When it comes to thrilling sports cars that won't break the bank, it's really hard to compete with the Mustang. This is especially true of the renowned GT trim, which strikes the perfect balance of affordability and raw American muscle. The Mustang GT still sticks to its beloved 5.0L V8 churning out 460 ponies, but it's more responsive than ever. In addition, when said engine is connected to a 6-speed manual transmission, it's also incredibly exciting to drive.
Updated August 2021: If you're looking for a new sports car, but can't decide whether you should just go ahead and buy a Mustang or look for something else that might be a better deal, we've got exactly what you need! We've updated this article with more new sports cars to choose from (or avoid), as well as some more information regarding what makes them great (or not so great).
The Mustang GT has always been a car made purely for lovers of American muscle, but Ford has recently been putting in some effort to make it more agile, responsive, and comfortable to drive. This is why it's ranked not just among the best muscle cars in production today, but sports cars overall.
However, it's still not the best car to drive. So today we're listing the sports cars we'd like to get inside and drive rather than the new Mustang GT... and some we definitely wouldn't. To find out how the new Mustang GT fares against the competition, keep reading.
16 We Would Rather Drive: Mazda MX-5 Miata
If you've ever driven one of these before, you probably understand why it made the list. Not only is the MX-5 currently ranked among the greatest and most reliable sports cars in the world, but this extremely popular model also offers perhaps the most exciting driving experience for the price.
Featherlight at under 2000 lbs, this 181-horsepower speedster will take on corners better than any Mustang ever will and still provide a thrilling 5-second 0-60 mph dash.
15 We Would Rather Drive: Subaru WRX STI
Subaru continues to improve on their flagship affordable sports sedan, with the 2020 model being more agile and powerful than ever before. Though the engine is still the same sturdy 2.5L four-cylinder, it now sends 310 horsepower to all four wheels for unrivaled stability. And connected to a six-speed manual, this spells countless hours of fun.
14 We Would Rather Drive: Porsche 718 Boxster
The upscale interior and features the entry-level Porsche offers are overshadowed by just how exciting the drive is. Due to its lightweight design, the 300 horsepower that comes from the Boxster's mid-mounted engine gives it enough kick to match the Mustang GT's acceleration (but the Boxster is more agile).
It's the owners' choice whether they want the engine paired with a 6-speed manual or a state-of-the-art PDK transmission, but none of these will disappoint.
13 We Would Rather Drive: Chevrolet Camaro SS
Though the outdated interior and the exterior facelift may not hit the mark with everyone, we're here to talk about how the Camaro SS drives. And in that regard, it truly gives the Mustang GT a run for its money.
Not only is it just as precise and comfortable as the Mustang GT (if not more), but its 6.2L V8 provides significantly more torque than the Mustang's 5.0L, which translates to a more thrilling and responsive ride.
12 We Would Rather Drive: Nissan GT-R
When the re-branded GT-R came in 2008, baffling the industry with its power and speed, it was essentially the Japanese answer to every modern exotic supercar. The same is true of today's model, which relies on a 3.8L V6 to send a stampede of 565 horsepower to all four wheels to do a 0-60 run in just 2.9 seconds.
11 We Would Rather Drive: Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
The hype behind the new Corvette is fully justified. The model is well on its way to becoming one of the best and most desirable sports cars in its price range (only slightly more expensive than the Mustang GT).
Aside from its radical redesign, the interior is decorated as if it came straight out of an F-22 fighter jet, while the new mid-mounted V8 bolsters this "supercar vibe" with 495 horses of pure fun. We'd be crazy not to give it a shot over the Mustang.
10 We Would Rather Drive: Toyota Supra GR
No Mustang can compete with the impressive driveability and acceleration offered by the brand new Supra at the $50,000 price point. Powered by a 335-horsepower, BMW-sourced engine, the Supra is able to shuttle itself to 60 mph in under 4 seconds.
The new Mustang Mach 1, which replaced the Shelby GT350, would be the model to get in order to match this kind of performance, and the Mach 1 is also around the $50,000 mark. However, considering the Supra's superior handling and fuel economy (compared to Mustang V8s), we're willing to give the Toyota an edge here.
9 We Would Rather Drive: Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio
The unexpected Italian supersedan became renowned for its combination of performance — courtesy of a 2.9L managing some 505 horsepower — and its drop-dead gorgeous design, when it debuted in 2015. It was even the fastest sedan around the Nürburgring.
8 We Would Rather Drive: Civic Type R
The new Civic Type R may be a bit more affordably priced than the new Mustang GT, but it also offers "only" 306 horsepower, courtesy of a two-liter. Note that it's also solely a front-wheel-drive car. So why on earth would we pick this over a Mustang?
Well, what the Type R lacks in power, it more than makes up for in handling and agility. Because of that, the decision between the Type R and the Mustang GT will often come down to personal preference. If you prefer red-light racing, some tail-out action, and scaring crowds at Cars & Coffee meets, get the 'Stang, if you want a maniacal FWD car that handles like it's on rails, the Civic is the one to get.
7 We Would Rather Drive: Lexus RCF TE
Don't let the Lexus badge fool you; the RCF pulls off the role of a luxury supercar better than almost any coupe currently on the market, and that's saying a lot. The 2020 model perfects its driving experience, bolstered by a 472-horsepower 5.0L V8, that jets the car to 60 mph in under 4 seconds.
6 We Wouldn't Drive: BMW M4
Comparing these two sports coupes, the M4 is definitely the more luxurious one. It's also the one that's likely to turn more heads. However, the Mustang GT gains a clear edge when it comes to the sheer amount of fun you can have behind the wheel.
This is thanks to its 6-speed manual transmission, which makes the drive both more responsive and engaging than the M4's automatic.
5 We Wouldn't Drive: Dodge Challenger R/T
The choice between the Challenger and the Mustang has always come down to personal preference. Fans of the more traditional muscle car will often be more inclined towards the Challenger, however today, it's objectively an inferior choice to the Mustang.
While similarly priced, the Mustang GT's 5.0L engine provides 85 more horsepower than the Challenger's 5.7L. And frankly, given its recent interior redesign, the Mustang is simply nicer to sit inside. Not to mention, Fords usually have superior build quality compared to Dodge cars.
4 We Wouldn't Drive: Audi TT RS
The TT garnered a sizable following in the early 2000s for its refreshing design and exciting performance. Combine that with excellent reliability, and you have a winner on your hands, right? Well, the model hasn't really been able to keep up with the industry standards. Today, this Audi is often beaten by competition that offers more power and thrills for fewer dollars, such as the new Supra or even the Mercedes-Benz CLA AMG.
It is especially unimpressive when compared to the new Mustang GT, offering 64 horsepower less, despite commanding more than the Mustang's price. Even Audi isn't confident in the TT, given their decision to discontinue the model.
3 We Wouldn't Drive: Nissan 370Z
It takes a real JDM enthusiast to appreciate the subtle allure of the 370Z. Frankly, the car is easily one of the worst sports cars on the market today, unable to justify its purchase with either performance or comfort.
Despite all the updates, the 2019 model still has uncomfortable seats and only a few features in the cabin. The 350-horsepower V6 may seem fun at first, but it also falls far behind the Mustang GT's 460-hp V8, available for roughly the same price.
2 We Wouldn't Drive: Kia Stinger GT
Don't get us wrong, the new Stinger GT is an impressive addition to Kia's mostly mundane lineup. It's a well-built sports sedan that directly competes with the likes of the BMW M3 or Audi A5.
That said, its focus on comfort, practicality, and features leaves little for the driving itself. And though the 365-horsepower V6 is powerful enough to launch the car to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds, it does so using an eight-speed automatic which leaves little room for the raw excitement you experience driving the mighty Mustang GT.
1 We Wouldn't Drive: Fiat 124 Spider
While we said we'd drive the Mazda MX-5 Miata over the Mustang, the same is not the case for the Fiat 124 Spider. Not necessarily because the Fiat 124 is a bad sports car, in fact, it's a decent little sports car for the regular Joe, and as most gearheads already know, the 124 Spider shares the same chassis and most parts as the Miata.
However, there are some exceptions, and because of that, it's not as reliable as the Miata. The interior is also not too pleasing, and the price is practically the same as its Japanese sibling. We can't justify buying the sporty little Fiat over the Mustang when Miata is always the answer.