When I asked our bloggers to illuminate a cause, I didn’t really expect muscle cars to be of focus. But, I was forgetting Mustang fanatic Luke Sonderman was in the house.
Blog Advisor Zachik
By Luke Sonderman
Electric cars are taking the world by storm with some of the highest performing vehicles on the market for extremely low prices. Are these cars worth getting, or should you ride in style in a classic combustion?
Tesla Model S Plaid
The Tesla Model S Plaid is a piece of straight-up raw performance. With a 0-60 (mph) of just under 2 seconds, a top speed of 200mph, and over 1000 horsepower, the Model S Plaid is the definition of speed (tesla.com). Starting at only $140,000, you will not find a car with these specs in this price range or even at all! Yes, I know $140,000 is a lot of dough, but hear me out. The 2023 Ferrari 296 is one of the highest performing super cars on the market. With a 0-60 (mph) in 2.9 seconds and a top speed of 205mph, this thing is a monster (motortrend.com). With similar specs to the Model S, the 2023 Ferrari 296 starting price is $317,000. I think that anyone could agree that the Tesla Model S Plaid is without a doubt the highest performing car of 2022 and is also the best deal.
Now let’s get into why the Tesla Model S Plaid is not worth your 140 grand. First of all, it is absolutely no fun. The most thrilling parts of owning a high performance sports car is the sound, the look, the interior, and then of course the actual performance. Yes, the Model S passes the performance test, but it’s like driving a really fast golf cart. The interior looks like an Ikea design, and the exterior looks like an Apple Magic Mouse. When it comes to sound, well, there really isn’t any.
Ford Mustang Mach-E GT
One of my least favorite electric vehicles that is rising on the charts is the 2022 Mustang Mach-E GT. This hunk of junk has 480 horsepower, a 0-60 (mph) of 3.5 seconds, and a top speed of 124mph. The specs aren’t nearly what the Model S Plaid’s are, but this car starts at $65,000 so don’t expect a supercar. Still, a 3.5 0-60 is very quick, and it is still a high performance vehicle.
The real reason I hate this car so much is because they named it a Mustang. The name Mustang has been reserved for Ford’s muscle cars since the 60s. Mustangs are my favorite cars, and I was so disappointed when they made this ugly EV SUV a Mustang when it is not. It looks very, very weird on the exterior, but the interior is alright. Is it worth $65,000? Absolutely not! Get a REAL Mustang GT. A loud piece of muscle.
Chevrolet Corvette C8
As a Ford fanatic, I hate to give Chevy any credit for anything… but the 2022 C8 Corvette is a pretty sick car. This 8-cylinder monster comes equipped with 490 horsepower, a 0-60 (mph) of 2.9 seconds, and a top speed of 194mph (stingraychevrolet.com). Corvettes are known for their lightweight body and power-packed engines that make them so fast. Starting at only $61,000, this car is definitely the best bang for your buck when it comes to sports cars (roadandtrack.com).
Now, this car not only has the performance of a supercar, but it has a fighter jet style interior. If I bought a sports car, I would want it to look like a fighter jet. Now the exterior is cool, don’t get me wrong, but I favor the older model exteriors such as the 2017. When it comes to what I’m looking for in a sports car, it has the noise, it has the performance, it has the interior, and it has the coolness factor. When it really comes down to it, I would probably spend my 60g’s on a Mustang, but if you are looking for a speedy, quick car, then I would totally go with the 2022 Corvette C8.
Mustang Shelby GT-500
Now the car I have been waiting for… the Mustang Shelby GT-500. This is definitely my favorite car, and I believe it is the coolest car on the market. This supercharged 5.2 liter 8-cylinder muscle car comes packed with 760 horsepower, 180mph top speed, and a 0-60 (mph) of 3.5 seconds (guideautoweb.com). I know what you’re going to say…. I know it has way more horsepower than the Corvette, and it is still a bit slower. But, this car is a powerhouse. The wow factor of this engine will blow your mind. It is loud, powerful, and very pretty. As a muscle car, Mustangs have a generally heavier body than most every sports car, which is why they tend to be slower than cars like Corvettes and Teslas. But the power you feel under the hood of a 2022 Mustang Shelby GT-500 is nothing like a little Tesla or 400-horsepower Corvette.
Of any of the cars on this list, this one would be the one I would get. The GT-500 has everything I look for in a sports car. It has impeccable performance, a crazy engine, a very loud exhaust, and it has a beautiful interior and exterior. Although I may be biased as a Mustang owner, I believe that this is the best car money can buy. Starting at $70,000, the GT-500 is the epitome of style, power, and fun.
In the end when it comes to gas vs. electric, I would go with gas. I’m a junkie for speed, noise, style, and power, and electric vehicles do not have all of those characteristics. If all you care about is a minimalistic aesthetic and a quick little golf cart, then I would get a Tesla. But if you want some real power and muscle, go with a Mustang.
Better start saving $$$