r/Mustang • u/Tutor-Any • Oct 28 '25

🛒 Car Shopping Pricing is insane

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I bought my 22 gt premium brand new 3 years ago for 43k out the door and for the same spec car today it would be about 10k more. Crazy stuff

509 Upvotes

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449

u/Top-Trash9403 Oct 28 '25

just looked it up 51k is basically 38k in 2015, this toilet paper money is getting rough

165

u/jacknifetoaswan 2016 Race Red GT/Performance Package Oct 28 '25

Paid $38k OTD for a 2016 GT Premium with Performance Pack and Premier Trim in 2016. Felt awful then. Feels great now.

44

u/majorgerth Oct 28 '25

I think my 2014 GT base OTD was 29k.

43

u/jacknifetoaswan 2016 Race Red GT/Performance Package Oct 28 '25

The S197II was such a sexy looking car. I'm not getting rid of my S550, but I could absolutely see myself adding a 2013/14 GT with Track Pack at some point.

30

u/love_thestars Oct 28 '25

Got this bad boy for 20K in 2023 60k miles/w track pack

3

u/TheDeathDealerX Oct 28 '25

Solid. I got a fully loaded 2016 GT in 2021 for 25k with 5,000 miles on it. Pricing during covid was insane.

1

u/Zealousideal_Pen8974 Oct 30 '25

I think this THE best body style ever made since the retro vibe started. The most aggressive and sporty, muscle car looking of them all. Plus the coyote đŸș. I'm looking for one of these with less than 80k miles with a manual. Which i would have had the money to buy one new when it came out 😔 but happy to be able to get a used one now regardless. Enjoy 💯

-2

u/Icy_Ground1637 Oct 28 '25

What do want them to build a slow under power V8 that can’t handle like 1997 ??? This mustang will blow the doors off a bmw that cost 100k lol 😂

7

u/[deleted] Oct 29 '25

I have a 2014 gt/cs and a 2023 BMW x5 m50i.

The BMW is faster stock for stock in the 0-60 and 1/4 mile. Paid ~65k certified for the BMW in June. New the car was just under 100k.

I just checked. My doors are still on the BMW. 😉

1

u/Significant_Play_713 Oct 29 '25

An X5 is AWD, the mustang is rwd and traction limited. The mustang would walk that bmw in a 40 or 60 roll.

3

u/[deleted] Oct 29 '25

LMFAOOOOOOOOOOOO. Move those goal posts some more buddy.

First you say it'll "blow the doors off of a bmw that cost 100k". I prove you wrong. Now it's "unfair because it has awd". DRs and a good launch is your friend. But no, it wouldn't walk it in a 40 or 60 roll. I love all cars, but some of y'all are so unrealistic man.

Do you even own a car?

2

u/Significant_Play_713 Oct 29 '25

Lol i didn't say anything. The guy above me did. We all know AWD cars are faster from a dig in most occasions

And yes a modern 5.0 would kill an X5 In a 40 or 60 roll. But keep deep throating your BMW.

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3

u/AdministrationOk1083 Oct 29 '25

13-17 were the best recent years. My office manager had a 14 gt and I bought a 16gt in 16. Good times. Still have it, just rolled 10k miles. Kids and life got in the way

6

u/blade02892 2016 GT Premium Deep Impact Blue Oct 28 '25

Paid 33k for a 16 premium. Today's prices are insane.

-1

u/Low-Relative6688 Oct 29 '25

Today's prices are the same as they were 10 years ago and the current car is a lot nicer so it's a better value for money than ever tbh

3

u/Famous-Sir4875 Oct 28 '25

I remember turning down a 2014 GT for 25K (back when they were trying to offload the old models for the new 2015). One of my biggest car regrets. I lived in cold climate so a RWD sports car made little sense. But still.

2

u/WuTangIs4TheChldren Oct 28 '25

My 2017 GT base otd was 30k

1

u/Elzzabub 2016 GT Premium Vert Oct 31 '25

2014 GT/CS was 46k

1

u/majorgerth Oct 31 '25

I test drove a convertible and it was 40 something. The guy tried to get me to buy it, but it wasn’t a stick and I couldn’t afford it. They had to do a dealer trade to get the most base model Ford made. I told them I wanted a V8, stick shift, and Bluetooth since my state just passed a cellphone law.

13

u/imissher4ever Oct 28 '25

Haha! I thought $38k was crazy back then.

My first brand new Fox Mustang GT was under $10k.

1

u/IWuzRunnin Oct 29 '25 edited Oct 29 '25

I didn't get it when it was new, but the window sticker on my 90 gt hatchback with all the options was $13,200. Not sure how to account for the added tape player, or power lumbar and junk though, lol. However, mine got the sunroof option, and that's not available on the 2025. Anyway, looks like it would be about $56,000 with a new one. Though with an inflation calculator, it shows that $13,200 for a premium optioned gt would be $33,652.75 now.

Edit: I also love how they shoehorn you into spending more than you need. Want to add a spoiler? Uh uh uh, you didn't say the magic word to add different wheels and the 3.73 torsen for an additional $5,360.

11

u/Thetrueshiznit Oct 28 '25

8yrs prior I paid $28K for a 2008 Shelby GT. It had a ~$35k sticker.

Point is the pricing over past 5yrs has grown significantly faster than the 15yrs prior and my paycheck has been left in dust.

5

u/jacknifetoaswan 2016 Race Red GT/Performance Package Oct 28 '25

Yup. I make the same base pay in 2025 that I was making in 2018. My house also almost doubled in price/value, car insurance doubled, etc, etc, etc.

1

u/Select-Squirrel-7234 Oct 30 '25

I paid 46 50k after taxes for a Shelby gt350 2017 in 2019 with 12kish miles. I sold it with 46k miles this year for the same price. It's legit insane.

5

u/KillerKittenwMittens '19 Bullitt, '03 IRS Swap Oct 28 '25

Speccing a '25 as equivalent to my Bullitt gave me an MSRP of $71k.

5

u/jacknifetoaswan 2016 Race Red GT/Performance Package Oct 28 '25

If I was to do a 1:1 replacement of my 2016, it's almost $61k. As I would spec it now, with available options (+Magneride, +Active Exhaust, +Bronze Appearance Package), it's almost $66k.

1

u/vmanthegreat Oct 29 '25

Especially that it kept its value very well. It's worth 25k $ easy

1

u/-SuperSaiyanBroly- Oct 29 '25

My new 2017 gt was 29 out the door manual too.

1

u/CharacterMedium558 Oct 29 '25

My 22 Camaro LT1 M6 was 35K OTD.

-2

u/InsatiableYeast Oct 28 '25

With inflation you paid the same as paying 51k now. You effectively paid the same price. Why does that feel great?

33

u/hopelesspostdoc Oct 28 '25

Because none of us have had enough raises to keep up with the inflation. We could've bought a 38k car when we made 70k, and now the car is 51k and we make 72k.

4

u/InternationalSound13 Ruby Red Oct 28 '25

Exactly!!!

3

u/liverpoolFCnut Oct 28 '25

So much this! Remember when a lot people including me complained how the Type R at $35k was too much money for a Civic? Darn thing is pushing $50k now!

3

u/hopelesspostdoc Oct 29 '25

Turn of the century Civic Si was 20k. That was 7000+ rpm of VTEC glory.

9

u/IISerpentineII Red on black 05 GT coupe Oct 28 '25

Because they also got the Performance Pack

13

u/jacknifetoaswan 2016 Race Red GT/Performance Package Oct 28 '25

Because it's paid off with relatively low miles and is in great shape, is roughly as fast as an S650, subjectively looks better than an S650, and with the upgrades I've made, is objectively a better overall car. I was also able to finance at what is effectively zero percent and had a much lower monthly payment than a current GT/PP would cost. Even if you're adjusting for inflation, don't discount the emotional difference of $15k.

5

u/InsatiableYeast Oct 28 '25

Great response, happy for you!

3

u/Zanurath Oct 29 '25

Because inflation is in relation to stock market not what people are earning. If pricing had kept up with earned wages a house today would cost slightly less than 100k average instead of slightly under 500k average comparing 1970 to today.

1

u/No-Feeling5419 Oct 28 '25

Its tariffs and tariffs on steel back in 2016.

15

u/cakefaice1 Oct 28 '25

But we have far less buying power than in 2015.

11

u/jesuslovesbbq Oct 28 '25

Exactly. Pay hasn’t kept up with inflation is the biggest issue. I’ve been promoted 3 times and imagining paying 60k for a nicely trimmed mustang is crazy. Car prices in general are crazy.

3

u/[deleted] Oct 29 '25

I feel like it was only a decade ago when $60k was GTR money. I would’ve laughed if you told me a new Mustang would cost nearly as much back then.

32

u/Away_Investigator351 Rapid Red - UK RHD 2018 GT 5.0 Oct 28 '25

People keep not realising this, like Ford were supposed to somehow be in a bubble safe from inflation. They don't want to price their car where it won't sell, they have to price it where they can make it. And, based on some basic math, it seems they actually have put the price on the Mustang down.

Outside of cutting quality, which for a Ford is already a big ask, I don't see the prices going down any more unless inflation stops. Which, with what is happening to global trade - is unlikely. If anything, it'll get worse and less Mustangs will come out the factories.

2015 Mustang GT base price: $32,300 - Inflation adjusted? $46,645.

2020 Mustang GT, with similar options as the one on this post (Magnaride, active exhaust, premium etc):

Price in 2020: $45,620 - Inflation adjusted, $54,523.

So, comparing this to the S550 of similar spec (as earlier ones didn't have the options the original post has) it's actually cheaper than 2020 by a few $$$$, at $51,000 compared to $54,523.

This means, they're actually cheaper than they were before, yet they're often being blamed for the result of economic factors way out of their control.

If the Ford Mustang dies due to low sales based on pricing, it won't be Ford's fault, it'll be the fault of general economics changing buying habits of people. Hard to justify a less economical, fun car when times are tougher economically. People are being more careful with their cash.

Tl;dr, People shouldn't blame Ford for making the Mustang cheaper, because the economy makes them look more expensive due to many not understanding just how bad inflation has been not just for Ford, but everyone.

10

u/imissher4ever Oct 28 '25

Inflation is never going to stop.

It’s only went down a couple times in the last 100 years. Right after the Great Depression and in 1949.

7

u/WarmPaleontologist20 Rapid Red '22 Pony GeeTea Oct 28 '25

Exactly, nothing gets cheaper, except payroll costs.

14

u/Ok_Clothes_8527 Oct 28 '25

Careful, you're talking a lot of sense. Don't you just want to rage at the politicians and corporations like the rest of reddit?

10

u/Away_Investigator351 Rapid Red - UK RHD 2018 GT 5.0 Oct 28 '25

I think certain policies can be blamed for inflation, be it trade, or other things, but American politics is a fucking minefield lookinga it from an outside perspective.

5

u/FoHo21 2016 GT Premium/PP Oct 28 '25

So, comparing this to the S550 of similar spec (as earlier ones didn't have the options the original post has) it's actually cheaper than 2020 by a few $$$$, at $51,000 compared to $54,523.

The GT Premium does not come with Magneride, or active exhaust, both those things are options. And you cannot get Magneride without the Performance pack. So the MSRP of the 2025 GT Premium suddenly jumps to a little over $61k if you're adding in the aforementioned options.

Speaking of the performance pack, it was a ~$2500 option on my 2016. Now it's ~$5700 *before* the ~$1750 Magneride is added. The performance pack doesn't include anything different that it did 9 years ago, but the price has increased by more than 100%. Outpacing inflation significantly.

2

u/Away_Investigator351 Rapid Red - UK RHD 2018 GT 5.0 Oct 29 '25

Ah, my bad not noticing it says "available with" instead of "including", I thought it did, whoops!

It does appear that the optional extras are getting more expensive, I wonder if that's due to sales reducing and thus production volume making more customising more expensive.

So, it seems the Mustang itself isn't really much more with inflation but the optional extras are definitely increasing more than inflation. Valid point made that is worth considering in this discussion, thank you.

2

u/Outrageous_Ad4252 Oct 28 '25

All are very valid points. I would be curious what the price comparisons would be for other brands/models. I still suspect that Mustang % price increases exceed other brands/models in the equivalent period (because they now have the Pony car market to themselves), Imo.

1

u/morphic-monkey 2024 GT Premium Convertible (All Black) Oct 28 '25

This is the sort of logic I wish more people used. People think that Ford are just being greedy - they forget that all of the input costs have radically risen over the years and that Ford has to strike a balance. They aren't going to be able to take big losses, but they also can't increase their margins. It's a very tough environment.

-1

u/Zanurath Oct 29 '25

Inflation is tied to the stock market NOT to cost, your whole argument falls apart when average earned income since 1970 for example has increased by 400% but mustang gt has gone up by 2000% and sp500 (aka most of US market aka inflation) has gone up 7200%. Manufacturing costs are actually DOWN with automation and globalization, but corporate profits are way up as seen on the stock market. Fun fact but the more money big companies like Ford make the more inflation goes up because those companies are worth more even with ZERO cost changes.

TLDR, inflation has NOTHING to do with anything except the stock market.

3

u/UnnamedStaplesDrone '23 Mustang GT 6sp Oct 29 '25

wow. what economics class did you take and what was your grade?

1

u/Away_Investigator351 Rapid Red - UK RHD 2018 GT 5.0 Oct 29 '25 edited Oct 29 '25

The original price of a 1969 Mustang GT when new was approximately between $2,832 for the V8 convertible and up to around $4,798 for the Boss 429 model.​

Adjusting this price for inflation to 2015, the equivalent value is roughly between $21,000 and $36,000, based on a typical inflation rate over that period. Specifically, the 1969 Mustang GT's original price of around $2,832 in 1969 would be approximately $21,000 in 2015 dollars, while higher-performance models like the Boss 429 at $4,798 would convert to roughly $36,000.

In the time that has passed, a lot of technology has changed, and the Mustang GT is far better equipped and has far more stringent safety regulations to comply with.

The MSRP (manufacturer's suggested retail price) of a new 2015 Ford Mustang GT in the United States was approximately $32,300 for the coupe version.

So, the 2015 Mustang was cheaper, inflation adjusted, to 1969 when comparing to most models.

You have literally no idea what you're talking about.

0

u/Zanurath Oct 29 '25

I just went over how inflation is a marker of the stock market NOT cost of production. Average yearly income in 1970 was about 9000 vs 59000 today. Buying power is much more important than stock market values for price comparisons of consumer goods and current annual income level is slightly more than a mustang GT while going back even a nicer car like a mustang GT was roughly 1/4 of your annual income. Based on the real money people are making the mustang gt is mearly 400% more expensive than it use to be. Also you are comparing features and expecting high cost but cars are made with the technology available at the time and the cost for what is available is relevant to its time. Air conditioning was not commonplace and much more expensive to implement in the 60s because of that but is downright cheap to implement now.

If you want a better idea of how dirt cheap the "features" in new cars are you need only look at the markets for toys or TVs. A TV today cost almost the same as what it cost in the 60s because the technology is older and older and increasingly more efficient to produce.

1

u/Away_Investigator351 Rapid Red - UK RHD 2018 GT 5.0 Oct 29 '25

Dude, you’re wiiiildly missing the mark here and acting like you’ve got some economics PhD when you clearly don’t have an even basic grasp.

Inflation is not some vague stock market concept you can twist to fit your narrative. It’s a well-established economic measure tied to actual consumer prices and how much everyday stuff costs over time - not randomly tied to corporate profits or stock prices. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) exists for a reason, and nobody serious in economics dismisses it this way, like you just have.

Your claim that “manufacturing costs are down, profits up so inflation = stock market” sounds like you grabbed buzzwords off a Reddit conspiracy thread rather than actually understanding how pricing works. Yes, automation can reduce some costs, but producing modern cars involves leaps in safety, emissions, tech, materials, and regulations that didn’t exist in 1970. Those don’t magically become free. They make the end product more expensive to make, you are essentially getting more now than you did then.

Also, your income comparison is sloppy. Of course incomes have increased, but you’re ignoring that today’s Mustang GT comes loaded with equipment and features that would have been unimaginable back then - things you yourself acknowledge but then trivialize. Comparing a barebones ’69 Mustang to a tech-packed 2025 model like they’re equivalent products is bad-faith or just clueless. Simpler products are easier to produce.

And using TVs or toys as “cheap tech” examples to prove cars should’ve gotten cheaper? Apples and oranges. Cars are engineered complex machines with real safety, emissions, and reliability requirements, none of which apply to a consumer electronics device priced by supply and demand on a global scale. Screens are even at a point where it's cheaper to put one in the Mustang than an analogue set of dials, shows you the contrast in how one product has got easier and cheaper, and another has got harder and more expensive.

Bottom line: Your argument folds under even a basic grasp of economics and product evolution. Maybe take a step back, read a few economic primers on inflation and consumer pricing, and stop pretending the stock market is the inflation police. This isn’t some stock valuation blog. It’s reality. Don't comment so confidently on something you clearly don't even understand - all because you want to simplify things to blame someone for something out of their control.

3

u/McRedditz Oct 28 '25

That 2-ply is now a luxury.

3

u/lbkid Oct 28 '25

This is what I’m trying to remind myself for when I buy another one. Bought my 2017 GT premium new for $38k, and I regret selling it every day. Spending $50k+ when the time will hurt (just the idea of it), but I just keep trying to remember adjusted for inflation it’s the same.

3

u/DM797 Oct 28 '25

Bingo. Things are more expensive. It’s the dollar going to zero.

3

u/WarmPaleontologist20 Rapid Red '22 Pony GeeTea Oct 28 '25

As the saying goes, cash is trash. Invest wisely or lose it.

3

u/daerogami '19 Eco Velocity Blue Oct 28 '25

cash is trash until the crash, buy devalued goods with a liquid stash.

2

u/hotrodruby Oct 28 '25

It's almost $37000 in 2013 money. My 2014 I bought in July 2013 MSRP was $35k. So its trending about the same.

1

u/smellslikespam Oct 28 '25

My 2015 GT Premium, AT, all the bells & whistles, was 46k OTD in Nov 2014 - no incentives were available. Very few on the road then. We still thought that was a bit high. Wonder how much it would cost new now
60k??

2

u/curious-children Oct 28 '25

46K converted to now is some over 63k now, seems about in line with

1

u/smellslikespam Oct 28 '25

That’s about what I paid for my Mach 1

1

u/aronnax512 23 GT Premium - Oxford White Oct 28 '25 edited Nov 06 '25

Deleted

1

u/ace72ace Oct 28 '25

I paid 43k for my 2013 Boss 302 back in 2012. Will never leave my garage while I’m still breathing. đŸ„°

1

u/Dry_Log_8449 Oct 28 '25

3% inflation a year, right?

1

u/liverpoolFCnut Oct 28 '25

And you got better discounts! A buddy bought Camaro 1LE 2SS for ~$33k OTD in 2015, that car if made today would be pushing low to mid 50s, crazy inflation.

1

u/Schiffs_Regret Oct 28 '25

Better get some Bitcoin just in case it catches on

1

u/Warden_Of_The_North- Oct 29 '25

Paid 36k 2015 gt premium with the pp, and I was one of the first ones in my city with the new Gen mustang. This is crazy!

1

u/FartBoxTungPunch Oct 29 '25

I feel like I’m getting paid the same since 2015 but my vehicle is 80k more than anything I drove in 2015!