10 Used Sports Car Alternatives To The New Mustang EcoBoost

Oct 10, 2023

The Ford Mustang EcoBoost may be a bestseller, but these sports cars are just as capable.

The Ford Mustang is one of the bestselling sports cars in the world, and the reasons for that are not far-fetched. For one, the Mustang never fail to turn heads, whether in the form of a fastback or convertible. But the most exciting part of the Mustang is under the hood, where the EcoBoost models house a 2.3-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that unleashes 310 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque.

However, if a Mustang doesn’t really feel like a sports car for you with a V8, there are certainly great alternatives from the used-car market for you to consider. These sports cars are drop-dead gorgeous, with thrills that can’t be matched even by the Mustang EcoBoost.

Pulling performance data from Kelley Blue Book and Zero To 60 Times, these sports cars are worth more than whatever the 2023 Mustang EcoBoost would offer you.

Related: 10 Cheap Sports Cars That Rival The Ford Mustang Dark Horse

Even though it was developed under Ford ownership, lifting parts from Jaguar and Volvo, the Aston Martin V8 Vantage somehow managed to capture almost all the niceties of the twice-as-expensive DBS and Vanquish. The V8 Vantage is quick in a straight line and not shy around corners. While it started out with a hefty price tag of $115,000, it’s now in the neighborhood of the new Mustang EcoBoost, going for $33,360, per Kelley Blue Book.

0-60 MPH

4.4 seconds

Top Speed

175 mph

Curb Weight

3,770 lbs

Horsepower

380 hp

Torque

302 lb-ft

Layout

Front engine, rear-wheel drive

Aston Martin tucked a naturally aspirated 380-hp 4.3-liter V8 under the hood of the 2007 V8 Vantage, making it about 70-hp more powerful than the 2023 Mustang EcoBoost. Going from 0-60 mph takes the V8 Vantage just 4.4 seconds, according to Zero To 60 Times, which puts it in the Mach 1's territory.

Although some purists may prefer only a rear-wheel-drive and manual coupe or roadster, the Audi TT is a performance marvel for regular people, with its road-gripping Quattro all-wheel drive system. Dubbed the “R8 Baby Brother,” the Audi TTS should cost around $28,462 for a used 2016 model, per Kelley Blue Book. This means the 2016 TTS is about $4,402 less expensive than the new Mustang EcoBoost Premium Fastback.

0-60 MPH

4.2 seconds

Top Speed

155 mph

Curb Weight

3,230 lbs

Horsepower

292 hp

Torque

280 lb-ft

Layout

Front engine, all-wheel drive

The 292 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque coming from the 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 may not look impressive on paper, but it’s enough to catapult the TTS to 60 mph in under 4.2 seconds, according to Zero To 60 Times. The new Mustang EcoBoost is 18-hp more powerful than the 2016 TTS, but the Audi Coupe is a lot faster.

The top-ranging Z4 sDrive35is delivers the level of performance you’d expect of a BMW M model. It makes a fine daily driver if you are someone that doesn't want to drive by without getting noticed. Even though the Z4 sDrive35is didn’t initially come cheap, with a wide range of standard features, you can get one for just $21,386 today, per Kelley Blue Book.

0-60 MPH

4.3 seconds

Top Speed

155 mph

Curb Weight

3,549 lbs

Horsepower

335 hp

Torque

32 lb-ft

Layout

Front engine, rear-wheel drive

A well-tuned 3.0-liter turbocharged in-line six is the beast under the beautiful skin of this Z4 sDrive35is roadster. The V6 joins forces with an overboost mode to produce 335 hp—25 hp more than the 2023 Mustang EcoBoost. Zero To 60 Time claims the Z4 sDrive35is dashes to 60 mph time in just 4.3 seconds, making it quicker than the Mustang EcoBoost and even the Mach 1.

Related: See How The BMW Z4 Coupe Could Look If It Makes Production With Our Detailed Render

The 2005 Crossfire SRT-6 is the first Chrysler vehicle with an SRT badge, so it’s a special piece of American tuning and German engineering. Its rear spoiler instantly tells you this is not just another Chrysler Crossfire. Just like the Mustang EcoBoost that's available as a fastback and convertible, the Crossfire SRT-6 comes in the form of a roadster and coupe. While the SRT-6 roadster originally went for $49,995—$4,300 more than the coupe version—the Roadster is more affordable today, selling for $7,382, per Kelley Blue Book.

0-60 MPH

4.8 seconds

Top Speed

158 mph

Curb Weight

3,328 lbs

Horsepower

330 hp

Torque

310 lb-ft

Layout

Front engine, rear-wheel drive

As the only Chrysler vehicle to feature a hand-built 3.2-liter supercharged V6 engine, the 2005 Chrysler Crossfire SRT-6 deserves more love than it gets. As the ultimate Crossfire, the SRT-6 pumps out 330 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, enough to take the Roadster from 0-60 mph in less than 5.0 seconds, according to Zero To 60 Times. In comparison, the Mustang produces about 20 hp less than the Crossfire SRT-6, and trails behind the Chrysler roadster when it comes straight-line acceleration.

The 2014 Jaguar F-Type S is not only great to look at, but also quick on its feet, especially in a straight line. With its 15-inch front rotors, QuickShift ZF eight-speed automatic, and supercharged V6, it’s hard not to love the 2014 Jaguar F-Type S. According to Kelley Blue Book, a used F-Type S convertible is valued at roughly $28,788, while the 2023 Mustang EcoBoost convertible starts at $33,270.

0-60 MPH

4.4 seconds

Top Speed

171 mph

Curb Weight

3,558 lbs

Horsepower

380 hp

Torque

339 lb-ft

Layout

Front engine, rear-wheel drive

Adding a $12,000 premium to the F-Type S allows Jaguar to bring several performance-enhancing kits that optimize the driving experience of the V6 cat. Producing 380 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque, Zero To 60 Times claims the 2014 F-Type S covers 60 mph in 4.4 seconds and tops out at 171 mph.

The 2009 Maserati GranTurismo S hooks you in with seamless curves and creases in all the right places, while the Ferrari-derived aluminum V8 leaves you addicted to the sonorous sound of the bargain supercar, which, according to Kelley Blue Book, now goes for just under $25,000—about $3,506 less than the Mustang EcoBoost fastback.

0-60 MPH

4.5 seconds

Top Speed

183 mph

Curb Weight

4,146 lbs

Horsepower

433 hp

Torque

361 lb-ft

Layout

Front engine, rear-wheel drive

The GranTurismo S is not as light as it looks, weighing 4,146 pounds, but thanks to a 4.7-liter V8 that cranks out 433 hp, it bolts from zero to 60 in 4.5 seconds, according to Zero To 60 Times. But unlike the 2023 Mustang EcoBoost's 4-cylinder that's tied to a 6-speed manual transmission, the GranTurismo S makes do with a 6-speed automatic.

With its supercharged V8, invigorating exhaust note, and new multi-clutch transmission, many sports car enthusiasts will gladly choose the 2009 Mercedes SL 63 AMG over the new Mustang any day of the week.

0-60 MPH

4.4 seconds

Top Speed

155 mph

Curb Weight

4,398 lbs

Horsepower

518 hp

Torque

465 lb-ft

Layout

Front engine, rear-wheel drive

With a supercar-matching performance, this roadster is a steal for $25,757, as listed on Kelley Blue Book. The 518 hp and pace offered by the 6.3-liter supercharged V8 will satisfy any speed freak and thrill seeker. According to Kelley Blue Book, it will take the 2009 SL 63 AMG just 4.4 seconds to clock 60 mph. So, the 2009 SL 63 AMG roadster is essentially a cheaper and faster alternative to the new Mustang EcoBoost convertible.

If you want a straightforward sports car with a capable V6 to give you your daily dose of dopamine for half the price of Mustang EcoBoost, the 2011 Nissan 370Z is a good choice. According to Kelley Blue Book, $16,679 is enough to get you a 2011 370Z Coupe.

0-60 MPH

4.8 seconds

Top Speed

155 mph

Curb Weight

3,449 lbs

Horsepower

332 hp

Torque

270 lb-ft

Layout

Front engine, rear-wheel drive

When it comes to quality, fit, and finish, the Mustang EcoBoost may have the edge, but the 370Z is a better performer in a straight line. A 3.7-liter V6 pushes the 370Z to 60 mph in less than five seconds and peaks out at 155 mph. The 370Z's V6 produces 332 hp—about 22 hp more than the 2023 Mustang EcoBoost.

The 2009 Cayman S is unmistakably a Porsche, taking design cues form the iconic 911. Newbies can feel at home in the 2009 Porsche Cayman S, which goes for roughly $25,104, according to Kelley Blue Book.

0-60 MPH

4.4 seconds

Top Speed

172 mph

Curb Weight

2,976 lbs

Horsepower

340 hp

Torque

273 lb-ft

Layout

Front engine, rear-wheel drive

With a 340-hp 3.4-liter Boxer-6 at the helm of affairs, the Cayman S delivers a vertigo-inducing performance, blasting from zero to 60 in 4.4 seconds, according to Zero To 60 Times. Just like the 2023 Mustang EcoBoost, the 2009 Cayman S works with a 6-speed manual transmission, but pumps out 30 more horses than the new Ford.

Related: These Are Our Favorite Features Of The 2023 Porsche 718 Cayman

With its clean, flowing body lines, the 2011 Jaguar XKR still looks drop-dead gorgeous by today’s standards. Available in the form of a coupe or convertible, the former is about more affordable, with an average used price of $21,895. You may want to even consider the XKR a bargain supercar.

0-60 MPH

4.6 seconds

Top Speed

155 mph

Curb Weight

3,968 lbs

Horsepower

510 hp

Torque

461 lb-ft

Layout

Front engine, rear-wheel drive

Even if you are not moved by looks, the performance of the supercharged 5.0-liter V8 is bound to sweep you off your feet. The engine generates up to 510 hp and takes the XKR Coupe from 0-60 mph in 4.6 seconds, according to Kelley Blue Book. Unlike the 2023 Mustang EcoBoost with a 6-speed manual transmission, the 2011 XKR is fitted with a 6-speed ZF automatic, but can be manually shifted through the gearshift.

Peter Akpejeluh is a content writer with years of experience in the automotive industry. His love for cars makes crafting colorful stories around them quite effortless. When Peter is not developing automotive content, you can find him taking one of his favorite cars for a spin.