Ford has pushed the online configurator live for its 2018 Mustang following its announcement Monday that the upcoming sports car could work a sub-four second 0-60 time. Since then, I’ve been wasting a whole lot of time performing a great deal of in-depth analysis of the new Mustang’s various configurations and pricing them out for you, our readers.
First, I decided to replicate the configuration that Ford described as capable of accelerating from 0-60 in under four seconds for the lowest possible price. This required the Mustang GT ($35,995), the 10-speed SelectShift automatic transmission ($1,595), and the GT Performance Package ($3,995), just as Ford’s announcement described. Selecting these options and nothing else resulted in a sub-four second 0-60 Mustang costing $41,585. That’s less than half the price of a Porsche 911 that’s slower from 0-60. Impressive.
What about the Mustang lover on a budget? The 3.7-liter V6 engine is out for 2018, leaving the 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine on the lowest rung of the ladder. The starting MSRP for the EcoBoost Fastback is $25,585, which is actually less than the $26,195 of the 2017 model, but slightly more than the 2017 V6 Fastback’s price of $25,195. Select the 2017 EcoBoost Fastback, though, and $1,500 worth of incentives knock the price down to $25,595, compared to $26,485 for the 2018 model. Now’s probably a good time to snatch up a 2017 model while you can.
So how would I equip my own 2018 Mustang? I’d start with a GT Fastback ($35,995), because although the EcoBoost is good, I’d always hit myself and say “I could’ve had a V8” if I didn’t. I’ll take mine in Kona Blue, please (though my wife would probably want Orange Fury for an extra $495). No doubt the 10-speed automatic is an excellent transmission, but I’d prefer to row my own 6-speed manual. As much as I appreciate the Performance Package I’d probably skip it for the street driving I do. But the $895 Active Valve Performance Exhaust calls to me. A real spare tire is worth the $405 to me, because I don’t trust fix-a-flat or prompt roadside assistance. That leads to a to a total of $39,295 for the Mustang GT I’d own in the real world.
On the other hand, if I stick to an EcoBoost, I could score the 101A option package ($2,000), the EcoBoost Performance Package ($2,495), and the MagneRide Damping System ($1,695) to soak up the lousy Massachusetts roads I drive, and only spend $32,675. Or a better equipped EcoBoost Premium with similar options for $35,690.
Too many choices. And they’re all so good.