The Ford Mustang is just one of those cars that ooze performance. They are powerful enough to give you a thrilling ride yet can also be modest for your daily driving needs. If you have always wanted to own a Ford Mustang, one of the options that you can consider is buying a used car. But which is the best Mustang year to buy used?
To help you in making that all-important choice, we look at the best Mustang year to buy used. This is based on consumer reports and expert ratings on reliability and performance.
For easier navigation throughout this post, please use our table of contents below.
- Best Mustang Year
- Ford Mustang Reliability
- Mustang Years To Avoid
- Best Mustang Engine
- GT350 Reliability
- Frequently Asked Questions
Best Mustang Year To Buy
There are many Mustang critics who will always complain about the car’s performance and reliability. However, there are those Mustang models that outperform the rest in these areas.
These are:
Best Mustang Year To Buy Used – The 2011 Ford Mustang
One of those Ford Mustangs that have always drawn attention ever since its release is the 2011 Ford Mustang. It is our top pick for the best Mustang year to buy used.
Anyone who has owned this car has had something positive to say. Top of the list is the superb engine. But there is also fuel efficiency, handling, and great overall performance.
The 2011 Ford Mustang received a rating of 8.5 out of 10 by US news. Edmunds gave it a rating of 4.8 out of 5 and described the model as the “best pony car on the market”.
That said, one of the areas that seem to draw attention to the 2011 Ford Mustang is the rear seats and the spacing. Many people find the space quite cramped in the rear. But overall there is not much else to criticize about the car.
Considering that it was released in 2011, the infotainment system is still quite impressive. Add in the adaptive cruise control and keyless entry and it’s easy to see why many car enthusiasts fell in love with this model.
And granted the 2011 Ford Mustang did receive up to 4 recalls, but it still remains to be one of the best Mustangs that anyone could own and drive.
Best Mustang Year To Buy Used – The 2014 Ford Mustang
This was what came out after the 5th generation Mustangs. But if there is one thing that it upheld it’s the powerful engine and performance. And even with this great performance, the 2014 Ford Mustang would still offer great fuel efficiency.
The 2014 Ford Mustang came with different trims each of which had a different type of engine. These included the V6 305 hp engine, the V8 420 hp engine, and the V8 662 hp engine.
As far as reliability goes, the 2014 Ford Mustang gets 4.5 out of 5 by consumer reports. It also gets an 8.3 rating from US News. And that’s not all, the 2014 model also received a 4.5 out of 5 rating in safety from the NHTSA.
Best Mustang Year To Buy Used – The 2019 Ford Mustang
There is no mentioning the best Mustang year to buy used without taking a look at the 2019 model. This S550 was the 6th generation Mustang and many car buyers and muscle car enthusiasts expected it to come with plenty of improvements.
The 2019 Ford Mustang did not disappoint. US News rated it an 8.9 out of 10 in performance and a 9.1 out of 10 in safety.
The model also got a 5 out of 5 rating in safety by the NHTSA. Some of the extra features that the 2019 Ford Mustang came with include the blind spot monitoring feature, and the pedestrian detection feature.
Very often modern cars do not match up to the expectations of car buyers and car enthusiasts when searching for the best Mustang year to buy used. This is because many electrical systems in cars are often prone to breaking down or malfunctioning. Keeping this in mind, the 2019 Ford model scored high on reliability which made it super attractive to car buyers.
Furthermore, the 2019 Ford Mustang is one of the models with the fewest recalls.
Best Mustang Year To Buy Used – The 2021 Ford Mustang
You know it’s a good car when it gets a Consumer Reports rating of 76 out of 100. This included not just performance but also safety.
The 2021 Ford Mustang also got a rating of 7.9 out of 10 by Edmunds. Consumers also gave it an even higher rating of 4.5 out of 5. This was based on consumer experience, interior, performance, and handling.
And when you think that is all that the 2021 Ford Mustang received, US News came in and give it a 9.3 out of 10 as far as safety goes as well as 8.8 out of 10 as far as performance goes.
The NHTSA also gave the model a 5 out of 5. There is no denying that the 2021 Ford Mustang is worth a look when searching for the best Mustang year to buy used. Even better is that you will not be disappointed with the engine’s performance and power.
Ford Mustang Reliability
If you are searching for the best Mustang year to buy used, you won’t go wrong with both the older model cars as well as the more recent models.
It is not surprising that the Ford Mustang is still a popular choice with Americans considering its overall performance and reliability. And the resale value is also great when you consider that the cars depreciate by 38% in five years.
So, are they reliable?
Ford Mustang reported above average reliability by experts such as CarGuru, and RepairPal. Some such as JD power have given the Ford Mustang a reliability score of 86/100. Keep in mind however that some model years have proven to be more reliable than others.
One thing is certain, with good maintenance and careful driving, the Ford Mustang can last a long time into the future.
Ford Mustang Problems
The Ford Mustang is without a doubt one of the best muscle cars when it comes to high performance on reliability. However, the cars also come with their fair share of issues.
Let’s find out.
Accessory Issues
One of the most common issues with Ford Mustangs particularly the 2017 model is issues with its interior accessories. For instance problems with the radio.
An example is when syncing with the phone. The display failed whenever the radio is turned on. The only information that is accessible is the time and the temperature.
There are also issues with the rearview camera as well as the steering assist light.
Vibrating When Driving
One more very common problem with Ford Mustangs especially the 2016 model is vibrating when driving. This problem becomes apparent when the vehicle reaches 60 mph.
There are several reasons that could cause your Ford Mustang to start vibrating when driving. One is a drive shaft that is unbalanced. You may also have issues with the tires or problems with the rear-end assembly.
The great part is that you can take your Ford Mustang to the auto mechanic and have the problem fixed.
Hood Corrosion
Hood corrosion is also another issue with Ford Mustangs, especially with the older models. The main cause of the issue is the aluminum hoods that Ford used while failing to insulate the hood properly.
The downside is that Ford didn’t issue a recall of the models, especially the 2007 and 2010 models.
Issues With The Body Paint
With many Ford Mustangs especially the 2017 model, body paint problems were a common issue. The paint usually blisters at the bumpers. The paint would also chip or peel at the end of the hood.
There are car owners who made an attempt to have the problem fixed at the paint shop. That said, many buyers were advised that the problem would keep reoccurring due to oxidation issues.
Issues With The Camshaft Position Sensor
Drivers would notice loud noises that sounded like squeaking when driving. This was mainly common with the 2004 model of the Ford Mustang. Some drivers would also complain of a chirping sound whenever the engine was cold and this noise would fade away as the car engine warmed up.
The issue was caused by the synchronizer shaft of the camshaft sensor due to a faulty upper bushing. While the noise can be erratic, it goes away once the engine warms up.
Worn Out Tie Rod
As per the reports from Ford Mustang owners, it is common to experience issues with the ends of the tie rods. This causes squeaking during turning and when driving over bumps. You may also notice the steering wheel squeaking when turning especially when you are driving under 15mph.
The reason behind the squeaking sound is the tie rods wearing out at the ends. If you notice this issue, it is important that you replace the tie rods immediately. Granted a large number of Ford Mustang drivers experienced the issue yet Ford failed to recall the vehicle, especially the 2000 model.
Issues With The Intake Manifold
Ford Mustangs, especially the 1994 model had issues with the intake manifold. It caused the cover gasket to leak oil. If the issue was severe drivers could also find the oil has leaked into the coolant. Some drivers have taken their cars to the auto mechanic and were told that the issue was caused by a damaged head gasket.
While it is nothing strange for the valve cover gasket to cause an oil or coolant leak you may also experience other engine problems if you fail to address the issue quickly.
When looking to buy a Ford Mustang, it is always a good idea to be willing to deal with both the positives and the negatives. The trick is to familiarise yourself with the potential problems that come with your chosen model year. This will allow you to mitigate any issues before they cause even bigger problems. Furthermore, you will be able to avoid expensive repairs while getting the most performance out of your car.
Mustang Years To Avoid
You will always be taking a certain level of risk whenever you are shopping for the best Mustang year to buy used. This is certainly so with sports car engines.
When looking at the track record of the Ford Mustang as far as its reliability goes, it is pretty good. That said, this is always the case.
Here are some of the Ford Mustang years and models you may want to veer clear of.
Worst Mustang Year To Buy Used – The 2018 Ford Mustang
One of the Ford Mustang models that you might just want to avoid is the 2018 model. It doesn’t get the best reviews and ratings with Consumer Reports. According to the website, this model will “go fast poorly”.
And just to express their distaste for the Ford Mustang 2018 model, Consumer Reports gave it a rating of 1 out of 5. Of course, the publication based this review on owners driving experience and their own testing.
Owners of the 2018 Ford Mustang complain about the convertible model’s system. According to drivers, this system needs to be replaced consistently. Owners will even need to incur the cost themselves outside of the warranty since a couple of years have already passed.
Another common issue with the 2018 Ford Mustang is the transmission issues. Without the right service, the transmission would fail completely.
Worst Mustang Year To Buy Used – The 2015 And 2016 Ford Mustangs
If you prefer to go back a few years and choose either the 2015 or 2016 models of the Ford Mustangs, you will not have made a smart choice either. Similar to the 2018 model, the 2015 Ford Mustang also features some serious issues with its power train.
And Consumer Reports also gave the 2015 model a 1 out of 5 stars on reliability. The turbocharger as well as the AC evaporator were common areas of concern and once broken down would cost a huge sum to fix.
Some drivers also complained about motor damage due to the breaking of the coolant pipe which resulted in high temperatures.
In a similar trend, the 2016 Mustang isn’t too good either. There are even those who would advise that you don’t even give the 2016 Ford Mustang a second look. Consumer Reports also give the 2016 model a 1 out of 5 rating on reliability.
Owners of the 2016 Mustang would complain about the tail lights burning out frequently, the AC compressor damage, and issues with the differential. If you are searching for the best Mustang year to buy used that will hopefully last you a good long while, you need to definitely avoid the 2016 model.
Best Mustang Engine
Ever since the First Mustangs rolled out of production, there have been models that have come with some pretty awesome engines. In fact, there are a couple of these Mustang engines that have been categorized as iconic. This is largely due to their reliability and their performance.
And to the muscle car and Mustang enthusiast, it is hard to forget these engines. There are many collectors all over the world who will look to get their hands on one of these engines if not all of them.
Let’s take a look at one of such engines and why it is an icon. More so we will take a look at the most recent of these superior Ford Mustang engines.
The Coyote 5.0 L
Back in 2011, Ford decided that it wanted to expand its line of modular engines. This year they developed the 5-liter Coyote V8 engine. To create the engine, Ford took some notes from their 5.4-liter and 5.6-liter modular engines.
That said, the engine only really hit its best years in 2018 when it got a direct injection system. Furthermore, Ford expanded its intake as well as its exhaust valves. And that is not all, the Coyote also got a completely new camshaft.
This allows the 5.0 Liter V8 Coyote to produce 460 horsepower and 460-pound feet of torque. there was no doubt that this was one of the most powerful engines that Ford had ever produced.
GT350 Reliability
The Mustang series is a classic car series of Ford Mustang sports cars. They have famously featured in many Hollywood movies and motorsports movies.
The GT350 is one of the most identifiable Ford Mustangs due to its high performance. Over the years the Shelby GT350 has taken on different features that may have changed its initial appearance. That said, it also took in plenty of other beneficial features.
Best Mustang Year To Buy Used – Overview Of The GT350
This is one of the 6th-generation of the Ford Mustang series. It features a 5.2 liters V8 engine that produces 526 horsepower and up to 429-pound feet of torque.
The Shelby GT350 is capable of reaching speeds of 0-60 in just 4.5 seconds. Some of the modifications and improvements of the latest GT350 are enhanced brakes as well as a 6-speed transmission.
Best Mustang Year To Buy Used – Is The GT350 Reliable?
For anyone who is looking for the best Mustang year to buy used, reliability is a major factor to consider. Sure some Ford cars have performed well on reliability but this hasn’t been their main selling point. One thing with Ford is that many of its cars have completely changed the automotive industry for the better.
Having said that, the Ford Mustang series is one of those reliable vehicles and according to RepairPal, the GT350 gets a reliability score of 4 out of 5.
Best Mustang Year To Buy Used – GT350 Safety
If there is an area where the Ford cars perform quite well, it is safety. In fact, the NHTSA and the IIHS have crashed tested many Ford cars, and given them perfect scores. With the GT350, you will also get all the best driver-assist features.
Best Mustang Year To Buy Used – GT350 Depreciation rate
Due to the demand, the GT350 often has a low depreciation rate. Overall Ford cars have a much lower depreciation rate when you compare them to other cars.
The depreciation rate of the Shelby GT350 sits at 30% after 3 years. This goes up to 43% after 5 years.
Best Mustang Year To Buy Used – GT350 Repair And Maintenance
Sports cars often come with high maintenance costs due to their complex systems and costly parts. The GT350 is no exception and is pretty expensive to repair and maintain.
On average, the Ford Mustang series will cost you around $700 in annual maintenance.
FAQs On The Best Mustang Year To Buy Used
Are Mustangs Reliable
Ford Mustangs get a 3.5 out of 5 reliability rating. Compared with up to 24 cars, the Ford Mustang comes in at number 20. Note that this is for the midsized cars. Ford Mustangs also have an average year repair cost of around $709. This is considered average maintenance costs. That said, Ford Mustangs have few severe repairs and the frequency at which repairs are required is low. It is uncommon, therefore, for Mustangs to experience any major repairs.
What Year Did The Mustang Come Out
The first Ford Mustang went on sale in 1964 on April 17. It was officially introduced by Henry Ford II in New York at the Worlds Flair in Flushing event of 1964.
Are Mustangs Good Cars
The simple answer is Yes. Mustangs are good cars. One of the striking features of the Ford Mustang is the powertrain. These cars often come with powerful engines. They are also top performers when it comes to handling at the corners. This is what makes the sports cars one of the most appealing cars to drive. Furthermore, Ford Mustangs are also known to provide a really good driving experience that is smooth. It also features comfortable seats at the front and has a striking look on the interior as well as the outside.
How Long Do Mustangs Last
Under the right driving and proper maintenance and repairs, the Ford Mustang can last upwards of 200,000 miles. Americans who own Mustangs will drive on average 12,000 miles a year. This will mean that the Mustang will last around 16 years. Keep in mind that this is assuming that the owner takes good care of the Mustang. The good thing is that Ford Mustangs are built to last so as long as the owner puts in the effort of managing the car well, it should last many years.
Where Are Mustangs Made
Ford Mustangs are produced at the Ford Assembly plant at Flat Rock in Detroit, Michigan. Keep in mind that this plant only handles their Gas-powered Mustang.
Are Mustangs Muscle Cars
Ever since the first Ford Mustang was released in 1964, the cars have been in production and each model has been a muscle car. So Yes Mustangs are muscle cars and this is expected to continue into the future.
Is A Mustang A Ford
Yes, the Mustang is a Ford. It is part of a series of muscle cars that are manufactured by Ford. The Ford Mustang has been in production since 1964 when the First Mustang was unveiled. The Mustang is therefore the Ford nameplate with the longest production. It is now in its 6th generation.
