Ford Mustang (S650)

Ford Mustang (S650)

Model Years Produced: 2024 to Current

Summary

Brand new for 2024, the S650 is the seventh generation of the long-lived Mustang muscle car. Its looks may be somewhat controversial, but it provides a much-needed technological update to the Mustang to keep it relevant, and a little bit of extra power too.

Try and find one with Brembo brakes, MagneRide shocks, and the active valve performance exhaust system. If you’re purchasing a GT, the GT Performance Pack is also highly recommended.

Primary Criticisms

Major

  • Transmission issues:
    • Ford is the defendant in a class-action lawsuit regarding the 10R80 10-speed automatic transmission. Curiously, the issues named in the lawsuit do not appear to affect GM vehicles, even though the transmission was co-developed with GM and it is used also in GM products such as the Cadillac CT4.
    • The Getrag MT82 manual transmission in the GT version of the (S550) Mustang has been subject to numerous complaints and even lawsuits due to shifter feel and reliability issues. The Tremec TR-3160 used in the Dark Horse is vastly superior in both regards.

Minor

  • Exterior appearance is polarizing compared to the previous S550 generation

Warranty

Information is as of 2022 model year

New

  • Limited: 3 years/36,000 miles
  • Powertrain: 5 years/60,000 miles
  • Safety Restraint System: 5 years/60,000 miles
  • Corrosion (Perforation Only): 5 years/unlimited miles
  • Emissions: 8 years/80,000 miles
  • Roadside Assistance: 5 years/60,000 miles

Gold Certified Pre-Owned

  • Repair Deductible: $100 per visit
  • Limited: 1 year/12,000 miles from CPO purchase date
  • Powertrain: 7 years/100,000 miles from original in-service date
  • Roadside Assistance: 7 years/unlimited miles from original in-service date
  • Rental Car: $35/day up to 10 days
  • Trip Reimbursement: $1000 lodging for 3 days + $75 transportation

Blue Certified Pre-Owned

  • Repair Deductible: $100 per visit
  • Limited: 90 days/4,000 miles from CPO purchase date
  • Powertrain: 7 years/100,000 miles from original in-service date
  • Roadside Assistance: 90 days/unlimited miles from CPO purchase date

GT

The Mustang GT stuffs a 5.0L “Coyote” V8 under the hood. It’s available in two versions: the “base” GT and the GT Premium, the latter of which adds a number of luxury features (listed below). For the S650 generation, the GT is the lowest trim level available with a manual transmission, though it still receives the controversial Getrag MT82 shared with the previous S550 generation. The GT is available as both a fastback (coupe) and a convertible, although the convertible is only available in “GT Premium” form like its predecessor.

The GT Premium adds the following features over the base GT: approach detection with welcome/farewell lighting; ambient lighting; dual-zone automatic climate control; aluminum foot pedals; aluminum door-sill scuff plates; heated steering wheel; magnesium-framed curved-glass display; premium door trim; 6-way power driver seat w/ lumbar adjustment, 4-way power passenger seat; leather-trimmed front seats, vinyl rear seats; heated & ventilated front seats; heated mirrors; 9-speaker stereo; SiriusXM; HD radio; universal garage door opener; wireless charger; security package (convertible only)

Option Packages

The GT High Equipment Group is only available on the base GT, while the GT Premium High Equipment Group is only available on the GT Premium. The GT Performance Package is available on both trim levels of the GT.

  • GT High (301A) Equipment Group (+$2000): 9-speaker stereo, ambient lighting, dual-zone automatic climate control, 6-way power driver seat w/ lumbar adjustment, heated front seats, SiriusXM, HD radio
  • GT Premium High (401A) Equipment Group (+$2900): Bang & Olufsen stereo, illuminated door-sill scuff plates, premier trim with color accent group, security package, Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist, memory driver seat & exterior mirrors
  • GT Performance Package (+$4995): 19×9″ and 19×9.5″ wheels; Brembo brakes; electronic hand-operated parking brake; front tow hook; painted ebony black grille; heavy-duty front springs; K-brace; performance raised rear wing (fastback only); Torsen differential; performance rear axle ratio; performance chassis, stability control, EPAS, and ABS tuning; upsized rear sway bar

Reviews

N/A

Specifications

  • Body Style(s): Coupe, Convertible (soft top)
  • Engine: Ford Coyote – 5.0L V8
  • Horsepower: 480 hp
  • Torque: 420 lb-ft
  • Transmission: Ford-GM 10R80 10-speed automatic, Getrag MT82 6-speed manual
  • Drivetrain: RWD w/ standard mechanical limited-slip differential, Torsen differential is optional
  • Fuel Economy: N/A

Coupe (Fastback)

  • Curb Weight: N/A
  • Power-to-Weight: N/A
  • Cargo Capacity: 13.3 cu ft
  • Starting Price: $42495 (GT) / $47015 (GT Premium Fastback)

Convertible

  • Curb Weight: N/A
  • Power-to-Weight: N/A
  • Cargo Capacity: 10.3 cu ft
  • Starting Price: $52515

Dark Horse

The Dark Horse is the “track” version of the S650 Mustang. It adds another 20hp to the Coyote V8 plus more aggressive aero, Recaro bucket seats, and the active valve performance exhaust. All the features from the GT Performance Pack are standard on the Dark Horse, and carbon fiber wheels are optional. Unlike the GT, the Dark Horse receives a manual transmission as standard equipment, and this time it’s the much-lauded Tremec TR-3160 found in the S550-generation Shelby GT350 and Mach 1 Mustangs rather than the Getrag MT82 used in the GT. A 10-speed automatic is still available as a $1595 option.

There are two trim levels: the “base” Dark Horse and the Dark Horse Premium. The features available on them are similar to the base GT and GT Premium.

Dark Horse Handling Package

The Dark Horse Handling Package is a $4995 option package which includes 19×10.5″ and 19×11″ aluminum wheels, 305/30R19 and 315/30R19 tires; adjustable strut top mounts; front tow hooks; magnetic damping system; performance rear spoiler with Gurney flap; and revised chassis tuning.

Reviews

N/A

Specifications

  • Body Style(s): Coupe
  • Engine: Ford Coyote – 5.0L V8
  • Horsepower: 500 hp
  • Torque: 420 lb-ft
  • Transmission: Ford-GM 10R80 10-speed automatic, Tremec TR-3160 6-speed manual
  • Drivetrain: RWD w/ standard Torsen limited-slip differential
  • Curb Weight: N/A
  • Power-to-Weight: N/A
  • Cargo Capacity: 13.3 cu ft
  • Fuel Economy: N/A
  • Starting Price: $59270 (Dark Horse) / $63265 (Dark Horse Premium)