The Ford Shelby Mustang GT500 is a fast car. It has 760 hp, 625 lb-ft of torque, and a quick-shifting DCT automatic gearbox. Finding something faster – and for less than its $73,995 price tag – would be challenging to say the least.
Challenging, but not impossible. The supercharged GT500 may be quick around a track, however, it's not unbeatable. Plus, there are more affordable alternatives on the used market, some of which are capable of giving the Shelby a real run for its money. Here are ten of them.
10 Chevrolet Corvette C7 Z06
The C6 Z06 is extremely capable of punching above its weight. Its 505-hp V8 may be less powerful than the GT500's, but the Z06 is much lighter at 3,160 lbs (curb) than the Shelby: a car that weighs in at a hefty 4,149 lbs.
This lightness, along with its healthy levels of grip, balance, and poise on-track, makes the 7.0-liter Z06 a force to be reckoned with. The GT500 may have it in the long straights, but the 'Vette is arguably the better track weapon overall.
9 Porsche 911 (996) Turbo
Porsche is well-known for its on-track prowess. The manufacturer makes some of the best handling cars on the planet, and the 911 Turbo – in this case of the 996 generation – is no exception. It goes around a track like a dream.
It features a 420-hp motor in the rear – a turbocharged 3.6-liter flat-six to be exact. The engine, which was derived from Porsche's GT1 racing efforts, feeds power to an all-wheel-drive system, helping the car to feel agile and planted on-road and on-track.
What's more, the 996 Turbo can achieve a 0-60 mph time of under four seconds, as well as reach a top speed of 191 mph. The price for all this performance? The cheapest examples go for around $35,000 on the used market.
8 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe
The Cadillac CTS-V Coupe is like a Corvette in a posh suit. Why? Well, the main reason comes down to the engine: the CTS-V's supercharged V8 is based on the Chevy LS9 motor found in the C6 ZR1.
In the Caddy, the 6.2-liter can produce 556 hp and 551 lb-ft of torque, allowing for a 0-60 mph time of around four seconds. The CTS-V is blisteringly fast and can now be bought for under $30,000 on the used market.
7 Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG (Mk2)
The SLK 55 AMG is a forgotten gem. It's a small, two-seat roadster with a 5.5-liter V8 under the hood. This compactness, as well as its 416 hp and 398 lb-ft of torque, allows the 55 to make light work of any tight, technical track.
Sure, the GT500 will most definitely outrun it in most circumstances, however, on the right track – one with where agility and nimbleness are rewarded – the SLK 55 AMG might just take the cake.
6 Chevrolet Corvette C6 ZR1
Out of all the cars on this list, the C6 ZR1 poses the largest threat to the GT500. Under the hood, the Chevy boasts a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 with 638 hp. While this amount of power still isn't quite on the level of the Shelby, the ZR1 – like the Z06 – is a lot lighter at 3,333 lbs (curb).
The ZR1 is incredibly fast around a track. It'll lap the Nurburgring in 7:19.4 and, while the GT500 currently hasn't been around the 'ring, that's faster than the Ferrari 488 GTB and Porsche Carrera GT.
5 Subaru WRX STI Type RA
The Type RA is the WRX STI's angrier sibling. Subaru built it to be that bit faster in every way than the standard car and it shows 310 hp, retuned suspension, and more downforce. This all makes it a pretty rapid machine and one that shines on track.
However, with all-wheel-drive and a pedigree in rallying, the best conditions for the Type RA to take on the GT500 would probably involve dirt, gravel, or maybe a little bit of rain. These Subies are rare but are beginning to drop in the $30,000-$40,000 range on the used market.
4 Audi TT RS (Mk1)
The TT RS is often referred to as the mini R8, not only due to it being an all-wheel-drive Audi sports car but because it too has an odd number of cylinders. Under the hood, the TT RS features a turbocharged five-cylinder engine.
In Mk1 form, this motor can produce 335 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque. While this isn't massive amounts of power, the car is small and has the ability to send power to any one of its four wheels. This makes the TT RS fast, agile, and sprightly.
3 Dodge Charger Hellcat
From a sports car with a modest amount of power but a lot of traction to a muscle car with a modest amount of traction but a lot of power: the Charger Hellcat. This 707-hp supercharged missile, with a professional behind the wheel, can be a track weapon.
Some even say the Charger Hellcat is even faster than its two-door sibling, the Challenger Hellcat. While we'll leave that up for debate, you can't deny this supercharged V8 sedan is very fast. Enough to keep up with a GT500? It's got a good shot at doing so.
2 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Final Edition
The Evolution Final Edition is another very fast four-door. It may only have 303-hp, but it's all-wheel-drive and incredibly sprightly, with a 0-60 mph time of under 4.5 seconds and an ability to adapt to almost all road conditions.
Its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder has a lot of zest to it, with 305 lb-ft of torque arriving at 4,000rpm. The car will also take a lot of abuse, so you can really hoon it around a track and squeeze every last drop of performance.
1 Ford Focus RS
The Focus RS is a true rally car for the road. Under the hood sits a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder with 345 hp. This, along with plenty of grip and an all-wheel-drive system, allows the RS to easily achieve a 0-60 mph time of 4.7 seconds.
Not only that, Hennessey can take the Focus RS over the 400 hp mark. With that upgrade equipped and on a tight, twisty track, the GT500 will definitely have to watch its back.