5 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 Alternatives Under $55,000
The Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 left a pretty large gap in the Mustang lineup when it stopped rolling off the line in 2020. However, the screaming track star isn’t alone in the performance market; far from it. Here are five Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 alternatives for under $55,000, like a GR Supra 3.0 or R/T Scat Pack Widebody.
- Ford Mustang Mach 1
- Toyota GR Supra 3.0
- Nissan Z Performance
- Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack Widebody
- BMW M240i xDrive
Is the Ford Mustang Mach 1 a good Mustang Shelby GT350 alternative?
The Ford Mustang Mach 1 is the successor to the Shelby GT350 in the Mustang lineup. While it doesn’t brandish a Shelby badge, it packs many hand-me-down performance parts from the GT350. For instance, the Mach 1 features the six-speed Tremec manual from the GT350 with rev-matching. Moreover, the throwback S550 Mustang is track-ready with MagneRide dampers, Brembo brakes, and a series of coolers, including oil and transmission coolers.
The planted Mustang starts at around $54,195, making it a reasonable alternative to the GT350. However, the Mach 1 isn’t the only alternative for the high-revving Shelby coupe.
Is the Supra 3.0 fast?
The Toyota GR Supra 3.0 isn’t just fast; it’s quicker than the now-discontinued GT350. In Car and Driver’s testing, the Supra managed a sprint to 60 mph in just 3.9 seconds, and breaking the 4.0-second barrier is no easy feat. However, the GT350 averaged a low-four-second time in the same task. Of course, neither car is intended solely for straight-line speed. The Supra doesn’t let fans down on the track, either.
The Supra 3.0 manages a 1.02 g figure on the roadholding grip test. Even with all of its performance credentials, fans can snag a manual-equipped Supra 3.0 for a starting price of around $53,595.
How fast is a Nissan Z Performance?
The Nissan Z Performance is a fast, retro-inspired alternative to the Ford Mustang Shelby GT350. The 400-horsepower Z Performance packs an upgraded exhaust, rear spoiler, and a limited-slip differential. Moreover, the Z can hit 60 mph in just 4.0 seconds, even with its traction limitations. Better yet, the Z Performance starts at $51,015, well below a new Mustang Mach 1.
Is the R/T Scat Pack Widebody a viable alternative to the Shelby GT350?
The soon-to-be-discontinued Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack Widebody takes the “go big or go home” mantra to newer, bigger levels. The 4,300-lb brute packs a 485-horsepower 6.4L V8, making it the biggest, heaviest, most powerful car on this list. However, the Scat Pack manages to put the power down and hits 60 mph at nearly the same time as a Mustang Shelby GT350.
Moreover, with a starting price of around $53,435, the Scat Pack Widebody is a solid muscle car coupe alternative to the track-ready Shelby GT350. Just don’t expect to out-corner the Shelby.
How much does a BMW M240i cost?
The latest BMW 240i starts at around $48,895, quite a bit less than a new Ford Mustang Mach 1 or even a used Shelby GT350. Despite the lower price, the M240i xDrive is the quickest accelerating car on this list. Specifically, the 3.0L inline-six-powered M240i hits 60 mph in just 3.6 seconds using its grippy xDrive AWD system. If you can get past the new car’s aesthetic, the range-topping 2 Series is a fiendishly fast coupe.
