Ford Mustang GT S550

The case for the S550 Mustang GT

The S550 Mustang GT arrived in 2015 with a 5.0-litre Coyote V8 producing 435 bhp, a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic, and rear-wheel drive. It was the first Mustang to be sold officially in the UK with right-hand drive, and it became an instant hit. The 2018 facelift raised power to 460 bhp and added a 10-speed automatic option.

The Mustang GT is a proper grand tourer. It has four seats, a usable boot and a comfortable cabin. The V8 sounds great, and the manual gearbox is a joy to use. It is not as sharp as a European sports car, but it is more characterful and much cheaper. It is a car you can use every day, then take to a track day.

The S550 is also good value. A used GT is cheaper than a BMW M4 or an Audi RS5, and it has more character. The running costs are reasonable for a V8, and the aftermarket is huge. The challenge is finding a car that has not been abused or poorly modified.

What it costs to run

A minor service at a Ford specialist is £300 to £500, and a major service is £700 to £1,000. The Coyote V8 uses 5W-20 or 5W-30 oil, and the intervals are 10,000 miles or annually. Tyres are £700 to £1,000 for a set of 19-inch rubber. Discs and pads are an £800-£1,200 item. The manual gearbox and differential fluids should be changed at the recommended intervals.

The 5.0-litre Coyote V8 is a robust engine, but it is not cheap to service at a main dealer. A minor service is £300 to £500, and a major service with plugs and fluids is £700 to £1,000. The manual gearbox fluid and the differential oil should be changed every 30,000 to 40,000 miles. The brakes and tyres are consumables, and a track day will use a set of pads.

Fuel consumption is 18 to 25 mpg on a run and the mid-teens in town. Insurance is reasonable for a V8 coupe, and road tax is in the top band. The Mustang is not a cheap car to run, but it is not a supercar either.

Known weak points

The MT-82 manual gearbox is the biggest weak point. It can suffer from synchro crunch, especially into second and third gear, and the shifter can be vague. A rebuild or an upgraded gearbox is expensive. The clutch can wear, and the dual-mass flywheel can fail. The 10-speed automatic is generally strong, but it can be jerky at low speed.

The Coyote V8 is robust, but it can consume oil and develop timing chain tensioner noise. Differential whine or leaks should be investigated. The half shafts can break on cars that have been launched hard or fitted with sticky tyres. The suspension bushes and dampers wear, and the brakes can fade on track. The infotainment system is dated on early cars, and the paint is soft.

The MT-82 manual gearbox was revised several times during the S550's life. Early cars are more prone to synchro problems than later cars. The shifter can be improved with an aftermarket linkage, but that is a modification. The clutch and the dual-mass flywheel are wear items. The 10-speed automatic is generally strong, but it can hesitate at low speed. The Coyote V8 can develop a tick or a rattle from the timing chain tensioners.

The Mustang is also prone to underbody rust, especially on cars that have been driven in winter. The rear arches and sills can corrode. Check the underside carefully.

What to check before buying

Start with the service stamps and the accompanying bills. A full Ford or specialist history is essential. Check that the oil changes have been done on time and that the gearbox and differential fluids have been changed. Ask for a fault-code scan and a report from a Mustang specialist.

Check the build date and the gearbox revision. A later car is less likely to have the MT-82 problems. Check the clutch bite point and the shifter feel. On a manual, a crunch into second or third is a warning sign. Check the differential for whine and the half shafts for play. Inspect the underbody for rust, especially the rear arches and the sills. Check the paint for stone chips and previous repairs.

Drive the car and check the gearbox for synchro crunch, especially into second and third. Check the clutch bite point and the operation of the shifter. On an automatic, check for smooth shifts and no hesitation. Check the differential for whine and the half shafts for play.

Inspect the brakes and tyres. Check the suspension for leaks and the bushes for wear. Check the paint and the body panels for accident damage. Check the underbody for rust. A full electrical check should cover infotainment, climate control and every driver aid. A car with cover is worth more than one without.

Market and depreciation

The S550 Mustang GT has depreciated significantly from new. Early 2015 and 2016 cars with 40,000 to 70,000 miles are £25,000 to £32,000; later facelift cars are £32,000 to £40,000. The Mach 1 and the Bullitt hold a premium. The market is softening as more cars come out of warranty, so a full history and low mileage matter more than a cheap asking price.

Who it suits

The Mustang GT suits the owner who wants a V8 coupe with a manual gearbox and a lot of character for the money. It is comfortable enough for a daily driver, practical enough for a small family and fast enough for a weekend. It does not suit someone who wants a sharp, lightweight sports car or a car they can maintain on a small budget. It also does not suit someone who needs all-wheel drive for winter.

If you want a more focused car, the BMW M4 is the obvious alternative. If you want a more affordable V8, the Chevrolet Camaro SS is the rival. If you want a four-door V8, the Dodge Charger is worth a look.

Alternatives

The Chevrolet Camaro SS is the Mustang's closest rival. It has a 6.2-litre V8, a more focused chassis and a less practical cabin. The Dodge Challenger is bigger and more comfortable, but it is less agile. The BMW M4 is more expensive and more refined, but it lacks the V8 soundtrack. The Nissan 370Z is cheaper and more agile, but it is less practical.

The Mustang GT is a character car. It is not the best all-rounder, but it is one of the most fun cars in its class.

How this review was compiled

This review is based on Ford's published technical and service information, owner reports from Mustang6G and the Mustang Owners Club, UK Ford specialist servicing guides and current Auto Trader listings. UK values depend on spec, condition and provenance.