Ford Mustang (2015-2024) Buyer’s Guide

The 6th-gen Ford Mustang was offered in right-hand drive directly from the factory, which facilitated an official launch in South Africa. A new model will be here soon, but what should you look for when shopping for a used version of the muscle car?

If you wander around an S550-series Ford Mustang, you won’t find the word “Mustang” – or even the famous Blue Oval emblem – emblazoned anywhere on the fastback or convertible’s exterior. The 6th-gen muscle car was endowed with such an instantly recognisable shape that the Dearborn-based brand didn’t feel the need to slap a traditional wordmark on the Mustang’s aggressively styled rear end.

See also: Ford Mustang (2024) Price & Specs

Instead, the company simply affixed the “galloping horse” logo to the 6th-gen Mustang’s grille. By the time this model was officially rolling off the line in right-hooker guise – thus finally facilitating a market launch here in South Africa (as well as in several other right-hand-drive (RHD) markets around the world, of course), the Mustang had become a brand in its own right, such was its cachet and heritage.

The S550 series was revealed in 2013 as the 1st iteration of the Mustang – a nameplate that has been in production since 1964 – to be offered directly from the factory in RHD form (though the handbrake was a little frustratingly still sited on the far side of the transmission tunnel). The “Cyclone” 3.7-litre V6 wasn’t offered in the Republic; our market received the turbopetrol 4- and naturally aspirated 8-cylinder motors.

Manufactured at Ford’s Flat Rock assembly plant in Michigan, the 6th-gen Mustang was offered in both fastback coupe and soft-top convertible body styles. Interestingly, this model finally ditched the solid rear-axle configuration, which was employed by almost all preceding examples of the Blue Oval’s iconic muscle car, in favour of a fully independent suspension set-up.

Production of the S550-series Mustang ended in April 2023, but it soldiered on in Mzansi until November 2024, when the 7th-gen model finally made its local debut. Ford Motor Company of SA (FMCSA) says more than 4 000 units of the 6th-gen model were registered in our market and, seeing as convertible variants weren’t nearly as in demand as their tin-top siblings, we’ll focus on the coupe in this article.

Ford Mustang model line-up in South Africa

The S550-series Ford Mustang was unveiled in December 2013, shortly ahead of the nameplate’s 50th anniversary. South Africa had to wait a further 2 years for the local launch of the rear-wheel-drive muscle car, although when it did eventually touch down in December 2015, its maker billed the (then) newcomer as “arguably the most anticipated new-model introduction in Ford South Africa’s illustrious history”.

Judging by local interest at the time, this wasn’t merely a case of marketing hyperbole. FMCSA even cooked up a “Mustang Lottery”, which operated on a sweepstake basis and gave 15 individuals the opportunity to jump to the top of the already bulging waiting lists, as a matter of fact.

At launch, the local Ford Mustang line-up comprised 6 rear-driven derivatives, each offering a unique combination of body style, engine and transmission.

Furthermore, the Performance Pack was fitted as standard on all SA-spec variants, adding items such as a larger radiator, high-performance brakes, 19‑inch alloy wheels, special chassis tuning, heavy-duty front springs, an upsized sway bar (exclusive to Fastback variants), plus a “K-brace” under the bonnet:

• 2.3 EcoBoost Fastback 6MT (223 kW/430 Nm)     
• 2.3 EcoBoost Fastback 6AT (223 kW/430 Nm)     
• 2.3 EcoBoost Convertible 6AT (223 kW/430 Nm)     
• 5.0 V8 GT Fastback 6MT (306 kW/530 Nm)
• 5.0 V8 GT Fastback 6AT (306 kW/530 Nm)
• 5.0 V8 GT Convertible 6AT (306 kW/530 Nm)

The local Mustang portfolio went largely unaltered until July 2019, when the facelifted version hit South Africa. While the mid-cycle refresh included the requisite smattering of updates to the exterior styling as well as revised cabin materials, the mechanical changes were perhaps more significant.

For instance, the turbocharged 2.3-litre, 4-cylinder engine had its peak power reduced from 223 kW to 213 kW, though interestingly gained 11 Nm for a new maximum twisting-force figure of 441 Nm. Claimed combined fuel consumption for this powerplant also increased slightly to 10.0 L/100 km.

Meanwhile, the “thoroughly reworked” naturally aspirated 5.0-litre V8 engine’s peak power climbed 22 kW to 331 kW (now on tap at an even loftier 7 000 rpm), while maximum torque dropped a single unit to 529 Nm. The 8-cylinder unit furthermore gained Ford’s so-called “Good Neighbour Mode”, which could be set to automatically limit the exhaust’s noise output at selected times of the day.

Furthermore, standard versions of the Mustang were no longer available with a manual gearbox from this point, instead switching to the American firm’s new 10-speed automatic transmission. The initial exception was the limited-edition Bullitt (inspired by the 1968 Warner Bros film of the same name), which came with a 6-speed manual gearbox and a V8 tweaked to deliver 338 kW.

Just 50 units of the Bullitt were set aside for Mzansi, each finished in either Dark Highland Green or Shadow Black. The special model came standard with the MagneRide adjustable suspension system, a 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen (B&O) sound system, model-specific styling upgrades, a top speed of 262 kph (12 kph faster than the standard V8 derivatives, for what it’s worth) and a cue-ball gear knob.

By April 2021, with all 50 examples of the Bullitt sold, the 2.3 EcoBoost derivatives were quietly axed in South Africa – likely due to slow sales – reducing the Mustang range to a pair of auto-equipped 5.0 V8 derivatives (a fastback and a convertible). However, in June 2021, the “track-focused” Mustang Mach 1 made local landfall, with 90 units earmarked for our market.

Like the Bullitt, the Mach 1’s 8-cylinder motor generated 338 kW, though here it could be mated with either a Tremec-sourced short-throw 6-speed manual gearbox or the 10-speed automatic cog-swapper (each with a dedicated oil cooler as well as an auxiliary engine-oil cooler).  

In addition to its Fighter Jet Grey paintwork (with contrasting decals) and aero body kit, the Mustang Mach 1 came with specially tuned power steering, the latest MagneRide adjustable suspension set-up, stiffer front springs, stiffer anti-roll bars, wider 5-spoke 19-inch alloy wheels and even a Track mode.

The special-edition theme continued in June 2022, when the Mustang California Special blasted into South Africa. Limited to just 100 units locally, this automatic-only variant boasted a prominent front splitter, a large rear wing and air scoops behind its doors, though its V8 interestingly made 330 kW and 529 Nm (the same outputs as the standard GT variants). It was available in a choice of 9 exterior colours.

As an aside, we should mention that local Mustang enthusiasts also had access to several performance-tuned models via Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa’s various conversion partners.

For instance, Shelby South Africa offered the supercharged Super Snake, Speedster, Carroll Shelby Signature Series and King of the Road models, while Performance Centre SA marketed the RTR Vehicles Series 1 Mustang and various Roush performance upgrades.

What are the advantages of a Ford Mustang?

Oodles of road presence: Despite the S550-series Mustang’s exterior design dating back more than a decade, it remained a head-turning machine even at the end of its time on the new-vehicle market. Even standard versions (which did without the various body addenda of the special editions) continued to draw attention thanks to an aggressive stance, that lengthy bonnet and distinctive lighting signatures.

Of course, the derivatives powered by the free-breathing 5.0-litre engine furthermore boasted an attention-drawing aural character, ranging from a menacing V8 burble at low engine speeds to a thundering 8-cylinder roar as the tachometer needle barrelled past 7 000 rpm.

Sufficiently fast: When the tarmac turned twisty, the 6th-gen Mustang was hardly a precision tool (the V8 derivatives could break traction with very little provocation, after all), despite having upgraded to independent rear suspension. Indeed, the Blue Oval brand’s muscle car came across more as a capable cruiser than an out-and-out sportscar. But it was by no means slow, particularly in a straight line.

In fact, we’d say this generation was more than sufficiently fast – in virtually all guises, too. For instance, Ford said the standard 5.0-litre V8-powered GT derivatives could complete the 0-100 kph sprint in just 4.8 seconds (regardless of the specified transmission), a figure that fell to 4.5 seconds in the case of the California Special and 4.4 seconds for the auto-equipped version of the Mach 1. All 4-cylinder derivatives, meanwhile, had a claimed 0-100 kph time of 5.8 seconds – hardly tardy at all.

Local availability of special models: While Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa has sometimes been accused of playing the “special edition” card a little too frequently (also with the Ranger bakkie), the limited-run models that peppered the 2nd half of the Mustang’s local lifecycle were broadly welcomed.

Why? Well, each and every one benefited from more than just a sticker pack, receiving upgrades on both the aesthetic and functional fronts. As such, there’s a strong chance the likes of the Bullitt, Mach 1 and California Special could one day graduate to “collectable” status – particularly as the world continues to shift away from large-displacement petrol engines.

What are the downsides of a Ford Mustang?

Sub-par cabin finishes: Since the Ford Mustang was never intended to compete with luxury sportscars, its comparatively low price in North America neatly offset any would-be grumbles about the less-than-stellar cabin build quality. But the imported 6th-gen model wasn’t nearly as much of a bargain here in SA, leading to inevitable comparisons with similarly priced – and notably more premium – German rivals.

Needless to say, the Mustang finished a distant 2nd best to premium marques’ offerings, despite a few interesting design touches inside (such as the bank of toggle switches alongside the start button). The interior’s fit and finish were below par and it was clear the cabin was built to a price; to a degree, this trend extended to the exterior as well, where panel gaps weren’t the most consistent.

That said, Ford did at least make some cabin improvements at the facelift, including adding soft-touch material to the door linings and switching to aluminium door handles. So, if material quality is a key consideration for you, it may be worth opting for a refreshed model.

That big V8 is thirsty: With great displacement comes great … big fuel bills? Yes, the atmospheric V8 was a thirsty beast, capable of draining the 61-litre fuel tank in the blink of an eye or with a few flexes of the right ankle. FMCSA’s official fuel-consumption claim for the manual-equipped GT came in as high as 13.5 L/100 km (while the facelifted GT with the 10-speed auto was said to use 12.3 L/100 km), though the brawny 8-cylinder’s real-world figure was obviously far loftier.

Poor Euro NCAP score: In 2017, Euro NCAP crash-tested a 6th-gen Mustang, handing the coupe a disappointing 2 stars for safety. Though the Ford scored particularly poorly in the child-occupant category and safety-assist section, the front airbags also showed “insufficient inflation” during the frontal-offset evaluation, causing both the driver dummy’s head and that of the passenger dummy to “bottom out” against the cabin architecture.

Later in 2017, the facelifted Euro-spec version gained a few driver-assistance features while also benefiting from changes to its restraint system (thus preventing the front airbags from bottoming out). As such, Euro NCAP revised its rating to 3 stars, though opted not to crash-test the vehicle again, saying it was “structurally identical” to the pre-facelift car.

Interestingly, the Mustang fared far better in its home country, scoring 5 stars in the National Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) test and coming close to earning a Top Safety Pick rating in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) evaluation.

Miscellaneous potential issues: Considering it played in the sportscar segment, it should come as no surprise that the S550-series Ford Mustang’s rear quarters were particularly tight. In addition, the Sync 2 infotainment system in the pre-facelift model wasn’t the slickest, though the mid-cycle update did at least bring an upgrade to Sync 3.

What else did we find in our research? Well, some early V8 models suffered from oil-cooler issues, though this was seemingly corrected fairly swiftly. We’ve also heard of a few local instances of complete air-conditioning failure, so the HVAC system is worth checking carefully during any test drives.

How much is a used Ford Mustang in South Africa?

At launch, all Mustang derivatives shipped standard with a 4-year/120 000 km warranty and a 5-year/100 000 km service plan (with intervals of 20 000 km). However, at the facelift, the latter arrangement was quietly adjusted to 6 years or 90 000 km, with the intervals shortened to 15 000 km. Then, from the start of November 2021, Ford “unbundled” its service plans from the purchase price of its vehicles, instead offering these as added-cost options.

Nearly 93% of the S550-series Ford Mustang units listed on Cars.co.za at the time of writing were specified with an automatic transmission (which makes sense, since facelifted models were far more prevalent than earlier units). Similarly, at almost 92%, the coupe body style was considerably more popular than the convertible.

Meanwhile, only around 9% featured the turbocharged 2.3-litre, 4-cylinder motor, reflecting the overwhelming popularity of the 5.0-litre V8. We found just 3 examples of the Mach 1 (all in auto guise), along with as many as 13 units of the California Special and a single Bullitt.

Mileages topped out at around 150 000 km, the latter achieved by a 2017 Mustang 5.0 V8 GT Convertible 6AT; most listings, however, showed well under 100 000 km. Interestingly, red was the most popular paint colour at 31%, followed by white and blue (with 17% each), then grey (15%).

• Below R450 000: We found a mere 6% of all S550-series listings under this mark, with the lowest price being R395 000 (for the aforementioned 150 000 km convertible). More than half of the examples we found here featured the 4-pot forced-induction motor.

• From R450 000 to R700 000: This pricing bracket hosted the remainder of the 4-cylinder models, along with a handful of pre-facelift V8s. Interestingly, all but a single listing showed under 100 000 km. Bold decals, aftermarket alloy wheels and body kits were furthermore the order of the day here.

• From R700 000 to R1 000 000: Nearly 45% of listings were positioned between these pricing bookends, where model years were heavily skewed towards 2023 (on a related note, average mileage fell well below 20 000 km in this space). Interestingly, this was where we discovered the solitary Bullitt – priced at R865 000, with just 16 000 km on the clock – on the market.  

• R1 000 000 and up: Should your budget just about stretch into 7 figures, you’d be able to pick up a virtually brand-new California Special or a lightly used Mach 1. Other listings here included supercharged models from Shelby and Roush. Indeed, the most expensive Mustang we found was low-mileage Shelby-fettled V8 listed for a whopping R1 680 000.

Which Ford Mustang derivative is the pick of the bunch?

So, which Mustang derivative should you buy? Well, if you’re purchasing a muscle car, you simply have to go for the V8 over the 4-pot, don’t you? Thankfully, the burly atmospheric engine is far more common than the turbocharged 2.3-litre motor. It’s a similar case with body styles; we’d argue the more plentiful coupe offers the most authentic experience, with the soft-top model being hampered by extra weight and lower rigidity.

Furthermore, should your budget allow, we’d suggest narrowing your search to facelifted derivatives, considering these benefited from a slight improvement in cabin quality, as well as extra power for the V8. Unless you’re prepared to cough up for a manual-equipped special edition, that’d mean opting for the 10-speed automatic transmission (which does a fine job when cruising, but can become a little flummoxed when you’re pressing on). That said, our ideal Mustang would be the 3-pedal Bullitt.

Finally, here’s our obligatory warning about purchasing a 2nd-hand performance car: yes, models like the Ford Mustang tend to be driven with, ahem, “enthusiasm”, so make sure to check closely for evidence of meticulous maintenance. In addition, steer well clear of modified examples, unless they’ve been tuned by one of Ford’s official conversion partners.

Is the Ford Mustang a smart used buy?

It’s not easy finding direct rivals to the Ford Mustang in a South African context, considering muscle cars such as the Chevrolet Camaro and Dodge Challenger (both of which have since been discontinued overseas) were never officially offered locally.

That said, during the Mustang’s time on the market, there were several other sportscars from which to choose, from the pricier F82-gen BMW M4 and A90-series Toyota Supra (both employing turbocharged straight-6 motors) to the V8-powered Lexus RC F and the razor-sharp Porsche 718 Cayman.

Compared with such models, the S550-series Ford Mustang was unapologetically old school. Sure, those models boasted loftier performance credentials, oodles more sophistication and indeed far better build quality. But none could touch the Mustang when it came to timeless charm and sense of occasion.

More than charismatic enough for us to forgive its flaws, the V8-powered Ford Mustang’s status as a bona fide icon will become only more entrenched as the automotive world charges towards large-scale electrification. We’ll take a Mustang Bullitt in Dark Highland Green, thank you very much (and a company petrol card, please).

Watch Ciro De Siena and Ash Oldfield agree to disagree about the 2023 Mustang CS

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