new Mustangs. I don’t want a wall of screens so S550 is the last generation I care about.
As a fan, the problem is you sort of want a few versions of every generation depending. So choosing just one is a tough nut. If I had to pick. 69 Boss 9. Trite but true. I’ll never be able to buy one. But there is Jon Kasse.
I own an 86GT variety. Lackluster performance when I bought it stock used but it didnt take much to wake it up!
I own both a 1985 GT H.O. and a 2017 GT/PP1 with additional suspension modifications. Safe to say the suspension mods put this newer version on par with a PP2 or GT 350R. I do track it occasionally. Usable performance has always been key for me. Back in 1985, which I did wait for the V8 to again crest the 200 horsepower mark, there weren’t too many other model options, that’s why the story jumps to the SN-95 Foxes when SVT took hold and actually created an additional tier. So the good old “four eyes” had the SVO Mustang as the alternative option, with it being largely maligned due to a poor internal marketing and poor sales preparation culture. That being said, the original Fox maybe one of the Mustang lines with the fewest options available in terms of model choices?