Which used Ford Mustang should you buy?

Ford Mustangs are relatively good value as new cars, but hold on to their value extremely well, largely due to their desirability.

As a result, even though the Ford Mustang might cost a little more than some alternatives in outright cash terms, it should lose relatively little value as it gets older, making for surprisingly affordable PCP finance monthly payments for a big petrol sports car that uses lots of fuel.

This makes all the versions attractive as a used purchase.

Read our full Ford Mustang review

What used Ford Mustang trim levels are available?

Unlike many car model ranges, the Ford Mustang doesn’t really have specification levels.

Instead, its equipment levels are connected to which engine you go for – although the Ford Mustang Bullitt special edition which sits at the top of the range is a bit of an exception to that.

Ford Mustang EcoBoost

The 2.3-litre Ford Mustang EcoBoost is notionally the entry-level model in the range, but it’s pretty well equipped, although it doesn’t include sat-nav as standard. Among its features are:

• Eight-inch touchscreen media system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Electrically adjustable leather seats
• Rear view camera
• Dual-zone climate control
• 19-inch alloy wheels
• Optional upgraded Bang & Olufsen sound system (including sat-nav)

Ford Mustang GT

The Ford Mustang GT comes with the 5.0-litre V8 engine. On top of the equipment you’ll find in the entry-level Ford Mustang EcoBoost models, it adds:

• A different design of 19-inch alloy wheels
• Upgraded exhaust system
• Launch control system
• Line Lock, which allows rear-wheel burnouts (not for public roads!)

Ford Mustang Bullitt

The Ford Mustang Bullitt was a special edition released to mark 50 years since the release of the Steve McQueen film of the same name. With distinctive paint colours, wheels and no badge on the front, this is a particularly menacing Ford Mustang. It features:

• Mildly enhanced 5.0-litre V8 engine
• Black or green exterior paint
• Unique alloy wheels
• Red brake callipers
• 12-inch set of digital dials in place of a traditional speedometer and rev counter

Ford Mustang Convertible

The Ford Mustang Convertible is essentially very similar in specification to the coupe, albeit with wind-in-the-hair potential.

And the fact it has an option of V8 power, plus the distinctive engine note that this provides – when most of its rivals, such as the Audi A5 Cabriolet and German counterpart the BMW 4 Series Convertible can only muster a maximum of six cylinders – means the Ford Mustang stands out for those after a driver’s car. It features:

• Multi-layered electrically folding fabric roof
• Adaptive cruise control
• Lane-keep assist

Is a used Ford Mustang a good buy?

Since the first Ford Mustang was unveiled in 1964, more than 10 million have been sold. In fact, the original car remains the fastest-selling model ever, with 20,000 sold within a fortnight of its launch. But despite the car’s status as a cultural icon, we had to wait until 2015 to get one that was officially sold in the UK with right-hand drive.

This is the sixth generation of the Ford Mustang, and comes with a choice of two engines – a high-performance 5.0-litre V8 with 422PS (456PS from 2018 onwards) and a more economical but still potent 2.3-litre turbocharged EcoBoost four-cylinder engine with 321PS.

The EcoBoost engine, similar to the one used in the Ford Focus RS, provides decent enough performance and reasonable fuel economy of a little over 30mpg, but it doesn’t offer the dramatic engine note of the fantastic 5.0-litre motor or its very strong acceleration. The Ford Mustang is still a quick machine, even in 2.3-litre form, though.

The Ford Mustang is available as a sleek coupe and as a fabric-roofed convertible model, which is a great way to enjoy the burble from the potent V8 engine even more clearly.

All Ford Mustangs are rear-wheel drive and gearbox choices consist of a six-speed manual and a 10-speed automatic. The manual gearbox is fun to use, giving you a greater feeling of connection to the powerful engines, but can make the Ford Mustang a little tiring in traffic, while the automatic offers a seamless and smooth-shifting experience.