Considering a used Mustang? To help you with your research, here are the best and worst model years of America’s favorite muscle car.
The Ford Mustang is a household name that is now garnered legendary. Starting its life back in 1965, the Ford Mustang gave birth to the concept of muscle cars and spawned rivals like the Chevy Camaro and Dodge Challenger.
It’s no surprise that Mustangs of today have strayed away from being a true muscle car. Unlike its predecessors, the modern Mustang is more than capable of handling corners without falling apart.
That aside, the Mustang’s sporty dynamics paired with a loyal fanbase is enough to justify its current market share. With 80,577 units sold in 2020, the Ford Mustang is literally the best-selling sports car in the world!
In this discussion, we focus on the best and worst Ford Mustang model years. But before we jump into the key aspects of the article, let’s go over a bit of history while touching on where the Mustang stands in today’s technology-driven market.
How Many Ford Mustangs have been Sold?
The Ford Mustang was nothing short of a masterstroke by the Detroit giant. Back when the industry favored long boat-like cars, it was during the ‘60s that the American automotive fraternity welcomed a massive revolution.
Spearheading the movement was the Ford Mustang with its never-before-seen styling paired with a sporty persona. Initially, Ford execs were pretty skeptical, but the reception was so overwhelming that it blew past their expectations.
In fact, the Mustang set the industry record for sales during its debut year, selling over 418,000 units and breaking the previous record set by the Ford Falcon in 1960. Ford reported at the time that the Mustang more than doubled the Blue Oval’s expected sales total of 150,000.
Establishing itself as the most successful Ford nameplate after the Model T, the Mustang soldiered on to multiple generations, which is now up to six. The automotive industry has evolved quite a bit in the last decade with sustainable alternatives favoring the good ol’ dinosaur juice.
Taking this into account, Ford introduced the Mustang Mach E with a two-stroke approach: Join the SUV revolution while stepping into the next era of motoring: EVs.
Although the move to name an SUV after the iconic sports car induced enough outrage, it’s clear why they’ve done it. Mustang is far more than just a model. It’s a brand now, and Ford’s planning on expanding the portfolio.
In times like these, the safest bet is to invest in something that’s tried and tested. You could either embrace the new automotive era or stick to the ones that deliver emotion and drama through controlled explosions. If the latter’s your choice, there are enough Mustangs out there that wouldn’t burn a hole in your pocket.
What is the Best Mustang Model Year to Buy?
Considering there are now six generations of the Ford Mustang, you may be wondering which is the best generation or model year for the road icon. There are two ways to approach the question. One is to consider parking your money as an investment in a Mustang. And the second is to think about buying a slightly older model year.
The former demands investing in coveted examples of the Ford Mustang, like the first-generation 1965 hardtop, or the 1969 Mach 1 428 Cobra jet, or maybe the ‘70 Boss 429. Then again, the ‘65 GT350, and the ‘67 Shelby GT500 are also great options.
Quite frankly, there are many more, but prices have rocketed to a point where many of these classics are unattainable to the vast majority of car buyers.
Hence, we’ll be focussing on the modern Mustangs that you could own without shelling out the big bucks. From a consumer standpoint, buying the latest and greatest is usually the best largely due to the added safety and reliability over the model it replaces.
Taking this into account, Ford Mustangs belonging to the model years 2011, 2014, and 2019 are the best ones to buy used both in terms of value and peace of mind.
2011 Ford Mustang
As part of the fifth generation, the 2011 Ford Mustang certainly brought a modern touch to the iconic sports car. One thing to point out is that the 2011 model is largely outdated in terms of the technology inside.
However, it’s not dismal and you could live with it, especially considering examples sell from anywhere between $7,000 to $18,000 depending on the condition, engine type, and miles driven.
The 2011 Mustang scores impressively good safety scores, too, and gets decent fuel economy. Also, reliability ratings are pretty good with a 66% average repair frequency as reported by the website True Delta.
You could have the 2011 Mustang with a plethora of engine options, including the V6s and V8s favored by enthusiasts. Also interesting is the fact that you could get them paired to an engaging six-speed manual box.
2014 Ford Mustang
The 2014 Ford Mustang was the last of the fifth generation, and as with any car, the last model year tends to be more reliable because most of the vehicle’s early issues have been ironed out by then.
While the 2014 Mustang is enough for most people, car buyers looking for the latest gadgetry will be disappointed. Although, it did come equipped with a 4.2-inch touchscreen as well as with ambient lighting and heated seats.
Comfort levels are impressive, as is the fuel efficiency. Engine options included 305 horsepower V6s and 420 horsepower V8s paired to both manual and automatic transmissions.
In terms of reliability, the 2014 Ford Mustang shares the same ratings as the 2011 model with a 66% average repair frequency.
The 2014 model year Ford Mustangs are available from $21,000 to around $32,000 for the GT, with special editions like the Shelby GT500 and Boss 302 costing more.
2019 Ford Mustang
The 2019 Mustang is by far the best in terms of value for the money. For one, reliability is pretty strong as recalls were minimal and the car boasts robust build quality.
Also, as part of the sixth generation, it’s the newest Stang. Expect every form of gadgetry, from the latest infotainment features to advanced driver assistance tech.
In terms of engine choices, the EcoBoost inline-four is the base model while the Coyote V8 takes care of powering the GT. Efficiency-wise, 2019 Ford Mustangs are pretty good thanks in part to the 10-speed automatic box.
Since prices are fairly strong, examples of the 2019 Mustang range between $27,000 to $39,000. And, of course, the V8s fall in the pricier side of the spectrum.
What Year Mustang Should I Avoid?
When it comes to car ownership, peace of mind is very important. Having to filter out the ones to avoid demands a lot of research. Listed here are cars that no owner would want in their garage.
Some examples are quite frankly the worst of the lot, which Hot Cars recently confirmed. Again, you can separate this based on the timeline.
For instance, the Mustang II part of the second generation is widely regarded as the worst Mustang of them all.
Going into the specific model years of the Mustang II, 1974 was the worst with appalling fuel economy and lackluster power figures.
As is the 1978 Mustang II which was riddled with steering problems rendering it undrivable. Then comes a fairly underpowered Mustang E, a competitor positioned to take on the fuel-efficient Japanese imports.
Dubbed the Mustang “Economy,” this pony, however, couldn’t live up to its name. Largely dictated by the oil crisis that spurred the Malaise era, the Mustang “Economy” comfortably gets a spot on the list owing to popular opinion. Purists argue that Ford never should’ve taken this direction as Mustang is a name you’d associate with power and not fuel efficiency.
However, since times have changed, Mustangs have become robust thanks to improved production techniques. That said, some of the newer ones surprisingly came with a lot of faults. That’s not to say they are the worst but if you’re shopping for a used Mustang better keep an eye out for 2015, 2016, and 2017 model years.
Worst of the Modern Ford Mustangs
As per Consumer Reports, the 2015 Ford Mustang came with a reliability score of 1 out of 5 and had a total of seven recalls. This was the first year of the sixth-gen. and saw some serious design flaws to the extent that some were pretty serious. From door latches opening while the car was in motion to fuel leaks that could cause serious fires, it was absolute bedlam.
The 2016 Ford Mustang got the same reliability score and was riddled with a lot of electrical faults.
As per Consumer Reports, the 2016 Mustang received two recalls while True Delta points out to a 137% average repair frequency.
The 2017 model year saw things getting better earning it a slightly improved but still unsatisfactory reliability rating of two out of five. The 2018 model year scored three out five but was subjected to three recalls, although the number of cars affected was significantly low.
In conclusion, if you’re looking to buy any of the aforementioned model years, check whether your shortlisted Mustang was produced during the recall period. If yes, make sure it’s fixed and check the VIN online in addition to inspecting the issues on your own or through a mechanic.
As for the pre-2000s Mustangs, be extra careful about the engine, drivetrain, electricals, and other miscellaneous stuff like rust, water damage, and unusual wear and tear.
Photos: Ford
